Thoughtful Perspectives on Modern Issues
Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” achieves something rare in environmental literature: it successfully bridges Western scientific methodology and Indigenous wisdom traditions, creating a tapestry of understanding that feels both urgent and timeless. As a botanist of Potawatomi heritage, Kimmerer brings unique authority to this synthesis, navigating…
Climate Disasters Through the Lens of Islamic Environmental Stewardship Ancient Wisdom for Modern Crises: What Yemeni and Pakistani Islamic Traditions Teach Us About Climate Suffering The summer of 2025 has brought unprecedented climate disasters to two Muslim-majority nations already struggling under the weight of conflict and poverty. In Yemen, torrential floods since August have displaced…
Ancient Wisdom on Symbols and Their Power Today’s executive order regarding flag desecration brings into sharp focus an ancient tension that has stirred human hearts for millennia: the clash between reverence for sacred symbols and the freedom to challenge them. As we grapple with these contemporary questions, we would do well to turn to the…
What Contemplative Traditions Teach About Public Discourse In our age of instant communication and perpetual noise, we have paradoxically lost one of humanity’s most essential skills: the art of deep listening. Social media algorithms amplify our own voices back to us, political discourse has devolved into competing monologues, and the speed of modern life leaves…
Ancient Wisdom on Grace and Effort Life has a way of presenting us with challenges that feel too big, too sudden, or too unfair. In these moments, we often find ourselves caught between two extremes: either frantically trying to control everything through sheer willpower, or passively waiting for circumstances to change. Ancient wisdom traditions offer…