There are a lot of religious teachings that support martyrdom. Giving up your life, sacrificing comfort, living in poverty in service to others are all seen as ways to sainthood – literally and figuratively. Many spiritual traditions teach that spirituality is free and services are to be shared with the community. So, is there a […]
The Spirituality of Scars
If you want to know about the spiritual significance of scars, visit a battleground, a holocaust site, or any symbol of horror. I’ve been to Tuol Sleng, Culloden, and Wounded Knee. I hope to visit Auschwitz some day too. You might wonder what that has to do with spirituality. Aren’t those places of darkness? Actually, yes. The energy at Tuol […]
The Spirituality of Surfing
If anyone had ever told me that surfing was a spiritual pursuit, I would have said they were completely nuts. The spirituality of surfing? Bah! Funny, but it really is. I finally get why all those lonely guys in wet suits would be out riding the waves long after the summer crowd had gone. They’d […]
Dreams: The Free Spiritual Development Tool We All Have
Want a free spiritual development tool? You’ve got it. It’s dreams! Yep. Before there were Bibles, monasteries, or rituals, we all had dreams. Freud called dreams “the royal road to the unconscious” meaning the hidden part of yourself. Jung felt dreams were the way to tap into the collective unconscious, which is the hidden parts of all […]
Don’t Lose Your Stories
If you look at all the ancient people, they are all steeped in story. There are stories about their heroes, why things are done the way they are, how things got to be the way they are, codes of conduct, and other things that are woven into every day life. These create the threads by […]
Never Give a Sword to a Man Who Can’t Dance
Confucius said, “Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.” Oh, that confusing Confucius! Whatever did he mean by that? In some medicine wheels, the warrior energy is found in the north. The south is the direction of music, dance, beauty, creativity, and inspiration. It is the energy that allows us to feel […]
When Spiritual Growth Leads to Loss
People often think that as you become more spiritually aware, your life gets better in every way. While that can happen, it doesn’t tend to be the norm. What’s more common is that spiritual growth leads to loss. You lose old values, interests, and friends. This could make your growth really lonely. All growth requires […]
A Solo Ritual for the Promise of Spring
The Promise of Spring happens half way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The actual day varies a little from year to year. In 2019, it happens from sundown on February 3 to sundown on February 4. Although all days are sacred, we mark the 8 holy days to remind ourselves to step […]
How to Be Spiritual
More and more often I hear people say, “I don’t know how to be spiritual.” This saddens me greatly. That’s like saying, “I don’t know how to laugh” or “I don’t know what my stomach feels like.” Not knowing how to be spiritual is a state of separation from yourself. Spirituality is not something that […]
Why Mystery Schools are Secret
Have you ever wondered why mystery schools are secret? Isn’t God for everyone? Isn’t wisdom best when it is shared? People who keep information and practices secret must be in a cult, right? Well, not really. There really is a good reason why mystery schools are secret. I didn’t understand it until confronted with what […]