Religion and Spirituality

Our cultural moment is marked decisively by a bitter, national upheaval. The ramifications of such division are evident in the ongoing reformation of social and civic life that has fundamentally reshaped the American landscape for the next generation of public leaders, particularly those who are deeply rooted in a spiritual tradition.  

The first time I heard the word “spiritual innovator” was at a gathering at the Fetzer Institute called Sharing Spiritual Heritage. I looked around the room of extraordinary spiritual leaders and thought that perhaps they had made a mistake by inviting me. However, when they started to raise questions, questions I’d been holding deeply and with great discomfort on my own for so long, I felt a deep sense of relief and kinship, like I’d found a new family.

This summer we made a sojourn to the Parliament of the World’s Religions, both as a sponsor and to present our work. Known for being “the birthplace of the interfaith movement,” the Parliament was a perfect setting to be with others who are catalyzing a movement that brings spiritual solutions to societal issues.  

The new Public Agenda/USA TODAY Hidden Common Ground poll offers important data about how Americans view racism and racial justice.

Every person has a story. In fact, each of us finds ourself in the middle of our story. Take a deep breath. Find the center of your heart, or your center of gravity.

Where are you in your story?

This is what more than 300 people experienced at the beginning of Fetzer’s session at South by Southwest (SXSW), Inhabiting the Story of Our Future. (At max capacity one could call it a sold-out show.)

In a time when divisions seem to be widening, what can philanthropy learn about how its language helps to bridge or exacerbate those divides? Are the terms we use meaningful to grantees and those they exist to serve? These are the driving questions behind Fetzer’s early involvement in a national Civic Language Perception Project with Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE).

Spiritual innovation is happening all around us. From taking church to the streets of Skid Row to proclaiming rest as resistance within a productivity-obsessed culture, spiritual innovators are expanding the boundaries of how we access the divine and seek meaning in today’s chaotic times.