PHIL: In this culture, there is a strong focus on the individual. It is your responsibility to take care of yourself, to stay alive, to plan for the future. And yet, we are not a solitary species; we are a …
How Relationships and Community Fulfill the Same Need for Connection Read more »
To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work. Mary Oliver PHIL: I’ve been meditating recently and have discovered that when I consciously sit still, it works much better. I’m not talking about making an effort to keep my …
Why Stillness and Attention are at the Core of Peaceful Relationships Read more »
MAUDE: I experienced a close friend engaging in the blame game this last week, and it was such a strong experience that it made me want to write about it here. My friend seemed to be walking around drowning in …
How to Stop Playing the Blame Game and Actually Feel Peaceful Read more »
PHIL: Besides writing with Maude, I also write independently on Substack. Maude is away on a trip for a few weeks, so I want to describe some ideas of mine and explain how they apply to relationships. I’ve been thinking …
How the Play Between Words and Feelings Affects Your Relationships Read more »
MAUDE: Phil is always saying that “we are a social species, and connection is a deep need we all have.” One of the ways that we achieve this in our various relationships is by sharing our experiences. This generally happens …
The Pleasures and Importance of Shared Experience in Your Relationships Read more »
MAUDE: Last night, as we were talking about what we want to write a post about, a way of being present came up, and here we are with the post that grew out of that conversation. After an evening jamming …
Are You Emotionally Present in Your Relationships or Just Not There? Read more »
MAUDE: I’m going to give you an update on the birthday plans I shared in July of 2025. You might be wondering what that has to do with peaceful relationships. Well, my experiences around this have given me lots of …
How Radical Non-Interference Makes Our Relationship Feel So Peaceful Read more »
MAUDE: The road toward peace within all your relationships begins with your intention to have this experience. It comes from a strong attraction to it that starts to replace old habits of interaction. Often, we develop this intent without knowing …
How to Apply Your Intention Toward Peace in All Your Relationships Read more »
MAUDE: Phil and I were sharing our reactions to an event in the neighborhood that we have both experienced. We wound up discussing differences and how we handle and react to them. It seems both of us have developed ways …
The Boombox Guy Taught Us a Secret To Peace In Relationships Read more »
PHIL: In any relationship, there are expectations. I expect a sense of fairness, a recognition that there are two people involved. Early on, Maude and I spent several days exploring what our wedding vows would be and coming to agreement. …
Your Relationship Expectations Make You Miss What’s Happening Read more »