‘Tis The Season To Reflect

First, from The ROOTS Movement, we wish you a warm and wholesome holiday season! During this time of year, marked by lights, rituals, family gatherings, and spiritual remembrance, I found myself unexpectedly moved by the AppleTV docuseries Mr. Scorsese, which chronicles the life and artistic instinct of Martin Scorsese. While known widely for his iconic crime films, what struck me most in the series was how deeply he grapples with faith. Through film, Scorsese has never stopped asking questions about morality, righteousness, and redemption.

Three of his most introspective films—The Last Temptation of Christ, Kundun, and Silence—stand as quiet meditations on religion, doubt, and spiritual identity. Each is based on a powerful book, each controversial in its own way, and each profoundly personal to Scorsese. He shares how these films arrived at different moments in his life when he was wrestling with his own understanding of what it means to be good, to be forgiven, and to be seen by something greater. They are not answers, but offerings: cinematic prayers about what it means to be human in a world of sacred stories, inherited beliefs, and contradictions.

Now, what does this have to do with the holiday season? Well, besides the serendipitous timing of watching the series, the personal perspective towards faith was moving. Watching them, I couldn’t help but reflect: When was the last time I sat alone and asked myself the big questions? Especially during this season of celebration, when so many religions emphasize giving, sacrifice, and togetherness, do I pause long enough to ask: What do I believe? Where do I struggle? Am I living aligned with the values I speak of? We often get caught in the beauty and buzz of the holidays—gifts, food, lights—and forget to ask about the heart. But maybe that, too, is part of the journey: to find space in the joy for honesty, for silence, for soul.

✨ The New Year & New Season

As we close out this year, we’re already dreaming up something creative and meaningful for Season 5 of The Philosophy of Now—coming in early 2026. This next chapter is inspired by everything we’ve learned from past conversations, the relationships we’ve built, and the community of thoughtful listeners who’ve reflected alongside us. We’ll be exploring themes of community, selfhood, creativity, and collective imagination with a renewed lens…and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Until then, may this season bring not only warmth and togetherness, but a little quiet space to reflect on the deeper light that guides you.

And as you move through the holidays, consider this: whether we have nothing or all the resources in the world, each of us has one powerful gift, our presence. Have we spent time simply listening to a loved one? Sitting with someone in need? Being fully, radically present? Sometimes the most generous thing we can offer is our attention.

Stay Tuned!

Yes - we will be releasing SEASON 5 our podcast very soon! So, stay tuned. Throughout the weeks, we have been releasing previous conversations, video podcasts, and information on upcoming events.

Want to know what our name means? Find out through this beautiful explanation. The ROOTS Movement is founded on Realizing Our Own True Selves. We are grateful for this expression, as it provides a goal and context for our daily practices.

In the past season, we spoke with Sadhviji, George Mumford, & Dayal Gauranga. Truly an honor to spend that much time with teachers and practitioners of this caliber! We are hoping that you can join us in understanding and applying the philosophies of now that the esteemed guests share. Feel free to reach out with questions, notes, and reflections of your own.

In The Philosophy of Now podcast, we speak with thought leaders and innovators to learn about their mantras and perspectives for being present, or what we like to call - their philosophies of now.

We’ve already learned from a diverse range of phenomenal personalities like Sri M, Henry Shukman, Swami Sarvapriyananda, Sid Sriram, Acharya Prashant and Nandita Das.

Join Us On This Journey!

We hope The Philosophy of Now serves to be a unique podcast - one in which the listener feels fully present and truly immersed in the conversation. One in which the guest, interviewer, and listener share a collective learning space.