Through the remedial practices and harmonizing of planetary influences, Vedic astrologers claim that we can bring ourselves back into harmony with nature and through that process realize the most fundamental aspect of our being.
Prodigal children: Returning to covenant from the spiritual playground
“Just for the record, I’m spiritual, not religious.” If you live in Asheville, this probably sounds familiar. But when does spiritual exploration become more of a distraction than a path to a deepening connection with others and our best selves?
Holiday events roundup for 12/23 through 12/31
ART/CRAFT FAIRS Caldwell Arts Council 601 College Ave. SW, Lenoir, 754-2486 • Through WE (12/23) – “Satie’s Holiday Sale,” 75 crafters and artists exhibiting. Mon.-Fri.: 9am-6pm. Sat.: 10am-3pm. Free to attend. BENEFITS Dancing, Drums, and Dreams Benefit AshevilleRhythm.org • TH (12/31), 8:30pm – Tickets to this New Year’s Eve celebration with music by Free Planet Radio and Kevin Spears benefit […]
Holiday Events Roundup for 12/16 through 12/24
ART/CRAFT FAIRS Caldwell Arts Council 601 College Ave SW, Lenoir, 754-2486 • Through WE (12/23) – “Satie’s Holiday Sale,” 75 crafters and artists exhibiting. Mon.-Fri.: 9am-6pm. Sat.: 10am-3pm. Free to attend. Holiday Craft Bazaar ashevillemusichall.com • SA (12/19), noon-6pm – Local art and craft vendors with live music. Free to attend. Held at One Stop Deli & Bar, […]
Holiday Events Roundup for 12/2 through 12/10
There is no shortage of holiday events in Western North Carolina in the coming weeks! Asheville has everything ranging from holiday craft shows to volunteering opportunities to theater productions. In order to help you navigate your way through this busy season we will be sharing a roundup of holiday oriented events every week until the […]
In photos: Mourners honor three slain Ashevilleans
The murky French Broad River flows due east as it passes by Carrier Park before it turns north at Lyman Street and eventually meanders through the mountains to the state of Tennessee where it combines with the Holston River to become the Tennessee River, which eventually feeds the mighty Mississippi by way of the Ohio River. […]
Dying and the possibilities of awakening
What happens when we die? Maybe you have an answer, or maybe the question elicits bewilderment and uncertainty. Or perhaps both. Most agree at the very least that we won’t be bringing along any possessions or posterity, fame or fortune, people or places. And, though the details differ, many spiritual traditions concur that—at most—it’s only one’s consciousness or soul that will continue the journey […]
What I Found when I went back to church (hint: It’s not God)
By Monica Bethelwood | The longer I’ve been in Asheville, the more questions I’ve had about the New Age/Spiritual culture, around which a large chunk of Asheville’s scene seems to revolve. Something has felt missing in all the seeking, something missing at the heart of it all…
Hidden in plain sight: WNC’s Eastern European subcultures
Asheville is a city full of transplants that loves to celebrate its diversity. Yet the area’s third-biggest immigrant population goes mostly unnoticed.
Smart bets: Resonate Asheville
New Mountain hosts the meeting of minds Sunday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Southern Appalachia’s first craftspeople
Discoveries at Garden Creek, an archeological site near Canton, suggest it served as a home for native craftspeople who produced artifacts for a religious and cultural movement that swept ancient North America nearly 2,000 years ago.
Conscious party: Tim Freke’s spirituality talk to benefit nonprofits fighting hunger
A portion of proceeds from the spirituality event will go to Jubilee Community Church’s Hunger Fund, which benefits local nonprofits MANNA FoodBank, Meals on Wheels and Loving Food Resources.
Conscious party: getting Zen with Poetry and Pie
Poetry and Pie pairs sweets for the mind and body in support of Great Tree Zen Temple. The fundraiser takes place at Urban Dharma, 29 Page Ave., on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features the second edition of Appalachian Trail-inspired board game Thru Hike plus nonprofit literary press Orison Books’ fundraising efforts for three new spiritually-inclined books.
Smart bets: Jim Bizer and Jan Krist
The duo opens Mountain Spirit Coffehouse’s eleventh season at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.
Smart bets: Three Days of Light Gathering
The annual Three Days of Light Gathering — now in its fourth year — takes much of what’s great about summer festivals (camping, music, arts and craft vendors, nature) and enhances all of that with an element of spirituality and learning. The festival is held at Camp Grier in Old Fort, from Friday, Aug. 28, to Sunday, Aug. 30.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features one artist’s random, magnetic acts of kindness and a filmmaker’s depiction of his spiritual journey in and out of India.
Small Bites: Mountain Jewish Festival
The Mountain Jewish Festival kicks off in Hendersonville, workshops are offered on fermented foods and foraging for mushrooms, Black Mountain Ciderworks celebrates its second year, ASAP hosts its Local Summer Cookout and food writer Jonathan Ammons talks about Nightbell’s unique take on the classic deviled egg.
Two women plan Asheville stop on cross-country bike tour and fundraiser
Two women bicycling across the country — from Maine to Seattle — will be making a pitstop in Asheville this weekend, giving a short presentation on their cause at both Sunday morning Jubilee! services.
Activist Bree Newsome and other ‘faith-driven agitators’ lead a charge for social justice at Wild Goose
The third annual Goose Festival brought together more than 2,000 people from various spiritual persuasions that fall under a very inclusive Christian umbrella. Featured speakers at this year’s event included Bree Newsome, the activist who gained national attention for removing the Confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse.