Spiritual Archives

Albert Camus: Suicide Isn’t a Satisfactory Response to Absurdity

How did people react to Albert Camus’s philosophy of the absurd? Why did some think that suicide seemed like a reasonable response? According to Albert Camus, suicide isn’t the answer. In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus draws on existentialist theory to argue that humans are doomed to an absurd condition. He asserts that, rather than surrendering to this belief via suicide, you should derive fulfillment from your brief existence. Continue reading to learn more about Camus’s views on suicide in the context of the absurd.

Is String Theory Correct? We Might Know—If We Could Test It

Is string theory correct? Is it even possible to find out whether it is or not? In The God Equation, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku suggests that string theory might be the path to uniting all the different laws of nature. But, many scientists reject string theory as a piece of mathematical sleight-of-hand. Read more to learn about the fascinating debate surrounding string theory.

How to Uphold Servant Leadership in Church: 3 Strategies

Do you want to build a servant leadership church? What level of social responsibility are churches expected to uphold? Churches provide a safe space for people to attend, so they need to fulfill certain responsibilities. Servant Leadership by Robert K. Greenleaf provides a few ways servant leaders in churches can create a community for their members. Keep reading to learn more about the role of servant leadership in churches.

How Does Life Work? Nick Lane Answers the Vital Question

What is life? How does life work? Can organization and complexity arise from chaos? Biochemist Nick Lane answers these questions as a starting point in his exploration of life’s origins. He says that, to explain the origin of life, we have to understand how cells process energy and the physical conditions that gave rise to the peculiar mechanisms that all life uses to power itself. Read more for Lane’s explanation of how life works.

Tara Brach’s RAIN Technique: A Guide to Everyday Mindfulness

How is mindfulness applied to everyday life? What’s the difference between the RAIN technique and the STOP technique? At a Buddhist conference, former ABC News anchor Dan Harris heard Tara Brach speak about loving and accepting yourself as you are. She presented a technique that he found helpful in applying mindfulness in everyday situations. Keep reading to learn about the RAIN technique and how it might benefit you as it benefited Harris.

Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion

Are the people who are abandoning religion also leaving something crucial behind? Are they throwing the baby out with the bathwater? The answer is yes, according to Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion by Sam Harris. He believes that spiritual experiences, particularly higher states of consciousness, are important for people who are seeking happiness and peace. Continue reading for an overview of this thought-provoking book.

The Way of Zen by Alan Watts: Book Overview & Takeaways

What are the principles of Zen Buddhism? How is Zen Buddhism expressed and experienced? Is this philosophy for you? Many people have a passing familiarity with the concept of Zen. But, few really know what “Zen” means or could articulate how Zen Buddhism describes reality and human life. In The Way of Zen, Alan Watts explains the major principles and the history of Zen Buddhism. Continue reading for an overview of the book that’s likely to answer many of your questions.

How Taoism and Zen Buddhism Are Connected (Alan Watts)

Is it possible to know something without describing it with words? What’s the difference between acting impulsively and acting spontaneously? Two Taoist philosophies helped give Zen Buddhism its form: There are two ways of knowing, and we can act spontaneously and naturally. Alan Watts discusses the influence of Taoism on Zen in his classic work The Way of Zen. Read more to learn about the connection between Taoism and Zen Buddhism.

Secular Spirituality: Sam Harris Sets Transcendence Free

Is it possible to have spirituality without religion? If so, how? Why would you want to pursue this? Sam Harris is known for encouraging skeptics to confront religion. In 2017’s Waking Up, he lays out a reason-based approach to spirituality that’s rooted in what science and meditation teach about the workings of the human mind. Read more to learn what secular spirituality means and why Harris recommends it.

How Is Zen Buddhism Different From Traditional Buddhism?

How is Zen Buddhism different from traditional Buddhism? How does it view awakening and meditation? What are wu-hsin and dhyana? Zen borrowed several concepts from earlier traditions, and it developed some of its own philosophies. That makes it a unique offering in Eastern thought. Alan Watts explores the ideas that differentiate Zen from other schools of Buddhism. Continue reading to learn about the three primary distinctions of Zen Buddhism.