It’s a stark image, one familiar to Christians who observe the time of Lent and Good Friday. Jesus hangs on a cross. On either side of him are two other criminals who also received a death sentence. As the gospel writer known as Luke conveys, one criminal who shares this… Read More »Pain and Paradise
People started asking me the question the day before Ash Wednesday: what are you giving up for Lent? It seems that the time before Easter known as Lent has become synonymous with giving up or fasting from day to day pleasures, like candy, the use of social media, or… Read More »Giving for Lent
Human beings are amazing creatures. We consider ourselves the most evolved of creatures on Earth. We have complex intelligence and keen awareness, an ability to create a wide array of symbolic forms of communication, giftedness for art and creativity, and a depth of compassion that seems to be greater than… Read More »Changing Our Hearts and Minds
It was an enjoyable evening with friends. A half dozen of us gathered in a restaurant for dinner. I hadn’t realized it until we all sat at the table: three of us were members of the clergy while the other three hold no connection to organized religion. Given the make-up… Read More »Giving or Giving Up for Lent
It happened one evening. I was making dinner while listening to National Public Radio. The program, Fresh Air, came on. I wasn’t very interested in the interview but left the radio playing while I continued to cook. I don’t remember the guest. I don’t remember the actual topic of the… Read More »Do You Think People Actually Change?
The practice is called, “tonglen.” The word is Tibetan and can be translated as giving and taking or sending and receiving. The practice appears to date to the 12th century in Tibet, but originated in India before that. Over the last several months, I’ve been learning more about the Tibetan… Read More »Buddhist Practice and Christian Lent
As I walked through the yard, clearing debris from a harsh storm that snapped branches off trees, I came across the first clear sign of spring: daffodils poking shoots in the midst of the otherwise dead lawn. The sun has warmed the earth and new growth appears. The cycle of… Read More »Spring: Rising from the Ashes
Last Thursday morning, I listened to a presentation by a group of graduate students from the school of psychology where I’m faculty. The presentation was the group’s final project for a special course on ethics and diversity. This presentation focused on working cross-culturally with Native American clients. During the discussion… Read More »Spiritual Practices and Rituals for Integration