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?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy It doesn’t sound so weird these days to talk about intelligent life of aliens. Scientists have discovered not just a few but lots of potentially inhabitable planets outside the solar system. So far they have confirmed 5,506 such planets. Given the size of our galaxy, it is estimated there are 11 … Continue reading Are aliens human?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy Climate change, risk of nuclear devastation, world poverty and global debt are all things that need to be addressed urgently. Cheap energy would be one important solution. Is the lack of significant progress is creating cheap energy due to random factors or human design? Or a bit of both. Climate change and … Continue reading Cheap energy – What’s stopping it?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy. Contents of a talk about self-observation and spiritual presence given at Well Spring House Swedenborg Open Learning Centre 1/7/23 We have a natural tendency for mindless reactivity Jumping to conclusions Travelling to the venue where I presented this talk, I indignantly watched a driver ahead of me stall in the queue … Continue reading Self-observation and spiritual presence
By Stephen Russell-Lacy. Mindfulness is gaining growing popularity as a secular practice in daily life. It is a coming together of the contemplative traditions, particularly Buddhism, and modern science Mindfulness is learned through meditation and other practices such as walking and eating mindfully. It involves paying close attention to what is going on in … Continue reading Mindfulness – Swedenborg perspective
By Stephen Russell-Lacy. Play or download podcast of this post We are bewildered and indignant at the widespread extent of apparently arbitrary and undeserved suffering in the world. And many ask the reason why the universal power of love and justice doesn’t stop suffering. In the world of religion, this is known as the theodicy … Continue reading Providence – A new understanding
By Stephen Russell-Lacy. Play or download podcast of this post If there really were a power of love behind the universe, why doesn’t it stop widespread suffering in the world? The struggle to find a compelling argument for the existence of both pain and disease and a loving powerful God puts many people off religion. … Continue reading Power of love – No control over suffering?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy. Play or download podcast of this post We notice a seeming random hurt and misery in the world. This suggests there is no life force behind the universe: no power of justice, goodness, or love. Is there no divine source for existence? Despite the reality of suffering in the world with its … Continue reading Life force – Is there universal goodness?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy. Many people find that their religion both guides and strengthens their lives. Prayer, ritual and faith for them are crucial components of their journey. Others speak of a non-religious inner path to meaning and happiness. Universal spiritual ideas Professor of psychiatry, philosophy and anthropology, Roger Walsh has observed a common way of … Continue reading Inner path – Just one universal journey?