Christian and Buddhist perspectives on happiness

Our world often assumes that happiness is the highest human good. Happiness is measured, marketed, pursued, and celebrated. But what does it mean to live a truly fulfilled human life? From both Christian and Buddhist perspectives, happiness is important to human wellbeing, but genuine and lasting happiness cannot be detached from truth, virtue, compassion, and …

Ancient philosophical traditions on living well

Few questions have occupied human beings more persistently than the question of the nature and source of happiness.  Across the ancient world, philosophers, sages, and spiritual teachers sought to understand what constitutes a good life and how human beings might attain lasting fulfilment. Although these traditions emerged independently in Greece, Rome, China, India, and the …

Morning prayer for Wednesday 17 June 2026

Invocation + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Pause for reflection Good morning, heavenly Father.We worship you, the creator and sustainer of the universe. Good morning, Lord Jesus.We worship you, Saviour and Lord of the world. Good morning, Holy Spirit.We worship you, sanctifier of the people …

What makes Iona such a โ€œholyโ€ island?

Ruins of old abbey building on the Island of Iona near Mull in west Scotland The small Hebridean island of Iona has long occupied a place in the religious imagination of Europe. Barely five kilometres long and home to a small resident population, it attracts thousands of pilgrims, tourists, clergy, artists, and spiritual seekers every …

The trillion-dollar question

News that the world has seen the arrival of its first trillionaire captures public attention because it triggers shock and envy, and pushes familiar questions about wealth into unfamiliar territory. Human societies have always contained rich and poor, merchants and labourers, rulers and subjects. Yet a personal fortune measured in trillions of dollars represents wealth …