I have been reflecting for the past week or so on the difference between asking why and asking how, especially as the distinction relates to our various beliefs, especially those we might label “spiritual.” What are the effects of asking one question rather than another? Over the past twenty years or so, I have becomeContinue reading “On How and Why Questions, Cosmic Solipsism, and Emily Dickinson”
Author Archives: Sean
Cooperation and Coordination are Love
Institutions arise out of mutual acts of coordination among individuals who have as their goal a shared beneficence. For example, my neighbor and I have an agreement – I mow his lawn in spring, summer and Fall and he plows my driveway in winter. The institution is neighborhood, the coordinating mechanism is barter, and theContinue reading “Cooperation and Coordination are Love”
There is Always a Loving Context
There is always a context that is loving. Whatever is happening can be both perceived and understood in terms of love. The work of being human is to clarify our perception and understanding in order to bring forth that love, which inures to our collective benefit. The living that we do often involves pain: weContinue reading “There is Always a Loving Context”
What Is This Oneness Of Which We Speak
What do we mean when we say “oneness?” When we use that word in a spiritual context, to what does it point? How do we expect folks with whom we are in dialogue to hear and understand that word? How do we want them to hear and understand it? Really, those questions are variants ofContinue reading “What Is This Oneness Of Which We Speak”
Thinking through A Course in Miracles
How shall we organize our thinking? Through what lens or prism shall we allow our thoughts to pass in order to see brought forth clarification and subsequently helpfulness and love? When made the subject of contemplation, clarity begets helpfulness, which initiates service, which is love. Through service the one loves the other and through service thatContinue reading “Thinking through A Course in Miracles”
On Holy Relationships and Love
. . . in the relational domain of love the other is not asked and is not expected to justify his or her existence . . . love is unidirectional, and occurs as a spontaneous happening of accepting the legitimacy of the other as a matter of course . . . ~ Humberto Maturana InContinue reading “On Holy Relationships and Love”