The art of engaging the sacred consists of befriending a practice, a concept, or a thing that conducts us into a sense of inter-being capable of holding the meaning we yearn for and the story we seek to amplify. Engaging the sacred generates the profound sensation of belonging and purpose. That sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? 

There are many paths and procedures into engaging the sacred; practices and accidents, rituals and coincidences. All of them occur only after preparation. We are being prepared for this all the time, whether we know it or not, whether we do it intentionally or not. It is my preference to do so intentionally. Otherwise we can wind up worshiping stuff that is good for neither ourselves, nor the world in which we live.

On this page you can link to some of the books and music I use to intentionally cultivate my capacity for engaging the sacred. I should note here that the sacred is not perfection. Sacred texts are not infallible. In fact, some of the most sacred texts in the history of humanity are those that invite critical thought while compelling us to stay in the conversation.

I also have some favorite practices that bring me closer to the saturation point. Engaging the sacred is a full contact sport. It is not a disembodied pursuit. The sacred lives through physicality. Thus I find that practices that are intentionally embodied and experiential call to me as particularly effective and necessary. Mindfulness meditation, meditative visualization, tarot and yoga nidra are favorites. Curating the world as oracle (and the activities that make that possible) invigorates and enchants (more on that here ).

Swimming and yoga are good for body and soul both. Cold water immersion, breathwork, and plant medicine are acute provocateurs of spirit. I hasten to add that these powerful experiences are not for everybody and best when done with appropriate and responsible safety measures in place. 

It must be said, however, that my primary spiritual practice is church - that community that supports sacred saturation - and my calling in that venue. Writing reflections is a deeply spiritual experience and discipline for me.  

Indeed, writing in general and - even more essentially - all acts of creativity, be it making music, dancing, writing poetry or fiction, fabulous conversation or - once upon a time - playing at sculpting provide me with my most adored spiritual experiences. I am beyond blessed to have found a career that calls me to court the spirit as an occupational foundation. 

For more on engaging the sacred watch this.