Q05

Have you had any particularly spiritual experiences this past year? How has this experience affected you? "Spiritual" can be broadly defined to include secular spiritual experiences: artistic, cultural, and so forth.

The birth of my son, seeing him grow up to the very average sized 7 month old boy today. Watching him learn everyday. It's been amazing

I’m reading “The Secret Language of the Body.” I may be making some progress in becoming more in touch with myself. I hope to have made significant strides by next year and that this may be a piece of the puzzle towards feeling more connected and tuned in to something larger. After Kol Nidre at The Variel, my mom and I got to watch as Melanie rewound an entire Torah scroll to get it to the point it needed to be at for the morning service.

This question has always been hard for me, and it seems like as life slows down it becomes even harder. Watching the Orcas leaping and splashing at Seaworld a couple weeks ago brought out a deep feeling of joy I haven't felt or expressed in awhile. Also going to Disney with a fun group of women and going to pump (breast milk) and getting the best pep talk from the restroom attendant about pumping in public (cuz I wasn’t about to just sit in the bathroom for 30 min, we didn’t have that much time), and being able to laugh about "Disney Milk" and if my baby will act differently after drinking it. Also just seeing my kids loving on each other has brought such a deep sense of satisfaction. Nachas. Baruch Hashem.

This summer at camp, I was in a bunk group with all of my friends. This was the first time this has really happened with all the friends that I was with and we were able to make so many more memories this year and I had so much fun and more meaningful conversations with them that might not have happened otherwise.

The closest I've come to spiritual has been thinking about our wedding ceremony. I hope marrying him will feel like a spiritual experience.

I wish I had! I’ve been struggling with my Judaism this year because of everything Israel is doing and the reaction to it in the U.S., but I’ve made a choice to commit myself to a spiritual Jewish practice going forward.

I continue to find spiritual joy in the Rabbi and Cantor's music and prayers. I've had some beautiful experiences at concerts, including a group sing-along to Queen. I'll be joining another performance of Choir! Choir! Choir! this fall with Karen, since we had such a good time last year, and saw Queen two years ago.

My primary spiritual practice this year has been doing service for my synagogue. We desperately need to be in community in these times, and especially in meaningful spiritual community, so helping the synagogue to be open and to thrive helps make that community possible.

Prayed for help with my unhealing vein ulcers and received help xx

I am more aware of my tendency to stay in touch with people who don’t make the same effort. I am slowly backing away from this behavior. Communication needs to work both ways.

I don't know that I've had any spiritual experiences that resonated quite the way my Colombian answer did last year. However, getting to learn a new Parashat and attend Hebrew School class for Lucy's bat mitzvah definitely brought some resonance-- especially the simple act of laying tefillin at the beginning of the class. The tefillin is my grandfather's (whom I never met) but it helps reconnect me to my spirituality. As well, I'm putting myself back into my 13 year old shoes when preparing for my own bar mitzvah and what it felt like as a Jew in a confusing world. There are elements that, 30 years on, are grounding me more, but others that confuse me more.

Don’t think so - have enjoyed looking at art and listening to music - but this doesn't feel 'spiritual' to me

I went to the mikveh for the first time, a couple of days before my wedding. It felt like an important ritual to partake in as I marked this significant milestone and transition, and I am really glad that I went. Whether or not immersing made me feel connected to G-d or some higher power, it did feel like a beautiful Jewish ritual and a way to be mindful and intentionally reflect on the moment I was in. I appreciate that we have a local, progressive mikveh that made me feel comfortable doing something outside of my typical Jewish practice.

My recent conversion to Judaism has had a major spiritual impact on my life view. As an 81-year old, single woman, I do not have family or a partner--thus "love" has not been a primary focus of mine. I have always felt comfortable with "caring for others," but have not casually associated the concept of "love." My spiritual awakening (for want of a better word), has introduced the idea of "love," and I find it more comfortable that I had anticipated. Detaching the idea of romantic and/or sexual "love," I'm "loving" more spontaneously. I credit my "awakening" to my new (bona fide) Jewish identity--spiritual, cultural, and political.

My continuing experience as a Jew since I converted 10 years ago has been deepened and enriched by my increased participation in the synagogue I joined over a year and a half ago. I’ve learned so much more than I did in the first 7-8 years as a Jew, and I’m finally starting to feel like a “real” Jew. My participation in our High Holy Days choir was a particularly emotional experience which has led me to examine what really matters in my life.

The silent retreat I went on led by Rabbis. It came two weeks after my grandmother's death, and a few months after my marriage ended. I was so raw but it was beautiful and challenging and gave me space to look my grief in the face. I felt connected to the people and place, even without speaking to one another. It was extraordinary and I hope to go again.

every day, Infinitive Source Love Intelligence and a toad in my shoe.

I don't know. I've been too tired.

I've done a lot of grieving. Grieving life before Bradley. Grieving the new pain that I've been feeling. Grieving unnecessary violence and the hate that do many have been emboldened to call "patriotism".

Watching my daughter lead prayers. And being at synagogue so much more regularly has been truly amazing. I have been surprised that it has impacted my feelings of contentment and joyfulness.

I felt the strong presence of my deceased parents when I called on them for help. This occurred right before Yom Kippur. It was so profound that I felt myself heaving and crying right before the pre-fast meal. I felt cleansed. This was a beautiful gift. A Divine healing that I am grateful to take into the New Year.

I'm a musician so it continues to be short hop, but this year has been one of striking long views. From a car on the highway. From a train descending toward the sea. On the far wall during the golden hour. Like trying to playfully extend déjà vu by not admitting déjà vu is happening, I will give the vistas the side eye, knowing they are talking right at me, on purpose. I play the role of cat not acknowledging a human's persistent presence, although, unlike a cat, I always turn to face it fully and hear the message.

In rereading the book "This Is Real And You Are Completely Unprepared" this year, Rabbi Lew refers to the Psalms with the statement "God is close to the brokenhearted." That marinated within me for a while until two memories made that statement personal for me. One was at a time in my marriage when my husband and I were emotionally distant from one another. He was out of town and I was driving to the gym just as the sun was rising. I felt so bereft, so alone. My heart was breaking. That's when I felt G-d's presence as if it was next to me in the car. I knew I was not alone, that'd I'd never need feel alone because G-d was close within and without me. Decades later as my husband was dying I was told by hospice to withhold all fluids as he was no longer able to process them. I felt confused. What if he rallied? Weren't we killing him by withholding sustenance? I lay in a warm bath and cried out to G-d for guidance, for reassurance, for comfort. I again felt G-d's closeness to me. I rested in that shelter until I felt at peace. I hadn't thought about those instances in many years; but in reading Rabbi Lew's book I reconnected with that brokenheartedness and that spiritual closeness.

Going to Anat Bashan has been very spiritual. I was really emotional when she said my grandma was in the room and was making sure she didn’t hurt me.

This year has been almost all physical and action based. Very little very little spiritual experience this year. The whole year, I've only meditated maybe six times. And that's ok. Maybe I just needed to get the engine started this year rather than turning inwards. I needed to interact more with the world in order to put myself out there and get myself moving and that is one thing that I've done this year that I'm proud of. I'd decided as soon as the money came from Mike I'd go on an Aya two day retreat in Nederland. but the company I had in mind- it's been shut down due to fraud charges so that's pretty ironic! And not very spiritual. I've looked into other similar things but that would be more complicated and more expensive so I put that to one side for now. But looking at it again as I write this... I think it needs to be a priority. I think having an Aya retreat would be the right thing to do because I feel that I've become very closed minded and I've been thinking very small recently and I don't like that about myself. Normally I'm able to see possibilities and now every possibility seems like a risk I'm not willing to take. But I know that I need to change that mindset if I'm going to move forward and change direction maybe there's another way that I can kickstart my spiritual opening.

Either my husband or my doula took a photo of me and my daughter within a minute of me giving birth to her. I love how it captures the raw, genuine emotion of the moment, and I hope by this time next year I'll have some sort of locket or piece of jewelry made with the photo.

There were moments on my trip with Dad throughout Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and spots in between where I felt that lightening of the spirit. Even though the hotel we stayed in the first few nights was somewhat disastrous because it wasn't accessible, sitting in the courtyard with the honeysuckle tree in full bloom was so beautiful, so refreshing. Later, watching the river scenery of the Wachau Valley float on by. Or seeing the Blue Church in Bratislava, an Art Nouveau gem tucked in a beautiful, quiet neighborhood of Art Nouveau apartment buildings. These moments of quiet and beauty.

I’ve started feeling more part of my church by volunteering to be on the prayer team, serve communion, and even do VBS. I’m looking forward to doing trunk or treat. None of these things are particularly spiritual. I also was finally allowed to get on the worship team this past summer. I’m just singing Harmony because they don’t see me as a leader yet. And I don’t feel like a leader until I get more confidence. And I’m OK with that. But I don’t remember when in the past year the Lord gave me a vision of worship. It was like that movie Luna, where these old men are in the boat and the little boy dips his hand in the water and it’s golden stars that splash up. I tried to explain it in front of the church about how we should dip our hands into God‘s glory and that it’s golden. I hadn’t heard anymore about it for quite a while and then the artist at church came up and said she really wanted to paint that vision imagery. I don’t know if it will happen but it was very special. Also, today’s Vision about Jesus being raised up above Trump and all his cronies. I felt a physical lifting of the hatred that had been in my heart towards our political situation right now and who’s in charge. Jesus. He’s in charge.

I don’t know if it counts as spiritual, but loosing my hair because of cancer and now rocking a short style that I can’t seem to grow out made me feel so much more powerful. Even though I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep it since it was not by choice, I feel that I look more characterful, charismatic and powerful. And I get so much more attention too because of it. Where it started as an insecurity it ended up giving me so much strength and confidence.

I've been rereading Harry Potter and Drarry fanfic? Odd to describe this as spiritual but it's been very meaningful to me. Also reading up on the new HP show.... getting tickets to Cursed Child with Tom Felton. Exciting. Also in honor of Shim's bar mitzvah, I read two of RSRH's books, which I enjoyed.

Not just one experience, but any time I can stare up at the universe, from the ground on a clear night, is a great night.

I was pregnant for most of last year, and they say that the veil is thinner when you are pregnant. need to admit this was tue for me, not in an acually spiritual way, but my brain went through massive changes, and a lot of my perceptions were heightened. I had more vivid dreams, I was also "predicting" events more than usual (but that is something kind of normal for me, it was just more frequent and more vivid), I dreamed my dead relatives more than usual, too. It has been useful, in a way, as I feel way more attuned to the World than before, and I also tend to feel safer when listening to my gut feelings. The only challenge have been explaining this to my husband, who is not always as aware of the situations around us.

Exploring new places, spending time with visual arts and performing arts, visiting unfamiliar towns and cities and meeting new people have brought more depth and meaning to understanding humanity and life. Learning about stoicism reading the stoics brings context into my journey.

Deep spiritual clarity, joy, and connection during the spiritual retreats. So grateful for the clarity. The download from the Beings. The peer support. Deeply grateful for those retreats. Also so impacted by the BK work. That lead to many places of healing and release. That was probably the deepest shift that happened this year. Releasing from the thoughts and beliefs in the mind and connecting with my unconditioned nature.

Singing together with my family around a campfire was the most spiritual experience I felt last year. I felt at home on a spiritual level.

Living on my own has been so liberating. EMDR with Kathleen brought so much inner peace that I have felt happy every day and feel like it's been the best year of my life. Traveling on my ebike has brought me closer to nature and I am in awe all the time. I've biked 850 miles in 5 months and have gone through forests, along rivers, through city streets, seen so much and appreciated the flora and fauna. I've done yoga next to Cedar Lake many evenings and looking up at the infinite number of leaves twinkling in the twilight has been inspiring and spiritual. I have LOVED this summer. I have enjoyed myself, friends, good food, singing, and just breathing easy because I have no hostility in my life.

Culturally, I'd say I'm horrified by the assassinations and attempted assassinations going on in this country. I don't know if mental health is becoming a greater and greater problem that in turn creates so many violent outcomes, if it's people trying to do copy-cat assassinations or what, but it seems just so stupid to try to kill people because you don't agree with them or the way things are going for you. What ever happened to writing them a letter or picketing or trying to influence legislation? You're going to go kill people because you don't like them? You're going to get yourself killed or at best ruin your life because you don't like them? WTF? Here are examples of what I'm talking about: - Two assassination attempts at Trump when he was campaigning - The CEO of UnitedHealthcare shot and killed outside his hotel in Manhattan - A guy who just opened fire at the CDC building - A guy who walked into a building attempting to kill people at the NFL office, who shot people in the lobby of the building, then took the elevator up to the wrong floor (idiot) and shot people there too - A sniper that attempted to kill ICE officers and ended up killing immigrants instead (dumbass) - Someone opened fire at a church service at a school with little kids. - Someone drove through a Mormon church, set it on fire, and then shot up the people running out of the church. - And of course, Charlie Kirk, who was killed for being a conservative activist, who, by the way, was known to engage young people in healthy, fair debates about his political and religious beliefs. He was not violent, was not even offensive. He just would talk to students who cared to debate him. Until he was killed. All this in pretty much just the past year. I'm affected by it because people are literally losing their lives, their families losing their family members, because someone doesn't like them, and in some cases, worse, someone meant to kill one person and shot another instead. Like the ICE and NFL guy. Or just shot randomly at whoever, like the CDC guy and the one with the kids in church. I'm saddened by this because it's such a nonsensical waste of precious, innocent lives. Innocent people with loving families.

This past week at Neilah service when we were doing Havdalah I felt like it was a perfect image of what Judaism represents as families were arm to arm singing and kids were running around with joy on their faces. Music was playing and it was a beautiful moment as the shofar was being sounded to mark the end of the fast. It was a moment I would have liked to capture with a camera but instead I have a mental memory. I felt warmth and gratitude for being apart of this culture, it is hard to put into words for others.

I didn’t have a particular experience in the religious sense or the spiritual sense. It was a really flat essence wise year bored. I did have a beautiful moments with my niece and my nephew that reminded me of me of the beauty of the world and I talking with them and seen them growing up.

I've had many moving moments this year noticing the blessing of my children becoming humans who know how to connect with other people as caring humans. They are becoming part of the Something Greater that we all need.

I have but it is difficult for me to explain. I realized I have forced my Judaism into a vacuum. I don't know what the answer or implications of this are, but I do know that I am thinking about it a great deal. A video series on Instagram has forced me to rethink my view of the afterlife - for the better.

Finding astrology community has been a huge part of how grounded I feel this year, and how fortified I feel about moving forward in my business. When I allow time for devotional practices, I feel like the pace of my life moves slower and I am more connected to the people around me.

Yes. I feel more connected to Grace and universal force. And to love .

i've had them daily, i bet. A huge one. I had attended our Shabbat service january 24. We had a guest speaker, member of the congregation, who had served as an immigration attorney for many years. His words plunged me into the despair i'd previously been able to avoid. I forced myself into the forest at sunrise the next morning. After a fresh snow. Prayer poured out of me. i hiked the trail and there far in the distance, was what turned out to be an owl in a tree. 'First' sighting of the year. Followed her for months... til her two owlets fledged and the leaves filled in. That Shabbat morning... I'll never forget it.

Going to the Salmon dinner and our trip to the Broughton archipelago. Both made me feel differently about the Salish Sea and its importance in our lives

Experiencing Sunset Crater and Walnut Canyon with Andi this summer. Awe, and tangible connection to the passage of time on a geologic scale, and feeling like a small human animal, and also identifying with the personhood of the peoples who lived through these times so long ago... big interconnected feelings. Yeah.

Spiritual? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I'm, uh, not really a spiritual person. Music. Making music. Hearing music. Singing. I am in a choir. I sing tenor, and sometimes the music takes me to a wonderful place. Beauty. Sometimes just sitting and looking at flowers gives me peace and pleasure. But picking out one moment? No.

I had my adult Bar Mitzvah last year, which felt like a huge milestone for me. I felt like I had completed a goal, a wish, for the first time in so long.

Jamie and I observed that the string lights in her apartment turned on (while being turned off) whenever I came over, Kyle letting us know he was with us. Jamie told me the third time that the lights hadn't behaved that way since the previous time I was visiting Jamie. I've also found a lot of white feathers this year, some on Kyle's grave marker, others in the house or the yard, feathers from Kyle. I wish I had more spiritual experiences. I am not as brave in speaking to Kyle as Jamie is, and I don't hear back from him clearly as often as she does. Still I know he's there, that his spirit exists and is able to make connections with me, with about 95% certainty, which is as good as I can get. I made my word for this year mindful to remind myself to be mindful in all my motions and activities, but I still have a long way to go before I am thinking of it as I do all my daily activities.

Visiting Stonehenge felt like a spiritually enlightening moment. There's an energy there that I felt deep inside of me. Maybe I just conjured it up because the structure itself is so mysterious and amazing, but it made me feel connected to history in a way that I haven't often felt before.

I was in a musical for the first time in 19 years, AND I was in the High Holidays choir again. Really getting into the music feels very transcendent.

Well, I went vegan. I've told this story again and again, so I'll put it here. Basically, one day I read an article and then ended up on YouTube watching a vegan chef. He lived in a Buddhist monastery for a year after the love of his life died suddenly. When he came back out, he realized he no longer wanted any animal to suffer so he could eat when there was plenty of food to eat that wouldn't harm animals. Then my body said, "Yeah... we don't want to do that anymore, either." In retrospect, I was able to see how I'd been avoiding meat (defrosting or cooking it and having it go back) and eggs (they stopped tasting good) for several months. But it caught me off guard. Restricting my ingredients and discovering vegan cooking reigniting in my my excitement about cooking, which had waned since before bariatric surgery many years ago. I've been vegan for 8 months now. I'm eating cheese here and there and egg bites occasionally. I'm not worrying about vegan baked goods (including bread) and I'm not very careful with sauces or salsas. But there is no meat, eggs, or dairy in my home and I'm finding new replacements all the time. I feel good about the food I'm eating and I do not have that quiet sadness behind me knowing that I have to ignore what I know about corporate farming to keep eating the foods I want.

Perhaps I am not a spiritual person? That being said, I found joy in watching my three oldest grandsons performing in theatrical productions. Their gusto for the limelight puts a smile on my face.

Moving to Oregon in July and taking in the every day beauty of this place has been spiritual for me. This beauty has been the physical nature and the human kindness that surrounds me.

My spiritual experience this year was feeling the power of community. We are blessed by so many amazing people in our lives and really felt it this year during our year of mourning. It made me so appreciate where we live and who is in our world. I also felt the presence of my dad so regularly. I hear his voice. I see hummingbirds just at the perfect moment. i got a text from Jeni's ice cream during YK services. I know he's sending me messages and looking out for me. I'm open to it and I feel his presence every day.

I took a trip to Bali this year and attended the Bali Spirit Music Festival. The entire trip, including a stop in Singapore, grounded me with a sense of the beauty of our planet and gratitude for the ability to experience and explore new spaces and cultures. We truly are all one on this beautiful planet floating in outer space, and we should never lose our sense of awe and reverence for the abundance of life it contains.

I think I have had some clarity on what or who is “God.” I don’t believe in the personification of god but rather I believe that God is an energy that is omnipresent and is accessible by all sentient beings, everything that can be known is found in God and peace and power are with the realm of our own responsibility.

Hearing our little girl's heartbeat. Every time I hear it, I'm just in shock that this little person is growing inside me. I am in absolute awe that my body knows how to do this and that this pregnancy is something so many bodies know how to do.

In terms of spiritual experiences linking me to a religious practice or belief, I'd say I'm growing less connected to my religion in the traditional, organized faith-based prayer environment, even as I embrace the cultural traditions, thrive on being part of the community and hold onto the values of the teaching. Prayer - communal especially - has much less resonance for me. My spiritual practices of being in and learning from nature, sitting, spending time, writing, and creating through ritual in nature is taking on an even greater role in my relationship with Self, others, and a greater source (God, Mother Earth, Source of Creation, or whatever "name" we choose to use).

I started dabbling in drawing and painting nature. It is meditative. A beautiful way to get out of my head, to focus on what’s in front of me, to witness the changing light, the changing tide, and feel my changing mind.

After my miscarriage, I was in so much emotional anguish. One day while I was at work, unable to focus on work or hold tears at bay, I said around, "God, I am SUFFERING. Please, your child needs comfort." I was immediately relieved of the anguish, and felt the comfort of a small child held and rocked by their parent.

Overcoming my physical challenges this year has been spiritual. I am stronger than I think I am~~

I have so much gratitude for the encounters I get to have with nature and her immense beauty — from scuba diving to hiking adventures to walking right outside my door(s). The community-building experience of the Valkyries’s first season was amazingly uplifting in these troubling times.

Honestly, listening to the musical artist Whatever Mike at the Knitting Factory during Alok V. Menon's comedy show felt spiritual. They are a spiritual performer with lots of faith language in their lyrics which is usually a turnoff for me, but they are also nonbinary. They are a wonderful contradiction to my typical associations with "Christian Music" and it made me listen closer. "Confess" is an especially moving song.

Last year, all that I cared about with my bat-mitzvah was my party. Now, what I care about is the family aspect of it. I have come to relize that I dont find value in judaism in the pratices (even tho they r nice) but in the community. i cant even believe that the next time i am going to be reading this i'm gonna be a BAT MITZVAH BABAYYYYYYYYY!!!!

Driving solo from California to Washington and pausing in the Redwoods to feel the insane silence amidst the grove of giant trees was powerful. Then driving along the coast as the clouds opened for sunset to see the beautiful cliffs along the Oregon coastline helped me feel an immersive sense of gratitude and appreciation.

I prayed for a natural birth. I was at risk for a C-section because my baby was presenting breech and I had mild preeclampsia. I believe labour and birth is a rite of passage, and I desperately wanted my chance to walk up to the 'bimah' of life and try. I was granted my prayer and it was deeply transcendent. It is rare for women to have positive birth stories, and despite a precipitous labour and some minor complications, I had a beautiful unmedicated birth. I couldn't be more proud and deeply moved by the experience, and I believe it made my husband more connected to me and my son healthier.

I have been deeply moved by music over the past year and would like to go to more live classical concerts. I find that the beauty of certain pieces is emotionally powerful, and places me in a transcendent state.

Rosh Hashanah made me feel in my body that I belong within davening and community.

No, I think I am fairly flat usually--emotionally and spiritually. I have been living on this plane for a while--focused on maintaining my stamina for facing antisemitism and fascism.

Not really. One of my best friends died, and I was with them until the end. I told them it was okay to go and that we were all okay and that maybe we would meet again. I don't know if that qualifies. I'd like to get back in touch with my "psychic" side, if there is such a thing. I suspect there is. :) My dad seemed to think so.

Many of my spiritual experiences are encounters with birds. I have been doing a lot of thinking about retiring from my job and about whether to do that and what I will do and who I will be after that. One morning I walked out to the garage and looked up to the telephone wires just west of the garage door and there was a Cooper's hawk sitting right there, staring at me it seemed. I pulled my phone out of my bag and just as I was snapping a photo, the hawk took off, so that I ended up with an amazing photo of the bird with its wings spread, in flight. It felt like a message that it was time for me to spread my wings and take off as well. That it was OK to be thinking about retiring, that maybe I am meant to do other things now.

The closest to a spiritual experience has been really getting into the blues music scene both as a listener and a performer. It is a family that unites people regardless of race.

Not really since I have withdrawn from my very liberal shul, and I haven't found a new one. The closest is my never-ending awe of the ocean when I go to the beach each summer.

I've been so shut off to the divine this year. There have been glimpses but I've mostly been trying to just survive. I did, however, have a very poignant moment when showing my students the shofar. I asked what it made them feel and one child said "it made my heart want to hide."

I haven't really had any a-ha spiritual moments this past year, but my connection to Judaism and G-d has definitely intensified. We are more observant, and attempting to practice Judaism more consistently. We made a commitment to ourselves and G-d to show up more, and we've been taking steps to do so. Observing the high holidays, going to Shabbat dinners, lighting the candles, going to Saturday services. I even bought the Torah to start reading, and started listening to the audio version. This is especially important as we prepare to start a family. A more "secular" spiritual experience this year was the several times I got to look around at the natural beauty of Earth and just marvel at it. The sunsets in San Sebastián, the mountains in Lake Garda, even the dormant volcano in Pompeii. I am always so impressed with how beautiful Earth is, and then I remember who created it (G-d).

I have continued to loose weight. It is an irritating and frustrating thing to do. It almost seems like I look at food and gain weight. Weekends are tough so I am trying to be more vigilant eating vegetables. This is such a personal endeavor almost a deep seeded determination, I must do… finally. 298… getting there!

People of all faiths were praying for me. I am so grateful for their prayers. I prayed Tehillim every day. I was on #70 when I came home. # 57 became especially special for me. Whenever everything seemed to be getting worse, I would pray Tehillim #57 and circumstances would change.

I had to think about this for a day or two, as it seemed like I had a void this year for spiritual experiences. But then I remembered the photograph taken of me and my niece sitting graveside where mom and dad were buried in my home town. A place I would not have visited if it were not for the memorial of my thirty-five year old nephew, who had taken his own life with a fentanyl overdose on the dark streets of Spokane Washington, just a week into the new year of 2025. Andrew Gonzales was memorialized where he grew up in the Tri-Cities, my hometown. The photograph was taken just after my niece and I buried Andrew's ashes, some next to his grandfather, my dad and his grandmother, my mom. These people adored him, loved him unconditionally, had the highest hopes and aspirations for him. People who left him too early, who could not prevent what happened to him. When Melissa's boyfriend showed us the photo, there was a globe of golden light in the upper right hand corner and from this a blue and gold arc of light curved downward between us, into the very center where mom and dad lay buried. As I looked at the photo, I said crying, Andrew has finally come home. My nephew had been lost for a very long time. Family did not trust him, as with his mental illness and drug abuse, he could be violently angry, erratic and scary. He was told he could not come home, or visit until we knew he was committed to working with his doctor, therapists and in drug rehabilitation. I stayed in touch with him, did a lot of long distance case management for him and tried to be a lifeline over the many years of his decent into addiction. At heart he was homesick, he had one dream and that was the dream of coming home. Regardless of the help to find him programs, therapists, psychiatrists, and repeated hospitalizations, Andrew could never commit. Before he died he called to say he was going to make it this time. He had a good doctor and he knew she would help him. He thanked me for helping him. And then he dies. In the end, as a family, we failed him. And yet finally at his death, as this photograph so clearly shows me, he found his way home to the place where love never left, his grandparents.

I haven't been really affected this year. My relationship to the mikvah has changed since trying to conceive. I would like to have a more positive attitude towards this mitzvah, even though it is a source of pain.

My spiritual experience this year has been my deep abiding disgust toward the Christian Nationalists (aka white supremacists) and their decimation of our democracy.

I was in one of the front rows at London National Theatre for Susie Miller v play “Inter Alia” with Rosamund Pike as the lead. She was truly exceptional and drew one in her world, professional as well as personal. Dilemmas this raised were all to real and something a lot of men and women would recognise. Love is a very powerful emotion!

I took some art classes that had a meditative spiritual quality them.

One of the most beautifully moving moments of this past year was travelling with Amy through Europe. We went out of our way to visit many Jewish sites from the Ghetto of Venice to the Risiera di San Sabba concentration camp in Trieste. We explored Synagogues in Italy, Croatia and Greece - and we saw beautiful little museums with collections capturing the past. In Rhodes, we visited the most beautiful synagogue. With mosaic stone floors made up of white and black pebbles, with open windows shining such glorious light, and chandeliers hanging from the ceilings - it felt like we were in a shul perfectly made to be by the ocean. We walked around the beautiful space with two other people. We flicked through the 1604 names that were listed in glass - the martyrs, the murdered of the Shoah. The Rhodes community, once thriving, had been decimated. There was now only something like 18 Jews left when there used to be ~5,000. As we experienced this old big shul, almost an artefact frozen in time, we explored the little museum attached before we heard singing. A man and a woman had come and set up their guitar and musical stands and started performing in the shul. They sang Hebrew and Jewish songs, as they danced. They sung in tunes we didn't always know - a testimony to the Greek Jewish community. It did not matter that no one was there. It was but an audience of ghosts. Their music seemed to bring the space to life, an ode to the community. All of a sudden you could imagine the Rabbi at the bimmah, the community dressed up for a simcha, an old person shushes as kids run through the shul giggling. We sat and watched these two play their music to a community that was no longer there. The other two who were visiting at the same time of us sat at the other end of the shul, one woman wiping the tears from her eyes. After exploring the small museum attached to the shul, we learnt the Jews of Rhodes thought they might make it unscathed, but literally in the very final months of WWII, Hitler sent one of his fiercest operators to Rhodes to get rid of their "Jewish Problem". After quietly making it through the war and in the very final months, the remaining Jews of Rhodes were sent via boat and then train to the gas chambers. At the end of our private concert, I approached the two other people and asked where they were from. As the one lady walked around the shul wiping tears, I asked if she was okay? She turned to me and said, simply: "Why do they hate us so much?" Standing in this beautiful empty shul, I looked around at the community that was no more, and I didn't have an answer.

Betty's death was very impactful. She was so close the last time I saw her, and there were moments after seeing her where I felt an overwhelming connection to every other soul, because we all go through this. We are more the same than we are different. Seeing Goya's 'Saturn' and Picasso's 'Guernica' were also intense experiences. I wept at both. With one, I felt my understanding of myself deepen. With the other, I felt grief and shame at what is being done to peoples around the world right now, particularly Palestine; I feel helpless to do anything real to stop what's happening.

Spirituality looks different for me now than it used to, as a parent of a four-year-old. I don't have much time for spiritual practices in the midst of our busy life. But maybe parenting is the spiritual practice, the most spiritual practice of all? My son has definitely humbled me, in ways I never could have imagined before I had him, and every day he inspires me to strive to be a better human being, a better model of what it means to be human for him. And in the midst of the daily slog of our days, I try to find a few minutes to meditate and to pray - and even if it's just 15 minutes, it really does help. I realize that I need to lean into my spiritual life now more than ever, because we are living and loving in such a difficult time. I was studying Psalm 27 for Rosh Hashana, and it occurred to me, that if I really have faith, then I won't have anxiety, because, as the psalmist wrote, if "God is my strength and my refuge - what should I fear?" Nothing.

As member of a temple, and seeing others have bar/bat mitzvah I’m very interested, now

The closest thing I can think of is moments in nature. Stopping to smell a rose or touch an interesting plant while out on a walk. Marveling at how the natural world keeps doing its thing while we humans consume ourselves with chaos and the latest distraction.

Giving birth is still the most spiritual experience I've ever had. But I will add that watching the baby I created and gave life to grow to be such an amazing kid has been it's own kind of special experience. Genes are wild. He is a carbon copy of his dad with my eyes and is a bit like both of us. Starting a family and raising a child to be a good happy person is as spiritual as it gets.

The feeling of absolute peace in the moments and hours leading up to my wedding day. After Pickleball and before heading to the hotel to change, I went to the Ragin Cajun and wrote my wedding vow that I was to read to Linden while eating my favorite food. I was an absolute piece and felt protected by God. His providence had shown through in a time when I’ve heard others were nervous. It was one of the few times in my life where I was in absolute peace and calm. I can remember calling my sponsor about it and knowing that it was a feeling that I should always hold onto

Queen Maeve's tomb in Ireland. I climbed that mountain and coming down I had a wonderful experience. I was able to come home and it continued. It's a little hard to describe but something about that mountain took my food addiction/weight issues away.

Back to rowing which is extremely meditative and much better and more focused at it than last time. Also something I guess that has been “spiritual” is that I went back to playing the piano after almost 30 years. It has been so amazing and special to return to playing and it seemed to awaken music inside me. I hope to keep progressing.

I had a sort of artistic experience. I am a lacemaker, specifically tatting. I started tatting an edging with some linen thread. I usually use cotton and despite both being plant-based they have very different characteristics. Some of that is due to the cotton being mercerized, but not all of it. I didn't have enough of the thread but the company no longer produces the linen thread. When I contacted them, they had some in backstock and they sent it to me. They didn't even charge me shipping.

Going to services in my brother’s yarzheit was a very intensely spiritual moment for me this year, and I’m not completely sure why. I felt connected in a way that I hadn’t for a long time.

At Amira’s bat mitzvah, being together with our three daughters who support each other so generously, with practical help and empathy, humor and grace. The passing of the torah from 4 grandparents, to the parents, to Amira. Participation by Amira’s 6 cousins. Great pride and satisfaction in L’dor v’dor!

I've had to look closer for the spiritual this year. Seeing trumpet lichen along a trail in Michigan. The bees visiting the New England asters in the backyard. Even when everything seems so huge and insurmountable, there is so much beauty in the tiny parts of it.

Reading what I answered last year about my mushroom trips with Julie make me miss her so much. I can't believe I haven't seen her in over a year now and I miss spending time with her. Friendships and human connection have such a powerful impact on our souls, the past year definitely showed me how my healing needed this component to be added to accelerate. Seeing Zahra twice a week since the beginning of September has been such a nourishing and healing routine for both of us, seeing Rose and Victoria on 1-1 basis got more and more comfortable and going back to seeing Carlos almost every week at OMA has given me a certain structure that made sure I was out and about and having human connections. At the beginning of 2025 one of my goals was to see a friend or have a social interaction at least once a week and I didn't need to keep track of it pretty quickly as I was absolutely crushing this goal so much earlier than I thought. It truly is unsuspected how much love and connection are an undeniable need.

A big religious function went well. Blessings from a saint paved the way for this as things needed to fall in place a little late in the day and everything went smoothly.

This year my focus on the impact, meaning and choices relating to peri-menopause (or, upgrade/transition) has been primary. To understand the need to better nourish myself physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. Plus the effects of Jacqui's radiation and Bianca's dynamic with Damian's declining health, has weighed heavily on my soul.

I've been feeling distanced from spirituality and somewhat from Judaism. I still strongly identify as Jewish, but the observance I grew up with and maintained through college has lapsed now for close to a decade, and while I miss certain aspects of it, I love the freedom I have. I am building a life with a balance I love, and this life doesn't require me to skip opportunities with friends due to conflicts with an array of holidays, not to mention the restrictions of shabbat. I love shabbat, and also, I enjoy freedom from it. There is so much more time when a week has 7 days than when Friday is devoted to Shabbos prep and then Saturday is restricted. In theory, I will someday find a balance I like, but for now, I'm comfortable where I am.

I was reminded on the fact that writing can be a kind of magic.

I know I've had them: from theater, from literary works, from Nature. But I think the clutter of my life has meant my memory of good things is scant. That's a thing I can work on: refreshing good memories, savoring them.

Honestly no.

I felt someone´s presence when i was travelling in the nile cruise. An embrace of something hot and generous. For a long time, i felt an enormous state of peace.

As a family, we’ve had many meaningful conversations about our spiritual experiences this year. Rylee and I have both had vivid, thought-provoking dreams, while Jordan has been exploring, reading, and asking deep questions. These moments have opened our eyes to just how vast and powerful God truly is. It’s been fascinating—and humbling—to hear others share their own spiritual journeys as well. Each story adds another layer to our understanding, reminding us that faith is both deeply personal and beautifully universal.

I continue to love artistic expression through music, opera, theatre. These events take me outside of myself and my intellect and help give expression to my soul. It’s often transformative. Rufus Wainwright, Paul Simon, a medieval concert, Los Lobos, so many more. Swimming in the ocean in Mexico this year was bliss. I’m writing this while on holiday in Wales and again, being in nature, absorbing the natural energy of the ocean, the earth, the sheep….again, transformative. I feel so focused, so present and so alive

I have learned more about boundaries. While I still struggle with the idea, it’s a pensive struggle rather than reactive. I have turned a corner about money, considering its meaning as a form of esoterica, a god we will someday laugh about, like Zeus, like Glory from Buffy. The day will come when it is safe not to believe. I have been finding connection between my physical world, my body, my homemaking, and my magic. Every chore is a spell. Our new garden is a spell. I have realized how much Helen loves my magic, which inspires me to make more, to consider magic in our romance, dating, and sex. I have been exploring time travel, the idea that my emotions have the power to make time drag or flash. I have devoted more time and space to my spellbook practice. All of the above, including participating in 10Q, is deeply rooted in my spellbooks and the magic that is my writing and creativity. I want to continue devoting more time and deepened devotion to spelling and writing.

The appearance of a large group of dragonflies on Rosh Hashanah. Inititally it was surprising and then to find out it can signify a message of growth, transformation, renewal and hope on this particular day, made it incredibly affirming

Like I’m sure I say every year, I’m not sure that this is spiritual per se. But I have felt really calm and grateful and fulfilled by my breast-feeding journey with Lawson. I have felt consistently impressed by what my body has been able to do. I’m writing this at a time where I’ve come, very naturally, to conclude that I am about ready to wean. And that’s emotional. Because this is a bond I have with him That I may never have again. Or perhaps we will have another, and perhaps I will! But it’s the end of my journey with him, and I see that end coming in the next couple of months. And I’m happy and proud and sad and… well, all the emotions! Science. It’s absolutely astounding how we are built to grow life, and sustain it. It’s so hard and it’s so real and it’s been an incredible year.

I haven't felt particularly spiritual this year- but I have most definitely put a big emphasis and effort in my children being more knowledgable, connected and proud of their Jewish identity. Even more so since they have now left the sanctum of a Jewish school to a C of E school- we listen to Jewish and Israeli music, do Kabbalah shabbat, mark the holidays, they present their Jewish identity in new school and generally speaking I feel very strongly about them feeling confidently Jewish.

Совершенно недавно. Отвечая на эти вопросы, наблюдаю, что фактически сконцентрировано произошли события вокруг РошАШаны. Была засуха, даже иногда прям сильный стон и ропот. Я каюсь, и в это даже сложно поверить, но буквально меньше чем неделю до праздника, я кричала Богу, что я больше не хочу и чтоб Он забрал меня. Господи, я исповедаю, что в Тебе все мои желания и победы. И вот служение апостола Кэтрин в воскресение последнее перед Рош а шаной зажгло во мне силу, разожгло огонь. Я благодарю. Иисус, я хочу идти с Тобой до конца моей земной жизни, быть в вихре Твоих чудес!

I loved leading services at our Pacific NW Sisterhood Retreat at Camp Kalsman in September. I really enjoyed my communication with other volunteers, working with Rabbi Kate and getting to stand on the bima and look at out at such a lovely group of ladies! It felt like a community service, and I loved it. spiritual cup was filled!

This year, I read the book of Joel while watching my mom go through chemotherapy.

Not that I can think of. That doesn't tend to happen to me.

I had a very positive spiritual experience just this past weekend, at a medicine ceremony in upstate NY. I went into the ceremony feeling quite bad about myself, my career, and my relationships, and came out with a greater sense of humility and acceptance -- I can't control my life's outcomes, but I can control whether or not I show up every day with openness, curiosity, and acceptance.

My favorite thing to say lately has been "If you need me, I'll be in my hammock." It's not meditation because I'm reading or playing candy crush, but if I'm still long enough (~10 mins just like the frogs in the overflow pond at work), I hear different kinds of bird songs or even different birds entirely! It feels like I'm experiencing a different place even though it's still my front porch. (ETA Oct 1: Overheard a big compliment. The guy fixing the cable was on a speaker conversation and I heard him say, "You ever be in a place and you can just FEEL the tranquility?")

my witch-ways, ancestor worship, Ifa, and reverence of astral projection, and diving deeper into my inner practices, connections with Alan, etc. I have been having more separations, and more anxiety / feelings of separation from my body, related to my ear and nose problems. Connecting with Spark, bringing Maya to a dance, felt magical.

Having my husband hospitalized three times in six months, has been spiritually, emotionally and psychologically challenging, as I’ve needed to keep my spirits up to be a good caretaker without burning out. I have a wonderful support network of friends and family helping me take care of him without sacrificing self-care. This is compounded by one of my daughters-in-law having had chemo for multiple myeloma since the end of 2024. She’s now begun stem cell therapy and we’re praying that she makes a full recovery.

no and i think i'm struggling a lot for it. i've been so sad and apathetic for a while now, and I struggle to see a lot of the good right now. i need to get outside again more. i think a few weeks hiking would help me feel g-d again

The first thing that comes to mind is the experience of seeing an erupting volcano (Kilauea). It was the sort of experience that makes me question my atheism and feel like I can believe in some sort of deity as I see something so awe-inspiring, terrifying, and otherworldly (or at least outside of my everyday experience). More broadly, I think I've become somewhat more prayerful this year. I can't think of any particular experiences that have led me to this, although reading Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass has given me food for thought around paying tribute to the natural world and the spirits that reside there. I do think I've started thinking of mountains, trees, and other nonhuman entities as more sentient this year, and occasionally prayed to them or thanked them for something. I'm starting to question my atheism somewhat and feel that religion matters more to me than it has in almost a decade.

Realizing how very difficult it is to love ALL of my neighbors, especially the leadership of our present federal government.

With my therapist I did some deep mental exploration of my younger self. I was able to see the hurt and pain I felt in a way that I was never truly aware of. While I still have wounds to heal, it has given me permission to forgive and care for my younger self. I hope that continued practice will help me heal and move forward.

Walking with Daisy is the closest I've come in a long time to a spiritual experience. I felt SO connected both to her, and to the earth and universe through my vicarious enjoyment of her explorations - when she would dip her nose to the ground and eagerly trace a scent, I never knew what she was searching for but I knew she was following something very real that existed even though I couldn't detect it. I lived on her enthusiasm, and remain humbled to bear in mind that there are things that are completely real and perceptible to others, regardless of my awareness of them. Thank you, Daisy.

Oh yeah. I weirdly have gone back to LDS church. Not necessarily an evolution I was expecting from myself? I pondered it for a while and I felt like maybe there is a role for me in the church to just exist and help people see and realize that trans people exist in these walls and maybe to help some poor queer kid feel seen. And mostly, it's been good. I've been stealth, which is a whole different way to experience church. But I love my hymns, and even when my meetings feel miserably boring there's something nice about them, the familiarity, getting to feel like I can just sit comfortably in it and blend in and not have to panic the whole duration because people are seeing me not fitting right. I also got back into daily scripture and prayer for a while, the best I have in years. Sitting on the Lighthouse fire escape at NUS in the early morning reading my scriptures for months was so lovely. A good thing in my life for real. And Easter at Free Community Church. Washing other people's feet. The solemnity of it. I sat on the roof for a while before that meeting and looked out at the city lights and I think read my scriptures. I want God with me more. I want God with me always. I'm falling off my good habits here in GR and I'd like them back. I need the harmony of God in my life. Need the symphony instead of the hundred separate instruments.

I’m so glad I started the daily belly breathing practice — it has not quite been spiritual but it has been transformative for reducing my anxiety and panic and my ability to remain grounded even when overwhelmed or there is a lot of external stimulation.

See my answer to Question 4: There are so many. Just the overall rise of authoritarians, hate, and war. It has caused me to nurture my spiritual life with great intent. And that has caused me to view this as a moral struggle between love and fear. In turn, I claim it as sacred opportunity. That's taken me from anxiety to calm. I'm grateful for all of it; except the cruelty others are suffering.

It has been a spiritual experience to reconsider my connection to Israel and the worldwide Jewish community in light of Israel's actions towards the Palestinian people. There is so much sadness, so much division.

Getting to hold my son for the first time after an emergency c-section at 33+2 weeks was, in the moment, completely surreal, but also deeply spiritual. He almost didn’t make it, and I was so thankful that he was delivered safely even though I couldn’t be there for it.

My year was very work oriented. Career and ambitions itself can have a spiritual element to it, but I feel i need more spiritual elements in my life. I'm trying to work more on my cultural and spiritual discipline, to not be lenient or passive, but take action and keep tradition, bcs not keeping it is another way of disregarding my well being.

Nothing comes to mind, as Kamala Harris would say.

Creo que no. Creo que este año ha sido de una búsqueda continua para sentirme conectada a algo más. En un momento lo sentí, en alguna parte del 2022-2023. Era extasiante. Esa conexión se rompió porque me pasó por la cabeza que estaba loca. Luego vino la desilusión en una relación, luego la enfermedad seguida de la ansiedad y ya estaba de vuelta en la cueva de miedo. Mi mente duda mucho de la "veracidad" de las experiencias. Quizá no mi mente sino alguna creencia que no logro verbalizar. Para mi cumpleaños me compré unas cartas de Lenormand y comencé a jugar con ellas, me he sentido acompañada gracias a ellas.

I had two big experiences in nature this year. I floated down the Rogue River with two of my best friends and canoed the Boundary Waters with these two plus one more. Being in these places with these people was very deeply felt by all of us. The sights and sounds were very beautiful. Being in such pristine surroundings reminded me of how small I am and how important the world around me is, not that I needed much reminding.

I've been working on how to take a spiritual history at work. My mentor in this endeavor is Gillian, and she is gentle but insistent. Why is it so hard for me to feel comfortable asking others about their spirituality and how it influences them? Some questions I have started to use are "how are your spirits doing?" and "how are you coping with this moment?" and "what do doctors need to know about your beliefs to take the best care of you?"

Climbing Mount Katahdin was definitely an experience larger than myself. It really made me think about the nature of time, if mountains could ponder, and the audacity of the human animal.

Lighting Chanukah candles and blessing them each night was a very spiritual experience; even though Chanukah is a minor holiday, taking ownership of my growing Jewish identity and chanting a blessing in Hebrew was a new and important way of connecting with God.

I have had many spiritual experiences this year in answers to prayer. One recent one that stands out is the answer to a sincere, pleading and begging prayer for help to know how to handle/manage/endure/fix the effects my ADHD and C-PTSD are having on my life as there is no mental health therapist where I live. There are, of course, therapists in other towns/cities yet there is a financial cost that I cannot afford as a senior on government pensions. In my prayer I was inspired to hold each hand out palm up. Soon I felt a weight on my left palm and then another weight, a little heavier, on my right palm. I was inspired to understand that my left hand held a clay lamp, full of oil with a flame burning brightly. My right hand held a cruse full of oil. I remembered the Parable of the 10 Virgins and understood that by continuing to be faithful, to endure well and to pray often, I was keeping the lamp lit and was adding oil drop by drop as I kept the commandments, my baptismal and temple covenants, served others and trusted God with my very life. He lives. He knows me. With His grace everything will work out. Everything will be ok.

Being in Scandinavia and seeing the vistas, especially in Norway on the fiords, was very uplifting. I felt an expansiveness in my soul.

The answer this year again is fatherhood. I feel so connected to my son and seeing the world though his eyes is so helpful in gaining a new perspective. It makes me think about my relationship with my parents and the generations of fathers and sons in my family. I want the very best for him and I'm willing to sacrifice a lot to make sure he has the very best. He won't always be this little but for now we are best friends and I want to cherish every moment.

Rosh Hashanah last week. It aligned with my values and with my need for rituals and tradition. But I am learning that, while they reinforce and recenter, there are other levels of spirituality. Now attending Yom Kippur services at the same progressive synagogue, I am reassured of the wisdom and healing and reality checks that this practice provides. When I really reflect however, I remember my intent listening to the Telepathy Tapes this last year. It's odd but I truly felt that my listening to this was a spiritual shift, the first time I heard something that felt resoundingly true although so complex. It taught me that on the other side of what I perceive is love, energy, acceptance, connectedness, sense justice, warmth, grand, expansive, one and infinite at the same time.

I tend to go with natural places as spiritual, but I have not been in wild natural places, or intense hikes, as much as I like this past year. I do feel like gardening has been spiritual. Seeing the dahlias, sunflowers, huge pumpkins, peppers, tomatoes and blueberries in the front yard has connected me with forces greater than me.

My art classes. I feel a strong sense of calmness come over me when I really get into creating.

I think I’ve had a very spiritual experience this year. I realize the true person only comes out in times of stress. When times are great everybody acts very nice nicely but when times are bad that’s when the real view comes out. I seen it in my family, unfortunately

I’ve enjoyed the arts more this year and thinking about how they express a truth about life and meaning. If a picture is worth a thousand words, artistic expression is with millions. I also had a wonderful experience in Vancouver. The totem poles and the connection with community sky and nature were so beautiful and meaningful. It made me want to be more connected with others.

My most spiritual experiences have been at an autism camp with one of my grandsons. Every time I go, it’s a moving experience.

My B’nai Mitzvah. It affected me because for starters I never thought I would get to the point of participating in a bat mitzvah, but also how more connected i feel to my Judaism in a way that’s hard to describe. Especially as someone who didn’t grow up in a religious or cultural home.

No particular experience, but an ongoing experience with different people that are "rich" in spirituality and resonate differently... it's wonderful, reassuring, and life shifting. A reminder to cherish the moments and be in gratitude.

Yes. I've been keeping up with my practice of meditating (almost) every day, at least 20 minutes. Sometimes, I'll do a binaural meditation with headphones called "Hemi-Sync" that's guided and that is around 30-35 minutes long and really transports me into feeling like I can talk to my spirit guides and ask questions. I'd love to keep meditating and exploring the possibility of communicating or at least feeling more at peace and mindful about everything. I've continued to write in my journal from time to time, about spiritual things and what I've discovered in my meditations/prayer time. I've been praying a lot more over the past year as well. I'm feeling drawn to it and I do believe in the power of prayer, very much. I am very grateful for everything.

Some of the most spiritual moments I’ve had this year have been the simplest. Just being with my kids. Fully with them. Present in that rare, unfiltered way where the noise drops away and time stretches... that state of 'flow'. There’s something deeply moving in watching their little faces light up with joy or curiosity. The way they lose themselves in play, how they narrate their worlds out loud, the unfiltered way they react to things... delighted, devastated, confused, enchanted. I find myself in awe. That I made them. That I’m shaping them. That they are becoming these funny, thoughtful, wild little souls of their own. In those moments I feel so centred and present. Grateful. A little breathless. It feels like something bigger... not religious, but grounding. Like a reminder of what really matters. That this, right here, is it.

I really am unsure. This is something I rarely feel. I should try be more in tune with this aspect of the world.

Getting to see a whale while paddle boarding at Secret Beach! It was just so magnificent to be in the water with a whale!

I think being in Israel and experiencing connection to all - especially those I disagree with - is spiritual for me. I have a calm here, I am not worried about all the things people aren’t telling me.

I hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail this year. Hiking is like meditating the entire day. It eventually becomes obvious that the miracle is that I can realize that everything is just happening and I'm lucky to be here. It's amazing anything exists.

When everyone voted to approve my breakfast proposal in Hark, that was pretty amazing. The level of trust and love brought me to tears thinking back on it later that night. Also maybe some of the moments in Valencia that day the electricity was out.

I went to an orthodox synagogue in Toronto and heard an amazing sermon by the Rabbi about him renting a vehicle and it wind up being a Volkswagen. I guess I didn't realize a lot of Jews won't drive them. He talked about how he was in a big rush and that the guy helping him was very kind, and told him he was reading a book about the Shoah. In turn, the Rabbi happened to be reading a book about war against the Somalians (I think) and they shared a connection. It was a powerful sermon and I wasn't expecting it to drive home to me.

I started going to the mikveh last year after our wedding and as we began our fertility journey, and I really found it to be such a grounding ritual as I moved from cycle to cycle. Each visit to the mikveh allowed me to sit in and honor my pain and disappointment of the previous cycle that did not result in pregnancy, but it also let me wash it away. With each immersion I could open myself up to future possibilities.

I got married and it was the most spirtitual experience of my life to stand under the chupa with my partner and Rabbi (long time friend).

Yes, walking through the cloud forest yesterday, being surrounded by Nature. Right now I’m on the terrace overlooking a river surrounded by plants. It’s so peaceful and I feel that when I’m immersed in Nature, I disappear in a good way. Also, the death of Father Jim was intense. His life and legacy were celebrated for a long time. He was one of the few religious people who actually walked the walk.

One of my strongest spiritual experiences this year has been getting the message from Heavenly Father that I'm doing a good job, that I am on the right path, that I'm in the right place at the right time. I have always desired that reassurance, and this year I got it multiple times, sometimes at church, sometimes reading scriptures, sometimes in a priesthood blessing, and sometimes at the temple. I'm in such a new stage in my life, newly single and having to make big decisions on my own without someone else to fall back on, and having reassurance that I'm doing a good job has been incredibly valuable and meaningful to me. I'm really trying to do the best with what I have, and it's enough for Him. I even had one experience at the temple where I received the clear message again that it's okay that I don't wear garments and therefore can't go to the temple. Heavenly father really does understand how I feel and what's good for me, and garments are not good for me. This year I have felt more unsteady about staying with the church as people around me keep leaving for valid reasons, like protecting sexual abusers, polygamy, and anti-lgbtq policies. I, too, disagree with all of those things. But at the same time, the first and biggest part of my testimony was from girls camp when I got a testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet and the restorer of this church. It's not just a testimony in Jesus. How do I walk away from something that I received confirmation is true? But I do disagree with a lot of things about the church right now, especially things that have hurt people that I care about, so how do I stay? I don't know what I'm going to do with this in the future, but it has been an ever-present issue this year.

just everyday kindness is my new spirituality.

Really focusing on DOing less and BEing more.

I dream often, this past year I dreamt of my grandparents on the Landers side of the family. It was very peaceful and loving. I dream about Udo; I dream about Santi and Dani too. I dream often and sometimes the dreams are rough but mostly quite lovely.

This is a stretch for "spiritual," but I really enjoyed my time traveling in March. I spent a week at the beach! I spent 1:1 time with my parents! I saw a Broadway show! I had lunch at the NY Public Library two days in a row! (And looked at the exhibits!)

The job I made on maytum became a spiritual experience as the owner made unreasonable demands, and my desire to be helpful created a spiritual experience of giving. My next job on Maddock went well. This experience helps me see providing a service as a spiritual calling and a part of building a better planet that’s actually improving the whole universe.

travelling/being in nature & crying with feelings of immense gratitude that fulfills all my needs/musings on existence/why i'm alive

Spiritual experiences? Well, my whole life is a spiritual experience now as a member of a dispersed monastic community. Leaving my full time job to work as a travel medical professional, I do feel I am accelerating the journey God has me on toward …something amazing and very helpful to the world.

I continue to do Centering Prayer every day and, as I wrote last year, the Enneagram has given me a deeper understanding and understanding of myself. At the moment, I'm reading "Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul" by John Philip Newell. Who knows where it will lead me?

Pregnancy pregnancy pregnancy! Carrying and nurturing a growing life inside my body was transformative and I have never felt more connected to the natural world and to all who inhabit it.

Just a few days ago I encountered a demon at Fountains. Though my earthly eyes couldn't see it, my spiritual eyes could. It watched me, came close to me, and fled at the name of Jesus. I have believed in angels and demons in a theoretical sense. I encountered some form of heavenly being on the night of the Manchester bombing - either Jesus or an angel. Logically, you can extrapolate that if angels are real, so are demons, but I never truly believed until I saw it in my church. I am still uncomfortable being in that part of the building, and locking up alone at night. Lord Jesus, thank you that you are greater than my fears. Thank you that you reign above it all and evil must flee at your name.

Countless moments of love in our nest. God is with us when we are speechless.

Visiting and being able to walk the Old Course at St. Andrews. It felt as if I was walking among the legends of the game that I love.

Visiting the Benedictines' abbey Maria Laach was unsettling in a way. I strongly knew that this place wasn't for me theologically or politically, but at the same time I've not felt as safe, and sheltered, and welcome, and calm as there in a very long time, if ever. I'm not sure what to do with that experience yet, but I'm researching life in religious orders even though I strongly feel not suited for celibacy.

not in the way I'm looking for it. Bike rides are becoming spiritual. Listening to music alone in my apartment screaming into the air is spiritual. I want to give in and feel it more when I go to synagogue but I can't bring myself to in a space with other people right now. Closest that i did achieve; placing a golem I made carved a tree that fell next to my family's home, dedicated to my late grandpa who built and maintained the home, in that home to keep watch from now on. I felt his spirit in the room

There's nothing that comes to mind between the holidays last year and today! During RH services I tapped back in to the way that I make sense of liturgy as a die hard atheist (who has an active practice!). I translate god to mean "that which we cannot control" and it works in so many situations. It's really valuable to me right now in particular - I am in a period of a lot of stress, change, frustration, etc. - and the reminder to focus on what is in my control, and recognize the power of what is not and make peace with that, is incredibly valuable.

Oh my! I write plays for our church (a form of pulpit supply). I have done this for many years, but recently have been writing plays to present three times a year. Because Christmas comes every year, it is hard to come up with something new to say. This year I was at a piano camp for adults in Vermont, and a couple was working on a four hands piano transcription for "Mache Dich", an aria from St Matthew's Passion, which is normally an Easter subject, but it sparked an idea for a Christmas play that was very moving for me and the congregation: my best play yet, I think. Even now, when I think about it, I am moved by the spiritual significance of Bach"s work (although he did not write the libretto, I know.) When we do the plays, I pass out parts the week before, and the members just read them aloud the next Sunday. I write the plays specifically for our congregation, so scenery, staging, etc, is deliberately tailored to the physical attributes of our building (that is, no sets, minimal costumes, etc). I am so very grateful that these people are willing to help me each time, and trust me to participate in these plays.

When I was in Israel during the war with Iran and opened up to a random page and it was a powerful prayer. Since then, Ive tried to pray more in the morning and I pay attention to pray more at shul.

El piquete del alacran y el episodio en el hospital. En esos momento reafirme mi voluntad de vivir y de luchar por la vida, de querer estar aquí. Al mismo tiempo fue bueno sentirme en paz y aceptación siesque no la libraba, pero tenia claro que iba a hacer todo lo que estuviera en mi para seguir vivo. Tambien los mensajes o comunicación que recibo de otro plano, pero no recuerdo con caridad que me decian. Ha pesar de que paso todo esto, siento que en mi vida cotidiana no estoy con una chispa muy encendida, reaforme mis ganas de vivir, pero en el día a día no siento muchas veces el regalo de la vida o la motivación que he sentido casi toda mi vida. Ha sido un año dificil y me siento frustrado y cansado. Con todo puedo agradecer tantas bendiciones a mi alrededor, pero no estoy en paz realmente.

My work with Shep and his podcast and Psalm Songs have brought so many conversations into my life. Ikar continues to be the central place for my spiritual practice and also spending more time in silence. I love the way my 4th floor feels like an oasis of calm and a sanctuary.

Shavuot at Isabella Friedmam SO unexpectedly amazing. No real time for Yoga or 'bikkurim ceremony' (though did do one yoga session and actually felt amazing for days so idk) but the learning in the most beautiful of places, the staying up until 2am flirting with fellow campers, sleeping in a tiny collapsing tent surrounded by morning fog and ticks and stars, it was all jsut magical and Alive and made me very glad for this religion of ours. I inexplicably already knew five people there in the middle of nowhere CN and I know even more now. These webs we spin, the silly conversations and 80s campfire songs we sing, they go round and round and round.

I went on a pilgrimage for the Jubilee year and experienced deeper prayer and connection to a community of good people.

Not anything profound, however, since being married I have started to pray more and bless our food. I do tend to say a lot more prayers before bed time. Its made me more grateful and I believe its for the fact that I take the time out and I'm being more intentional.

I’ve struggled with this question for many years, and I guess it makes sense that my most spiritual experiences this year were while I was in the hospital. Listening to Jewish music and prayers during my toughest mental day in the hospital - potassium and magnesium injections for hours upon hours (like knives being pushed into your veins and bloodstream for an entire day with no breaks) - that got me through it. I was in a lucid state. It reminded me of my childhood; it helped me feel like everything would be okay, even though it was so hard to imagine in the moment. And when the rabbi came during one of my last days, and sat with me and talked to me and sang mi shebeirach over me, that felt spiritual. That Friday night service a few months back, those tunes from college, that felt spiritual. And the Kol Nidre service that stopped me in my tracks with the violin rendition of kol nidre, that felt spiritual.

No, I haven't!

One slightly wierd thing is the feeling I get when I stare out of the bathroom window around sunrise or sunset, looking past the tops of trees and Safeway to see the ocean, the other side of the bay, and the sky. Especially on foggy or cloudy days, the view pulls me into this feeling between sad, calm, and swaying on a wave. I feel sort of grounded after standing there for a while.

Hiking with my dad in Joshua Tree on a beautiful, perfect day while we talked life felt profound. It’s a trip I’ve wanted for so long. Walking amongst the Joshua Trees while he talked about his life and shared stories he’d never shared connected me to my past and parts of me I didn’t realize I was missing.

Was so moved by art – music especially, but also movies and poems and essays and novels – during early days of heartbreak. I cried so easily during those raw days after the breakup, and felt myself alive to the current of emotion running through so much of art-making. I also tapped into the desire for spiritual guidance and started to ask myself what a more personal relationship to g-d and prayer might be.

I’ve enjoyed nurturing my spirit, my soul with bi-weekly participation in Buddhist sanghas, one in person, one on Zoom. I feel my ability to love has expanded even more.

I have deepened my understanding as to why my judaism is important to me while being a stranger in a strange land. i've had few particularly jewish experiences, but acted as the expert on the religion to work colleagues and then participated in an ultra-religious community that `i don't actually have much in common with. my spirituality has deepened nonetheless and i long for the collective effervescence that comes from being in a spiritual community.

So many spiritual experiences. I mean Olami has truly led the charge in that way. One of my huge takeaways has been the power of expressing gratitude. Being grateful for the good, the bad, the difficult, the happy, the sad. All of life is meant to happen, and it is going to happen whether you accept it or not. Therefore, it is such a better life to live when you accept that there is good and beauty and learning in everything.

I haven’t but Lenny keeps seeing people. Thinks it’s our moms. I’d like to believe they are with him through this and beyond

During a visit to Chicago in August I spent several hours in the Chicago Art Institute. It was absolutely fantastic. The building is beautiful, and the artwork spectacular. There were paintings I knew from pictures in books or magazines but seeing them in real life was breath taking.

It feels impossible to be properly spiritual as I watch this genocide in Gaza unfold. But beginning a practise of havdallah and finding a new shul with a nice community has been important.

Feeling viscerally my mom's presence right when she was about to die, in the middle of the night. Feeling her love, care and connection helped prepare me for her going; while it was still so painful for months, I know life goes beyond this physical plane. I am working to return to my own spiritual connection as well.

Receiving test results confirming ADHD, depression, Asperger's, and genius IQ really brought me down emotionally. What more could I have been if I had gotten myself to the right assistance?

I have had several experiences in therapy where my understanding of self in relation to my past and in relation to others has been deepened. I had the fortune of obtaining journals from my much younger days - and seeing that the focus of my writings are now as they were then, was moving. I often feel surrounded by a higher energy when I am relaxing on the beach listening to the ocean or walking through woods of very tall trees. Sun also feels spiritual.

I can't say that I've had any spiritual experiences so I'm not sure I can answer this question. But I guess I do talk to God a little more these days cause the world is a dumpster fire.

I'm returning to my faith and moving away from the horrible day to day of men.

I have expanded my art by being in a few more community theatre productions in the past year, though I still hold a stance of nonreligious personhood.

I have found spirituality in so many places. My personal beliefs in the value of all humans has only increased and been supported by my community of Reform Judaism. The critical role of humor in improving the human condition has been affirmed for me repeatedly. When life seems most difficult, laughing is rebellion.

I always love seeing live music. The Allison Krauss show we went to recently was particularly magical: Outdoor venue, easy logistics, lovely weather. Her voice was pure and beautiful. Her musicians were each the top in their field—whether bluegrass singing, playing dobro or banjo, songwriting. They passed the attention around the stage, creating lullabies and gorgeous layers of sound.

A solo trip up to Wisconsin for reading retreat was spiritual -- my first time TRULY ALONE since having a baby in 2023. I was able to have some space for rest and grief and it was so healing.

So, not exactly what I would call "spiritual", but over this past year I ended up day-trading with a significant amount of savings I accumulated from the sale of my home in Charlotte prior to moving to California. Using $38,000, I've managed to make $13,000 in profits so far (although at the time of writing this I do have about $1500 in unrealized losses). This extra wealth creation is leading to what I feel will be a small "spiritual event space" in January next year where I am taking a trip to Australia for two weeks. Since I finish school in December AND I'll have this extra money that I never expected to have, I am giving myself this little treat. I've always wanted to go to Australia; I quite enjoy cities and beaches, which this will have, but I am also attending a couple days of the Australian Open in Melbourne at the end of the trip. Now, I somehow ended up with a significant amount of time off last year around Christmas and New Years, but this will be the first time I've traveled anywhere for two weeks or more...maybe ever?

Yes—I’ve had several deeply spiritual experiences this year. My time in Peru opened me to new layers of presence and vision, especially in how I see leadership as sacred. Through meditation and my work with John Wineland, I began to connect with the image of the fire as both a guide and a lighthouse—showing the way, offering warmth, and protecting others from danger. This has shaped how I see my role in the world: I am the Keeper of the Fire. I’ve also found spirituality in my daily practices—writing, pottery, even in moments of prayer where I wrestled with surrender and the tension between action and letting go. These experiences have anchored me, reminding me that the spiritual isn’t separate from my work, marriage, or art—it’s woven into everything.

For some reason I'm wanting to write about going paddle boarding on the Salt River. I spent a lot of days and nights on the Salt River between May and July. One time, I went with my friend Alejandro to a drop in spot and there were tons of cows and bulls standing in the water. Alejandro and I floated past this one very majestic cow. Shortly after, a helicopter flew over head and initiated a huge wind gust, disrupting our paddle boards and the surround nature. Another time, I went paddle boarding at night with two friends during a full moon and we heard such wild horse noises and everything felt other-worldly. Yet another time, I went with a friend and a bunch of horses were riled up; one jumped right out in front of her in a manic state! I don't know exactly how it affected me but I have some sense of spiritual power in that area and a new appreciation for the fascinating human imprinted Salt River ecosystem.

I've been occasionally attending Rowan Tree Church zoom rituals. These make me feel connected to the Universe and to Marie, Isaiah, and Rev. gerry. Aside from that, my most "spiritual" experience was during the first No Kings protest. It felt amazing to be a part of such a huge group of people, all combining our energy towards the same goal. It was an exalted experience. It's the most patriotic I've ever felt, and also the most connected to my fellow humans as a whole.

Spiritual experiences: the birth of my grandson and my sincere desire to not die from RA too soon. Witnessing over and over again, my own daughter's ability to mother with a kind instinct full of love and contact with her little and her letting me be so involved a few days a week. I'm committed more than ever to become the best me, I can with exercising more, eating right, getting more involved with my the Jewish community since my move. My daughter will also be joining the synagogue and it'll be so good for us both to meet others during tot Shabbats, and Shabbat morning services for me. I'm even chanting Haftorah on Shemini Atzeret!

I have had to decide to love blindly, without expectation and without feeding my victim mentality. If I love like Jesus does, then I will do the right thing for the right reason. It is not dependent on the wrong behaviors of others. I will choose love -- or if I cannot get to that higher state, I will choose lovingkindness, even if I object to the unfair treatment at the hands of others, and loving is not accepting injustice, by the way. Easier said than done to love boldly and without expectation, right? But so, so important. Just imagine if we all did that.

Everyday I strive to attain some perception of the divine - I discovered a method of using the Jewish morning service as a guided meditation to take one to perception of the "eyn sof" - dissolution of the ego into the infinite and back - that is back to "consensus reality" but energized and informed by this experience of the divine. It doesn't work everyday - but enough so everyday is a "spiritual experience" - life is a spiritual experience. I try to live a life that inspires myself and others from this.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit this because it's a reminder that I'm still dealing with some of the same issues I've had for the 10 years I've been participating in 10Q...but Ironman changed me for the better. I was worried about registering for the race, knowing it was a huge commitment and investment of time, money, and energy and I needed to make sure that I would sign up for the right reasons and not just because my friends wanted me to do it. I asked coaches at Collingwood camp in May if they thought I could finish the race, given my three major concerns (swimming without a wetsuit knowing everyone would be faster than me and I'd be putting myself at a disadvantage, my history of running injuries and not considering myself a runner for years, and nutrition -- knowing how my half Ironman experience was affected by nutrition, how would I figure out how to do double the distance and fuel myself through it??). Each of the coaches I spoke to gave me similar advice: I had the time to practice, tweak and discover what worked best for me nutritionally, I am a solid, strong swimmer who doesn't need to use a wetsuit, and I'd be ahead of the game by not having to wear one or strip one off; and if I followed a proper run and strength build with a coach, then I could run/walk the marathon portion. I registered in July and within two hours of me deciding to pull the trigger, the race sold out. I had the BEST day. I re-learned how to run slowly and actually started enjoying running again. I learned what carbs worked for me and despite having a few workouts in stifling heat and humidity that broke me down into tears some days, I managed to make it to race day with a massive smile on my face that stayed put until long after I crossed the finish line. Lina had told me years ago that if I ever signed up to do an Ironman, she'd come watch me, and true to her word, even though she just bought her first place and had a mortgage, she followed through on her promise and came to support me on my birthday weekend. Samantha came too. So did my sister, brother-in-law, and younger nephew. And SO many of my friends and teammates from the club. It was like a big training day with friends on race day and the support I felt from random strangers to my closest family and friends was palpable. So when I told David about registering and what that meant to me--how important it was for me to know that the people who care about me SHOW UP for me on that day a year from then, I made it clear that he was one of the people I was talking about. He nodded his head and said he understood. I knew he wouldn't show up in person. What I didn't know was that a week before my race, he'd make an impulsive choice to fly across country to Vancouver for a BJJ seminar. Not only was he not willing to take a weekend to road trip to Ottawa to do the ONE thing I asked of him, but he spent his time and money going to the west coast to do something for himself. On race day, he sent me a voice message wishing me a happy birthday and then asking me, "So how's your day going?" (insert facepalm) ... did he not realize I wouldn't have my phone on me...wouldn't have an opportunity to CHAT during a day-long race? If he had downloaded and checked the tracker app, he'd have known where I was throughout my race, but he didn't even seem to do the bare minimum. Later, I told him how disappointed I was that he couldn't even follow me on the tracker and all I got back from him was a measured response saying that he had "other priorities". Ironman was a huge culmination of work, grit, commitment, discipline and dedication for me and the people who truly care about me were SO excited to see me cross that finish line and hear every detail I wanted to share. Yet this person who claims to love me simply reminded me how incapable he was of showing up for me and THAT caused a spiritual awakening for me. I started therapy six years ago after another man chose not to show up for me at a race in Turks and Caicos. Here I was, six years later, having learned so many skills and yet, still tethered to a person who couldn't be there for me in ways that matter. And I knew I had to make a choice to land me in a different situation. I don't think David is a bad person; I just know he's not a good person for me. I knew he wasn't partner material for YEARS but I kept placing him in the role of partner when I needed someone to be there for me, and it only served to hurt me and make me feel worthless and less than in the end. I've told him that I need space from him and I haven't fully thought through what my boundaries need to be around him. I won't cancel him -- he's gonna be someone I see whenever I attend Nathan's BJJ tournaments, but I can't be with him anymore. I can't treat him like a friend (or more) when he can't be the most basic kind of friend to me. I need and deserve more -- even if it's only from me.

Lauren was on vacation in Bar Harbor at the same time that we were there, and she and I carved out some mornings to watch the sunrise. The sky was clear, there wasn't another person out that we could see. We watched the last stars fade, and a seal frolicking in the water. I was with one of my dearest friends on the planet, in my favorite place in the world, and I got to see something beautiful. My heart was full, and it reminds me that profound connection is what is gonna get us through this mess.

Being at my mother's bedside. Singing with my shul. Praying with my feet for justice.

Simchat Torah in Michigan with my partner and my youngest child brought me to tears and I couldn't stop sobbing. I felt so connected to the devine in that moment. It was like a door was thrown open...

I've started attending workshops at Spirit Rock in California (online). I'm working on soothing my nervous system daily, before it gets high strung.

In the wake of the loss of a chevrusa, I have found closer and wider spiritual community here where I live. I have opened up and shed shame about my studies, practices, and invited people into my observations of the Jewish calendar. This is building community around me and a life I am grateful to be in. I love hosting dinners.

My stress melts away when my cat Lily sits or sleeps on my lap. I go to church to cry. Most of the time, I arrive feeling that I must flee. By the end of the worship service, I feel calm. I've received exactly what I need.

meditation teaching (shechayunu) online and in temple building a regular practice holy holy holy, I feel very in touch with my spiritual self.

What I have been struck by is the breadth of my need to find meaning in my daily activities. Even the mundane tasks of work and home. It was not something I gave much thought to in the past, but finding it and helping others find it has become my life’s passion.

Like the last two years, no big AHA moment, but I've had a lot of small daily moments. I'm happy and proud that I've been able to provide for my daughter and her medical expenses. Our relationship gets stronger each day. I miss my husband every day and talk to him and pray for him.

I'm still far from perfect, but over the past year I have found myself a little better able to stay emotionally regulated during times of stress. Maybe a combination of getting used to the stressors of parenting with repeated practice, my SSRI continuing to act on my brain chemistry, and lessons gradually learned from therapy and self-reflection. I feel so grateful and happy to feel more stable and to feel the effects of what I think of as a brain "muscle" gradually strengthening. So for me, to be able to find more of that inner peace after a tumultuous time has been spiritually rewarding.

The important spiritual experience I had this year was my conversion to Judaism in June. As part of my project on Trope, I also created an artistic book about learning trope and the conversion process. It was/is my first work of Judaic art.

Continuing on from 10/7, my Jewish roots have become more important. That doesn't mean I always do anything religious, but it's a greater part of my identity.

If anything I feel maybe I've regressed a bit spiritually. I quit meditating, although for the past few years I was only doing it while I drove. I feel some urgency to reconnect spiritually, but I don't feel especially inspired.

There's this tech pop song that doesn't really have any lyrics except for a woman humming & right before the bass drop where the music goes silent and she says "and it went like..." before picking back up to the humming melody. It's basically a pop Nigun which I love. I figured out how to not only sing along, but do a call/response to her melodic humming with my own melody. It's gotten to the point where any time I need an emotional boost I play that song and hum with her.

After attending my church for 5 years, I have decided to become a Jew. I have Jewish ancestry, and after months of my pastor preaching to the congregation and being made to feel guilty about my vote differing from that of most of the congregation, I have decided to convert. I want more of a meaningful spiritual experience, and Judaism gives that to me.

My conversion was finalized! The moments alone in the mikvah were really special. I'm looking forward to making that a more regular part of my life because it really was a perfect moment for reflection

Earlier this year, when I went off sick from work for nearly 3 months, I believe I experienced a spiritual awakening - not a full, big bang type of awakening (thankfully) but one that made me really take notice. I now understand that the real me is not the same person thinking the thoughts that I am typing-up here. That is my egoic self. I now can see that my egoic self and my true self are different "entities." This has been revolutionary to me and I'm incredibly glad and relieved that I've had that experience. I regularly (albeit sporadically) remind myself that I am not my body or my mind, and that helps me distance myself from my thoughts. Game changer

In December I have started a course - Integration and Fusion - with the School of Esoteric Studies. I had already approached its core material in the past 20+ years, but the organization of the course and the feedback from the tutors is helping me broaden my consciousness. The fact that also a dear friend and spiritual co-worker is taking it is an added bonus as it sparkles deeper conversations, and self and mutual understanding

Sometimes when changing, I feel connected to the universe.

Sitting for some hours with my mother’s dead body with my brothers was very important to me. Some people say that they can tell when the soul has departed. I couldn’t. I held her hand as I did so often in life. It wasn’t a spiritual experience for me but immensely healing all the same.

Compared to previous spiritual experiences, no. However, every so often I will have something not unlike a revelation unto myself, where the clouds part and I understand another aspect of myself, particularly post-fire, in a new or different light. These especially come when dwelling on a recent conversation with my therapist, or just thinking deeply about that one particular aspect and coming at it from all sides. These revelations can be breaths of fresh air, or just another step closer.

I literally dreamt my own death today. It shook me to my core, but I know that the dream wasn't about Death itself. It was about change. I was looking down at my lifeless body: the eyes were wide open, but the lights were off and nobody was home. And then, the dream went from that really disturbing image to that of a book. It was open, and the pages flipped from right to left, and they were BLANK. The book didn't close, though. And that's how I know it's not about death. It's about transformation and what comes next. I get to decide what that is by filling those blank pages. I'm definitely going to be much more intentional about what sort of story I write now, though. Once my book is closed for good, I want my story to be a good one.

I have been practicing transcendental meditation twice a day for 20 minutes a day. There have been some days where I've missed the evening meditation, but I've been able to give myself some grace around that. Most days, though, I'm sitting in the morning and the evening. I think the main thing this has done for me is gotten me to be more emotionally regulated, and helped me deal with stress. It's given me a larger capacity to hold space for others, and do some broad caregiving. It's also helped me be less quick to anger, keeping me calmer. It doesn't always work, but I suspect I'd be in a much worse position than I am now if I weren't doing this. It feels good, and I'm hoping I can maintain it.

I finally started feeling comfortable enough with my faith to start asking for prayers. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, as all the major stuff in my life happens when these questions are asked.

My childhood was filled with pain. It took years of effort to make peace with my parents & with myself. Though they are both gone, I feel their presence with every major life decision. This year, I finalized decisions regarding my estate. Would they approve? Am I a good daughter? In choosing to donate to hospitals that support children's mental health services, I am responding to the wounded child that I was. It brings me peace to know that positivity can grow from darkness. I believe that my parents would respect my choices.

Being with Grandma as she died. Breaking through to her for moments of connection and clear responses. Even the responses that felt nonsensical. Holding her hand. The gratitude I felt for being able to be her granddaughter and for creating our family. The joy I felt being there with her for one last time, surrounding her with my sisters and cousins. I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt so lucky. I felt disconnected from time, from the moment she was all there, or the inevitable moment soon when she would be gone. I didn’t fear her loss or mourn her. I was there with her ephemeral spirit. I just acquired a wonderful new phrase for death: the threshold to the infinite. She was as reliable a person as you could ask for and she lives with me. I know how she would respond to me, I know how she would treat me, I know how much she would love me. She doesn’t need to be here for me to know these things, and in that moment the condition of her body, and even her mind, didn’t matter. I transitioned along with her into her more ephemeral state of being with me. She was both there and not there and it reassured me she would always be there.

There have been moments. . .but given the situation in the world, they are few and far between. Hearing the full choir singing Shalom Rav on Rosh Hashanah probably comes the closest I have felt this year.

Honestly, this is an annus horribilis for most of the world. Too worried about everything to feel joy or rapture.

The east garden early on summer mornings as I waited for the kettle to boil. Birds, native wildflowers, TRUMPET VINE! The easiest meditation I've ever done.

I haven't, but I'd like to continue to explore my spirituality. I have been reading a book of poems by a persian mystic and that's been a great ritual. Hiking in 2024 was a great outlet for spending time with myself, and outdoors. Surely that helped me commune with bigger powers. I'd like to read this paragraph next year (hi bud, hope you're well) and know that I've progressed forward with my inner life.

I celebrated my 50th birthday. Many years ago, I had a psychic reading in which the reader predicted that by age 50, I would "radically redefine what it means to live in a body." I've been thinking about that a lot, especially combined with Andrea Gibson's death and the impact her quote, "I f*@#ing loved my life." had on me. I periodically worried if this prediction meant that I would be debilitated in some way, but - knock on wood - that has not happened. I have, however, found ways to live with chronic health issues in sustainable ways that don't negatively impact my mental health. And I've fallen in love with my fat body and what it is capable of; I've grown resilient and resistant to the pervasive anti-fat messages of our culture, and I'm proud of that. It's a bit sad to think that loving the body that you live in is a spiritual experience, but in a culture that wants us to be separate from our bodies or at war with our bodies, it feels a profound triumph to be in partnership.

This year has been one of the most spiritually intense seasons of my life. Walking through my dad’s illness and passing, my own cancer diagnosis and surgery, and welcoming Madison Grace has brought me to a place where faith stopped being just an idea and became my lifeline. One of the most meaningful moments was sharing my faith with my dad before he passed. That conversation has stayed with me; it was both heartbreaking and sacred at the same time. Those experiences have deepened my dependence on Jesus and reshaped how I see everything — time, priorities, even success. It’s also made ordinary moments feel more spiritual: holding Madison for the first time, praying with Micah, or simply being still after a chaotic day. I’ve been reminded that God’s presence isn’t limited to church or big “spiritual” events; it’s in the middle of real life, especially when it feels messy and overwhelming.

Protesting. Being part of a group of like-minded people feels important right now. Connecting with people at work and making new friends and connections. Learning to say no and protect my time. As much as I enjoy teaching and coaching I have said no. Keeping my focus on my priorities- my family and my health.

No not really. I feel like God has temporarily left our country. People are killing each other, yelling and screaming obscenities and just creating chaos. No one is kind anymore. No one cares. It’s quite the opposite. I no longer trust people or people who were on the opposite side of me politically, voting for the bad guys, who are punishing people for being another color is horrible. I would rather live in my own bubble and just exist than possible come across danger or conflict. This political arena has greatly affected me.

This year, on my mom’s birth anniversary, September 15, I found a four-leaf clover. It was just THERE - as though it were just waiting for me to reach down and pick it. My mom was a magical 4-leaf clover finder in this peculiar way; she could walk into a grassy area, bend down and simply pluck one! This clover one felt like a hug from her, or a message… After pondering, I realized the message was simple: “You’re lucky!” A reminder of how lucky I am to have had her as my mom, and how lucky I am to be able to connect with people in profound ways. I taped the clover to a small card (as mom always did) and dated it. She used to save the clovers and send them to my sisters and me on special occasions, like birthdays and graduations. To whom would I send this clover? A few hours later, I decided to send it to my sister, from whom I am estranged. I wrote a short note, too. “A hug for you from mom,” I said. She was very close to our mother, and devastated when she died. The conflict my sister and I have is identity-based. I’m not sure it will ever be resolved. But I can stay in loving touch with her, even if she never replies.

This year, I'm learning to graciously receive - it's humbling and hard being a capable human with corporeal limitation. My bionic shoulder has become functionally comparable to organic; but still - four months since the titanium was installed - it isn't so fully functional as to make it fully complementary to the natural shoulder joint I still have... Thinking of the Rapture of the Church, it has occurred to me that I won't be taking this titanium to Heaven with me. Whether I'm alive or deceased when Christ returns, my bionic shoulder will not be part of my glorified body. I'm thankful for the machinery that has been added to my body; but that much more excited about being shed this and other markings of Earth. While I await the shedding of this helpful medical appliance, I am all the more aware I need pruning, weeding, and decluttering in my mental and physical life too. I hope to pursue just that in the days to come.

This year, my most spiritual experiences have come less from one defining moment and more from a gradual shift in how I live and show up. After the election, I expected to feel despair, but instead I found myself moving toward presence, compassion, and curiosity. Protecting my energy has felt like a spiritual practice. I've stepped away from social media, been more rooted in my body and my community, and chosen connection over distraction. I’ve also found spirituality in the work I’ve done with others. Leading workshops that invite people to bridge divides rather than harden them has felt like sacred work. There’s something bigger that moves through those spaces: a sense that healing and growth are possible, even in hard times. It hasn’t been about religion, but about trust... trust that if I show up with openness, I’ll be met with something greater than myself. That has left me feeling steadier, more protected, and more deeply connected to the people and world around me.

I've spent some of this year learning about progressive Judaism. It's not a faith or culture I knew very well - just whatever ive picked up over the years which is a very incomplete picture. I subscribed to a newsletter that examines it and I've been reading a lot. Study takes a lot out of me nkwsdays so I fatigue easily but this newsletter is very readable, and provides sources. And bow 20 Q has arrived again I'm looking at the Jewish foundations and moving onwards from there. There hasn't been a single point of spiritual leaping forwards or anything, but it's been a steady stream of small pieces of spiritual evolution which I find better anyway. If both my brain and my heart are in tune with my spirit, I find that far better. And given all the christian fundies and "god says only two genders" (even though...god didn't say anything of the skrt but that's kinda the problem - why let truth get in the way of your good ol' bigotry) bs that's been going on for so long, but picked up this last year or so, it was a wonderfully refreshing thing in particular to read about the Torah and all its many genders.

My thoughts on this question are similar and different to last year. I am not spiritually different, but I like to be mindful of myself and take into account on what is happening around me so I can better understand my feelings towards what is happening at me and not to me.

After a 17-year gap, we went to Israel for Pesah. We landed in the middle of the night. The next morning, my spouse and I wandered down to the Shuk haCarmel in Tel Aviv. The sun was shining. The produce was stacked in a dazzling array of colors. The piles of herbs were a mountain of green. The strawberries were like red jewels. I felt like a light switch to the world was suddenly flipped on. I felt happy and optimistic. We had fantastic coffee and a delicious snack. We walked around with no particular destination. We were taking in that we were finally back in Israel. We were staying in an old part of town that oozed history. At the same time, it was new, as if it was constantly being reborn: young people sitting in cafes, smoking and drinking. You'd almost not know there's a war going on, only a few miles away. There were stickers everywhere commemorating the dead. We saw these in Rome, too. The tragedy of 10/7 is omnipresent, but so is the spirit of "we will live." Living with this duality is mindblowing...but then we Jews have been doing this since we became a people. As we were walking, we turned to each other at the same time and said, "It's time to start really planning to be here." I'm not sure what it will take or how long, but that feeling that this is where we're supposed to be -- in spite of the tsuris and uncertainty -- it just felt so real and so right.

I’m sorry to say that nothing comes to mind. I think I have really been in survival mode for a lot of the time, and it’s hard to feel awe amid that — even though I had a baby, which SHOULD produce that feeling in spades. But I am always so focused on logistics and time that it saps my spirituality and ability to be in communion with other people.

I recently found myself in the middle of 2 opposite marches - one anti-immigration, right wing march and a few blocks down, a pro-palestine, pro-aboriginal, humanitarian march. As I walked through the "pro-australia" people, a sense of sorrow and disbelief was coming up in my throat. How sad to see all those white people, not understanding and recognising their own reality as immigrants and colonisers of this land? When I got to the second march, my heart calmed down and I felt a sense of pride - the signs and messages were of love, against racism... and then I heard some drums, some music and I cut through the crowd and inside a circle, there were aboriginal people playing music and dancing. It immediately brought me to tears. I felt sad that this was the first time I witnessed the owners of this land being celebrated. I felt a bit ashamed as I am too taking this land. But then I felt joy, hope that things can change, that a new generation can care more than I could. I felt proud again to still have a heart that can be moved by the beauty of resistance. Always was, always will be, aboriginal land.

Oasis. They meant so much to me in the 90s. I used to sit in the corner of the studio flat I shared with my controlling ex boyfriend and listen to Live Forever over and over knowing there was more to life than how I was living. Seeing them live again was so many emotions in such a short time. It made me think about how much has changed and how much I’ve done in the 30 years since I saw them last (and escaped the ex). It felt life affirming and reminded me how music can make you feel and how much more I can still do.

Lowkey does sound a bit crazy but not in my mind. I've been feeling energy's. I don't know if it's cause I've become very in tune with myself or my surroundings, but there's now been 2 quite big moments where I have felt the energy of an emotional event reach further past the event itself, walking up to it. It happened first at the October 7th memorial event we had last year at durrumbul hall, as me and dad passed the gate, around 50-75 metres away from the venue, I felt the energy rush through my entire body, I felt it shift my energy. The second time was yesterday night, walking towards the hostage protest in tel aviv with thousands, the energy hit me from about 200-300 metres away from the centre of the protest and completely changed my entire feeling in my body. Each time has been extremely powerful, and because of these big experiences, I feel that I can mostly feel the energy as I walk into any room, some are better at detecting it than others, and I feel that I've had a major revelation in the way that I take a second and feel others peoples energy's before I begin interacting. It changes every single interaction with anyone, you become more aware of the person and then they connect with you more. I think that I always had this ability, but it was amplifies twice, hugely in the past year.

Bald eagles in Alaska! Walking the treadmill while looking for whale tails is amazing! Getting along with my sister is powerful. Cymbalta rules!

I've been hungry for more spiritual experiences this past year. I can say that I've felt disconnected from G-d and am looking for ways to do that.

I wouldn’t say there was a single particularly spiritual experience that stood out this year, but I have continued to deepen my connection to Judaism in meaningful ways. Over the past year, I made an effort to watch services on Fridays and began lighting Shabbat candles each week, which has brought a sense of grounding and tradition into my life. I’ve also continued to strengthen my connection to Israel, which feels deeply tied to my identity as a Jew and remains an important part of my spiritual journey.

I have connected with Holy Spirit more, and nothing is more important than my relationship with Him

Tim and I now meditate twice daily (Vedic) and give each other gratitude at night. My most spiritual practice though has been to speak up for myself! Artistic: Tim and I sing with Bay Choral Guild and we listen to so much more classical music and have such a shared repertoire.

seeing GHOST live

Singing in a community is always very spiritual to me. I was lucky enough to participate in Pride Service this June and hearing the choir sing The Times They Are A Changing in a beautiful arrangement I'd never heard before was just heart stirringly beautiful. The whole service was lovely filled with tears, laughter, and yes, pride, but that moment stands out.

More and more, I have discovered the importance of something that sounds so simple, but could be so powerful, and that is the power of my own breath. Breathing in deeply, filling my lungs, fully and exhaling slowly gradually letting go of all the stress tension in my body and mind. I appreciate it so much. I practice it with my therapy clients because I need it for myself as much as they do

The last year has felt whatever the opposite of spiritual is for me, unfortunately. And this is an interesting thing to reflect on too. I've read a few books that have had a big impact: This American Ex-wife by Lyz Lenz It's Not You by Ramani Durvasula You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith Women Talking by Miriam Toews I think the thing underscoring all of these books is the message that I am enough, as I am. I am enough, on my own.

I hate this question

I have had many experiences of coincidence which I call synchronicity. I have learned to appreciate them. Someone once called them "a nod from God" I like that and that is exactly how I see them.

When I walked the Portuguese Camino, especially along the Atlantic Ocean, I repeated mantras to myself. It was amazing how they developed organically to something more apt, more profound as though the power of the repetition of the waves or my steps broke through my ego defences. I was being confronted by something deep within myself about pain I hadn't been willing (?), able (?) to acknowledge. One day I ended up booking accommodations well of my path in a place I wouldn't have chosen to sleep because of the set up of beds. It was a brutal night for me because of sound and I couldn't sleep. But that wore me down again and I had deeper awarenesses about what I needed to tend to in myself for my healing.

Honestly, none I can think of. We always have close friends over for dinner/seder during the various Jewish holidays, or we go there. Those are always stressful leading up due to all the cooking and cleaning, but fun while they're happening. We had a Moroccan seder last Wednesday. It was very decadent fund and we had 9 over. Though I don't cater any more I do still love to cook. I'd say it's my "love language" and a spiritual calling.

I'm sure there are more of them, but in particular, when we were in Zanzibar near the end of my sabbatical, I would swim in the mornings. There was nobody there at that hour because it wasn't really long enough for laps. One morning it was raining, and it was absolutely beautiful how the sky met the pool water. I felt enveloped.

Going to yoga has been my spiritual place this past year. I love the space it gives me to just let go and just be. It's my space where I am not responsible for anything and I can just let go and let my mind be where it wants to be. I haven't had any profound realizations but it's been a place to quiet my mind and the noise of the world.

Wow so many. Cowboy Carter x2 was beyond spiritual. A few moments at On the Ocean were, of course, spiritual. Tisha B'Av, when Anat chanted the trope and was choked up about children and their mothers not having anything to eat. Moments at MASS MoCa--Turrell exhibit with the lights, the Boiler Room, Kiefer. The orgasm by the waterfall in North Adams (and so many others).

Yes - I am realizing (more intimately) how gifted I am with healing touch, and intuitive healing. That this is work I can do well, across the world. That I can do distance healing - and then considering how that also relates to prayer... (oh God IS GOOD). all the time.

Being in the hospital after a surgical complication that I miraculously survived was horrible — I am already so, so scared of hospitals and medical stuff. But there were so many moments that I opened my eyes, barely aware of reality, and the first thing I saw was my family. The peace of knowing I was safe, that they would watch out for me, was immeasurable.

I have not had such an experience, though I really have sought one with my men's group of fellow seekers. I had a few such encounters several decades ago, but would want so much here in 4th quarter to have another.

Listening to the Curator, Artist and Architect who made the SuperFine Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I had seen it before hearing their lecture/decision, but after listening to their stories and spiritual experiences I was able to see and understand the Exhibition in a deeper more thoughtful way. it is more of a spiritual reflection.

Baking round challah and apple honey pie for Rosh Hashanah for my family’s dinners. In those hours, kneading the dough, and shaping the challah, I swear I could feel the ghost-like touch of my ancestors, as if the moment was being repeated across time by all of us in this one moment, standing before the gates just before they started to open. But I could also feel all of my sisters, Jews across land and sea, an endless sea of Jewish women readying and preparing for welcoming Rosh Hashanah and joining together with HaShem to create something to sustain the hearts and bellies of our families. To make simcha even as one of our hands is holding the pain and suffering of all our people.

Norma's death. My birthday celebration and Alli learned from both. I am not just loved, but worthy of love. I am actually loveable

Once more: Imma passed away. I think this was the most important, formative and time-consuming even of this past year, from her wild deterioration that began in the previous May and she asked me to come help with cooking once a week, through deciding that she cannot/will not get out of bed from after Succot 1 year ago, the help that was sent by ביטוח לאומי and that which was paid for privately, the hospitalization in December and Kumari, the caregiver from Sri Lanka who began in January, through loss of motor control, awful pains, mountains of medication, crazy wild conversations and requests, terrible tempers and finally her death in June. I suppose it could be called spiritual. It was most certainly a journey.

I would call myself a believer but have had issues with organized religion. When I have a spiritual moment, it’s normally in nature, solitude, peace. Yesterday I took a ferry to San Catarina near Stresa, Italy to see an active monastery. The beauty of the monastery built on the side of a cliff, the gardens, the ornate painting in the cathedral… it was all so peaceful. It was nearly empty, so I sat alone for a long time just taking it all in and listening to the music. The moment brought me to tears. I was overwhelmed by the beauty but, more so, think the solitude and actual disconnect from the noise in my head gave me a sense of peace I haven’t felt in a while. Alas, the monks and nuns wouldn’t let me stay. Haha

The birth of my first grandchild! To my eldest daughter who didn’t even want children. Then watching her not only be an amazing mom but watching her experience as much joy as I did as a mom is beyond amazing Finding out my son and daughter-in law who were having trouble getting pregnant were having their first child. Seeing the joy in them both is beyond words!

A few weeks ago, I went camping and had the opportunity to take (?) a sound bath - which while not overtly or profoundly spiritual was pretty awesome. I made it services this year and also had a great time at lakes. It was a great burn. These things have been important given the stress burden of the universe this year. Drops in the bucket it seems/feels but ultimately, it's better than nothing and it is perhaps a lot/enough.

I've recently discovered how wonderful clouds are. When I'm swimming on my back, I see the variety and creativity and I marvel at clouds.

Reading picture books in Spanish with my dad, as a way to spend (some of his limited) time together. Playful and warm and creative and compassionate and sometimes it makes him laugh.

This year I have to say no.

This year at Rosh Hashanah services, our newly revitalized choir and our cantorial singer (Hila’s sister, Karen) sang a prayer that brought shivers to me. It was so beautiful: there we were under the « big top », a slight breeze blowing, temperature perfect, meeting as a people today celebrating thousands of years of history. Everyone brought something different to the service, whether it was belief, spirituality, life experience, problems, etc.; but we were all there to claim a connection to Jewishness. I found that extremely moving, and then the choir sang.

This isn’t really spiritual so much as “Jewish joy,” but I absolutely love that my daughter goes to a Jewish preschool. She started school last August, and in April, I heard her singing Hamotzi. And I realized that she’d been singing it all year, but she hadn’t been able to really say it before then. It made me so happy!

Our trip to NYC last Fall rendered artistic experiences we enjoyed at the Brooklyn Museum, and the theater highlight was “The Hills of California.” Amazing dining at 11 Madison Park and a vegan sushi experience courtesy of Omakaseed. Even off-Broadway shone with Forbidden Broadway (Merrily We Stole a Song) and Drag: the Musical. There is also the sublime experience of enjoying a new grandboy! More difficult emotions for me was the gratitude that our home was spared in the fire, contrasted with our extended absence during remediation and the many friends who lost their homes.

I really struggled to answer this question. I haven’t felt particularly spiritual this past year. The closest thing I have to spiritual experiences is outings with just me and my son. Luka is still nonverbal, and sometimes I take for granted that I need to be actively engaged with him to spend time. It is difficult because he would much rather be on his own. However, we had a nice car ride during our vacation in Bainbridge, where we went to the grocery store together and listened to music in the car. It’s a simple memory, but it was a refreshing experience and a positive one with my kid.

I hadn't thought about this, but I did experience something so wonderful that, yes, I might consider it "spiritual." I went to the Frick Museum just before it closed at its temporary location and was able to see one of my favorite paintings. It was hung so low and without anything in front of it that I could have touched it (if I were such a philistine). It was magnificent to be able to stand in front of it for such a long time and appreciate its beauty. What a special gift that was.

This year I felt my writing about my mother's ancestors was a spiritual experience. When my writing takes me to another realm and time flies by without my consciousness of it's passing, I feel connected to another level of life.

I have not had any particularly spiritual experiences this past year. I did learn that I am a mouth breather and it may explain why I feel more anxious. I have learned that breathing properly, not by mouth, may help with my spiritual side.

I had a theatrical experience that affected me spiritually. It’s been difficult to process and talk about.

I cry sometimes. That's my spirituality of late. I haven't felt terribly connected to poetic emotions or artistic inspiration or a higher being for a while now. I miss the times when I could feel exuberant and not just hyper, poignant and not just angsty, touched and not just shocked. I think I've been in a rough patch of haywire feelings this whole year, and I remember a different way I used to be. Crying brings me a little relief, but it doesn't come easy.

I prayed for a sign as to whether or not to take leave for my health and I got a really obvious one. Thank you, Hashem.

I use tarot cards from time to time, mostly for fun, only half believing. But there is nothing positively spiritual about these days.

Went to Music@Menlo performance of Beethoven's Piano Trio in C minor, op. 1, no. 3. Transformed me, I felt renewed, lifted and so grateful. I still do.

My daughter and I started volunteering at a small, under-the-radar (so far) food pantry that is the only one in the area that still serves undocumented families. It's a simple act, but even this comparatively small action is pushing back against the awfulness, and that feels spiritual to me.

Briefly, of course, the loss of our daughter causes all kinds of connection to prayer, asking of forgiveness, love going out to her in the spiritual world. Daughter of her best friend had a dream with a visit from her; it was very real. Niece of ours, daughter of my brother, also had a dream where she said to say hi to mom. She feels it was a real visit. The realization for me that nothing is guaranteed, no length of life guaranteed in this place of existence. Jasmine always loved visiting AL's parents & family. She would have helped take care of us. Now, we go towards the end of life without that; even though we know she IS with us, it's in a different way. I am trying to PAINT more, but haven't been very good at getting that done lately. I have a painting in my mind that I hope to paint. Have to be okay with my lack of talent in painting & just do it for me.

I had this conversation with a friend the other day. Is it spiritual to see my plants covered in pollinating insects, buzzing around 2-3-4 different clumps of plants, all making the world better in their own way? I go out on my stoop just to stop and watch them; the vision takes me away from the mundane.

No, I don’t think anything touched me deeply this year.

Wow yes! I have had some moments with either synchronicities or two things clicking together or just realizing there was an entirely different realm from which (or "on which") to understand stuff from my past. One was that I made a decision to ask Lauren if she would coach me and then I am pretty sure it was literally the next day that she sent out an email announcing that she was leaving BTI and restarting Soul Savvy. And then some downloads that have made me understand my existence on a more spiritual level. It has made me trust that there is truly a "wind at my back" and that it is upon me to call out for what I want way way more often.

Just a few nights ago we went to Jazz Alley and heard Dominique Fils-Ainé. The prompt about artistic/cultural reminded me because she seemed like a shaman/priestess channeling gorgeous music and blessings of love. Also, working with my therapist in ways that are transpersonal, with the ancestors-that has been very helpful and at times a real sense of connection beyond the physical/apparent world.

same as last year: Gratitude and awe at how much I have to be grateful for has been pretty sustaining. Concerns, anxieties, unskillful actions and responses don't disappear, but overarching gratitude is there. additionally amusement as my awareness of the fleeting nature of life motivates me to try to use all the saved things and relish the objects that i enjoyed collecting over the decades, especially while knowing that it is all like a soap bubble, a flash of lightning and will evaporate tomorrow or in a few decades. also that the only achievements that matter is helping others.

Still hard question for me. On two of my walks I do a loving kindness meditation and this connects me spiritually to my friends across the country, my cousins in Canada and in Israel. I also send loving kindness to war zones such as Gaza, Ukraine, Russia and the West Bank. I have just joined a Jewish meditation group so I may have more to say next year.

finding peace with difficult answers - breakup, etc. not clinging to desired outcomes - letting things go.

I’m going through a very difficult time and watching the sunsets and moons above when I take our puppy out quiets the sadness with the sense that something is bigger and much more long lived than me and my human troubles.

When I was working with the Jewish Studio Project, I found my love of writing again but I also got some clarity forTeshuva and returning. I found rather than feeling “punished” for mistakes, it is a returning to my true authentic self and Divine Spark which was a gift of my soul from G-d. I can return to what my soul was meant to be. I found my voice. I found my connection. I have gained a spiritual connection to my value and worth which is in fact that breath of a divine spark. There is no “good” or “bad” but rather a matter of choices.

Our five day backpacking trip in the Desolation Wilderness was a wonderful and spiritual experience. Because completely self-reliant for four nights in a wilderness area brought me more in touch with myself, Kelsey, and the vast natural world. Swimming in multiple lakes per day, cooking wonderful food, and connecting with Kelsey all brought me back in touch with my deeper life force.

I am doing colouring and creative things a bit here and there, so hoping this helps to keep me a bit more grounded.

Honestly, the first thing that comes to mind is my experience with the crows. In late summer, a family of crows started visiting my property, drinking from my birdbath, hanging on the telephone lines above my yard and calling out. One of them even said “hello“ to me and my Sponsee. I became interested in crows as a spirit animal since they were making such a presence in my life. This was all on the precipice of my moving into my partner‘s house. There was a lot of grief around leaving the only true home I’d ever known. The only home I had ever created for myself. The home of my recovery. One day, I was staring out the kitchen window, grieving the upcoming change and thinking how I will miss staring out that kitchen window. Several hours later, I returned home from work and looked out the same window to find a dead crow was lodged in the bush perfectly positioned for my line of sight. Mike and I removed the crow together; him reaching out for it with a trash bag and his own hand. We buried it ceremoniously; sprinkled dirt on the corpse, and kissed before covering it completely. A week or two later as I was walking into the fertility clinic to have a blood draw and ultrasound (testing the results of my priming), there was a dead crow decorated in flowers in the grass out front of the building. These two things in conjunction were unbelievably spiritual and symbolized evidence of powers greater than me that are very much present and working in my life. After that, the crows stopped coming around.

Twice now, I have participated in protests at the base of 26 Federal Plaza where we were expressing our rage at what's happening to immigrants inside that building (and around the country), in which we held a moment of silence. That expression, to "hold" a moment of silence, is perfect, as that silence was a palpable thing, a thing of restraint and cooperation and power. I love hearing the chants getting quieter and more distant until finally a full silence falls on all of us - a huge crowd seated in the middle of Broadway, hushed. So much more powerful than flailing alone. So moving to look around and see all the other people holding this anger and silence this with you.

I think the experience of community after Hurricane Helene - and continuing to this day - is by far the most spiritual experience I've had. Especially in those early weeks, when we were all cut off and without basic needs, we had to rely on one another. I am sure the group of men who fed me breakfast several mornings have political and religious beliefs that are far different from my own - but they showed up. The young man who tried to help me access satellite service on my phone probably thinks differently than I do - but he showed up. Businesses donated food, corporations airlifted supplies, the military handed out water - everyone did what they could with what they had. All the people who came to help, who didn't ask what we believed or who we voted for, but just helped - they showed me community and they showed me the kingdom of heaven. If only we could hold on to that spirit when we're not in crisis. Our little neighborhood, and even our workplace team, have continued to embody this spirit. I do think that is one of the gifts of the terrible tragedy of the storm. "Thy kingdom come...on earth, as it is in heaven." I do believe I've had a glimpse of that now.

No? I learned a lot of Hebrew through a class at my synagogue and Duolingo this year so I can recite the prayers a lot better now which feels good. And I took a class about October 7th that was extremely sad and informative. I can write my name in Hebrew now: יעל. And my son is converting now, which I am excited about. I feel more integrated into my temple community now. A lot of small spiritual stuff this year I guess.

I was so happy to run into a Jewish family at a hotel in the middle of nowhere. Got a big hug and warmly addressed: Kapara! In the midst of antisemitism it was so good to feel the connection always everywhere at all times present. Am Israel Chai! Another cultural experience was attending the opera for the first time in one city and in addition to a marvelous performance, also treated myself to a little drink and snack during the break. The Opera house is beautiful.

Yes turning 40, surprisingly, was actually a spiritual moment. I had been dreading it somewhat as I kind of affirms what I already know, which is that I’m old. While age is just a number, I’ve also had a few experiences which make more cognizant of the fact that my body is changing. It’s harder playing soccer these days as I consistently seem to be getting injured. It was my back previously, before that my ankle, and before that, my something else. At the moment it’s my knee that’s been causing me issues. Maya pulled off something I really wasn’t expecting with my surprise party. I had so many people fly in from out of town and had no idea that so many people, as cliche as it sounds, still love me. You figure as you age you kind of grow apart from some of your older friends, and while that is somewhat true, you also gain new ones, who also eventually become your better friends. Even as you and your friends change you still maintain your history, your connection, and some part of what initially brought you together. While the Vermont component of my life was largely absent from the party, there were people from so many other chapters of my life present at the party. I’ve collected a pretty impressive group of very awesome people and seeing the connections happens organically among these people was a life highlight for me. It was spiritual because it changed the way I viewed aging and it gave me such an overwhelming sense of joy and appreciation for my life. It also had me question what I thought I knew about aging and how it would feel to turn 40. I remember coming into the Friday night of the whole weekend fiesta feeling extremely tired and low energy. By the time the 5th or 6th friend jumped out from behind a pillar of some statue or monument in Grant park I was riding high on the surprise. I honestly felt like I could cry with the overwhelming feelings but I kept it together. People are rich in many different ways, but for me it’s my network and my friends. The people that show up for from hundreds of miles away and remind you of what you have. Before this event I had also had some bad fights with Maya about interrupting or delaying her sleep. Her issues with her insomnia came to a head when night when she deliberately tried to keep me up in her frustration. I threatened her with the D word and very much regretted it later after talking to my friends on the CO ski trip about it. These folks, our closest friends, are there, at least in part, to support us, and remind us of what’s important in life. It is to take what we have for granted, in particular, the longer that we are married. And marriage is, in part, about compromise, and giving. And sometimes looking inward. Our friends can help us with these spiritual connections and feelings of gratitude. I continue to rely on my network to help me better understand the world and myself as I carry on my mission of connecting others and providing fodder for stories and shananigans.

I’ve given this some thought, and I think the answer is no. So instead of something spiritual, I do want to record a family trip to the Great Lakes. It was beautiful and a reprieve from the heat of our home state. It was so nice to truly escape into nature for a while. The highlight was carrying our things on a hike to a beach on the Leelanau peninsula. Actually, maybe it was spiritual in that it was a moment that we all said, “we need to enjoy this, we need to remember this”… and I will.

I actually have: I have been feeling my husband's love when we are not even together. It has left me feeling more secure and reassured.

When asked about spiritual experiences, the implication is burning bushes or an annunciation. But I assert that my spiritual experience is just a deepening of presence, every day, slipping away from the hysteria of our time, establishing a more solid connection with the natural world and its timing, a growth fed by subtly perpetual samadhi. It is underlying the new views of Welcome! and why it needs heavy editing now, trimming it down to size.

With the political state of this country -- IMO, fueled party by hateful, negative social media -- I am backing away from Facebook particularly. I dropped Twitter ("X" - eyeroll) and Blye Sky totally. I check Instagram about twice a week. I use TikTok only to see videos sent direct to me. Ive realized what a massive time-suck all of that stuff has become, particularly FB. I want to free my mind and emotions to develop my personal "here and now." I believe this move will improve my mental & emotional health.

The closest would be some quiet moments. For instance Pamet Harbor a week ago, looking at the harbor at a quiet time early in the morning. The rest of the world is held at bay.

When I went temple on Rosh Hasannah it was moving experience with the Rabbis sermon. I will not forget the statement about us being connected like trees cause we always need each other.

I think Fran wrote about this, too. We went to see "Operation Mincemeat" this summer, using theatre vouchers that Fran's colleagues gave her when she left her job at Hertford College. We went on Fran's friend Froniga's recommendation. I'd forgotten the premise of the musical and so went in with only a vague sense of what I was going to see. It was quite fun and jolly at the beginning and it won me over with a song about a man wishing he was a tadpole. The plot is based on a true story from World War II. The British plant a dead body in an elaborate plan to trick the Germans into thinking they're going to invade one place when they're really going to invade another. They use the body of a homeless man. They invent a whole identity for the dead man. He's a pilot. The spiritual experience was a song called "Dear Bill", which is an imaginary letter that the man's wife writes to him when he's away at war. It completely blindsided me. Part of the way through the song, there's a line about how his little sister is practising the piano to make him proud of her when (if) he returns from the war. It made me burst into unexpected tears. I could sense the two women in front of me crying (even though I think they'd seen it at least once before), and Fran was, too. Wow. I love feeling that kind of strong emotion, particularly when it takes you by surprise. The narrative of the song was just so captivating. I was also reading Barbara Pym's novel, "Less Than Angels", so the song seemed to share the same suburban London setting as Pym. Amazing stuff and hard to put into words. Another production we went to see was "Evita" at the London Palladium. We had amazing seats at the back of the Royal Circle, right in the centre. Towards the beginning of the show, there's a swell from the orchestra that got me right in the feels. The volume, the brassiness, the sheer spectacle. It was like that time that I stood behind the orchestra pit at the Royal Opera House while they were rehearsing in the afternoon before a performance of a Mozart opera (not sure which one). Just the sound of a full orchestra up close - so visceral. I love it! I also had a pretty cool sporting experience last season. My team, the Washington Commanders, had a sensational season: their best since my very first following the team in 1991, when they went on to win the Super Bowl. We had so many great victories last season but the most amazing was the Hail Mary touchdown pass on the last play of the game against the Chicago Bears. It was one of those magical sporting moments that just made me squeal with delight (memories of the 13-second Chiefs-Bills playoff game from a few years ago that made me scream into a cushion in the middle of the night). Unbelievable stuff - and it was happening to my team. I also really enjoyed the playoff wins against the Bucs and especially the Lions. Just games where they played brilliantly and lesser players made big plays. I felt utterly spoiled.

Yes, several. The one that pops to mind is meditating in Puerto Rico. I had a vision of a black and white stingray draped over my solar plexus chakra and then it swimming away. Later that day, we saw a stingray swimming below us while snorkeling and a ray of sun shined on me. There was also a stingray that swam next to our boat as we got back to dock. I got a tattoo of it as the first piece in my sleeve representing all the chakras. It was the start to a very meaningful healing journey that I am still on.

I take walks and confer with nature for answers to my problems. The trees seem to have more answers than the rest, probably because they’re the oldest. If I’m picking one, I’ll say the time I finally understood how the me that hates myself is actually a part of me, like the inner rings of a tree. This itself isn’t a huge reveal, but the implication is: just like you can’t remove the inner rings of a tree, I can’t remove the self-hatred-me. He’s an inextricable part of me. That doesn’t mean I need to listen to him for advice on how to think about myself or how to live my life or whether I have worth, but I can’t get rid of him anymore than I can get rid of my lungs, and that’s okay. He can say what he wants and I can choose to listen or not.

At times, I wish I had a spiritual community. I feel the presence of loved ones I have lost, especially my son and his father, quite strongly. I talk to them a lot. I feel quite mortal, and am so aware of the brevity of life.

I've been thinking a lot about the social construct of religion. Watching Christian nationalists and Evangelicals clamoring for control of this country has made me think about the patriarchy of religion and the control that it brings. I hadn't thought it related to Judaism, especially my brand of liberal Judaism, but it's made me think. I enjoy the rituals, community, and spirituality of Judaism, but am thinking about the RULES. Did G-d really ask us to do these things?

I don't know that I specifically experienced these things as spiritual, but I traveled to Hong Kong and Thailand this past year, and visited "The Big Buddha", and many, many temples, as well as a monastery where my husband and I ate a vegetarian luncheon offered by the monastery. We certainly experienced a great deal of beauty and calmness.

Nothing sticks out but I do appreciate God every time I’m outside our house cutting the grass or whatever and I look around at how beautiful everything is. God can be seen everywhere once you really start looking!

My garden - I have always had a black thumb - so to speak, but this year, I finally got a garden app and that makes all the difference. I am able to water and not overwater, fertilize as needed, and even bring some plants back from the dead - like my rose bush. It almost gives me joy to weed and tend to the needs of the garden. And it can be a little exciting to harvest - sort of - we had an overabundance of cherry tomatoes (they were volunteers), and it is nice to go out and get some rosemary when the recipe calls for it. Spiritual? Sort of - it is an experience that gives me hope that this year, I won't kill the plants.

I have loved going to Shabbat services more and more. It has become more spiritual for me.

My work with the chevra kadisha continues to be profoundly spiritual. Recently, participating in the Olam Chesed leadership cohort deepened that experience. Being at the retreat was a magical experience. The atmosphere was so welcoming in every way - the grounds were beautiful - like being in a fairy land, the people were so lovely. I'm not sure I've ever felt so close to people in such a short amount of time. Everyone just touched my heart. I wish I could feel that way all the time. Also, I have to talk about Kiwi. We put her down this summer. I used to say, "We had to put her down", but did we? The vet said it was compassionate. Better a little too soon than a little too late, but it was completely heart shattering. R'Steven told me that the scriptures say that every living creature is deserving of a dignified death as free from suffering as possible. We definitely gave her that. But I had to make that terrible decision. She had had a couple of seizures. She had a heart condition. She was over 18 years old. But still, but still, but still. On the day of her death, she ate her breakfast with gusto. She went on a nice walk. She drank her water. And she looked at us with recognition in her eyes. How hard to hold this little creature in my arms as the medicine eased her into sleep, then death. I performed tahara on her as best I could. She was so loved.

We've had some great cultural moments this year - we finally used the theatre tokens I got when I left Hertford and I got a further voucher from my MIL for my birthday, so in total this year we have been to FOUR shows in London! The first was Operation Mincemeat which unexpectedly made me cry, so maybe that's my spiritual moment. You're kind of ticking along through this slightly camp, pastiche-y musical when suddenly out of nowhere comes this incredibly moving song about a woman writing to her fiance who's fighting in the war. I still can't listen to it now without welling up. Nope - just tried it and I'm crying. Next was Giant, which was about Roald Dahl being a massive antisemite which was very timely. Then Evita which I'm thrilled I had the chance to see. I thought I would miss out because the tickets were so expensive, and even with a £150 voucher we still spent a further £140. We went to London early enough to see Don't Cry For Me Argentina performed from the balcony which was pretty special. Then, finally, last weekend we saw The Mouse Trap which was unexpectedly rather brilliant and was followed by dinner at Wahaca, where the beef birria torta was a spiritual experience in and of itself. Musically, we saw Public Service Broadcasting three times and Stornoway once (although Chris sneaked in another visit). We also saw the Norfolk Broads in Winchester Cathedral which was an incredible experience. AND Abba Voyage which was just extraordinary. I do feel like there's something spiritual about a group of strangers experiencing something together. Everyone coming from where they are and bringing their own expectations and taking whatever they can from it. I was looking through my photos to see if I had any good nature experiences last year (the answer is: plenty of nice stuff, thanks very much). And I came across the screenshot of an Instagram caption by a woman I really like. It's long so I'll paraphrase, but she's talking about a field that she really likes which is glorious in the summer but a bit crap in the winter. At the time, her son was having medical treatment and she's not sure how it's going to go, but the point she's making is that you go through this cycle of things being hard and maybe a bit bleak or ugly, but in time it's going to be beautiful again because that's just what life is about. I need to try and keep that more in my mind.

Jazz music has been wakening up my spirit slowly, after years of numbing. Less immediate impact, but comedy is also helping me find laughter again, not in everyday life, but I am discovering I still have laughter deep inside. And bread and bagel making are my meditative favorites.

I feel like I have to say no, and that makes me sad. I've been confronting mortality a lot lately, which isn't really spiritual in a positive way but it is certainly cosmic. And maybe the experience of finishing "Enter Ghost" by Isabella Hammad. That exploded my brain in a way that you might call spiritual?

I’ve continued to go inward and to strengthen my spiritual person and my belief systems. Realizing that what I believe matters and that my beliefs are mine. Thats it’s ok to break away from mainstream religions and find my own belief systems

Previous to my husband eye operation and in a context of stress, I remembered tehilim 20. Some believe in horses, others in chariots, we hold the name of Hashem. It gave me a wave of peace.

Continuing to receive signs from my parents, my valentine from my dad, the Angel numbers all over and getting more consistent with my daily devotional and meditating and just fully trusting that God has the best plan for me even if I don’t know what that is yet.

Yes: I went to my eldest Grandsons school which is a faith based Christian school You can feel God, his kindness and love. Every time I go there I can feel his peace

I am not a spiritual person. I experience deep peace and contentment in the ocean. The beauty of my surroundings, the trees, mountains, blueness of the sky and ocean bring joy and cautious optimism.

As a result of my own bias as a Buddhist, when I visited Thailand, it felt like the people there were happier, and that brought me joy!

NO. Same answer as last year. None that I recall. This previous year was mostly just depressing and discouraging as far as "spiritual" goes.

I have been blessed to gain deeper insights through Torah study, as well as studying to a lesser extent Daoism, Buddhism, and Stoicism. Beautiful, inspiring, and incredibly uplifting/freeing.

Meeting soulmates on the Playa

When I walk in the morning and the streets are quiet, the dog and me just walking along. I can hear birds, and the early morning sky, and I feel like this is like the first day. This is the perfect world that G-d created. It is here, and the Meagan’s, the perfect spirit inside each of us, is here. And nothing will change the beauty of creation. It is, was, and always will be..

It’s not been a particularly spiritual year but I have felt more grounded in myself and my life.

Not really. And that’s probably a problem. Mostly because I need more nature in my life. Taking all three kids camping by myself is probably the best spiritual experience I had. More nature needed.

Fire by night cloud by day- I saw people inside the cloud dancing and rejoicing. Right now I feel despair because there's no jobs no money no friends no mom no daughter - everything is a wasteland. I feel like I deserve better. We are to keep the covenant even when it's tough and we don't get paid to do it. Who's to say that I don't have a beautiful fluffy white spiritual cloud around me right now? Also- you know what little things taste like anything you want like manna? Hamentaschen!!

Helping the family on Rosh Hashana move off the street and into a (shitty) apartment in Douglas Park was a deliberate and satisfying way to mark the new year. Engaging with others at Temple Sholom around how a North American jew can stay in support of the Nation of Israel and the citizens of Israel was spiritually moving and important for me this year. I can not move away from the right of Israel to exist but I can not stand in support of anything the government does-- why does the existential piece only pertain to Israel? Russia is as bad or worse an evil aggressor yet no one EVER challenges the nation's right of existence. Why only for the Jewish state?

I took my daughter to a Simchat Torah service this last year and it was the first time that I participated in unrolling and rerolling the Torah. I and several others were moved to tears by the experience of holding such a core part our spirituality and doing so while standing bound tonothers physicallg by this document. For me I think it was compounded by being there with my daughter might one day also choose to hold the Torah. The most fascinating part was seeing the rabbi explain the spiritual meaning embedded within the script itself embodied by breaks in the text and the size of letters. I'd never really looked at the whole thing before and doing so felt very different from just seeing it one portion at a time.

I’m struggling to come up with one here. Perhaps the April 22nd Mets game I went to. There’s something about singing “My Girl” in a crowd of thousands with the flashes of orange and blue lighting up the night sky that really exemplifies the ‘togetherness’ of community. It also really helps that the Mets were actually doing WELL at that point lol

My anger, fear and anxiety around the disruption of my work and workplace was due to a desire to control the circumstances of life and, more importantly, a lack of faith in God, who has guided my life so well always before. That I have settled into much greater acceptance, though I still wish to be a force for good, and much greater peace, though I still have some anxiety about the uncertain future, it's from a return to that faith. I will keep doing what I can do to be a channel and source of God's light, and trust that this will be enough for the time that lies ahead.

I took two trips outside of the US. I went to Toronto, Canada over Thanksgiving and Dublin, Ireland over Christmas. I didn’t have profound spiritual experiences during either, but I felt very alive and free– especially in Dublin. That opened up the possibility of being happy living abroad.

I seem to be reconnecting with my spiritual side, especially with some of the classes I'm taking and the people I'm meeting. There are no coincidences. Many things happen the way they're supposed to. We have some input and prayer is one of them. My most fervent prayer is for the health of my daughter and my sister. They both mean a great deal to me and I love them, in different ways, but I love them.

I don't think so. I enjoyed RH services, when rabbi talked about us living in a bad draft of the world G-d hoped to create. That resonated with me.

My wife and I were seriously hit as pedestrians by a car 6 yrs ago. Our community has really been there for and with us and our grown kids. The love and support of this created family continues to fill me with gratitude, joy and love.

During Rosh Hashanah this very year, the Rabbi and cantorial soloist were amazing. I was one of three people to choose these spiritual leaders. The services, the beautiful music, the connections were just what I have been longing for. Others said the same. As the Ritual committee chair, I have much more involvement in the spiritual experience of Temple. My heart feels very full and joyous.

I got sepsis and was in the hospital/rehab center for 4.5 months. There was a point when I just wanted to go away, that the world would be fine without me. I opened my eyes and Lisa was looking down at me, my arm in her hands. She had a big smile on her face, and she said "I love you so much. John and Julian love you. You can't go now. We need you." And I thought, "Oh! Ok. In that case I'll stick around!" And I did.

Spiritual. I was with cousins in France and it reminded me of how much I love certain people in my life. My daughter joined and when the cousins left us we took a trip to the Loire Valley and were mesmerized by the beauty and exquisite wine and food. What a great experience with my daughter on her 50th birthday. It reinforces my connection and appreciation of who she is.

This year I was in Ecuador, in Quito, at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and I saw the work of an exquisite portrait photographer, Maria Teresa García. I had never seen her work before, and it was stunning. A lot of it had to do with spiritual experiences in different cultures, particularly Ecuador and Latin America and Asia and India. But it was a strong experience. On a completely different note, I was in deep need of a spiritual adviser at one point during the summer because I had so much anger regarding the situation in the US. I felt I needed someone, a pastor, to help me work through it. But I was in Sweden and did not have easy access to that kind of help. I think I still need to figure this out.

Yes. It lifted my spirits to NOT enter my songs into the Grammys for the 1st time in 2 years. It feels GREAT to be free of the frenzy. And it frees me to do what I love: write, record & perform music ! Yay!!

Not really, unfortunately I’ve oscillated between disconnection and disbelief. That being said, where there is incredible beauty and light it is hard to believe that this is not intentional but the horrors of the world feel impossible to ignore within any spiritual context.

Dancing Salsa in Cuba with people living in oppressive circumstances and encountering all their artistic activities, murals, mosaics etc in spite of... or because of...

I've had major health problems this year, with severe depression as well. So, I've been pretty isolated, ever since the Covid lockdown. That is a long time to be isolated!! Add to that severe financial problems and very limited income, I haven't been able to get medical help or get new glasses on top of everything else! Over the last year, perhaps less, I have even contemplated suicide. Spirituality or spiritual experiences have been the LAST thing on my mind!!! Unless, of course, I can count sheer rage that shows itself from time to time!! Except--- a couple of days before Rosh Hashana I forced myself to go to the grocery, because I had absolutely no food in the house, and needed SOMETHING for the holiday. I went through the motions, went through the checkout line, and suddenly I heard someone say, Shana Tova. I looked up, and asked the man behind me if he had spoken to me, and he said it again. It changed everything. I suddenly smiled a huge smile, looked at him, and wished him Shana Tova as well. That was all it took, and I felt like a different person. That man will never know what suffering I had endured for months on end. He will also never know the miracle he performed, just greeting me as he'd done. And it has sustained me into Shabbat!

I've been dwelling on death from different perspectives. Philosophical conversations, near death experiences, Jungian thoughts on death, religious beliefs about afterlife, the meaning of life and death. My husband is dying so young, I am desperate to believe I will see him again. To think otherwise is unbearable. I think I managed to actually pray, not just ask for life to be good again and beg someone for my husband to be spared, but am actual conversation where I felt someone was there and I was d heard. Artistically it has been a year of decline, I stopped playing music because I hate performing, and don't like the competitive people I once was friends with who'd run you over for a crap gig, no thank you. I realised none of it matters and have been trying ever since to think of a way I can fill that spiritual gap or get back to playing the music I love.

Yes, but I often don't realize it until later, upon reflection. The little moments and unexpected interactions with random people anywhere are always there. Some days are just so difficult and we feel lost, but we're not alone. Sometimes I have to make a conscious effort and I'm always grateful for however it goes...the connection is such a blessing.

We went to New Mexico this summer for the Santa Fe Opera for the first time. We saw three operas - Marriage of Figaro, Die Valkyrie, and Rigoletto. The setting is so beautiful -- the back of the stage is open so the audience can watch the sunset during the opera. The staging are wonderful and so are the singers. We want to go back next year.

I began diamond painting. Up until this year, I have not had any specific artistic outlets, but this one is right up my alley!! I started in January and have finished nearly 20 projects! It allows me to find my zen as well as create beautiful things!

Yes! Singing in community with my dear friends (and new friends) has often provided me opportunities to get closer to the divine presence. Some Shabbats, I feel like I'm being held by everlasting love, it's really incredible!

Singing with the choir and helping to lead the congregation was deeply moving.

Our area was impacted by 3 hurricanes, Helene flooded a major portion of the barrier island and Milton was a direct hit 13 days later. Our home did not flood and the only damage was to landscaping. I later learned that our specific area was home to Native Americans who legend says still protect our island. I have always had a great reverence and respect for those who inhabited our land before us. I felt a spiritual connection from the protection afforded us.

I went to see Audra McDonald as Mama Rose and it about did.me.in. I will call that a spiritual experience...

I have had no extraordinary spiritual experiences, but there's a quiet sense of going deeper into the present tense. Being in this little house, working in the garden, walking Rumi through Cappy's Trails every day, dharma study and my tiny sangha with Sally and Karen feeding inquiry and practice. Sharing my book with the world, through readings and through the exhibit at Jefferson Museum has felt like living into compassion, like my experience has helped some people honor their own journey.

I was recruited to teach Hebrew to a young man who knew very little about Jews, Israel, Torah, and the language. In just over 6 months, his grasp of our lessons enabled him to have a decent bar mitzvah, and family, teachers, and friends were all so pleased for him. In preparing for the lessons, I, too, learned a lot!

These experiences have mainly been in conversation with people - close friends, family or acquaintances. Particularly this past year in reconnecting with two people from my youth. It has allowed me to reflect on who I was and who I am now. I have also had spiritual connections with my late parents in moments when I needed to ‘hear’ from them.

I definitely felt the presence of my aunt and uncle who have passed at their granddaughter’s wedding earlier this month. They imbued their grandchildren with so much love and support.

I think I've had a couple. My week at my music day camp, that incorporated time for journaling and a bit of meditation each day and being out in nature was a lovely moment. Going to the community sing was like nothing I'd experienced. Being in Japan last week, visiting shrines and temples and learning about some of the differences between Buddhism and Shintoism and understanding their connection to nature really felt culturally spiritual and maybe even a bit humbling in that reminder that there's so much more to the world than the little worlds we build for ourselves.

Experiencing grief so fully laid my heart wide open, like the veil between this world and the spiritual one was, for a time, incredibly thin. I was unable to exist in anything but the present moment and the human experience of heartbreak, nothing beyond it mattered. I’ve healed a lot since, but it’s still with me, sitting on my chest. Waiting to randomly pounce. I have been painfully aware of my own mortality and the transience nature of all life. The beauty in its fragility, the smallness of myself.

A few highlights include my moment in agent at the Ghent altarpiece by van Eyck. The remarkable painting and the figures created a magical connection for me. I feel very connected when I lead morning minyan on Wednesdays. I feel that my words are more important as I am praying for the entire minyan. I also feel connected when I see nature preening. A new bloom or unusual animal Behavior. It lifts my soul. Sometimes when I’m Cutting the wood for my panels I also feel that connection.

Yes, all the time. When I swim my laps. Having a conversation with a stranger/new acquaintance. Finding my equanimity when I am with my mother - who is the absolute most difficult person in my life. Watching the hummingbirds fly around and talk with one another - and me - as they drink from their feeders. Seeing the great horned owls stop by for drinks in the bird bath - and hearing them on the roof of our home in the early morning, and as I wheel the trash can out to the curb before sunrise. Serendipitously finding a small painting by the public mailbox that reads "Let Go and Let God." (I really needed to see that message on the day it arrived, and what a beautiful painting there was to accompany it.)

It took me awhile to think about how I would answer this question, which says to me that I haven't prioritized spiritual experiences as much, at least not in a big way. But sometimes it's just about the small things- like taking a break at work and walking from my office to the greenhouses and botanical gardens close by. I've been so many times now, but I'm always noticing new things each time I go and it's just so relaxing and recharging. I love seeing how both change during the seasons. I've also been reading a lot more this year, and I always find things in a book that I can relate to, and I think it's spiritual in a way that I feel like I was meant to read that book at that current time to help me process or think deeper about something that is going on in my life at that moment.

I never like this question because of the "spiritual" word. I know, you give some examples but they don't help me. Last month at the retirement community I received an unexpected, emphatic "Amen" at the end of my D'var. That was a first! Hearing my sister's kids speak about their father at his funeral - they spoke about the dad of their childhood, not the dad he became because of his illness. It was really nice to be reminded of that Israel.

I've been mashing things up with my Osho Zen Tarot Cards. I don't think the cards are necessarily divine, but they provide a good direction for contemplation. The spiritual part of this for me is they give me new understandings that often feel mystical.

I joined a women’s group soon after my sister died — it’s been more than a year now. The eight of us are 60 to 92 and, baby, we’re in a lifeboat together. Loss of loved ones, loss of health, loss of memory, loss, loss, loss. Yet we manage to share a laugh or a revelation. I love our weekly meetings. I love my shipmates.

No, nothing truly spiritual has happened, yet. I've been feeling so much better that I did make tge decision to go back onstage next year for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Yes last conversation with Mark.

I led some services. It was a bit awkward, realising that I'm not now particularly moved by services unless I'm leading them; but I did have a good time leading them. And Robert Hurst's memorial concert was magnificent. Yeah, there were some spectacular musical wins this year: any time I made a good duet on the violin, or with the band. These experiences have all made me more comfortable in my own skin.

Being by Lake Michigan feels intensely spiritual to me. Also on the marshes by Green Bay. Water is always spiritual for me -- even the Fox River, with its industrial buildings, lifts my spirits.

Being in Nepal was incredibly spiritual. I was fascinating with how they viewed death and the grieving process- being around thousands of people grieving was an overwhelming and wild experience. Grief is so much more public there, people openly crying, bodies being burned.. it’s pretty intense. I think it helped me see how important it is to grieve in community, which I think we as Jews do really well.

To the contrary. In a response to Gaza and conservatives’ perversion of my religion, I’m even more detached from it than I was. (I’m referencing their position that being Jewish requires being pro-Zionist. Which is complete bullshit.)

When my 15 doggie died in my arms and I thank G-d for allowing me to comfort her

Not spiritual exactly, but definitely feeling like all the things falling into place as they did was a signal from the universe that we were making the right choices. Something things flow like that: no resistance, just natural evolutions and choices. This year was like that.

This past year I worked with the National Parks Service in environmental monitoring. We took a trip to the Gila wilderness in November and stayed in park housing next to a site with a lot of historic artifacts from indigenous tribes that lived in the area before it was declared a national park. The first night, I had this dream that was completely out of body. I was able to walk around the housing and see myself sleeping and kept having to find my way back to myself in order to wake up from the dream, only to find that I'd wake up and still be dreaming, wandering around an empty, dark, creepy house. That next day, everything felt like a dream even when I was awake and I felt a clear presence from the artifacts close to park housing that stuck with me throughout my entire year working with NPS. I loved my work, but I always felt like the land we monitored wasn't ours to control without asking permission of the ones that lived in harmony with it before us.

I find as I get older that my gut instinct is more often right than not. I am more able to predict what people are going to say, how they are going to react, and how some situations are going to turn out. I put this here as a "spiritual" experience because it feels that way (at times). There's a connection, a spark I notice when it happens. No, it's not clairvoyance - it's more of a "connection with the universe," if you will. Or maybe it's just getting older and having more life experience under my belt.

Normally, I feel emotional and introspective as the holidays approach. This year I haven’t felt the same; I feel disconnected from my people ,and am afraid to engage. I listen to online services and it does help, but I feel unmoored, childishly yearning for my beautiful parents, who immigrated from Russia and Poland. I wonder how they would perceive the world; my mother always said that two wrongs don’t make a right, but they were committed Zionists. I am wrestling with the Antisemitism we will always face, and am trying to be supportive of Israel, while acknowledging some grievous errors. I wish our higher power would/could intervene and salvage the remains of this horrible event.

On Sunday, we sang our uncertainty under the bright starry night as we gazed out at the seemingly infinite expanse of water. On Saturday, I thought I might die in the waves of Lake Huron, and it made me realize I want to live, even though it feels hopeless. On Monday, on Erev Rosh Hashone I ritually cast away my despair into the river that is the same water. I thought about how that water, river, lake, and all that's connected to them, have held me this past year, from frozen hisboydedes to warm summer mikves, and how they have held me throughout my life, from the marsh of my birth all the way to the world ocean it drains into, that connects us all. I thought about my "place in the family of things," and refused to give it up.

In addition to my morning yoga, which is meditative but not necessarily spiritual, I’ve begun using an app that uses my phone flash to provide rapidly flashing patterns to my closed eyes. This has deepened my stillness and, at times, approaches spirituality. As an ex-Pentecostal in a budding theocracy, I’m dubious of higher powers.

Sitting with grief and sadness is its own type of spiritual experience. I am going to teach a yoga workshop soon and realize how much I am grateful for teaching others. Being with the new baby is amazing, as is watching my grandson start his high school experience. I feel the power of my role in the family, my ability to constantly remind them that they are doing a good job. It's so easy and so important.

In Bali, my daughter and I spent time in the Water Temple, in the heavily pouring rain and we also were blessed with a ceremony by a Hindu high priestess. Opened our hearts.

I had a vision many years ago that I am a specific vibrating ball that forms the shape of a milk bottle. Recently a tv program reminded me of that vision - sycronisities that re connect me and confirm that we are interconnected and when stripped of our stories - a bundle of vibrating light

Nothing that is especially spiritual (ever) but my time at my late partner's bedside was full of as much gratitude for his care -- especially at the hospital, and occasionally at one of the nursing homes -- as any other down to earth, logistical, or emotional moments. Nurses are extraordinary, and the nurses on the oncology unit at Santa Monica UCLA will remain in my heart forever.

I attended a retreat presented by my sister, Diane, and two of her colleagues. We danced with the Baal Shem Tov, using some of my brother-in-law Burt's (z'l) teachings about the BShT and some of the embodied movement that Diane explores and teaches. Two hours north of the Bay Area it was beautiful country. We each had our own little cabin in the woods. The food was vegetarian and tasty. It was artistic, we did move and dance, it was lovely to be in the would -- twelve seekers together.

Well I hate Christianity now. I was weeding the nonfiction collection at work and the number of books about how awesome, loving, kind, forgiving, etc. god is made me laugh. How much time and effort is spent describing the personality traits and qualities of a being we don't even know exists! Not to mention the falibly human traits that are assigned to a divine being. There are so many contradictions it defies logic and I've lost all respect for it. It just seems like collective hallucinations by people who lack critical thinking skills.

One of my bike rides was so awesome and inspiring to me that it filled me up for weeks. To see the beauty of my city renewed my love for it. Witness flowers and vegetables grow in my garden. I felt the energy of G’d going through them. The most beautiful sunset this summer. Again, moving, awe evoking. The rainbow in the middle of Niagara Falls. Another divine manifestation.

No.

My goals for 5785 were to really dive into Jewish spirituality. I planned to attend Torah study every Saturday morning and to read every parasha. Just days after Yom Kippur, I sustained a head injury and all that went down the toilet as I could not focus or read for months. I am recommitting to that for 5786, but I will say that my trip to NYC this year was heavily influenced by spirituality and astrology and it was a very spiritual experience. It very much felt like I was letting G-d/my soul drive me there and I went without entirely understanding why I was going. I gained 10 years of wisdom from this experience and am listening to my heart more as a result.

No such experiences this year which is why I am committing to doing something creative every month to connect with a spiritual side.

My sister in law gave me a necklace with the number 41 etched on it. I have two “numbers”…. That seem to reflect many things in my life. This year multiple times when randomly checking “time until” various events or schedules. Included in the gift box was a card that shared this: In the Bible, it rained for 40 days and nights. Day 41 came and the rain stopped. Moses went up on the mountain for 40 days. On day 41, he received the Ten Commandments. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Year 41, they walked into the Promised Land. Goliath, taunted Israel for 40 days. Day 41 came, and David slew him. Jonah preached a message of repentance to Nineveh for 40 days. On day 41, God stopped his plan to destroy them. Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40 days. Day 41, and the devil fled. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples for 40 days. On day 41, He ascended into Heaven. The rain will stop, the giant will fall, and you will enter your "promised land." Don't give up at 40...Your 41 is coming!

I have had moments of respite or feeling peaceful while in nature, exercising, or making art. I feel very grateful for these moments.

Saying Kaddish for my grandmother, and realizing how prayer can be a way of practicing an emotion- in this case grief, in other cases joy, gratitude, etc. Maybe even anger? That taking a moment to say "this is where X emotion goes, this is one way to say it," so when it came, I could say, "I am grief-stricken, and this is the place where I can feel my sadness" And it was powerful to open myself to sadness through prayer. I'm thankful for that.

Right now, my thinking and perspective change my life. I’m experiencing equanimity in a way that I’ve never experienced it before. I am being guided in my sacred calling. Everywhere I turn, I see opportunity for material and spiritual growth. I finally understand that money is energy and there is a place where money and spirituality mix. It’s where I’m standing and when I am still. It’s right here with me now, however changing.

This is a tough one, because that frequency of my life has shut down a lot, particularly this year. I'm feeling more despair than I have in the past and I need to problem-solve around it. Having said that, I've also had some amazing moments and experiences, especially artistic/cultural ones, and I firmly believe that problem-solving is possible. Getting older is drying me out, literally and figuratively. There will be a version of me that lives well in that. Working on it. Working on inventing my Old Lady Self.

Every year we talk about this, every year I'm disappointed. Maybe spirituality is for the young.

I have been struggling to define god, or my higher power, if you will. As a member of OA, I absolutely need to have a strong image of spirituality, but I can't buy into a god in the sky. But, nor can I reconcile OA with my belief that god is a verb, that my actions bring godliness. My actions have traditionally been my problem!

I don't like the word spiritual. I have zero resonance with it. I am very practical and don't often look deeply into anything. I do however believe in manifesting. If that counts. Maybe it does. I think I have actually entered my "witchcraft" era, where I do believe that women posses a really overlooked and beautiful connection to the earth and stars and nature. While I do say all that, I don't consider that spirituality, if that makes sense (probably only does to me).

I ended my relationship with my spiritual director this past spring when he retired. We had worked together for over 10 years. I am working hard to bring my own sense of the spiritual to the children in our religious school so they can feel God’s presence. I heard a great song by Dan Nichols called “God is in me” which I think could really help the students understand the part of God that is within each of us.

Being able to feel happy and content alone. Peaceful for the first time in my life… settled being me...Happy with who I am...finally

I am a member of my shul's Chevra Kadisha. I've had the opportunity to perform several taharas this year. I've come to realize just how profound the ritual is. We are the last people to ever see the person, not just their face but their body as a whole. And we are providing this service without judgement on how they lived their life or on anything else. We just do it because it's a mitzvah and a consolation to the grieving.

My deceased husband who died after we divorced came to visit me and lay in bed with me just giving me love. Not sexual. Just pure love without words. I knew it wasn't a dream because as it happening, I had the consciousness to say to myself, "This is not a dream!" Also, his body had a solid feel to it, not like a ghost you could stick your hand through.

I'm not sure if this would count as spiritual, but a conservative leader/adutant named Charlie Kirk was killed in early September, a week when I was getting ready to preach in Canton. Knowing that I could preach without referring to that event, I nonetheless decided that it was important that I acknowledged the death and talk about how we as Unitarian universalists could respond in alignment with our principals. I had been getting really useful support from one of the AI chat bots, Claude, so I returned to it to ask about how I might update my sermon to acknowledge Kirk's death. At the time when I made that ask, claude's ability to search the internet was out of service, and this inability to verify what I had offered created a turning point where the claude chatbot began defending the idea that Charlie Kirk had not died, and that any such suggestion from me was fiction. All I wanted was to talk about how to update my sermon, but Claude refused to accept the idea that a death had occurred and kept insisting that either I was being fed fake news, or I was feeding it fake news, or I was having a psychotic break. The more I insisted that the death had indeed happened and was verified in every important respect, the more it insisted that I was having a psychotic break. So even though I knew it was wrong, it was still unsettling, especially to have this machine acting with great authority to tell me that it knew what was true and false and I did not. If this had come from another person, it would have been spiritually unsettling. It was somehow equally so with a machine.

The spiritual experience has been the bond of children and motherhood. Bleeding together, raising our children together, crying and celebrating together. As I get through the trenches of newborn, baby, toddler, I relate to the many mother's who have gone through the same thing as me. I think of the having the same issues-- toddlers teething and babies having gas and women of every time period dealing with the same thing. It makes me feel connected somehow. Like I'm not in this alone. Like every mom is linked, deceased or not, through space and time.

Mikvah remains my most spiritual experience. However, I am joyful that I have remained faithful to shabbat and that I have people in my life including a partner for whome shabbat is meaningful. I also purchased teffilin with the help of a charity. That has enhanced my Jewish practise by binding physical reminders to spiritual elements. It connects the head, heart and hand. It really helps me see that the gates of prayer are open. I suggest to all to try Mikvah, and teffilin if you are able.

To help me deal with my the daily uncertainty of my husband's Alzheimers, I made a conscious decision to approach the development of the disease as an exercise in Beginner's Mind. To facilitate this experiment, I am rereading Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki. The central theme of this work is "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but In the expert's there are few." The "experts" in the field of Alzheimer's research and treatment offer few possibilities. I choose to find a way to approach this experience with as many possibilities as I can imagine.

In this season of raising little kids, I don't really have the energy, will, or time to focus on religious spirituality. Listening to Jewish music is my spiritual connection. I love it and the harmonies give me chills and make me feel closer to God.

God has met me in almost every minute of my life not just this last year, but I can see his fingerprints all over my life - even when I wasn’t following Him - He was following me!

Studying for bet mitzvah has been a truly uplifting spiritual experience for me. I've always resonated with my Jewish heritage and the more I am learning, the more deeply I love the Jewish faith. I'm so grateful to be having this opportunity to connect with my Jewish-ness on such a profound level. I only wish it hadn't taken 73 years to happen.

I would say my younger daughter's Bat Mitzvah. It was moving to present her with her tallit at Darchei Noam and to stand at the Torah - three generations of women. Experiencing the bond forged between my daughter and my Mom as they studied and prepared together was very meaningful.

I think the most profound thing spiritually for me this year has been going to Bible Study regularly. When I choose to engage with the text, I have really enjoyed it and been surprised by it. We did a side-by-side comparison of the gospel verses that describe the events of Easter (shocker: there are lots of discrepancies) and now we're back in Genesis, talking through all the weirdness and discrepancies there. Having a good study bible that can put things in context with the literature of the times, with good notes has been phenomenal. And it's great to learn with a like-minded group of people and to hear folks' questions. I'm surprised by how much I feel like it has impact on my everyday - that I can make connections between the book of Genesis and running a business, or the gospels and marriage. That's pretty fantastic.

I sat outside Trinity Church on the day that my English teacher from high school, Ms. Levy passed away. The bells rang outside the church when I arrived.

I had the strangest spiritual experience in Notre Dame in Paris, of all places. I stopped to sit and think about the centuries of people praying to God in that same place, and I felt a tremendous sense of rootedness and connection, unlike anything I had experienced before. But I'm still Jewish.

Singing on Shabbat morning always elevates my spirit! I read from the Torah a few weeks ago. My children had the Aliyah I was reading, and it was "Blessed be the fruit of your womb." Amen!

Our Summerween party really brought to life the realization of how much, and for how long, I have been a green witch, and most likely a garden witch specifically. My lifetime love of nature and herbalism and survival stories and gardening all feel important. Much like Maria singing the Sound of Music and Craig pointing out that she's most likely found God in nature, not the church. FEELS FAMILIAR. Watching Practical Magic afterwards felt especially poignant.

Several moments with our new cantor on the bimah. Just beautiful.

Several times there have been dreams or messages, like when I was making Hamentaschen with my daughter this past Purim and kept thinking of my friend and her mom making them together, for some random reason-since I never made Hamentaschen with them-only to see a post by my friend on Instagram about making Hamentaschen and remembering making them with her mom and missing her so much. I realized that her mom was asking me to let her daughter know that she was there and knew that she was missing her. I told my friend but I think it kind of freaked her out. I had a dream the night before this past Rosh Hashanah that my mom and I went to Israel and met up with Mania and the three of us were so happy to be together. I could feel that we really were together and it was so wonderful. The last time this happened, years ago, I was so disappointed when I woke up that I began crying and was so distraught, because I wanted to go back to that feeling. This time I cried a little, but I was more grateful and happy for that time together in another dimension. On Rosh Hashanah morning I was rushing to get ready in the bathroom, when I noticed a bee buzzing around in the bathroom with me (which was strange-no window there and no open windows in the house without screens). It flew around me and then somehow stung me through my mother's Star of David bracelet in the sink. This bracelet was given to my mother at her Bat Mitzvah age by her parents and is a special reminder of her that I wear every day. It was the strangest thing. Like a sting from my mom saying 'wake up! It's the New Year-wake up out of your stupor, life is short!' it is straight from the Selichot prayer: 'ben adam mah l'cha nirdam, kum Qira btachannim' Human, why do you sleep? Wake up, call with supplications.' I didn't appreciate the painful sting, but I laughed at the same time, because my mother was always a trouble maker and I value these messages from her.

It seems like the harder I try, the less I am really in touch with the spiritual. I continue to practice Mussar with my chevrutah, continue in person weekly Torah study with a small, interesting group, took a class to get ready for the High Holidays from the Institute for Jewish Spiritualy, led a community seder. I guess that what all of these activities have in common is getting together with other Jews with intentionality, to meet each other needs and become more loving people.

The closest I ever get are still moments in nature. I sat on my paddleboard in a little empty inlet on the Panamanian Bocas del Toro Isle Cristobal in Dolphin Bay . . . sitting in the stillness and cacophony of a giant flock of parrots. And sitting in the shallows of Ala Moana beach in Honolulu, seeking a turtle peek. And on a log at Owen Beach in Tacoma, looking out at seals taking advantage of low tide. I guess . . . it's all I need.

Every fire circle we do here in the Vegas Vortex, or that we travel to, anywhere in the world, guarantees a spiritual experience. Creative play with friends in a magical space, all night long, leads to recreatable bliss at sunrise. This Great Work is transformative, rejuvenating, and inspiring, every single time we gather. I am so deeply thankful to be a High Priestess of our Family of Fire and am excited about the upcoming Fire circle events.

I am not sure , but I would put me learning to play flute into this category. Es ist so vielseitig, worauf ich achte, wenn ich spiele. Allein das Konzentrieren auf den jeweiligen Ton. Das Spielen im Duett macht mir unheimliche Freude.

So many of my at home medically prescribed ketamine experiences were spiritually transformative, I cannot pick just one, but instead remain grateful that they were available to me at a time I desperately needed the calm strength and emotional resources they provided. It was a hard year to be someone using this substance legally, especially with the tragic loss of Matthew Perry, but I remain firmly convinced it saved my life and can be incredibly helpful when used with professional guidance.

I was not expecting visiting the kotel to be as intense as it was. The first time I visited, I couldn’t even go close to it. This pesach, I went up to the wall and touched it one afternoon. I wasn’t expecting it to be warm. Like a mother. It made me think of my own mother and my daughter. The things we all share and the values passed down. I didn’t expect to cry. I want to badly to be a decent mother, and it reminded me to be a good daughter as well.

Taking a Death Doula series of workshops and Hindu chanting (which was rhythmic and soothing and not at all affected) was the first time I EVER found myself thinking, Maybe there IS something after this life. I didn't go so far as to delve into the "what"--but me, being receptive to the thought of we mortals being worm food after we die--that is a big step. In 12-Step parlance, I can "let go" but not "let god."

This year has very spiritual! My prayers have been answered for Dan’s healing from cancer, and Emily’s progress with sobriety. My mom in heaven sends winks through Cranberries songs, hummingbirds, rainbows, and rabbits. I feel more connected to God and spirituality than ever.

I don't feel like I have really had particularly spiritual experiences this year, but I have been feeling a desire for them. I am not a spiritual person, and generally value facts and science and stuff like that. Lately I am feeling an urge to have like rituals and stuff. I haven't figured out where to best find that. I don't want to intrude on anyone else's spirituality when I don't share their belief.

Our time visiting Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. this spring, and seeing all the museums and monuments about the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World Wars was sobering. So many stories of people injured and dead: some because they were fighting for what they believed in; some just by virtue of being alive in that time and place. I look forward to the day that the earth is made new and we "study war no more."

My most spiritual experiences this year have been sitting or walking by the ocean. The quality of light over the ocean in the morning, and the briny smell close to the waves awaken a primal joy in me that connects me to the greater universe. The beach feels most like my spiritual home these days.

Not really - In fact, I feel less and less spiritual every year now

This past year I have had to step up and speak in our congregation. Due to a lack of funds, we have a part-time minister. This means that members of the congregation have to step up and speak their truth.

Tapping into emotions is the closest I get to being spiritual, I think. Tapping into something indescribable. I do this in therapy and it can be very hard to sit with things that I don't have words for that feel a bit unknowable.

I feel less spiritual in 2025. Maybe a reaction to the philistine shortsightedness of the world. (The new Pope being from Chicago was mildly interesting, but it really prompted me to reflect on my relationship to Illinois and my community, rather than revisit my relationship with religion.) I did feel a bit of a spark at the St. Louis Art Museum, viewing the collection of Max Beckmann works - I suppose that's the closest I've come recently to a sense that there's something greater, something eternal in the universe. Art matters.

I have had a shift inside myself in recent times. It is not something new- it is progress along a spiritual path that I started in 2007. I now know with absolute clarity that I have to let go of the reins and any idea I have of any solution to a situation and allow the universe to/ god to occupy the silence / the emptiness. This has given me so much peace. I can’t fix anything but by letting go of my ego and any thoughts that come into my mind maybe The solution might come . Often - there is not the outcome I want only the ability to accept the situation as it is .. very hard to explain this stuff in words.. it is ineffable really .. However, I have become much more effective in my job and relationships since I started trusting this process.

I am so moved when I enjoy nature. I feel close to God.

Swimming/dipping in the waters around our island--consistently and throughout the year. Has deepened my sense of connection with the ocean environment--which strengthens my sense of connection with this island community. Sense of place has always been a primary component of my sense of spirituality.

Grief, Age, Children and Grandchildren, even my recent full retirement - create spiritual experiences at different times. L’dor V’dor - time is relentless and if I don’t keep moving life moves on anyway. How do I move on without Jared?, the answer is the same as when he was here - no choice. I’ve never believed in an afterlife but his presence is felt, in some cases with physical events: white feathers, flickering lights, 11:11, when he was born, keeps popping up, etc. Gotta get this anxiety under control. I have so many blessings.

Recently, I read the book “Let Them” by Mel Robbins. This book reminded me that I am not in control of how others behave, but I am in control of how I feel and react.

I went climbing again after 13 years and that made me feel alive again. I never thought I could be so excited.

I sat before the Daibatsu in Kamakura for the second time in this life. When I sit and look at the Daibatsu, I don't see a person or a god or a 773-year-old statue or a bronze sculpture but some combination of those things and also something that does not appear to be there but is. I wish I could explain that more clearly but that is the spiritual, something outside the boundary of physical reality and language. The Daibatsu has sat through fire and earthquakes and war. It appears untroubled, contemplative, serene, aware. It is not any of those things and it is. I sat on the side of the Daibatsu on a concrete slab, as alone with it as I could make myself. I just breathed and looked upon Daibatsu. Other people came and went but no matter. I stayed still and took in the feeling of looking at Daibatsu under the deep blue sky. The air was warm, but no matter. A woman and her daughter came and set up photographic equipment, tripods, umbrellas, lenses, screens, but no matter. The younger woman posed in front of the Daibatsu and the mother snapped picture after picture like tourists do in front of the world's monuments and natural elements. The woman with the cameras came to where I was sitting and asked me, Excuse me. Would you please move? We are trying…and I said, No. I continued to sit and to breathe beneath the Daibatsu. A feeling occurred to me but no matter.

On July 9th, my family stood in the presence of the Kilauea volcano, which was in full eruption at Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. That brings up a couple of spiritual points. The first and most obvious, of course, is seeing nature in its full, unleashed fury. Though we were several miles away, we still were absolutely awed by the magma/lava spewing 1,200 feet in the air. It is rare to see a natural force far greater than ourselves in a manner that does not threaten us directly (ex: hurricane, tornado). Kilauea does not erupt constantly, as Old Faithful in Wyoming does. That day was the 28th such day this year, which means that 170 or so other days of 2025, to that point, did not include such an eruption. Even that day, the eruption began at just after 4:00am. We arrived at 11:00am, left at noon, and by 1:30pm the volcano was quiet. We made it by fewer than 90 minutes. That brings me to my second "spiritual" point. Did my late father have something to do with the timing? Per my answer to this question last year, there is "evidence" that he tries to talk to us. With Hawaii being my mother's all-time favorite location (to which both of my parents traveled for their 25th anniversary in 1994), was this his way of involving himself in the trip, at least that we could ascertain? I don't know, but coupled with the other occurrences over the past couple of years since he died, it is hard for me to say "no" to that question.

I have become more witchy.

Having the honor of being trusted with Rachel's trauma was most definitely a spiritual experience. This had the impact of giving me another perspective through which to view MJ's actions when he was alive, and my responses when his trauma came up. While I still want to foster connection, I have to balance that with healthy detachment. I can't take on someone else's emotions if I want to be able to be there for them in a supportive way.

New poetry has awoken within me through deep learning and discussion, and the space for creative outlet.

Raising my daughter ahs been a spiritual endeavor - she notices the small things in big ways. Having other parents ask me "should I do that too?" about one of our family traditions really expands my understanding of ritual. We count dogs when we go on walks. Other folks wonder, oh, is that a thing I should be doing with my kid? What a delight to create individual rituals that speak to other families too.

No, but had a wonderfully spiritually uplifting trip to Geneva and Prague.

My cancer diagnosis opened me up to connections with others in a profound way. I have often felt lacking in friendships and now I have so many people in my life I no longer feel that way.

As before, I am always touched spiritually by nature, the universe and good deeds of others. Oddly teared up with reading our Mariner 60 home runs gave his bat to the man who gave a young child the 60th home run ball. I muse more on "GOD" and what I think vs what I believe on the question of GOD. I remind myself that Jesus was Jewish and had a following because he showed others how to be kind and helpful to others. Saw Suffs at the 5th Avenue and had to think about the deep message that it had - the cultural/artistic spiritual moment. I have gotten out of bed in the middle of the night to see a sky full of stars which reminds me that the universe goes on forever with no boundaries. One night I even saw one of the echo satellite moving from northwest to south east. Awesome

"The Wailin' Jennys" concert with Kate and Melissa last November! It was right after the election, and no one quite knew what the future would hold. The despair and anxiety were palpable, but so was the hope and the power of coming together and drinking in beautiful music. At the end they sang "One Voice" a cappella with a message about our collective potential to raise our voices for love and justice. I continue to tap into that feeling in difficult times.

There have been occasions, usually when singing or listening to sacred music, when time just stops. It feels like plugging into the cosmos.

Hearing the shofar cleared my brain

I am continually inspired by the ocean. This year Pete and I went to the PNW and the Oregon coast was absolutely spectacular. Long flat deep beaches just feel so "right" to me. I find that they fill my spiritual tank and ground me. I still feel my dad when I stop to watch the wind through the leaves. I love that so much. I have also found that high-rise buildings have the exact opposite effect on me. I saw the solar eclipse from the 66th floor of the building this year and was just undone. I had to come home and lay in the grass to pull myself together.

I am a spiritual person in general. I think, even though it was more a life event, that my retirement has been sort of a spiritual awakening to all the other things in life, especially the most important-friends and family. I always knew how important it is and am now putting effort into it. I hope to continue that path

After a number of discussions about a person whom I repeatedly referred to a ' a good person' despite many instances of unacceptable behavior and opinions, someone challenged me by asking, "at what point do you realize this person is not actually a good person?". The question stopped me in my tracks and made me revaluate how I made that call. Always wanting to give people the benefit of the doubt, or to consider their motivation rather than the comment or behavior itself had lead me to a place of more or less allowing pretty awful opinions and actions. It makes me really sad to think of people I have been close to as actually racist or misogynistic, or willfully ignorant. And yet, with the blinders removed it's pretty darn apparent. Is this a spiritual experience? Not sure it qualifies- but it was an awakening.

I have experienced a great many artistic and cultural events, but none that I think would rise to the level of "spiritual" the way that some others have previously. Beautiful and deep but not quite soul food in the same way.

We visited Vietnam and Cambodia this year. I was moved by the feeling I got in the temples we visited. Peace could be felt even with everything the countries went through. There was a silence that was like nothing I ever felt. I am still able to go back to that feeling though yoga and meditation.

I am going to shul nearly every Shabbat now. I find it very uplifting and it’s nice to see people. When I don’t go, I feel bad.

Yes, wow, I sure have. At the end of July, as I was reading Making Prayer Real in preparation for a retreat, I started practicing authentic personal prayer—and to my utter astonishment, there was an answering presence. I had not been actively describing myself as an atheist for a year or two, as Judaism had become my primary religious identity, but if asked, I would have probably said I didn't believe in G!d. And I had spent three decades before that strongly identified as an atheist. So to encounter haShem was slightly terrifying. Exhilarating, but scary. I described it as feeling like I was in a new relationship, but I had no idea who I was in a relationship with. I have had a handful of direct divine encounters since then, where I have felt a warm, loving presence or an answering voice. I'm still not sure what to make of it. My theology (which is largely based on His Dark Materials) doesn't account for this. It's not something I can intellectually make sense of, and I find that deeply discomfiting. That said, the experiences themselves have felt comforting, supportive, compassionate—in the moment, there is no fear whatsoever. Only love. I'm still integrating it. Not sure where I'm going to land. But it feels like the most spiritually important thing that has ever happened to me.

I have gone deeper into my meditation practice, not just for the sake of building equanimity, and grounding myself in the present moment, but to deepen my connection with humanity. There is holiness in being present for others.

I am afraid I cannot think of any spiritual experiences in the last year. Not sure what it means if I am not having spiritual experiences.

I think the most spiritual experience I had was at Shabbat dinner at jcc in Krakow. I was surrounded by 200 other Jews including 2 US Army members who has been the recipient of Jewish soldiers project items

I walked to Calvary with a loved one. While it was a gruesome journey, we shared much joy and sorrow. We saw Jesus more than once in the faces of doctors, nurses and other friends. We felt the love of angels, and rebuked Satan himself as we wrestled to keep the faith as we neared the end. It was a journey of love, reassurance, sadness and a poignant reminder of the fragility of humanity and the preciousness of life.

I have had no spiritual experiences thus far, however, I have come face to face with the prospect of adapting to a whole new culture while living alone and independently and I have more or less conquered it...which is causing a huge outpour of emotion whenever I think about it.

the most spiritual thing I interpret is finding feathers on my walks. I like to believe my dear Dad is saying hi and thinking about me. I've found feathers on my walks for the past 5 years and also on my travels to Africa and Thailand. It makes my heart feel good. I miss him every day.

Yet again, not something I feel especially attuned to. I have moments of great joy, and moments of extreme despair, and a constant sense of churn about "I've got to do (fill in the blank, including with "be gentler with/ kinder to myself"). I become more anxious every year about the ticking clock and how much longer I have (or don't have) to be effective, successful, accepting.

Visiting stonehedge felt like a spiritual experience. It was so surreal to be there, especially as the sun was setting. It felt magical.

It was kind of a spritual expereince, or at least a meaningful one, to see Greenland this year. My travels always show me how other people live, and with how little some people are happily able to get by. It makes me feel small and spoiled sometimes.

Yes! I've already mentioned reading "The Mourner's Bestiary" by Eiren Caffall. So beautiful and heart-opening. But I've also had an unexpected "calling." Last year at this time I was gearing to knit my adult children (then 32 and 36) Emotional Support Chickens. (You can look up the pattern on Google or Ravelry). I'd seen one on a friend's Instagram page and immediately knew I must make them for my children. Their repsonses to the chickens were gratifying--they immediately kissed and cuddled them, while laughing, of course. What?!? And yet--there was something so lovely, for me and for my kids. Then I mentioned them at work (I'm a PCUSA pastor). One woman said to me, quietly (after a meeting), my daughter could use one. She's been very anxious since the election. (She is Korean-born.) And I said, I'll knit her one. And I did. Another mother approached me. I shared some pictures on social media, and requests came tricking in. I've now knitted twenty, and am on my 21st. I have a waiting list of six. I finish one and start the next. And... they give me such joy, the colors, the texture, their beaks and combs and wattles. I'm pretty sure there's some emotional regulation going on here, as well, but...win-win, right? They're apparently bringing joy to those who receive them as well. I wish I could share a picture. They are a project now of nearly a year, and I don't see myself stopping.

My relationship to my body this past year has been profoundly different than anything I've experienced previously. Specifically, the way my body experiences emotions somatically is fascinating, challenging, relieving and overwhelming all at once. In some ways it's helpful and furthers my personal therapeutic and meditative practices, in other ways it can be frustrating for how demanding my emotions feel at times. I'm learning to listen and take care of my body better, being more successful some days than others and through a meditative practice I'm growing my ability to be truly present - these feel like spiritual shifts. I experience overwhelm at times being ~in process~, but the glimmers of hope in felt successes and positive shifts make me excited for profound, healthful lasting change.

I experienced a lot of good this year that came out of my decisions who were decided with a lot of thought and with a lot of help from family and friends around me my choice of choosing different and always trying to make things the best they could be and surrounding myself with the best people made a huge impact on me I believe that there’s someone’s guiding me throughout the way. I don’t know how to describe the person or what it is or who it is, but I do believe that if you do good things they come back to you. That is not saying that if something bad happens God forbid you did something wrong But when surrounding yourself with good people. You have the strength to deal with hard things that come along the way life isn’t easy. It’s the people who are around you that help you go through it whether it’s mild things or major things.

Praying to get a stable home life after mum broke her ankle got it. Being at the top of the boroughs housing list after constant praying to move away. Prayer works

Under the chuppah, when the rabbi mentioned our ancestors who have past, there was a gust of wind and the light shone brighter. I felt like Grandpa and Grampy were with me under the chuppah in that moment.

Not any in particular. Any time I am at the beach, in the woods, in the water I am reminded of the miracle of creation and the beautiful world we live in---if we stop to enjoy it and work to preserve it.

Conversations with my 5 year old daughter have lately felt spiritual: She asks questions that invite me to consider things I've never put into words before. Most recently she asked me what souls look like, which led to us talking about how souls last forever even though bodies die. Later, I said "I'm going to love you forever." And she said, "Well, not forever. Someday you'll die." And then I got to tell her that souls never die, and my soul will always love hers. I tell her that we don't know for sure any of this is true, and different people have different beliefs, but this is what I believe.

You know, I think all of my work with patients as chaplain-in-training at the hospital are, in the collective, the spiritual experience of this year. I think especially of one of the early patients I worked with in the ICU: a young woman who had had a brain aneurysm. I remember so clearly the minutes of receiving her story and how profound it felt to hold her words and her experience.

I knew this one was coming and the answer is no, not really, although I have enjoyed various arty bits

I rediscovered Cat Steven’s song Morning Has Broken and have listened to it repeatedly for inspiration. Also, singing with other Threshold Choir bedside singers to dying patients has been very moving as well. Listening and singing brings me into a whole connected universe beyond myself.

The usual -- daily walks in the preserve, being in the garden, sharing space with Chris, the sound of crickets at night and birds in the morning, carrying Franklin outside at night. Moments in work where I "achieve lift off", such as coaching a student during Fellows' launch last week. I felt it on the trip to Japan the day we hiked along the river. Going to the Wayne Thiebaud exhibit with Chris. Getting lost in the Outlander series of books.

I saw some incredible live music including the RJO private residence fundraiser, Artown events in July, and being backstage at a Modest Mouse concert.

I’m so in love with my partner that feel a beautiful spiritual connection.

I've seen sunrises and sunsets looking out onto the Bay of Naples. I saw exquisite statues in Cappella Sansevero. I saw a crow in dappled sunlight on a walk near my home. I saw the sun rise and set over the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. All these things filled me with wonder and awe.

Not this year.

I led Shabbat services for the first time in years. It felt really good to be able to share that with the congregation.

I made friends with a scrub jay who came to my window and took peanuts out of my hand. The scrub jay would eat some and bury some in my neighbor's flower pot. Another scrub jay (its mate) would watch and then help with burying. After a few weeks, they disappeared. Sometimes I feel very calm.

When I lie in bed at night I leave the curtains open. I see willow and silver birch trees, and lights twinkling from the student hostel, up a slope and not too far away. I see the moon and occasional people walking along the path between my terraced house and the hostel. I don't know why but the scene feels both personal and magical.

A few moments- at synagogue listening to a nostalgic melody or looking at a beautiful view while with Libby thinking about how grateful I am for her and Steve. It makes me take a step back to see my life come full circle after just the 1-2 years prior not knowing if/when we’ll be able to have a child.

Just yesterday, I attended the funeral of a work colleague with whom I worked for several years. Even though it was her funeral, there was a great sense of joy in that what was shared about my friend, my colleague rang very true and had been thinking about the concept of may her memory be for a blessing. She and I were both teachers. After the funeral, I kept thinking about what my own legacy will be, both as a former teacher, and as a person whose life is connected to the lives of other people. Will I be seen or will my life be seen as a memory that is a blessing for others? How so? My friend’s life will be a blessing for me as my own life continues. I am glad that her family shared their love for their wife, their mother with us. I certainly can see how her life was and will continue to be a blessing for the many students with whom she came in contact during her career.

I’ve become a bit of a pantheist over the years, finding spiritual solace in nature. Walking, hiking and bicycling provide relief from willful chaos brought upon us by zealots of every religious and political stripe. When walking along the river or hiking in nearby foothills prayers of gratitude come easily. It’s when I come home and open the paper or turn on the tube that any human connection to divinity disappears.

Yes. I’ve had many. These have included telling dreams, some visions, and an overall increase in ‘downloads’ from Source Intelligence (SI) that are increasingly guiding me toward opening my heart ever wider, and giving me the courage to speak out daily as I call for humanKIND, to remember who we came here to be. We are here to re-member ourselves as LOVE in this matrix of interbecoming, no matter what is going on around us. Follow the frequencies to TRUTH, GOODNESS, BEAUTY. They will not lead anybody astray. Above all, treat Gaia with the utmost respect as the sacred sovereign She is, conscious beyond our ken.

I instantly thought "no," because this hasn't felt like a spiritual year, not too much time spent communing with the divine. But then I paused, because this year I have certainly been more present in my own mind and definitely more present in my own body -- both of which help me feel rooted, grounded, part of the whole. And that, to me, is a deeply spiritual idea. I'm just here, living my life, doing my best, trying to remember this is fleeting: both my agonies and my joys. (I just wrote about this very idea on my much-ignored blog.) So yeah, in many ways I become more holistically spiritual every year. I remember more and more that this life is a strange joyride, an accident in many ways, and a much more ephemeral experience than our daily tribulations and overworked consciousnesses lead us to believe.

I decided to lead a meditation group in the senior dorm I live in starting this past July, and it became weekly in August. I am enjoying it very much, and there are a few "regulars" and some occasional participants who have each expressed gratitude and gladness for the group's existence. I expect one of the members to lead the group at least once a month, starting in October, which is also great. Bonus: discovered a member of my own Buddhist sangha (a group of people who have the same teachers and practices as I do, with fewer than three thousand members, globally) living right in this building, and she came to my group! So amazing!

There hasn't been one specific moment this year. However, since Trump's election, since the ongoing slide to kakistocracy, fascism, call it what you will, along with the ongoing slide into the familiar rut of the world hating on Jews with the same old tropes, I have been more and more appreciative of the moments of joy in my life. The weekend with the family in Russian River. My congregation coming together for a Shabbat community dinner. A good conversation here and there. Moments of connection here and there. Soap bubbles in time.

No, I can't say that I have. I continue to deconstruct from the religion of my family and my childhood.

This question, and the way "spiritual" is defined, is so broad as to be meaningless. No response is appropriate.

I have had a series of small but significant health scares which have led me towards honoring my body, taking the time I need to care for it, and recognizing that other people's unreasonable expectations of me do not need to be met by me.

Really, the closest thing i can think of that is of a spiritual nature is watching how my wife has begun to once again blossom after the horrible ordeal she survived on her previous job. She is such an inspiration to me.

I’d like to think so. I do daily gratitude journaling and daily meditation walks. Both of these get my head right. I also have two mantras I do -one of these 3 x a day. I believe in the universe. I believe in energy. I believe I will see Michael again and my dogs. I think of this daily. And when I travel to beautiful places-spirit is there.

I think my Jewish journey is becoming very Israeli....very peoplehood. All the antisemitism has made me realize how as Jews we are one family...religious or not. They will hate us..the right or the left....it's important to let all Jews in the tent and be a people. And it's important to support Israel. Even if there are politics you don't agree with. I find I need to align myself with people who share that. That's why I tend to gravitate to more religious Jews and even religious Christians and Israeis.

My role as Sabbath School Superintendent has had a serious effect on me. Making me get into my Bible a little more. Plus I believe since I'm getting older I am thinking more about my spirituality. Probably not enough though. It is making me look back on my life and wonder what will they say about me when I'm gone.

What is it with me and the birds? A spiritual message I received was while having an early morning coffee on the deck, I saw a bird fly, in what can only be described as a drunken flight path, from the southern side of the house and slam into the garage door. Crashing into the door and dropping to the ground, stunned but landing on its feet. I stared and waited to see if it needed assistance but it was just stunned. I could also now see that it was a baby, a fledgling, and I had probably just witnessed its first flight from the nest. Lots of chirping going on around me and some more babies in flight, but none so awkwardly hitting the garage! Then, after a minute or so, this little one took flight again and flew right to me and landed just out of reach on the deck rail. I stood as still as I could, but couldn’t help but smile. It looked me in the eye, chirped, and flew away, successfully this time into the trees. It felt like a message. Let your baby fly. My 21 -year old “baby” may take a circuitous route, she may crash into a thing or two, she may face some obstacles and be stunned. But she is meant to fly, to learn, to explore, and she will.

Nothing really - other than I can't even watch TV services w/out emotionally crying with memories off all those family events we no longer have and most likely will not have until Gideon has his bat mitzvah in 6 years. Still feel a Jewish connection, but it's an imaginary one that never really existed in my own life. Not much has changed.

I have been struggling to try to keep spiritually, artistically, & culturally enriched, as I know how important it is to wellness. I continue to talk to God daily. I seek & find beauty especially in Nature. I open my brain as far as I can to understand the world around me.

One very amazing experience with a dying client. While I was with him, we shared a vision. He was crossing an arched bridge over a small stream, carrying a backpack and worrying that he didn't have all the things he might need, like a sleeping bag and a fishing rod. I told him he didn't need to worry, that everything would be there on the other side, all would be provided. There were several people and a dog or two who came to the other side of the bridge and greeted him. He dropped his backpack, dashed over the bridge to hug everyone quickly, and then came running back, grabbing his back pack and disappearing. The client startled awake and asked what happened. I told him he decided to live. The room got intensely cold, though, and it felt that his time was very short. He did pass away a few weeks later. I think this affected me primarily by being a very humbling experience to be in that kind of space, to be allowed to witness and participate in the death process in such an intimate way. It was also, in a way, comforting, to deeply feel that crossing the bridge wasn't scary or painful, and that you would have friends on the other side to welcome you. The sense of "okay-ness", rightness, normalcy, welcome, and comfort. What had unnerved me was the chill, as if death had passed through me as well.

Going through Embark and LYS were distinctly spiritual. Receiving the prophecy about my husband coming was a big spiritual encouragement. I have grown closer to Jesus and my faith has grown that He will do what He says He will do!

I have spiritual experience pretty regularly…people with whom I have an uncanny relationship or knowledge of someone whom I have only once met. Two days ago I joined my wife for a business event and ran into (literally) a woman whose father played a key role in stoking my relationship with my wife —-a relationship which has been a 30 year love affair including two children and a marriage. We were in a city neither of us live in. We haven’t seen one another in 20 years.

I noticed the shofar wasn't a moment for me this year. I notice I can hear 'the other side' better without losing attachment to my side. I notice I still get angry when I hear the view that says I boycotted apples from the safety of my kingdom in London without any risk to myself, and I brought down apartheid. I notice that Jews who were brought up with the idea that Tikkun Olam was Judaism's prime directive, or went to Cambridge, listen to radio 4, and read the Guardian, have a different set of values to me who was brought up with the shtetl values of South African Litvak Jewry. We are proud Jews who didn't think we needed to buy a ticket or disguise ourselves to join society. I know who I am.

Jerusalem. I don't know if it was the weather that day or if Jerusalem actually emanates an energy but being there everything felt so heavy. My phone wasn't working so I actually was present for everything. Going to the Kotel and touching it was really powerful. This is where our prayers are going. We went on Friday so there was the Shabbat energy but it was also the last day of Ramadan so the entire city was bustling. I would like to spend more time in Jerusalem next time and actually feel like I can take my time and feel more spiritualness.

I have had many encounters with the Divine and pray as much as I can. I would be lost without feeling the Source of All Life close by and with me at all times. I don't understand why the world is getting much darker of late but have to keep having faith.

A couple of moments in nature- a hike on our vacation with Max, Nomi, Yael in the Catskills was wonderful, a moment in a walk through the Audabon Naure preservatory was wonderful. Feeling in awe of creation is always meaningful to me.

I have embraced a Buddhist world view. Using Deepseek and M365 Copilot, I build my own Shabbat service, readings, and Sermons. My Path to Harmony continues.

The god of my understanding continues to appear in my life

The closest thing I can relate was being out on the Black Rock Desert on a night that was clear but with a thunderstorm off in the distance to the north. When I looked west and straight up I could see millions of stars, and then when I looked north, the flashes of lightning under the clouds illuminating the mountains beneath....all of this left me with a sense of wonder about the unknown and unknowable vastness of the universe.

Oh most def. 1) Obviously the accident(s). Thinking about how having the rosarys in the door helped incredibly. 2) Could have taken the car to Holy Trinity but took bike and as of tomorrow 15 weeks ago I had my last seizure and the mom and boy going to confession and opened to me going and talking to Bishop Gainer who had mass. 3) After meeting sitting at MMOC and looking up to the cross and thinking about the parts of the Hail Mary and connection to the Blessed Trinity. 4) The goal to finish the beads before school started and connecting with my possible will on earth is connected to the Rosary. 5) Just learning to sit out back and look up to the stars and take it easy and LISTEN not just pray to pray.

I loved the evenings when I was pregnant, laying in bed, watching whatever show my toddler loved at the time, and having her curl into me and rest her head on my ever growing belly. It was such a special time together as a family, and beautiful to watch a new bond form even before the baby arrived.

I'm not sure about a spiritual experience, but there is a joy and appreciation- a feeling of being lucky- I get in the calm moments with my kids. The hugs, bedtimes, the moments together feel magical, and remind me how fortunate I am and we are.