Anne Dilenschneider has a doctoral degree in spirituality and leadership, and she is currently a clinical psychology doctoral candidate. She has ten years of experience as a consultant to non-profits and faith communities, assisting them in building teams of leaders and transformational programs. In addition, she serves as the director of a residential mental health program designed to assist persons who have experienced acute psychiatric crises prepare to return to independent living in their communities. Anne is also a published, award-winning poet and essayist. She lives on the California coast near an historic lighthouse that has guided sailors on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Blog Entries by Anne Dilenschneider

Spiritual Toolbox: Meditation, Including the Kitchen Sink

1 Comments | Posted July 24, 2009 | 11:46 AM (EST)


Today's blog is Part Two of a three-part "Spiritual Toolbox" series on simple, practical meditation exercises.

Have you heard about Sinkies? Sinkies are people who eat right over their sinks, especially when they're eating messy, dripping kinds of food. There's even an organization called Sinkie International -- "The International Association...

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Spiritual Toolbox: Meditation - Walking in the World

2 Comments | Posted July 19, 2009 | 11:05 PM (EST)


Today's blog is Part One of a three-part "Spiritual Toolbox" series on meditation.

When I told a friend that I was preparing this blog, she gave me a copy of The Time Paradox, a recent book by Stanford psychology professor Philip Zimbardo. My conversation with Dr. Zimbardo at the APA...

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Saying "Yes" Begins by Saying "No" -- The Datebook as a Tool for Spiritual Life

Posted July 15, 2009 | 01:37 AM (EST)


Over the next few weeks I am going to post excerpts from a course series I've led with my good friend Debra Satterwhite called "Spiritual Toolbox." Today's blog is Part Three of Saying "Yes" Begins by Saying "No".

The Datebook as a Tool for Spiritual Life

First, before you read...

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Saying "Yes" Begins by Saying "No" -- How to Conduct an Inventory

Posted July 9, 2009 | 11:40 AM (EST)


Over the next few weeks I am posting excerpts from a course series I've led with my good friend Debra Satterwhite called "Spiritual Toolbox." Today's blog is Part Two of "Saying 'Yes' Begins by Saying 'No.'"

"Yes" and "No" -- each day we are pulled in many directions. The ability...

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Spiritual Toolbox: "Yes" Begins by Saying "No"

Posted July 5, 2009 | 06:59 PM (EST)


Over the next few weeks I am going to post excerpts from a course series I've led with my good friend Debra Satterwhite called "Spiritual Toolbox." Today's blog is Part One of "Saying 'Yes' Begins by Saying 'No.'"


I keep a quotation taped to my bathroom mirror so...

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Marriage -- Not Just a "Gay Rights" Issue

35 Comments | Posted April 28, 2009 | 10:41 AM (EST)


For years I have puzzled over the curious mix of civil and religious traditions in the United States that currently require a clergyperson to serve as both an agent of the state and a representative of her/his religious tradition when presiding at a couple's marriage.

As current "religious"...

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Justice Is Essential for True Forgiveness

1 Comments | Posted April 24, 2009 | 04:57 PM (EST)


Regarding the discussion of whether to "forgive and forget" those who were "just following orders" to engage in illegal methods of torture, it is important to remember that the issue of power is central.

Studies have shown that bystanders tend to side with the perpetrator and blame those with less...

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The Eight Degrees Of Service

Posted March 31, 2009 | 10:23 AM (EST)


Over the years, I have found that the gift of service is that it challenges and changes me. When I lead workshops or retreats that include reflection on service, I share a number of exercises that have helped me frame and re-frame this topic over the years. Here are three...

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The Gentle Art Of Soul Care

Posted November 29, 2008 | 08:15 AM (EST)


Across time, the advice is constant: those engaged in the care for others must care for themselves. Indeed, caring for our own souls is how the gentle art of soul care is best learned. My work with well over a hundred artists has taught me that the basic requirements...

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