Spirituality with Skin
Like many of us, I wasn’t really raised “religious.” We popped into Catholic church here and there—sporadically… if that. For lots of reasons—some not great, many totally fair. But I was raised in a spiritual environment, thanks to my mom. She carried this deep sense that there’s something more—she called that “God.” I wasn’t so sure. What she did give me, though, was the superpower of reading by age three and unlimited access to the public library. That card was my passport. I went looking for that “something” on the shelves.
Of course, my first stop: Christianity...then eventually all the other major religions. I found plenty that was beautiful and connecting in each. But when I studied the practice...how humans actually live it....every tradition fell short (some more than others). Before I hit my teens, I decided I was an atheist and turned debating religion into a sport. If you know me, you’re probably thinking, “Wait… didn’t you become a Christian pastor? Aren't you still?” Correct. That story is WAAAAAAAY too long...and not for today. What matters here is this: I’m no longer an atheist, but I am still a deep skeptic of spirituality and religion. Not to burn it down...but to make it truer, kinder, and actually useful to real people in a real city.
That’s why this series is called Spirituality with Skin. Because if a spirituality can’t help us love our actual neighbors on our actual blocks...bodies, minds, souls...then it is just that...intangible and ineffective. So for the next several months, we’re going to ask out loud what “Spirituality with Skin” actually looks like...the helpful parts, the hard parts, and the messy middle. We’ll talk about what spirituality even is (in plain language), how it overlaps and diverges from religion and meaning, and why any of it matters...to you, your neighbors, our city, and the world. We’ll get practical with tiny habits that actually stick, tell some stories (and listen to some) because stories heal, name the ways spirituality can go sideways without turning it into a shame parade, remember that bodies belong in this conversation (sleep, snacks, sabbath...yes, for real), and keep tracing how inner life turns into public love, whether that looks like meals, books, housing, or better questions at the dinner table. There will be room for doubt and honest skepticism, and we’ll keep moving toward a simple, sustainable weekly rhythm you can actually live.
A quick note on where I’m coming from: Although I identify as a Christian, I’m deeply shaped by the perennial tradition—the idea that a common stream of wisdom runs through many faiths and philosophies. My shorthand for it is: if it’s true, it must be true for everyone, everywhere, for all time. Alongside that, chaplaincy keeps me grounded in presence-over-fixing and trauma-aware care, and spiritual direction helps me pay attention to consolation/desolation and build small, sustainable rhythms. We’ll unpack all of that as we go—not as gatekeepers, but as tools you can try on, keep, or toss.
Each post will end with a small, doable practice...sorry no gold stars, but not-sorry for no guilt trips—just one honest next step toward a spirituality that shows up with skin in the game. Our next post will be to offer a clear (or as clear as possible) definition of “spirituality". Until then, if you're up for it, your "homework" is to take a moment to sit and think about how your Spirituality, whatever that is...or isn't...impacts your life...for the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you want "extra-credit", email me with your thoughts so I can learn from you. (Spoiler alert, being genuinely curious about other people and they way they move in the world is the most essential practise in any healthy spirituality...at least to me.)
Until then, keep your heart open, your schedule bendy, and your library card handy. We’re just getting started.
Wishing you grace, peace, and every good....
Sam
