Comedian Duncan Trussell posted a video clip on Instagram recently that got me thinking about this idea of Non-Duality and the Illusion of Separation a little differently. Here’s a transcript of what he posted: “I actually did this at a Ram Dass retreat once. They have these bumper stickers that say ALL ONE. Now you cut that L out and it says ALONE. You can’t be more alone than if you are a totality. There’s no one to talk to.... Read more
The Opening Question As author and scholar Karn King notes in her book, The Gospel of Mary Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle: “This astonishingly brief narrative presents a radical interpretation of Jesus’ teachings as a path to inner spiritual knowledge; it rejects his
Imagine uncovering a hidden piece of history that could rewrite how we understand faith, spirituality, and the role of women in early Christianity. That’s exactly what’s happening with a fascinating fragment of Greek papyrus known as P.Oxy 5577. At least, that’s what Biblical scholar Sarah Parkhouse suggests. Apparently this fourth-century fragment might just be a missing piece of The Gospel of Mary. If true, it could bring the person of Mary Magdalene into sharper focus—not just as a follower of... Read more
When we think about Mary Magdalene, certain images come to mind—a devoted follower, a misunderstood figure, even a mysterious symbol of wisdom. In the first few centuries of Christianity, Mary Magdalene stirred up a lot of conversation. Early church fathers, theologians, and commentators had varying opinions about who she was and what she represented. Libbie Schrader Polczer’s work on Mary’s portrayal in patristic literature shows just how deeply these early Christian voices shaped Mary Magdalene’s legacy, in ways both inspiring... Read more
The Gospel of Mary has been one of those fascinating and mysterious of all the early Christian writings. Some Church historians and scholars believe it was written as early as when the Gospel of Matthew and Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians were written [80
“Being listened to is so close to being loved that most people can’t tell the difference.” – David Oxberg Back when our boys were in elementary school, my wife Wendy and I used to take them to visit the residents of the Tustin Hacienda Senior Care Home in Tustin, California. We were usually visiting as part of our monthly outreach with our Kids Rock students at the Church we had helped to start that met just up the street. Our... Read more
Imagine the Noomasphere as a digital tapestry where ideas meet, connect, and evolve, not unlike the grander collective unconscious that Carl Jung, Alan Watts, Rumi, and Thich Nhat Hanh explored in their writings. These thinkers were tapping into something that goes far beyond an internet connection; they were mapping out the timeless realms of the mind and spirit, describing patterns of collective thought, transcendent love, and mindful presence long before the internet came along. So what happens when we apply... Read more
The Gospel of Truth, an ancient text suppressed by early church authorities, re-emerged from the sands of Nag Hammadi in 1945. It carries ideas that some consider challenging but remarkably fresh for modern readers seeking a non-dual, mystical understanding of the Divine. Imagine finding words
Nonviolence: Does It Really Work? If you’ve ever wondered, “Does this whole nonviolence thing actually work?” then join the club. The question feels familiar, like the doubt that lurks behind every call to love our enemies or turn the other cheek. It’s a fair question, too. After all, how effective can nonviolence be in the face of real-world brutality? The assumption we often make is that violence works. It’s the default way many people believe oppressive regimes are overthrown, tyrants... Read more
Are We Living in a Dystopia? In today’s world, it can sometimes feel like we’re caught in a dystopian nightmare. Many Americans fear an overreaching government. But how do we actually know if we’re living in a dystopian society? Here’s a quick checklist to help you assess: If the government is surveilling your calls, emails, and messages, you might be living in a dystopia. If your nation currently imprisons more of its citizens than any other nation on the face of... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In