An entrance to the Western Wall is viewed in the Old City in Jerusalem on November 26, 2014 in Jerusalem, Israel. Nine Israelis have been killed in a series of stabbings, shootings and hit-and-run attacks in Jerusalem over the past month, unsettling the ancient city of Jerusalem where Jews, Christians and Muslims have lived side by side for thousands of years. The tension and violence on the streets of the city is threatening to further isolate communities and to encourage extremist politicians to exploit the situation. ; Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
For many, the holidays are a time for reflection and faith and what better way to gain perspective than the sweeping documentary series from PBS, "Sacred Journeys." Respected scholar and writer on spirituality Bruce Feiler went on six pilgrimages over the course of a year. He takes viewers on his travels alongside U.S. pilgrims on their search for meaning in Jerusalem, Mecca, Kumbh Mela, Shikoku, Lourdes (France) and Osun-Osogbo (Nigeria).
Last week's episode focused on U.S. Wounded Warriors looking for healing in Lourdes. He also met up with Buddhists trekking several hundred miles to 88 temples in Japan. In tonight's back-to-back episodes, we meet Jews at the Western Wall who bring modern technology to ancient prayer ceremonies, then Muslims in Mecca helping videotape the intense, hard-to-traverse once annual passage known as the Hajj.
What does it mean that pilgrimages are on the rise? Why are they so popular? If you're religious or spiritual, have you taken a pilgrimage? How did it influence your faith?
Guest:
Bruce Feiler, Host of "Sacred Journeys" on PBS; columnist for the New York Times and the author of five consecutive New York Times bestsellers, including "Walking the Bible," "Abraham."