He not busy being born is busy dying. - Bob Dylan[i] Have you ever wondered why birth is viewed as something over and done once we emerge from our mothers? We may struggle with everything that comes after, but that part of things is out of the way. The gauntlet has been endured. It’s as... Continue Reading →
My Unsuspecting Prayer
God, Reveal to me what is true. Remove all falsehood from me. And make me wise. When I think back on that prayer now, I’m a little embarrassed. It was a prayer I devised during my freshman year at college. That’s what accounts for the mixture of earnestness and insecurity, flavored with a need to... Continue Reading →
Heaven
Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens. – David Byrne[i] Heaven is a peculiar idea. Nobody has ever visited and come back with a report; for all we know, it’s a myth like Atlantis. Nevertheless, lots of people are planning to reside there, and even brag about it. The general consensus about heaven seems... Continue Reading →
What Is Truth?
Shortly before he died, Jesus was interrogated by the Roman governor of Palestine, Pontius Pilate. Charged with enforcing Roman law in the province, Pilate had been asked to adjudicate a death penalty case. We’re told the local leaders, affronted by the unorthodox beliefs of Jesus, wanted him executed. But, since only Rome was entitled to... Continue Reading →
Spiritual Practice
There is much about the world to which we are blind. It is estimated that humans can only see about 0.0035 percent of the electromagnetic spectrum, otherwise known as light. Spend a day at the beach and your skin may turn red, but your eyes won’t notice the ultra-violet rays that cause it. If dogs... Continue Reading →
Listening
Even though listening to someone is a foundation for any loving relationship, the act of listening is surprisingly difficult. We could even say, like unconditional love, that paying full attention to another person is not a natural human behavior. Instead, due to our egos and their constant yammering, we usually pay more attention to ourselves... Continue Reading →