Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Back to all writers

Patheos Featured Writers

Tom Rapsas

Writer

Tom Rapsas is a long-time columnist and author, known for his Wake Up Call column at Patheos, where he has written about 600 pieces since 2012. He focuses on spiritual topics, drawing from decades of self-guided study on subjects like God, religion, purpose, and happiness. Tom's latest book, Wake Up Call: Daily Insights for the Spiritual Curious, was published in 2024. He has also written Thaddeus Squirrel, a spiritual fable, and Life Tweets. Tom lives on the Maryland Eastern Shore with his wife and several cats.

Works by Tom Rapsas

What Four Famous People Saw Moments Before Death

Tom Rapsas | October 10, 2026

...

Chris Bledsoe’s October 7 Prophecy: An October 8 UPDATE

Tom Rapsas | October 02, 2026

...

Are You Living in “the Bardo” Right Here and Now?

Tom Rapsas | September 27, 2026

...

The Out-of-Body Experience: Without the Near-Death Part

Tom Rapsas | September 19, 2026

...

“Don’t Go Up, Go In”: Finding Soul in a World of More

Tom Rapsas | September 12, 2026

...

Michael Singer on Quieting the Noise in Your Head

Tom Rapsas | September 05, 2026

...

The Amazing World of Non-Speakers: Are They Telepathic?

Tom Rapsas | August 29, 2026

...

The Woman Who Sees Angels Everywhere

Tom Rapsas | August 21, 2026

...

Centering Prayer: A Bowl of Cereal for the Soul

Tom Rapsas | August 14, 2026

...

Deathbed Visions: A Bridge to the Other Side?

Tom Rapsas | August 07, 2026

...

How to Fill the Hole Religion Left Behind

Tom Rapsas | July 31, 2026

...

RIP Bob Thurman: “The Dalai Lama’s Man in America”

Tom Rapsas | July 25, 2026

...

Finding Your Inner Walden in a World That Never Stops

Tom Rapsas | July 17, 2026

...

Still Searching for Your Path? Look Under Your Feet

Tom Rapsas | July 10, 2026

...

Did Prayer Cure His Cancer? Or Was It Positive Thinking?

Tom Rapsas | July 03, 2026

...

8 Ways a Near-Death Experience Rewires the Soul

Tom Rapsas | June 25, 2026

...

The Afternoon a Cast Iron Plant Waved at Me

Tom Rapsas | June 18, 2026

...

Finding Meaning in Life Starts with One Simple Act

Tom Rapsas | June 10, 2026

...

Exploring the Mystery Inside Our Own Heads

Tom Rapsas | June 02, 2026

...

RIP Sonny Rollins: A Jazz Icon and Spiritual Sage

Tom Rapsas | May 27, 2026

...

Can An Algorithm Reveal Your Soul’s True Purpose?

Tom Rapsas | May 23, 2026

...

The Man Who Died on the Titanic: and What Happened Next

Tom Rapsas | May 08, 2026

...

Does Your Spiritual Practice Need a History Lesson?

Tom Rapsas | April 26, 2026

...

3 Lessons from the Stoics: Staying Sane in a Cuckoo World

Tom Rapsas | April 26, 2026

...

When Death Gives You A 3-Month Notice

Tom Rapsas | April 18, 2026

...

Awakening Your Soul in the Second Half of Life

Tom Rapsas | April 12, 2026

...

When the Sphinx Sees Red: The Easter 2026 Prophecy

Tom Rapsas | April 02, 2026

...

Beyond Narnia: Did C.S. Lewis get a few things wrong?

Tom Rapsas | March 29, 2026

...

Redefining Success: The 2nd Act of a California...

Tom Rapsas | March 22, 2026

...

The Kingdom Next Door: Is Heaven Closer Than You Think?

Tom Rapsas | March 15, 2026

...

Playing the Inner Game of Pickleball—And Life

Tom Rapsas | March 08, 2026

...

Is Death the Ultimate Life Coach?

Tom Rapsas | March 01, 2026

...

The Modern Face of Ancient Jewish Mysticism

Tom Rapsas | February 20, 2026

...

Uh-Oh: The “Year of the Fire Horse” Arrives February 17th

Tom Rapsas | February 15, 2026

...

Finding Spiritual Contentment in the Wilds of Madison Ave

Tom Rapsas | February 08, 2026

...

What Side is Jesus on in Minneapolis?

Tom Rapsas | February 02, 2026

...

3 Prayers for Spiritual People Who Don’t Like to Pray

Tom Rapsas | January 25, 2026

...

The “I’m Just Not That into Meditation” Guide to...

Tom Rapsas | January 18, 2026

...

Living A Life Your Soul Never Agreed To? You’re Not Alone

Tom Rapsas | January 10, 2026

...

Six Tips to Rediscover Your Spirituality in 2026

Tom Rapsas | January 02, 2026

...

Pope Leo’s Secret Influence: A 17th Century Monk

Tom Rapsas | December 26, 2025

...

How to Become a Christmas Mystic

Tom Rapsas | December 16, 2025

...

The Spirituality of Dolly Parton: A Christmas Reflection

Tom Rapsas | December 07, 2025

...

4 Groovy Insights from America's Guru

Tom Rapsas | November 23, 2025

...

Centering Prayer: The Ancient, Forgotten Path to God

Tom Rapsas | November 09, 2025

...

How to Stay Calm in the Center of the Storm

Tom Rapsas | November 01, 2025

...

Maybe Your Purpose Isn't a Path. Maybe it’s a State of...

Tom Rapsas | October 26, 2025

...

The Unofficial Second Coming: Jesus Sets the Record...

Tom Rapsas | October 19, 2025

...

The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Practice

Tom Rapsas | October 11, 2025

...

Aging with Purpose: Live Deeper, Live Longer

Tom Rapsas | October 04, 2025

...

The Busy Person's Guide to Solitude (and Why You Need It)

Tom Rapsas | September 27, 2025

...

When God Sends a UFO

Tom Rapsas | September 20, 2025

...

The Spiritual Person’s Guide to Insomnia

Tom Rapsas | September 10, 2025

...

Are You Catering to the King or Being True to Yourself?

Tom Rapsas | September 02, 2025

...

A Modern Prayer for the Spiritual, Not Religious

Tom Rapsas | August 26, 2025

...

The Mystery of the Yong Yu Sing #18 (Updated 8/25)

Tom Rapsas | August 21, 2025

...

Spiritual but Not Religious? A Path to Finding God Within

Tom Rapsas | August 15, 2025

...

Who Will Show Us the Way Back to The Garden?

Tom Rapsas | August 08, 2025

...

Does the Tao Hold the Key to Contentment?

Tom Rapsas | August 02, 2025

...

Two Paths to Self-Mastery: The 4 Agreements and 26 Enemies

Tom Rapsas | July 26, 2025

...

What Really Matters: Finding Meaning Beyond Work

Tom Rapsas | July 19, 2025

...

The Inner Arc: Awakening Your Soul’s True Purpose

Tom Rapsas | July 11, 2025

...

Do The Dead Visit Us in Our Dreams?

Tom Rapsas | July 05, 2025

...

These Two Descriptions May Change The Way You View God

Tom Rapsas | June 28, 2025

...

Everyday Magic: Your Role in a More Enchanted Life

Tom Rapsas | June 21, 2025

...

The Unsolved Mystery of the Yong Yu Sing No. 18

Tom Rapsas | June 14, 2025

...

Reflections on Aging, Character and the Inner Journey

Tom Rapsas | June 07, 2025

...

10 Simple Daily Rituals to Boost Your Well-Being

Tom Rapsas | May 30, 2025

...

The Day God Spoke to Me in a Park in Houston

Tom Rapsas | May 23, 2025

...

Three Women and The Power of Telling Your Personal Story

Tom Rapsas | May 17, 2025

...

The 7 Keys to Becoming a Conscious Elder

Tom Rapsas | May 09, 2025

...

What Near-Death Experiences Reveal About Life

Tom Rapsas | May 01, 2025

...

Finding Calm in Chaos: A Guide to Managing Fear

Tom Rapsas | April 25, 2025

...

The Resurrection Within: Finding Light After Darkness

Tom Rapsas | April 15, 2025

...

The No Muss, No Fuss Guide to Mindfulness

Tom Rapsas | April 11, 2025

...

"The Most Important Spiritual Discovery of All Time"

Tom Rapsas | April 05, 2025

...

The Multiverse: Are We Living Many Lives Simultaneously?

Tom Rapsas | March 29, 2025

...

How to Feed Your Soul in a Noisy, Numb World

Tom Rapsas | March 23, 2025

...

The Lost Art of Being Alone (It's More Important Than...

Tom Rapsas | March 08, 2025

...

Meditations for People who Think about Cats—or Anything...

Tom Rapsas | March 01, 2025

...

How To Overcome a Mid-Life Crisis (Whether You’re 30 or...

Tom Rapsas | February 23, 2025

...

Awakening the Soul in a World on Fire

Tom Rapsas | February 16, 2025

...

The Field of Honor: Why Character Still Matters

Tom Rapsas | February 07, 2025

...

The Power of Now: 10 Key Teachings from Eckhart Tolle

Tom Rapsas | February 01, 2025

...

6 Keys to a Soulful Life via Thomas Moore

Tom Rapsas | January 25, 2025

...

White House Blues? 3 Female Elders Show Us the Way Forward

Tom Rapsas | January 19, 2025

...

The "Last Year" Experiment: A Call to Being Present

Tom Rapsas | January 10, 2025

...

Will You Win the War for Your Attention?

Tom Rapsas | January 05, 2025

...

Life After Near Death: A Journey Beyond the Physical Plane

Tom Rapsas | December 28, 2024

...

Matthew vs. Luke: Which Christmas Story Got It Right?

Tom Rapsas | December 20, 2024

...

Finding God Within: The Power of Mystical Experience

Tom Rapsas | December 13, 2024

...

Can your purpose in life be found in your childhood?

Tom Rapsas | December 07, 2024

...

My Cousin Has Seen the Afterlife. Here’s What to Expect

Tom Rapsas | November 29, 2024

...

Before the Feast: 3 Simple Prayers for Giving Thanks

Tom Rapsas | November 24, 2024

...

How Many of the Big 4 Commitments of Life Have U Made?

Tom Rapsas | November 15, 2024

...

Three Good Reasons Not to Kill Yourself

Tom Rapsas | November 08, 2024

...

The Healing Power of Shamans: Myth or Magic?

Tom Rapsas | November 01, 2024

...

The Witch Within: A Guide to Modern Magic and Spirituality

Tom Rapsas | October 26, 2024

...

6 Simple Ways to Rediscover the Joy of Life

Tom Rapsas | October 18, 2024

...

Willie Nelson at 91: Wisdom, Faith, and the Road Ahead

Tom Rapsas | October 11, 2024

...

View all featured writers

Patheos Logo Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos