Elders, mentors, sages and saints ....
... We all have names for those folks, whether currently living or long-dead, who helped shape our lives to this point. So also do we celebrate how they might continue to help us on our way by their impact in this world, the examples of their lives we can follow, their wisdom and insight that was often born of struggles we will never know.
On this page, to the left, you will find some links regarding a few folk who have made a difference for many. Some are still making that difference. Take a look for how and why their lives have meaning. Consider the path of your own life and faith. And know that somewhere there is likely another person who is watching you for inspiration and strength, as well.
How will your life inspire the ones who are coming after us?
Angeles Arrien, PhD: spiritual biography (commonweal)
Anisa Mehdi: an american muslim
Benedict's rule: a commentary of the wisdom of St. Benedict
Black Elk: healer, spiritual leader, teacher, sun dancer
Carrie Newcomer: musician, poet, mystic
Catherine of Siena: teacher, doctor, activist
Cedric Jennings: inner city to ivy league
Columcille (Columba): monk, author, celtic monastic
C.S. Lewis: life, love and legacy
Cuthbert of Lindisfarne: prior, hermit, bishop
David Spangler: apprenticed to spirit (commonweal)
David Steindl-Rast: spiritual biography (commonweal)
David Whyte -- poet (commonweal)
Deitrich Bonhoeffer: theologian, pastor, martyr
Eboo Patel: interfaith youth spirituality
Elizabeth Hamilton: untrain your parrot
Elizabeth Lesser: writer, mystic, teacher, co-founder of
Francis Collins: science and god
Francis of Assisi: mystic, teacher, founder of franciscan
Fred Craddock: preacher, story-teller
Frederica Matthewes-Green: Orthodoxy
Frederick Buechner: author, theologian, mystic
Fritz & Vivienne Hull:
environmentalists, activists, mystics and teachers
- about
- Fritz Hull: spiritual biography
- Iona: a guide to the sacred isle
- Iona Report: story of an enduring vision
- Women Of Whidbey: Vivienne Hull
Gary Malkin: forward through grief
Geri Larkin: buddhist teacher, writer
Gregory Fruehwirth: exploring faith
Harold Kushner: rabbi, counselor, author
Henri Nouwen: priest, pastor, friend
Hildegard of Bingen: monastic, prophetic visionary, musician
John O'Donohue: priest, philospher, activist
Julian of Norwich: mystic, writer, anchoress
Juris Rubensis: faith under totalitarianism
Kurt Hoelting: on inside passages
Lawrence Kushner: jewish spirituality
Leonard Sweet: faith and future
living spiritual teachers project
Luci Shaw: god, nature and poetry
Marjorie Corbman: teens and faith
Mark Nepo: poet, philospoher, teacher
Martin Luther King, Jr.: moving mountains
Matthew Fox: theologian, mystic, teacher
Orlando Bishop: spiritual biography (commonweal)
Parker Palmer: teacher, activist
-center for courage and renewal bio
Philip Gulley: author, theologian, story-teller
Phil Miller: on ritual and holy days
Rachel Carson -- scientist, environmentalist, mystic:
Rachel Naomi Remen, MD (commonweal)
- stories & poems at end of life
Rainer Maria Rilke -- poet:
- poems
(links continued in next column)
(links continued here)
remembering spiritual masters project
Richard Rohr: priest, mystic, teacher
Robert Capon -- priest, theologian, food critic:
- rip
writing and children's spirituality
Simone Weil: philosopher, activist
Shunryu Suzuki Roshi: teacher, monk, zen master
- the life and teachings of Suzuki
Tenzin Gyatso: 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
Teresa of Avila: mystic and more
Thich Nhat Hanh -- monk, teacher, activist, scholar, poet :
- peace, presence, mindfulness
Thomas Berry: priest, mystic, theologian, environmentalist
- keating on contemplative prayer
Thomas Merton: monk, poet, spiritual leader, activist
Thomas Moore: author, mystic, teacher
Simone Weil: philosopher, activist
Shunryu Suzuki Roshi: teacher, monk, zen master
- the life and teachings of Suzuki
Tenzin Gyatso: 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
Teresa of Avila: mystic and more
Thich Nhat Hanh -- monk, teacher, activist, scholar, poet :
- peace, presence, mindfulness
Thomas Berry: priest, mystic, theologian, environmentalist
- keating on contemplative prayer
Thomas Merton: monk, poet, spiritual leader, activist