[Unedited] Barbara Brown Taylor with Krista Tippett

Redefining Holiness

Barbara Brown Taylor reimagines holiness beyond traditional religious confines, emphasizing a search for the sacred that is deeply personal and layered. She describes holiness as maintaining balance amidst life's uncertainties, suggesting that true holiness involves being "rooted grounded in shifting ground" 1. This perspective resonates with Krista Tippett, who reflects on the collective grief and the need for communal rituals of lamentation, which are often lacking in American culture 2. Taylor shares her evolving understanding of God, moving from an external to an internal presence, akin to a heartbeat, highlighting a profound personal connection with the divine 3.

Thank you for letting me be with you today. Thank you for being in me. Thank you for letting me be in you today.

--- Barbara Brown Taylor

This intimate relationship with the sacred underscores her belief that holiness is about seeking the "really real," a concept that transcends materialism and embraces the complexity of existence.

   

Personal Faith Evolution

Barbara Brown Taylor's journey of faith is marked by a continuous search for truth and belonging, evolving from a quest for community in her youth to a deeper spiritual inquiry. She recounts her experiences of moving through various religious spaces, seeking authenticity and truth in her spiritual practice 4. This journey is described as a "peregrination," a meandering exploration that reflects the broader evolution of faith and religion in contemporary society 5. In her later years, Taylor6.

What's saving my life right now is being here right now as best I can.

--- Barbara Brown Taylor

Her reflections highlight the significance of embracing life's unfolding moments, finding meaning and joy in the simplicity of daily existence.

   

Embracing Wilderness

The concept of wilderness plays a crucial role in Barbara Brown Taylor's spiritual narrative, serving as a metaphor for understanding one's place in the world. She describes wilderness as a space where one gains perspective on their true size, emphasizing the humbling experience of being in a vast, non-human scale environment 7. This wilderness experience is not only physical but also metaphorical, representing life's challenges and transitions 8. Taylor finds comfort in the edges of faith, where traditional beliefs meet the unknown, allowing for a deeper exploration of spirituality 9.

Wilderness stories are only good if you make it out alive.

--- Barbara Brown Taylor

Her insights into wilderness underscore the importance of embracing uncertainty and finding beauty in the journey, rather than solely focusing on the destination.