The hottest Faith & Spirituality Substack posts right now

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(4.) Nicoll 1 - THE FOURTH WAY - pp.11-15

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 99 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teaching Life Practice Understanding Balance
  1. The Fourth Way is a difficult path of self-improvement practiced amidst daily life, different from the paths of Fakir, Monk, and Yogi.
  2. Adapting to changing external circumstances while maintaining inner balance and work principles is crucial in following the Fourth Way.
  3. Achieving the state of 'No. 4 man' in the Fourth Way involves developing a well-rounded, flexible, and all-sided approach to life and situations.

A Thanksgiving Gift

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 30 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Gratitude Thanksgiving Community Reflection Well-being
  1. Being grateful for the people in our lives is important, especially during special times like Thanksgiving. It's nice to take a moment and appreciate those who journey with us.
  2. Even when things seem tough, the beauty and richness of our inner selves are valuable. We should cherish the good inside us and others.
  3. Finding comfort and joy in small moments can help us appreciate life more. It's nice to have fun and celebrate the little things together.

Is America becoming more secular?

Think Future • 219 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity
  1. The book 'The Great Dechurching' discusses why many Americans have stopped going to church since the early 1990s and proposes how churches can bring them back.
  2. Church membership decline doesn't necessarily mean a loss of faith; many people are evolving spiritually in ways that churches haven't addressed yet.
  3. American churches are facing challenges and closures, but this doesn't indicate a decline in faith - instead, the country may be on the brink of a new spiritual awakening.
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Christianity and Liberalism

Restoring Truth • 117 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Liberalism Theology Orthodoxy Doctrine
  1. Theological liberalism distorts the true message of Christianity by replacing biblical truth with inclusivity and social justice.
  2. J. Gresham Machen's book, 'Christianity and Liberalism,' from 100 years ago still resonates today in its timeless critique of theological decay.
  3. It's crucial for believers to hold fast to sound theology and not be swayed by trendy or compromised interpretations of the Christian faith.

My Dog Isn't An Atheist (But I Am): What Christopher Hitchens Should Have Said to William Lane Craig

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 279 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Debate Atheism Philosophy
  1. The post discusses missed opportunities in a debate between Christopher Hitchens and William Lane Craig regarding the existence of God.
  2. There will be a podcast discussing the essay with Stefan Bertram-Lee on This is Revolution.
  3. To access the full post, subscriptions are required for paid subscribers.

Recommended Reading Part IV: Metaphysics

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 723 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy Science Metaphysics Atheism Consciousness
  1. Physicalism argues that everything in the universe can be explained by physical processes, while post-physicalism believes there are aspects physicalism cannot explain, like consciousness and free will.
  2. Reading about atheism and counter-atheism can lead to shifts in beliefs, from atheism to agnosticism and questioning physicalism.
  3. Exploring quantum mechanics and consciousness challenges physicalist views and opens up discussions about the mind-body connection and the nature of reality.

The Paradox Of Spirituality

Weekly Wisdom • 238 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality History Philosophy Meditation Ethics
  1. Spirituality is a complex, elusive concept that defies easy definition, with a focus on ethics and virtue.
  2. Spirituality often involves a path of introspection and transcendence, which can include practices like meditation and prayer.
  3. Spirituality provides a framework for exploring meaning, prosocial behavior, and interconnectedness in both personal and societal contexts.

God, Michael Huemer, and String Theory

Bentham's Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality God Debate Philosophy Interview
  1. Mental states may not always have a necessary pairing, allowing for randomness in our thoughts and reactions to stimuli.
  2. Accepting metaphysical weirdness in scientific theories like string theory or time-bending can help explain data, just like it does for theism.
  3. The existence of multiple possible worlds and individuals is possible without imposing unexplained limits on modality, implying the presence of numerous souls.

Nicoll 1 - (2.) Letter to Mr. Bush [1.b] - p.4-8

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 99 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teachings Development Personality
  1. Religion focuses on developing essence after personality has been formed, aiming for a passive personality so essence can grow.
  2. Man's development involves three stages: first education through life experiences, formation of personality, and making personality passive for essence growth.
  3. Understanding the significance of essence and personality helps in recognizing the different influences in life and the potential for further development.

The Norse Afterlife Part II: Folkvang & Valkyries

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 79 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Afterlife Beliefs
  1. In Norse mythology, Freyja and Odin share the task of choosing who will die in battle each day, with half the slain belonging to Freyja and the other half to Odin.
  2. The idea of choosing the slain in Norse mythology does not mean selecting from among those who have already died, but rather deciding who will die in battle and be received into Valhalla.
  3. The concept of Folkvang in Norse mythology is intertwined with Valhalla, suggesting that the two afterlife locations are closely connected and not separate realms.

Belief exhaustion (part one)

Brain Pizza • 728 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Ideologies Psychology Neuroscience Crisis
  1. Belief exhaustion is the emotional and psychological toll on individuals rigidly adhering to extreme beliefs, resulting in mental and emotional fatigue.
  2. Some people experience belief exhaustion and end up giving up their convictions due to the demanding nature of their beliefs.
  3. The collapse of political regimes sometimes shows the phenomenon of belief exhaustion, where individuals abandon their certainties leading to a rapid disintegration of shared reality.

Dave

Nice Try • 319 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Belief Healing Storytelling Personal Experience
  1. Dave worked at a grocery store and believed he could heal people through faith. He started giving 'healings' to women but was not as successful with men.
  2. His girlfriend became seriously ill because he didn't let her get medical help, believing his powers were enough.
  3. Thankfully, a wise co-worker advised him to take her to a doctor, and that saved her life, showing that sometimes real help comes from professionals, not just faith.

1700 Years of Lent: One Protestant’s Perspective on the Value of Lenten Observance

The Worldview Bulletin Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Theology Lent
  1. Lent emerged in church history after the Council of Nicaea as a 40-day preparation for Easter, but Reformers had varying views on its value and practice.
  2. Even though Lent is not in Scripture, it can still be spiritually enriching if approached in line with biblical principles.
  3. Observing Lent can be formative in one's walk with Christ by taking on devotional practices and focusing on aspects like scriptural reading, thematically relevant passages, and journaling.

Merlin and the Wild People of the Woods in the British tradition

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 339 implied HN points • 26 Nov 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Character analysis
  1. The post discusses Merlin and the Wild People of the Woods in the British tradition; it explores Celtic myth and the character of Merlin.
  2. The content is for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusive access to deeper insights and discussions on the topic.
  3. It acknowledges the readers' interest in mythology, particularly Celtic myth, and aims to provide a different perspective on the subject.

Open thread: Finding balance between extremes

The Recovering Academic • 197 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Balance Poetry Purpose Work-life balance Contemplation
  1. Find balance in work by merging personal passion with public good, aiming for a middle ground that sustains you and aligns with your values.
  2. Navigate through the all-or-nothing nature of work pathways, like the overwhelming job application processes, by seeking a balance between extremes in both personal and professional life.
  3. Strive to avoid negotiating work and life as separate entities but integrate them into a harmonious blend, ensuring that your work embodies both private passion and contribution to the greater good.

Commentary on - Orage - "HOW NOT TO GIVE ONESELF AWAY"

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 59 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Self-awareness Inner growth
  1. Orage emphasizes the importance of becoming transparent to oneself, suggesting that by observing our external behaviors, we can gain insight into our internal states.
  2. Orage highlights the idea of learning to control one's expressions for personal and others' happiness, recommending training to become a 'trained observer' of oneself.
  3. Orage's indirect aim in 'HOW NOT TO GIVE ONESELF AWAY' seems to be transforming one's inner negative states into something beneficial for personal growth.

Lent - even if you're not Catholic

The Other Side of Fear • 3 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Spirituality Devotion Discipline Ethics Reflection
  1. Lent can be used by anyone as a dedicated time to reflect and try to give up bad habits, not just a religious ritual for Catholics.
  2. Mindless phone and social media use, snacking, and avoiding deep work are common vices that are worth cutting back on during a focused period.
  3. It’s easy to excuse bad habits with past achievements, but you should measure yourself by how well you use your gifts and aim to live in a better, more intentional way.

The Return of Magic

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 277 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Consciousness Magic Spirituality
  1. Belief in a universal consciousness can connect us all. It's about feeling that there's something bigger, like a shared awareness.
  2. We might be on the brink of rediscovering magic in our lives as society moves away from strict materialism. It feels like we're starting to believe in things we can't always see.
  3. Exploring consciousness could lead to wonderful new advancements. Understanding our minds might just open up new paths for technology and life.

A Year of Ordinary Time

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 794 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Life reflections Personal Growth Community Building
  1. The author will be moving to a paid subscription model in 2024 to maintain quality content.
  2. The author expresses concerns about the direction Substack is taking, especially with a focus on non-fiction over fiction.
  3. 2023 was a year of significant personal developments for the author, including finding faith, appreciating art, and changing his name.