Serving Seekers
“What religion are you anyway?” This question was recently asked of me, not out of rudeness, but out of complete curiosity. I looked down at the yin yang pendant my spiritual guru gave me. Next to it was a Buddha …
Category: Jeremy
Holiday Love
I have a deep connection to Chinese Spirituality. Both Buddhism and Taoism are integral parts of my spiritual core. In fact, The Tao Te Ching inspires me in ways that are hard to express. It is not uncommon for me …
Presence of Peace
University of Lynchburg’s recent peace vigil for Ukraine was a powerful event. Collectively, those in attendance either prayed or meditated with the goal of spreading peace. No matter our religious, spiritual, or secular traditions, we came together for the sake …
Light in Chaos
One recent Friday, we had a snowstorm. I was working late, and I had just finished my last task and had called in takeout from my favorite Thai restaurant in Lynchburg. I made my way to my car, hopped in, …
Inclusive Sacred Spaces: Welcome to the Table
As someone inspired by multiple paths, including Humanism, I value religious and spiritual inclusivity. I want everyone, no matter their religious or spiritual identity, to be included in sacred spaces. As an interfaith chaplain, I treasure bringing together students from …
Peace Within
One of the holiest of Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur, starts today at sundown. It is a time for atonement. One of my spiritual teachers, Rabbi Chava Bahle, reminds me that Yom Kippur is also a time to reflect on how …
Being Present
The Buddhist leader and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh says, “Life is available only in the present moment.” What does being present mean? It is easy to be befuddled by the future, the deadlines and due dates, the things that …
In the End, Empathy
We are moving into the hectic season of the academic year. Many are studying for exams, writing papers, and putting finishing touches on portfolios or presentations. Some members of our community are excitedly awaiting graduation and the chapter that begins …
Living After Darkness
It’s a sacred time. Humanity has been celebrating many wonderfully rich holidays: Holi, Passover, Ostara, and Easter to name a few. Muslims will begin observing Ramadan on the evening of April 12th, and many Buddhist Americans will celebrate the birth …
Spiritual Fluidity
The Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR) movement has been gaining popularity for decades, and an increasing number of people forty and younger describe themselves this way. These individuals incorporate multitudinous spiritual practices into their own rituals. During a national conference …