DoseNation 43: Perils of Modern Spirituality

I don't have a bone to pick with christianity, but when you forget to mention all the damage that historically that religion did to culture and philosophy worldwide I feel the need to point it out. I do enjoy your podcast or I would not comment, I just feel that it's not really about psychedelics but organized religion maybe? A priest is a priest of a major religion.... I don't see much of a difference in general dogma. The "novelty" of psychedelic is that they open our curiosity and mind (hopefully) to a personal research, a need for spirituality in a society dominated by commercial icons. I think its a good thing. That said, keep it up! Have a great day.

Paolo, Fr. Nicholas is an Anglican priest, not a Catholic priest, and were discussing a broad variety of subjects. To be honest with you it sounds like you just have a bone to pick with Christianity and frankly I don't feel like arguing about it. I appreciate your comments, and do apologize if you don't approve of the content of our podcasts, we've moving on from this subject to others so I'll wrap it up here. Thanks for commenting.

Chris, Eugene, Davey, thanks for commenting as always. I like the Joseph Campbell approach as well, I find it quite interesting. Chris, I think that there may be, but it lies within the more mystic end of the spiritual practice perhaps. You've spurred me to do some reading so if I can find anything or if you find anything we can exchange information. Davey you humble us, but thank you for your love and support we very much appreciate it! Thanks again for commenting and for the love and support.

As I wrote on FB you sound more and more as a Catholic Dose Nation. and the pill you display should look more like a cross. That said, I consider Christianity the less interesting religious philosophy, based on guilt, on a false duality between creator and man, and most of all dominated by a very "human like" god, that can forgive or condemn... depending on your acceptance of HIS rules. Religion to me is the personal experience with the spiritual side of perception that is in every action of our life... or not. Spirituality is a way to interpret life where you are part of it in an active and responsible way. Example is the best way of teaching, and obviously christianity never understood that. I Hate what the missionaries did around the world... more worried about exalting the church political and military power than concerned about spirituality.

It is "indicative of the culture" that christianity left to us. made of control, coercion, destruction of other cults and philosophies. Not surprised that symbols and "teachings" connected with that religion are NOT seen as spiritual, but politic. They are too much of an icon of the powers that control "us" more than the mystery that surround us.

Hi guys. Congrats on your new "broadcasting" arrangements. Hope it brings you lots of new listeners. IMHO you deserve it. I don't know of any other source that looks at issues in quite the way you guys do. I mostly find I'm in agreement with you. Im sure theres lots of others who would agree. So, Hope the ranks of the choir you preach to grows! Here's an idea (although it would take a bit more planning...) what if you announced upcoming guests so interested listeners could suggest some questions or topics of discussion. Anyway, thanks again.

Hey All, I listen to lots of podcasts, but for some reason this is the only one I am always compelled to comment on...so here goes: A framework that I've always found helpful is Joseph Campbell's three stage Hero's Journey. It starts as (1) the average human ego living out their life on the Newtonian assembly line, full of struggles and suffering, ignorant of deeper identity. Through some life experience(s) they go on a quest, search, journey, pilgrimage, seeking, and after confronting inner demons achieve (2) inner illumination, the "fireworks" of becoming One with God, Source, Allah, Great Spirit, Buddha Mind, Brahma, White Light of Void, Godhead, Enlightenment, whatever, as separate ego dissolves and illusion of separateness is revealed. It is these "fireworks" that provide the true inner transformation. But the journey does not end there; out of the transcendent realization that all is One, one is compelled to return (3) to the marketplace with "helping hands" out of compassion. The mystic returns to the world (being "in the world but not of the world") to help others, form community, be kind, form fellowship, love, and help the planetary healing process. This is the bodhisattva ideal, the non-dual stance that holds both realities, spiritual and material, as one integrated movement. After the ecstasy, the laundry.....In stage one, "mountains are just mountains;" stage two, "mountains cease to be mountains," disappearing as one transcends the world; and stage three, "mountains are once again, just mountains." However, only in stage three can you truly be the "Chaos Magician," working with the Flow of energy and matter in miraculous ways.

Hello again Dosenation. Great podcast. I'm still pretty young and have been interested in religiom long before I took my first drag of weed or my first hit of acid. Obviously after my early experiences, I became even more interested, specifically in mysticism and mystical/peak experiences.

I was raised Catholic, went to a Catholic high school and was turned off by the conservatism and the self righteousness I encountered in the mainstream Catholic teachings. I began experimenting with psychedelics and thought Christianity had nothing to offer me in aid to understanding these experiences, so like many I turned East to Hinduism and specifically Buddhism.

I read a bunch of Alan Watts, Joseph Campbell and Huston Smith. Lots of comparative religion and philosophy. Pretty much anything that had to do with the perennial philosophy and myth.

I tried to bridge all of the religions together. Pulling out all of the similarities and acknowledging the differences. I still generally hold this view. I'm an atheist that values religion and spirituality.

I feel that I was blind to what Christianity and Catholicism had to offer because I was raised in it, I was too close to see it with fresh eyes. I don't believe in metaphysy beings in the sky but I can see the wisdom hidden in the Christian mythology now after looking out at "the other" faiths and traditions.

I wonder if there is a way to combine the nondual aspects of the east with the monotheistic myths of the west.