Lots of this story is set in the wilderness. Which an English major would deconstruct to the place that is wilder, less tamed, than where one has been. It’s an interesting concept, an Outward Bound kind of exercise: survive three days in a wilderness with a jug of water, a handkerchief, and a knife; maybe … Read more
Someone once observed that Judaism’s greatest gift to humanity was not monotheism but rather the idea of a Sabbath. A time to hit the pause button, taking the seventh day to be, not do. A time to live off the labors of the previous six and give gratitude for creation. Not just one day a … Read more
Every spiritual practice has rituals and observances. Why? To know ourselves. To honor creation. To create community. What’s at the core? Creating communion with however you think about the creator, the eternal life of all the worlds. My shortcut word for this connection is prayer. One of my favorite poets is Rumi, who talks to … Read more
There’s a story of the great sage Hillel, supposedly standing on one foot with his life in the balance, saying: What is harmful to you do not do to others. This is the entire Torah, the rest is commentary. Holy writings are loaded with variations on this theme. Do unto others as you would have … Read more
We’re told the story of Aaron’s sons who are killed instantly because they came into the sanctuary with “strange fire.” I read that and think, How can any form of worship be wrong? And so unacceptable that they’re zapped like flies on a summer patio. I come from the “pray often, and how you want … Read more
Here is an article on our amazing guest blogger, Helen Rosenau!! It was written by Christine Sherk of The Register-Guard. An avid reader, she talks enthusiastically about books. An admirer of art, she details what “drew her in” to the human portraits by Bay Area photographer Jon Kaplan she has hung in her Eugene home. “He … Read more
We all get our instructions in different ways. I’m not talking about literal voices, but the certainty of trusting your gut about people, places, things; life decisions big and small. Listening to the messages from your inner guides about everything from meditating or exercising more to proposing marriage. This reading details the building of the … Read more
There’s a moment in a new bestseller when if the protagonist drives west he’ll be safe and can begin a new life, and if he returns east, he’ll face life-threatening escapades. East he goes, despite its known dangers. We all do a lot of that. Many times, we make cosmic u-turns when facing the unknown, … Read more
Do you have altars? Places where you collect sacred objects: piles of rocks that have called to you on a walk, inspirational pictures, or spiritually meaningful talismans? We’re used to thinking of places of worship as sacred space. Ditto meditation places in our homes or gardens. Even the inspirational images and messages we share in … Read more
There’s a paradigm I think about that’s got spontaneity on one end and discipline on the other. Sometimes I interpret this range as gratification and joy on the one hand, and rules and responsibilities on the other. Unfair, I know, and betrays a predilection towards self-indulgence that undervalues the benefits of regular habits and practices. … Read more