Human nature – Does it exist?

human nature

By Stephen Russell-Lacy. There are lots of cultural and individual differences between people, but do humans have something innately in common? According to philosopher John Locke, there is no such thing as human nature. In his view, the mind is at birth a “blank slate” without rules, so data are added, and rules for processing … Continue reading Human nature – Does it exist?

Belief – Must it make sense?

belief

By Stephen Russell-Lacy. Are you old enough to believe, that for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows? Or, that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows? What about the notion that for everyone that goes astray, someone will come to show the way? Even when they were written some people didn’t … Continue reading Belief – Must it make sense?

Enthusiasm – How to find it?

enthusiasm

How keen are you to get up in the morning and follow your ordinary day? Have you the enthusiasm needed to do what is fulfilling and good? “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, philosopher) With inspiration, and the enthusiasm that goes along with it, we have energy for living life to … Continue reading Enthusiasm – How to find it?

Soul – Does my pet have one?

soul

Our pets are loyal and affectionate members of our family and we don’t ever want to be parted from them. Lucy a beautiful black cat has lived with us for seventeen years and is nearing the end of her days. To ask ‘Do animals have a soul?’ implies that you do believe in the soul … Continue reading Soul – Does my pet have one?

Soul of a person – How to understand?

soul

If the human soul is something spiritual can we not understand it in terms of science? Although the derivation of the word ‘psychology’ literally means study of the soul, science has failed to pinpoint the location of the soul in the body and contemporary psychology is now defined as the study of mental processes and … Continue reading Soul of a person – How to understand?

What can I learn from nature?

nature

Nature is a wonderful thing. Individuals and governments are committed to showing more respect for the environment rather than carelessly destroying it. Concern about the sustainability of the planet and its protection is a contemporary attitude that is becoming quite common. I feel it reflects a spiritual sensitivity to the goodness of the unspoilt natural … Continue reading What can I learn from nature?

Son of God — How to make sense of Christ’s claim?

Son of God

A basic teaching of Christianity is that there is only one God but in three distinct divine persons, the Father, the Son of God and the Holy Spirit: each said to be God. Many Christian theologians themselves admit they have found it impossible to come up with a persuasive and rational explanation for three Gods … Continue reading Son of God — How to make sense of Christ’s claim?

Swedenborg – Who was he?

Swedenborg

In the eighteenth century it was still possible to be knowledgeable in many branches of science. Thus an eminent scientist, such as Emanuel Swedenborg, was able to write books in various subjects including theoretical physics, physiology, and psychology. His scientific study was actually done in his spare time. Day job for Swedenborg Swedenborg’s day job, … Continue reading Swedenborg – Who was he?

In a rut? Is life a slog? Time for inner change.

in a rut

Are you finding the going a bit hard these days? Dissatisfied with life without knowing why? In a rut? “Where does discontent start? You are warm enough, but you shiver. You are fed, yet hunger gnaws you. You have been loved, but your yearning wanders in new fields” (John Steinbeck) Reasons for feeling in a … Continue reading In a rut? Is life a slog? Time for inner change.

Who am I?

Who am I

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?