Spiritual Archives

The Rise of Christianity and the End of Mysticism

How did Christianity replace Roman paganism and other mystical religions? In what way did the mystical conception of the divine differ from the Christian idea of God? Christianity didn’t immediately replace the mystical religions that existed at the time of its arrival in the Greco-Roman world. Initially, it existed side-by-side with mystical traditions until the elites, particularly in Rome, decided to establish a hierarchical church within which only the ordained had access to divinity. Here’s how the rise of Christianity brought about the end of mystical traditions.

How to Process Emotions and Let Them Go

Do you tend to bury or dwell on difficult emotions, struggling to let them go? What are the dangers of repressing your emotions? Unpleasant and difficult emotions are an inevitable part of life. If you don’t learn how to process emotions in a healthy way, you’ll struggle with maintaining healthy relationships, keeping up with your work duties, and even being able to relax and have fun. Keep reading to learn about ways to process your emotions and let them go.

The Secret: Book Club and Reflection Questions

Have you read The Secret by Rhonda Byrne? How can you apply the lessons in the book to your personal and work life? At the heart of The Secret is the concept of the Law of Attraction—use your thoughts to attract the things you want. If you focus on thoughts about who you want to be or what you want in life, you will attract those ideas and things back as your life experience. Below, we’ve put together some The Secret book club questions for you to consider.

Stoic Self-Control: 4 Ways to Be the Captain of Your Ship

If your life were a ship, would you be the captain or a passenger? Are you in control, or are you just along for the ride? In The Daily Stoic, Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman say that self-control is central to the Stoic way of living. They explain that you can control your view of life in four ways: recognize what you can and can’t control, notice yourself, be mindful of your emotions, and see your assumptions. Read more to learn four ways to live with Stoic self-control.

Martin Luther and the Reformation: Max Weber Tells the Story

How did the Protestant Reformation get going in earnest? What revolutionary ideas did Martin Luther introduce? In The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Max Weber discusses the doctrinal developments introduced by Martin Luther and others that, according to Weber, produced the Protestant ethic. These doctrines caused people to live more systematically, ascetically, and rationally than ever before. Continue reading for Weber’s account of Martin Luther and the Reformation.

How the Calvinist Work Ethic Changed the World

What’s the Calvinist work ethic? Where did it come from, and how did it shape society? According to Max Weber, John Calvin’s doctrine of predestination created the Calvinist work ethic. Weber contends that it was this value (which he commonly refers to as “the Protestant ethic”) that gave rise to capitalism as a world economy. Keep reading to understand Weber’s argument.

Why We Shouldn’t Shy Away From Talking About Death

Why is death such a taboo topic? How does talking about dying help us make peace with our mortality? According to Atul Gawande, we can greatly improve our experience of mortality by talking about death more openly. We tend to avoid these conversations, but that leaves us ill-prepared to deal with the challenges aging and dying present. Here’s why we shouldn’t shy away from talking about death, according to Atul Gawande.

End-of-Life Decisions: How Would You Like to Meet Your End?

What matters most at the end of life? How can end-of-life institutions help their patients prepare to die with dignity and peace? The dying should have the chance to wrap up their affairs, share their deepest thoughts, encourage their loved ones, and establish their legacies. However, modern-day end-of-life institutions tend to deprive their patients of the opportunity to decide how they want to spend their final days. Here’s why we should make our end-of-life decisions before they are made for us.

Atul Gawande: How to Help the Dying in Their Final Days

What’s most important to people who are close to death? How can we infuse the final days of the dying with meaning and dignity? According to Atul Gawande, the author of Being Mortal, we can improve our care for the dying by giving them autonomy, or the ability to direct their lives as they wish. This freedom is crucial for those facing death, as it allows them to live according to their values and retain meaning in spite of limitations. Here’s how to help the dying retain their autonomy so they can die with peace and dignity.

The #1 Rule of Thumb for Making Hard Decisions

Are you facing a difficult decision? How do you make a decision when neither option is appealing? When making hard decisions in life, first and foremost, consult your values. If you make a decision that contradicts your values, you’ll likely regret it down the road. Your core values are the guiding compass that will lead you in the right direction even when you don’t know your final destination. Keep reading to learn about the importance of values in decision-making.