This episode’s special guest Dr. Ruben Habito took time to connect with us from across the ocean. After recently retiring or as he says it "Re-riring."  At 77, he prefers to think of this season as a time to put new tires on his vehicle to prepare him for the next part of his journey. This pit stop includes time with his wife Maria and her family in Germany before settling into their new home in Santa Fe. Ruben discusses where he’s come from, where he has been and where he is going and noticing the Presence of the Holy through it all.

Many of us in the Retreat House circle met Ruben through his work at Perkins School of Theology at SMU where he served as head of the spiritual formation program for seminary students as well as director of their spiritual direction program. He has impacted many of us with his loving and gentle wisdom reminding us all that we are indeed beloved. As a spiritual director, author and teacher, Ruben has shared his love of God through many channels. One aspect that makes his life particularly inspiring is his ability to combine Eastern religious teachings with his Christian tradition. Did you know he was a Jesuit priest before meeting his wife? This is a story he shares in this episode.

 Ruben is not an either or person, but a both and. Wisdom we can learn from and share especially in the divided world in which we currently find ourselves.  

Ruben invites himself and those around him to remember their breath, their holy breath – a practice he incorporates regularly. Our prayer and hope is this conversation reminds you that you are beloved as well as giving you a moment to check in with the holy breath within you.