The Cost of Paying Attention"Attention is a resource; a person has only so much of it," writes Matthew B. Crawford at NYTimes.com. He wonders if it would help to envision an "attentional commons" where this precious resource would be protected like air and water; there would even be silence: "Just as clean air makes it possible to breathe, silence makes it possible to think."
Reclaiming Wonder
Posted by Frederic Brussat on June 29, 2015
I was perusing the courses offered by the School of Life in London, England, when I came across a promotion for "Reclaiming Wonder." The teacher was listed as Francesco Dimitri, a novelist and fantasy writer. In the first paragraph, wonder is saluted as the source of philosophy, all creativity, and all masterworks.
Micropreneurs Reframing Work
Posted by Frederic Brussat on June 16, 2015
In the last five years, according to authors Daniele Logue and Markus Hollerer writing on the conversation.com, the sharing economy or "micropreneurs" have been redefining work in a variety of ways. Think Uber, Lyft, AirBnB, and TaskRabbit. Using their skills, time, or assets (a car, spare room, or driveway), enables students, stay-at-home parents, and retirees a chance to tap into the entrepreneurial treasure-trove.
When Ministry Doesn't Pay
Posted by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat on June 10, 2015
Mindy Mayes is a 29-year-old African American woman who was ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church. She was called to Bethel AME, founded in the 1850s. The building needs repair, and the weekly attendance has fallen to around 20. She is also the part-time pastor for another small congregation. Still, Mayes was not earning enough from these positions to keep her going so during the week she works full-time as a public health educator in Indiana.
Comedians as Today's Prophets
Posted by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat on June 3, 2015
In an article titled "How Comedians Become Public Intellectuals" in The Atlantic, Megan Garber contends that there is a difference between the comedians we used to see on TV, who treated jokes as an end in itself, and the small circle of influential comedians of today who take on serious subjects such as racism, sexism, helicopter parenting. and climate change. She calls this brand of humor "comedy with a message."
Jon Stewart is at the head of this class of comedian with his insightful cultural criticism that includes politics, economics, consumerism, war, and just about everything else you can come up with under the umbrella of the contemporary situation. Other notable humorists in this circle are John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, Patton Oswalt, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Amy Schumer. The difference between their efforts and those of their predecessors such as Richard Pryor and George Carlin is that today's rants and raves often go viral on the Internet.
The Future of Spirituality
Posted by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat on May 11, 2015
David Bryce Yaden is a scientific researcher who studies the psychology and neuroscience of spiritual experiences; he prepared this essay for Huffingtonpost.com. Here are the four developments he sees on the horizon:
Posted by Frederic Brussat on May 4, 2015
On becomingminimalist.com, Joshua Becker draws our attention to the "capsule wardrobe movement" which has been touted by some high-profile celebrities. The power and influence of the fashion industry is staggering and has shaped how we think about clothing. Advertising makes wearing the latest brand into a competition and those who cannot avoid to pay the high prices are forced to drop out.
Posted by Frederic Brussat on April 30, 2015
In an article on nautil.us, Abby Rabinowitz explores the many uses and meanings of the meme, one of the most popular forms of viral Internet phenomena. The website Know Your Meme defines it as "a piece of content or an idea that's passed from person to person, changing and evolving along the way."
Posted by Frederic Brussat on April 20, 2015
According to JWT Worldwide, one of the world's largest marketing communications companies, mindfulness is one of the top trends that has shaped the world in 2014. In its February 3, 2004 issue, Time magazine, affirmed this growing trend in its cover story titled "The Mindful Revolution."
Posted by Frederic Brussat on April 15, 2015
Eduardo Galeano, the award-winning Latin American journalist, historian, and prophetic writer died of cancer on April 13, 2015 in Montevideo, Uruguay at the age of 74. He brought a distinct voice, which we consider to be spiritually literate, to everything he surveyed, and he will be missed.
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About This Blog
Spiritual literacy is the ability to read the signs written in the texts of our own experiences. It is recommended and practiced in all the world's religions. Whether viewed as a gift from God or a skill to be cultivated, this facility enables us to discern and decipher a world full of meaning. More