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

October 30, 2025. Depending on where you live, November can be a gloomy month. As a native British Columbian, I am accustomed to the low-lying cloud, mist and rain that can envelop Vancouver during this month. But other people I know really struggle in the fall, especially in this month with its changing weather. It might be my imagination, but it’s not just the weather that transitions in November. It’s a month in which more people seem to transition to the other side o

October 18, 2025 As we live out the craziness of 2025, can we imagine a different world? A better world? Can we imagine different ways to be in relationship with the Divine, each other, all there is? Spiritual and world leaders are speaking of the importance of using our imaginations while we live a world that seems to be falling apart. Imagining what to do while we’re in this chaotic time, as well as imagining a better future. A different future than the dystopian one pre

October 9, 2025. Recently, concern for the environment and protecting Earth and all of creation seems to be taking a back seat to other...

September 28, 2025. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the “shock and awe” politics of 2025. The sheer volume of “shocks,” each of which...