Spiritual Development (02:56)

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A pastor helps college students who are struggling for new conceptions of God, new conceptions of how to live in the world, and new understandings about what it means to be ethical in the world today.

Search for God: Personal Quest for Knowledge (02:25)

Meditation is one form of internal exploration in the search for God. The search may take one away from the God of childhood and the formal institution of religion and onto a path of deepening knowledge and personal connection to spirit/god.

Religious Trappings vs. Spiritual Connection (03:41)

Meditation and Tibetan spiritual teachings are part of B. Alan Wallace's journey towards spiritual independence. Many churchgoers are confused by religion trappings on their search for true spiritual identity and universal connection to God.

Religion vs. Spirituality (03:57)

Beyond the stage of religious independence is interdependence of religion, community, tradition, personal concepts of God, ambiguity, and more. Sister Joan Chittister discusses the differences between religion and spirituality.

Spiritual Enlightenment (02:30)

In the final stage of religious development, all differences dissolve in a "vibrant" experience of unity. Huston Smith, philosopher of world religions, discusses mystics and intuitive discernment of the infinite.

Monastic Traditions (03:09)

Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk, learned from other monastic traditions in Tibet. For many, he is an icon of global spirituality. Huston Smith, philosopher of world religions, discusses the "cafeteria" approach to religion.

Changing Attitudes Towards Religion (02:17)

Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong discusses how attitudes towards religion and spirituality have changed over the past decades. Many Christians have lost a sense of joy about religion.

Religious Tolerance (03:20)

Religious tolerance acknowledges that there are many paths to spiritual realization, not just one.