Spirituality
A Journey of Laughter and Healing
Ginger Joy Johnson’s path to becoming America’s 2024 laughter champion was as unconventional as it was transformative. The 45-year-old Pacific Grove native, now a massage therapist and life coach in Monterey, found laughter as a means of healing after a painful divorce. Her spiritual journey, which included studying with a guru in Taos, New Mexico, and traveling to India in 2019 to learn “laughter yoga,” led her to the unique practice of using laughter to enhance both physical and mental health. In 2022, after returning to Monterey to care for an ailing relative, Johnson co-hosted the first American Laughter Championship and became a competitor herself. The event, held over Zoom, challenges participants to showcase contagious and diabolical laughs, with rounds judged by viewers and fellow ...
Exploring the Impact of Out-of-Body Experiences on Empathy
Dr. Marina Weiler from the University of Virginia, alongside her team, delves into the intricate connection between altered states of consciousness and empathy. Their research not only sheds light on this complex relationship but also offers a potential avenue to bolster empathy at a time of societal division. According to Dr. Weiler, empathy serves as a cornerstone of human interaction, fostering deep connections and mutual understanding among individuals. She emphasizes the importance of investigating techniques to enhance empathy, whether through out-of-body experiences triggering ego dissolution or through alternative methods. This pursuit holds promising implications for both individuals and society on a broader scale. The study conducted by Dr. Weiler delves into the impact of out-of...
The Spiritual Legacy of Frida Kahlo Still Resonates Worldwide
Frida Kahlo, despite her lack of religious affiliation, intricately weaved religious symbols into her artistic creations until her passing on July 13, 1954. Renowned art researcher and curator Ximena Jordán highlighted Kahlo’s self-portraits as powerful representations of individual strength and the innate ability to harness life’s gifts. Born in Mexico City in 1907, Kahlo drew inspiration from her life’s trials and tribulations, including a devastating bus accident in 1925 and her tumultuous relationship with renowned Mexican artist Diego Rivera. These personal experiences served as the artistic fuel that forged a profound connection between Kahlo’s paintings and her global fan base, even on the 70th anniversary of her death. Jordán delves into the essence of Kahlo...
The Great-Grandson of the Last Mutsun Full-Blooded Member Seeks to Reconnect Tribe with Its Ancestral Land
On a sunlit day in late June, a crowd gathers at Indian Canyon in California’s Gabilan Range for the 27th Annual Storytelling Gathering. Amid the cottonwoods and sycamores, a legacy of Indigenous preservation unfolds. This unique stretch of land is the only remaining Indigenous-owned property in the region, and serves as a refuge for ceremony and reconnection, led by artist and educator Kanyon Sayers-Roods. But it is Anthony Mondragon, great-grandson of Ascencion Solorsano—the last full-blooded Mutsun tribe member—who is on a quest to preserve his tribe’s history and establish a physical home for the Mutsun people. Mondragon, a Seaside resident, is not an academic or activist by trade, but he is driven by his deep connection to his great-grandmother’s legacy. Solorsano, who passed in 1930,...
Slow Down: A Buddhist Monk Shares His Path to Happiness
In an era marked by constant motion and an insatiable pursuit of happiness, Haemin Sunim, a prominent Buddhist monk and meditation teacher, offers a simple yet profound antidote: slow down. Sunim, the author of The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, a bestseller with over three million copies sold worldwide, advocates that true contentment comes from taking life at a more deliberate pace. His message has resonated widely, particularly as the pressures of modern life intensify. The book, which topped bestseller lists in Korea for an impressive 41 weeks, has since become a global guide for well-being, addressing key areas such as relationships, love, and spirituality. Sunim’s rise as a voice of modern Buddhist wisdom is notable. A former professor at a small arts college in Massachu...
Clearing the Energy: The Growing Popularity of Incense in the West
Hyungi Park, a 25-year-old incense maker, notes the significance of incense in religious ceremonies and how it differs from candles or essential oils in terms of intention and mood. She has seen a 142% increase in sales from April to September compared to the same period the previous year, with her £45 ($56) incense-making kit being a popular item. Incense comes in many forms and has been used for thousands of years worldwide, often associated with mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga. Isabel Lee, 26, another studio director, reported a 130% increase in online sales, citing incense as an attractive alternative to candles for its ease of use. Incense is closely tied to ritual practices, especially in South Asian cultures, where it is often used in temples and homes. Shrankhla Hole...
White Lotus Day Honors the Controversial Pioneer of Modern Occultism, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
Every year on May 8, followers across the globe observe White Lotus Day, commemorating Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, a figure as extraordinary as she was controversial. Blavatsky, who died in 1891, is remembered as a spiritual leader and co-founder of the Theosophical Society, an organization that sought to establish a universal brotherhood through teachings she claimed were passed down by mystical masters from the Himalayas. Known affectionately as “HPB” by her devotees, Blavatsky’s legacy remains a powerful force, with theosophical movements maintaining a global presence of more than 1,000 lodges and centers, serving a membership exceeding 25,000. Her influence, however, extends far beyond formal organizations, having sparked the late 19th-century esoteric spiritual revival that swept acros...
Study Reveals Spiritual Awareness Fluctuates Throughout the Day
Spiritual awareness is far from constant, according to a new study from the University of Connecticut, which finds that individuals experience varying levels of awareness throughout the day. The research, set to be presented at the 110th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, suggests that moments of heightened spiritual consciousness are most frequent in the morning and during activities such as prayer, worship, and meditation. Surprisingly, listening to music, reading, and even exercise were also linked to increased spiritual awareness. However, the study found that work-related activities tend to suppress this awareness, with those spending the most time at work reporting the lowest levels. Video games similarly diminished spiritual consciousness. Interestingly, people...
What the Revival of Druidry Reveals About Modern Spirituality
Every morning in California, Larisa White begins her day by stepping outside to greet nature. As a practicing druid, her spirituality is rooted in celebrating the rhythms of the natural world, from the arrival of fog to the blooming of the first flowers. White’s practices, though personal, reflect the growing global resurgence of Druidry—a belief system that has evolved from ancient, largely lost traditions. Druidry, once centered in the British Isles, has spread to English-speaking countries worldwide, with an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 adherents today. Despite its historical mystery—ancient druids left no written records and were largely described by outsiders—modern druid practices have coalesced around a respect for nature and seasonal changes. White’s research into global Druidry sho...
How Digital Religion Is Reshaping Spirituality Among Millennials
In an era of increasing digital connectivity, a new study suggests that digital religion among millennials in the U.S. and Canada is not replacing traditional worship but instead enriching it. The research, conducted by Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme, a sociology professor at the University of Waterloo, examines the role of digital platforms in the spiritual lives of young adults and explores whether these technologies are driving a “spiritual revolution.” With the rise of online sermons, religious social media content, and virtual chat groups with faith leaders, religious communities have found digital avenues to engage younger generations. However, Wilkins-Laflamme’s study reveals that while digital religion enhances the experience of those already involved in organized religion, it is not neces...
How the Metaverse Could Transform Religious Experience
Throughout history, new technologies have consistently reshaped religious practice. In the late 19th century, when early radio broadcasts emerged, many listeners described their experience as spiritual. The ethereal voices seemed to emanate from another dimension, and some even believed that radio had unlocked a gateway to the spirit world. Séances, too, gained popularity during this era, driven by a fascination with unseen forces. Today, religion is again undergoing a profound transformation, with the digital age offering new ways to engage with spirituality. As the internet continues to evolve, it presents unprecedented opportunities to understand, participate in, and experience religious activities. Though participation in traditional religious institutions is on the decline in parts of...
Breathwork: Harnessing the Power of Breath for Wellness
Breathing is one of the most fundamental and automatic processes we perform, yet it holds untapped potential beyond its essential function. In moments of stress, our breath quickens and shortens as a natural response, but with intentional practice, breathing can become a powerful tool for calming the mind and body. This practice of controlled breathing, known as breathwork, offers a range of psychological and physical benefits. Below, we explore the practice, its benefits, and how to easily incorporate it into daily life. What is Breathwork? Breathwork refers to a variety of exercises that involve consciously regulating the breath to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being. According to Mandy DeVries, a registered respiratory therapist and director of education at the American A...
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