The hottest Faith & Spirituality Substack posts right now

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new year, same you (hopeful)

Both Are True • 192 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Self-help Mindfulness Meditation Personal Growth
  1. The words you use about yourself matter — speaking from love instead of self-attack changes how you feel and act.
  2. Acceptance comes before real change — when you truly accept yourself, criticism loses its power and growth becomes possible.
  3. You don't need flashy resolutions to start the year right — being alive and treating yourself with grace is already enough.

The Man Comes Around

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 3597 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Christianity Belief Spiritual growth Theology
  1. Jude 5 is one of the most profound verses in the Bible, emphasizing the human and divine nature of Jesus.
  2. Jesus's brothers, who initially rejected Him, later went to their deaths proclaiming Him the risen Lord. Something significant must have happened.
  3. Believing in the resurrection of Jesus can bring comfort and hope, even in times of struggle and despair.
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The Ego Doesn't Die: Why Western spirituality is so confused, and what to do about it

The Bigger Picture • 3175 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Transformation
  1. Reality is relational, and mystical experiences are about changing how we relate to the world.
  2. Spiritual transformation is not about the ego dying, but about widening our perspective and how we relate to everything around us.
  3. Framing inner transformation as relational rather than focused on the ego object can lead to richer and more complex spiritual experiences.

Ave Maria

Disaffected Newsletter • 2058 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Music Tradition Emotions
  1. Music can deeply affect our emotions and memories, often making us cry or feel overwhelmed, especially during special times like Christmas.
  2. Personal experiences, such as family traditions and moments of wonder, can leave a lasting impact and means of connection to our past.
  3. There's a desire for beauty and meaning in traditions, even if one doesn't fully believe in them, showing that these feelings are universal.

The West Requires Post-Christian Missional Thinking

DruGroup • 139 implied HN points • 06 Aug 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Mission Theology Culture
  1. The Western church needs to adopt a missionary mindset because society has become more secular. This means thinking seriously about how to share faith in a changing culture.
  2. Returning missionaries, like Lesslie Newbigin, pointed out that the church in the West isn't fully embracing its mission. They saw a need for more active and confident evangelism.
  3. It's important to equip church members with tools to engage their communities. If everything is considered mission work, it can lose its meaning, so we need to be clear about what mission really is.

How Can We Handle Anxiety?

Classical Wisdom • 1552 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Practice negative visualization to prepare for challenges and reduce anxiety.
  2. Ancient Stoic philosophy can help us face uncertainties and build mental resilience.
  3. By contemplating the worst outcomes, we can often find that reality is less daunting than our fears.

Preorder bonus for Field Notes for the Wilderness

Sarah Bessey's Field Notes • 1690 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Book launch Self-promotion Videos
  1. The author is offering a preorder bonus for their new book, Field Notes for the Wilderness, which includes videos and endorsements.
  2. The author is trying a new approach for the book launch by making videos with their face and voice to engage their audience.
  3. Preorders are important for authors, as they demonstrate demand and can support marketing efforts for the book.

Bright Death

The Soup • 2692 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Life reflections Inspiration
  1. The world is filled with both terror and beauty, and it's okay to hope for better.
  2. Acknowledge the perpetual grief of being alive and be honest about it.
  3. Embrace the wild too-muchness of life, showing empathy and reaching out to others.

Palmistry, Pluto and Preposterous Propaganda

An Insult to Intuition • 1572 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Astrology Beliefs Propaganda Spiritual guidance
  1. Astrology and palmistry can offer insights into our lives despite being viewed as amusing or nonsensical by some.
  2. The movement of celestial bodies like Pluto entering a new sign may hold significance for astrologers, hinting at collective shifts in beliefs and attitudes.
  3. Disagreements among public figures like journalists and researchers can spark debates and prompt critical thinking about important topics.

A Partial Algopoetic Translation of John's Gospel

apxhard • 34 implied HN points • 17 Feb 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Scripture Spirituality Ethics
  1. Better to realign early with a central truth or guide than to keep investing in a false path that will cause conflicts later.
  2. The guide is framed as the goal, the path, and the measure: follow this way to find enough, rest, and a meaningful measure for life.
  3. Computing metaphors show that lasting, healthy lives respect constraints and architectures; systems that don’t align with those boundaries will consume people or collapse over time.

St. Petroc Returns To Devonshire

Daily Dreher • 1670 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Symbols Christianity Theology
  1. St. Petroc, an early medieval missionary saint, returned to Devonshire, spreading the message of God through miracles and missionary work.
  2. Christopher Rufo advocates for a new activism on the Right to challenge prevailing ideologies and institutions, emphasizing the need for meaningful change and principles.
  3. Changes in sacramental practices in the Catholic Church, such as baptizing transsexuals without repentance, can signify deeper shifts in symbolic meanings and belief systems, impacting the faithful.

So, Who is a Missionary Anyway?

DruGroup • 99 implied HN points • 13 Aug 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Global Issues Cultural perspectives Community Engagement
  1. Missionaries have a specific role that involves moving to different cultures. They are not just people living out their faith locally; they make significant sacrifices to spread the Gospel in areas that lack it.
  2. Calling everyone a missionary might make the term lose its meaning. If everyone is labeled as a missionary, it may reduce the motivation to support those who are dedicated to full-time missionary work.
  3. Proper missionary work focuses on reaching unreached people groups. This involves intentional efforts to spread the Gospel to those who have never heard it, highlighting the importance of cross-cultural missions.

The Miracle of the Light

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3909 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Judaism Religion Philosophy Tradition History
  1. In tough times, we look for hope and inspiration, often represented by light. The stories and symbols of Jewish history highlight the fight for life and dignity.
  2. A famous image from 1931 shows a menorah shining bright against a swastika, symbolizing the struggle between good and evil. It reminds us of what we stand for in the face of opposition.
  3. Some people mock traditional beliefs, like the miracle of Hanukkah, but these beliefs underline important values like human equality and the sanctity of life. Our spiritual heritage teaches us about more than just history.

How did the Holy Land come to be holy?

Cosmographia • 1577 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religions History
  1. The Holy Land holds significant cultural, political, and spiritual importance for 3.8 billion people of different religions.
  2. The land has seen the rule of various empires throughout history and is central to the beliefs of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
  3. The association of a physical place with values and identity shapes our sense of self, and nowhere is this link more profound than in the Holy Land.

Soul Initiation: Finding your Unique Niche

What's Important? • 27 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Rituals Initiation Psychology Ecology Personal Growth
  1. Mature human development includes a Soul Initiation, a passage out of cultural adolescence to discover the unique ecological niche or gift you are meant to offer the living world.
  2. The Journey of Soul Initiation often requires a difficult ‘Descent to Soul’ and a pivotal Soul Encounter accessed through nature-based, mythopoetic practices like vision fasts and dreamwork that let the world mirror symbolic guidance to you.
  3. The process is risky but necessary — it can lead to deep fulfillment, extended transition, or failure — so people need to be held by supportive communities and practical delivery systems (jobs, networks, digital cocoons) to embody and share their soul-purpose.

In response to those who are concerned about my general criticism of the counter-culture movement...

Through A Glass Darkly • 1356 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Religion Philosophy Therapy
  1. The author discusses the origins and influences of the counter-culture movement.
  2. There is a caution against blindly following teachings without critical thinking.
  3. The importance of discerning between healthy and destructive approaches to spirituality and mental well-being is highlighted.

The owl season

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2536 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Folklore Spiritual Practices Mysticism Community
  1. The newsletter discusses folklore, book releases, and interviews about myths and legends, emphasizing the importance of nature and storytelling.
  2. The writer shares personal reflections on aging, seasonal changes, and the joy of creating in solitude, highlighting the cyclical nature of elderhood and the importance of setting boundaries.
  3. The post also features updates on community events, reading recommendations, and a workshop on the myth of Psyche and Eros, showcasing a diverse range of literary content and upcoming activities.

Short Take: The Inevitability of Wotan

Anarchonomicon • 1238 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology
  1. Norse Paganism may become a prominent religion for white populations due to its ancestral ties and cultural continuity.
  2. Modern Norse Paganism could offer advantages by distancing from Middle Eastern influences and emphasizing European heritage.
  3. A resurgence in European spiritualism and identification is expected as dissatisfaction with modern ideologies grows, leading to a revival of ancient European Gods and myths.

How important are dreams?

Classical Wisdom • 1238 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Meaning Purpose Truth
  1. Dreams have been considered important throughout history and have impacted fields like medicine, philosophy, and even the course of history.
  2. Dreams were viewed as messages from the divine, offering insights into life and guiding important decisions.
  3. Ancient Greek and Roman cultures attached great significance to dreams, seeing them as a link between mortals and the divine.

Tara Brach On The 'Sacred Art of Pausing'

Changing The Channel • 1335 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Meditation Compassion Grief Trauma Healing
  1. Tara Brach emphasizes the importance of pausing and creating space for empathy and grace to change how we experience life.
  2. To bridge outer divides, we first need to bridge our inner divides by connecting with our emotions and practicing self-compassion and mindfulness.
  3. Acknowledging trauma and allowing space for collective grieving can help in fostering shared humanity and healing in a polarized world.

Egypt’s War Against the World’s Oldest Christian Monastery

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 959 implied HN points • 17 Aug 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Religious freedom Cultural heritage Middle East
  1. St. Catherine's Monastery is the oldest Christian monastery in the world and has been a place of worship for over 1,500 years. It's located in the Sinai desert and has deep historical significance.
  2. Recently, an Egyptian court ruled that the monks at the monastery are only 'occupants' and not in full control, which puts the monastery's future in danger.
  3. This situation reflects a larger issue of how Egypt's government treats its Christian population, indicating ongoing struggles for religious freedom.