I have beliefs about God that I have held from childhood. They’re not just internalized beliefs; they’re how I filter the world around me. Many of them are expressed perfectly in Islam. My faith in God often brings me joy, but more than that it brings me steadiness. Among God’s comforts are that I canContinueContinue reading “Ramadan 2020: On the kindness of Muslims”
Category Archives: Religion
Ramadan 2020: On Heaven
At the Islam 101 classes I’ve attended for the past year, a new attendee asked me if I believe in heaven, and what I thought it took to get there. I walked through the five pillars of Islam. I talked about fasting even when it is hard. I talked about paying charity because it isContinueContinue reading “Ramadan 2020: On Heaven”
Ramadan 2020: On having everything I need
I converted to Islam when I was 16. You can read my conversion memoir at The Other Journal out of the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology under “Other Publications.” If you’ve followed along for awhile, you know that I’ve spent the last five years pursuing a spiritual path. This year I’m not fasting Ramadan,ContinueContinue reading “Ramadan 2020: On having everything I need”
The Hermitage: Checking in on my goals
I made some specific goals when I visited The Hermitage last fall. Mariko recommended setting those to help with follow-through. I’m checking in on them now. PrayerPrayer became once again a part of my daily life during and after my stay. Then: Ramadan Rebound this spring. It’s been two and a half months and I’mContinueContinue reading “The Hermitage: Checking in on my goals”
A 20 Year Dream Fulfilled
When I was 16, my favorite class was creative writing with Judith DeWoskin at Community High School in Ann Arbor. I worked for three years on the school’s literary rag as well as taking a wide range of English classes including Chinese lit. I graduated with seven and a half years of English credits. IContinueContinue reading “A 20 Year Dream Fulfilled”
#LivingVicariously, or, an Update on Seeing a Spiritual Advisor for the Past Six Months
What seriously sparks the interest of two middle aged Muslim converts for whom religion is a central drama of life?: Seeing a spiritual advisor. Mariko texted me asking for updates on my experience with this when I began it. #LivingVicariously. I met JMD professionally last fall when I visited The Hermitage, a retreat center knownContinueContinue reading “#LivingVicariously, or, an Update on Seeing a Spiritual Advisor for the Past Six Months”
Ramadan 2019: V: Eid: And Thoughts about Gratitude
Eid, which began June 4 this year, is the three-day celebration that ends the month of Ramadan. I’m straddling two competing emotions right now: the resentment I mentioned last week that I really want to let go of, and gratitude, which seems to me to be the perfect antidote. Let’s go all-in for gratitude forContinueContinue reading “Ramadan 2019: V: Eid: And Thoughts about Gratitude”
Plum Librarian LLC 