Those mentioned here would tend to lean toward us being spiritual and religious because we're human (a given as Rob Bell would say, not a choice). To not acknowledge that reality is to just participate and be influenced by such realities and influences while pretending to operate with a different frame/lens. That awareness, atuneness, honesty, integrity would seem to be a genesis or exodus invitation of its own.
Dr. Lucy Hone is my favorite most recent voice on this front:
Thanks for diving us deep and initiating/ instigating. Subversive challenges, holy curiosity, openness to feedback. All good healthy habits to keep us expectant, receptive, responsive.
Kip, thanks for these great resources. I've heard Emily P. Freeman's name everywhere but have never looked into her work closely - added to my list! And I will be listening to her interview with Parker Palmer for sure, as well as the talk from Dr. Lucy Hone. You've shared a wealth of next paths for me to explore - I'm grateful.
Thanks Claire. Jealous of your time (it looked beautiful and so soul refreshing and encouraging)with my old friend from Burlington NC from many lifetimes ago for both of us, Chuck Ainsworth. So thankful and proud of Chuck's continued trajectory and invitation for us to join him. My best to him and his the next time y'all cross paths.
For most of human history, we operated pre-rationally (mythical, magical). Then modernity/enlightenment gave us the gift of rationality (science, medicine, markets, etc.). As you note, many (myself included!) have a longing to explore how spirituality intersects with work and leadership—without being an HR nightmare! We can call this trans-rational because it transcends rationality/logic but includes it, too!
So, if the emergence of human consciousness and evolution is from pre-rational to rational to trans-rational, could it be that both pre- and trans- appear to rational culture as ir-rational? And, if so, could it be that the most frustrating thing today about spirituality is that those who value rational thought but also want to transcend it (spirituality, wholeness, meaning) are lumped in with pre-rational (magical/mythical) thinking? After all, both pre- and trans- will appear irrational!
I am very interested in experiencing spirituality, wholeness, and the journey back home toward meaning and wholeness, but how can we do it without coming of overlay woo, judgmental, and, yes, religious?
And - I think your post does exactly THAT. Thank you, Claire!
Your comment has me geeking out. Big thumbs up to your framing of pre-rational, rational, ir-rational, and trans-rational. (Makes me want to ask - who have you been reading on this topic? Would be fun to swap notes!) And I loved your provocative question: "could it be that the most frustrating thing today about spirituality is that those who value rational thought but also want to transcend it (spirituality, wholeness, meaning) are lumped in with pre-rational (magical/mythical) thinking?" I think you're so right - that tendency repels a lot of people from embracing their spirituality, and I imagine that's a real loss for some of those individuals and for our world. Thank you so much for weighing in, Tim!
Though to be honest, I rarely THINK about my faith while I'm working; writing brand voices and ads and such. But as a Muslim, I believe working is a form of worship. As long as what I'm doing is lawful, using the gifts God gave me to the very best of my ability and supporting myself and my family along the way is one powerful way to show my gratitude to and faith in Him.
Haha! Well, "coming out looking like an ad" sounds perfectly on point in your line of work. Love hearing how you talk about work as a form of worship and a channeling of your God-given gifts...to support your life and the life of your loved ones. The connection between spirituality and work doesn't have to be any more complicated than that, does it? And thanks for weighing in from your Muslim faith perspective here!
Parker Palmer is a great resource on this front. He has also influenced our friend Emily P. Freeman.
https://emilypfreeman.com/podcast/319/
Jamie Winship is another good resiliency source.
https://www.youtube.com/live/VDoFdDy237g?feature=shared
Those mentioned here would tend to lean toward us being spiritual and religious because we're human (a given as Rob Bell would say, not a choice). To not acknowledge that reality is to just participate and be influenced by such realities and influences while pretending to operate with a different frame/lens. That awareness, atuneness, honesty, integrity would seem to be a genesis or exodus invitation of its own.
Dr. Lucy Hone is my favorite most recent voice on this front:
https://youtu.be/NWH8N-BvhAw?feature=shared
Thanks for diving us deep and initiating/ instigating. Subversive challenges, holy curiosity, openness to feedback. All good healthy habits to keep us expectant, receptive, responsive.
I second Parker Palmer and Emily P Freeman!
Kip, thanks for these great resources. I've heard Emily P. Freeman's name everywhere but have never looked into her work closely - added to my list! And I will be listening to her interview with Parker Palmer for sure, as well as the talk from Dr. Lucy Hone. You've shared a wealth of next paths for me to explore - I'm grateful.
Thanks Claire. Jealous of your time (it looked beautiful and so soul refreshing and encouraging)with my old friend from Burlington NC from many lifetimes ago for both of us, Chuck Ainsworth. So thankful and proud of Chuck's continued trajectory and invitation for us to join him. My best to him and his the next time y'all cross paths.
Amazing that you know Chuck! This world is small...
Amazing, Claire. Thank you. I’ll dive in here -
For most of human history, we operated pre-rationally (mythical, magical). Then modernity/enlightenment gave us the gift of rationality (science, medicine, markets, etc.). As you note, many (myself included!) have a longing to explore how spirituality intersects with work and leadership—without being an HR nightmare! We can call this trans-rational because it transcends rationality/logic but includes it, too!
So, if the emergence of human consciousness and evolution is from pre-rational to rational to trans-rational, could it be that both pre- and trans- appear to rational culture as ir-rational? And, if so, could it be that the most frustrating thing today about spirituality is that those who value rational thought but also want to transcend it (spirituality, wholeness, meaning) are lumped in with pre-rational (magical/mythical) thinking? After all, both pre- and trans- will appear irrational!
I am very interested in experiencing spirituality, wholeness, and the journey back home toward meaning and wholeness, but how can we do it without coming of overlay woo, judgmental, and, yes, religious?
And - I think your post does exactly THAT. Thank you, Claire!
- Tim Schuster
Your comment has me geeking out. Big thumbs up to your framing of pre-rational, rational, ir-rational, and trans-rational. (Makes me want to ask - who have you been reading on this topic? Would be fun to swap notes!) And I loved your provocative question: "could it be that the most frustrating thing today about spirituality is that those who value rational thought but also want to transcend it (spirituality, wholeness, meaning) are lumped in with pre-rational (magical/mythical) thinking?" I think you're so right - that tendency repels a lot of people from embracing their spirituality, and I imagine that's a real loss for some of those individuals and for our world. Thank you so much for weighing in, Tim!
First of all, thank you for the lovely blessing.
Though to be honest, I rarely THINK about my faith while I'm working; writing brand voices and ads and such. But as a Muslim, I believe working is a form of worship. As long as what I'm doing is lawful, using the gifts God gave me to the very best of my ability and supporting myself and my family along the way is one powerful way to show my gratitude to and faith in Him.
Oftentimes it just comes out looking like an ad.
Haha! Well, "coming out looking like an ad" sounds perfectly on point in your line of work. Love hearing how you talk about work as a form of worship and a channeling of your God-given gifts...to support your life and the life of your loved ones. The connection between spirituality and work doesn't have to be any more complicated than that, does it? And thanks for weighing in from your Muslim faith perspective here!