The question comes up every now and then whether religion belongs in politics? It’s a good question and it deserves regular discussion. My initial response, I suppose, would be what do we mean by religion? If we’re talking about basic human compassion and universal values such as equality, fairness, education, human rights and independence I would say yes. If we’re talking about dogma, doctrine and exclusivity I would say no. Most of our western governments are now based on democratic... Read more

It can be quite challenging accepting responsibility for ourselves in this wonderful world, but the benefits are huge.  To refuse to be victimized by others’ actions or be subject to the whims or capriciousness of form, whether physical, emotional or mental, is a pure spiritual act. To live in the faith that “all is God and all is good,” to be loyal to a concept that we create all of our experiences and to escape the inner drive to blame... Read more

As we cross the threshold into “Love Month” I am reminded of something the poet Rumi once said:  “When I tried to write about Love, the nib of my pen broke.  When I tried to explain Love, I found myself floundering like a donkey on a muddy trail.”   Kabir Helminski, a translator of Rumi, adds:             “No one is a greater master of the knowledge of Love than Rumi.  No one has written  more deeply or more extensively about Love... Read more

I’ve been thinking that some things (aka people) need to start changing to fit into my life. As soon as a travel down that road, I soon realize in order to effect change within someone else, I have to effect it within myself first. Instead of falling back into old patterns of behavior, like trying to “fix” someone else, I need to allow myself to be a little uncomfortable in the situation and see where I am in my life.... Read more

It’s my belief that everyone has the potential for greatness and that the only thing that ever suppresses it is fear. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “They conquer who believe they can”, and in turn, they succeed who are willing to face their fear. I would think that most of us have some intention, either one that we’ve clarified and stated or one that might even be drifting aimlessly in the back of our minds. I would further suggest that if... Read more

One of my all-time favorite stories was shared with me by Dr. Arleen Bump the senior minister of the Center for Spiritual Living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Bump relayed to me an experience she had had at her church directly following Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane had severely damaged her center in Fort Lauderdale, tearing the roof off the building, destroying the beautiful landscaping and flooding the entire interior. The damage was monolithic and the costs to repair were in... Read more

Each December as the year approaches its end, the staff and I make a firm decision to de-clutter our schedules and to do less so that we can do what we do more mindfully and better. We typically arrive at this decision overwhelmed by the busyness of the holy season and every year we are firm in our stand: we don’t have to be bullied by the pace of the group mind; we can determine our own pace and be... Read more

I remember meeting a man who used to play professional sports. Even though he was only in his thirties he walked with a pronounced limp and was in pain constantly. What had occurred for him was this; he was playing in an important game one day and while playing he was injured. His team needed him in the game, so while briefly sidelined they medicated him and put him back on the field. For the rest of the game he... Read more

The other day, while going through a pile of papers to be filed, I found a scrap with this written on it:  “When did you last lay your head in the lap of awe.”  Think for a moment – when did you last let yourself experience a true moment of awe? All of us have them.  One that came instantly to my mind was being present at my Goddaughter’s birth. The dictionary defines AWE as “a mixture of wonder and... Read more