Spirituality & Practice

Sharon Salzberg first encountered Buddhism in a course on Asian philosophy at the State University of New York. In 1970, her interest in the subject took her to India. She attended her first Buddhist meditation retreat in Bodh Gaya, the site of the Buddha's enlightenment. For the next three and one-half years, Salzberg studied with teachers from India, Burma, and Tibet. She returned to America and began giving reteats. In 1976, Salzberg established with Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield the Insight Meditation Society, which now ranks as one of the most prominent and active meditation centers in the Western world. Salzberg and Goldstein expanded their vision in 1989 by co-founding the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (BCBS). In 1998, they initiated the Forest Refuge, a long-term retreat center secluded in a wooded area on IMS property. She now divides her time between homes in New York City and Barre, Massachusetts. Salzberg has also emerged as a featured speaker and teacher at a wide variety of events. She served as a panelist with the Dalai Lama and leading scientists at the 2005 Mind and Life Investigating the Mind Conference in Washington, DC. She was a keynote speaker at the 2005 Sacred Circles Conference at the Washington National Cathedral. She has addressed audiences at the State of the World Forum, the Peacemakers Conference, as well as many Buddhist conferences. She was selected to attend the Gethsemani encounter, a dialogue on spiritual life between Buddhist and Christian leaders that included His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Salzberg is a a contributing editor of Oprah’s O Magazine, and has appeared in Time Magazine, Yoga Journal, msnbc.com, Tricycle, Real Simple, Body & Soul, Mirabella, Good Housekeeping, Self, Buddhadharma, More and Shambhala Sun, as well as on a variety of radio programs. Her writing appears in anthologies as well as in her own books. For most of her life, this accomplished and well-known Buddhist teacher has been unfolding the riches of meditation, which she characterizes as "the art of knowing how to begin again." Salzberg also describes it as a tool that enables us to see more clearly, to cherish the interconnectedness of all beings, and to incline the mind toward lovingkindness. She affirms equanimity and generosity as the keys to developing a compassionate heart. In one of her books, Salzberg encourages us to re-imagine faith not as a belief or a commodity but as "an inner quality that unfolds as we learn to trust our deepest experience." Read For: Deep insights into meditation practice Clear and sensitive presentations on key Buddhist teachings Exercises for cultivating compassion A re-imagining of the spiritual practice of faith

Trained in psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, humanistic, and transpersonal approaches, Dr. Brenda Shoshanna has spent almost 30 years working as a psychologist who integrates Zen practice into everything she does, including working with clients. In her practice, she focuses on an individual's gifts and strengths. She believes that as these aspects grow stronger, defenses fall away by themselves. Shoshanna is dedicated to integrating psychology and spirituality and applying it to everyday life. She has taught at Adelphi University, Marymount College, Barnard, and has offered more than 500 talks and workshops on all aspects of psychology, spirituality, fulfilling one's potential, and creating authentic peace of mind. The mother of four grown children, she has spent many years close to family and friends, and also working as a playwright in theater. A theme she continually deals with in her writing, life, and heart is how to bring peace and reconciliation, not only between individuals, but among the different religions. Read For: Insights into Zen Buddhism and Judaism Excellent spiritual practices for daily application to life's challenges Commentaries on the spiritual meanings of everyday life

In Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day, Kaitlin Curtice takes a moment to marvel at the fact that she grew up with no knowledge of the Doctrine of Discovery, the international law that gave “explorers” the right to claim land not inhabited by Christians. With both the shock of scandal and the sigh of unsurprise, she exclaims, “An indigenous woman who doesn't know the history of colonization on this land?” As a child of the Potawatomi nation, Curtice was in need of this knowledge, but as a young girl being raised in a Baptist household, questioning wasn’t encouraged and decolonizing was unthinkable. “It has taken a lot of grief and unlearning” for Curtice to overcome this rupture and find a path to wholeness. And that path has been forged by resistance, a “journey of understanding why I was denied the truth about my personal history, or about my people's history, and what it might mean for me going forward. How do I resist on a personal, communal, and ancestral level . . . ?” This question is for all of us, and Living Resistance is for all of us who are ready to find a new way forward that does not rely on doctrines — Christianity, racism, capitalism — that disconnect us from ourselves, from one another, from our history, and from the earth. Curtice writes like a guide, helping us as we climb the spiral track through the four realms. She takes our hand gently in the Personal Realm and becomes more pressing as she addresses what resistance (and responsibility) look like for the Communal and Ancestral Realms. Taking her hand is an act of trust, and she proves herself more than worthy of the gesture, as she leads us ultimately to the “soul center” of the Integral Realm, a place “where we hold all of ourselves, where our spiritual center finds its grounding and truly shows us the beauty of the universe.” Curtice defines her subject, resistance, as “the way we use our everyday lives to exert energy against the dangerous status quo of our time.” For insights on resistance and wholeness, Curtice draws on her own experience but also on a broad bookshelf of spiritual writers. She engages with S&P teachers like Mirabai Starr and Resmaa Menakem but also with many writers whose names might be unfamiliar but whose work feels fresh, necessary and urgent. (Thus, Living Resistance also acts as a portal to a new field and generation of spiritual writers!) The forms of daily resistance she encourages involve both a rejection and an embrace. In the Personal Realm, this might mean rejecting disembodiment and embracing self-care; in the Communal Realm it might mean rejecting the disregard for children and embracing their wisdom; in the Ancestral Realm this might mean rejecting the old stories and instead facing history and practicing intergenerational healing; and finally, in the Integral Realm it might mean rejecting the limitations of religion and joining in interspiritual relationships. This book is an excellent way to practice connection to all of life, especially if you crave indigenous perspectives on kinship. And if you read it soon, please join our Interfaith Reading Group on September 19, 2024, and discuss it with us!

Study and Practice to: walk the path of blessings pave your days with positive intentions and good deeds make your contribution to the repair the world (tikkun olam) recognize the sparks of God present throughout the whole creation discover the spiritual benefits of observing the Sabbath find lessons in the Torah for your daily life learn from the wisdom of the Jewish sages explore Jewish mysticism in Kabbalah, Hasidism, and Mussar path draw closer to God through rituals and holiday observances celebrate joy and laughter rejoice that the world created by God is good and meant to be enjoyed pursue justice in the way of the ancient prophets of Israel

Ram Dass has had a long and adventuresome spiritual journey. As Richard Alpert, he earned a Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford and then taught at Harvard. In India, he met Neem Karoli Baba, a guru who gave him the name "Ram Dass" or "Servant of God." He studied meditation and yoga before returning to the United States in 1971 to write Be Here Now, a path-blazing book that helped spur the New Age movement. Known as well for his writing on compassionate service, he has created several foundations and worked with other organizations to relieve suffering in the world. In 1997, he had a stroke which led him to write Still Here, a forward-looking volume aimed at the Baby Boom generation and their fears about aging, debilitating illness, and death. For many spiritual seekers, Ram Dass has been their collective mirror, reflecting their aspirations and commitments. He has said: "I'm explicitly making my life a teaching, by expressing the lessons that I've learned through it so it can become a map for other people." In this e-course, we will explore the experiences he has shared on being present, acting with compassion, the curriculum of service, the mental roadblocks that stifle generosity of the heart, the challenges of conscious aging, the value of entering the land of don't know, the art of deep listening, the meaning of renunciation, and more. Subscribers to this e-course receive 40 emails, each containing a short passage from one of Ram Dass's books and a suggestion of a spiritual practice you can do during the day to bring its wisdom into your life. We also work with some of his inimitable one-liners and pause periodically to reflect on what we can learn from one of his wonderful teaching stories. Join us for this spiritual adventure based on the wisdom of a master teacher of everyday spirituality! (6 CEHs for Chaplains available.)

Buddhism contains an abundant repository of wise spiritual practices for everyday life. This e-course draws on the riches of this tradition. The course is designed as a 40-day retreat, although you can choose a different frequency during the sign-up process. The 40 emails each contain a thought-provoking and soul-stirring quotation from a contemporary Buddhist teacher for you to reflect upon during the day. This is accompanied by a suggestion for how you can practice being present, equanimity, compassion, generosity, patience and other essential Buddhist ideals during the day. This is not a course on the history of Buddhism or a summary of its basic teachings. Instead, we will give you access to some of the finest Buddhist teachers of our day — the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Pema Chodron, Lama Surya Das, Sharon Salzberg, Sylvia Boorstein, and many others — through passages from their recent writings. Our intent is to connect you with resources you can use on your spiritual journey as well as sample practices you can do each day. Practicing Spirituality with Buddhists has been one of our most popular e-courses, often listed in evaluations as the "top favorite." We're pleased to be able to offer it for those new to the e-courses and in a way that fits into your schedule. (6 CEHs for Chaplains available.)

Many of our American democratic values, like freedom, liberty, justice, and the common good, involve caring for both ourselves and our fellow citizens. A great way to practice democratic virtues like adaptability, caring, cooperation, courage, empathy, generosity, perseverance, and service is to make a spiritual practice of preparing for and responding to disasters. Visit the disaster preparedness sites of your choosing (such as https://www.ready.gov/) to develop and implement your plan for disaster preparedness. Whether filling sandbags in advance of flooding, or putting earthquake kits together, involve family, friends, and neighbors, and offer a mantra, prayer, or hymn of hope, faith, and trust while engaging in your preparedness activities. Likewise for your response activities — whether planting trees or getting involved with your local humane society (or area animal disaster group) to help animals displaced by wildfires — involve others and offer a manta or prayer while you work, like "God be with all the beings in need and with those offering help."

Being a winner doesn't feel very good to 16-year-old warrior and rebel Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence). She was picked as a "tribute" to represent her poor community, District 12, in the Hunger Games, an annual event designed by the people in the "Capitol" to remind other parts of the country of Panem that any resistance to their rule is futile. She and the other District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), survived the terrifying battle in the arena (chronicled in the first movie of this franchise, The Hunger Games) and have returned home. They've been given luxurious accommodations and enough money to live very well, but the trauma of battle still replays itself in her mind. For relief, she goes into the woods to join her best friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth) hunting for meat to share on the black market. He's now working in the mines. Katniss and Peeta are about to embark on their victory tour of the 12 districts of Panem, a propaganda device used to remind the citizens of what's at stake in the Games. She is shocked by a surprise visit to her home from President Snow (Donald Sutherland) who warns her that her every move is being watched and that unless she proves her loyalty to the regime on the tour, she, her family, and friends will be executed. It is most important, he explains, that she convince the people that she and Peeta are in love and that love alone was behind their last-minute threat in the games to commit joint suicide unless they were both allowed to survive. Their actions have been seen in the district as an act of resistance, and there have been uprisings. Snow will not allow Katniss, a.k.a. the Girl on Fire, to become a symbol. "I had to do that. At least once," Gale says after kissing Katniss. Is a kiss enough to lift her spirits? Katniss welcomes Gale's affection but has so many things dampening her body and soul. Some parental critics of The Hunger Games trilogy have suggested that it promotes war and violence. But Katniss is a warrior who has no love of war. She has symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome — nightmares, flashbacks, and avoidance of those nearest to her. There are plenty of other movies that celebrate soldiers as heroes no matter who the enemy is — see Captain Phillips and Zero Dark Thirty. But this one, like other dystopia movies, has exaggerated the warps and excesses of the present in order to enable us to see them more clearly. No one wins in war; violence must not be glorified. "You never get off this train," says District 12 former winner turned Hunger Games coach Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) to Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) He is advising them to be careful that the weight of celebrity not crush them on the victory tour to "feed the monster." This process is orchestrated by the fascist state as a diversion to keep the citizenry from seeing the poverty and helplessness afoot in Panem. On the tour through the country aboard a luxury train, Katniss and Peeta try to look like young lovers for their many appearances on television. As a ploy to keep everyone happy, they announce their engagement. All of us recall the many times that as teenagers (and even as adults) we adopted a "persona" in order to get by and be accepted by those in power. The victory tour also reveals another phenomenon of contemporary culture: winning, stardom, and heroism are so intertwined that it is hard to tell them apart. What is authentic heroism? "Last year's was child's play," says Haymitch to his protégés The upcoming 75th Hunger Games is known as a Third Quarter Quell; every 25 years a special element is added to the Games. This time, it's that the tributes will all be past winners. Katniss and Peeta are headed back into the arena. President Snow turns to Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the new chief gamemaker, for help in stacking the deck against Katniss who definitely seems to be the favorite of the districts. What he most wants is to expose her as a someone who cannot be trusted. Among those she will have to deal with are a tech geek Beetee (Jeffrey Wright), his smart partner Wiress (Amanda Plumber), an angry young woman Johanna (Jena Malone), and handsome gladiator Finnick (Sam Clafin) who participated in a previous Games at the tender age of 14. Among the hazards Plutarch has created are invisible force fields, a fog of poison gas, a band of aggressive monkeys, birds that mimic the voices of the tributes' loved ones, and a tropical habitat with little drinkable water. Katniss demonstrates her great survival skills once again while trying to look after Peeta and make sure he stays alive during this ordeal. "Tick Tock," says Wiress, an older tribute At first we think that Wiress, one of the older tributes, is a muttering worn-out woman in shock from what they are going through. But she has insight and reveals the nature of the spinning island and when they can expect to encounter various hazards. "Tick tock" echoes in our ears, too. It's a familiar pressure to those who us who feel bewildered and beleaguered as we face new challenges and threats in every hour. Surviving means dealing with whatever comes up and having the resilience to bounce back to face the next challenge. "Remember, Girl on Fire, I'm still betting on you," says Cinna In Catching Fire, we see more of the character qualities which make Katniss a hero in the eyes of so many of the oppressed people in District 12 and elsewhere. Selflessness and empathy are two hallmarks of her personality which come to the fore in her visit to Rue's district. She was the youngest tribute in the games, an ally whom Katniss could not save. Loyalty and courage are two other obvious character qualities. These are recognized and supported by Cinna, the designer assigned to help her win the attention of backers to supply needed help in the arena. We sense that Cinna (and some of the others) are grooming Katniss for an important role in the revolution to come. She has what's needed to overcome a fascist regime. "It must be very fragile, if a handful of berries can bring it down," Katniss says to President Snow about his totalitarian regime The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is based on the second book in a young adult trilogy by Suzanne Collins; the third will be made into two movies to be released in 2014 and 2015. The books and the first film have been wildly popular, and this one will please fans and newcomers to the series alike. Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss conveys the many sides to her character: a young girl's desire to just be with family and friends, a rebel's determination to go her own way, a warrior's persistence and perseverance, a caring person's vulnerability, a lover's commitment to what is best for those she is close to. It's no wonder so many moviegoers are identifying with her. Lawrence is surrounded by an accomplished cast, especially Josh Hutchinson, who has grown into the role of Peeta, convincing us of his maturity and compassion. Add to this stunning set design — from the different districts to a lavish Capitol party to the menacing arena. Woody Harrelson is solid as Haymitch, bringing a greater sense of competence to his coaching this time. Lenny Kravitz is strong, supportive, and totally sympathetic as Cinna. Stanley Tucci is appropriately over-the-top as Capitol TV star Caesar Flickerman. And Donald Sutherland manages to convey extreme menace with an almost casual air. He reminds us of the banality of evil. This series is not what you'd call "escapist entertainment." Rather than avoiding the problems of our times, it gives us perspective on them and an opportunity to discuss them. Note government spying on its citizens. Check out the gap between the rich who reside in the Capitol and the poor in districts. See how force and violence are justified when used on critics of the regime. Remember how citizen uprisings have recently rocked regimes in the Middle East. Prim: "Since the last games, something's different. I can see it." Katniss: "What can you see?" Prim: "Hope." The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is, above all else, about the power of the spiritual practice of hope. We see how it is supported by patience, courage, and persistence. We witness how it mobilizes people to take risks and confront injustice. We feel its healing balm even in the most difficult situations. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay right here and cause all kinds of trouble," says Katniss • Where do you see beacons of hope? • Who best expresses your yearnings for a better and more just world? • Who gives you the support and encouragement you need? • What are the sources of your hope for the future? • What can you do to bring about positive change? Special features on the Blu-Ray/DVD include an audio commentary with director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson; "Surviving the Game: Making Catching Fire" documentary (Blu-ray exclusive); deleted scenes; and Divergent sneak peek.

Study and Practice to: be constant in your remembrance of God through zikr (chanting) learn how the Divine qualities (names) of God can be incorporated into your character polish your heart to be a clearer reflection of the Divine qualities increase your self-knowledge and tame your nafs (ego) acknowledge that surrender to God is the starting point of faith cultivate adab, courtesy and civility toward all see people and events with the eye of the heart, from the perspective of Love and Unity enjoy the wisdom and ecstasies of mystical poetry expand your capacity for generosity and servanthood follow the examples of Rumi and other Sufi saints who yearned for unity with the Beloved appreciate the Sufi arts: music, dance, singing, and whirling experience the benefits of spiritual conversations with a sheikh and a community

For more than 15 years, Maggie Oman Shannon has explored cross-cultural forms of prayer and spiritual practice through her work as an interfaith minister, spiritual director, workshop and retreat leader, writer and blogger. She offers creative tools, resources, and guidance for walking the modern contemplative path. She currently serves as the Spiritual Director of Unity Spiritual Center of San Francisco. She also led a Spirituality & Practice online retreat on "Ways to Pray from Around the World," which is now available on-demand. Visit her website at www.maggieomanshannon.com and follow her on Pinterest and Facebook. Oman Shannon has published two marvelous collections of prayers — Prayers for Healing and Prayers for Hope and Comfort — and other books on creative ways to understand and establish our connection with Spirit — The Way We Pray: Prayer Practices from Around the World; A String and a Prayer: How to Make and Use Prayer Beads and One God, Shared Hope. Her new book, Crafting Calm, falls in the second category. One of Oman Shannon's special talents is the ability to seamlessly meld creativity, spiritual practice, devotional activity, and a love of the arts and crafts. In this exceptionally fine book, she quotes art teacher Shaun McNiff: "Just as the religious person makes time for prayer during the day, the creative person makes time for expression. . . . Art as spiritual exercise suggests that any person can find a way to make time for the creative act each day." Oman Shannon believes we are all creations of a Creator and have been graced with creativity. In her case, projects are ways to commune with or be a vehicle of the Divine. Her embrace of this path was catalyzed when her spiritual director observed, "You have a gift for seeing ways to create spiritual practices out of ordinary things." Now her home office/studio is full of things she has collected for spiritually oriented crafts: beads, mint boxes, bits of ribbon. Over the last decade, she has helped workshop participants make prayer beads, love boxes, pastel mandalas, tiny shrines, blessing baskets, and much more. As theologian Mary Daly put it: "It is the creative potential itself in people that is the image of God." We agree with that and would add that we are all co-creators with the Holy One, fashioning an evolving world with our spiritual projects and practices. This book is organized into eight chapters that speak to different intentions one can hold when creating: crafting for calm, clarity, comfort, contemplation, creation, community, connection with others, and connection with Spirit. For added value, Shannon has included lists of resources for certain crafts, ideas for particular projects, and questions for journaling and reflection in preparation for a project. We also were pleased to see the variety of inspiring quotations that spice up the proceedings. Here are some of our favorite projects and practices of the 40 covered in the paperback: • Annointing Oils • Sacred Bath Salts • Personal Prayer Flags • Prayer Cards • Power Pouches • Prayer Stones • Prayer Cards • Portable Shrines • Spiritual Toolboxes • Personal Holy Books Maggie Oman Shannon is an enthusiastic guide through all these project possibilities. She often shares about her personal attempts with different crafts, openly admitting that some things are just not for her. We were relieved by this . . . and encouraged to try some new things anyway! Crafting Calm is a practical resource we're sure you will enjoy dipping into when you feel inspired or are looking for inspiration. Here are some great ways to expand your repertoire of spiritual practices while discovering fresh ways to express your God-given creativity.