Today is St. Patrick’s Day which is celebrated worldwide with parades, wearing green so one doesn’t get pinched, and partaking in Irish food and drink. The fun festivities aside, there is a historical undercurrent that suggests a more complex, even dark legacy of St. Patrick. St. Patrick is the Catholic patron saint of Ireland as he led the Irish to Christianity in the 5th century. This “celebrated” conversion came at a significant cost to the ancient spiritual traditions of the... Read more
Mystic, Educationalist, Architect, Biodynamic Agriculture Pioneer Rudolf Steiner’s mystical and intellectual world spanned a vast array of disciplines, reflecting a holistic understanding of the human condition on earth and the human soul in the cosmos. Born in 1861, this polymath’s early work in philosophy and natural science laid the groundwork for his later explorations into mysticism, education, biodynamic agriculture, architecture and even the arts. Steiner’s homebred philosophy of Anthroposophy revealed in the early 20th century, was anchored in various Western... Read more
The story of the Michigan Relics is inseparably connected with my family. This legacy — packed with controversy and historical mystery — has united believers, divided scholars, and ignited intense debates everywhere in between. These relics, once in the trusted custody of my grandfather, Milton R. Hunter, continue to be labeled either as a hoax or a lost, sacred collection of religious artifacts that deserves to be studied. A Family Thing In addition to being a University of California, Berkeley... Read more
The Chakra system, most notably found within Hinduism, is an ancient spiritual energy framework that can play a vital role in a person’s spiritual path. The term “chakra” originates from the Sanskrit word meaning “wheel,” referring to the spinning energy centers at various locations within the human body. The Chakra system is deeply rooted in Hindu philosophy, evolving over thousands of years to become a significant component of Vedic spiritual practices, yoga, Ayurveda, and overall well-being. Origins and Early Mentions... Read more
Some weeks ago, I had the opportunity to experience the 2023 Christmas Concert by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, the world-famous singing group’s annual holiday celebration. The grand stage was adorned with old-world Christmas decor, creating an ambiance that harkened back to Christmases long past. The centerpiece of the evening featured Broadway star Michael Maliakel, whose deep, resonant voice filled the elegant concert hall. Accompanying him was the talented Lesley Nicol, known for her role in “Downton Abbey,” who... Read more
Admittedly, the title of this piece is a little hyperbolic, but hear me out. Deep polarization is the driving force in today’s politics and its accompanying cultural debates. And that’s not just confined to the United States. According to Pew Research, we’re seeing deep political divides in the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Spain, France, Sweden and Belgium. In addition, Pew found that many traditionally democratic countries are growing deeply dissatisfied with their governments, and large democracies like... Read more
I’ve always been fascinated with the Three Wise Men of the Nativity Story. While growing up, my family maintained a Christmas Eve tradition of gathering around the fireplace and reading The Story of the Other Wise Man, a fictional tale written by Henry Van Dyke. The touching story features a Magi named Artaban who sees a sign in the heavens that he hopes will lead him to the Messiah. Artaban takes with him three precious gifts to present to the... Read more
Not long ago, sacred geometry to me meant psychedelic diagrams hung on the walls of New Age stores or unusual geometric designs found in yoga studios. I never would have believed that these symbols could actually be used for spiritual enhancement. The study and utilization of shapes and patterns considered spiritually energetic has been present in various spiritual practices across different cultures and religions for thousands of years. Tracing the origins of its use in spiritual traditions leads us back... Read more
The theory that Jesus spent his “lost years”—in India, Tibet, and Nepal is a subject of great fascination and controversy. This hypothesis fills in the gaps of Jesus’ life that the Bible does not account for, typically between the ages of 12 and 30. The New Testament’s gospels provide little information about Jesus’ life during this period, leading to speculation and legend about what he might have been doing in those intervening years. One of the most intriguing theories is... Read more
It’s no secret that Christianity within the United States is evolving. In a recent study by the PEW Research Center, just 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christians when asked about their religion, down 12% over the past decade. The religiously unaffiliated, who describe their religious identity as atheist or agnostic, now reaches 26%, up from 17% in 2009. This disillusionment with Christianity stems from perceived dogmatic obedience to rigid doctrines and a lack of direct experience with the... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In