How has experiencing nature inspired you? How has nature shaped your spiritual experience? The Hebrew Psalmist captured it well: “The heavens tell of your glory, O God, and the earth proclaims your handiwork. One day after another tells the story and night after night reveals knowledge. There is no speech,… Read More »The Gospel of Nature
“Where do you find the time?” That’s a really good question. Many of us find that our days are so very busy. There’s everything involved with maintaining a home, work responsibilities, community involvements, commitments to family and friends….and well, sleep needs to fit in there, too. It’s a very hectic… Read More »Where Do You Find the Time?
As a child, my parents taught me to say my prayers before going to sleep at night. Over the years, this practice had grown and evolved. Today, as I prepare for sleep, my “bedtime prayers” are based on the tradition practiced in Christian monasteries. At the end of the day,… Read More »Bedtime Prayers
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
He sat in my office and shared his frustration. “I don’t know why it doesn’t work for me. After my wife started, I read articles about it and know it’s a healthy practice. But I just can’t sit still to meditate.” Doug, in his late thirties, was professional and well-educated.… Read More »Don’t Pray As You Can’t.
Her story was familiar to me. Having grown up as an active member of a church from her family’s Christian denomination, she continued to attend church as an adult with a group of her friends. She enjoyed the network of activities and the opportunities to do things for others through… Read More »How Gladys Got Her Grove
What good are spiritual practices? Why take time to pray, meditate, journal, or spend time to intentionally develop the spiritual dimension of life? There are some critics who claim that a focus on spirituality is nothing more than self-indulgence. I’ve heard this criticism many times. Some of those who make… Read More »Spiritual Practices: What Good Are They?
Dusk had fallen as I drove the residential street and turned into the parking lot. I carefully parked my car between two others. I walked to the front of the building and entered the door that led into the dimly lit church. Around the communion table, 30 or 40 candles… Read More »Sharing in Silence
