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

Strategic Monk

Home
Contemplative

2023-09-18T15:12:07-08:00

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.

Giving Up Limitations for Lent

Last updated on: September 18, 2023 at 3:12 pm By Greg Richardson

We live in an amazing world filled with wonders. It is easy for us to be captivated by the beauty and intricacy all around us. We are dazzled by the stars in the night sky, the distant horizon of the ocean, the clouds on the mountains. We can be overwhelmed by the warmth of the sun on our faces, the aroma of baking bread. The music of the spheres plays in our hearing. Each of us finds our own ways to... Read more

Blog

Spiritual Practices

2014-04-03T04:40:31-08:00

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 Work That Has Chosen Me to Do It

Last updated on: April 3, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

There was a long time when I believed that I chose the work I did. One of my deepest, lifelong values is justice. I went to school, deciding what to study to move in the direction I had set for myself. After school, I submitted resumes and interviewed for positions. Each job was a revelation. Each one taught me significant truths. Some were delightful, some were difficult, some were jobs I loved doing even within dysfunctional organizations. I gained experience.... Read more

2014-04-01T04:40:53-08:00

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.

Leadership Plays the Fool

Last updated on: April 1, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Happy April Fools’ Day! It is important, before we each launch our elaborately planned practical jokes, to makes sure we remember the importance of fools. Fools have a long history as privileged people of responsibility. Throughout their history, fools have held a protected position in royal and noble households. They had license not only to amuse but also to criticize people in power. Fools were empowered to give bad news to a ruler or head of a house which no... Read more

Blog

Leadership

2014-03-29T04:40:51-08:00

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 Power of Touching the Sacred

Last updated on: March 29, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

It is the fourth weekend of Lent. Easter morning is only three weeks away. We notice we are leaning forward. We want to put Lent behind us and celebrate. We begin to long for familiar symbols of new life and Spring. We want to feel comfortable again. It tells us a great deal about ourselves and our culture that Easter draws so much of our attention while Lent draws so little of it. Part of it is that Easter is more... Read more

Blog

Spiritual Practices

2014-03-27T04:40:03-08:00

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.

Life’s Work

Last updated on: March 27, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

It is easy for us to think in terms of finding the balance between our work and the rest of our lives. We want to use our time well. We do not want to waste a minute, or miss a moment. We believe that every day is important, and we want to fill them with actions worthy of that importance. We are certain there is meaning hidden deep in the crevices of our lives. We want to squeeze it out... Read more

2014-03-25T04:40:02-08:00

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.

Leadership is a Quest for Truth

Last updated on: March 25, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Our understanding of leadership is based on what our senses tell us is important. When we look at leadership, we tend to see external qualities. We believe that a leader who makes more money is a better leader than one who makes less. We assume that someone who leads a large organization is a better leader than someone who leads in a small group. We are attracted to leaders who are influential or powerful, dynamic or vibrant. It is easy... Read more

Blog

Leadership

2014-03-22T04:40:07-08:00

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 Third Weekend of Lent

Last updated on: March 22, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

The one thing most people know about Lent is that you choose to stop doing something. Some people take a break from social media, some people stop drinking coffee or alcohol. The big question is What are you giving up? Many of us are not very clear about why we are depriving ourselves. There have been years when my approach to Lent has been focused and organized. Like a basketball team in a tournament, I have analyzed my options and decided... Read more

Blog

Spiritual Practices

2014-03-20T04:40:25-08:00

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 Spirit of Work

Last updated on: March 20, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

I was told that work was supposed to be hard. You knew it was “work” because you would not be doing it unless someone was paying you for it. Work was not intended to feel good; it was intended to be productive. I was told that the reward for working was financial. Work was very individual. It was about me doing my work. Work hard today. You can rest later. You work hard five or six days a week for... Read more

Blog

Spiritual Practices

Work

2014-03-18T04:45:30-08:00

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.

Leadership Points the Way

Last updated on: March 18, 2014 at 4:45 am By Greg Richardson

We expect leaders to help us get where we want to go. We want leaders to keep us moving in the right direction. There are times when we get turned around, when we forget what we are trying to accomplish. Sometimes we get stuck, unable to move forward. Sometimes it is very difficult for us to understand how what we need to do helps us make progress. Leaders help us sort things out. They help us remember where we want... Read more

Blog

Leadership

2014-03-15T04:40:22-08:00

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 Second Weekend of Lent

Last updated on: March 15, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

I belong to a liturgical church, which divides the year into liturgical seasons. Our season of Lent began ten days ago. Lent was still fresh last weekend. Just a few days after Ash Wednesday, Lent still had our attention. The week since then has been filled with distractions. In just seven days we have sprung forward to lose an hour and celebrated Pi Day. Today we beware the Ides of March. We anticipate the imminence of Saint Patrick’s Day and... Read more

Blog

Spiritual Practices

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Marah" mean in Hebrew?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Blessed Bitter Strength Healing

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Blog Book Reviews Everything Else Guest Posts Leadership Monastic Strategies Neighborhood Pilgrimages Sacred Stillness Spiritual Direction Spiritual Practices Work

Select a Month May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Contemplative