I’ve chosen ritual as the fall theme. This season offers an abundance of holidays which entail ceremonial ritual, both religious and secular. Ritual is the performance of a specific sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or objects. A feature of all known human societies, ritual has been integral to the traditions of every culture […]
I’ve chosen equanimity as a theme for the whole summer season. It’s a state of calmness and mental stability I’ve found to be more challenging for me to maintain in these turbulent times. I figure most of us on the planet are feeling the same. When things are unsettling and change from one extreme to […]
I’ve decided on mastery as June’s theme, having had the good fortune of studying with many master teachers in my life. Mastery is defined as having a comprehensive knowledge or skill in a subject or accomplishment. Masters abound in the fields of medicine, science, sports and the arts. These icons are examples of […]
May’s theme is compassion. Mother’s Day this month brings to mind the Divine Feminine and all that the female deities and saints represent. Two of my favorite in this realm are Green Tara, the Tibetan Buddhist goddess of compassion, and the Christian Mary, mother of Jesus. I chant and pray to them often – to […]
April’s theme is peace. It’s the antidote to conflict and suffering. Ultimately, we all want peace. We want to be loved and we want to be happy. Where there’s active opposition to peace, we find war and adversity. Although the reasons may stem from complex issues, these negative conditions have their roots in fear and […]
The theme for March is Practice. We know that “practice makes perfect.” It takes practice to become adept at any given discipline, art or craft. We admire athletes and artists, who perfect their performances through life-long dedication. Similarly, we’re capable of perfecting our own lives through disciplines that help us to be better humans.
February’s theme is love. We celebrate Valentines’ Day this month, which on one level is the epitome of commercialism. On the other hand, why not contemplate, celebrate and cultivate love this day and every day? Love is far more than an emotion. It’s a power and a force. Love creates. Moreover, it has the potential […]
January’s theme is truth and a great way to start 2022. We’re inundated with information and opinions from all sides in today’s social and political climate. What’s true and what isn’t? It’s overwhelming, confusing and downright depressing. Separating fact from fiction seems the challenge of the day.
This current world order — or “disorder” as it […]
I’ve chosen light as December’s theme. As the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere approaches, darkness increases each day. As a result, we’re drawn to celebrate light. From ancient times, people from all cultures and religious traditions have honored this yearly gift from nature. This is the time to draw in and rest. It’s a […]
November’s theme is gratitude. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and many other cross-cultural annual festivities are upon us. We are reminded to show our appreciation through acts of generosity. But why just once a year? Cultivating a daily practice of gratitude offers profound benefits for both our mental and physical health — and it goes beyond the […]
