#spirituality

#spirituality

Horror defines our boundaries and illuminates our souls. In that, it is no different, or less controversial, than humor, and no less intimate than sex. Our rejection or acceptance of a particular type of horror fiction can be as rarefied or kinky as any other phobia or fetish. Horror is made of such base material-so easily rejected or dismissed-that it may be hard to accept my postulate that within the genre lies one of the last refuges of spirituality in our materialistic world.

Several Indigenous tribes in South America had ancient prophecies that one day, when the world was ablaze, its waters filled with poison, a man with a White face and blue eyes would arrive to help unite the tribes and help them save the planet. A few years ago, the tribal elders announced that man was Patrick McCollum, a Northern California man.

There's a particular kind of heartbreak that happens when you realize some of your prayers are going nowhere. There's a painful silence that follows unanswered calls. Yet, despite the ache, I can still feel the pull to pray to the God outside of myself-that old reflex to place faith in something bigger, some invisible force in the sky, who, apparently, can make things happen magically here on Earth. But it doesn't always go that way, does it?

The main argument here is that spiritual strength is fundamentally about cultivating wisdom. From a psychological perspective, spirituality isn't about dogma or belief; it is about developing the kind of wisdom necessary to face suffering without denial, accept uncertainty without despair, and discover meaning beyond the ego. Modern cognitive scientists, such as John Vervaeke, describe wisdom in two dimensions: moral (what serves the greater good, the long view) and cognitive (navigating complexity, managing strong emotions, and distinguishing the essential from the trivial).

Big energetic shifts are in the air, as September not only coincides with the powerful magic of eclipse season, but it also heralds in the autumnal equinox, which is the first official day of fall here in the Northern hemisphere. In 2025, this celestial event takes place on Sept. 22, and it serves as the exact midpoint between the summer and winter solstices.

"I wonder if there isn't a larger danger in pouring your heart out to a chatbot," Catholic priest Fr. Mike Schmitz told The Times. "Is it at some point going to become accessible to other people?"

The first insult by science was Copernicus's discovery that we are not at the center of the universe, followed by Darwin's evolution theory and Freud's insights into the unconscious.

Donna Sagna Davis emphasizes the sense of community and connection among neighbors and visitors, saying, "Food always brings people together, drinking. The outreaches that I've been a part of - they always had food."

The only citywide festival of its kind in the nation is a celebration for the Chinese diaspora, signifying a time when the boundary between human and spiritual realms is thinner.

For even as they plough and dig the earth all day long, so they become altogether earthy: they lick the earth, they eat the earth, they speak of the earth; in the earth they have reposed all their hopes, nor do they care one bit for the heavenly substance that shall remain.

"I don't really get hung up on genres like some people do. For instance, some people say that they don't like country...as long as it's a good country song, I'm totally into it."

A sense of purpose can be understood as an organizing drive towards fulfilling a goal in one's life. Oftentimes, our purpose can involve professional, spiritual, or interpersonal goals that help us feel like the best and most authentic version of ourselves.

Anila Quayyum Agha creates large-scale installations that utilize the power of light and shadow to transform a room. Her works take a simple cube as a starting point.

As we age and experience the death of parents and peers, we become increasingly aware of our mortality. Such awareness may trigger anxiety and prompt preparations, such as writing wills and advance directives.

Suzuki arrived in California with answers. At a dilapidated temple founded for Japanese immigrants in San Francisco's Japantown, he slowly defined the trajectory of Zen in the US. 'Just sit,' he told his followers. 'Just breathe.' This simple directive became foundational in adapting Zen practices to a postwar America seeking meaning.

Nima Nabavi’s exhibition, Roswell2223, showcases an 18-foot-long hand-drawn canvas that embodies spiritual intensity and meditative clarity through intricate geometrical forms.

The TRIRIS lamp by Chinmayi Bahl transforms spaces into sanctuaries of ambient light, merging traditional craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities.

For me, costume has always been part of everything. Culturally, I grew up in Venezuela seeing costume not as something separate from daily life but as something deeply embedded in it, especially through the lens of carnival.

The High Priestess encourages taking time to slow down and check in with oneself, especially after periods of chaos or stress. Embrace rest and relaxation.

The legislation that made the eagle official came from members of Minnesota's Congressional delegation. The federal act recognizes the eagles' centrality in most Indigenous peoples' spiritual lives and sacred belief systems.

Mala beads serve as a sacred tool for mindfulness and meditation, allowing practitioners to deepen their spiritual practice through focused counting and intention setting.

Shallow describes all-night meditations in which Ma kicked or slapped anyone who fell asleep; a period of time called 'the Rampage' when Ma became more abusive, and a lot more violent.

In psychology, anyone who gets involved in or tries to talk in an analytic, careful way about religion is immediately branded a meathead; a mystic; an intuitive, touchy-feely sort of moron.” - Robert Hogan (1979)

While traditional vacations are often filled with noise and social interactions, more people are opting for silent retreats in monasteries to escape the chaos of modern life.

"A vital component of Tibetan Buddhist experience, musical notation allows for the transference of sacred sound and ceremony across generations. A means to memorize sacred text, express devotion, ward off feral spirits, and invoke deities."

In our age of uncertainty, good health remains one of the most coveted commodities, with wellness seekers incorporating all manner of cutting-edge, high-tech remedies into their routine.