common themes across all religions This blog post is part of a series on common themes across all religions. “Some would deny any legitimate use of the word God because it has been misused so much. Certainly it is the most burdened of all human words. Precisely for that reason…

The COVID-19 crisis has forced us to hit the pause button on our regular lives. In the process, we have been given the rare and unexpected gift of time free from the compulsive activities that drive so many of us. There is no roadmap to navigate this new normal. We…

Mysticism is a concept that transcends religious boundaries and can be found in various religions and spiritual traditions around the world. Mysticism generally refers to a direct, personal, and experiential relationship with the divine or transcendent reality, often characterized by a sense of union, oneness, or intimate connection with the…

The word “karma” comes from the Sanskrit word “karman”, which means “action”. In the context of karma, “action” refers to both our physical actions and our mental actions, such as our thoughts, words, and intentions. All Hindu, Buddhist, sikh, Jain and all Indian philosophies believe in the law of karma. …

“Know thyself” is a phrase that has been attributed to various ancient philosophers and sages, and it has been interpreted and used in different ways across different religions and spiritual traditions. “Know thyself.” –Inscription at the Ancient Greek Oracle of Delphi “But ignorance is destroyed by knowledge of the Self…

Dear Reader, All around the world, various cultures have been telling stories about “the great flood” which reshaped the world early on in human history, leaving only one survivor, or a group of survivors, to reform the world or repopulate humanity. Flood myths have been described in many mythologies and religious traditions…

Fire is often regarded as a powerful symbol in many religions around the world, and it holds various meanings and significance depending on the cultural and religious context. It also often holds ritualistic significance in the practices of many religious traditions. Hinduism: Fire is considered sacred and is used in…

“Creation is ruled by the law of duality. For every up there is a down; for every plus there is a minus. Every pleasure is balanced by an equal displeasure; every joy, by an equal sorrow.” — Paramhansa Yogananda, Hindu monk and guru “In the Primal Beginning, yin and yang…

Before there were written scriptures, religious ideas were transmitted orally; and before the existence of the religions we know today, hunter-gatherers and tribal communities would gather around the fire to share stories about mysterious forces that had the power to affect their living world. …