For Lent this year, instead of giving up something, consider adding the spiritual practice of meditation to your journey as a way of shedding your false self.

Almost every moment of modern life is filled with noise, distraction, and mind-numbing entertainment. Inundated with the absurd, our lives not only become void of meaning but almost entirely superficial.

On Friday, the Feast Day of Paul of Thebes, I (Gary Alan) witnessed the solemn profession of monastic vows by my dear friend and spiritual mentor Father Brendan…