Resource List

Note: The following interview appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of The Occasional Papers of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. It is reproduced here in its entirety.

Each of us has the power to shape our democracy. Working together, we can transcend the labels that polarize us and realize what unites us. We can cultivate sacred connections with our neighbors and build a shared vision for our communities and our country. We invite you to join us in the actions below, most of which are created by our inspiring partners who are working to bring people together across divides and help heal our democracy.

Each person's grief is as unique as their fingerprint. But what everyone has in common is that no matter how they grieve, they share a need for their grief to be witnessed. —David Kessler

Death, loss, and grief are profound, inevitable experiences that will affect every one of us. They also hold the potential for deep spiritual awakening and learning. To honor the profound loss of life due to the pandemic we offer these resources on grieving from A Network for Grateful Living, Spirituality & Practice, On Being, and more.

As we grapple with the deep divisions in our country, and what it will take to uphold our fragile democracy, we share some of our partners’ resources to help us replenish our spirits and fortify ourselves for the work ahead. We offer these resources knowing that not everyone has the luxury of time and space to do any more than this moment is currently requiring physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Writers, artists, and musicians share their thoughts on kindness, forgiveness, "home," and other ways to connect with our inner lives. 

According to the Greater Good Science Center, “studies have consistently found that people who practice gratitude report fewer symptoms of illness, including depression, more optimism and happiness, stronger relationships, more generous behavior, and many other benefits.” In the spirit of honoring our interconnectedness, enhancing our well-being, and encouraging human flourishing, we share this list of resources on gratitude for you to explore, use, and share.

In our 2010 Fetzer Survey on Love and Forgiveness, 62 percent of Americans agreed (strongly or somewhat) that they need more forgiveness in their personal lives, and this number increased to 83 percent in their communities, 90 percent in America, and 90 percent in the world.

Partnering with the Center for Interfaith Relations, we are a proud supporter of the The 24th Annual Festival of Faiths, held April 25-27, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky, and this gave us the opportunity to create a special resource list for conference attendees and our online community.

The Spirit of Humanity Forum for 2019 asks important questions to support greater harmony and peace in our interconnected world. What relational practices can we foster? How might leaders actively nurture spiritual qualities? What stories can we share to transcend difference? Here are just a few resources to encourage reflection and support those on this journey toward more generative and peaceful relationships among individuals, communities, and society.

Democracy is more than a form of government. It is a way of life that can be strengthened through spiritual practices—both those traditionally considered to be “inner work” and those that encourage active engagement with our neighbors and communities. The Practicing Democracy Guides give you specific ways to practice democracy at home, at work, on the Internet, and in other settings.