The Planted Yogi25 Apr 2025

9: Finding Meaning Beyond Religion – Spirituality, Resilience & Real Life with Reverend David Schwartz

What does spirituality look like when traditional religion doesn’t quite fit? Today on The Planted Yogi, Dr. Ciara Martin sits down with Reverend David Schwartz, lead minister at the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Boulder, to talk about faith, imperfection, and finding meaning in today’s chaotic world.

David shares his personal journey from the corporate world to spiritual leadership, why spirituality and resilience go hand in hand, and how embracing imperfection might be the most sacred practice of all.

In this conversation, we explore:

Why you don’t need to “have it all figured out” to live a meaningful life
How spirituality can be personal, fluid, and not tied to one belief system
The role of ritual, community, and self-compassion in healing burnout
How practices like gratitude, deep listening, and intention setting can build resilience

Whether you're questioning your beliefs, feeling disconnected, or just looking for inspiration, this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights:

[03:30] - What does Unitarian Universalism believe? A church without a creed
[08:15] - How David transitioned from corporate executive to minister
[14:00] - The challenge of bringing your whole self into different spaces
[19:30] - How rituals and community shape resilience
[25:00] - Why spirituality is about practice, not perfection
[31:15] - Parenting, imperfection, and the power of showing up
[37:00] - Small, sustained changes that can bring more meaning into daily life
[44:45] - How to start a spiritual practice that works for you
[51:00] - The balance of intellect, embodiment, and emotional integration
[58:00] - Why feeling your feelings is actually less scary than avoiding them

Connect with Ciara & The Planted Yogi:
Special Offer for Listeners:

Explore Unitarian Universalism – Find a welcoming, non-dogmatic spiritual community near you
Connect with Reverend David Schwartz

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