Category Archives: Interfaith Inspiration

Interfaith inspiration for interfaith couples, families, and individuals whose spiritual journey has expanded the boundaries of their faith and practice.

Ramadan and July 4th, Iftar and InterDependence

Interfaith Education, Interfaith Holidays, Interfaith Inspiration, Interspiritual, , , , ,

Celebrating iftar with a Muslim friend is an interspiritual experience.What I know from fasting each year on the Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur (sunset to sunset) is that it’s always easier to fast when others are fasting too. This year’s Ramadan, when our Muslim community fasts for a month (sunrise to sunset), coincides with July 4th. I decided to show my support by fasting with them for one of those days. It was so wonderful that I encourage all of us to try this practice as a way to celebrate our American INTERdependence.

How can we all join in creating such new traditions?
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Why I’m Coming Out as a Religion Teacher Who Doesn’t Teach Religion

Evolutionary Spirituality, For Religious Educators, Integral Spirituality, Interfaith Children, Interfaith Education, Interfaith Inspiration, Interspiritual, Jewish-Interfaith, Spiritual Growth for Kids, , ,

Photograph of 8 hands in the air with thumbs up. Behind the hair, skin, gender, status, culture, class, language, fashion, and faith, who am I?

I am my message. I am the unique world-view I’m yearning to share. But — I’ve been scratching at its surface, poking around the edges, unwilling to fully embrace it. Why?  Continue reading Why I’m Coming Out as a Religion Teacher Who Doesn’t Teach Religion →

Five Quick Reflections on Responsible Religion

For Religious Educators, Interfaith Education, Interfaith Inspiration, Interspiritual, Jewish-Interfaith, Spiritual Growth for Kids, , , ,

1. Responsible Religion

M-115We can ignore it. We can try going around it, under it, over it.
But religion can lead to Spiritual Sustenance if we go through it.
This means thinking for ourselves, understanding how religion affects us and others— now and later, understanding others’ religions, and creating a relationship to religion that allows us to grow -responsibly.
ZinnHouse is here to help.

2. Floating
and Swimming

Floating and Swimming Through Religion, mixed media by Lauren Zinn.Rabbi David Wolpe wrote that floating takes faith. Floating is especially enjoyable after learning to swim, to propel through water. And faith is especially appreciated after understanding religion.
How do different religious traditions, customs, norms affect our spirit?  It is one thing to float through religion, it is another to understand and move it in ways that strengthen us spiritually. I encourage you to look at this website and, in addition to floating, learn to swim.
October 9, 2010 

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Marianne Williamson was Right about African-American Women

Conversations with Leaders, Interfaith Inspiration, Jewish-Interfaith, , ,

I never forgot what Marianne Williamson said 15 years ago. During a Palm Sunday Service at Unity Church in Detroit, she remarked that a spiritual revival would arise with African-American women. At first, I thought of Oprah. But then I looked around me in my own small circle and I see what she meant. Continue reading Marianne Williamson was Right about African-American Women →

“Meet the Patels,” Meet Interfaith America

Interfaith Education, Interfaith Inspiration, Movies on Faith & Spirituality, Spiritual Growth for Kids, ,

movie poster of Meet the Patels This funny, interesting, thoughtful documentary intersects religion, culture and identity while shining a light on Hindu Indians in America. Meet The Patels in Meet the Patels.  Ravi, is an Indian-American (or American Hindu), and actor. His parents emigrated to the United States where he and his older sister were born. Now 29,  his parents wonder why he’s not married. They volunteer — to find him a nice Hindu girl from the pool of Patels, that is. Ravi’s sister, Geeta, films the whole family as they search for her brother’s mate. You can imagine what happens OR, you could see the movie!
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“Caravan of No Despair” by Mirabai Starr

Books on Faith and Spirituality, Integral Spirituality, Interfaith Inspiration, Jewish-Interfaith, ,

book cover for Caravan of No DespairWhen I met Mirabai Starr at an Interspiritual Conference in Arizona, I got the cliff-note version of her now latest book, Caravan of No Despair. This 275 page edition of her spiritual transformation fueled by her daughter’s death invites readers through her darkest despair as she holds our hands through the process.
 Continue reading “Caravan of No Despair” by Mirabai Starr →