PHIL: Trust is an essential part of good relationships. The first thing I want to say about trusting someone is that it is not what they say, it is what they do. What they say about themselves or how they …
The Secret to Deep, Peaceful Relationships is Quiet but Powerful Trust Read more »
PHIL: You talked at lunch about two friends who spend much of their day in each other’s company doing activities together, and I said that is not us; we have a different balance, though I suspect it’s not totally equal, …
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 »