Spirituality and the human
Religion is a chrysalis, and spirituality is a butterfly.” Carl McColman
Universal Genuine Mysticism, which based on the analogy above, would be designated by the butterfly as opposed to chrysalis, invites us to explore the profound relationship between the human spirit and the Divine, unconstrained by complexities and presuppositions underpinning of “prophetic” intermediaries and sacred texts. At its core, mysticism is about direct experience, and it suggests that the Divine permeates the entirety of the Universe, especially within the depths of spiritually awakened human hearts.
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan and Easter in the Christian calendar are just two major religious festivals determined by the moon. The first one is Ramadan, which will begin this weekend — though the exact time is still unknown. Easter comes in April this year. However, a “blood moon” total lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse will occur between the two occasions.
Here’s how the moon determines Ramadan and Easter.
Truth is the basis of the Universe, proclaims Vedanta, and the Upanishads. Can Artificial Intelligence critically assess its own work and present truth? Will we lose critical thinking skills if we rely on AI and CHAT-GPT as 300 million users do each week? Buddhi, the intellect, is nearest to the Atma and derives 80% of its illumination from the Atma itself. From where do users of AI obtain truth and exercise the intellect? These are deep questions raised in this article.
Sanatana Dharma – the Perennial Philosophy – teaches that one must be the witness of this world of Maya. Brahman alone is true; creation is a myth. The Jivi or Individual is Brahman. Hence, to connect with the world and others, slow down, observe, listen, and stay open. This is a universal dharma, a universal following of human righteousness.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, stores overflowing with cards, chocolates and expensive gifts serve as a reminder of its relentless commercialization. Images of the mythical Roman god Cupid, with his bow and arrow, are often used to convey that love can happen in an instant.
When the holiday first originated in 14th-century Europe, it wasn’t solely about romantic love − it celebrated the freedom to choose or reject love and marked the arrival of spring.
This Valentine’s Day, Jeremy David Engels, a mindfulness scholar at Penn State, encourages people to explore different ways of experiencing love. Loving-kindness, or “metta” – a form of love practiced by many Buddhists worldwide – expects nothing in return.
Around 50% of Australian young people have engaged in choking, or strangulation, during sex. This practice involves one person putting pressure on the neck of another, restricting breathing or blood flow (or both). Strangulation during sex carries a variety of risks. These range from effects such as bruising and vomiting to brain injury and death. Although rare, strangulation is the leading cause of death in consensual BDSM play.
It’s official. The world’s top global risk is misinformation and disinformation, according to the World Economic Forum. Mis- and disinformation have once again been named the top global risk of the immediate term in the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Risks Report 2025.
Turning 80, as I do this month, tends to focus the mind on one’s mortality. I plan to live another 20 years, as did Jimmy Carter, but I could just as easily be dead in 20 months. I can no longer kid myself that death is a distant reality.
St. Ignatius Loyola, as part of his Spiritual Exercises, advises people to meditate on their deathbeds and reflect on their lives. In such a meditation, money is of little importance, even for nonbelievers. Most people wish they had spent more time with family and friends.
In such reflections, there is a temptation to focus on the negative and feel sorry for oneself — opportunities missed, roadblocks experienced and time wasted. I admit that as I began this column, that temptation was strong.
PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) — Tens of thousands of naked Hindu ascetics and millions of pilgrims took dips in freezing water at the confluence of sacred rivers in northern India on Tuesday, in the first of a series of major baths in the Maha Kumbh festival, the largest religious congregation on Earth.
If you’re on social media, by now you might have seen the breathless announcements of a planetary alignment on January 25, 2025. A flurry of videos and memes is claiming that all eight planets will be in a line on one side of the sun and visible in our nighttime sky. Is it true? Nope. Why January 25? We have no idea. But there will be six planets in our evening sky throughout January. And yes, they’re in a line … like always.
Many audiences will be eager to see Conclave because they have read Robert Harris’ exciting novel, the story of the death of the Pope, the gathering the Cardinals, the details required by Vatican regulations, the need for security, the holding of the conclave and the election of a new Pope.
Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi, perhaps modern India’s greatest sage, recommended Atma-Vichara or Self-inquiry as the best and most direct approach for Self-realization. However, a careful examination of his teachings reveals that he recommended yogic approaches of devotion, mantra or raja yoga – he encouraged whatever might aid a person in their sadhana.
Author of The Interior Castle, reformer of the Carmelite order, and pioneer of Christian mysticism, St. Teresa of Ávila is one of the most influential and inspiring saints in the realm of Christian spirituality.
Much of France is focused on the trial of eight people stemming from the 2020 beheading of French schoolteacher Samuel Paty by Abdoullah Anzorov, an 18-year-old Muslim immigrant from Chechnya.
Anzorov himself is not on trial since he was shot dead by police minutes after his butchery. The focus now is on those who encouraged and enabled him. Seven men and one woman are appearing in Paris’ special criminal court. They include friends accused of helping buy weapons for the attack and spreading false information about Paty, which prosecutors argue contributed to a climate of hatred that led to the killing. This raises difficult questions about legal limits on speech, especially where religion is concerned.
Young scientists, sisters, and theologians of the “green generation” reflect on “saints”, canonised and not, who offer hope and inspire us towards ecological action. “In the community of saints, all together are companions in memory and hope. Together, all together, they are becoming something strange and growing and great, instruments of change. Green Saints for a Green Generation taps beautifully into this dynamic for the sake of our suffering Earth, which cries out for no less”.
