Blog

Creating Your Own Meaningful Rituals

Using inspiration and resources from her time in The Nearness, Ashley Spykerman created her own beautiful and imaginative ritual to gather her community and celebrate the birth of her son. Read on to hear Ashley's tips and words of advice for anyone interested in creating their own ritual!

Five Lessons From Cultivating Spiritual Community Online

In October, over two hundred people started a journey together in The Nearness. Their purpose? To nurture their spiritual life together with others outside of a traditional religious institution. It was clear right away just how much people were yearning for a space like this. Here’s what we learned from the first Nearness journey! 

“Do It Again"

Moriel Rothman-Zecher talks with Alec Gewirtz about spirituality and his new novel, “Before All The World"

Alec sat down with Moriel Rothman-Zecher to discuss his new book, moral judgement, learning through repetition, and the wisdom of children.

Start.Coop Interview with The Nearness Co-Founders Casper and Alec

The Nearness co-founders Casper ter Kuile and Alec Gewirtz were part of an accelerator for new cooperatives called Start.Coop in the spring of 2022. Here, they talk with Start.Coop Co-Director Jessica Mason about their stories, their hopes for The Nearness, and the meaning of the word “spirituality”!

Our Spiritual Principles and Influences

People participating in The Nearness have a wide variety of beliefs, practices, and backgrounds. We don’t ask anyone to believe in any dogma; instead, we welcome difference.

Is this a weird cult thing? Or a front for a church?

No. But we get it. When anyone talks about spirituality and community, it risks sounding weird, even dangerous. Most of us are aware of the many ways things can go wrong in community life.