Many of us non-Catholics stand in awe of Pope Francis, who has startled the whole world by talking about big things like poverty and injustice and ecology at a time when much of the religious world is stuck on sex, sex, sex. Enough with the sex. Let’s move on and think about the planet with Pope Francis.

The planet is huge, reminding us that in order to wrap our minds around it, we may need to actually grow our soul. Those of us in the Fat Soul movement—yes, we are a movement with a Manifesto and everything—would say that Pope Francis is a very Fat Soul. Evidence of this is found in his famous encyclical on ecology, the “Ladato Si,” which has a lot of very thin-thinking Global Warming denier types shaking in their boots. The encyclical has rocked the world, religious and nonreligious alike.

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In a world filled with rigidity in the forms of religious fundamentalism, racism, injustice, planetary destruction, xenophobia, and panphobia—yes, the Fear of Everything—there is an alternative: the way of FAT SOUL. 

We believe that instead of shrinking back in despair or approaching the world with raised hackles, we need to widen out in love, compassion, inclusivity, and full-bodied joy.  This unseemly business of widening out when everyone else is shrinking back may seem wildly counter-cultural, but it just might relieve some of the angst of these troubled times. 

And it could even—yes, if we get fat enough—change the world.

Click here to read the entire Fat Soul International Manifesto!

The Celtic tradition tells us that heaven and earth are only three feet away, and that in special places, called “thin places,” heaven and earth seem to nearly collapse into each other. When this happens, we can see through the thin veil to the largeness and holiness of the cosmos.   Theologian Bruce Epperly says that thin places “remind us of the Holy Here and Holy Now, the wonder of this unique moment and the wonder of the universe as it evolves.”

In my experience, “thin places” are inhabited by snowy egrets and softly shaped hills. Here is a story–a rather difficult story to tell– something that happened to me in Ecuador, which forever changed my view of heaven and earth.  This piece will be included in my upcoming book, Fat Soul Philosophy: Reflections on a Spirituality of S-I-Z-E.  Click here to read Heaven, Yes, Heaven.

Fat Soul Philosophy is like an enormous tent, under which tables and chairs are set up, awaiting people from many faiths and cultures who wish to share their traditional foods with one another.  Here, listening takes place–and laughter, too.  Maybe a little music.  Listening, learning, sharing, celebrating the beauty of diversity: this is what Fat Soul International is all about.  Thanks to my colleague at Jesus, Jazz, and Buddhism, Professor and guitarist Jay McDaniel, the Fat Soul vision is becoming an on-the-ground reality.  You will find in the beautiful college town of Conway, a Fat Soul Band and Fat Soul Festivals and Fat Soul Gatherings starting to pop up.  You are invited!  Check out this upcoming gathering . . .

–ANNOUNCING–

FAT SOUL INTERNATIONAL GATHERING

At the Black-Orange Coffee Shop

Conway, Arkansas

Thursday evening, August 6, 6:30 to 8:00 pm

Featuring International students

from China, Mexico, Pakistan, Rwanda, and Thailand

Singing American pop songs and Songs from their Cultures

Plus free Chinese pastries (as long as they last)

Sponsored by Better Together at Hendrix, Hendrix International Programs,

Jesus, Jazz, and Buddhism and Fat Soul Philosophy International