Spirituality

  • Vanderbilt University

    A Benchmark for Our Actions

    A reflection from our dean, Emilie M. Townes, for October 2022: Lately, I’ve been finding myself talking about integrity in the various talks I’ve been giving. I do so because I think having integrity and living our lives by modeling it gives us a benchmark for our actions.  In this… Read More

    Oct. 16, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    2022 Charge to the Graduates: Imagine Again

    well, for those of you who began your time here in the fall of 2019, you have been through it—not just in the classroom—but in the events that surrounded our lives that academic year began with a dispute between the subcontractors that built the new wing of our building… Read More

    May. 20, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    The nature and necessity of bone-deep love

    Bone-deep love calls us to live our lives out of the possibilities found in wholeness, self-reflection, justice, peace, a new heaven and a new earth, hope and not our shortcomings—that rest on greed, self-centeredness, avarice, coveting, despair. Amazing love moves us to grow in compassion, understanding, and acceptance of each other. A far better place to be morning by morning and day by day. Read More

    May. 3, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    No matter what the world hands us we give back love

    Somehow, no matter what the world hands us we give back love, we stand for goodness, we live our faith, we live with integrity. we live God’s grace large, we stand with the least of these, we build bridges of salvation, liberation, justice, joy, and deep spirit that can carry the depth and breadth of humanity over them. Read More

    Apr. 4, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    A blessing for the imposition of ashes

    Maker of all things, In a season when we long for touch, presence, connection, we remember our place in the vastness of creation. As we enter a season of 40 days of spiritual preparation, we confess the habits of oppression often come more easily than the practices of sharing resources… Read More

    Feb. 17, 2021

  • Vanderbilt University

    The end and the beginning

    Image: Glitter Ashes in a small terra cotta dish. They are on a woven blanket of rainbow colors in the sun. There are candles and other bowls in the background. Provided by the Rev. Lyndsey Godwin. Read a blessing for the imposition of ashes >> An Ash Wednesday reflection… Read More

    Feb. 17, 2021

  • Vanderbilt University

    When a Bird Crashed Into My Window on a Pre-Yom-Kippur Jewish Meditation Virtual Retreat

    Saturday 26 Sept  / 8 Tishrei When a Bird Crashed Into My Window on a Pre-Yom-Kippur Jewish Meditation Virtual Retreat It was yoga time The instructor was guiding us from downward dog to cobra, when I heard a loud thunk. My mind began to race. I noticed it racing… Read More

    Sep. 27, 2020

  • Embodied Mutuality

    Embodied Mutuality

    A lenten reflection by Lyndsey Godwin (she, her, hers), Assistant Director of the Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality. Foot-washing is a practice of mutuality, embodied. It represents, for me at least, the whole of Jesus’ ministry. This ritual, this… Read More

    Apr. 9, 2020

  • a moment of meditation

    a moment of meditation

    As we explore what it means to be in community virtually, we’ve been meeting weekly on Mondays for a moment of poetry, song, and silence. Periodically, we’ll be sharing parts of those gatherings here, as a resource for you to center… Read More

    Apr. 1, 2020