Photo by David Loretto March 31, 2026 You might be asking why I’m talking about death and not talking about compassion, joy, and other love-based spiritual practices when the world seems to be filled with with so much death and cruelty right now. Why I’m not encouraging myself and you into following Sacred Love. Well, believe it or not, keeping our death before our eyes is a spiritual practice that can lead us into connecting with Sacred Love. To being deeper in relationshi

March 10, 2026 Photograph of the Coast Salish Risen Christ , written by André Prévost, (2019). Perhaps you're wondering why I'm writing about icons in a 2026 Spirituality for Chaotic Times Blog. Well, I somehow felt called to do so. I think it's because the iconographers' intent is to lead those who gaze upon icons into communion with the Holy. And the intent of this blog is to provide some s

February 17, 2026 Dear readers— we've made it through this difficult year! When things started unraveling in January 2025, I felt a strong calling to do something. This blog was one of my responses. I began writing in order to assist myself and others in holding onto sanity and peace during such a chaotic time.  It's hard to believe that we are still in chaos one year later. In fact, it seems like this February is even more chaotic than last year.   In some ways it’s lik

January 27, 2026 In this time of year with the gradual lengthening of the days, of increasing light, I am reminded of the importance of light.  Light without and light within.  We’ve certainly had some dark days in this past while.  And as you know, that’s one of the reasons that I began to write this blog.    I don’t know how you’ve been doing in this chaotic time filled with overt racism, corruption, imperialistic and warring mentalities, celebrated cruelty and injustices a

January 6, 2026 I hesitated to write about stargazing in this blog since most of us can’t see many stars with the present-day light pollution that limits our ability to see the stars and planets. Very few of us will ever experience the true dark skies that our ancestors lived under. Even so, I couldn’t resist writing about stars today, since this is the day that Christians celebrate Epiphany. That is, the day of remembering the journey of the Magi who followed a star to

December 19, 2025 Before beginning today's blog I’d like to follow up on the pregnancy-related Birthing blog from ten days ago. I’d love to hear what has come forward from your time of reflection and Advent waiting. This place of openness to new life, to creativity in this tumultuous time. Please share with me if you’re comfortable: vancouverspiritualdirection@gmail.com In this second "Birthing" blog my focus is on the season of Christmas. That is, the time that Chris

Photograph of Icon: Madonna del Parto written by Piero della Francesca, (1459-1467). The icon photographed was purchased in the Museo della Madonna del Parto, Monterchi, Italy. December 9, 2025 I felt called to write about pregnancy during the Christian season of Advent, the focus of which is on Mary, the mother of Jesus. But what does that have to do with us in 2025, especially those of us who aren’t pregnant right now? Before going there, it’s probably important to give a

November 29,2025 Looking at our night dreams might seem to be a superfluous activity, especially in this challenging time. Some might say that we should be doing more important things. On the surface, if we look at dreams literally rather than metaphorically, that could be true. My dreams have been known to involve bleeding polar bears, sari-wearing gun-toting mothers, toilets, incandescent sea stars and so much more. A literal interpretation would indicate that these drea

November 19, 2025 There are a number of spiritual writers who are inviting us to find hope in this confusing and sometimes dispiriting time. Hope to buoy us along, to counteract the attacks on our souls that come fast and furious from our screens. Hope to heal us from the visible evidence of cruel injustices, masked men grabbing and disappearing people, toxic politics and so much more. Even though hope can anchor our souls, especially in difficult times, I am struggling to

November 9, 2025 The daily ups and downs in this chaotic time can be tough to manage. Even when I hold onto my daily centering prayer and other spiritual practices, there are times that my thoughts and feelings are all over the place. It's especially hard when there seems to be so many opposites happening at once. I’m sad that there are masked men disappearing people and at the same time I cherish reading to my niece’s beautiful baby. I catch my breath as I listen to news