Winter 2023-2024: COMFORT & JOY

“The insight that joy can arise from discomfort like a lotus from mud
is supported by another: that our lives, and the universe in which we live them, are meaningful and good, and that realization of this can bring comfort and joy in equal measure.”

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Online Exclusives


Parabola Podcast: Wellness

ByBetsy CornwellFeb 16, 2021
Parabola Podcast: Wellness

Story editor Betsy Cornwell shares excerpts from the Spring 2021 issue of Parabola, Wellness, including an exploration of the world’s healing water goddesses and a…

A New Conception of God, by Keith Buzzell

ByKeith BuzzellNov 10, 2020
A New Conception of God, by Keith Buzzell

It is our view that it is critically important for the future of mankind that a continuing effort be made to understand the depths of…

Parabola Commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the arrival of Paramahansa Yogananda in America

ByParabola EditorsSep 14, 2020
autobiogrpahy of a yogi

On September 19, 1920, Paramahansa Yogananda arrived in Boston, bringing with him spiritual teachings that would inspire millions in years to come, He conveyed those…

Thomas Merton and the Language of Life, by John Justin David

ByJohn Justin DavidJun 8, 2020
Thomas Merton and the Language of Life, by John Justin David

The early Greeks defined presence as the fundamental characteristic of being alive.1  I believe it is not easy for any of us to be fully…

Walking with George, by Sofía Vélez-Calderón

Walking with George, by Sofía Vélez-Calderón

I had never been good at practicing mindfulness, or being mindful—period—until I got a dog. Observing your breath, extolled as the surefire way to become…

Our April Gift to You: A Free PDF of “The Search for Meaning”

ByThe EditorsApr 2, 2020
Our April Gift to You: A Free PDF of “The Search for Meaning”

These are challenging times for all of us. We at Parabola are offering a free PDF of our “The Search for Meaning” issue from Spring…

We urgently need your help to carry on. Parabola is a nonprofit, independent, reader-supported publication. In order to publish each issue, we depend directly upon the generosity of readers like you. Without your support, there would be no Parabola.

Find out how you can help save Parabola!

Four times a year for nearly 50 years Parabola has gathered the wisdom of the world’s spiritual traditions to illuminate the central questions of life.

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PARABOLA Podcast


Upcoming Issues

Spring 2024:
FREEDOM (submission deadline: December 01, 2023)

Summer 2024:
REALITY
(submission deadline: March 01, 2024)

Fall 2024:
GRIEF & GRACE (submission deadline: June 01, 2024)

Please note that these deadlines apply to editorial submissions; our schedule for advertisers may be found here.



The Golden Rule Pledge

All life strives to incorporate the principle of the Golden Rule. Directing our attention toward understanding this most basic principle gives us a reasonable, common sense, and compassionate direction in anything we do. Remembering to use the Golden Rule in our own lives transforms our relationship with ourselves, with others, and with planet Earth.

AN INVITATION TO ALL:

1stStrive and Incorporate: I will strive to understand the meaning of the Golden Rule for myself and how I wish to incorporate it in my life, recognizing that this effort is sometimes hard and yet always helpful. This is my pledge.

2ndInvite and Request: I will invite others to do the same: live by the Golden Rule. We can change the world for the better when we apply the Golden Rule in all organizations: environmental, civic, legal, economic, educational, political, or social entities, including religious and faith traditions. This is my petition.

3rdStand in Unity: I will join with those on this planet who wish to take real responsibility toward compassion and fairness; and to build an understanding with others about what is to be done based upon the principle of the Golden Rule. Simply stated,

Treat others and the Earth the way you want to be treated

Respect for All Life is the foundation.
The Great Law of Peace, Native American

The Golden Rule Project will continuously make the results of this pledge/petition/proclamation available for all to see and utilize. The more of us who agree and sign, the more power we share as we petition our representatives to live by and apply the Golden Rule in real life situations. This is our Proclamation.