This is the first in a 2-part series exploring a new technique for creating special time and space. This part introduces the key symbol, the Center. Last Samhain’s ritual script experimented with a new technique for creating special time and space (i.e. sacred space): working with the Center. In short, participants circumambulate a chosen focal point. Sounds simple enough, right? Now, let’s explore that a little deeper. Why create special time and space? Why propose new techniques? What is the... Read more

Recently I had the pleasure of attending a gathering of spiritual naturalists and similar folks at a local tea house. One in our group recommended we discuss an issue he’d been dealing with: how to stay mindful throughout the day? We all learn and read about various teachings, wisdom, and more but as the day’s events take place, we get swept up in what’s happening and forget these words of wisdom. Before long we’re getting stressed out, not stopping to... Read more

I am a Humanist, which, among other things means I view the world through a natural vs supernatural lens. Part of my practice as a Humanist is to actively be grateful to the people in my life that make living such a joy. I realize my time here on earth is limited, and in the grand scope of the universe, my actions are insignificant and will only have a temporary effect at best.  But that doesn’t deter me from being... Read more

A spirited discussion about the relationship of science and religion has been going on for a long while. This discussion has largely focused on questions of cosmology and the ultimate nature of our world. I would like to suggest that another, perhaps more important, component of this discussion has received far less attention: the valuation of our internal resources. Science has been brilliant in helping us exploit external resources. This brilliance has often blinded us to the availability of internal... Read more

A commonly heard response of many religious and spiritual people during times of disaster is, “I’ll pray for you”. Spiritual Naturalists are a varied bunch and some may engage in some kinds of contemplative prayer. But in our case, we view ritual as a means to help focus our own thoughts and cultivate inner qualities. This means, absent of any confirmed evidence, we don’t hold a belief that our prayers will affect the circumstances of others in a supernatural sense,... Read more

As a Humanist minister, I have had the honor of conducting the wedding services for many couples. As we work together on the wording of the service and their vows, it calls upon both the couple and myself to think about the meaning of marriage. In this article, I will share some thoughts on the potential benefits of marriage to one’s spiritual practice. First, it is important to talk about the commitment integral to marriage, because this plays a role... Read more

This is the second in a 4-part series which explains, in each part, one of four deceptive distractions to a core purpose of spiritual practice: cultivating, with applied practices, wisdom and a character that is more capable of flourishing. That is, addressing fear, anger, and greed; compassion for all beings and an inner happiness not dependent on external circumstance. Last time we covered the distraction of metaphysical cosmology (link to part 1 here). This time we cover the Ego.  ... Read more

Recently I have noticed some recurring concepts in many of the discourses I’ve been attending in our local Spiritual Naturalist chapter and various other discussions. These have to do, not with obvious distractions, but with things that often draw our attention and may be worthy endeavors, but may seem like they are central to spirituality when, in fact, they can be distractions to a core purpose of spiritual practice: cultivating, with applied practices, wisdom and a character that is more... Read more

“Love they neighbor as thyself” is one of the finer sentiments contained in the Bible. But it’s not  commonly practiced. One reason may be that the Bible doesn’t provide any good tips on how to actually love someone you don’t really like. The Buddhist practice of loving-kindness or metta meditation provides a mean to do exactly that. Although some religious Buddhists may believe that loving-kindness practice works through metaphysical means, there is good reason to believe that it has a... Read more

Today’s article is by guest writer and our Society Advisory Board member, Rev. Michael Dowd. The Society brings together religious and spiritual naturalists from all backgrounds, from Humanist to Pagan to Buddhist and more.  Rev. Dowd has expressed a fully naturalist Christian path in his book, Thank God for Evolution! and his other writing and sermons. In the following article, he gives an overview of a new approach to theism… __________ A new breed of theist is emerging around the... Read more