Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As we enter the darkest time of year, I want to offer a vision of quiet optimism. In winter’s stillness—when days are short, and the air is cold—the heart rests in the deep knowing that spring will come. This is a kind of faith: faith in change, in seasons, in the lawfulness of the natural world.

“You can cut all the flowers, but you can’t stop spring from coming.” Pablo Neruda

This truth allows the heart to rest. Faith that spring will return—no matter how many flowers are mowed down—becomes the ground of equanimity. From that ground grows trust, even in the darkest times, and the strength to endure with an open heart.

Compassion in the Harshest Places

We recently interviewed Eric Matthews for a film about Compassion Corps, the program I founded 14 years ago to bring compassion and mindfulness training to under-resourced communities worldwide.

One of our earliest and most transformative programs took place at Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola)—a former plantation once worked by enslaved people.
Under the extraordinary guidance of Lara Naughton, a single eight-week class grew into a prison-wide movement:

• teaching assistants trained inside the prison,

• compassion conferences led by incarcerated men,

• and prison-wide TV programs on compassion.

Thirty years at Angola is a long, dark winter—one that demands faith and resilience of a profound kind. Eric embodied both. Spending time with him was, for me, an advanced class in equanimity and compassion.

You can watch our full interview on my YouTube channel, or start with a short clip below—one I hope will inspire you to dance, even in the darkest times.

📚 Upcoming Events

World Meditation Day
December 21st
Join HERE
Sponsored by the United Nations

Bay Book Area Launch
📍 Book Passage, Corte Madera
🗓 March 21, 1 p.m. With Rick Hanson and Barbara Bogatin, SF Symphony cellist.

Denver
📍 The Tattered Cover
🗓 May 3, Time TBA
In conversation with my editor and dharma buddy, Barry Boyce.

Boulder
📍 Boulder Bookstore 🗓 May 5, 6:30 p.m.
In conversation with Barry Boyce.

San Diego
📍 Warwick’s Books, 🗓 La Jolla,
April (date TBA)
In conversation with Cassi Vieten and co-sponsored by the UCSD Center for Mindfulness

🌿 With Gratitude

Warm thanks to Rick Hanson for reprinting my essay, “The Quiet Power of Equanimity in an Age of Outrage,” in his Wise Brain Newsletter.

May this season of darkness bring rest, renewal, and quiet faith in the inevitable return of light.

With love,
Margaret

WATCH ERIC MATTHEWS CLIP HERE
(Scroll down my home page)

It was sweet and heart-opening to be interviewed by Habib Boerger for his podcast, “Beyond Names”. Habib is a Sufi teacher I had interviewed the year before for my book. His presence created a field of safety and depth that allowed me to share a deeply personal story about my own spiritual path. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share these reflections with you. You can watch the full episode below.

WATCH HABIB INTERVIEW HERE

I’d like to share a few ways to stay connected as we move into the new year. I’ve recently joined Insight Timer, where you can follow me for new meditations that support mindfulness, steadiness and compassion. My YouTube channel also features full-length interviews, Compassion Corps content, and more as it grows—I invite you to subscribe and follow along. Thank you for being part of this journey and for contributing to a kinder world and a future we can love.

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