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Deep Sobriety
Discovering life beyond selfishness and self-centeredness For the uninitiated, sobriety may appear to be a straightforward relationship of abstaining from drugs and alcohol. For those who have chosen sobriety after going all in, simplicity is rarely the experience encountered. Instead, you run straight into yourself, the you that you've tried to obscure, perfect, enhance, and outrun, and now, there’s nothing to mute the unfolding encounter. The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymou
John Orr
6 days ago3 min read


When Problem Solving Becomes The Problem
Problem-solving is a job the mind readily accepts, and, quite often, it proves to be helpful. The car isn’t working? Whether it’s fixing it yourself or calling a mechanic, the mind is there to guide you toward a solution. But there is a shadow side: it’s when problem-solving relentlessly focuses on eradicating uncomfortable thoughts and emotions from our lives. In a parable attributed to the Buddha, he warned of this when he spoke of the two arrows. He noted that when we a
John Orr
Dec 30, 20253 min read


Coming Home — How to Find Peace
You need to level up. This version of you isn’t your best. You’re meant to be amazing [and this isn’t it]. Yikes. The self-improvement...
John Orr
Sep 24, 20252 min read


Getting Ready for a Silent Retreat
A quick guide on what to expect when you go on retreat.
John Orr
Jun 25, 20253 min read


Contemplative Coaching
Decades ago, Zen master Shunryu Suzuki presented his students with a powerful yet paradoxical piece of wisdom: 'Each of you is perfect...
John Orr
Jan 27, 20242 min read


Consulting & Training
As a nonprofit leader with a decade and a half of experience, I've noticed a common theme amongst organizations: each tries to exist...
John Orr
Apr 28, 20232 min read


Therapy: an Adventure
Have you looked upon the mountains, the open road, or the city skyline and heard the call? It can come as a whisper, a sense, or a...
John Orr
Apr 25, 20232 min read
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