The Master and his Emissary

A Lecture by Iain McGilchrist on the Divided Brain and the Making of the Western W0rld April 7 2011, 6.30 pm, Swedenborg Hall  London  £5.00/£3.00 concessions  For details and booking email nora@swedenborg.org.uk or tel. 02074057986 On 7th April 2011, the Swedenborg Society will be proud to present a lecture by Iain McGilchrist, a doctor, psychiatrist and writer. His recent … Continue reading The Master and his Emissary

Connecting with Nature

Walking Retreat  – the natural world around and our inner nature of spirit Friday 11 March 2011 – 19:00 to Sunday 13 March 2011 – 14:00  At Purley Chase Centre Warwickshire   Booking The weekend will be spent in gentle, medatitive, guided walks in the countryside around Purley Chase and reflective time in the garden … Continue reading Connecting with Nature

Volunteering – Could Cameron’s ‘big society’ work?

volunteering

David Cameron’s ‘big society’ has caused a lot of comment. Unpaid jobs don’t pay the rent/mortgage or bring food on the table. In this day and age people are obliged to work long hours and have busy lives. An ethical perspective maintains that people should do things for others as well as for self.

But being useful is also a way of self-improvement. With less time to dwell on self we can find unsuspected energy from people around us. This method of spiritual growth involves focusing of what is needed and getting on and doing it.

Euthanasia – good or bad?

euthanasia

The question of euthanasia is a political one. Some religious people condemn euthanasia as wrong. However, many reach no final conclusion although seeing several relevant spiritual perspectives. Has one the right to live and thus the right to die. Should the individual choice of those who want assisted suicide be respected? Should one be allowed to die to escape intolerable pain and loss of independence? Is there any point in keeping someone alive past the point he or she can contribute to society?

Flaws – Seeing the shadowy side of oneself.

flaws

We know it is all too easy to try to deny any personal criticisms that come our way. No one finds it comfortable to acknowledge shortcomings in their makeup. However, when we do notice feelings of resentment, guilt, or hurt in our dealings with others, we might start to wonder if we are at fault.

A terrible wrong

If someone does us a terrible wrong, we want to tell the person how we feel. That is how Joanne Nodding felt even though she was a victim of a horrendous crime. Most rape victims never want to see their attacker again but she was different. So she decided to face the man who raped … Continue reading A terrible wrong

Swedenborg on spirituality.

Swedenborg

Who was Swedenborg? What did he teach? What did he have to say about human nature, individual development, personal choice, human destiny, innocent suffering, God, and Christ?

Illusions that destroy hope.

illusions

No future? Lost hope? Can’t see how things might improve? When we get into this negative state of mind, we lack energy even to do the easiest of things and nothing gives us much pleasure.

For Macbeth, life seemed to have a future — one of power and status. Yet he also felt such things were insignificant. For he said:

“Life is but a walking shadow… a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury – signifying nothing.”

Perhaps he was feeling that only what the world could offer were mere illusions.