Bridget Purdome

For many years, I communed with the Buddha statue in the Peace Garden. During this time, I took photo after photo of him sitting among the fall leaves, the winter snow, the spring buds, and the summer grasses. Regardless of season, he always radiated a deep sense of peace. A contagious sense of peace. Suddenly, […]

A 15 kilometer hike doesn’t sound like much, but the elevation, rocks, roots, and uneven steps all posed a challenge to my knees.  There just aren’t opportunities to be a mountain goat in Chicago!   By the time I stumbled to the end of the trail and made it out to the road, my right knee

As I packed for a pilgrimage to Ireland and Scotland, I was apprehensive about how the local people would welcome us Americans. Our president certainly hasn’t helped our international reputation. I decided that it couldn’t hurt to throw in my Canadian sweatshirt! I quickly learned that there was no need to worry. As a friend

There’s so much heartbreak in these devastating political times. I wanted to participate in one of the “Hands Off” demonstrations earlier this month. Instead, I was healing my own heart by taking a spring break. When we planned it, I didn’t realize that it would be a joy break. As my family stretched out in

Who am I? What does my driver’s license say: gender, eye and hair color, height and weight? (How honest is the latter?) How do I present myself? What do I wear? (This one’s easy – no one has ever called me fashionable!) What is the context in which I live? How do I spend my

The teacher said, “Feel joy as you breathe in. Feel peace as you breathe out.” Really? I’m struggling with this walking meditation in the dark Gothic chapel. I long to be outside in the light. Besides, how can I feel joy when so many are suffering? How can I feel peace when the world is

“To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3-1 A time to listen deeply and a time to raise one’s voice;A time to shop locally and a time to boycott Target;A time to share with others and a time to nourish self; A time to contemplate

As I enter this new year I want to trust in the Light the same Light that dwells deep inside every person and living being. I get distracted by all the loud and negative voices that disregard the dignity of all who are struggling in these dark and divisive times. It’s pretty easy to sense

Start small with a tiny baby an old carpenter and a wide-eyed teenager. Add a weary donkey an inquisitive cow and some wandering shepherds with their smelly sheep. Place a bright angel in the scene as a reminder that Spirit is present in the quiet and the ordinary. Wait awhile for three wise guys, who

I’ve never considered myself an evangelist, but I find myself wanting to shout from my sixth floor condominium: Try a hot sauna and a cold plunge! There’s this little truck that comes to a Chicago area beach three mornings/week. It is fully equipped with a sauna that seats up to six people. Folks can register