From Darkness to Light: Navigating the Hardest Transition of the Year
Each year, as winter melts into spring, an ancient rhythm begins to stir. The light returns, the birdsong grows louder, and the world seems to lean forward, pressing us toward movement, change, renewal. And yet, for many of us—myself included—this...
Nature, Science & Resilience, Oh My!
Interconnectedness is one of the underpinnings of ecological spirituality. For many of us, it is something we innately know or feel. For others, the concept remains abstract. Dr. Lisa Miller—author and researcher from Columbia University—will join us May 5 and...
Building Bridges to Unity in Diversity
For the last year, Prairiewoods has been exploring six important principles that are central to an ecological spirituality. Principles that are supported by science as well as our own experience. We have talked about the Universe Story, transcending dualism, revisiting...
What Science Reveals
Strengthening our spirituality is more than something that feels good or is “nice to do.” According to research by Dr. Lisa Miller from Columbia University, cultivating our spirituality is imperative for our thriving, wellbeing and wholeness. As we care for...
Exploring Traditional Chinese Meditative Arts
The methods of self-cultivation found in Chinese meditation, Qigong and Tai Chi were developed over thousands of years as a way to remain strong and balanced when confronted by times of cultural and political unrest similar to today. In this...
Combatting Diseases of Despair
Many of us have had to say goodbye to someone far too soon as the weight of mental illness has become too heavy. Or we’ve sat on the side of a hospital bed, gutted and in shock that a loved...
Journey of Healing
Dear friends, At a dark time in my life when I desperately needed a spiritual community and divine feminine energy, the people and the sacred space of Prairiewoods helped bring me healing and illuminated my path. Since first experiencing the...
Stewards of Divine Creation: God’s Guests
We are all guests of God’s hospitality. The world in which we live is pure gift,” proclaims theologian Monika Hellwig in her famous work Guests of God: Stewards of Divine Creation. Our very existence, human nature, consciousness, intelligence, creativity …...
Spirituality in the 21st Century: The Awakened Brain
Prairiewoods is preparing for our annual Spirituality in the 21st Century event May 5 and 6. This year, Dr. Lisa Miller will talk about the connections between spirituality and mental health. We asked Prairiewoods friend Kimberly Abram questions about her...
Litany of the Saints
Dear friends, In these turbulent times, many of you have been asking how we can be positive and constructive in bringing peace and justice. Besides writing to our representatives, I might recommend tapping into a very powerful resource. During meditation...
Kintsugi: The Japanese Art of Repairing Things that Are Broken
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold or other precious metals. The object is more beautiful and valuable after being put back together. The Franciscan Spirituality Center (Prairiewoods’ sister center in La Crosse, Wisconsin) has hosted...
What Is Life Showing You Now?
According to Columbia University researcher and psychologist Dr. Lisa Miller, an Awakened Brain is an aware brain. It is available for new opportunities, surprises or even new information that turns our heads. She writes, “We are not alone. Life is...
Terra Divina: A Spiritual Practice of Engaging with Earth
After the festive month of December, January often feels like a slog. The fun is over, and now we’re left with just winter. True, the light is returning, but there are still months before the green time—months of snow, ice,...
Stepping into Wholeness
As we move into the new year and the light steadily grows, I find myself reflecting on the fullness of life that emerges through connection and balance—within ourselves, with others, and with the natural world. It is a process of...
Spirituality Can Protect Our Brains from Despair
The Spirituality Mind Body Institute and Dr. Lisa Miller have conducted research over several decades that has shown the profound protective effect of spirituality. The research indicates that spirituality is not dependent on a particular denomination or tradition but is...