MICAH Podcast: The Heart of the Matter

Ratna wisdom energy is characterized by a feeling of abundance- there is enough for us and our needs are met. How do you see this energy at play in your life? Who and what helps you feel met?

Karma wisdom is driven, harmonious, and action-oriented. Karma wisdom in action is pragmatic but also gracious. There is no need to be forceful or violent to accomplish our goals. How does all-accomplishing wisdom show up in your life? Karma neurosis can be described as a windstorm, destroying everything in its path. Perhaps we see this tendency in ourselves or someone close to us. How might you discover balance between action and emotional awareness?

Here we are in the Padma room. It’s very red! For those who haven’t gotten to be in the maitri rooms, this gives you a sense of what they are like. Padma wisdom is about loving relationship, and as you can see, Trey and I are very happy to be with each other. :)

Buddha wisdom is all-encompassing. It is infinitely spacious and open, able to hold everything that passes through it. Buddha wisdom is both completely empty and completely full. Have you experienced times of being able to hold whatever comes your way? Buddha neurosis is often symbolized by a cocoon. Each person has their own style of cocoon, ways of shutting out the world and even ourselves. Investigate your personal experience of the cocoon. In what ways does the cocoon serve you? How might it inhibit you?

Vajra offers a clear energy. Vajra energy, in its wisdom aspect, represents clarity of the mind and an ability to meet our lives with a direct approach. This energy can be compared to a mirror or calm water- we can see our reflection and the world around us as it is without bias. How do you see this energy at work in your life? In its neurotic form, Vajra energy can be compared to a dirtied mirror. We cannot see clearly and may lash out or become cold and bitter. How might distorted Vajra energy appear in your life?

The word maitri in Sanskrit means openness and friendliness. Space refers to the total environment - not just of the room but also of the world at large. Space is the totality of experience. It includes everything in our sphere: what we think, see feel, hear, touch. Awareness is our attentiveness to what is happening in that space.

Today we return to specific topics in the TSU discussion with a reflection on Scripture. Can the Bible be true in the TSU is false? More info: http://www.micahprays.org/resources/books.htm

Today we return to the Collapse of the TSU with everyone's favorite topic: Hell! What do we do with the basement level of the TSU? More info: http://www.micahprays.org/resources/books.htm

We recorded this podcast last week in response to some feedback we got about this project. Once again a prominent church leader raised the question about whether we even need to be discussing the TSU at all. So we have taken a brief detour to respond to this important question. More info: http://www.micahprays.org/resources/books.htm

Today we welcome Jonathan Dodson, pastor from Plummer MN, to help us talk about the traveling art show! How do images of issues in the church help us get to the heart of the matter? More info: http://www.micahprays.org/art/exhibit.htm