Star Weiss, writer, educator and broadcaster, has spent many months exploring new parts of BC and interviewing people about the sacred places where they find solace, renewal, and spiritual nourishment.
Singer Charlotte Diamond (left) tells Star the story of her sacred place.
It's a journey that has taken her from the abandoned Haida village of Skedans on Haida Gwaii to the prayer hall of the Burnaby Ismaili Jamatkhana, from the top of Mount Albert Edward on Forbidden Plateau to Vancouver's Downtown Eastside---and into the lives of poets, physicians, photographers and prisoners.
Her wanderings have resulted in magazine stories and columns, a CBC radio special (Healing the Heart, nominated for two awards), and now, her recently released book Havens in a Hectic World: Finding Sacred Places.
Readers' Comments:
A reader in Cultus Lake, BC writes:
I do love your book, and it's taken me in some interesting directions, and encouraged me to explore my beliefs and spirituality further.
I found your book in Gibsons, met you, discovered Queenswood, and at Queenswood found a brochure on the Pacific Jubliee program (PJP), a two-year spiritual direction training program. I am planning to pursue the Jubilee program, and am also applying to attend the Vancouver School of Theology.
So from Gibsons I've travelled to Victoria and then to VST, all because of your wonderful book. Thank you so much!
Star is the NYNO, (that's Not Young, Not Old), columnist for CBC's All Points West, heard on CBC Radio One in Victoria, BC (90.5 FM) at 4:35 p.m. on Thursdays, with host Jo-Ann Roberts,
and on CBC Radio West, heard on CBC Radio One Kelowna at 88.9 FM, with host Rebecca Zandberger.
You can listen to previously broadcast columns at: http://www.cbc.ca/allpointswest/not-young-not-old/
A message from Star:
For the last three years, I've been exploring how and where we find the sacred in our lives, and specifically, the power of place on the West Coast. Many generous British Columbians have told me their stories of seeking the spiritual through their relationship to place, and invited me to accompany them to their personal places of renewal and healing. Each person has shown me something new and valuable, and my heartfelt thanks to all who have shared their sacred places with me.
