Just this summer, I have started to notice a worrying decline from where we were even just a year ago. Is it just me, or do others feel the same?

His kids are fine, as is my daughter. We agreed that if we *knew for sure* that things would stay like they currently are, then fine, we can deal. But we also acknowledged that things have a habit of declining very quickly. >>

Recently I was talking with another father of Jewish children who lives outside DC. He reported similar things and said he had to lodge formal reports after his kids received antisemitic treatment. On the one hand, we agreed that all these examples are first world problems. >>

It is true that Trump is weaponizing antisemitism to justify all kinds of bullshit. It is also true that antisemitism is real and appears to be getting worse. The first truth should not blind us to the second. >>

This is not regular pro-palestine stuff but full-on blood libel shit recycled for a 2025 audience. This friend is not (was not?) a fringe ultra-right / neo-Nazi kind of guy, but he has apparently been pulled down some disturbing rabbit holes that he now takes seriously. >>

Last week, an old friend of mine approvingly posted this YouTube video of some guy spouting insane antisemitic conspiracy theories about Jews in Israel. He reckons they are doing “ritual child sacrifice" because of some old Jewish doctrine. >>
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS9x...

About a month ago, my wife and I were at a night club in SF. We made friends with a young guy in his early 30s and we were getting along great. Then he saw my wife’s necklace, a Star of David, and she said she was Jewish. He froze and walked off without saying a word. >>

… A time that invites you to dig deep and find the strength of conviction that summons you into action for something greater than yourself. A time that is not confusing or muddy but clear as day. We are living in such a time and we are being called.”

“The first best thing would be to live in a time of peace and prosperity and freedom and compassion and justice for all. That time has not yet come to the earth.

The NEXT BEST THING is to live in a time that calls upon you to rise to your highest self…

Good to know. I haven't been on here much tbh. A few months ago my feed started to oscillate between the extremely boring and the borderline delusional!

The replies on that post are wild, and remind me why I try to stay away from this place.

Just human beings, coming together to acknowledge the transcendent, in whatever way it hits us.

Dig it.

Sometimes it is annoyingly shallow and political, other times it is deep and spiritually enlightening.

Either way, there is something very awesome about participating in a spiritual practice stripped of all bells and whistles. >>

What I love about the Quakers is their no-nonsense attitude and egalitarianism.

We are all spiritual equals. We just sit in a circle, in silence, and that’s it. No leader, no robes, no incense, nothing. If anyone has anything to say they can stand up and speak. >>

I am also experimenting with the Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday mornings. Each has their virtues and vices.

The Zen Center offers more in terms of meditation guidance, but one has to put up with a certain degree of costume and pomp and circumstance. >>