Hints and Guesses

Religious Problems, Religious Medicine?

I want to explore some religious questions that have been troubling me lately, where I've gotten things wrong over the last few years, and some hints and guesses about what's calling my name; namely some very ancient invitations...worship, prayer and sacrifice.  Enjoy!

The God of Wild Places: Tony Jones

We discuss Tony's new book, which is great (www.reverendhunter.com).  We talk about theology, leaving the church, Tao and redemption, sacred places, and some personal things. Enjoy! 

When the World Breaks: Jason Adam Miller

I hope you'll appreciate this conversation with Jason Adam Miller about his new book on Jesus' most paradoxical and misunderstood words at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.  I loved this book, When the World Breaks.  I've not read anything so personal, rich and thought provoking on the Beatitudes.  It's worth your time, especially if you're interested in a way of being, more than a way of believing, a way that might well upend our frames and call us into a deeper life. Jason Adam Miller is a pastor in South Bend and someone worth paying attention to (www.jasonadammiller.com)  Enjoy! 

The Journey

Here's another shorter podcast in my series, where I turn to poems, prayer, passages that have been important to me.  I hope you'll hear your own hints and guesses.  This week, we turn to Mary Oliver's classic, The Journey.  Enjoy!

When We Are Lost

I'd like to explore the possibilities, the postures, and the terrain, of feeling lost, a certain kind of lostness.  Rather than being prescriptive, I hope to just describe a little of what it's like, and a few hints and guesses from the poets and mystics, that I hope you'll find meaningful, and possibly helpful.  Enjoy.

Church in the East

Here's another shorter mediation on Rilke's passage about leaving home, about following a calling, the cost and terrible possibilities hidden in walking toward the East, toward a church forgotten, a sacred place ignored.  Enjoy.

Coleman's Bed

For my 100th episode, I'm introducing a new dimension of the podcast, shorter mediations based on poems, passages, and prayers.  Thanks for all your support, can't believe I've made 100 episodes.  I hope you'll hear some hints and guesses in this David Whyte poem, Coleman's Bed, or in my own reflections.  Stay tuned for more shorter episodes, as well as my longer format contributions and interviews.  Special thanks to Jonas Dobson, my son, for the music.  Enjoy!

The Dream: A Bridge Between Worlds

In this episode, we turn our attention again to the language of dreams, particularly the ways in which the dream experience seeks to have an effect on the dreamer.  This is really part 2 of a podcast series on dreams, the first episode being called The Language of Dreams.  Special thanks to my friend Emma who was willing to share her dream in a such a public place.  We hope it serves you in some way.  Thanks for listening and supporting.  Enjoy!

The Language of Dreams

On the longest night of the year, I'd like to explore dreams, dreamwork and surrendering to the intelligence of the dream.  "We have forgotten the age old fact that God speaks primarily through dreams and visions" (C.G. Jung).  Enjoy!

Are You Alive? A Conversation with Eloise Skinner

Eloise Skinner's new book is called, But Are You Alive? How to Design a Life Worth Living.  In this conversation about her book, we discuss existential therapy, ancient practices, work life, monastic possibilities, and questions of meaning.  You can find her on Instagram, or through her website www.eloiseskinner.com

I hope you hear some hints and guesses for your own everyday spiritual life. Enjoy!