Blessed Books

Kailina and Katy explore the 10th chapter of "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle. They discuss how much the experience of reading this chapter mirrors the experience of healing from trauma. 

They introduce a new sacred reading practice - D.R.A.G. - based off of the teaching practice they used when working at Camp Calumet Lutheran in New Hampshire. During the practice, they read the text through the theme of WISDOM and KNOWING. 

Theme music created by Philip Mathieu. Logo art created by Evi Tampold. 

Visit their website: http://blessedbookspodcast.com

Kailina and Katy discuss why a normal episode won't be coming out this week: the Kavanaugh hearings. They share some of their thoughts about the whole ordeal and some sacred wisdom for these times from "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle. 

As they review Chapter 9 of A Wrinkle in Time, Katy and Kailina discuss how we see others' humanity, the nature of intelligence, the relationship between efficiency and compassion, and even a Turkish conspiracy theory! 

During their sacred reading, they use the practice of PaRDeS for the final time this season. They finally discuss the motif of glasses as symbols for their owners' personality! 

As always, the show music was created by Philip Mathieu, and the logo art was created by Evi Tampold. 

Visit our website: https://blessedbookspodcast.com/

In this episode, Kailina and Katy discuss the many ways that our environment sends us important messages. They discuss how color impacts our understanding of the world and how the physical environment impacts our emotional state. 

In the second half of the episode, they once again use PaRDeS as their sacred reading practice. They discuss how goodness can be corrupted and ponder the question: Is there goodness in evil? 

Our intro music was created by Phillip Mathieu, and our logo art was created by Evi Tampold. 

As they examine the 7th chapter of "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle, Katy and Kailina discuss Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and different forms of racism. They use the Hebrew sacred reading practice, PaRDeS, for the first time in the show. During this practice, they discuss adult authority, nourishment, and Buddhist philosophy. To learn more about the show, go to its website: https://blessedbookspodcast.com/

During this episode, Katy and Kailina reflect on Chapter 6 of A Wrinkle in Time, "The Happy Medium." They discuss the relationship between consciousness and embodiment and the necessity of leaning into big emotions. 

For the final time this season, they use the sacred reading practice, Floralegium, to search for spiritual wisdom in the text. During this time, they once again see the parallels between Mrs. Whatsit and Jesus Christ. They also ponder the role of relaxation in processing and releasing big emotions. 

In this episode, Kailina and Katy explore Chapter 5 of A Wrinkle in Time to discover spiritual meaning. They discuss what is fundamental to human nature; is it goodness or is it greed? Later in the episode, during the practice of Floralegium, they discuss the Me Too Movement and how we give and receive love. 

Katy and Kailina reflect on Chapter 4 of A Wrinkle in Time, "The Black Thing." They discuss what it means to "stake one's life for truth," as Mrs. Who shares we must. They discuss both the complexity and the simplicity of the answer L'Engle presents at the end of this novel to this question. What is the difference between simple, common, commercialized love and the radical love that Katy and Kailina believe in? At the end of the episode, they use a new sacred reading practice, Floralegium, to search for meaning in this chapter. 

Kailina reflects on the magic of teenage romance. Her story sparks a discussion about how girls and boys are socialized differently, how Meg and Calvin are perhaps meant to parallel the Biblical characters of Adam and Eve, how the trio of Mrs. Whatsit, Who, and Which are perhaps metaphors for the Christian Holy Trinity, and the need to strike a balance between scientific and religious thought. 

For the last time this season, they use the sacred reading practice, Lectio Divina, to search for sacred wisdom in this chapter. They discover the opportunities for love that dissatisfaction and yearning can offer us and ponder the role of external affirmations in their lives. 

Katy begins this episode by sharing a story about a stressful road trip. 

Kailina points out the rampant sexism in the small community where Meg lives. Katy affirms this, and they discuss the role that sexism plays in both the lives of girls and women, as well as in shaping the masculinity of the twins, Sandy and Dennys. They discuss the lack of concern that the community members, and especially the educators, in this community have for the trauma that the Murry family is currently experiencing. 

During the sacred practice, Lectio Divina, they reflect on how to create a fuller picture of the world by carefully crafting our questions to others. 

Upon reflection, our conversations this episode seemed to revolve around one concept: Awareness. Becoming more aware of how you communicate. Becoming more deeply aware of your world by choosing your language carefully. Lack of awareness of the way you impact others.