Spiritual poverty – What does it mean?

poverty

By Stephen Russell-Lacy. A report of a comprehensive study of poverty in the UK in 2012, was edited by Esther Dermott and Gill Main (Universities of Bristol and Leeds respectively.) It was not about spiritual poverty but social exclusion. They found that those surveyed thought poverty is not being able to afford to live an ordinary … Continue reading Spiritual poverty – What does it mean?

Inner well-being – Can I rely on myself?

By Stephen Russell-Lacy. We all probably want happiness and inner well-being. Yet sometimes we lack uplifting thoughts, forget the meaning and purpose which gave our life a sense a of direction, or feel discouraged and stressed when facing adversity. Is it really so difficult creating inner well-being for ourselves? Reliance on others for inner well-being … Continue reading Inner well-being – Can I rely on myself?

Fear of death – how to beat it?

fear of death

Do you avoid graveyards? Are you reluctant to attend funerals? Maybe you try not to think about death? Some people feel a sense of dread when the subject comes up. They see it as a grim horror yet it crops up in their dreams. This suggests a fear of death. Most of us harbour a … Continue reading Fear of death – how to beat it?

Guilty feelings – Mistaken or helpful?

guilty feeling

Health education points out the dangers of over-indulgence in eating and drinking and sitting around. You may take the view that if you really like doing something, you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. Or you may think you  should moderate your guilty pleasures when they negatively affect others. Then again you may think you ought … Continue reading Guilty feelings – Mistaken or helpful?

Mary and Martha – Are they in you?

Mary and Martha

Ever noticed someone in your team not pulling their weight, whilst you are working hard to get the job done properly? I remember one day when my side of the family were visiting us. I was expecting my wife to do all the practical things that needed doing whilst I just sat chatting. I even … Continue reading Mary and Martha – Are they in you?

Food for the soul – How does it nourish me?

food for the soul

Do you sometimes feel you lack something you feel you need? It may be a more satisfying job, bigger house for a growing family, or a better car. However, you may also feel you lack something less definable, something you can’t easily put your finger on but which may be an answer to your troubles: … Continue reading Food for the soul – How does it nourish me?

Positive awareness – How to find it?

positive

There probably were some positive experiences you have had recently. Just small things really. Like the delight of bumping into a friend at the supermarket, a warm glow felt when someone shows you some consideration, or the delight you felt in observing your small grandchildren playing. But when bad things also happen, how easy it … Continue reading Positive awareness – How to find it?

Spiritual awakening – How to discover it?

spiritual awakening

By Stephen Russell-Lacy. Who doesn’t wonder whether happiness that lasts is ever possible? What does one have to do to bring it about? Will this need to involve some form of spiritual awakening and if so how do you discover it? Spiritual awakening and contemporary culture Much of materialist science has it that we are … Continue reading Spiritual awakening – How to discover it?

Psychiatric illness

Harvard Medical School

David Rosmarin Harvard Medical School talking about his study of 159 patients said: “Our work suggests that people with a moderate to high level of belief in a higher power do significantly better in short-term psychiatric treatment than those without, regardless of their religious affiliation. Belief was associated with not only improved psychological wellbeing, but … Continue reading Psychiatric illness

How do I find meaning and purpose for my life?

Meaning and purpose

A meaning and purpose for one’s life can be hard to find. According to legend, a prince was deeply agitated. He couldn’t make sense of the human affliction he witnessed outside the palace where he had led a sheltered life. His father the king had surrounded the boy with every worldly pleasure and kept him … Continue reading How do I find meaning and purpose for my life?