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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.
Britain has lost its church-going heritage. There is a growing voice of atheism led by Richard Dawkins author of the God Delusion, attacking what is seen as religious superstition. If Christianity is thought to be judgmental, hypocritical and blindly accepting irrational dogma, why should anyone still believe in God?
An Essay on Man is a poem published by Alexander Pope in 1734. It is a rationalistic effort to use philosophy in order to “vindicate the ways of God to man” (l.16), a variation of John Milton’s claim in the opening lines of Paradise Lost, that he will “justify the ways of God to men” … Continue reading Poem: An Essay on Man
People like to say things. Some people like to say, “Life is like a box of chocolates.” And some people like to say, “There’s no evidence for God.” But isn’t the world of nature good evidence for a creative designer?
Spiritual substance, in particular, is hard for our material minds to grasp. We’re so used to thinking of everything solid as being material, and of everything non-material (thoughts, feelings, etc.) as being wispy and insubstantial. But dreams show us a world that is non-material, and yet solid when we’re in it. Dreams are more like … Continue reading Spiritual Substance and Material Reality
Personal tragedy visited Jack. Although in his sixties and retired, he still felt young. His whole life revolved around doing handyman jobs in his own home and in the homes of his three daughters. He greatly enjoyed the company of his family and their appreciation. But recently he was experiencing some troubling ailments. First he noticed he was getting … Continue reading Personal tragedy – How could I face it?
It has been suggested that the Australian Aborigine is primitive and uneducated; an animist who uses ritual to win the favour of the spirits controlling food, shelter, and fertility and to ward off malevolent spirits. Despite what sounds to the western mind as believing in superstition, these semi-nomads have shown enormous intelligence by hunting and foraging for food, and thus surviving, in extreme conditions of the arid bush-land and desert wastes for over 30,000 years.
And so the question arises whether there is anything of value in their way of life which can benefit us all today?
There is a pluralistic mentality that has infused our social consciousness and a spreading attitude that there is more than one world-view or way of thinking that leads to everlasting happiness. We hear the attitude that it doesn’t matter what you actually believe as long as it suits you and you find it helpful. But does what you believe matter?
I am having a spot of bother with parables – nothing serious, you understand; nothing to worry about. Some of them, however, do seem just a little dated. There is that famous puzzle about the workers in the vineyard, for example – enough to spark a general strike. And what about the story of the … Continue reading Quibbling about Parables
The origin of the spirit of Christmas is the historical birth of Christ. Religious teachings can be expressed in a dogmatic manner so that any universal relevance or spiritual depth is lost. And so many people today are not Christian believers. However although they do not worship Jesus Christ, this doesn’t stop them appreciating the Christmas … Continue reading Spirit of Christmas for the non-believer?
I recently started reading another book of theology, but I found it utterly unintelligible and gave up after the first couple of chapters. I sometimes wonder whether theology is a matter of us studying God, or of God studying us. If the latter then clearly I stand accused. I have even thought that maybe theology … Continue reading Are you allergic to theological books?
