One consistent thing I’ve noticed in these past few months of exploring sacred practices is that attention and intention are really what makes a practice sacred. This works both ways. On the one hand, doing most things with attention and intention can turn them into sacred practices — anything from close reading of fiction to … Continue reading Listening
One of the first posts I wrote on this blog was called “Religion that Works.” It touched on what has been one of the most persistent elements of my faith, even within a spiritual journey that has been topsy turvy: More than anything else, I want a faith that changes lives. I remember, when I … Continue reading Words that Work
We live in anxious times — politically, socially, economically, and increasingly environmentally. More and more it seems that more and more is in turmoil. All this has been weighing heavily on me lately and, to be honest, I’ve been finding it difficult to have much hope for the future. But, considering hope is one of … Continue reading Three Hopeful Things
I recently noticed that one area that has been underrepresented in my explorations of sacred practices has been creativity. And so, in the hopes of beginning to rectify this gap, this week I explored the making of and meditating on mandalas. Background The word ‘mandala’ originates in Sanskrit and refers to a circle representing wholeness, … Continue reading Mandalas
The Gospel reading from today’s Morning Office contains a line that struck me anew this morning: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” It’s one of the most famous lines in the Gospels not spoken by Jesus. And it’s a line that has much to say to our present moment. The first thing that struck me … Continue reading Nazareth
Matthew Root 