Raven

At a time when I felt siloed, Raven fed my soul. Now I give food to the ravens that visit our yard. To paraphrase “The Parable of the Long Spoons,” a man got a glimpse of heaven and hell. At … Read More

Freedom

When we hold too tightly to particular happily ever after endings, we refuse wholeness. We make it difficult for Life to surprise us. Furthermore, demanding that other people meet our expectations, hinders us from freedom.  Vertical bars stood between Raven … Read More

Play

From the moment my niece came into this world, she brought out play in me. One Christmas she gave me a rusty metal horse. It sits on a window sill, reminding me to play. Who, or what, encourages play in … Read More

Credentials

Credentials, knowledge, wisdom, discernment, giftedness… A woman turned to me and said one phrase, “Boy! I bet you feel like a loser!” Actually, I was feeling a bit proud of myself. I had remained focused. As person after person voiced … Read More

Owl Medicine

Many people connect Owl with knowledge and wisdom. Knowing satisfies us. In short, we are comfortable in the light. Owls; however, are active at night. Their vision is sharp and their hearing, extraordinary. According to Medicine Cards, by Sams and … Read More

Peacock

Peacock, “Are you proud or simply being true?” Peacocks are known for their color-saturated feathers. Still, if we take a closer look, we see dark and dull ones, too. Peacock invites us to wholeness. Imagine being swept away in Love’s … Read More

Lizards and Pick-Up Sticks

I remember the anticipation I felt playing pick-up sticks, as a child. Who could pull a stick out from the heap, without disturbing the pile? Similarly, in life, we never really know if or how our words and actions will … Read More

Vaporize

I saw it in the other, because I noticed it in myself, and vice versa. Anything we substantiate, becomes a target. When we vaporize our identities; however, arrows can fly through us. On one side, I could have ignored the … Read More

Jaguar

People often ask, “What happens in a spiritual direction session?” Rather than describing spiritual direction with all its uniquenesses, let’s engage in a group exercise. A friend recently shared, Missionary Eaten by a Jaguar, by artist Noé León, on social … Read More

Panther

Twenty-six years ago, the dark night of my soul met me like a ferocious panther. There, I entered the unknown to face myself. Curiously, as I accepted all of me, the universe became more benevolent, as well. Traditions, communities, families, … Read More

Wild Boar

Before moving west, I lived in America’s evangelical south. During our country’s recent upheaval, I have read prayers like, “Lord Jesus, come and rescue us.” If we’ve never done heart wrenching soul work, we are surprised when Life confronts us … Read More

Spirit and Flesh

For a long time, we could keep them separate. Then a babe in a manger moved us along to seeing both spirit and flesh, wrapped up together in swaddling clothes. Being both human and divine, Jesus invited us to embrace … Read More