Many spiritual traditions around the globe use scents to uplift the spirit. Catholic churches commonly use incense that wafts gently skyward. In temples throughout Asia, sticks of burning incense carry prayers and good thoughts up into the ethers. Scents like olibanum (frankincense), myrrh, sandalwood, lavender and lotus oils can inspire and elevate the mind to…

Comfort can be a trap. It’s not because we’re comfortable with things that they’re necessarily good for us. One may get used to a shoe that rubs the foot or a bad smell, but that doesn’t make it good or right.  When we’re truly dedicated to pursuing a spiritual life the universe conspires to accelerate…

In spiritual traditions there is a great emphasis on the masculine without many feminine role models. We’re familiar with Jesus, the Buddha, Krishna, Mohammad, Rama. But the enlightened women, goddesses and saints remain played down and often pushed aside altogether. In many spiritual traditions women have been considered dirty, bad, evil, corrupters, and sources of…

During break up, separation and divorce, we are tested to the extreme.  Through relationship challenges we gain a chance to test the depth of our spiritual practice. It becomes an opportunity to use the practices and live the situation fully aware and awake. If the practices are well integrated, then we can reflect and act…

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