Slowing Down in the City That Never Sleeps

Things NYC is: fast, impatient, loud, exciting, sparkly, instantly gratifying.

Things it is not: a monastery.

When we moved here, we heard from a lot of evangelical friends and family that New York City could be damaging to our faith. Most of their warnings had to do with how secular and hedonistic the city is — all those worldly temptations. But, honestly, what we've found most wearing on our faith is the pace and noise of the city. Both of us long for and value a robust interior spiritual life. But New York is such an exterior city — a show-off city. Who has time for devotions amid all this distraction? We talk to fellow New Yorker Father James Martin about how he manages to cultivate quiet, spiritual disciplines that seem so at odds with the energy of the city. Plus, we learn all about the practice of "sound bathing," from religion journalist Liz Kineke.

Talking to God in Gotham isn't impossible. It just takes a lot of intentionality. And maybe a gong.

Our guests this week:

• The Rev. James Martin: Jesuit priest, editor at large for America Magazine, author of "Learning to Pray" and "Jesus: A Pilgrimage," consultor to the Dicastery for Communication
• Liz Kineke: Broadcast and print journalist on the faith and religion beat, formerly with CBS Religion. Read Liz's article that inspired her interview on the podcast: Joyful noise or meditative hum, sound resets the mind for faith.