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Below we explore spiritual questions about the meaning of life.
These tend to look at the ‘why’ questions. What is meaningful in why innocent people suffer? Why is there social evil? The posts look at these and other issues in terms of deeper principles applied to science, personal relationships, the experience of being human, and a religious meaning of divine presence.
It seems that the meaning of life depends on who you are and what you want. See Meaning of Life – What do we live for?
We speak of mental health as a desirable state. Is the concept of spiritual health any different?
Is virtue really achievable? Are some people just bad through and through? How does one consider how good or bad one is? How can one change one’s character?
Where does what is good in human beings come from? What about the origin of cruelty, pride, laziness and other vices?
Is there such a thing as the soul? Does my pet have one? Or is the Buddhist idea of ‘no self’ correct?
What about immortal life? Living for ever sounds a bit daunting.
Are there any deep differences between male and female? Posts look at the idea of gender as a universal idea as opposed to one simply made up by our culture.
Given the widespread incidence of human misery the question arises as to whether people are victims of circumstance. One alternative view is that we are responsible for our lives in some way. Which is correct?
One view is that suffering can be good for the development of character. If so is disappointment really a blessing in disguise? How one might face personal tragedy?
It is sometimes thought that the symbols found in various ancient traditions like astrology or religion have some relevance today. What about the western esoteric traditions? Are myths and legends anything more than superstitious beliefs? Do biblical images like light, pathways, battles, help communicate a higher awareness of spiritual matters?
Does the world of nature symbolise anything meaningful in human terms? Articles address what we can learn from animal behaviour. What plants can teach us. Whether food and colour have meaning for us.
Trap of contemporary values. Why do people differ in their beliefs? Does it matter what one believes? Is conviction or doubt more healthy? What might be an enlightened view of truth. How to think of enlightenment?
Religious superstition. On what can we pin our hopes on? Is the Divine only a matter of subjective and not objective truth? Blind faith. Has religion anything to offer? Atheism. Is being spiritual but not religious a good thing? Religious education. Is there really any higher power to put one’s hope in? Where is Providence in turbulent times? How to think of the Divine Source? What use is theology? Who was Jesus Christ? Value of prayer.
Is materialistic thinking rational. Does science invalidate religion? What findings of weird science true? Does evolution theory explain our origins? Does the brain fully explain consciousness? What is the relation between science and religion?
When we are on our inner journey, beginning to be healed of negative states, perhaps starting to experience enlightened understanding, and a sense of meaning and purpose to our lives. Here you will find posts about more positive inner states of mind. Well-being, happiness, joy, humility, fulfillment of fatherhood, delight in effective communication of ideas we cherish.
When it comes to the question of whether you will go to heaven, like Woody Allen, you might want to keep your options open. “I don’t believe in an afterlife, although I am bringing a change of underwear.” (Woody Allen) And you may wonder if there really is a heaven, is religion of any relevance? … Continue reading To go to heaven do I have to be religious?
The ancient Egypt Book of the Dead is a collection of funerary instructions placed in coffins and sarcophagi in order to prepare the soul of the deceased for the afterlife and judgment. The scenes are dramatically presented in pictures and words. A Swedenborgian view, of how natural things correspond to spiritual matters, suggests that the … Continue reading Beliefs of ancient Egypt about death?
You may be wondering how to be happy — happy in a way that will last. We have only to read the newspapers or watch the television to observe a lot of unhappiness in the world. “I grew up as this very carefree, happy kid then things turned darker for me. Maybe it was because … Continue reading How to be happy from a deeper perspective.
This entertaining video is a bit different. It shows how the Old Testament Joseph and his brothers can actually influence our own everyday choices! We can hear what the Joseph story can say to us. It seems who the brothers personify are not just of interest to children but to all age groups. [youtube_sc url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH7i6k60gV0&feature=plcp] … Continue reading Aren’t Bible stories irrelevant today?
Today we are discovering or, to be more exact, rediscovering that the inner and outer worlds of our experience are closely related to each other. What we see in the images and experiences of the outer world is in some sense dependent on what elements are currently active within our psyche. In that way outer … Continue reading Are myths anything more than superstitious beliefs?
John: Who am I? Where do I come from and where am I going? Sally: What do you mean by asking “Who am I?” Don’t you know? You haven’t had a knock on the head or something and got amnesia? You are John. The bloke who works at the bank and plays rugby on Sunday … Continue reading Who am I?
A Jane Austin novel seems to end at the altar as if the wedding were all that is necessary for a happy marriage for all time. Yet these days a lot of marriages seem to finish up on the scrap heap and you might have a sneaky feeling that perhaps a well-known film star was … Continue reading Happy marriage — How can this happen?
Conventional modern medicine has made great strides, the main progress having been focused on specially formulated chemical substances and sophisticated surgical techniques with their high-tech electronic aids. This has led to some truly amazing advances, but it has also resulted in specialisation and an approach to the whole subject of ‘health and wholeness’ which has been increasingly concerned … Continue reading Why am I not healed?
In deciding what to believe sooner or later you come up against something that is greater than yourself. Toddlers make every effort to get their own way but eventually have to submit to parental authority. Young people test their limits climbing mountains or visiting wild places until forced to acknowledge their helplessness in meeting the … Continue reading What to believe – How do I decide?
General ideas about what is true about life come from all around us — family, the mass media, books. These concepts have often seeped through from current and past thinking for example from politics, philosophy and religion. We absorb such ideas because we tend to be interested in making sense of our lives, why we are here, where we come from, and where we are going, not to mention fathoming the reality of suffering, misfortune, and chaos that we find all around us. But life goes on and we are obliged to make the best fist of it using what values and principles we have learned about and accept. The question arises: Is it better to have conviction or doubt about your ideas?
