Bringing Magic to the People. An Interview with Drew Jacob
When Rogue Priest and adventurist Drew Jacob approached me with his concept of bringing “Magic to the People,” I knew he was on to something special. In an attempt to open the doors of magic service to those who might not otherwise have the means, Drew is removing barriers and changing lives. Here is our [...]
A Time to Dance: Reflections on the Connecticut School Shooting
As a Marine recruit in basic training, we were ingrained with a sense of pride; we would become the latest generation of warriors known for being, as the Marine Corps Hymn states, “the first to fight for right and freedom.” This nation is also a first responder in times of tragedy and relief when disaster [...]
Giving Thanks to the Voice of My Awakening
Before meeting Heather, I was a solitary creature, even virtually homeless at one time. I was rarely sociable, preferring the catacombs of my own imagination, the distractions of drugs and alcohol, or the quiet expanse of a local swamp or river as company to the rush and drama of human companions. Yet interactions with others, [...]
Samhain: Celebrating Our Ancestors, Harvesting the Hope of New Light
Samhain, also known as Halloween or All Hallow’s Eve, is one of our society’s most controversial and least understood holy days. Unfortunately, I know this all too well from personal experience. Last evening as my family participated in a Halloween party at a local restaurant, a young girl (maybe six years old) informed my two [...]
How Pregnancy Loss Shaped My Spiritual Journey
Life is a fluid, something that arrests us with wonder, and yet something we often take for granted. Nowhere is this dynamic more evident than in the moments of birth and death. One event in my life bears a combination of the two, the dual power of which changed my life forever and sent me [...]
Columbus Day. A Celebration of Exploration and Discovery, or Ideological Conquest?
As much of the United States and other nations in the Western Hemisphere celebrate various forms of Columbus Day (which honors the “New World” voyages of Christopher Columbus), I remember a seemingly innocuous tune from my days in elementary school that went a little like this: “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” In examining [...]
September 11th, 2001. The Day My Hatred was Born.
We will read many perspectives over the next few days about how to honor the 11th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on US soil, and we would do well to read them. Some will call us to unity. Others might promote our nation’s inherent pluralism. However September 11th, 2001 marks a very different anniversary [...]
Andrew Bowen
Andrew Bowen, once a fervent enemy of religion, is now a perpetual student and champion for inter-religious peace and reconciliation. In 2011, Andrew created Project Conversion, a year-long personal immersion into the culture, practices, beliefs, and rituals of 12 belief systems from around the world as a personal intervention after years of animosity toward faith.
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Contributing Scholars
Prashant ParikhAn Industrial Engineering Graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology, now working as a Systems Analyst, Prashant considers himself first and foremost a student of traditional Advaita Vedānta, from the Ārsha Vidyā Gurukulam. Born and brought up in Mumbai, India, he has been living in USA since 2005, thereafter gaining a subtle appreciation for the Vedic scriptures and Indian/Hindu culture.
In the face of myriad faulty interpretations of the Vedic scriptures, Prashant recognizes the imminent need of not only promoting, but also preserving these teachings. This, he believes, can be achieved by unfolding them in a traditional manner, as this kind of nuanced treatment alone can ensure posterity.
Additionally, he is involved in writing articles, facilitating study groups- online or otherwise- and always looking for new opportunities to share his enthusiasm for the subject.
Brandon TurnerBrandon is a 3rd year PhD candidate in Religion and Culture at Catholic University in Washington, DC and is interested in improving inter and intra religious dialogue, particularly among the many branches of Christianity. (Twitter account: @turnerbrandon)
Andy CookAndy Cook, 24, has a longstanding interest in religion, spirituality, and civic engagement. Growing up in the Conservative Jewish tradition, Andy learned from an early age the importance of asking questions, knowing why one believes what they do, and placing importance on the work of improving our world.