Join neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times best-selling author Sam Harris as he explores important and controversial questions about the mind, society, current events, moral philosophy, religion, and rationality—with an overarching focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. Sam is also the creator of the Waking Up app. Combining Sam’s decades of mindfulness practice, profound wisdom from varied philosophica ...
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Contemplative Traditions Podcasts
What are the big questions in your life? Where are you on the spiritual journey? Do you have people in your life who listen to your deepest questions, with contemplative presence and compassion? SDI Creative Director Matt Whitney hosts conversations on spiritual direction, guidance, contemplation, and community. This podcast offers a wide range of perspectives, stories, and conversations about the contemplative, healing modality of spiritual companionship, across a wide range of religious tr ...
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What gifts can contemplative spirituality offer to a world that is crying out for a greater Love and Freedom? Animated by a vision of interspiritual dialogue, meditation teacher Thomas McConkie searches Christianity and the world’s Wisdom traditions for gems and insights into awakening, transformation, and the soul’s journey Home. One Heart One Mind is both a podcast and sacred space where you can come to rest, deepen your connection with the Divine, and let your heart be as big as it actual ...
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Welcome to the Liminal Living Podcast, where we dive deep into the realm of liminal spaces—those transitional phases where uncertainty is our companion. I'm your host and curator of conversations, Dr. Tom Rundel, and it's my pleasure to serve as your guide through these uncharted territories. With a doctoral background in spirituality and leadership from Portland Seminary, my research has centered on the spirituality found in the narratives of liminality in the Bible, but I have expanded my ...
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Welcome to The Soft Focus Podcast, where we practice letting go, broadening the view, and opening up to the magic that is already here.The Soft Focus Podcast is hosted by Corinne McAndrews, the farmer, wife, mother, and contemplative at the helm of Late Bloomer Ranch in eastern Idaho, USA, which is a holistic ranch committed to raising meat, eggs, wool, and cut-flowers of the utmost quality with integrity to match.Looking across disciplines, The Soft Focus Podcast is less about farming per s ...
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Welcome to The Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism Podcast, where we explore the intersection of ancient spiritual traditions, the unique perspectives of Mormonism, and their intersections with current science and technology. We explore the profound questions at the heart of existence - the nature of consciousness, the mysteries of the universe, and the search for meaning in a world of paradox. Discover how the contemplative practices of Zen Buddhism, the theological frameworks of Mormonism, and ...
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The Moved To Meditate Podcast is a place for vibrant discussions about mindfulness, movement practices, and ways to find more balance and presence in daily life. Here, you’ll find down-to-earth resources to help you progress on your path, as well as insightful conversations with mindful movement, yoga, meditation, and dharma teachers from a range of traditions. On this podcast, we spotlight embodied approaches to mindfulness and the more contemplative aspects of movement practice. Together, ...
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The Wise Studies podcast is an extension of our audio library of courses at wisestudies.com. You want to study the world’s great wisdom traditions in more depth but you don’t want to have to go to university to do it. At Wise Studies, we partner with leading scholars, practitioners, and experts in their field to produce high-quality audio courses, ebooks, and podcasts to bring reliable wisdom into your life. This podcast features the authors we work with. Choose a course at https://wisestudi ...
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The Spiritual Directions Podcast is intended to help guide listeners toward wholeness through practicing greater spiritual awareness. With roots in ancient myth and the contemplative traditions, the show will touch on topics of spiritual growth through deeper awareness. Guests include people from different walks of life discussing the ways in which they have confronted their suffering and come out transformed.
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Conversations to help us develop a Christian spirituality rooted in love that fosters resilient faith in everyday life
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Spiritual practice, like everything else in life, is evolving. What does this mean? By ‘Spiritual Practice’ I mean any activity that expands your sense of identity, for example meditation, contemplative philosophy, prayer, yoga, martial arts, psychedelics, transpersonal psychotherapy, fasting, visualisation, lucid dreaming, conscious parenting, forgiveness and much more. By ‘Evolving’ I mean that everything develops and adapts over time. Most of the spiritual traditions that have spawned the ...
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A podcast about Wilderness Christian Mysticism, hosted by Stephen K. Hatch and Will Warrick. Join us as we explore how this spiritual tradition can help us all find beauty and meaning in our lives. This podcast is for nature lovers, people who consider themselves spiritual but not religious, modern mystics of all backgrounds, and all who are genuine seekers of truth, goodness, and beauty.
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Jesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of Faith
Kirk Winslow | Canvas | Irvine, CA
One pastor's attempt at late-night-level honesty about the Bible, church history, theological scholarship, spiritual practice and...God. (AKA how one nearly-de-churched thinker discovered that love is the name of the game.)
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Bright and Clear Meditation Podcast - Meditation for Less Stress and Anxiety
Dan Griese | Easy Guided Meditations
Bright and Clear Meditation features short, relaxing, guided meditations that are easy for you to enjoy, even if you've had absolutely no experience with meditation before! Join meditation coach and certified hypnotherapist Dan Griese for easy meditations to clear your thoughts, brighten your emotions and change the way you feel. The guided meditation and guided mindfulness meditation episodes are secular in nature, so the series can be enjoyed by people of all beliefs and contemplative trad ...
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Shortly after my Huffington Post essay “Beyond McMindfulness” went viral, a popular mindfulness promoter accused me of being a “crank”. So why not own it? Alas, The Mindful Cranks was born. The Mindful Cranks was the first podcast to critique the mindfulness movement. Conversations with guests soon expanded in scope to include critical perspectives on the wellness, happiness, resilience and positive psychology industries - sharing a common concern that such highly individualistic and market- ...
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Prayer in the Tradition of the Saints, Part 01: Ignatian Contemplation
44:54
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44:54“How can I hear God’s voice?” “Would I recognize God’s voice if I heard it?” “How do I know if a sense of call is really from God?” These are some of the key questions of Christian spirituality. And thankfully, they are some of the very questions St. Ignatius of Loyola sought to answer (and did). What we are really talking about is the practice of …
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Chapters Introduction and Technical Setup Localizing Action and Finding Empowerment The Role of Music in Social Commentary Songwriting as a Call to Action Reflections on Lyrics and Social Issues Sponsors Quoir Square 2 Class: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction (Promo code: Liminal for 10% off) Kineo Center: https://www.t…
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To listen to the full episode and hear the commentary around this song, listen to episode 124. Sponsors Quoir Square 2 Class: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction (Promo code: Liminal for 10% off) Kineo Center: https://www.thekineocenter.com/cohort (mention "Liminal" in Application for $100 off) Monk Manual: https://monkma…
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Munther Isaac: Faith, the Bible, and the Genocide in Gaza
1:02:29
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1:02:29We talked with Palestinian pastor and theologian Munther Isaac about his book Christ in the Rubble: Faith, the Bible, and the Genocide in Gaza, which challenges USAmerican Christians' uncritical embrace of the modern State of Israel. Speaking from his unique vantage point as a Christian pastor on the ground in Bethlehem, he reveals how Israel's cam…
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Bonus: Guided Wilderness Insight Meditation
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13:40This bonus episode offers a guided Christian Insight Meditation designed to support contemplative practice. Listeners are invited to settle into a space of inner stillness and spacious awareness, using breath, imagery, and sacred story to cultivate presence and wonder. The meditation includes: Breath-based grounding and visualization of a spacious …
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There is prayer, and then there is prayer. When you pray, do you ever get the sense that you’re not really praying? That nothing much is happening? Through the teachings of John Climacus, a 7th century spiritual teacher, and through personal story, Thomas speaks to the importance of attention in our prayer life. Ultimately, our quality of attention…
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Tuning In: How Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism Reimagines Reality's Multiple Frequencies
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27:05Abstract: This article explores Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism (ZMQU) as an integrative philosophical framework that thoughtfully engages with theoretical physicist Michio Kaku's popular metaphor comparing parallel universes to radio frequencies—where dinosaurs or aliens might occupy our living rooms at different "frequencies" of reality. Rather t…
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Sam Harris speaks with Haviv Rettig Gur about Israel and her enemies. They discuss Israel’s war with Iran and America’s role in the conflict, Israel’s military capabilities, Iran’s nuclear program, what a ground invasion of Iran could look like, how Iranians view the regime, antisemitism, the history of Zionism, Islam and jihadism, extremism on the…
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Navigating the Confluence: Understanding Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism
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21:41Abstract: Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism (ZMQU) represents an innovative philosophical framework that thoughtfully navigates the intersection of scientific understanding and spiritual meaning-making without compromising the integrity of either domain. This article explores how ZMQU acknowledges the clear scientific reality that quantum mechanics d…
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Prayer in the Tradition of the Saints, Part 01: St. Benedict and Lectio Divina
49:18
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49:18Prayer - as in abiding, personal contact with God - is the very heart of the Christian life. And yet for most of us, the practice of prayer is a struggle (it often is for me as well). Indeed, “How can I feel closer to God?” is probably one of the most asked questions in Christian history. And the good news is: there is an answer! Actually, there ar…
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123: Keith Giles: Erasing Mary from the Text
1:01:47
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1:01:47takeaways Keith Giles has written multiple books, including a series on quantum gospels. The Gospel of Mary is a fragmentary text with significant insights. Mary Magdalene is likely the central figure in the Gospel of Mary. The text emphasizes the idea of Christ within all individuals. There were multiple early Christian communities with differing …
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Andrew Root: Evangelism in an Age of Despair
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46:53We talked with professor and author Andrew Root about the ironic reality that our modern pursuit of happiness has made us stressed, anxious, lonely, and depressed, and what evangelism and outreach might look like in this age of despair. Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary. He is the auth…
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#421 — “More From Sam”: Political Violence, Iran, Deportations, Protests, & Rapid Fire Questions
17:58
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17:58In this latest episode of the “More From Sam” series, Sam hopped back on with his manager and business partner, Jaron Lowenstein, to talk about current events and answer some of the questions you all submitted on Substack. They discuss the assassination of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and the recent uptick in political violence, E…
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What If Healing Isn’t What You Think? with Kymber Maulden
1:14:20
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1:14:20In this episode of The Soft Focus Podcast, Corinne is joined by functional nutritionist, somatic health coach, and trauma-informed neurosomatic intelligence practitioner Kymber Maulden for a grounded conversation about what healing really means—and why so many of us feel like we’re doing everything “right” and still not getting better. They talk ab…
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This mini-episode offers an introduction to Christian Insight Meditation, a contemplative practice grounded in awe and wonder. Drawing from the Christian mystical tradition, we explore how inner spaciousness mirrors the vastness of creation and how thoughts can be seen as echoes of a divine Word never spoken. This episode concludes with practical g…
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What would it be like if, at will, we could “silence the mind and be aware at the core of our being.” Sufi Master, Kabir Helminski writes that from these depths we receive “help from the Source of Life.” As we learn to join ourselves with this Source—some would call it God—we find that it contains all the qualities of Spirit in potential, waiting t…
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The Integration of Ancient and Modern Technologies in Book V
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9:04Abstract: This article examines the profound correspondences between modern scientific principles and perennial spiritual wisdom as presented in Book V: Revelations of Eternal Progression. Through a systematic analysis of parallels between quantum physics, cosmology, biology, neuroscience, and contemplative traditions, we demonstrate how seemingly …
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Beyond the Self: A Zen Mormon Quantum Universalist Perspective on Human Microbiome Integration
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34:11Abstract: This article explores how the human microbiome—the trillions of non-human microorganisms comprising over half the cells in our bodies—provides a biological foundation for key principles of Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism (ZMQU). By examining the "walking ecosystem" nature of human biology through three complementary lenses—Zen Buddhism's …
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The Connection Between "The Temple of Many Inhabitants" and "Technologies of the Soul"
9:45
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9:45Abstract: This article explores the profound theoretical connections between the ZMQU scriptural chapters "The Temple of Many Inhabitants" and "Technologies of the Soul," revealing how the human microbiome serves as both metaphor and foundation for understanding spiritual technologies. By examining how microbial communities function as sophisticate…
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Sam Harris speaks with Daniel Kokotajlo about the potential impacts of superintelligent AI over the next decade. They discuss Daniel’s predictions in his essay “AI 2027,” the alignment problem, what an intelligence explosion might look like, the capacity of LLMs to intentionally deceive, the economic implications of recent advances in AI, AI safety…
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The Abundant Life, Part 13: Abundant Freedom (Conclusion)
43:53
43:53
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43:53With this episode we conclude our short series on the abundant life – exploring what it means to live a fully human existence in a world that that can been very dehumanizing. It's a series that has taken us deep into the 10 commandments, as I’ve been doing my best to make the case that far from being a checklist of restrictions, the 10 commandments…
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122: Cynthia Beach: Disillusionment with Christian Leaders
1:09:10
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1:09:10Cynthia Beach has a deep connection to Castle Rock, Northern Ireland, which inspires her writing. Her upbringing in a wealthy family contrasted with her mother's devout spirituality. Disillusionment with Christian institutions shaped her understanding of faith. Frederick Douglass's writings provided a framework for navigating faith amidst disillusi…
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Danny Bryant: Welcoming the Death of the Whiteness Gospel
1:02:05
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1:02:05We talked with Anglican priest and spiritual director D.T. (Danny) Bryant about his book Unless a Seed Falls to the Ground: Welcoming the Death of the Whiteness Gospel, where he shares the wounds and rewards of being a native son of the puritanical way of life called "whiteness," and offers the hope of inviting us into a season of "hospice spiritua…
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Bonus: Guided Wilderness Contemplative Prayer
15:05
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15:05In this short bonus episode, listeners are guided through a practice of Wilderness Contemplative Prayer. This guided prayer and meditation invites you to step into a quiet, sacred space—a space where you can breathe, be still, and gently return to yourself and the Presence that holds all things. Whether you're beginning your day, in the midst of a …
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Paradox as Epistemological Framework: The Function of Contradiction in ZMQU's Approach to Knowledge
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11:53Abstract: This analysis examines how paradox functions as a fundamental epistemological framework within Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism (ZMQU) as demonstrated in "The Book of Cosmic Abundance." The chapter's deliberate employment of paradoxical constructions—such as the unity of knower and known, the complementarity of scientific and contemplative…
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Jesus tells us that “unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone.” Rumi, the Sufi poet, echoes this wisdom, declaring that, “Except for dying…no other skill impresses God.” What does this mean? How do we “die before we die?” Prepare to enter the mystery in this episode and discover what “plentiful harvest” awaits on t…
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Analysis of Paradox in "The Book of Cosmic Abundance"
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9:08Abstract: This analysis explores the strategic use of paradox in "The Book of Cosmic Abundance, Chapter 9: The Revelation of Worlds Without Number," demonstrating how seemingly contradictory concepts are deliberately employed to convey spiritual truths that transcend conventional dualistic thinking. The examination identifies five core paradoxes—co…
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Cosmic Connections: How Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism Embraces the Billion-Planet Universe
31:52
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31:52Abstract: This article explores Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism (ZMQU) through the lens of cosmic abundance revealed by modern astronomy—specifically the mind-boggling fact that the universe contains a billion planets for every grain of sand on Earth. Drawing from the three-fold foundation of Zen Buddhist emptiness, Mormon's expansive "worlds witho…
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#419 — "More From Sam": Elon vs. Trump, Religion, Jordan Peterson, & Rapid Fire Questions
15:05
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15:05Sam hopped back on with his manager and business partner, Jaron Lowenstein, to talk about current events and answer some of the questions you all submitted on Substack. This episode was originally recorded on June 4th, but in light of today's events, Sam and Jaron recorded an additional segment (on June 5) about the latest news on Trump and Musk's …
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What Happens in Spiritual Direction and Companionship? A Debrief, and What To Expect with Christina Roberts and Matt Whitney – Part Three
15:12
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15:12What is spiritual direction or companionship really like? In these episodes, Christina Roberts and Matt Whitney offer each other 30 minutes of real-life spiritual direction—something like a “Fishbowl” experience—so you can listen in on the process as it unfolds. The first episode will have Matt offering spiritual companionship to Christina. The sec…
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What Happens in Spiritual Direction and Companionship? A Live Session with Christina Roberts and Matt Whitney – Part Two
21:48
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21:48What is spiritual direction or companionship really like? In these episodes, Christina Roberts and Matt Whitney offer each other 30 minutes of real-life spiritual direction—something like a “Fishbowl” experience—so you can listen in on the process as it unfolds. The first episode will have Matt offering spiritual companionship to Christina. The sec…
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What Happens in Spiritual Direction and Companionship? A Live Session with Christina Roberts and Matt Whitney – Part One
26:06
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26:06What is spiritual direction or companionship really like? In these episodes, Christina Roberts and Matt Whitney offer each other 30 minutes of real-life spiritual direction—something like a “Fishbowl” experience—so you can listen in on the process as it unfolds. The first episode will have Matt offering spiritual companionship to Christina. The sec…
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The Abundant Life, Part 12: Coveting Never Helps
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32:53To put it bluntly, if it’s the abundant life we seek, then covetousness has to go. Mainly because yearning for the things of others turns life into a constant competition that we can never win. Whatever we possess or achieve, we can always find someone with "more." And the tragic result is a never-ending experience of deprivation and a fundamental …
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121: Catherine Cowell: Finding God's Feminine Side
1:09:08
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1:09:08Catherine experienced her faith journey in small, incremental shifts. Questioning beliefs can lead to deeper understanding and growth. Maturity in faith involves embracing uncertainty and mystery. The divine can be understood through both masculine and feminine imagery. Catherine's experiences with church communities shaped her views on faith. The …
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Mariko Clark: Helping Kids Experience Contemplation and Wonder in Scripture
1:03:38
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1:03:38We talked with Mariko Clark about conceiving, writing, and publishing a new children's Bible story book: The Book of Belonging: Bible Stories for Kind and Contemplative Kids. Mariko Clark is a Japanese American author, mother, and storyteller on a mission to help kids embrace diversity and wonder. Her time as an editor at National Geographic Learni…
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Musings - Wilderness Contemplative Prayer
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27:13In this special episode of Nature as Beloved, Nature as Self, we explore how Wilderness Contemplative Prayer as a path into divine intimacy—where silence becomes the language of God, and the soul sinks into a deep, sacred stillness. Further, we explore: The mystical imagery of the “abyss of God” found in Christian contemplative tradition—from Angel…
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Sam Harris speaks with Congressman Ritchie Torres about the future of American politics. They discuss how growing up in public housing inspired Ritchie to pursue a career in politics, how the Biden administration became ideologically captured by the far-Left, how Democratic politicians are resisting Trump, why the Democrats should focus on governan…
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Beyond the Veil: How Quantum Reality Illuminates Zen Mormon Universalism
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32:38Abstract: This article explores Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism (ZMQU) through the lens of quantum mechanics' most counterintuitive and experimentally verified phenomena. Beginning with an examination of quantum superposition, quantum tunneling, and entanglement, the piece establishes how these scientifically proven aspects of reality challenge our…
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Father Richard Rohr shared at a recent gathering that his spiritual practice nowadays is to, “ look at something till I love it. It doesn’t take very long.” What could this mean? What would that be like? Thomas shares a related scripture in this episode and invites you to see with the eyes of love, and to marvel how all things are made new. Upcomin…
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Hidden Dimensions Revealed: How String Theory Breakthroughs Illuminate Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism
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43:46Abstract: Recent breakthroughs in string theory, providing the first observational evidence through dark energy's temporal weakening and noncommutative space-time, offer profound validation for Zen Mormon Quantum Universalism (ZMQU), an integrative spiritual framework that harmonizes Zen Buddhist non-dualism, Mormon expansive cosmology, and quantum…
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The Abundant Life, Part 11: Bearing Honest Witness
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42:30In this episode we turn to – you guessed it – the 9th commandment: You shall not bear false witness. It’s instruction that – like all the commandments – seems, at first glance, very simple and straightforward: When you are called as a witness in a trial, do not give false testimony. But when we look a little deeper, we see that this commandment is …
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