Jackie Bailey

Jackie Bailey reflects on how the Christian doctrine of sin shaped her childhood sense of unworthiness and argues that shame often immobilizes rather than inspires ethical behavior. Drawing on Christian, Jewish, Islamic and Buddhist ideas, she proposes understanding sin as “missing the mark” or being out of alignment rather than being inherently bad. This interpretation could turn personal, relational, social and cosmic unease into a cue for right action, responsibility and efforts to repair injustice.

A mother creates a personalised coming‑of‑age ritual for her 12‑year‑old daughter as an alternative to traditional religious rites, drawing on elements from family heritage and broader cultural practices to emphasise agency, belonging and responsibility. The ceremony reflects a desire for meaningful transition without enforcing fixed belief systems, blending symbolic objects, vows written by the daughter and the support of close female mentors. The narrative contrasts this approach with the author’s own Catholic confirmation and incorporates scholarly perspectives on the social function of ritual.

Reflects on overcoming envy through the Buddhist concept of mudita, or empathetic joy, which emphasizes celebrating others’ happiness as interconnected with one’s own. Describes how jealousy and anxiety undermine joy, while self-compassion, acknowledging shared humanity, and small practices such as observing others’ successes or receiving kindness help cultivate this mindset. Highlights scientific research showing empathetic joy supports wellbeing and healthier relationships.

A funeral celebrant explains why she has chosen to focus solely on funerals, describing them as moments where emotional vulnerability and connection feel more authentic than at weddings. Reflecting on her sister’s death and guidance from a Wodi Wodi elder, she views conducting funerals as part of her own healing and a way to help others navigate loss, embracing the fragile and finite nature of life.

Research suggesting humans are predisposed to care for one another is presented alongside examples of altruism and psychological studies on empathy. Acts of courage, such as Ahmed al-Ahmed’s intervention in a violent incident, are explored as expressions of innate prosocial tendencies. Findings from psychology and neuroscience indicate that compassion can be strengthened through practice, including loving‑kindness meditation and programs like Roots of Empathy. The author argues that cultivating empathy and humility can help societies nurture greater altruism.

A mother describes supporting her teenage daughter’s growing interest in Christianity despite her own non-religious identity, drawing on psychological and developmental theories to frame adolescent spirituality as a healthy part of individuation. She reflects on her own shifting faith background, acknowledges concerns rooted in past religious experiences, and emphasizes fostering openness, critical thinking, and supportive environments to help her daughter navigate spiritual exploration positively.

Reflecting on childhood trauma and the loss of her sister, the writer describes how those experiences shaped her rejection of religion and long struggle with meaning. She explains how trauma disrupts a person’s ability to integrate events into their worldview and discusses scholarship on trauma and spirituality. Over time, through therapy and personal stability, she has reached a position open to mystery without belief in a deity, finding spiritual safety and learning to forgive herself.

Reflects on how modern culture promotes positive thinking as a cure-all and contrasts it with the ancient and psychological value of humility. Argues that humility offers space for growth, resilience and presence, drawing on thinkers from Augustine to contemporary psychologists. Emphasises humility as a grounding practice that reconnects people with others, the natural world and their limitations, providing relief from the pressure to succeed at all costs.

The text contrasts modern concerns about virtue signalling with longstanding teachings from Confucius, Aristotle and Christian tradition, each emphasising that virtue requires moderation, intention and genuine action. Confucius’s call for balanced conduct and Aristotle’s advocacy of avoiding extremes are applied to dilemmas such as publicly sharing charitable acts, suggesting that excessive modesty may undermine beneficial influence. The piece concludes that virtue is cultivated through relational awareness and actions that extend beyond self-focus.

Devotional practices across world religions and fan cultures are explored as powerful expressions of love, identity and group belonging. Historical and contemporary forms of devotion are contrasted with the author’s personal shift away from institutional religion and worship of a godhead. While valuing contemplative practices and shared spiritual moments at work, the author no longer embraces devotion to specific deities, instead finding meaning outside traditional religious frameworks.

Reflects on how her sister’s terminal cancer shaped an understanding of spiritual surrender, drawing on religious traditions and scientific research to show how practices of letting go can induce calm, connection, and a sense of belonging to something larger, while recounting the comfort her sister found in faith and the author’s evolving interpretation of suffering.

A woman reflects on her sister’s early-onset dementia and her own misconceptions while caring for her, acknowledging the irreversible nature of the disease and the diversity of dementia types. Increased understanding gained through her current work in aged care highlights the importance of supporting people by entering their reality rather than correcting them. She describes improved access to dementia resources and expresses enduring compassion for her younger self and her sister as she marks a decade since her sister’s death.

A pastoral carer reflects on how waiting with dying patients exposes the discomfort people feel toward stillness and uncertainty. Boredom emerges as a form of bearing witness and offering presence, especially during end-of-life care. Through personal observations and etymological reflections, the text frames waiting as an act of love and a spiritual discipline requiring patience toward others and oneself.

A pastoral carer describes drawing on multiple spiritual traditions, combining Buddhist chants, Christian mystic poetry, and Taoist teachings to create meaningful daily reflections. Emphasizing shared themes of love, hope, service, and transcendence, she adopts a practice of “religious composting” while remaining mindful of cultural appropriation and respectful sourcing, particularly regarding First Nations knowledge. The piece highlights how historical exchanges across cultures have shaped spiritual traditions and supports the intentional blending of rituals to cultivate contemporary forms of connection and gratitude.

Repairing everyday objects is framed as a spiritual practice that connects ordinary life with deeper meaning. Traditions such as kintsugi, wabi‑sabi and tikkun olam illustrate how acknowledging brokenness can integrate loss into the present. Drawing on personal grief, the author reflects on how mending becomes a contemplative act that bridges the human and the divine.

Explores a personal, non‑religious understanding of spirituality as a source of connection to others, the environment and shared human history, contrasting it with commercialized forms of awe and traditional religious belief. Highlights rising identification with spirituality across several countries and notes the influence of First Nations spiritual traditions in Australia. Emphasizes spirituality as a motivating force for service and ecological awareness, rooted in awe, mystery and the hope of contributing to a better world.

Explores how people who identify as spiritual but not religious can shape their preferred end-of-life environment, encouraging them to consider elements such as visitors, sensory comforts, touch, music, and personal beliefs about death. Emphasizes expressing wishes in advance and communicating final messages to loved ones, highlighting that thoughtful preparation can guide a more meaningful dying experience.

Modern goddess spirituality encourages self-care, reverence for nature and political engagement without imposing new standards of perfection on women. Drawing on deities from diverse cultural traditions requires respectful, informed practice rather than superficial appropriation, including learning about associated mythologies and giving back to the communities from which they originate. The movement emphasizes inclusivity across genders, ecological responsibility and community activism, aligning spiritual practice with tangible support for social and environmental causes.

Spirituality is portrayed as requiring ethical action rather than simply providing feelings of joy or connectedness. Modern wellness culture is criticized for commercializing practices such as yoga and meditation while stripping them from their ethical and religious roots. Historical and contemporary examples show how spiritual emotions can be exploited or directed toward selfish aims when not grounded in ethical frameworks. The author calls for a spirituality rooted in ancient wisdom and practiced through service, compassion, and meaningful action beyond personal wellbeing.

Women close to major religious founders are highlighted as practical, resilient figures who balanced spiritual life with daily responsibilities. Figures such as Yasodhara, Khadijah, Mary Magdalen and Elizabeth are presented as stronger role models for modern life than the male leaders they supported. Their stories demonstrate resourcefulness, courage and spiritual depth grounded in real-world demands, offering alternative examples of leadership and devotion for contemporary women.

Marriage is portrayed as an evolving public declaration of commitment, no longer tied primarily to tradition or property but to shared values, mutual care and community support. Drawing on experiences as a celebrant, the author highlights how vows serve as powerful promises that create bonds both between partners and within their wider communities. Unconventional symbolic marriages, such as women pledging commitment to trees in Bristol and Mexico, illustrate marriage as an act of public promise and caretaking. The piece suggests that as relationships diversify, marriage can continue to transform into a more inclusive expression of commitment.