Personal Resources
Spirituality
Introduction
Whether or not they identify as “spiritual” or “religious,” this site encourages everyone to engage in self-development, especially concerning overcoming or controlling oppressive domination and submission. Many people consider this self-improvement to be spiritual, but others do not.
For instance, some humanists don’t embrace the concept of a “god,” “supreme being,” or “higher,” transcendent order. They identify as atheists or agnostics and reject the notion that a spiritual path is necessary for personal growth or making a positive impact on the world. This site respects these views.
Insisting on the use of certain words is idolatry. Worshiping specific abstract concepts is problematic. Such dogmatic beliefs lead to rigid ideologies.
This site instead focuses on exploring and understanding concrete experiences and fosters a non-dogmatic and open-minded approach.
Do you:
Sometimes feel at one with Nature and experience a sense of awe and mystery?
Believe the mind is boundless, beyond material limits?
Meditate or use breathing exercises to relax?
Value intuition and inspiration?
Appreciate being spontaneous without thinking about your actions first?
Have a sense of self that is other than the body?
Engage in self-examination?
Uncover hidden, sub-conscious, or unconscious experiences?
Affirm an energy that animates life?
Feel this life force coursing through your body?
Believe a natural order integrated with the material world minimizes chaos and stabilizes the universe?
If you answer yes to most or all of these questions, you may consider yourself “spiritual.” You may believe that the body is necessarily enspirited and the spirit is necessarily enfleshed.
Affirmations of these invisible, nonmaterial realities reflect this site’s definition of “spiritual.” At the same time, the site supports people who don’t use that word but nevertheless promote compassionate personal growth aimed at undoing oppressive domination and submission and reforming the Top-Down System.
Activism/Advocacy/Services
“A Dharma teacher who has a lifelong interest in blending spirituality and meditation with social justice.”
“A global community of mindfulness practice centres offering retreats and teachings on engaged Buddhism and the art of mindful living, founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.”
“Dedicated to helping individuals unfold their highest spiritual purpose, manifest their essential inner being, and live harmoniously with others, with the hope of relieving human suffering and contributing to the awakening of all of humankind.”
Articles/Essays/Op-Eds
Rhonda Magee’s Upaya Talk, March 2024
Dear Rhonda and Joan: Following are my notes from the session with Rhonda (the video is here). I plan to post it on the Compassionate Humanity Community website. If you see the need for corrections or additions, please let me know. I wonder, What institutional or structural changes do you recommend? And, do we need to provide mutual support for unlearning or controlling the desire to dominate and submit for personal gain, which our society inflames, so we can better relieve others’ suffering and promote justice? Joan replied: Thank you. this is wonderful… Rhonda replied: Wonderful, indeed. Thank you, dear brother Wade. I will review and respond to your questions within the coming few days. With appreciation, hope and love,
Being a Child: Prerequisite for the New Realm, Rev. Dr. Dorsey Blake.
“…”...Jesus’ message was a radical indictment of what existed, of the structures, institutions, tradition. The question who is or would be greatest in this new reality is logical in the traditional way of thinking about life and the hierarchy of human beings. Jesus needs them to think out of the box, for that is the only way the Realm will be manifested, lived. [read more]
Counter Authoritarians with Practical Idealism, Wade Lee Hudson
Authoritarian gurus, teachers, preachers, therapists, coaches, writers, lecturers, trainers, and other Leaders assume an air of authority and seduce people to surrender to the Leader’s wisdom.
They persuade followers to believe they can achieve unrealistic abstract absolute goals, but the disciples repeatedly fall short. Frustrated, they repeatedly return to the Leader for guidance about how to gain perfection — like a mouse chasing cheese in a running-wheel cage. The result is never-ending submission to the Leaders’ power.
Practical idealists offer an alternative: focus on winnable concrete goals that move toward long-term ideals, grounded in body and earth, knowing they’ll never win a final victory. They keep two ideas in mind at the same time: the ideal and immediate reality. [read more]
From "The Transcendentalist," by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
NOTE: In this lecture, which Emerson delivered at the Masonic Temple, Boston, in January 1842, he vividly describes the young Transcendentalists of his day with great sympathy. However, toward the end, he voices some criticisms of “all these of whom I speak (who) are not proficients; they are novices;…”
But he concludes with:
Will you not tolerate one or two solitary voices in the land, speaking for thoughts and principles not marketable or perishable? [. . .] The thoughts which these few hermits strove to proclaim by silence, as well as by speech, not only by what they did, but by what they forbore to do, shall abide in beauty and strength, to reorganize themselves in nature, to invest themselves anew in other, perhaps higher endowed and happier mixed clay than ours, in fuller union with the surrounding system.
Following are excerpts.
+++++
…It is a sign of our times, conspicuous to the coarsest observer, that many intelligent and religious persons withdraw themselves from the common labors and competitions of the market and the caucus, and betake themselves to a certain solitary and critical way of living, from which no solid fruit has yet appeared to justify their separation. [read more]
This document emerged out of collaboration with Pace e Bene in celebrating the International Day of Peace in 2021.
An Endless Seeing (behind paywall), The New York Review of Books, January 13, 2022, Jacqueline Rose.
“Simone Weil’s political and moral vision always looked beyond her own earthly sphere of existence… Absence of joy, she suggested, is the ‘equivalent of madness.’… To revolt against God because of human misery is to misrepresent God as a ‘sovereign’ or tyrant who rules the world, as opposed to a deity who has laid down his power. It falls on humans to create a better world… A truer reality beyond and above this world...can be recognized only by those who bear equal respect to all human beings...whoever they may be. Marguerite Porete…had the nerve to enter a zone of absolute spiritual daring in which the self or ego dissolves... It would take some time before (Weil) herself would embrace such a radical disorientation of the ego as the only possible spiritual and psychic path to take. ‘What we believe to be our self [moi], she wrote, is as ‘fugitive’ as ‘the shape of a wave on the sea.’
(read more, behind paywall). Posted in Personal/Spirituality.
Draft for a Statement of Human Obligation, Simone Weil.
“…Over time she lost faith in political ideologies and was drawn to Christianity. Her religious writings often emphasized sacrifice and martyrdom through an ascetic lifestyle, a lifestyle that Weil personally adopted and which led to her early death at age 34 from tuberculosis. In this 1943 essay, written during the last year of her life, which she spent working with Gen. de Gaulle in the struggle for French liberation, Weil makes the case for the existence of a transcendent and universal moral law, and describes the social responsibilities that accompany it. [read more]
Julian of Norwich by Shelley Gilchrist.
"At a time when many feel our world and her inhabitants are tumbling into an abyss of desperation and division, the words of Julian of Norwich are much needed comfort. In the 14th Century when the plague was at its' peak, Julian suffered a near death experience. During those hours she received sixteen visions, or "showings" as she described them. The Holy One revealed a depth of unconditional love that was very different from the fearful and punishing religion of her time. She spent the next 50 years as an anchoress and she deeply mined and described what she had received. What followed was her book, "Revelations of Divine Love." It was not published for 300 years and her theology was/is considered heretical by some. The sum of her message is that God loves us passionately and "All manner of things shall be well."
Men Have Forgotten God, Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
Our life consists not in the pursuit of material success but in the quest for worthy spiritual growth. Our entire earthly existence is but a transitional stage in the movement toward something higher, and we must not stumble and fall, nor must we linger fruitlessly on one rung of the ladder. Material laws alone do not explain our life or give it direction. The laws of physics and physiology will never reveal the indisputable manner in which the Creator constantly, day in and day out, participates in the life of each of us, unfailingly granting us the energy of existence; when this assistance leaves us, we die. And in the life of our entire planet, the Divine Spirit surely moves with no less force: this we must grasp in our dark and terrible hour. [read more]
The TRANSFORM substack, Marianne Williamson.
“Substack is a newsletter, but it is so much more than that. TRANSFORM is a chance for us to journey together to a better place. It is a support for our individual transformation, but also a community through which we join with others to help transform the world.
Sometimes I’ll share a video or audio reflection in response to something happening in real time, while other posts will be essays or interviews that take days to create. There will be audio and video conversations with fascinating people, as well as my new TRANSFORM podcast. One post might be spiritual, one might be political, one might be deeply personal and one might be a discussion of forces larger than any one of us. Everything, however, will be geared to providing ideas and actions that can transform our lives and the world around us.”
I Wish I Knew How, Rev. Kathryn Benton.
"I was observing my grandson, Fred Jr., the other day and saw this universality of experience in action. Freddy spends the most joyful part of his day outside in the backyard. He is companioned by our dogs, as well as the squirrels, birds, insects and plants, but most of all by the ground…the dirt. Of course, we know what this means when we get him back inside but to Freddy it is apparent that this is where he feels most at home and most joyful and creative. He has, I think, a very real sense of the ‘ground of his being’ …the ground of all being..." [read more]
Pope’s new encyclical offers ‘voter’s guide’ for post-pandemic world, Elise Ann Allen.
"Pope Francis’s new encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, outlines his recipe for rebuilding a post-pandemic world, beginning with a complete restructuring of politics and civil discourse in order to create systems prioritizing the community and the poor, rather than individual or market interests. At nearly 300 pages, the document is essentially Francis’s own “voter’s guide” for the immediate future as the world makes critical choices in the aftermath of the coronavirus.” [read more]
The Forgotten Radicalism of Jesus Christ, Peter Wehner.
“First-century Christians weren’t prepared for what a truly inclusive figure he was, and what was true then is still true today.”
A Politician Takes a Sledgehammer to His Own Ego, Frank Bruni.
“Just in time for Easter, the story of a blind state leader who is giving up his office to join the Jesuits.”
What Would Jesus Do About Inequality? Molly Worthen.
Occupy Yourself, Line Goguen-Hughes.
Will Gen-Z Save the World? David Brooks.
Educating Lawyers to Meditate? Rhonda Magee.
What Is Vipassana Meditation and How Do You Practice It?, Sayadaw U Pandita.
What’s So Good About Original Sin? By Crispin Sartwell.
Religion, Spirituality, and the 2020 Election, Wade Lee Hudson.
Audio
Howard Thurman on Jesus and the Disinherited.
While he was Professor of Spiritual Resources and Dean of Marsh Chapel at Boston University from 1953 to 1965, Dr. Howard Thurman became a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is reported that when he traveled King carried with him Thurman’s small book, Jesus and the Disinherited. This Boston University resource presents twelve 1959 sermons by Thurman on the theme, “Jesus and the Disinherited.” (The sermons are numbered but they aren’t listed in sequential order.)
Books
Buddhism without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening, Stephen Batchelor.
"In this simple but important volume, Stephen Batchelor reminds us that the Buddha was not a mystic who claimed privileged, esoteric knowledge of the universe, but a man who challenged us to understand the nature of anguish, let go of its origins, and bring into being a way of life that is available to us all. The concepts and practices of Buddhism, says Batchelor, are not something to believe in but something to do—and as he explains clearly and compellingly, it is a practice that we can engage in, regardless of our background or beliefs, as we live every day on the path to spiritual enlightenment."
“After having a nationally televised panic attack, Dan Harris knew he had to make some changes. A lifelong nonbeliever, he found himself on a bizarre adventure involving a disgraced pastor, a mysterious self-help guru, and a gaggle of brain scientists… Finally, Harris stumbled upon an effective way to rein in that voice, something he always assumed to be either impossible or useless: meditation, a tool that research suggests can do everything from lower your blood pressure to essentially rewire your brain. 10% Happier takes readers on a ride from the outer reaches of neuroscience to the inner sanctum of network news to the bizarre fringes of America’s spiritual scene, and leaves them with a takeaway that could actually change their lives.”
The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science for Greater Mindfulness, John Yates, Matthew Immergut and Jeremy Graves.
“A revolutionary, science-based approach to meditation from a neuroscientist turned meditation master, The Mind Illuminated is an accessible, step-by-step toolkit for anyone looking to start—or improve—their daily meditation practice.
The book that bestselling meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg raves ‘brings the path of meditation to life,’ The Mind Illuminated is the first how-to meditation guide from a neuroscientist who is also an acclaimed meditation master. This innovative book offers a 10-stage program that is both deeply grounded in ancient spiritual teachings about mindfulness and holistic health, and also draws from the latest brain science to provide a roadmap for anyone interested in achieving the benefits of mindfulness. Dr. John Yates offers a new and fascinating model of how the mind works, including steps to overcome mind wandering and dullness, extending your attention span while meditating, and subduing subtle distractions.
This groundbreaking manual provides illustrations and charts to help you work through each stage of the process, offering tools that work across all types of meditation practices. The Mind Illuminated is an essential read, whether you are a beginner wanting to establish your practice or a seasoned veteran ready to master the deepest state of peace and mindfulness.
Crossing the Boundary: Stories of Jewish Leaders of Other Spiritual Paths.
“Fourteen Jewish men and women stepped beyond the religion of their family to become leaders of other spiritual paths. They became Sikh, Sufi, Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu chant master, visionary artist, Advaita teacher, Pagan witch, interfaith minister, Catholic, and Daimista. They share their stories and teachings in this book, now available on Amazon and other book sellers.”
Root Wisdom from the Elders' Circle, Jacqueline "Lady J" Maddix.
“Root Wisdom discusses the numinous, the mystical, and the supernatural world of the metaphysical. It represents the ancient spirituality of our common ancestors. Today, elders from indigenous cultures and communities house, hold, protect, and practice this wisdom. It is the communal and collective elders' circle that passes this knowledge on through the generations.” [excerpt]
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.
Journey of the Universe (2011), Brian Thomas Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker.
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind (2006), Shunryu Suzuki.
The Birth of Christianity: Discovering What Happened in the Years Immediately After the Execution of Jesus (1998), John Dominic Crossan.
The Tao of Leadership: Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age (1985), John Heider.
Love and Living (1979), Thomas Merton.
Jesus and the Disinherited (1976), Howard Thurman.
Why Can’t We Be Good? (2007), Jacob Needleman.
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity (1992), Julia Cameron.
I and Thou (1958), Martin Buber.
The Courage to Be (1952), Paul Tillich (see “The Courage to Be” and “Joy, Anger, Polarity, and Transcendence”).
The Portable Emerson (1948), Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature (1902), William James.
Meditation Apps
10 Percent Happier. Meditation for a happier, healthier you.
Learn to meditate from the world’s top mindfulness experts.
Insight Timer. Free app for sleep, anxiety, and stress.
Poems
“Kairos and Temenos, Womb of Mystery
Drawn to listen, still repose
Creative Source within the center
Grace and Mercy, Birth compose”
[read more]
Podcasts
Quotes
Dr. King said that we cannot allow them to take the flag and the Cross from us…, which would not make you right or left but make you right down the center of what is morally correct.
Rev. Al Sharpton, Morning Joe, MSNBC, 7/15/19How do you find your path? In silence. How do you practice silence? You listen.
Ken McLeod
Videos
July 3, 2022 Church for the Fellowship of All People’s worship service.
An interview with Elected Council member Randy Thomas, who serves as the Advisory Board Coordinator of the Interfaith Peace Project, in Antioch, California. He's served on the Elected Council of ICCCC since Nov. 2017, and has helped with the planning team of the Interfaith Council's Retreats.