Samsara and the Liberated Life

The “human condition” is diagnosed differently depending on where in time and place you happen to be. Some traditions regard humans as having fallen from some state of paradisal perfection, separated from what we once were or one day might be. Others invoke metaphors of brokenness, corruption, dislocation, or captivity – hostage to diabolical forcesContinue reading “Samsara and the Liberated Life”

Back on the Way

Ever feel anxious? How about lonely? Depressed? Have you been there before? Maybe you’re there now. It may bring a bit of relief to learn that anxiety, loneliness, and depression have been the dark shadow of human consciousness for thousands of years. You’re not the first, and you’re not alone. As human consciousness evolved, theContinue reading “Back on the Way”

Politics in a New Key

The wisdom teachers of history have been right all along: We can’t solve our most persistent problems or gain liberation from suffering as long as we stay in the same frame of mind that generated our trouble in the first place. That frame of mind, the teachers tell us, perceives Reality through the lens ofContinue reading “Politics in a New Key”

A New Look at Religion

I’ve said it many times in this blog: Religion is not the problem; bad religion is the problem. Religion that has gotten locked up in itself is the problem. Religion that has lost its roots and lifeline to the Source and Mystery whose discovery had sparked a vision and launched a movement perhaps centuries agoContinue reading “A New Look at Religion”

Human Wellbeing

Some of us are obsessed with our health, others with success, and most are actively chasing happiness. But who among us are intentionally cultivating wellbeing? Or is that term just a synonym for one of the others – maybe the fusion of all three? Maybe we’re stuck in confusion. If not confused, then we mightContinue reading “Human Wellbeing”

Relax, You Are Probably a Post-Theist

The transition from theism to post-theism is typically stressful and traumatic for someone who believes that god actually exists. Even though they have never observed or encountered a deity like the one represented in the sacred stories – and neither, by the way, has anyone else – the very idea that God is not whatContinue reading “Relax, You Are Probably a Post-Theist”

The Crux

All lifeforms on Earth are limited to lifetimes, some longer than others and some shorter. A few last only days, while a few others stretch into centuries. You’re about average, with a life expectancy of 80 years or so. Does that upset you? Nature has equipped all forms of life with a developmental aim andContinue reading “The Crux”

Your Inner Family

In True Self in the Real World I analyzed the social construction of identity in order to show that the person we play on stage and the stage itself are neither true (self) nor real (world). True Self and the Real World are, in fact, screened from our awareness by a conditioned preference for becomingContinue reading “Your Inner Family”

True Self in the Real World

It sounds a bit odd, but even though you’ve been around for a while, it’s possible that you are just now waking up. To use one of my favorite metaphors, it takes some time asleep inside its cocoon before the butterfly is ready to emerge. I’ve placed you there in my diagram, right at theContinue reading “True Self in the Real World”

The Spiral Path

Many teachings on wisdom spirituality assume that their audience is comprised of individuals who are ready for a revelation or breakthrough. In fact, many are only interested in home improvement and not an entirely new living situation. In a sense, conventional religion is something of a compromise in this regard. Somewhere in there are goldenContinue reading “The Spiral Path”