The hottest Faith & Spirituality Substack posts right now

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Concerns about CL culture persist after abuse allegations made public

The Pillar • 157 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Abuse Culture Leadership Reforms
  1. The Communion and Liberation movement acknowledged abuse allegations against its former U.S. leader, but concerns remain about the culture that allowed abuse to happen.
  2. Some members of the movement had positive experiences, while others highlighted problems centered around the former leader, Chris Bacich.
  3. While the movement has implemented safe environment policies, there are reports of violations and concerns that the culture needs to be examined for further reform.

Essence, Energies, and Excellence

Bentham's Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality God Simplicity Philosophy
  1. The Eastern Orthodox distinguish God's essence from energies: essence is mysterious, energies are knowable.
  2. Different arguments suggest the simplicity of theism, like God being an unlimited agent or having limitless power.
  3. The essence/energies distinction can support the idea that God is fundamentally simple, explaining all attributes from a basic nature.

Beware The Plastic Shaman

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Psychedelics
  1. Plastic shamans exploit spiritual practices for personal gain and may lack genuine connections to the traditions they claim to represent.
  2. Consumers of psychedelic retreats should be cautious and research potential facilitators or centers to ensure legitimacy and safety.
  3. Indigenous traditions are at risk of exploitation by individuals who prioritize profit and self-interest over upholding ethical and cultural values.
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O-Day - Circle of life

Remote View • 255 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy Symbolism Mystery Religious Studies
  1. The concept of the Circle of Life encompasses the beginning and end connecting in a continuous cycle of life and death.
  2. Seeking truth and sharing knowledge is emphasized in ancient African Bauherren Masonic principles.
  3. The symbolism of the tilted 'O' on 10 Downing Street represents concepts like cosmic organization, divine word, force, capacity, and power.

The Everlasting Man

The Abbey of Misrule • 460 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Philosophy Apologetics Christianity Literature
  1. Humans are more than just another animal species. We have a unique role on Earth that sets us apart.
  2. Christianity is different from other religions because its founding story is about God becoming human and actively engaging in our world.
  3. The Church is important because it represents a revolution against worldly values, and history shows that Christianity has survived and reborn many times.

The Hypsistarian Church of God Most High

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1221 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Monotheism Religious practices Worship Prayer
  1. The Hypsistarian Church of God Most High is a reconstructed ancient monotheistic religion that worshipped a single high and holy God.
  2. Hypsistarianism was a widely practiced faith with characteristics such as aniconism, reverence for light and fire, and rejection of idols and animal sacrifice.
  3. Worship of God Most High involved prayer at sunrise and sunset, facing the sun, singing hymns, and lighting lamps or torches in prayer-houses, churches, or open-air sanctuaries.

The Unseen Real

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mysticism Meditation Psychedelics Esotericism Sexuality Mythology
  1. Advanced AI and media consolidation are concentrating power and enabling a new techno-fascist form of social control that threatens democratic life.
  2. Widespread automation makes elites see large, diverse populations as expendable, creating an existential crisis of meaning and social survival.
  3. Turning toward practices like Tantra, breathwork, psychedelics, dreamwork, and sensory training is offered as an antidote to that crisis, aiming to heal eros, deepen consciousness, and reclaim hidden feminine power.

Negative Space, Positive Possibilities

Gideon's Substack • 28 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Judaism Prayer Ethics Religious politics Spirituality
  1. The State of Israel should be seen as opening possibilities rather than as a guaranteed sign of messianic redemption; it might be the start of something holy, but that is a hope not a certainty.
  2. Collective religious life and shared liturgy matter even when individual belief is partial, because prayer can bind a community and express hopeful uncertainty instead of dogmatic surety.
  3. Many political futures for the land are possible and none automatically has God’s blessing; practical, ethical human decisions and institutions must make the case for legitimacy and justice.

Hearing the language of Christ on the road to Damascus

Wrong Side of History • 351 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Culture History Travel Philosophy
  1. Maaloula is a small town in Syria where people still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus. It's like a time capsule for ancient culture.
  2. The town has historical sites, including the Convent of St Thecla and a 2,000-year-old church. These places show the rich history and faith of the people.
  3. Maaloula is also a meeting point for different cultures, with locals and Iranian pilgrims mingling together. This creates a unique atmosphere of shared beliefs.

If you're not succeeding, try being earnest | #23

pole • 275 implied HN points • 30 May 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Stories Lessons Learned Self-awareness Mindfulness Inner peace
  1. When facing challenges, pretend you have all the time in the world to approach them calmly.
  2. Success doesn't come from following a formula, but from paying attention and surrendering to the process.
  3. Earnestness is key to success, as it involves expanding awareness and offering attention without local expectations.

(11.) Maurice Nicoll 1 - CONCEPT OF CONSCIENCE IN THE WORK and SOME THOUGHTS ON THE WAR - pp.40-46

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 59 implied HN points • 26 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Conscience War Religion Awakening
  1. Consciousness and Conscience are similar but belong to different spheres - one is intellectual and the other emotional.
  2. Real Conscience is the same in all individuals and speaks a consistent language, unlike False Conscience which varies based on personal beliefs and upbringing.
  3. Humanity is influenced by numerous laws and external forces, leading to events like wars; the practice of self-observation and isolating oneself from collective events can aid in personal development and awakening.

Dogmatism Is A Bigger Problem Than Religion, I Think, Maybe, Possibly

Singal-Minded • 428 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Atheism Philosophy Morality
  1. Dogmatism can be a bigger issue than religion. It's not just beliefs that cause harm, but the stubbornness to hold onto those beliefs.
  2. Both religious and secular ideologies have led to terrible events in history. It's important to see that these problems aren't limited to just one belief system.
  3. A more complex view of faith and rationality is needed. It's not always clear that less religion will automatically make the world better.

From Iconoclast to Islam: Remembering Sinead O'Connor

Pen>Sword • 239 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Islam Identity Individuality Media Tribute
  1. Sinead O'Connor was known for her individuality and refusal to conform to pop culture norms, serving as an iconoclast in an industry filled with conformists.
  2. She embraced Islam in 2018, stating it was the logical conclusion of her theological journey, and proudly stood tall against Islamophobia in Europe.
  3. Sinead O'Connor's legacy reminds us of the importance of embracing our flaws and standing up against mainstream narratives that seek to overshadow our true identities.

Red Musical Notes

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 79 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teaching Transformation Love Music Self-development
  1. Thomas and Olga de Hartmann's lives changed dramatically after meeting Gurdjieff, shifting from outer happiness to inner transformation.
  2. Gurdjieff's teachings focused on differentiating between egoistic love and real love for personal development.
  3. During Thomas de Hartmann's illness, the symbolic act of Marfousha gathering and discarding 'evil' red musical notes highlights the essence of Gurdjieff's teachings on vibrations and transformations.

The Case for Pagan Monotheism

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1153 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Monotheism Beliefs Philosophers Worship
  1. Monotheism was a concept among pagan philosophers in antiquity, who believed in a single, superior God while acknowledging other lesser gods.
  2. The worship of a monotheistic God, called God Most High, was widespread in Late Antiquity, with evidence found in multiple regions.
  3. The origins of pagan monotheism were debated, with some scholars arguing for influences from Hellenistic philosophy, Roman religion, or independent evolution from local traditions.

A Call To Enchantment

Everything Is Amazing • 1221 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Connection
  1. The post discusses the recommendation of a book by Katherine May called 'Enchantment' that focuses on wonder and mystery in everyday life.
  2. The author mentions a live conversation with Katherine May, encouraging readers to join by becoming paid subscribers of 'The Clearing'.
  3. The post emphasizes finding beauty and fascination in the mundane, protecting against cynicism and hopelessness.