If I stay sober emotionally, I can be mindful of when I start being driven by the attitude of lust. And when I see it, I can let it go. In my meditation this morning I was able to experience how my addiction to lust makes my whole body tense and drives me like a […]
Emotional Sobriety & the Attitude of Lust Read More »
The book 12 Steps & 12 Traditions illustrates the importance of distrust of self, seeing it as the foundation for recovery from the disease of alcoholism. It reads, … only through utter defeat are we able to take our first steps toward liberation and strength (pg. 21). Why is “utter defeat” so important for recovery
Lust and the Spiritual Combat: Distrust of Self – II Read More »
In the ascetical classic, The Spiritual Combat, by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli he views the spiritual life through the lens of 4 principles, or 4 steps. They are: 1) Distrust of Self 2) Confidence in God 3) Proper use of the faculties of the body and mind 4) The duty of prayer. In our culture distrust
Lust and the Spiritual Combat: Distrust of Self – I Read More »
In How People Learn, by the National Research Council, two of the three key findings of the research are the importance of recognizing and working with pre-existing knowledge of learners as well as recognizing and fostering the role of metacognition in learning (Bransford, Brown, & Cocking, 2000). In my opinion, effective teaching not only addresses both
Theory is integral to human life and society and is the foundation of practice. This is nothing new. The question of the relationship between theōría (θεωρία) or epistēmē (ἐπιστήμη) and technê (τέχνη) or prāktikḗ (πρᾱκτῐκή) has occupied the western mind since the Ancient Greeks. Generally speaking, science as such arose out of a cultural context
Education Theory and Practice Read More »
Holy gratitude is distinct from ordinary gratitude in that its object is divine. That means God. But it also means God insofar as He is present in his Angels and Saints, and in Creation. Holy Gratitude isn’t merely a sentiment that wells up spontaneously, though this can happen. Holy Gratitude rather is a discipline, it
Holy Gratitude: What is it? Read More »
The LORD God called to the man and asked him: Where are you? He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid” (Gen. 3:19). In many ways I can best describe my ongoing conversion from darkness, shame and doubt, to light, dignity, and faith as
Coming Out of Hiding Read More »
Elsewhere on this blog I published an article about violent anger. To follow up that theme I wanted to include a passage from the 2014 address of Pope Francis to the members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. He mentions the contemporary conception of human rights particularly insofar as it has a tendency to
Pope Francis on Human Rights and Conflict Read More »
When I was young (mid teens to early twenties) I was a rageaholic. Actually, I was addicted to substances and behaviors that only produced misery. The rage was a defense mechanism for my misery and was justified by finding things to blame other people for. I was a victim, especially of people who seemed to
Violent Anger From the Political Left Read More »
Some of my readers know I am a student of philosophy, both Western and Indian. In philosophy we see what reason is able to obtain through observation and rational reflection upon what we observe and experience. We don’t, apart from faith, find the Eternal Wisdom that saves, but we do come to discover universal knowledge as
Celibate Chastity According to the Bhagavad Gita Read More »