What follows is a Speakeasy excerpt from Terrifying Freedom, Linda Anne Smith’s debut novel. Amidst the large number of women joining the community, Sr. Rebecca Marise drew no particular attention. She entered at nineteen with some college education—typical of many—and went through the formation process in stride with the rest. Her reports were consistently positive yet […]
What follows is the first of several excerpts from one of this month’s Speakeasy book review selections, Tantric Jesus, wherein Episcopal Priest and tantric initiate James Reho makes a provocative proposal: Original Christian spirituality, as practiced in the early church and by Jesus himself, was tantric in nature. In the West, Tantra often evokes images of arcane rituals or acrobatic sexuality, […]
Someone once asked Inayat Khan – founder of the Sufi Order International (now The Inayati Order) and beloved Murshid (or Teacher) to many – “Are you a pessimist?” “No,” Pir-o-Murshid replied. “An optimist, but with open eyes.” * * * * * * * Someone said to Murshid, “I heard them talk against you.” “Did they?” said he. […]
I recently connected with writer, speaker, pastor, podcaster, coach, mama, wife, and activist-theologian Cara Meredith. We talk about The Divine Dance, the writing life, and the experiences that change us. Let’s dive into Cara’s questions, shall we? Tell us a bit about yourself, will you? Hi Cara – thank you for having me here today. Sure thing! […]
Mike’s note: Scripture attests to an astonishing spiritual reality: A world created by, through, and sustained within a God Who’s all-in-all. We are given the dignity to remain in separation concsciousness if we so choose, but we can also “join to the Lord and become One Spirit” with God (1 Corinthians 6:17 ). What follows […]
