Conversations

Friendship

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

A Path of Love and Freedom

Amir FreimannMay 6, 202114 min read

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

Stroked

Ram Dass with Rameshwar DasJan 31, 202116 min read

“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

Awakening in the Yard D Sangha

James GrossJan 31, 20219 min read

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

Moving Toward Hope: A Conversation with Elaine Pagels

Sam MoweJan 29, 202020 min read

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

A Conversation with Alexandra Isles

Patty de LlosaSep 9, 20195 min read

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

The Privilege of Living: A Conversation with Viral Mehta, by Pavithra Mehta

Pavithra MehtaAug 1, 201612 min read

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

To Try To Have Some Healing, A Conversation with Silas Hagerty

Richard WhittakerNov 22, 201612 min read

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

Repairing the Fabric of the World, A Conversation with Jonathan F.P. Rose

Parabola EditorsJan 10, 201817 min read

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

Wonder is a Level Within Us: A conversation with Rabbi Dr. Raphael Shuchat

Roger Lipsey and Kenneth KrushelJan 30, 202214 min read

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…

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To Go Beyond Thought, an Interview with Karen Armstrong

Parabola EditorsSep 9, 202213 min read

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

Part of an Ancient Story: A Conversation with Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee

Llewellyn Vaughan-LeeOct 28, 201519 min read

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

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

Earth as Goddess: A conversation with African healer and guide Baba Mandaza Augustine Kademwa

ThanissaraOct 28, 201914 min read

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

Longing for Wholeness: An Interview with Satish Kumar

Parabola EditorsJan 29, 20163 min read

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

To Feel the Love: A Conversation with Barry Svigals

Jeff ZaleskiAug 1, 201618 min read

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

“A Wing And A Prayer,” An Interview with Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori

Parabola EditorsApr 2, 201912 min read

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

Exploring the Frontiers of Science: A Conversation with Leo Piilonen

Jim MetznerFeb 26, 201715 min read

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

Stroked

Ram Dass with Rameshwar DasJan 31, 202116 min read

“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…