spirituality

Motivational Music Monday: Bodhi Day Edition (CORRECTED)

December 8, 2025

SORRY, WE HAD SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES EARLIER. I HOPE THIS GIVES YOU THE CORRECT MUSIC VIDEO… Some Buddhist traditions believe December 8 is the day that former prince turned spiritual seeker, Siddhartha Gautama, achieved enlightenment (called “bodhi” in Sanskrit) and escaped the cycle of life and death that creates human suffering. He then became the … More Motivational Music Monday: Bodhi Day Edition (CORRECTED)

Motivational Music Monday: Bodhi Day Edition

December 8, 2025

Some Buddhist traditions believe December 8 is the day that former prince turned spiritual seeker, Siddhartha Gautama, achieved enlightenment (called “bodhi” in Sanskrit) and escaped the cycle of life and death that creates human suffering. He then became the Buddha, or the Enlightened One. While he could have left the physical plane to exist in … More Motivational Music Monday: Bodhi Day Edition

Motivational Music Monday: Retreat Edition

September 8, 2025

This weekend I went to a wonderful and much needed spiritual retreat. My life is good, really good. But between my teaching and support of my spiritual center and my support of my family and my political activism in support of my country and my democracy, I was worn out. I needed a recharge. So … More Motivational Music Monday: Retreat Edition

Motivational Music Monday

May 19, 2025

Yesterday at our Spiritual Center, we had the always delightful Rev. Amy Steinberg as a guest speaker. Amy is always full of energy and enthusiasm and combines her skill as a musician, visual artist, and writer with her deep spiritual insight as a New Thought “mini-star.” It was a wonderful service. I encourage you to … More Motivational Music Monday

What a Spectacular Saturday!

April 6, 2025

Saturday, April 5 was one great day for me. It was the first day of the Regular Season of our local Farmers Market, the Cary Downtown Farmers Market. Our Market runs all year long, but many farmers and other vendors don’t come during the “Winter Market” (November through March). Thus, the first day of the … More What a Spectacular Saturday!

What Is Your Horcrux Dish?

April 3, 2025

I just finished reading this book of essays about food and life by Alton Brown. I enjoyed it. But I have to admit, I have no idea why I read it. I got the book at the library because I put a hold on it. But looking at the cover, I knew I’d never seen … More What Is Your Horcrux Dish?

Celebrating Ramadan with Feasting and Philoxenia at the Divan Center

March 28, 2025

Last night I had a very special opportunity to celebrate the Islamic spiritual practice of Ramadan, even though I am not Muslim. Ramadan is one of the most sacred traditions in Islam. It commemorates the revelation of the Qur’an through a month in which Muslims shift their focus from their material world to their spiritual … More Celebrating Ramadan with Feasting and Philoxenia at the Divan Center

Happy Ramadan Everyone!

March 1, 2025

Today is the first day of Ramadan, the most sacred month of the Islamic religion. Like Losar and Chinese New Year and Jewish holidays, it is based on the lunar calendar, so it changes each year according to our Julian calendar. This year, it begins today and runs through March 30. Ramadan is a month … More Happy Ramadan Everyone!

Don’t Forget to Be Blissful!

February 2, 2025

I’ve often mentioned that John and Hank Green are some of my real-life heroes. I relied heavily on their free Crash Course videos when I was homeschooling. At the end of each video, John would say, “Don’t forget to be awesome.” So this Sunday morning, I wanted to share that wisdom with my readers by … More Don’t Forget to Be Blissful!

Welcome to the Year of the Yin Green Wood Snake

January 29, 2025

Tonight is our celebration of Lunar New Year, which is the start of the new year in some, but not all, Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, and Korea. It is the biggest holiday in China, which is the most populous country in the world, so it’s a pretty big deal. It is a week-long holiday … More Welcome to the Year of the Yin Green Wood Snake