Lifestyle Lore

Aisha Bakri

Columnist, Mind & Ritual

Holding a Ph.D. in Sociology from the London School of Economics, Aisha's research focused on the role of ritual in secular societies. She spent several years conducting ethnographic research on modern communities, from wellness retreats to digital covens. Finding a passion for public scholarship, she began writing her column 'Modern Rites,' which quickly gained a devoted following for its blend of academic rigor and gentle introspection. Her book, 'The Secular Sacred,' was a notable exploration of how individuals forge their own sense of the sacred in a post-religious world. Aisha’s writing challenges readers to look at their daily routines and find the potential for ceremony and deeper meaning.

Expertise

Sociology of religionModern ritual studiesMindfulness and contemplative traditionsSecular humanismThe philosophy of slow livingCommunity building

Coverage Areas

The creation of new traditions
Mindfulness in daily life
The philosophy of craft and labor
Digital-age community and isolation

Latest Articles

A beautifully preserved mid-century modern brick residence with expansive glass windows and a manicured garden, showcasing timeless architectural appeal.
Hearth & Home

Mid-century design principles shape brick homes for future appreciation

The Asher Residence, a Rodney Walker-designed mid-century modern gem in Sherman Oaks, is now listed for $3.

Jun 28, 2026 · 3 min read

Person meditating and doing yoga on a mountain peak at dawn, embodying peace and the search for stress relief.
Mind & Body

Yoga and mindfulness offer stress relief, but evidence is limited.

A single standard deviation increase in mindfulness was associated with a 0.

Jun 20, 2026 · 6 min read

Students engrossed in glowing screens in a dark classroom, with one student holding a book, symbolizing the decline of reading skills.
Letters & Lore

Screens Are Making Us Worse Readers, Evidence Shows

Students who use computers more than six hours daily score a staggering 66 points lower on PISA assessments than nonusers, revealing a hidden cost of digital immersion.

Jun 17, 2026 · 4 min read

A person waking up feeling refreshed and alert after 7 hours of sleep, symbolizing improved cognitive function and brain health.
Mind & Body

7 Hours of Sleep: The Science-Backed Habit for Brain Health

Sleeping just one hour more or less than seven hours a night can significantly decrease your cognitive performance, according to a Nature study of nearly half a million individuals.

Jun 16, 2026 · 5 min read

Herzog & de Meuron's reimagined Titlis antenna tower sculpture, featuring a 140-seat restaurant, set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
Hearth & Home

Herzog & de Meuron reimagines 56-meter Titlis antenna tower sculpture

Perched over 3,000 meters above sea level, a 56-meter-high antenna tower, once a purely functional mid-1980s structure, now hosts a 140-seat restaurant designed by Herzog & de Meuron.

Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Animated film 'Prison and Time' visualizes the counterproductive nature of incarceration and its unexpected impact on artistic expression.
Sound & Scene

New Animated Film Explores Counterproductive Forces of Incarceration

While incarcerated, Marvin Wade not only obtained his GED and learned conflict resolution but also discovered a profound love for writing, according to This Is Colossal .

Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read

A person peacefully journaling by a sunlit window, symbolizing the calming and beneficial effects of gratitude practices on mental well-being.
Mind & Body

What Are Gratitude Mindful Activities for Well-being?

Just 15 minutes a day, five days a week, of practicing gratitude can significantly enhance mental wellness, according to UCLA Health .

Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read

Elderly woman practicing mindfulness meditation outdoors in a peaceful garden, experiencing tranquility and enhanced wellbeing.
Mind & Body

What are mindful exercises for seniors and why do they boost wellbeing?

Just 30 minutes of daily mindfulness meditation can increase gray matter in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory and learning, even in older adults, according to seniorlifestyle.

Jun 7, 2026 · 5 min read

A futuristic library with AI screens replacing books, contrasted with a single traditional book, symbolizing the erosion of human authorship in storytelling.
Letters & Lore

AI Storytelling Risks Eroding Art and Authorship, Raising Ethical Concerns.

When stories are introduced as AI-generated, readers are significantly less likely to become deeply transported into the narrative world, according to studies in nature .

Jun 7, 2026 · 4 min read

Close-up of AA Danto's new luxury tile series, highlighting intricate patterns and textures in a beautifully lit interior setting.
Hearth & Home

AA Danto Unveils New Tile Series with Global Designer Collaborations

AA Danto's latest tile series isn't just new; some re-edited collections are explicitly designed to last for the next one hundred years.

Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read

A digital cityscape where online communities are actively shaping public narratives, overshadowing traditional corporate messaging and control.
Letters & Lore

Digital platforms rewrite folklore, organizations lose control

In 2026, before official corporate statements or traditional news reports emerge, online communities routinely add context, criticism, and interpretation to public events.

Jun 4, 2026 · 2 min read

A futuristic fitness studio in 2026 showcasing hyper-specialized wellness zones with advanced technology and diverse participants.
Mind & Body

The Fitness and Wellness Industry's 2026 Hyper-Specialization Shift

Nearly 78% of Fortune 500 companies now invest in employee health coaching, according to Eciks .

Jun 4, 2026 · 3 min read

Interior view of Jungle's new Madrid headquarters, designed by Mil Studios, showcasing a modern and creative workspace.
Hearth & Home

Mil Studios completes design of Jungle's Madrid HQ

Mil Studios completed the design of creative agency Jungle's new Madrid headquarters in 2026, signaling a significant investment in a physical space tailored to foster creativity and brand identity.

May 31, 2026 · 2 min read

Split screen showing a person working out at home and a futuristic AI interface with personalized health data, representing Hims & Hers' new iFIT AI coaching benefit.
Mind & Body

Hims & Hers boosts subscriber perks with new partner benefits

Hims & Hers subscribers now receive their first three months of AI coaching through iFIT for free, a significant move beyond traditional telehealth.

May 29, 2026 · 2 min read

A 250-foot triumphal arch, nicknamed 'Arc de Trump,' featuring a Lady Liberty-like figure and gilded eagles, approved for Washington D.C.
Hearth & Home

Fine Arts Commission Approves Arc de Trump Design for DC

A 250-foot triumphal arch, nicknamed the 'Arc de Trump' and featuring a Lady Liberty-like figure and gilded eagles, has been unanimously approved for Washington D.

May 22, 2026 · 2 min read

Close-up of diverse hands skillfully creating traditional crafts, highlighting the beauty and connection found in handmade heritage.

Handmade Heritage is Key to Mindfulness and Cultural Identity in 2026

In 2026, Vesterheim joins a nationwide movement: the Handwork 2026 Celebration.

May 15, 2026 · 3 min read

A lively outdoor spring artisan market with diverse crafts, people browsing, and a vibrant community atmosphere.
Artisans & Craft

Spring Artisan Markets and Craft Fairs in 2026

This Mother's Day weekend alone, over 35 artisan and craft events are scheduled across New Jersey, from student-led businesses to winery picnics.

May 14, 2026 · 3 min read

Close-up of a Brazilian artisan's hands carefully crafting a replica World Cup trophy in a workshop, showcasing detailed work.
Artisans & Craft

Brazilian artisan crafts replica World Cup trophies, selling over 3000

In a small Rio de Janeiro workshop, artisan Jarbas Meneghini has personally handcrafted over 3,000 plaster replicas of the World Cup trophy.

May 12, 2026 · 2 min read