Mental images – Are we responsible for them?

mental images

By Stephen Russell-Lacy Emanuel Swedenborg was an 18th-century Christian mystic. He has something to say about the origin of our mental images. He claimed he could converse with people occupying, what for most of us is usually, a hidden spirit realm. This he termed the ‘spiritual world’. He said this communication took place in full … Continue reading Mental images – Are we responsible for them?

Ego – What causes its illusions?

ego

By Stephen Russell-Lacy As we grow up, we become aware of our being a separate, self-contained individual.  This sense of ego can be a positive thing as with self-development of personal skills, or self-reflection on inner feelings.  The trouble is there is a risk that self-occupied thoughts can also lead us to: Seeing things from … Continue reading Ego – What causes its illusions?

Are aliens human?

Are aliens human?

By Stephen Russell-Lacy It doesn’t sound so weird these days to talk about intelligent life of aliens. Scientists have discovered not just a few but lots of potentially inhabitable planets outside the solar system. So far they have confirmed 5,506 such planets. Given the size of our galaxy, it is estimated there are 11 billion … Continue reading Are aliens human?

Self-observation and spiritual presence

Self-observation talk at Well Spring House

  By Stephen Russell-Lacy. Contents of a talk about self-observation and spiritual presence given at Well Spring House Swedenborg Open Learning Centre 1/7/23 We have a natural tendency for mindless reactivity Jumping to conclusions Travelling to the venue where I presented this talk, I indignantly watched a driver ahead of me stall in the queue … Continue reading Self-observation and spiritual presence

Higher awareness – A fallacy?

Higher awareness

By Stephen Russell-Lacy. This is the first script of a series of 6 podcasts asking how we can link ourselves with love and light. One of the great questions of life.  Is higher awareness a fallacy? I start by looking at a sense of awe and wonder. Play podcast Download podcast Maybe you can vividly … Continue reading Higher awareness – A fallacy?

Private prayer – Can it reduce fear?

Private prayer

By Stephen Russell-Lacy. The worldly minded suppose private prayer is no different from any other personal practice that induces relaxation. They ask ‘Don’t we relax by sitting in a comfortable position, in a quiet setting, having something calming to focus our attention, and adopting a passive attitude?’ Yet most people would agree that private prayer involves … Continue reading Private prayer – Can it reduce fear?

After the pandemic – Reflecting on this?

after the pandemic

By Stephen Russell-Lacy. After the pandemic we will eventually get back to work, school and elsewhere. But will there be a new normal? A new start? Differences that emerge following the enforced shutdown of usual business? For many of us the lockdown means more stress cooped up at home, more worry about income, more frustration.  Yet, … Continue reading After the pandemic – Reflecting on this?

Creative imagination – What causes it?

creative imagination

By Stephen Russell-Lacy. Have you ever used creative imagination to write a novel that has been published? Compose a piece of music that has been performed? Draw, paint or sculpt a work of visual art that has been bought? Of course, you don’t need to be a musician to hear an original melody in your head, … Continue reading Creative imagination – What causes it?

Non-striving in mindfulness – A paradox?

non-striving

By Stephen Russell-Lacy. According to mindfulness meditation we should adopt the outlook of ‘non-striving’ to deal with stress. But how can non-striving be a goal if we are encouraged not to strive for it? Stress and non-striving A part of my body might feel uncomfortable. For example churning in the stomach, a tense forehead, or … Continue reading Non-striving in mindfulness – A paradox?

Self-identity – Who am I?

Self-identity

By Stephen Russell-Lacy. ‘Who am I? Where am I going? What sort of person will I end up being?’ These are questions about self-identity. Genealogy websites help people trace their ancestors. This is an extremely popular hobby. It shows the importance of one aspect of self-identity as we each ask ‘Where do I come from’. … Continue reading Self-identity – Who am I?