You may be asking…what in the world does the launch of this book have to do with Baoism?

The answer is - a lot! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/erdonaldson/future-world-2323

The truth is that in all of my work, whether it is speculative or philosophical, I try to bring about a better world for all of us. This book is no different. I tried to focus on the Rox (positive things) that I think make life better for everyone.

One aspect of that is collaborative creation and cooperation. This project began with me writing a book (Notes from Nowhere) that detailed a future society that fit the mold of what I think we as humans can be. I put a man from our time into a democratic confederalist utopia set in Hawaii three hundred years from now. Hawaii though is a very small part of the world and realistically, I don’t think that all of humanity will be united in harmony in three centuries, as much as I would love to see that.

So the rest of the world was different. Different countries, different ideologies, different governance systems. The world is too big for me to define alone so I reached out to my fellow writers and asked if they would like to write stories about different parts of the future world. Five other writers answered the call.

A lot of this future history is mapped out by me in Notes from Nowhere (written in 2020). Hawaii and the nations of the Pacific form a kind of decentralized government. The United States after a second Trump administration and conversion to sort of religious dictatorship called the Republican States of America fractures - Texas and Mexico unite to form the Texican Nation. The West Coast of North America seceded and bands together from Alaska to British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Baja - they become one nation - The Bear and Salmon Republic. E.R Donaldson details the Great Lakes region becoming the Wolverine Isles, Rionna Morgan writes about how Ireland is saved by Witchcraft, Ameera Rashid writes about how a major technology reshapes the Middle East, and our friend Quanta goes into a liminal space as a race of humans that live between worlds begins to interact with humanity. There is a lot going on in Future World 2323. You may recognize some of those names as people who shared their belief systems here in videos with the Baoist Community.

The way we decided to publish this book was through using a kickstarter campaign. Our goal is modest. We want the individual authors to be paid for their work and to earn enough to pay for printing and distribution to the backers of the campaign. We are defining a world collaboratively and attempting to publish cooperatively. All of this is an experiment that breaks away from a world of domination and exploitation.

And as for the messages in the book - well - if you want to see Elon Musk transformed into a lunatic cyborg trying to become an immortal god, you can read about it in this book (or just watch the news). If you want to see what the future of the United States under a sort of Trumpian Papacy looks like - same thing. If you want to explore Artificial Intelligence and the possibility of love between human and AI, it’s here. So are spiritual journeys and lessons, romance, and so much more.

We’d really like this project to succeed. We need your help and cooperation for that to happen. If you can share our project with your networks - that would be wonderful. If you want to back our project and get an early copy of the book - that would also be wonderful.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/erdonaldson/future-world-2323

We are excited about the future! Please join us in making it happen!

CD, Rionna, E.R, Quanta, Ameera, and Dylan

In this audio episode, we look at how easy it is to weave together a syncretic practice using ancient belief systems. In Baoism, we are using a philosophical framework to create a syncretic spiritual practice/system.

In this short episode, CD weaves together Taoism, Buddhism, Sufism, and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali- not surprisingly these all fit well in the system he is looking at. Your Baoism might include these - or maybe not - but the important lesson here is that you don’t need to throw out the baby with the bath water.

Bring your own teachers, keep what works, and focus on being happy.

In this episode of Baoism Unveiled, I was honored to be able to speak with one of my earliest and most important Baoji, my aunt, godmother, and friend - Lynn Walker. She is a fountain of wisdom and for those interested in discovering more about Yogananda’s teachings: www.yogananda.org

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Robbie Pollock is one of my favorite people. He’s a perpetual source of positivity and good vibes. In this interview - we get down to brass tacks and learn some of his Rox, some Tox to avoid, and a few of his personal BaoJi. You do not want to miss this episode.

For more: Visit Baoism.org

In this episode of Baoism Unveiled CD talks with Greg about the lessons that can be learned in Baoism from Greek Mythology, Homeric stories, and Judaism. There is a ton of powerful wisdom packed into the twenty-four minutes of this episode and you don’t want to miss it. Find out more about Baoism at https://www.baoism.org

I was honored to spend time talking with Quanta this week. We talked about her background growing up in India, her family’s connection to the goddess, Kali, and so much more. She revealed some of her Bao Ji and shared some very important Rox and Tox for listeners to learn from. We also delved into what a universal religion might look like…

In this episode of Baoism Unveiled, science fiction author and Christian, E.R. Donaldson shares some of his Bao Ji, Rox, and Tox. There are timeless lessons here that you don’t want to miss.

To learn more about Baoism or to recommend a guest who has some important Bao Ji, Rox, Tox or perspectives to share (Maybe it’s you?) reach out to us through https://www.baoism.org

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Rionna Morgan is one of those wonderful people you meet in this life who seems to have lived far more than a single lifetime.

In this interview with CD she shares some of her belief system, some amazing Rox for people to embrace, and some important Tox for people to be careful of.

While I know it may sound a little bit silly (and actually is) there are a couple of serious reason behind me interviewing myself in this Baoism Unveiled podcast.

* I wanted to ask myself some of the hard questions that others have asked me - either in private or via social posts

* I wanted to give future guests the chance to know what format the interviews would take and what questions they could expect. Important Note: I actually came at myself pretty hard in this interview - much harder than I would ever come at anyone else - so any aggression you might hear from towards me is not something that would be directed at anyone else.

The questions in general future guests can expect are

* Tell me about your faith/religion/practice

* Who are some of the Bao Ji (teachers of precious treasures) that most influenced you

* What are some Rox (good things) you practice that you recommend to others

* What are some Tox (bad things) that your faith or you see as harmful

That’s about it.

Happy New Year to all of you. I hope you spend your last day of 2023 and your first day of 2024 drinking plenty of water, getting out into nature, and diving deep into some incredible Rox while avoiding all the Tox you can.

Be Happy!

In a world rich with diverse beliefs and spiritual practices, Baoism stands as a beacon of harmony and inclusivity. Far from being a cult or a competing religion, Baoism offers a unique philosophy that complements and enriches the lives of individuals who already practice or believe in established faiths.

An Inclusive Tapestry: Baoism Welcomes All Beliefs

At its core, Baoism is a syncretic philosophy that weaves together threads from various traditions, emphasizing unity and interconnectedness. Rather than competing with established religions, Baoism invites individuals of diverse faiths to find common ground in the pursuit of harmony, happiness, and a deeper connection to nature.

No Exclusive Dogma: Baoism Encourages Personal Exploration

Unlike cults or exclusive religious groups, Baoism imposes no rigid dogma or set of beliefs. Instead, it encourages personal exploration and interpretation. Baoists are free to integrate Baoist principles into their lives without abandoning their existing beliefs, fostering a sense of enrichment rather than exclusivity.

Bao Ji as all Teachers, Not a Deity: Respect for Existing Faiths

Bao Ji, the revered teacher in Baoism, is not worshiped as a deity. Instead, Bao Ji is the name given to any teacher who serves as a guide and offers wisdom and guidance. Who Bao Ji is, is up to the individual. Baoists hold respect for various deities and spiritual figures from different traditions, recognizing the diversity of paths to truth and understanding. One Baoist may claim Confucius (or anyone else) as a Bao Ji, while another does not.

Emphasis on Personal Growth: Baoism as a Complementary Philosophy

Baoism places a strong emphasis on personal growth, mindfulness, and ethical living. These principles can seamlessly complement the values and teachings found in established faiths. Baoists often find that incorporating Baoist practices enhances their spiritual journey within their existing religious framework.

Celebrating Nature and Rituals: A Universal Connection

The Baoist focus on nature and the celebration of holidays and rituals is not meant to replace existing religious practices. Instead, it offers a universal connection to the cycles of nature and the shared human experience of celebrating significant moments in life. Baoist holidays have an emphasis on fun and making the world a happier place.

Respect for Religious Pluralism: Baoism as a Bridge

Baoism embraces the richness of religious pluralism. It serves as a bridge, fostering understanding and respect between individuals of different faiths. Baoists appreciate the diversity of spiritual paths and seek to create a harmonious coexistence where people of all beliefs can come together.

A Philosophy for Everyone: Inclusivity at Its Core

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Baoism is its philosophy for everyone. It is not exclusive to a particular group but welcomes individuals from all walks of life, irrespective of their religious affiliations. Baoism encourages unity in diversity, celebrating the unique contributions each belief system brings to the collective human experience.

Conclusion: Baoism – A Harmony of Beliefs

Baoism is not a cult or a competing religion; rather, it is a philosophy that harmonizes with all existing beliefs. It invites individuals to explore and integrate its principles in a way that enhances their spiritual journey within the framework of their chosen faith. A person could be a Baoist Buddhist, a Baoist Christian, a Baoist Muslim, a Baoist Jew, a Baoist Hindu, or anything else. If they want to be a Baoist of any sort, that’s fine. There are no rules about this, no dogma, no exclusions. Baoism is a celebration of diversity, a bridge between belief systems, and a universal path toward harmony and happiness for everyone.

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