Learning the art, and practicing the discipline of compassion, begins by paying attention. It is not possible to be compassionate until we actually take notice of our surrounds, until we see the people before us as, well, real people. Sharon Salzberg, Compassionate Practitioner, voices this animation.
Read MoreThe early community that followed Jesus was a community of practice. Jesus’ followers did not just sit around the campfire and listen to lectures on Christian theology. They listened to stories that taught them how to act toward one another, and what to do in the world.
Read MoreMacrina Wiederkehr’s wonderful book, Seven Sacred Pauses, is an invitation to learn, and practice, the ancient spiritual discipline of praying the hours. Macrina offers this practice as a unifying place for all faith traditions, and those with no formal faith at all. She sees it as a place for all of us to live our our fullest lives.
Read MoreWe tend to think of the Sabbath as a time set aside for can'ts. We can't do this and we can't do that.
By this viewing, we see the decalogue as a punishment, not a gift. But in the Judaeo-Christian tradition, properly understood, Sabbath time is the most sacred of divine offerings.
Authors and hosts of Spirituality and Practice, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, write his wonderful response to the question, What is Spirituality? They offer numerous paths of approach to the topic with their gentle, encouraging vision on the subject.
Read MoreThe Spirituality and Practice Website is an endless resource for those on the spiritual journey. With its up to date movie and book reviews, inclusivity to all faiths and inclinations, and great list of inspiring quotes and articles, you can get lost on this site for days. Why not start bookmarking sites you can turn to for inspiration?
Read MoreIn his beloved book 99 Blessings: An Invitation to Life, Br. David Steindl-Rast writes, “Blessing, rightly understood, is the invisible bloodstream pulsating through the universe — alive and life-giving.” Each and every moment, we can cultivate deeper awareness of the blessing of simply being alive, greater appreciation for all that works and is sufficient in our lives, and wonder and awe for the miracles that are within and around us at all times.
Read MoreGratefulness.org offers us a meditation awakens us to the wonders of our world, reminds us about what truly matters, and invites us to notice the everyday gifts of our lives. Grateful living is way of life that does all of the above and, in so doing, contributes to a peaceful, thriving, and sustainable world – held as sacred by all. Following the meditation are questions and suggested practices for living out a grateful day.
Read MoreAngie Thurston is creating spiritual formation experiences for the 21st century. She is dedicated to connecting the inner life of spirit to the outer life of action for social change. Convinced that we need each other to become who we’re meant to be, Angie supports an emerging field of leaders who are deepening community and combating our modern-day crisis of isolation.
Read MoreCasper ter Kuile, a Harvard Divinity School fellow and cohost of the popular Harry Potter and the Sacred Text podcast, explores how we can nourish our souls by transforming common, everyday practices—yoga, reading, walking the dog—into sacred rituals that can heal our crisis of social isolation and struggle to find purpose—a message we need more than ever for our spiritual and emotional well-being in the age of COVID-19.
Read MoreCompassion is the active regarding of life through the eyes of love, seeing value in all people and situations. This committed work of mind and heart restores one’s own equilibrium and sense of belovedness,
allowing for ourselves, and all others, to be known as valued members of humanity. We see through the eyes of love the world brought to life, and in it, we welcome a new richness into our own earthy adventure.
