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 myself of which I am not proud. One thing in…
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 Fire and who brought this particular Indian branch of Sufism…
Stroked
“Are you sick?” Jai asked. When I couldn’t articulate a response, Jai said to tap with the phone, once if I was okay, twice if I needed help. I kept tapping. He immediately called my secretaries, Marlene Roeder and Jo…
Awakening in the Yard D Sangha
As surely as there is a voyage away, there is a journey home. —Jack Kornfield, After the Ecstasy, the Laundry The premise behind the Buddhist precepts is freedom from suffering, fostering wellbeing—no matter how invincible unskillful words and actions leading…
Moving Toward Hope: A Conversation with Elaine Pagels
Gospel of Thomas and The Secret Book of John. Codex II The Nag Hammadi manuscript. 2011 As a young scholar, Elaine Pagels breathed new life into the dusty subject of early Christianity in 1979 with the publication of her influential…
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 Privilege of Living: A Conversation with Viral Mehta, by Pavithra Mehta
Viral Mehta In mid-August 2015, Viral Mehta, a co-founder of ServiceSpace.org, was diagnosed with an acute form of bone marrow suppression. In the passages below, his…
To Try To Have Some Healing, A Conversation with Silas Hagerty
Silas Hagerty. Photo by and courtesy of Richard Whittaker Silas Hagerty was a young filmmaker in his twenties when I met him at a Servicespace retreat.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Earth as Goddess: A conversation with African healer and guide Baba Mandaza Augustine Kademwa
Baba Mandaza Augustine Kademwa, from Zimbabwe, was born a Svikiro (in Shona, his native tongue), a carrier of many earth and water spirits, and a Mondhoro (Lion), one who is…
Longing for Wholeness: An Interview with Satish Kumar
Photograph of Satish Kumar courtesy of The Resurgence Trust Satish Kumar: When you accept the state of being a stranger, you are no longer a stranger.…
To Feel the Love: A Conversation with Barry Svigals
Main Entry Perspective, new-Sandy Hook School How do you heal from sorrow beyond compare? In the beautiful woods of Newtown, Connecticut, a new elementary school is…
“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…
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…
Stroked
“Are you sick?” Jai asked. When I couldn’t articulate a response, Jai said to tap with the phone, once if I was okay, twice if I needed help. I kept…