Spiriosity

Listen as we uncover how storytelling serves as a primary coping mechanism for traumatic experience. We discuss how sacred texts have been used to process trauma. Who knew the oppressed made their voices heard through religious literature? How can we understand this storytelling as a healing endeavor? What stories do we tell ourselves to cope with the past and engage with the future? Join us as we strive to answer these questions.

Focus Virtues: Curiosity, Awareness, Sensitivity, Vulnerability.

My conversation with Sarah highlights the virtues of awareness, curiosity, sensitivity, and vulnerability. Bringing awareness to the fact that everyone experiences trauma and in turn processes trauma in their own unique way; helps us to understand the humanity in others. The “why” behind other’s behaviors and identities may be rooted in some trauma processing mechanism; perhaps an act of storytelling they are telling themselves in order to move on from their own traumatic past. After solidifying such awareness, a process of curiosity as well as sensitivity to the past experiences of others helps us to see past surface level impressions and understand the spirit of another more deeply. Further, cultivating vulnerability and wonder about what stories we tell ourselves to cope with the trauma of our own past, helps us to tune into our deeper selves. This reflective process is a coping mechanism in and of itself. We all experience trauma on some level. Awareness of this trauma, as well as curiosity, and sensitivity about how we deal with it, helps to thread out our ego’s protective layer and find our true self beneath the

surface. Becoming vulnerable about the narratives we create for ourselves, helps to create a safe space for us to share our stories, and for others to do the same.

Note: While Esther's Shushan likely refers to Susa, one of the four Persian capitals, the way in which the city is described--most especially with regards to who is in power and how the city is being run--indicates that Esther's Shushan is fictional.

Check out these resources if you are interested in diving deeper into my conversation with Sarah.

Bessel Van Der Kolk, The Body Keeps The Score

https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748

Judith Herman, Trauma and Recovery

https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Recovery-Aftermath-Violence-Political/dp/0465087302

Elizabeth Boase and Christopher G. Frechette (ed.), Bible Through the Lens of Trauma

https://www.amazon.com/Bible-through-Trauma-Semeia-Studies/dp/1628371455

David Carr, Holy Resilience

https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Resilience-Bibles-Traumatic-Origins/dp/0300204566

When we say someone is American, what image does this conjure? What does it mean to be an American? Why is white-American not something we say, but Asian-American and African-American are commonly accepted dialogue? What do hyphenated identities say about belonging in this country? Whose voices and stories have been drowned out in the construction of the quintessential American narrative? Listen as we explore how race and religion play a role in what it means to be an “ideological” American.

In my conversation with Alexis, humility, sensitivity, curiosity and empathy are highlighted as the necessary spiritual virtues helping us to understand the role of race and religion in America. The dominant narrative of the American people has been written by a very specific group of people, commonly considered WASP’s (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants). Acknowledging this, allows us to think expansively past the mainstream understanding of history. This requires massive amounts of humility. Recognizing that much of the history taught and school and passed down through the media has been controlled by a dominant party in power requires the individual to accept their belief patterns as faulty. This is a premium example of humility at work. Who had power and who continues to have power are not the only history makers in what has become the United States. Igniting curiosity about how cultures outside of those in power, allows us to recognize not only a more robust history of our country, but a more accurate one. Curiosity and sensitivity to the plethora of narratives that have contributed to our nation, allows us to see the humanity in others. Sensitivity to the cultural knowledge and power of enslaved people that were forcefully brought to this country helps us to understand a richer history of American origins. For a comprehensive understanding of America, we need the virtue of sensitivity to internalize that we are talking about people with thoughts and dreams who have contributed to this country’s economy and culture. With this, we are then able to feel empathy for those whose sweat and blood is ingrained into what we know as America.

We have all heard the term, ancient wisdom; but, what does this mean? What can we learn from native communities and their way of life? How do indigenous ways of thinking compare to those of the modern Western world? Listen as we learn about the worldview and values of our indigenous predecessors. We explore what this means for mental health, healing practices and environmental activism.

Virtues: Introspect, Humility, Interconnectedness

In my conversation with Tina, we touch on the spiritual virtues of introspect, humility and interconnectedness. Having the ability to recognize what culture and customs you were born into, and what role those cultures and customs played in history, is essential in practicing the virtue of introspect. After cultivating the ability to examine the ideas and traditions that shaped you, it is then possible to begin to see how others got where they are today from based on their individual culture and practices, as well as that of their ancestors. A foundational difference between many cultures, beliefs, and even religions, is the perception of nature. Reflecting on how many traditions emphasize nature as all-knowing and powerful, highlights the notion that humans are simply a cog in the wheel of the natural world. Man as an intrinsic part of nature serves a very different belief system than man as separate from nature. Indigenous cultures note the intelligence of nature: how it heals itself, takes care of waste, and operates in a cycle. Taking on this perspective informs us that there is much to learn from nature, helping to keep humans as a species, humble and respectful of the vast intelligence of nature. Nature’s innate intellect also reminds humans how interconnected we are to all life forms around us. Ridding of the notion of “cradle to grave” and internalizing a cyclical perspective on life, reminds us that in the scheme of things: we are small, while at the same time a part of something immense and magnificent.

Over time, religion has embedded itself into our cultural traditions. Seemingly secular concepts such as medicine, venture capital, and mindful living have all been influenced in various ways by religious models. Listen as we explore modern day concepts, and why it is imperative to understand these topics through a religious studies lens.

Virtues: Awareness, Curiosity, Interconnectedness

My conversation with Kin highlights awareness, curiosity, and interconnectedness to the systems at work around us. It is important to develop the awareness of historical paradigms and their role in modern society. Once we tune into the ancient religious theory that has influenced everyday behaviors and societal systems such as healthcare, it is essential for us to then remain curious about that theory. Approaching cultural norms through the lens of curiosity helps to keep our guard down and our eyes and ears up. With this, we now have an intent to learn as opposed to the intent to protect our self (or our own belief systems). Curiosity about the inception of mainstream ideas such as media, mindfulness, and ethics, helps us to develop a deeper understanding towards these topics. We then begin to realize how integral religious theory has been to developing structures in society throughout time. Our ancestor’s explanations of the world around them, is interconnected to how we understand the world today. This serves as a reminder, that we are connected as one human species, navigating the waters of life.

Check out these resources if you are interested in diving deeper into my conversation with Kin.

Handbook of Ethical Foundations of Mindfulness

https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319765372

The Web That Has No Weaver : Understanding Chinese Medicine

https://www.amazon.com/Web-That-Has-Weaver-Understanding/dp/0809228408/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+web+that+has+no+weaver&qid=1586637049&sr=8-1

Shigehisa Kuriyama, The Expressiveness of the Body and the Divergence of Greek and Chinese Medicine

https://www.amazon.com/Expressiveness-Divergence-Greek-Chinese-Medicine/dp/0942299892/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Expressiveness+of+the+Body+and+the+Divergence+of+Greek+and+Chinese+Medicine&qid=1586637113&sr=8-1

Charles A. Goodman, Paternalist Deception in the Lotus Sūtra

http://blogs.dickinson.edu/buddhistethics/2011/01/28/paternalist-deception-in-the-lotus-sutra/

John Hinnell, The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion (Routledge Religion Companions)

https://www.amazon.com/Routledge-Companion-Study-Religion-Companions/dp/0415473276/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1586637933&refinements=p_27%3AJohn+Hinnells&s=books&sr=1-1&text=John+Hinnells

Bodhi, Bhikkhu, What does mindfulness really mean? A canonical perspective

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14639947.2011.564813?cookieSet=1

Ronald Purser, McMindfulness, How Mindfulness became the new capitalist spirituality

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/600158/mcmindfulness-by-ronald-purser/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beyond-mcmindfulness_b_3519289?guccounter=1

Mark Singleton, Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/yoga-body-9780195395341?cc=us&lang=en&

Ruiping Fan, Truth Telling in Medicine: The Confucian View

https://academic.oup.com/jmp/article-abstract/29/2/179/953604?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Festival culture is becoming more and more prominent in today’s society. Some of these festivals are considered to be “transformational” in nature and cater to the spiritual needs of the attendees. What is the threshold for a festival to be considered a true container for transformation? Listen as we examine contemporary pagan festivals as well as burning man as an expression of religion and spirituality.

Virtues: Sensitivity, Interconnectedness, Awareness, Empathy

My conversation with Sarah highlights the virtues of awareness, interconnectedness, and sensitivity. Bringing awareness to the relationships in your life is an important spiritual practice. These relationships may be to your body, your pain, the wildlife around you, or to grief and celebration. Once these numerous relationships are recognized, you can begin to develop sensitivity to the nuances of everyday habits and practices. This sensitivity can be channeled towards others and their personal processes and rituals. Establishing how you and others may differ on what you consider special or sacred, helps to cultivate empathy. In appreciating these subtleties, you begin to practice the virtue of interconnectedness, understanding that connection between the body and the mind, the world around you, and universal life force.

Check out these resources if you are interested in diving deeper into my conversation with Sarah.

Dr. Sarah Pike’s articles on Ecology and Environmentalism and Public Mourning at the Burning Man Temple

https://aeon.co/users/sarah-pike

Articles by Dr. Sarah Pike

https://www.counterpointknowledge.org/tag/sarah-pike/

Sarah Pike, For the Wild: Ritual and Commitment in Radical Eco-Activism

https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Ritual-Commitment-Radical-Eco-Activism-dp-0520294963/dp/0520294963/ref=mt_paperback?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1574018101

Sarah Pike, Earthly Bodies, Magical Selves: Contemporary Pagans and the Search for Community

https://www.amazon.com/Earthly-Bodies-Magical-Selves-Contemporary/dp/0520220862/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=magical+bodies+Sarah+pike&qid=1584901612&s=books&sr=1-1

The rate of “nones” or, those identifying with no religious organization, is at an all-time high in the United States. This begs the question- why? What is influencing this trend? How does this effect the definition of religion as we know it? Join us as we delve into beliefs about the supernatural, and how modern-day Americans perceive their religiosity.

Virtues: Awareness, Introspect, Curiosity

My conversation with Sean highlights the virtues of awareness, introspect and curiosity. Awareness of your own assumptions is important for connecting with your own understanding of a higher power, whether that be God, Karma, or The Law of Attraction. Developing awareness of what alternative concepts may be considered “religious”, “spiritual” or “divine” is also important. Engaging in introspective thought patterns, such as questioning what experiences have informed you of your current belief systems, will help to open the door of understanding the belief systems of others. Once this door is open, curiosity ensues. Cultivating curiosity of how and why others believe what they do, can then help you grow in a spiritual capacity.

Check out this resource if you are interested in diving deeper into my conversation with Sean.

E. Marshall Brooks, Disenchanted Lives: Apostasy and Ex-Mormonism among the Latter-day Saints

https://www.amazon.com/Disenchanted-Lives-Apostasy-Ex-Mormonism-Latter-day/dp/0813592186

Questions of why we are here and where we are going have long been answered by religious tradition. What happens when we try to answer these questions outside of religion? How can we then experience the world as global citizens? Listen as we redefine the understanding of what it means for things to be sacred and how this can play a role in social justice.

Virtues: Curiosity, Humility, Impermanence, Empathy

My conversation with LD highlights the virtues of curiosity, humility, impermanence, and empathy. LD poses life’s big questions to the audience, reminding everyone of their inner question of purpose. This innate curiosity present in all of us is a driving force to live with intention and work towards deep connection with ourselves and others. Taking this even further, the lingering reality of death; or, impermanence, is the true driver behind our inner curiosity and desire for meaning. How do we satisfy this desire? Well, one way is to cultivate humility by understanding the vastness and complexity of the human experience. With the process of understanding what it means to be humble, comes empathy for others. Internalizing others’ existence and experience as equally as valid as your own, reminds us that we are all in this together.

Check out these resources if you are interested in diving deeper into my conversation with LD.

Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha

https://www.amazon.com/Siddhartha-Novel-Hermann-Hesse/dp/0553208845/ref=sr_1_3?adid=082VK13VJJCZTQYGWWCZ&campaign=211041&creative=374001&keywords=Siddhartha&qid=1584914247&s=books&sr=1-3

Bryan Stevenson, Ted Talk on Just Mercy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2tOp7OxyQ8&t=17s

Movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3vwF6ZpyCM

Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48757.The_Tao_of_Pooh?from_search=true&qid=94OJwCuk9r&rank=1

L.D. Russell, Godspeed: Racing Is my Religion

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/481348.Godspeed?from_search=true&qid=yJMrl2XEQH&rank=1

Awareness. Introspect. Humility. Vulnerability. Curiosity. Empathy. Sensitivity. Interconnectedness. Impermanence. Gratitude. Through conversations with academics in religious concepts and experts in holistic wellness, Spiriosity is a podcast that will explore these attributes of the human spirit--our spiritual virtues--and highlight the importance of critical thinking as a fundamental component to wellbeing. We’ll break down how lofty intellectual and spiritual concepts can be applied as tangible action steps to help improve your life. Spiriosity believes that a healthy balance of those specific spiritual virtues result in personal, and ultimately, societal wellbeing. Curious to learn more? Visit the spiritual virtues guide to explore in greater detail.

https://www.spiriosity.com