Book Review of Making Sense of Sex by Adrian Thatcher 2012 SPCK By Stephen Russell-Lacy The issue of sex and gender is a complex and controversial subject that often generates more heat than light. Yet I am sympathetic with Adrian Thatcher’s assumption ‘that there is some possible way of understanding it, and so of arriving at … Continue reading Making Sense of Sex
By Stephen Russell-Lacy New Year resolutions are quickly forgotten. What happened to that plan to gain control over an unhealthy habit? Where did the resolve go to be more tolerant of the noise and untidiness around us? When did we forget we were trying to find time for people who need us? It is all very … Continue reading Change of character – Is it possible?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy Dogmatic religious believers give religion a bad name. No wonder then that religious practice sometimes gets equated with hypocrisy and rigid beliefs in outdated doctrine. Perhaps not surprisingly, researchers persistently find that about 25% to 30% of individuals in Western cultures identify themselves as spiritual but not religious. The very word ‘religion’ … Continue reading Religious practice – What is the secret?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy A woman was walking along a road when she was attacked by a thief. He took her purse, beat her up, and went away, leaving her injured. A few local cars passed but nobody stopped to investigate the body lying on the path. What the woman needed was the spirit of compassion to … Continue reading The spirit of compassion – Is it within me?
Day Workshop SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24TH 2024 10AM – 4PM AT WELLSPRING HOUSE, MANCHESTER £10 Ever felt that your life is being ‘guided’? Emanuel Swedenborg wrote of how Divine Providence works on an internal level and always leads us in the direction of regeneration or spiritual enlightenment. In this experiential workshop you will be invited to … Continue reading Divine Providence – and the Way of the Spiritual Bracelet
By Stephen Russell-Lacy It’s never too late for inner personal change despite our ingrained habits. We don’t have to reach rock bottom in our lives before making the necessary effort. Looking at one’s faults can be an uncomfortable business. The spirit of kindness to oneself is necessary. This is needed to acknowledge the habitual presence … Continue reading Inner personal change – How to do it?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy Just as there is an ego so there is a higher self. But what is it? People often think that human beings are inherently good. And that personal development simply involves getting in touch with one’s true self. They believe a life, filled with compassion, joy, and peace, defines the true nature of … Continue reading Higher self – How to get in touch with it?
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?
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?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy If we have an inner searching attitude then I’m sure a growing number of higher thoughts will come alive in daily life. In practical terms, you might help this happen by: Talking about ethical issues with people you know. Reading spiritual books including sacred writings Joining discussion groups concerned with important … Continue reading Inner searching – But how?