Fetzer Institute

#SpiritualFreedom In our recent Shared Sacred Story episode, Laura Dunn shares a pivotal moment from her youth that shaped her spiritual journey. As an eighth-grader in Catholic school, confirmation of her faith was right around the corner. However, her grandparents took an unusual step. Instead of thrusting her headlong into the next stage of a prescribed faith walk, they asked if this was truly what she wanted. This simple question, offering her the choice in her faith journey, was unprecedented in her experience. Laura's immediate "no" and her family's acceptance of this decision became a turning point. It granted her the freedom to explore her spirituality on her own terms, ultimately leading to a rich career in interfaith studies and dialogue. This story highlights the profound impact that respecting individual choice can have on personal and spiritual development. It raises important questions about how we approach faith education and the value of allowing young people to make their own spiritual decisions. Listen to the full episode to explore more insights on spiritual autonomy and growth: https://lnkd.in/gt-P_E-V #spiritualautonomy #faithjourney #personaldevelopment #interfaithstudies #lauradunn

Faith in Public Life: A Member of the Faith and Philanthropy Pooled Fund ? “Some of the most powerful movements have happened when different faith communities bring their wisdom, bring their base of spirituality into a common space.” — Dora Muhammad, Sr. Director, Faith in Public Life. ? Faith in Public Life is a multifaith, multiracial coalition of 50,000 leaders committed to creating equity, justice, and liberation for all. The cohort is centered on key concepts, including the #sacredness of #humanrights and a desire to create the space for people to see and hear themselves reflected in society. From calling people to visiting legislators to praying together, Faith in Public Life is empowering individuals with the courage to speak out and love their neighbors. ? How #Spirituality Makes Our Work Different: At Faith in Public Life, spirituality is the foundation of their mission. They believe that faith, when rooted in compassion and love, can be a powerful antidote to the polarization and exclusion we see today. By drawing on shared spiritual values like dignity, equity, and inclusion, they strive to create a society where everyone can flourish. ? About the #FaithandPhilanthropy Fund The Faith and Philanthropy Pooled Fund is a collaborative initiative of funders and partners in mission, aiming to catalyze change within the world of philanthropy. The fund provides support to Sacred-centered organizations and leaders who have been marginalized, undervalued, or excluded. Through videos that highlight their stories, we see the powerful role of #spirituality and #faith in driving #socialchange. ? Learn More by visiting our YouTube channel, here: https://lnkd.in/gy9x8ABM

Boundless Freedom Project —?A Member of the Faith and Philanthropy Pooled Fund ? “From the first point you’re booked into the system, you’re given a number … You’re no longer the individual. You’re a number, and you’re the worst thing that you’ve ever done.” Alya Benjamin, Executive Director of Boundless Freedom Project ? The Boundless Freedom Project seeks to bring mindfulness and spiritual transformation to #incarcerated individuals across California. Volunteer team members guide men convicted of violent crimes past #trauma and help them develop self-awareness through #Buddhist teachings and sacred meditation centered on emotional regulation and self-control. ? Over 1,000 incarcerated individuals learn to relax, reflect, and find a deeper sense of peace every year through the efforts of those involved in the Boundless Freedom Project Initiative. ? How #Spirituality Makes Their Work Different: At Boundless Freedom, spirituality provides a pathway for participants to connect with something much larger than their current circumstances. Through mindfulness and Buddhist principles, they find the tools to manage their thoughts, emotions, and relationships. These practices not only foster inner peace but also cultivate empathy and self-awareness, offering hope and the potential for a transformed life. ? About the F&P Fund The Faith and Philanthropy Pooled Fund is a collaborative initiative of funders and partners in mission, aiming to catalyze change within the world of philanthropy. The fund provides support to Sacred-centered organizations and leaders who have been marginalized, undervalued, or excluded. Through videos that highlight their stories, we see the powerful role of spirituality and faith in driving social change. ? Learn More by visiting our YouTube channel, here: https://lnkd.in/gzuwqJ_v

We have an exciting announcement! Rev. Jennifer Bailey will become the Executive Director of the Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund on February 3, 2025. Jennifer is in the midst of a prestigious and expansive career spent at the intersection of religion and public life. She is a highly sought-after speaker, a member of the Fetzer Institute Board of Trustees, and the founder of the Faith Matters Network. In her time at FMN, Jennifer and her team helped develop and empower 25,000 leaders to heal themselves and their communities through #womanistwisdom. As she transitions from a 10-year tenure as Executive Director of FMN, Jennifer seeks to bring a fresh sense of vision to her new position at the Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund, a vision influenced by a life spent seeking sacred, spiritually-centered justice for all. We look forward to seeing how Jennifer continues to flourish in her new position as she brings a new energy and outlook to the foundation. Congratulations, Jennifer! You can read more about Jennifer’s season of transition here: https://fetz.us/40TkG2W

New Ways of Seeing the World So many places in the world are known for a specific thing. Hawaii, for instance, is popularly known for its tropical allure. But for anybody raised there, life looks a lot different than for a person on the outside looking in. Laura Dunn reflects on her upbringing, describing it as a culture of hybridity, where the boundaries between people and traditions often feel thin. Growing up Catholic, she didn’t initially have exposure to different spiritual perspectives, but being surrounded by diverse cultures opened her up to new ways of seeing the world. Her journey illustrates how our backgrounds can shape our understanding of spirituality. How has your environment shaped your view of the world? Tune in to hear more about Laura’s experiences in our latest episode of Shared Sacred Story: https://lnkd.in/gt-P_E-V #culturalhybridity #spiritualjourney #hawaiianculture #lauradunn

Acres of Ancestry: A Member of the Faith and Philanthropy Pooled Fund “The land is central to our #liberation. It’s central to our #spiritualpractice. It’s central to #culturalpreservation.” — Tracy McCurty, key leader of the Acres of Ancestry Initiative. The Acres of Ancestry Initiative — a member of the Faith and Philanthropy Pooled Fund — is dedicated to preserving Black ancestral farmland and cultural traditions in the Southern United States. Through #spiritualhealing and economic justice, the initiative works to protect the legacy of Black farmers and artisans, ensuring that land, culture, and history are passed down to future generations. How #Spirituality Makes Their Work Different: At the heart of the Acres of Ancestry Initiative is the understanding that land is central to both liberation and cultural memory. Rooted in Southern Black agrarian ways of knowing, their work is about more than land ownership — it's about spiritual healing, reclaiming cultural traditions, and rebuilding communities. By intertwining faith, ancestral knowledge, and economic justice, they create a space where joy and resilience thrive alongside justice. About the F&P Fund The Faith and Philanthropy Pooled Fund is a collaborative initiative of funders and partners in mission, aiming to catalyze change within the world of philanthropy. The fund provides support to Sacred-centered organizations and leaders who have been marginalized, undervalued, or excluded. Through videos that highlight their stories, we see the powerful role of #spirituality and #faith in driving #socialchange. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gHj8T3jS

A Lifelong #SpiritualJourney At 18, Laura Dunn started exploring meditation, yoga, and Hinduism while studying fine arts at the University of Hawaii. She was drawn to the spiritual side of things, her curiosity driving her toward different practices and teachings. These early experiences opened the door to a lifelong spiritual journey, where creativity and inner exploration became deeply connected. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the path to finding yourself starts with just a little curiosity. Listen to Laura’s story and how her journey has evolved over the years. Full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gt-P_E-V #spiritualgrowth #meditation #artandspirituality #sharedsacredstories #fetzerinstitute #lauradunn

The question of the Sacred is deeply intertwined with the question of life's meaning. In a recent interview with a friend of ours from Perkins Theology School, Ruben Habito, he posed a few questions: Why are we here? Does it matter? What happens after death? These questions, though commonly asked, challenged Ruben Habito as his worldview — shaped by a devout Catholic upbringing — began to unravel. However, this epiphany moment was nothing near the end of his spiritual life. Instead, it kickstarted a new spiritual appetite and deeper exploration into what the Sacred truly means and how it shapes our understanding of existence. Join us as Ruben shares his journey through these big questions and his search for meaning beyond traditional boundaries. Full episode here: https://lnkd.in/geFw3q_J #meaningoflife #sacredquestions #spiritualawakening #rubenhabito #sacredstories #fetzerinstitute #lifeafterdeath

#JesuitJourney Before founding the Jesuits, Ignatius of Loyola was a military man. A cannonball injury changed that. During his recovery, the only request he made to his caregivers was to provide him with books. And through that request, he began studying the lives of the saints. The stories lit a fire in him—a desire to live a life of service. Ignatius chose not to return to his old life of violence. Instead, he committed to serving God and others, eventually founding the Jesuits. Sometimes, setbacks lead us to our true calling. What is your setback? How do you think it is transforming you into something greater? Listen to the full episode of Shared Sacred Story and Hear Rube Habito share the full details on Ignatius here: https://lnkd.in/ga_jQi6a #ignatiusofloyola #jesuitjourney #transformation #rubenhabito #fetzerinstitute #sharedsacredstory

#SpiritualAwakening In 1970, Ruben Habito moved to the ancient yet beautiful city of Kamakura, Japan. In his time there, a Jesuit priest invited Ruben to join him in practicing Zen for the first time. This made more impact than he was prepared for. It was the foothold he used to truly start understanding Japanese culture. Following the path of Father Ugo Enomiya Lasalle, a Jesuit who believed true understanding of Japan required engaging in Zen, Ruben embraced this journey as it led him closer to what was sacred to him (though he didn’t realize it yet). We all ought to pay attention to Ruben’s testimony. We never know when spiritual awakening will spark in our hearts. That applies especially to scenarios where we expect it the least. Discover more about Ruben’s journey and how Zen reshaped his faith by watching the full Shared Sacred Story episode here: https://lnkd.in/gTvx3EdP #zenjourney #spiritualexploration #rubenhabito #fetzerinstitute #sharedsacredstories