Sign In  |  Register  |  Shopping Cart Shopping Cart  |  RSS Subscribe to RSS Feed  
Spirituality & Practice

Find us on:
 Facebook
 Twitter
 YouTube
Free Newsletter

The Spirituality & Practice E-Newsletter is a regular update from Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat with teaching stories and best links.

Sign up here
Spirituality & Practice is an Official Honoree for the Religion and Spirituality category of The 11th Annual Webby Awards
  Updates

Facebook Become a Facebook Fan of Spirituality & Practice
Twitter Follow Frederic Brussat on Twitter

Current E-Courses - Sign up Today:
New for Lent: Practicing Spirituality with Edward Hays
InterSpiritual Wisdom
Lovingkindness with Sylvia Boorstein
Intercessory Prayer with Jane Vennard

Daily Practices:
Spiritual Practice
of the Day

More Spiritual Practices
Spiritual Reading of the Day: Antonio Machado on making your own road
More Spiritual Readings
• February is Heart Month. Today's Heart

02/08/10
Naming the Days: Birthday of Martin Buber

02/07/10
Superbowl Sunday: The NFL and God

02/05/10
Now in Theaters: Dear John

02/04/10
Naming the Days: Birthday of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
New DVDs: Amelia, As It Is in Heaven, The Duchess, The Vanished Empire

02/02/10
Groundhog Day, Candlemas, Imbolc: Celebrate with a movie, discussion, and rituals

02/01/10
New Book Reviews: story, empathy, philosophy, world soul, peace, meditation, Taoism, boredom, soul fitness

01/31/10
Naming the Days: Birthday of Thomas Merton

01/28/10
New Films: For My Father, Ajami, The Shock
Doctrine

01/27/10
New DVDs: Act of God, Moscow, Belgium, Soul Power, Bright Star, The Boys Are Back, Whip It

01/26/10
New in Books: emotions, dance, wisdom, genocide, dharma, emptiness

01/24/10
Naming the Days: Birthday of Henri J.M. Nouwen

01/22/10
Now in Theaters: Extraordinary Measures, The Girl on the Train, Leonard Cohen Live at the Isle of Wight 1970

01/19/10
New DVDs: Che, The Invention of Lying, Whiteout, No Impact Man, Streamers

01/18/10
Naming the Days: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day

01/16/10
Spiritual Literacy Blog: A Hymn for Haiti

01/15/10
Now in Theaters: Mine, Fish Tank
Now in Theaters or from iTunes: Mine about pets after Hurricane Katrina

01/13/10
Spiritual Literacy Blog: Religion and Women

01/12/10
New DVDs: The Hurt Locker, The Burning Plain, Passing Strange, Trucker

01/11/10
Spiritual Literacy Blog: Faux Friendship
Naming the Days: Feast Day of Brother Lawrence

01/08/10
Now in Theaters: Youth in Revolt, Sweetgrass, Wonderful World

01/06/10
Spiritual Literacy Blog: How to Train the Aging Brain
Naming the Days: Epiphany

01/05/10
New DVDs: Lorna's Silence, Far and Away, Amreeka

01/04/10
On PBS This Week: This Emotional Life
Naming the Days: Feast Day of Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton

01/02/10
Naming the Days: St. Seraphim of Sarov Day

12/31/09
Spiritually Literate New Year's Resolutions: Download a Poster

12/30/09
Spiritual Literacy Blog: Cynthia Bourgeault on Unitive Seeing

12/29/09
New Book Reviews: Piero Ferrucci, Rob Brazsny, Paul Knitter, Daniel Berrigan, Joann Davis (a.k.a. The Scribe), and Roger Housden
12/25/09
Merry Christmas: Readings on the day from Howard Thurman

12/23/09
In Theaters: Police, Adjective
12/21/09
Winter Wonder for the Solstice

Announcing: The Most Spiritually Literate Films of 2009

12/18/09
Now in Theaters: Avatar, The Messenger, The Young Victoria, NoBody's Perfect

12/17/09
New Book Reviews: city living, climate crisis, prayer, spiritual memoir, forgiveness, Advent, service, relationships, theology

12/16/09
Opening today: Crazy Heart

12/15/09
New DVDs: District 9, The Other Man, Taking Woodstock, (500) Days of Summer

12/14/09
Spiritual Literacy Blog: United States' Shameful Land Mine Policy

12/13/09
2009 End-of-the-Year Tributes: Share your Bests list!

12/11/09
Opening Friday: Invictus, A Single Man


 
A New Kind of Christianity

Brian McLaren is a scout exploring new terrain for those not satisfied with business as usual in churches across the land. In his bold and thought-provoking new book, he presents ten central questions that are transforming the faith. Quaker minister Philip Gulley also addresses seekers who believe the church has lost its way; his new book posits what would happen in communities of faith took their cue from the life of Jesus. Sara Miles has some experience on that front, working in a San Francisco soup kitchen. In her book, she explores what it means to "be Jesus" in a suffering world.

All three books are highly recommended as serious and stirring quests for a new kind of Christianity.

See our review of A New Kind of Christianity by Brian McLaren
See our review of If the Church Were Christian by Philip Gulley
See our review of Jesus Freak by Sara Miles
See more reviews of Jesus Books


Current E-Courses

Practicing Spirituality with Edward HaysPracticing Spirituality with Edward Hays will explore the everyday spirituality teachings of Edward Hays, a Catholic priest, former director of a contemplative center, and author of more than 30 bestselling books on contemporary spirituality. Sign up now for this program which will run during Lent, from Ash Wednesday, February 17 - Easter, April 4.
 

Online Retreats on Classic Practices of the World's Religions

Three new Online Retreats with Practice Circles run back-to-back through the winter and spring. The leaders are some of our Living Spiritual Teachers, presenting their teachings for the first time online. Get a subscription to all three retreats at a 20% discount here. The retreats are:

InterSpiritual WisdomInterSpiritual Wisdom is a six-week Online Retreat with Practice Circle that is a rare opportunity to learn from six pioneers of InterSpirituality: Shaikh Kabir and Shaikha Camille Helminski, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Swami Atmarupananda, Dr. Ed Bastian, and Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault. Over six weeks, we will explore sacred texts together and deepen our practice of forgiveness, self-knowledge, self-emptying, interdependence and reciprocity, courage, and love and compassion. January 31 - March 13.

Lovingkindness with Sylvia BoorsteinLovingkindness with Sylvia Boorstein is a four-week Online Retreat with Practice Circle led by one of the world's most esteemed teachers of Buddhist wisdom and practice. Through email lessons, audio downloads, and three teleconferences, Sylvia leads us through the practice, using a teaching style that incorporates her personal experiences, delightful stories, and timeless meditation techniques. March 15 - April 9.

Intercessory Prayer with Jane VennardIntercessory Prayer with Jane Vennard is a five-week Online Retreat that will address common questions about this most common form of prayer that is, for many people, also the most confusing and misunderstood. In the private online Practice Circle, we'll discuss steps to sustain our practice and share our own prayers. April 19 – May 23.
 

Best Spiritual Books of 2009

Best Spiritual Books of 2009Every year from the more than 300 books we review on this website, we choose 50 "best spiritual books." These are the titles that have most impressed and inspired us, and since we only review books that we want to recommend to you for your spiritual journey, this selection actually represents the best of the best.

Through diverse approaches, drawing upon the wisdom and practices of the world's religions, these titles explore the quest for meaning and purpose, wholeness and healing, commitment and community, contemplation and social activism. We congratulate the authors and publishers of these exceptional contributions to today's spiritual renaissance.

See the list of the 50 Best Spiritual Books of 2009
 

The Most Spiritually Literate Films of 2009

AvatarEvery December we look back through our reviews of the several hundred films we've seen in the year, revisiting some of them in theaters or on DVD, to choose our own version of the critic's best list. We look for the films that have enriched our spiritual journeys, that reveal the search for meaning and purpose, whose characters demonstrate the application of spiritual qualities in daily life, and whose themes raise our consciousness to a fuller engagement with our world. These are spiritually literate films that reflect the 37 practices featured on this website.

So here are our choices in five categories. We are grateful to the producers, directors, writers, actors, and everyone else who contributed to the 45 most spiritually literate films of 2009.

See a Most Spiritually Literate Films of 2009
 
Spiritual Literacy on YouTube

Spiritual Literacy: Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life, based on Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat's bestselling book, is a six-volume DVD series consisting of 26 meditative and soul-stirring half-hour films. Award-winning filmmaker David Cherniack has married aha! passages by teachers of all spiritual traditions to sense-luscious visuals and emotionally vibrant music to reveal the sacred meanings in todays world. We've just created a YouTube channel to showcase clips from all the episodes — plus five extra clips from the episode on "Forgiveness."

Visit the Spiritual Literacy channel on YouTube
Visit the Spiritual Literacy Project to read more about this innovative series and to take advantage of our Special Offer.

 
Search This Site
 
Submit Search
 

Powered by Google
Search Reviews
 
Title:

Author/Director
First Name:

Author/Director
Last Name:

Keywords:

Medium:
Practice:

Tradition:

Personal Transformation and Spiritual Development Resources: Spirituality & Practice

Spiritual growth is a lifelong process that can effect a transformation of your life at home, at work, in your relationships, and in your wider community. Spirituality & Practice is a multifaith organization providing resources for your spiritual journey that encourage and accelerate this process.

Whether you are just beginning to explore how your spirituality influences your personal growth, a seasoned seeker looking to enhance your religious education, or a professional looking for continuing education for clergy opportunities, we encourage you to explore the wide variety of resources at Spirituality & Practice.

If you're interested in spiritual cinema, Spirituality & Practice has several options for you. For everyday inspiration, Spirituality & Practice has created the Spiritual Literacy Project, showcasing clips from a 26-part DVD series featuring spiritual quotes from famous teachers, set to music and beautiful film images by award-winning filmmaker David Cherniack. The Spiritual Literacy Project gives you discussion guides and models for how to use this series with small spiritual growth groups. For more examples of spiritual cinema, click on our Spirituality on DVD link to see reviews of Hollywood, foreign, and documentary films; each has a message pertaining to a key spiritual practice.

If spiritual wisdom and instruction in spiritual practices is your quest, consider one of the many spiritual courses from Spirituality & Practice, many of which are available on demand. They cover different spiritual practices, religious traditions, changing habits, and more. Our Books for Spiritual Journeys section presents reviews of 350 new titles each year, ranging from Wisdom 2.0: Ancient Secrets for the Creative & Constantly Connected by Soren Gordhamer to A People's History of Christianity by Diana Butler Bass.

For additional information, please continue browsing our website. There are ideas for spiritual practices and rituals, background on spiritual teachers from many traditions, spiritual blogs, and much more.

We also encourage you to become a part of the S&P community by participating in our forums and signing up for our free E-Newsletter. We are a very welcoming, interfaith community, who look to the world's religious and spiritual traditions for wisdom and practices to help us live richer and deeper lives as we serve the world around us.