When we rejoice in others’ success, the Dalai Llama once said, we multiply our chances by billions. These are good odds! * Making sense of it is a column about spirituality and how it can be used to navigate everyday life I once had a therapist who laughed – not just a chuckle but an unrestrained, full-bodied laughter. Initially, it took me by surprise. I thought therapy was a solemn endeavour, a place to unearth my deepest fears and sorrows. On a significant birthday she asked to see photos of my party, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She joked that we could have had a bottle of champagne in our session to celebrate (we didn’t but I appreciated the sentiment). She never missed an opportunity for shared joy. Of course, we also did the hard work. She witnessed tears, frustration and confusion – often before 9.45am. She had seen a lot and had sat through a lot. She had been a tireless advocate, frustrated with a system that abandoned many of its vulnerable in the name of efficiency. Dr Nadine Levy is a senior lecturer at the Nan Tien Institute. She coordinates its health and social wellbeing program and the graduate certificate in applied mindfulness Continue reading...