Today's Spirituality Pulse
Charitable giving highlighted as a path to spiritual fulfillment
Manila Bulletin’s feature “When you give alms…” examines the role of almsgiving in personal growth, while a companion piece “Treasures in heaven” reinforces the theme across two outlets.
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What I Learned From a 7-Day Silent Meditation Retreat
A seven‑day silent retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County gathered about 75 participants for a week of noble silence, guided by meditation teacher Oren Jay Sofer. The program centered on the four brahmavihāra—loving‑kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity—through seated meditation, mindful walks, communal vegetarian meals, and daily dharma talks. Participants, many coping with personal loss, reported reduced mental chatter, heightened emotional resilience, and a deeper sense of connection to nature and fellow practitioners. The experience highlighted how structured silence can transform grief into acceptance and calm.
Your Thoughts, Not Your Schedule, Cause the Stress
It is not your schedule that is killing you. It is your preoccupation with your thoughts and emotions. #SadhguruQuotes https://t.co/A8kEkKkEoO
Psychology Today Launches Five‑Question Guide to Meaning Amid Turbulent Times
On May 6, 2026, Psychology Today published a practical guide featuring five self‑inquiry questions designed to help readers find greater meaning during turbulent periods. The piece draws on classic existential theory and recent resilience research, positioning the guide as a...
Your Identity Endures When Roles Fade Away
Four days until Check the Thread is released. There are moments in life when the title changes, the room changes, the assignment changes, and the mirror asks a deeper question: Who are you when the thing you were known for is no...
What’s the Attitude in the Mind?
The article explores how the mind automatically labels experiences as pleasant, unpleasant or neutral and then reacts with holding on, pushing away, or ignoring. It argues that resistance to unpleasant sensations and clinging to pleasant ones generate additional suffering, while...
When Insight Isn’t Enough: An Interview with Juliana Sloane on Imagination, Hypnotherapy, and Deeper Transformation
Juliana Sloane, a meditation teacher and hypnotherapist, explains why mere insight often fails to shift deeply ingrained habits. She argues that long‑standing neural pathways keep anxiety, self‑criticism, and relationship patterns intact despite conscious awareness. By entering natural trance states and...
Michael Pollan’s ‘A World Appears’ Maps Modern Consciousness Debate
Michael Pollan’s latest work, A World Appears, walks readers through the current scientific and philosophical landscape of consciousness. By staging dialogues with leading researchers, Pollan bridges hard‑science findings and age‑old spiritual questions, positioning the book as a pivotal contribution to...
Not Operating by the Checklist (Stacey London)
Stacey Lindsay, author of *Being 40*, joins host Elise to discuss how women confront societal checklists as they enter their forties. Drawing from her own turbulent family history—her mother’s departure and a challenging upbringing—Lindsay explores self‑authoring, forgiveness, and breaking generational...
5 Questions Yoga Teachers Can Ask Themselves Before Each Class
Veteran yoga instructors are learning to replace rigid lesson plans with adaptive teaching that meets the needs of each class. By asking five reflective questions—who they’re teaching, whether they’re trying to fix students, if they’re fostering dependence, if they’re teaching...
A Mental Health Anthology, Part 1: The Decline
The author recounts a decade‑long struggle with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, culminating in multiple psychedelic ceremonies—including ayahuasca and Bufo—to confront deep‑seated trauma. Early experiences, such as finding a childhood notebook filled with self‑harm thoughts, set the stage for a...
Before You Can Hear Him
The post challenges the common view of discernment as a purely analytical exercise, arguing that effective decision‑making hinges on inner transformation rather than just external data gathering. It critiques the habit of making pros‑and‑cons lists, seeking counsel, and praying without...
Awaken From the Daily Matrix: Find Stillness Within
People say the matrix is a metaphor I’m not so sure You wake up check a screen react all day chase things you were told to want fall asleep distracted repeat At some point you have to ask who is actually choosing this Your body feels tense your mind feels crowded your...
Meaning Lives in the Present, Not a Future Prize
An awesome article about my interview with Dave Evans on how to live a meaningful life…https://www.santacruzworks.org/news/meaning-isnt-the-prize-at-the-end-its-the-moment-youre-actually-in “What actually makes life feel meaningful day to day?” Tune into the podcast episode: https://bit.ly/davemeaning
I’m 38 and I Realized Last Weekend that My Dad Has Started Walking Me to My Car when I Leave...
The author, a 38‑year‑old, realized his father has begun escorting him to the car and extending the goodbye by about five seconds, adding a brief comment and a longer wave. This subtle change, unnoticed for 18‑36 months, signals the father’s...
This Is The Most Important Skill You Can Have In Life
Ryan Holiday argues that essay writing is the most vital skill for personal growth, illustrating how the discipline of crafting essays shaped his thinking and career. He recounts Eisenhower’s wartime briefing as a historic example of writing clarifying strategy under...
Esther Perel on Curiosity, Desire, and Aliveness
In this episode, renowned therapist Esther Perel explores the distinction between sex and the erotic, emphasizing how early relational experiences shape our capacity for desire and aliveness. She argues that the erotic is sexuality infused with imagination and meaning, allowing...
Sri Sri Ravishankar Calls Communication Breakdown Humanity’s Biggest Challenge, Urges Meditation
In an exclusive interview ahead of his 70th birthday, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar warned that a breakdown of communication is the biggest challenge facing humanity. He linked rising impulsivity to weakened self‑discipline and promoted meditation as a necessary daily practice...
You Are Not Lost. You Are Just Living Too Much in the Past.
The blog post argues that dwelling on past experiences fuels anxiety and blocks present‑moment creativity. It urges readers to quiet the mind, embrace stillness, and recognize that resources and insight are available right now. The author frames this shift as...
No One Has Greater Love…
The reflection interprets Jesus’ teaching that the greatest love is laying down one’s life for friends, linking it to his voluntary sacrifice on the cross. It draws parallels with parental sacrifice, citing the mother in the musical Miss Saigon as an...
Confessions of a Middle-Aged Mother
Amy Julia Becker reflects on how moving for her husband’s head‑of‑school role halted her writing career and sparked a deep sense of regret. She describes the tension between motherhood duties and personal ambition, noting that her creative output dwindled as...
Grounding and Resourcing in Breathwork: What They Are and How to Use Them
The guide explains grounding and resourcing as essential, trauma‑informed tools for breathwork practitioners and participants. Grounding anchors the nervous system in the present, while resourcing provides a felt sense of safety and strength. The article stresses practicing these techniques while...
Try a 3‑Month Break to Test Your Dependencies
The 3 month rule. Whatever you’re thinking you may be dependent on, see if you can go 3 months without it That’s how you can liberate yourself from the dependency Or you may discover that the dependency is stronger than you thought In...
Everything Is Temporary; We Own Nothing, Return to Source
You don’t own anything. It’s all rented. When you take your last breath, it all goes back to the middle of the table.
Historic University Maps Inner Life Architecture in New Mindfulness Research
Researchers at a historic university have introduced a framework that charts the structure of inner experience during mindfulness practice, moving beyond traditional stress‑reduction metrics. The work argues that mindfulness alters the very texture of consciousness, prompting a rethink of how...
Self‑care First: You Must Nurture Yourself to Help Others
If I can't take care of myself, I cannot take care of anyone else. #mindfulness #lovingkindness #buddha wisdom https://t.co/GmBLWOfYTG
Physical Needs Are Means, Not Life's Ultimate Aim
Physical needs are to be satisfied, not pursued as the ultimate goal of life. -Sg https://t.co/QdWowk5YDX
This Is How You Raise Your Self-Worth
The post outlines 27 actionable lessons for building unshakeable self‑worth, arguing that the relationship with oneself shapes every decision, boundary, and partnership. It frames self‑worth as a skill developed through awareness, deliberate choices, and unlearning limiting beliefs. The author invites...
Give Mom a Year‑Long Devotional for Daily Faith
Looking for a meaningful Mother’s Day gift? Give your mom a 365-day devotional designed to strengthen her faith and encourage her daily. https://t.co/DVDoCb0uxT https://t.co/SAnItjvkLB
Choose Exploration over Comfort; Joy Fuels Healing
"You are here to explore not ignore why you are here." Don't let boredom become your companion and build your forever home in your "comfort zone." "A joyful heart is good for healing; a depressed spirit dries the bones."– Proverbs
Liz Bucar's 'Beyond Wellness' Urges Religious Roots for Modern Spirituality
Northeastern University religion professor Liz Bucar has released "Beyond Wellness," a book that argues contemporary mindfulness and wellness practices are hollow without their religious origins. The work sparks debate among scholars, industry leaders, and the public about the future direction...
Lovingkindness - Part 1 of Present Heart: The Universal Expressions of Love
In this episode Tara Brach introduces the first of a series on the Brahma Viharas—the four universal expressions of love in Buddhism: loving‑kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. She explains how these heart qualities are rooted in our neurobiology and...
True Compassion Demands Selflessness, Even When Unpopular
Two thoughts from Karen Armstrong "When you feel compassion, you dethrone yourself from the centre of the world." “Compassion is not a popular virtue.”
Embracing Uncertainty: A Must‑Read on Not Knowing
After 5 years exploring the hard problem, this new book is very much up my alley: How to Not Know: The Value of Uncertainty in a World that Demands Answers: Stolzoff, Simone: 9781324089452: https://t.co/0LV7sFauHN: Books https://t.co/kBP7NRuOVg
Emergence Magazine Spotlights AI‑Spirituality Debate After High‑Profile Gathering
Emergence Magazine published a feature on AI and spiritual life, drawing on a recent multi‑disciplinary gathering of philosophers, ethicists, contemplative teachers, Indigenous leaders and AI evaluation experts. The piece questions whether artificial intelligence can genuinely support spiritual growth or merely...
I Asked 5 of My Friends What They’d Say at My Funeral and Then I Sat Quietly in My Kitchen...
The author asked five close friends to imagine speaking at her funeral, seeking an unfiltered view of how she actually shows up in their lives. Their responses highlighted calmness, steady presence, and attentive listening—qualities she hadn’t prioritized herself. The exercise...
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Turns 70, Reaffirms Message of Inner Calm and Global Healing
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar marked his 70th birthday at the Art of Living International headquarters near Bengaluru, using the occasion to stress inner calm and the healing power of Sudarshan Kriya. The celebration underscored his decades‑long peace work in...
Philosopher Martha Nussbaum on How to Live with Our Human Fragility
In a 1989 interview for Bill Moyers’ *World of Ideas*, philosopher Martha Nussbaum expands on her book *The Fragility of Goodness*, arguing that moral virtue requires openness to uncertainty and the willingness to be harmed by forces beyond our control....
Meaning Isn't Found; It's Built Beyond Impact
Stop chasing “the meaning of life.” Dave Evans says that question might be the wrong one entirely. In this episode, he breaks down how meaning actually works—and why impact and fulfillment alone won’t get you there. 🎧 Listen now and rethink what...
The Devil Does Not Need to Make Every Christian an Atheist.
The author introduces "The Torment Triage," a $14 Bible‑first field guide designed for Christians wrestling with intrusive thoughts, fear, and spiritual torment. The guide outlines six recurring patterns—blasphemous thoughts, compulsive confession, fear of the unpardonable sin, pre‑prayer attacks, post‑sexual‑sin shame...
What Your Dream Life Says About You
Italian researchers analyzed 3,366 dream reports from 207 adults using large language models, linking dream content and recall to cognitive traits, mind‑wandering tendencies, and sleep quality. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that people who value dreams, experience high‑quality...
NASA Scientist Says Death Is Pure Consciousness After Three Near‑Death Experiences
NASA oceanographer Ingrid Honkala, 55, disclosed that three near‑death experiences left her with a consistent vision of death as pure consciousness. Her account bridges scientific inquiry and spiritual belief, sparking debate over the nature of awareness beyond the brain.
The Generation that Sacrificed the Most for Their Families Is Now Quietly Grappling with a Question Nobody Prepared Them For:...
A growing cohort of Americans in their seventies and eighties, who spent their lives prioritizing family and work, now confront a silent identity crisis. Decades of caregiving and duty have left many unable to articulate personal preferences or passions. Researchers...
Metta Bhavana Adopted by Positive Psychology as a Tool for Compassion
Metta Bhavana, a Buddhist loving‑kindness meditation, is being promoted as a key practice in positive psychology. The technique, which involves sending wishes of health and safety to all beings, is shown to activate brain regions linked to positive emotion and...
Your Soul Craves Freedom, Not a Reasonable Promotion
You don't actually want a promotion. You want to wake up and feel like your days belong to you. You want to stop performing gratitude for a life that doesn't fit. You want your nervous system to relax. You want...
Hannah Wept. Was Mocked. Kept Showing Up. Then God Moved.
The article revisits Hannah’s story from 1 Samuel, highlighting her years of wordless, tear‑filled prayer amid relentless provocation from her co‑wife Peninnah. Despite being misread as drunken by priest Eli, Hannah’s silent plea eventually moved God to grant her a child....
That Nausea Always Knew
The post critiques modern manifestation culture, arguing that its promise of "believing harder" oversimplifies complex life challenges. It describes how this mindset turns external setbacks—like stagnant finances or career stalls—into internal nausea and self‑blame. By contrasting the law‑of‑attraction narrative with...
Change Grows Through Slow, Safe, Repeated Practice
I know not entering at all would feel great. But rarely do we start there. Awareness doesn’t meet change with the snap of the fingers most of the time. It takes practice. Over and over again. It’s showing yourself you...
Embrace Openness and Trust Uncertainty for Humanity
"To be a good human being is to have a kind of openness to the world, an ability to trust uncertain things beyond your own control." Philosopher Martha Nussbaum, who turns 79 today, on how to live with our human...
Say Yes for Opportunity, No for Focus
Koan #66 “Say yes to everything” brings opportunity. “Say no to everything” brings focus. Speak the word that brings what you need today.  And the student was enlightened. https://t.co/gZawrwsXaJ
Four Speech Stages Reveal Breath‑Mind‑Speech Unity
In this video, I explore the four stages of speech as understood in the ancient Isha tradition, and delve into the subtle art of mindful communication and the profound connection between breath, mind, and speech. Watch here https://t.co/QZUL13G0Cm