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2023-11-28T16:35:57-07:00

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.

Supernatural Festivals: A Cross-Cultural Look at the Celebration of Death

Last updated on: November 28, 2023 at 4:35 pm By Dr. Ahriana Platten

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Halloween, with its eerie costumes, spooky decorations, and a sense of playful fright, is a widely celebrated holiday in many parts of the world. It’s interesting to note that various faiths around the globe have their own festivals that share similarities with Halloween, a great example of the universal need to acknowledge our ancestors, the time of death, and our desire for life beyond our mortal walk. These celebrations may not always align perfectly with the modern commercialized version of... Read more

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Connecting to the Afterworld

2023-10-11T13:54:25-06:00

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.

Ancestral Roots and Cultural Appropriation: Caucasians have Tribal History

Last updated on: October 11, 2023 at 1:54 pm By Dr. Ahriana Platten

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On a recent visit to Oaxaca, Mexico, I had the opportunity to dive deeply into the rich and beautiful culture of its tribal people. As a fair-skinned American woman of European heritage, I often long for more connection with my own roots and the ancestral practices of those who came before me. Unfortunately, many of our European ancestors chose to leave their homelands for a new world. By its very nature, that search meant leaving behind their stories, history,... Read more

Cultural Appropriation

European Tribes

Spirituality

2023-10-05T22:30:35-06:00

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.

Its the Perfect time to Honor Our Ancestors

Last updated on: October 5, 2023 at 10:30 pm By Dr. Ahriana Platten

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As I write, I’m on my way to Oaxaca, Mexico, where I’ll immerse myself in the traditions of Día De Los Muertos. The concept of ancestor veneration has always intrigued me, and I deeply value this chance to strengthen my connection with those loved ones who have transitioned from this realm to the next. Ancestors – whether linked by blood, culture, or spirit – form the intricate threads that interlace our past, present, and future. They are the vessels of... Read more

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Dia De los Muertos

2023-09-23T15:19:36-06:00

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.

Seasons of the Soul: How the Trees Teach Us to Let Go and Grow

Last updated on: September 23, 2023 at 3:19 pm By Dr. Ahriana Platten

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Autumn is upon us—a time of self-reflection and release. The season turns nature into a canvas, painting itself in hues of amber, ruby, and gold. Every year, I find myself sitting on my front porch, watching the leaves dance to the ground, captivated by their whispering encouragement to welcome change. Trees Don’t Cling, So Why Should We? Science offers a straightforward explanation for the transformative beauty of autumn leaves. During summer, trees are full of chlorophyll, the pigment that makes... Read more

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Contemplative

2023-09-11T21:03:19-06:00

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.

What I Want My Grandchildren to Know About 9/11: A Legacy of Unity and Compassion

Last updated on: September 11, 2023 at 9:03 pm By Dr. Ahriana Platten

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As part of a school assignment, my grandson called tonight to ask me about what happened on 9/11. I stumbled a bit through my answers, trying to impress upon him how shocking and sad it was, how the memory of the Twin Towers falling is etched in my mind after repeatedly watching footage for days and weeks, and even years after it happened and how I had friends who lost loved ones that day. After the call, I realized I... Read more

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2023-09-10T22:44:47-06:00

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.

The Metaphysical Interplay of Body and Soul: Insights from William Blake

Last updated on: September 10, 2023 at 10:44 pm By Dr. Ahriana Platten

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My massage therapist shared a fascinating William Blake quote with me recently. The 18th-century English poet, painter, and visionary, who often delved into the realms of spirituality and human existence, wrote, “Man has no body distinct from his Soul, for that called Body is a portion of Soul discerned by the five senses, the chief inlets of Soul in this age.” Looking through a metaphysical lens, Blake invites us to rethink our perceived divisions between the physical and spiritual... Read more

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2023-08-28T11:54:36-06:00

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.

“From Dream to Action: “60 Years After the I Have A Dream Speech”

Last updated on: August 28, 2023 at 11:54 am By Dr. Ahriana Platten

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Sixty years ago, on August 28th, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gifted us with the resounding words, “I have a Dream.” Yet, with the heart-rending incident over the weekend in Jacksonville, Florida, it becomes hauntingly clear that the dream remains unrealized for so many. A cherished high school friend posed a question on Facebook in response to the shooting. Though I could paint countless tales of her extraordinary spirit, what weighs heavily on my heart today is how the... Read more

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2023-08-28T12:05:42-06:00

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.

Soul Currency: Is It Ethical for Spiritual Entrepreneurs To Ask For Compensation?

Last updated on: August 28, 2023 at 12:05 pm By Dr. Ahriana Platten

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I heard it again today. “Why should spiritual leaders charge for what they do? It’s not ethical. Spiritual teachings should be free, right?” It’s a comment I’m quick to answer. Is it ethical to charge for spiritual courses and services? In my opinion, yes — not only is it ethical, but it’s also necessary in order to create a sustainable spiritual future for our society. Profits, when used ethically, can be a blessing for everyone. When financially healthy, a... Read more

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2023-07-31T18:09:10-06:00

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.

First Harvest: Embracing Spiritual Growth and Interconnection

Last updated on: July 31, 2023 at 6:09 pm By Dr. Ahriana Platten

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Amidst the warm embrace of a summer afternoon, a single, luscious, cherry tomato arrived in my hands, courtesy of my thoughtful husband. The first fruit, plucked fresh off the vine, it epitomized perfection in every way. As I savored its sweet juiciness, I found myself pondering the significance of this tiny gift and the season that surrounds it—the season of the first harvest. Ancient Rhythms In ages past, our ancestors were deeply acquainted with the rhythm of nature’s cycles and... Read more

Progressive Christian

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2023-07-22T15:18:50-06:00

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.

When Someone You Love Changes Gender Identity: A Personal Story

Last updated on: July 22, 2023 at 3:18 pm By Dr. Ahriana Platten

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I had no idea how much pain he had experienced in his days as a woman. In fact, in his female years, I perceived “her” as brilliant, beautiful, and accomplished. She was successful, confident, and funny – – my friend and sister-of-the-heart. I loved her deeply and completely. While we had often joked about our “strong masculine sides,” I had no indication that identifying as female was causing her such profound distress. Personal Transformation After about fifteen years of being... Read more

Progressive Christian

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