Author Archives: Morgan Mussell

Crazy Wisdom is No Bull!

Posted on March 26, 2018

“Crazy Wisdom” is an attribution given to certain “unconventional” holy men in eastern traditions, but it applies equally well to some of our western saints. Saint Francis preached to birds and wolves, while Aquinas, after a lifetime of scholarship, had … Continue reading →

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Posted in art, Buddhism, Culture, Imagination, Poetry, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A change coming

Posted on March 18, 2018

I’ve been enjoying the recording of a discussion at a conference with James Hillman and Michael Meade on literal, psychological, and mythological modes of understanding. Hillman, a former director of the Jung Institute in Switzerland, has been the most prolific and influential … Continue reading →

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Posted in Imagination, Myth, Poetry, Psychology, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Must We Remain A Nation of Small Ideas?

Posted on January 29, 2018

Ursula Le Guin died on January 23, at the age of 88. I first encountered her writing in the seventies. After multiple readings of The Lord of the Rings, I was hungry for more heroic-quest fantasy novels. There were plenty … Continue reading →

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Posted in Authors, Books, Culture, Fantasy, Novels, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Winter Feast for the Soul, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2018

The Winter Feast for the Soul, now in it’s 11th year, is a 40 day, worldwide online meditation intensive that encourages people to begin or deepen a spiritual practice. Instructors from all spiritual traditions suggest simple practices that fit into the schedules … Continue reading →

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The White Snake – An Enigmatic Tale from the Brothers Grimm

Posted on January 11, 2018

I once had a professor who made an extensive study of world folklore and said the greatest predictor of success for a fairytale hero is winning the help of an animal guide. Most often, the helpful animals are mammals, like … Continue reading →

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Posted in Animals, Folklore, Imagination, Nature, Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Mystic Mountain

Posted on January 6, 2018

Tsering Dhondup, born in Lhasa, Tibet, was 10 when he and his father walked over Himalayan passes to exile in India. Recalling the experience, he says, “In order to take my mind off the dangers that lurked beneath each step of … Continue reading →

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Posted in Buddhism, Movies, Tibet | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Silence, Stillness

Posted on December 31, 2017

If we have a bit of quiet time and pay attention at the turning of the year, we can feel a pause in the world and rest there. It’s easier to experience this in the natural world, but what we … Continue reading →

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Posted in Inspirational, Meditation, Nature | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

John Believer’s Prophecy

Posted on December 21, 2017

When I was a college freshman in Oregon, a bearded fellow in a long black coat would sometimes harangue the crowds in the quad at lunch time. He’d bring a box to stand on and a Bible to wave. He … Continue reading →

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Posted in Culture, Current Events, Politics, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments