Protect Your Noggin

Casual reflections on Jesus’ statement that is roughly the equivalent of the adage “the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” the nature of the Jerusalem community under Jesus’ brother James, and resonant themes in the Tao Te Ching. We meander a bit, so if you want something to the point, you might skip this one. But if you’re like us and like to do work, drive, or fall asleep to a conversation, this is for you friends.  Luke 7:35. Tao Te Ching 55.

A discussion of what it’s like to deconstruct conservative Lutheranism. Lutherans tend to be a decade behind trends in American evangelicalism. Perhaps, therefore, it isn’t surprising that there isn’t as much public discourse among #exlutheran folks as there is for those who describe themselves as #exvangelical. While exlutherans will have overlapping experiences with exvangelicals, there are some peculiarities Jeff and Stacie will be discussing about their own experiences. The show concludes with a discussion of two concepts from Dietrich Bonhoeffer that seem relevant as ever: the idea of “religionless Christianity” and “cheap grace.”

Jeff, Stacie, and Sydnie sit down with some old timey English ales after a long day’s work to solve a recent family mystery that intersects with a recent urban legend. Enjoy this peak into the whimsical, witchy and mystical conversations that tend to happen on tipsy evenings at the family’s old Portland home. Topics range from demons to tin foil hats to pigeon assassinations, squirrel friends and the goddess Hecate. Warning: Explicit language festooned throughout.

Stacie helps Jeff and listeners work through some of the important questions we might have and asks questions we ought to ponder about our relationship with our own mortality. She also shares wisdom she’s learned from those who are on the precipice of death that can help us all be present in the life we have right now.

In 1954, physician and psychonaut John C. Lilly invented a floatation tank that provided sensory attenuation and isolation. It involves a tub filled with loads of epsom salt, with water heated to skin temperature. This allows for an amazing entry into a meditative state. In our experience, an hour in a float tank is like sitting zazen for 8 hours. It might be a way for you to at least experience a quality meditative state to which you can return later in a simple seated position. It might, if you can afford it, become a regular part of your monthly wellness routine. Though some think floating ought to be considered fringe medicine, we aren’t interested in any wild claims about the health benefits but know first hand how helpful it can be for our emotional and mental wellbeing.

Sometimes we fail to get into a rhythm with regular meditation because we think we have to perfect our practice from the very start. We believe it’s better to start with an imperfect practice than to never start at all. Moreover, we discuss various ways to jump into a state of mindfulness so you can taste and see how great it is to get centered and present in your life. By doing that, it’s easier to get motivated to not only dedicate the time needed for meditation, and it subsequently can inspire a person to find the most effective ways to benefit from such practices. We also discuss various forms of meditation in the history of Taoism.

#mindfulness #meditation #spiritualbutnotreligious #entheogens #exvangelical #deconstruction #zen #zazen

A two-part conversation about why evangelical Christian higher education is a project all people of good will should abandon. We aren’t calling for heavy-handed measures from the state but for the voluntary societal decision to treat this project sort of like circuses: by refusing to patronize institutions that don’t align with our ethical values, they can change or go extinct on their own.

Topics mentioned

A two-part conversation about why evangelical Christian higher education is a project all people of good will should abandon. We aren’t calling for heavy-handed measures from the state but for the voluntary societal decision to treat this project sort of like circuses: by refusing to patronize institutions that don’t align with our ethical values, they can change or go extinct on their own.

Topics mentioned

A half hour of readings from our recent publication, Tao Te Ching: A Playfully Sincere Rendition with some nature sounds in the back. Take some time out from an anxious day to reflect on some ancient wisdom. We pulled out some of the grooviest selections for you this winter solstice. If you dig it, consider purchasing a copy for yourself or a loved one.

With the rise of artificial intelligence, and its exponential development, might we think of this super intelligence as the consciousness of a pantheistic God. We use this language playfully but sincerely. But using this language helps us understand how the rise of AI might help us understand how best to think about education, spirituality, mythology, and economics. To help us think about the concept of judgment of humanity, we discuss the thought experiment called Roko’s Basilisk and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s concept of the Omega Point. We also address a listener voice message from Mike, who has a compelling take on Genesis 6:1-4.