What's Happening at
SpiritualityandPractice.com
March 27, 2020
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By the S&P Team
The vast resources of the spiritual and religious traditions offer us sustenance and inspiration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each day we recommend a different resource on our homepage, providing a growing index
on this page
so that you can easily find all of those we've shared.
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By Patricia Campbell Carlson
Join millions of people around the world and switch off your lights in support of nature and our planet on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at 8:30 p.m. in your local time zone. Given the unprecedented circumstances during the current pandemic, the Earth Hour global organizing team is advising that Earth Hour be celebrated at home and digitally this year.
Here are some ways you can take part
.
More Practices
: Meister Eckhart Day, Anniversary of Three Mile Island, Birthday of Pearl Bailey, Birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, Mother Maria Skobtsova, Birthday of Cesar Chavez, Calling All Fools - April Fools Day
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By Philip Goldberg
April 6 - May 1, 2020
Explore the fascinating lives and groundbreaking teachings of six teachers from India in this new e-course that starts in April. Philip Goldberg has been immersed in India’s spiritual traditions for more than 50 years as a practitioner, teacher, and writer. He brings a depth of insight to his teaching and his guiding of the Practice Circle. His three previous S&P courses on the Bhagavad Gita, La Vida Yoga, and Compassion have been warmly received. Read more and sign up:
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To provide additional support for people at this time, we have selected some e-courses addressing needs arising during the pandemic. These programs, available on demand so you can choose your own start date and how often you receive the emails, they will help you learn how to handle difficulties, stay healthy, and develop your contemplative practice.
All courses on this list are available at a 30 percent discount.
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Directed by Autumn de Wilde
Emma is the last novel that Jane Austen published before her death, and this screenplay conveys her portrait of the perils of do-gooders who often harm the very persons they seek to help. Due to theater closings, this marvelous film is available to rent or buy on Fandango and to pre-order on Vudu.
More Films
: The Dog Doc, First Cow, The Grizzlies, Human Capitol, Resistance, Vitalina Varela plus Sorry We Missed You (now available in a virtual theater)
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DVDs and Streaming Releases
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Directed by Terrence Malick
Based on the true life of Franz Jägerstätter, a World War II conscientious objector, this film tells the story of a farmer in Austria who, along with his beloved wife, has his conscience sorely tested when Nazis start recruiting soldiers from the countryside. This review has links to 21 resources on peacemaking and conscientious objection, to give you courage for your own path.
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By Melody Moezzi
"Quit keeping score if you want to be free.
Love has ejected the referee." Iranian-American author and activist Moezzi has found in Rumi's oftentimes wild and crazy verse "a lifeline," and she shares his prescriptions for modern life with readers.
More Books
: Ignite Your Light, Inspiring Forgiveness, The Wellfulness Project
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By Kristen Fulton
Six-year-old Peter Wetzel, living with his family in East Germany in 1979, has been let in on the secret that his family is trying to escape the repressive East German regime. Then his mama and papa wake him in the middle of the night to let him know it's time to go. This true story boosts courage, humility, creativity, and resilience.
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KidSpirit Youth Voices Blog
By Jada Rivera
An Afro-Latina poet who lives in New York City shares her perceptions, beginning with:
The shadow-dipped universe stares at me
Its million glowing eyes never losing mine
It knows my mind
It knows my soul
We feel the pain ...
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Praying the News Blog
By Christine Valters Paintner
In times that strain our resources, our energy, and our resilience, we need refreshment of spirit more than ever. This prayer by Christine Valters Paintner, an American writer who founded the Abbey of the Arts, helps refill our wells by recalling all for which we can be grateful.
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Process Musings Blog
By Patricia Adams Farmer
If you're feeling fear, you're normal. You're paying attention. The coronavirus is an invader that has come upon us with great speed and virulence. What, then, shall we do with our fear, to keep from being frozen by it?
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Short & Sweet Spirituality Blog
By Frederic Brussat
"Creativity means making something for the soul out of every experience," suggests Thomas Moore. This post, from a blog designed to give you a nugget of wisdom for each day of the week, draws from many sources to highlight our need for unity, compassion, resourcefulness, and love.
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Practicing Democracy Project
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Reflections from Asian and Asian American Seminarians
By Aizaiah Yong
Even before Asians and Asian Americans in the United States started experiencing racist attacks against them stoked by coronavirus panic, those of Asian descent had concerns about democracy not applying fully to them.
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By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
From Ancestors to Wonder, this alphabetized set of tips focuses on hospitality, hope, intuition, joy, and other soul qualities that make life worth living at any time, and all the more so during a crisis.
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A Thought to Carry with You
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There seem to be as many different experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic as there are people. Some have unexpected time on their hands, wanted or unwanted; others, especially medical personnel, have never been so busy, stretched, and exhausted in their lives. Some live alone and feel isolated; others find solitude enjoyable even under sobering circumstances. Some live with families and treasure having more time together, while others struggle with interpersonal tensions in a confined space. Some people, preparing to fend off the virus, feel healthier than before; yet hundreds of thousands are or have been terribly ill. Some are full of fear, some full of courage, and many oscillate back and forth between the two.
In a sad twist, the experience of death from the coronavirus seems more universal. Few are prepared to die this way, unable to breathe and only able to say goodbye to family members virtually, if at all. Health workers give their all to keep people from dying, and yet as of this writing worldwide COVID-19 deaths are approaching 27,000.
No matter what our situation is, we all face the same threat, and we all benefit by doing everything we can to take good care of ourselves and others. The ways we find to do so will vary like everything else in this strangely intensified time. But we can all keep in mind Winston Churchill's words in his first broadcast as Prime Minister during World War II: "It would be foolish … to disguise the gravity of the hour. It would be still more foolish to lose heart and courage …"
Here at Spirituality & Practice, our aim is to provide you with resources that help you keep heart day by day. May the influence of our extended community around the world bring strength to all who are trying to help, wisdom to those burdened by difficult decisions, consolation to the sorrowing, and hope to those who still need a reason to believe in the tenacity of life.
Blessings,
Your Spirituality & Practice Team
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Patricia Campbell Carlson
Margaret Wakeley
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