One of the topmost potential perils when walking the spiritual path is when one feels called to teach spirituality to others. I’m not referring to religious ministers who are sanctioned by their church, or to scholars who impart knowledge about religion in a classroom setting. In the context of Christianity, St. Paul readily acknowledges that certain individuals take on such Read More »
When first embarking on the spiritual path, many aspirants are filled with exuberance and enthusiasm at their newfound pursuit. And no wonder – it’s often like opening a door into an entirely new world. Unquestionably, spiritual aspirants should dive into their practices with passion and wholehearted eagerness when unfolding the deeper truths within themselves and radiating these inner treasures into Read More »
In India’s great scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, Prince Arjuna complains to the celebrated incarnation of God, Sri Krishna: “O Krishna, the mind is restless, turbulent, domineering, and obstinate. I consider it as difficult to control as the wind” (6:34). Krishna replies: “Without doubt, the mind is restless and difficult to control, O Arjuna. But, by repeated practice and by nonattachment, Read More »
Many are familiar with St. Teresa of Ávila’s (d. 1582, Spain) well-known “Bookmark Prayer”: Let nothing disturb you,Let nothing cause you fear.Everything passes away;God alone never changes.Patience obtains all things.Whoever has God lacks nothing;God alone suffices. St. Francis de Sales (d. 1622, France) had a similar saying: Never be in a hurry;Do everything quietlyAnd in a calm spirit.Do not lose Read More »
Famed psychologist Carl G. Jung (d. 1961) wrote about one’s shadow self. In a nutshell, the shadow is composed of all the elements in one’s personality that lay dormant in one’s unconscious mind. In practical terms, these are complexes, hidden drives, unresolved issues, and emotional forces that shape our conscious mind, or persona. In one sense, the entire spiritual journey Read More »
Mahayana (“The Great Vehicle”) Buddhism is one of the principal branches of Buddhism. Two major traditions derive from the Mahayana branch: the Tantrayana of Tibet, and the Chan tradition, more widely known as Zen. Unlike orthodox Theravada (“The Way of the Elders”) Buddhism, which is Buddhism’s other main branch, Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the path of the bodhisattva. Practitioners vow not Read More »
Realizing that the physical universe is illusory in nature, we try to remain detached from the ephemeral world that parades across our daily vision. To take the bait is to become ensnared, which is precisely what drags us down into accepting the mundane world as real. However, we both witness and participate in the commotion that revolves around us. We Read More »
Islam is one of the world’s great monotheistic religions. It was founded during the seventh century by Muhammad ibn Abdullah (570-632), revered by his followers as a prophet and messenger of God. Its followers are called Muslims, “those who submit,” that is, to the will of God or Allah. The root meaning of the word “Islam” in Arabic (اسلام) is Read More »
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