Psychological research reveals that our happiness level is remarkably stable over the course of our lives. Some of us are generally more cheerful and others more melancholy. Situations, however, can temporarily change our set happiness levels. For example, falling in love increases our happiness and the ending of a relationship lowers it. But within three…

It must be the seven large windows, almost floor to ceiling. They are full of light, but I am stuck in the certainty that each day there is less

Several years ago, my friend Sean shared his daily practice of zazen. Every morning, first thing, he would sit for an hour of meditation. “It has changed my life,” he said. Who would not perk up at such testimony? Who would not want a practice that would change their lives?

I grew up in the South and when someone was surprised by something they heard, they would often say, “As I live and breathe!” We are entering the season of Pentecost and it is the beginning of something surprising happening. On Pentecost Sunday we hear the story of the disciples of Jesus gathering together to…

Although this liturgical season after Easter is full of alleluias, the world seems filled with cries of anguish. We watch the daily news of human brutality and war. We continue to participate in everyday systems of plunder that put our ecosystem at risk. We wonder at …

“If you look into the eyes of the young, you see flame.

If you look into the eyes of the old, you see light.”

Growing up in a Roman Catholic family in the 1950-60s meant abstaining from meat every Friday. I still remember nostalgically those Friday night suppers of fish sticks or tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches. But during Lent, in addition to our meatless Fridays, our family tradition was to abstain from sweets except fruit. This meant six…

My memories of Grandma King included the attack of the red ant. At the heightened age of seven, I scaled a sandy hill near her house. After sliding and regaining my foothold, I succeeded in obtaining its summit. My accomplishment was overshadowed by something that didn’t feel right.