Is it good to talk about the private lives of public figures? Like the sexual seductions of Dominique Straus-Khan, managing director of the IMF? This is someone who was heading for high political office. Or the widely reported affair of footballer Ryan Giggs with Big Brother star Imogen Thomas? What is more important — the human right to a private life or the media’s freedom of expression? Can talking about people we know be a good thing?
Month: May 2011
Jacob’s Ladder
Residential Forum, Purley Chase Spiritual Centre, Warwickshire, From 19:00 Tuesday 05 July 2011 to 14:00 Thursday 07 July 2011 Many people find that Swedenborg’s writings give them a wonderfully rational and understandable account of the Bible and Christian theology. Yet his writings also describe the great turning points in our spiritual development – the kind … Continue reading Jacob’s Ladder
Sexual culture — how to live in it?
‘Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised’ said policeman PC Michael Sanguinetti in Toronto, whilst advising students about safety on campus. In so saying he unleashed a storm of outrage. The marchers seem to be implying that sexual signals have no meaning in the world of human interaction.
Soul Awakening
Residential Weekend, Purley Chase Spiritual Centre Warwickshire, Friday 24 June 2011 – 19:00 to Sunday 26 June 2011 – 15:30 Everyday life can easily take up all of our focus and perhaps there is no space or time left for anything deeper – anything spiritual. This weekend focuses on ways in which we can choose … Continue reading Soul Awakening
Organised religion – beyond its sell by date?
The World Values Survey, which is claimed to be the most reliable survey of beliefs across the globe, suggests that there has been a substantial cultural change. William Bloom writing in The Complete Encyclopedia of Mind Body Spirit reports that in modernised and free societies, where people have access to diverse views, up to seventy per cent of the population has moved away from a single faith tradition. Many seem to be acknowledging a spiritual dimension to life without affiliating with organised religion.
Terrorists – How to respond to them?
Although details of the raid remain sketchy, one can’t help wondering if the US could have tried harder to capture bin Laden alive and put him on trial rather than carrying out a summary execution. We don’t know to what extent if any there was any danger to the attacking forces bursting in on bin Laden of him detonating a hidden explosive device. The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Williams, said: “I think the killing of an unarmed man is always going to leave a very uncomfortable feeling because it doesn’t look as if justice is seen to be done.” Few pundits have resisted the opportunity to ridicule him for this. Were they right to do this or was he right in what he said?
Going with the Flow
Residential weekend workshop Purley Chase Spiritual Centre, Warwickshire, 7pm Friday 1st July to 2pm Sunday 3rd July 2011 USING VISUAL IMAGES TO BETTER LIVE IN THE STREAM OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE Having energy and contentment come about when the individual is living in the moment, and experiencing the power of now – not distracted by one’s … Continue reading Going with the Flow
Hearing voices in the head – Are they real?
One well know example of some hearing voices is Joe Simpson. Whilst climbing on the West Face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes, Simpson fell from high up on the mountain and was left for dead. Frostbitten and slowly freezing to death he recovered consciousness to realize he had a broken leg throbbing with … Continue reading Hearing voices in the head – Are they real?
Two to Tango
Residential Weekend Purley Chase Spiritual Centre Warwickshire Starts 16:00 Friday 13 May 2011 Ends Sunday 14:00 15 May 2011 This is the fourth of our series of explorations of the enigmas of Genesis. Genesis, the first book in the Bible, seems to be a much deeper and mysterious book than most book than most of us … Continue reading Two to Tango