To Go Beyond Thought, an Interview with Karen Armstrong
One bright spring day, Parabola met with Karen Armstrong in her suite at the Parker Meridian hotel in Manhattan. The petite, friendly 62-year-old British ex-nun, arguably the most influential commentator on religion in the English-speaking world, was on tour to…
The Gates of Paradise
In the following passage from his new autobiography, Becoming Who You Are, Joseph Rael (Beautiful Painted Arrow) relates to David Kopacz, M.D., some of his extraordinary shamanic experiences.– The Editors Some people call me a shaman or a medicine man.…
Wonder is a Level Within Us: A conversation with Rabbi Dr. Raphael Shuchat
Parabola reached out recently, via a Zoom link, to Raphael Shuchat at his home in Israel. We had met him with his family at a vacation spot in upstate New York in summer 2021, not far from his original home…
Make This Moment a Diamond
Father Guidalberto Bormolini asks people to take a new view of death—and life. After training as a lute maker, he became a priest and monk and studied extensively about both ancient and modern spiritual and religious teachings. He has created…
Pure Gold
The Bhagavad Gita—the “Song of Spirit”—has been a living scripture and moral doctrine, a veritable “golden rule” of Indian civilization for thousands of years. Its seven-hundred verses are a sacred dialogue between the Lord Krishna in his role as Cosmic…
An Interfaith Crucible
A Conversation with Mirabai Starr Mirabai Starr is an adjunct professor of philosophy and world religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos. She is the author of God of Love: A…
Part of an Ancient Story: A Conversation with Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee
Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee photographed by Richard Whittaker One August day recently in northern California, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee sat down with Parabola to speak about free will and destiny. The…
A Path of Love and Freedom
Born in London in 1953, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee has followed the Naqshbandi Sufi path since he was nineteen. In 1991 he became the successor of Irina Tweedie, author of Daughter of…
Repairing the Fabric of the World, A Conversation with Jonathan F.P. Rose
Jonathan F.P. Rose I met Jonathan F.P. Rose in Manhattan, the week a snow storm knocked out power in much of the Northeast. Heating by woodstove…
Make This Moment a Diamond
Father Guidalberto Bormolini asks people to take a new view of death—and life. After training as a lute maker, he became a priest and monk and studied extensively about both…
“A Wing And A Prayer,” An Interview with Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
Katharine Jefferts Schori in 2008 (Wikipedia) On Nov. 4, 2006, at a ceremony in Washington’s National Cathedral, Katharine Jefferts Schori became the presiding bishop of the…
Friendship
For several years, journalist Judith Valente and Trappist monk Paul Quenon exchanged letters on essential topics. Here is one exchange. —The Editors Dear Brother Paul, There are many things about…
How to Open Ourselves Out: A Conversation with Abhijata Iyengar
BKS Iyengar and Abhijata Iyengar Exploring yoga with the guru’s granddaughter In January 2018 I went to study yoga at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Institute in…
Exploring the Frontiers of Science: A Conversation with Leo Piilonen
I’ve interviewed hundreds of scientists and engineers. Typically there are no surprises. The scientists are happy to share what they know, more or less by rote. Every once in a…
A Conversation with Alexandra Isles
Patty de Llosa: The theme for this issue of Parabola is “Seeing,” so can you tell me how you come up with an idea and then turn it into a visual action?…
The Gates of Paradise
In the following passage from his new autobiography, Becoming Who You Are, Joseph Rael (Beautiful Painted Arrow) relates to David Kopacz, M.D., some of his extraordinary shamanic experiences.– The Editors…
To Go Beyond Thought, an Interview with Karen Armstrong
One bright spring day, Parabola met with Karen Armstrong in her suite at the Parker Meridian hotel in Manhattan. The petite, friendly 62-year-old British ex-nun, arguably the most influential commentator…
Grace is Here!, A Conversation with Ram Dass
Ram Dass. Photograph by David Ulrich Recently we had the opportunity to visit and interview Ram Dass in his home amidst the exceptional natural beauty of the…
The Wisdom of the Animals, by Phil Borges
A conversation with wildlife educator Steve Karlin In 1980 Steve Karlin, a former National Parks Service ranger, founded Wildlife Associates, dedicated to educating people about animals and the environment. Now…