religion

Faith, belief, religion and spirituality

Being mindful and conscious throughout the season

The transition of autumn into winter signals a time when we experience some of our most profound emotions. It’s a beautiful time of gratitude and giving; of change and transformation; of release and intention. But all too often it can also be a time of confusion and anger; of isolation and despair; of doubt and suffering. At the very least, I think we all know someone who experiences life from the latter standpoint, while everyone around them seems to be having a much more j

Faith & Spirit: Family, faith and conflict over the holidays

For many of us, the holiday season is a cherished time of year. Whatever our cultural heritage, most of us have fond memories of holiday gatherings with extended family, school parties or special religious services (like caroling, midnight Mass or lighting the Chanukah candles).

Staying mindful and conscious during the holiday season

The transition of autumn into winter signals a time of year when we experience some…

Simple tools for unlimited spiritual potential

When I was a young man my father would speak of “expanding my scope.” I…

The Gospel of real estate

Each day when we sent off our counter-offer, the inspection resolution or the appraisal report, it was with crossed fingers and mumbled prayers. Each night when we had to sit down and figure out if we should replace the roof like the prospective buyer wanted or wait for another offer, we rolled the metaphorical dice and hoped for a little divine inspiration. In the middle of all of this, it was hard to believe it would ever be over.

A reconciling faith

Catholic spirituality was deeply rooted in my life, until I came out of the closet.

The divine feminine

I already know that this piece will have political overtones and might give rise to…

Doomsday prophesies: The future’s in OUR hands

Worldwide mass media is showing us that humanity has come to a tipping point: We are creating many more problems than we are solving. For every good news story there are two sad news stories. For every movie, video game or book about love and human triumph, there are three media sources portraying human violence, death and sexual exploitation. We do not have to be psychic to see what is happening. Pessimism seems realistic if we get caught up in the news and pop culture.

Finding faith in goddess traditions

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d end up in a same-sex relationship, and given my upbringing, that’s not surprising. The product of a broken home, I spent my formative years in a fundamentalist First Southern Baptist family.

Coming out into our souls

Kareen McCollough, 36, has always had a soul that is Jewish and lesbian, even though she didn’t realize it until a few years ago. Sometimes it takes a lifetime for us to understand who we have always been. Though her path to her truest self has been a long and winding one – crossing miles, communities and identities – Kareen is grateful for the trip.