Overcoming Religious Coercion With Religious Healing: A Nun’s Lifeline for Nigeria’s Trafficked Girls
Winter: Our Challenge to “Get Out in It”
Each year, on the winter solstice, we share this reflection on the season by Parker Palmer. In 1995, Parker wrote a welcome letter for the Fetzer Institute's newly built retreat center, Seasons, which included a reflection on each of the...
Summer’s Abundant Community
Each year, on the summer solstice, we share a reflection on the season by Parker Palmer. In 1995 Parker wrote a welcome for the Fetzer Institute's newly built retreat center, Seasons, which included a reflection on each of the four...
Inviting a Larger Conversation About How Religion Can Be Faithful to Its Purpose Today
In our society, there is a longstanding dedication to religious traditions and institutions. At the same time, a diverse range of people are exploring new forms of spiritual identification and practice. This reflects the changing nature of faith and spirituality....
We the People: A Book Club
Takie a plunge into engaging narratives, humor, cultural criticism, and spiritual wisdom, through the year-long We the People Book Club. Its 12+ selections reveal our democracy’s failings and successes and implicitly urge us as readers to keep alive what American...
December Practice: Manners Matter
Democracy cannot flourish without civility, a.k.a. good manners. Such simple behaviors as saying “please” and “thank you” signal our respect for other people. Manners are important for any gathering when people are sharing views and trying to make decisions, including...
July Practice: Lessons in Unlikely Pairings
“Since its inception, Nuns & Nones [which brings together religiously unaffiliated young adults and Catholic sisters] has garnered intense interest and widespread media coverage. The friendships between the millennials, most in their late 20s and early 30s, and the nuns,...
Freedom of Spirit: Celebrating John Fetzer
Our founder, John E. Fetzer, spent a lifetime following a deep spiritual yearning as documented in Brian C. Wilson’s book John E. Fetzer and the Quest for the New Age. The book was recently awarded the Historical Society of Michigan's...
October Practice: Vision at the Great Turning Point
This month, our partner Spirituality & Practice launches a wonderful new resource: Practicing Democracy Conversation Cards. This set of 52 cards includes quotes from a broad spectrum of national leaders, both historical and contemporary. The cards are designed to encourage reflection, conversation,...
Sacrality Practice: Stillness, Silence, and the Divine
Stillness is the altar of Spirit. Where motion ceases, Spirit begins to manifest. —Paramahansa Yogananda Whether you're transitioning from a tumultuous year or simply navigating a regular day, carving out moments of silence can be a powerful exercise for your...