Ok, so to begin, I am not a big fan of TV or pop culture in general, and while I think everything has its place in the world, I wasn't overly interested in Lady Gaga a week ago. I certainly knew who she was and of course lots of her...

The political landscape is changing by the minute in America but one thing remains steady and growing: the endless cycles of blaming, complaining and name-calling. As a parent, if I saw children on the playground behaving as our politicians do in the media, I would be deeply disappointed and would...

Inspiration Deficit Disorder sounds a bit funny, right? It seems clinical but comical. The term is meant to be laughable since it suggests that the very normal process of being human and falling out of balance is somehow a "disorder." That is intentional; it pokes fun at our obsession with...

Death is a beautiful thing. In the modern word, this is a perspective that is hard to accept. We live our lives driven by the desire for beauty, longevity, material gain, and control. Real death is hidden from view. You can turn on any television and see birth, sex, violence,...

A core feature of an inspired life is vitality. Its a force and natural energy that comes from playfulness, freedom, self-expression and creativity. It comes from following your interests and needs. Watch children. A healthy child is a perfect role model for vitality and inspired living. What does the child...

I previously wrote about how I was asked to comment on the book and movie EAT PRAY LOVE and whether it was necessary for people to travel to transform. Naturally, despite all the travel I have done and the travel that I lead, I said "no." Now that have seen...

The film Eat Pray Love, based on the lovely book by the same name, is about to be released. The common question that arises is "do you have to travel and experience exotic people and places to re-inspire your life?" The question feels very pressing and pointed for...

Where do we find the beginning of your life or any life? Birth? Conception? Adulthood? Your job? Place? History? Ancestry? The Garden of Eden? Protoplasm? The big bang?

It really doesn't matter what you believe about the origins of life because there's a single fact that unites us: it is...

It is hard to admit but love and loving are not the same thing, and most of us are naturally good at "love" but struggle more with "loving." To love someone is to feel that deep connection, affection, and even sense of completion with someone. We can love friends, family,...

Whatever change you seek, always start with a vision of what you want the experience and end result to look like. Don't be afraid to dream. Visualize your ideal life, and make sure it's aligned with the foundational qualities of an inspired individual (clarity, integrity, courage, and compassion) and that...

When you think about health one of the most significant things you can change is your perspective. The way you think about health, shapes your health. If you think only your body matters, you might eat well and exercise, but then your worry or anger will negate those efforts. If...

Lately I have been paying attention to the news items that involve people's claims that their faith allowed them to succeed, survive or triumph in otherwise adverse conditions. Such claims and stories never get too much attention, yet they are always sprinkled throughout our daily awareness. Faith is a word...

Since the horrible tragedy involving the deaths and more than 20 injuries relating to a sweat lodge at a James Ray retreat in October of 2009, I have been contacted widely for commentary and education about sweat lodges and ceremonial steam baths. I continue to get questions by email and...

There Is More To Talk About

Recently, more scandalous details were "leaked" about the investigation into three deaths and twenty injuries due to a Sweat Lodge at a James Ray "self-help" retreat. Credible media such as the Associated Press have responded to the new information with growing criticism of...

A Tragic Call To Attention

The recent and tragic events that involved three deaths and more than 19 injured and emotionally traumatized at a James Ray "Spiritual Warrior Retreat" deserves to be treated with some gentleness for this is more than a news item, but a horrific experience of loss...

As a long time participant of Sweat Lodges and fasting traditions, I was deeply sadden by the tragic deaths and injuries sustained at the James Ray Spiritual Warrior's retreat in Arizona. The whole thing was too close to home for me as a spiritual teacher on the circuit, offering self-help...

I'd like to begin by qualifying my comments: I have had the privilege and pleasure of being involved in various forms of traditional Indigenous "sweat lodges" and similar ceremonies for over 20 years now. I have personally experienced hundreds, maybe over a thousand and from cultures as diverse as Ojibway,...

It may sound strange but a lot of atheists not only read my blogs and articles, but they also respond -- maybe more than any other "group" of people. The best feed back I have received about the survey project I am working on have been from atheists. Now...

Have you heard of the www.thespiritualitysurvey.com? We are looking for answers. Why? Spirituality is one of those complicated fields of study in which there are as many questions as answers; as many charlatans as masters; as many practical dimensions as completely absurdities; and without a doubt, there is...

Current polls and surveys show a steady decline in American affiliation with formal religion. Church attendance is down more than 10% from recent years and fewer people self-identify as Christian or religious. What many of these news items fail to show is that more and more people are connecting with...