Dear friends,
Somewhere along the way, we forgot how to love each other.
We became divided by screens, by headlines, by the myth that independence is freedom.
But psychologist Dr. Rick Hanson believes the truth is older—and simpler:
human beings are tribal animals.
We survive through compassion, not control.
Rick and I spoke about what it means to live in a world that profits from division—and how to resist it.
He reminded me of an old parable:
“Inside each of us are two wolves—one of love, and one of hate.
Everything depends on which one we feed.”
That story might sound poetic, but it’s also science.
Every time you practice patience, gratitude, or kindness, your brain strengthens those circuits—literally wiring you for calm and connection.
Every time you dwell on resentment or outrage, the opposite happens.
Rick calls this positive neuroplasticity—the process of training your mind to favor love over fear.
But our conversation went deeper than psychology.
We explored what happens when societies forget this truth—when wealth concentrates in the hands of a few, when fear becomes currency, when communities dissolve and loneliness turns into an epidemic.
Rick’s answer wasn’t theoretical.
It was profoundly human: community, playfulness, civic action, and daily compassion.
The small acts that remind us we belong to each other.
“When you feel the wolf of hate start to growl,” he told me,
“that’s your cue to feed the wolf of love.”
That’s a practice worth remembering.
Because in a world that rewards cynicism, choosing love isn’t weakness—it’s courage.
And it may be the simple act that changes how we live together.
Golden light,
Dr. Richard L. Miller
Links & Resources:
Charley Wininger: higherpurpose.community
Book: Listening to Ecstasy
Fireside Project support line: firesideproject.org
1-minute mind control (my new book)
Traditional mindfulness and meditation techniques often require a huge investment of your most precious resource (time) without guarantees of results.
My own version of mindfulness—what I sometimes refer to as “mind control”—can be mastered in much less time if you commit to regular 60-90 second practice throughout the day.
Breathing. Witnessing. Changing the channel on negative thoughts.
I’ve honed these techniques over a lifetime of personal and professional practice, and now I’m sharing them with the world.
Get my new book Master Your Mind, and as a thank you for your support, I’ll give you a free 30-day subscription to our premium newsletter and exclusive content. Just reply to this email after you buy it to confirm your purchase.
Work with Me
After six decades as a practicing psychotherapist, I'm offering limited opportunities to work directly with me. I bring extensive experience addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, addiction, and psychedelic integration.
One-to-one sessions - Individual therapy tailored to your specific needs and goals. To request an appointment, email DrRichardLMiller@gmail.com with subject line "Contact Request." Include what you hope to accomplish and your phone number.
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My Other Books:
Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life: Dying Without Fear (release date: November 5)
Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out
Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances
Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca
Integral Psychedelic Therapy (co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)
