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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.
We seem to be surrounded by so much tension and conflict in the world today. With all the prejudice, discrimination and violence associated with strongly held beliefs, it would be nice to work out why people disagree so much. So what causes us to each believe certain things and be sniffy about opposing ideas? I … Continue reading Beliefs – Why do people differ so much?
Some pretty weird things are going on in laboratories that study the tiniest of things. “In the quantum world there is a sense that things don’t like to be tied down to just one location or follow just one path. It is almost as if things were in more than one place at a time. … Continue reading Weird science – What findings are true?
There is an idea around that what God is looking for from us is praise, adulation, flattery. But who creates human beings just to get to be worshipped? If parents had children for that reason we would call them psychos. Another brief video from offTheLeftEye
I wish Howard could be more open-minded. He is an 18-year-old student, and is in the same situation as many young people living away from home for the first time. I am concerned for him because he is not one to readily take up new opportunities for meeting new people, and for engaging in new … Continue reading Open-minded – Are you this about spiritual ideas?
I was in the theatre audience listening to a stand-up comic. We hadn’t gone to see him, he was just the warm up guy. He was telling filthy stories about people I greatly respected. I wanted to leave but I was hemmed in by those seated on my row and I knew if I stood … Continue reading Courage – How do I find it?
Happiness is a fuzzy concept and can mean different things to many people. It can mean for example a state of fulfilment, enjoyment of pleasure, or a sense of well-being. Not everyone is born with a sunny disposition, but commentators tend to suggest we can all learn how to bring more meaning and satisfaction into … Continue reading Happiness – What do you think makes you happy?
Denise Levertov wrote many poems with spiritual themes throughout her career. For example respect for nature and life, nothingness and absence, and despair with the world. There were also positive ideas and images about peace in death, wandering search, gratitude to give, wonder at mystery, and dance of delight. It is as if she had … Continue reading Denise Levertov: The Stream & the Sapphire.
Two suicide bombers attacked a Christian church in Pakistand and killed over 100 people. A few weeks later over 200 Muslims from across the country gathered together in a show of solidarity with the victims of the Peshawar church attack and formed a human chain to support Christians to safely attend the St Anthony’s Church. … Continue reading Muslims against suicide bombers.
In recent times there have been huge changes to the social climate and attitudes in Britain, even over the course of a generation or two. We now live in a world of instant communication, sexual freedom, consumerism, environmentalism, multiculturalism, and the cult of celebrity. These developments certainly mean it is the end of the world … Continue reading End of the world – What does it mean?
Recently I have been reflecting on the contrast between light and darkness. At this time of year when in our northern hemisphere the days are getting shorter it focuses my awareness on light or the lack of it. This interaction of light and darkness is present right from the beginning of the Bible. In the … Continue reading Light and Darkness
