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Issue 31 Cover
Issue 31  /  December 2005–February 2006
Spirituality vs. Religion
Where Do You Stand?

Waged in isolated skirmishes for decades, the battle between progressive spirituality and traditional religion is exploding into mainstream culture like never before. And its outcome hinges on just one question: When it comes to navigating the spiritual life, who is the ultimate authority? The church? The guru? Or . . . you? Featuring Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Dr. Dario Salas Sommer, Jason Hill, and others. Also in this issue: Rabbi Marc Gafni, Dadi Janki, Karen Armstrong, Ken Wilber, Arjuna Ardagh, and more...

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Editorial

Andrew Cohen

Spirituality vs. Religion

Waged in isolated skirmishes for decades, the battle between progressive spirituality and traditional religion is exploding into mainstream culture like never before. And its outcome hinges on just one question: When it comes to navigating the spiritual life, who is the ultimate authority? The church? The guru? Or . . . you?


Spiritual but not Religious
Moving Beyond Postmodern Spirituality

Contemplating the state of spirituality, one of WIE's senior editors asks: Could the growing trend to seek the sacred outside of religious traditions be the harbinger of a new era in global consciousness?

by Elizabeth Debold

Lifestyles of the Rich and Flexible
An Excursion into America's Newest Yoga Trend

Money, power, fashion, celebrities, and luxury spas. No, it's not the life of Ivana Trump; it's the modern world of yoga.

by Maura R. O'Connor

In Search of My Perfect Teacher


Filmmaker Lesley Ann Patten chronicles her own spiritual odyssey as she attempts to come to terms with her Tibetan Buddhist guru, Dzongsar Rinpoche—the man she has hired to "assassinate" her.

by Jessica Roemischer

Real Gurus “Couldn't care less”
An Interview with Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

With surprising candor, this unusual Tibetan Buddhist master reveals why it isn't easy being a guru in the twenty-first century.

by Andrew Cohen

Moral Hierarchy
The Key to Evolving Consciousness

A contemporary philosopher argues for a new model of guru-disciple relationship—one that sees equality in hierarchy while opening a doorway to the evolution of the soul.

by Jason D. Hill

The Transmission of Consciousness
Reviving the Role of the Spiritual Master
An Interview with Dr. Dario Salas Sommer

In a culture resistant to religious authority, this renowned Hermetic philosopher, author, and spiritual teacher passionately reaffirms the necessity and meaning of true spiritual discipleship.

by Jessica Roemischer

 
The Guru and the Pandit

Laying the Tracks for a Moving Train
Andrew Cohen and Ken Wilber


In their eleventh dialogue, Cohen and Wilber pursue one question from the depths of mystical experience to evolution's creative edge: What creates authentic—and sustained—transformation in human beings?

Beyond Limits
The Ultimate Black Belt Test
An Interview with Tom Callos

At a time when the gospel of self-acceptance is leading to ever-lowering expectations, an audacious martial arts training program strives to replace mediocrity with mastery.

by Ross Robertson

 
Not Just A Book Review
Getting Clear About Enlightenment
Arjuna Ardagh's Translucent Revolution

One of WIE's Gen-Y editors offers a hard-hitting critique of the latest iteration of Boomer spirituality.

by Tom Huston

 
 
The New Age of Islam

An enterprising Turkish webzine fans the winds of change in the Middle East.

 
Getting to a Deeper YES

Higher wisdom goes to Harvard Law School.

 
An MTV That Enlightens and Uplifts?

The music television superpower unveils an eco-travel show, a Holocaust documentary, and mini-films promoting spiritual awareness.

 
“Dear God, Please Bless Mr. Bush . . .”

Are millions of Americans secretly influencing U.S. politics through prayer?

 
Turn On, Tune In, Wake Up

A new plan for a televised State of the World Address intends to use mass media to tackle global problems.

 
PULSE: Catching the buzz from global leaders, thinkers, teachers, and mystics

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's stress relief for Iraq; Ken Wilber's new spectrum of consciousness; James Gardner's Dreams of a Cosmic Community; Amma TV; and more.

 
PULPIT: Dadi Janki
A Vision of Soul Consciousness

The spiritual leader of the Brahma Kumaris describes how her teacher awakened her to the life Divine.

From an interview by Jessica Roemischer

 
 
Karen Armstrong
A New Axial Age

A world-renowned theologian explains why, at this pivotal cultural moment, humanity may be on the verge of a new religious era.

Interview by Jessica Roemischer

 
Rabbi Marc Gafni
The Evolution of Divinity

An unconventional Jewish leader paints a compelling portrait of a "messianic" spirituality in which the creative principle itself is depending on us.

 
Natural Selection

Reviews of books, film, and other media

 
Enlightenment for the 21st Century

Good Old-Fashioned Virtues for a New World

by Andrew Cohen