Fetzer Institute

Focus is not just a mental task — it’s something you can feel in your body. This week’s Sacred Meditation at the Fetzer Institute invites us to experience movement meditation, guided by Yuritzi, a Fetzer partner. This practice teaches us to embody focus through breath, grounding, and movement. The session begins with a call to reclaim our energy from distractions. We visualize energetic threads pulling our attention in different directions, then guide those threads back into our energy field. With that energy restored, we ground it into the earth and visualize fresh energy returning to us. Next comes the invitation to choose a word — peace, focus, clarity, strength — and embody it fully. How does strength walk? How does clarity breathe? With each movement, we reflect on how our body reacts when we move from a place of intention. From balancing on one leg to walking around the space, we practice shifting our movements to align with our chosen word. Yuritzi reminds us, "The more focused you are, the more your body will follow." What word will guide you today, and how might it shift the way you move through the world? #sacredmeditation #movementmeditation #focuspractice #bodywisdom #spiritualawakening #mindfulnesspractice #fetzerinstitute

We’re counting down the days for this momentous occasion! The Lineages of Love & Liberation Film + Platform Premiere is almost here, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with you. This event will bring together BIPOC spiritual innovators who are reshaping what spiritual practice looks like—honoring sacred traditions while forging new pathways for connection and healing. 📅 February 13 | Virtual & In-Person (Oakland, CA) 📍 Virtual (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST) & In-Person (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM PST, Oakland, CA) What to expect: ✨ A moving film premiere that uplifts diverse spiritual voices ✨Thought-provoking discussions with leaders in the field ✨A night of community, storytelling, and live music We hope you’ll be part of this historic moment. #lineagesoflove #bipocspirituality #spiritualinnovation #culturalwisdom

In Journey-Faith in an Entangled World, Nancy Sylvester, IHM, invites us into a contemplative exploration of today’s most pressing social and spiritual issues. Evoking vivid thoughts through metaphors, she encourages us to see our words as paint and paper as our canvas. The hope is that we engage deeply with public life, liturgical seasons, and the future. Described as a "pure gift and quiet challenge," this book offers wisdom for both new and experienced spiritual leaders, regardless of their faith walk. Discover a fresh approach to reflection and action. Journey-Faith in an Entangled World is available now on Amazon: #contemplation #spiritualleadership #faithandaction #publiclife #journeyfaith #nancysylvester #journeyfaithinanentangledworld

#SeeingTheSacred with #FetzerInstitute and #InterfaithPhotovoice uncovers how cherished objects can symbolize connection and community. Captured by Alan-Joshua Carrasco, this photo showcases a squeaky toy shaped like a dog holding a dreidel – a gift from his former Jewish roommates. “My dog, Cyan, has treasured this toy since puppyhood. It’s not just a plaything; it’s a reminder of the bond I shared with my roommates and the cultural connections that enrich my life,” Alan-Joshua reflects. This simple object tells a story of friendship, shared traditions, and enduring love – a sacred connection in everyday life. 🐶💙 Photographer: Alan-Joshua Carrasco #sacredmoments #interfaithconnections #cherishedmemories #AlanJoshuaCarrasco

#SeeingTheSacred with #FetzerInstitute and #InterfaithPhotovoice reveals the ways modern tools enhance spiritual practice. Captured by Alan-Joshua Carrasco, this photo features the Bible app on his phone, a key part of his nightly routine. “It’s late at night, my time for reflection. The app serves as a reminder to pause, pray, and focus on self-care and spirituality,” Alan-Joshua shares. Blending technology with tradition, this moment highlights how the sacred adapts to modern lives, fostering personal growth and divine connection. Photographer: Alan-Joshua Carrasco #digitalfaith #spiritualpractice #modernspirituality #AlanJoshuaCarrasco

The Lineages of Love & Liberation Film + Platform Premiere is a groundbreaking celebration of BIPOC spiritual innovation. This hybrid event brings together healers, artists, and changemakers to share ancestral wisdom and explore modern expressions of spirituality. 📅 February 13 | Virtual & In-Person (Oakland, CA) 📍 Virtual (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST) & In-Person (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM PST, Oakland, CA) What to expect: 🔸 A powerful short film amplifying diverse spiritual voice 🔸 Interactive discussions with leading BIPOC spiritual innovators 🔸 Community-centered storytelling, music, and networking Supported by the Fetzer Institute’s Shared Spiritual Heritage project, this event is an opportunity to engage in transformative conversations about spirituality, culture, and collective liberation. We hope you’ll come be part of this grand and historical moment! #lineagesoflove #spiritualheritage #collectiveliberation #bipocinnovation

Should you take an art class this year or pursue acting professionally? Should you change your dating checklist …or get married? These are some of the #questions addressed on the podcast The Real Question this month. The format for the show’s fourth season is fun and engaging, as host Mauricio welcomes different guests and walks through a tough life question with them. Among other things, Mauricio helped previous host Vanessa Zoltan (and current host of the Harry Potter and the Sacred Text podcast, which Fetzer proudly sponsors) work through whether she should commit to a weekly drawing or painting class. Each week, the podcast tackles a relatable subject, big or small, through the lens of the pivotal question: “Who do you want to be, and what’s the best path to get there?” Fetzer Institute is a proud sponsor of The Real Question podcast.

We all have different thoughts and opinions about the #Sacred. In a recently remixed and reissued episode of The Emerald podcast, host Joshua Michael Schrei did a deep-dive investigation of the concept of “The Goddess.” What does that mean? How do different people interpret it? Who is the #Divine Mother of the Universe? How does an entity focused on the “we” fit into a world obsessed with the “me”? The cultural clutter around the concept has blurred the lines of a concept that appears throughout the world’s myths and belief systems as an archetype used to: Empower individuals Encourage self-help Infuse politics Inspire creativity Request abundance Join Schrei as he takes a closer look at the real meaning behind the overused and oft-abused idea of a divine mother and seeks to go beyond a conceptual abstraction to a living presence. Fetzer Institute is a proud sponsor of The Emerald Podcast.

What if you let yourself be surrounded by love from all sides — past, present, and future? This week, Sarah from the Fetzer Institute guides us through a transformative Loving-Kindness (Metta) Meditation. We begin by grounding ourselves in breath and welcoming the love of a being who cares deeply for us. From there, we open our hearts to offer compassion and well-wishes to others: loved ones, acquaintances, and even those we find difficult to love. The core of the practice is this: Everyone wants to be safe, healthy, and loved. Through loving-kindness, we bridge the gap between ourselves and others, offering well-wishes that transcend distance, differences, and time. This practice reminds us that love is infinite, and every being is worthy of it — including ourselves. Breathe in love. Breathe out compassion. #sacredmeditation #lovingkindness #compassionforall #mindfulnesspractice #spiritualawakening #fetzerinstitute #meditationpause

Where are you from? 😏 Our #hometowns play a critical part in our lives, from our origin to becoming that community that keeps drawing us back. In the Season 4 finale of the Giving Done Right podcast, Nashlie Sephus shares lessons learned from a journey that led from tech success back to her #roots. Sephus has a Ph.D. in computer and electrical engineering and found major success early on in a tech startup. She leveraged this success to bridge the #technologygap in her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi, by creating the Jackson Tech District. She shares inspiring insights about how her nonprofit, Bean Path, has grown from a sporadic event at the library into a major local entity helping people of all ages gain essential tech skills. She also shares surprising insights about the shift from the business to the nonprofit world and what it takes to walk the line between philanthropic fundraising and traditional business funding options. Fetzer Institute is a proud sponsor of the Giving Done Right Podcast.