Today's Spirituality Pulse
Charitable giving highlighted as a path to spiritual fulfillment
Manila Bulletin’s feature “When you give alms…” examines the role of almsgiving in personal growth, while a companion piece “Treasures in heaven” reinforces the theme across two outlets.
Physicist Carlo Rovelli Dismisses the ‘Hard Problem’ of Consciousness
Italian quantum‑gravity theorist Carlo Rovelli published an essay asserting that the ‘hard problem of consciousness’ is a conceptual mislabel. His challenge to David Chalmers’s framework is reshaping discussions at the intersection of science and spirituality.
Elisha Goldstein on the Power of Tiny Shifts
Psychologist Dr. Elisha Goldstein’s new book *Tiny Shifts* proposes a four‑step “Four R” method—Recognize, Release, Refocus, Reinforce—to break habitual emotional loops with micro‑adjustments. The approach blends mindfulness, somatic awareness, and neuroscience, showing how brief breath‑based releases can shift the brain’s...
Embrace Every Pivot: Purpose Found in Closed Doors
Two days until I share Check the Thread. Pontiac will always be special to me. It is the city where my corporate career began, and it became the place where I stood years later to tell a story about purpose, reinvention,...
New Book Urges Revival of Spinoza’s Unity Philosophy Amid Spiritual Fragmentation
A freshly published work argues that Baruch Spinoza’s ethic of universal interdependence offers a roadmap for spiritual cohesion in a fractured world. The book, highlighted in Haaretz, positions Spinoza’s 17th‑century philosophy as a remedy for modern existential emptiness, sparking discussion...
Thinking of Her While Meditating
The post argues that in Vajrayana Buddhism, sexual desire is not a hindrance but a potent catalyst for the deepest stages of meditation. It contrasts this view with the Hinayana emphasis on strict renunciation, which can create internal walls that...
Seeking Diverse Voices Fuels My Personal Growth
As I reflect on this past week, I realized that I'm passed the phase of wanting to be in rooms of people who think like me. I am finally capable and emotionally regulated enough to be in rooms where I'm...
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Calls on Students to Choose Real Life Over Digital Immersion
During a visit to the Arsakeia Schools in Athens, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew told students that life is more than digital metrics, urging them to develop "spiritual intelligence" as AI reshapes society. The address, part of the 190th anniversary of the...
Beyond the Observer: Matter as a Phase of Consciousness
Dr. Iain McGilchrist’s claim that "matter is simply a phase of consciousness" sparks a speculative bridge between philosophy and quantum physics. The post argues that conscious noticing—especially intentional, lucid awareness—could act as the observer that collapses quantum wave functions, turning...
Healing Needs Practical Steps, Not Just Self‑Awareness
If you ask people what self-healing actually takes, they won’t be able tell you what to do beyond “be more self aware” or “increase your self-love”. Yeah, but no. Unlearning, detangling, deconstructing, leaning in and phasing out are things that...
UCSF Neurologist Finds Psilocybin Can Reset Depressed Brain
UCSF neurologist Robin Carhart‑Harris said a single high‑dose psilocybin treatment produced lasting symptom relief for patients with treatment‑resistant depression, positioning the psychedelic as a structural brain reset rather than a daily chemical tweak.
“The Fierce Urgency of Now”
On April 4, On Being recorded a special podcast episode at New York’s Riverside Church to mark the 59th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Beyond Vietnam” speech. Hosted by Krista, the conversation featured civil‑rights scholar Michelle Alexander and activist Lucas Johnson, both...
I’m 37 and My Wife Asked Me What I Wanted for My Birthday and I Said I Didn’t Need Anything,...
A 37‑year‑old father reflects on his reflexive answer “I don’t need anything” when his wife asks about his birthday, tracing the response to a childhood scarcity mindset that equated wanting with being a burden. He discovers that the word “want”...
The Healing Power of Presence
The Healing Power of Presence curates a collection of mindfulness resources ranging from Kamma teachings to shamanic flute meditations and practical worksheets. It highlights how simple practices—like palm awareness or naming feelings—can be integrated into daily routines. The article links...
New Community Connections & Masterclass Wisdom: Deepening Your Mindfulness Journey Together
Mindfulness Exercises announced a major expansion of its Connect Community and Masterclasses Library, offering new recorded workshops and global discussion spaces for practitioners at all levels. The platform now hosts a growing collection of masterclass recordings covering authentic teaching, emotional...
Identity Shifts, Core Truths Remain Unchanged
Three days until my TEDxPontiac talk goes live. This stage held more than a speech. It held obedience. It held healing. It held the courage to tell the truth about transition, identity, and the quiet strength required to begin again. One of...
Live as if Everything Is a Miracle
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. —Albert Einstein (Lake Wanaka, New Zealand) https://t.co/45nYWylK98
Economic Times Publishes 'Prakriti and Transcendence' Feature Linking Nature to Spiritual Growth
The Economic Times released a feature titled “Prakriti and Transcendence” on May 7, 2026, exploring how the ancient Indian notion of Prakriti intertwines with modern quests for spiritual growth. Drawing on the Bhagavad Gita, the three gunas, and the avatar Krishna,...
Holding On Weighs You Down; Let Go
The longer you hold on to things, the heavier they become. Learn to let go. https://t.co/sm1iSMuj3A
Cultivate Community and Place to Preserve Virtue Amid Technology
“The challenge is how to live with virtue and technology when technology tends to erode virtue and place and human texture. Our response must be to cultivate habits, community and a revivification of place.” https://t.co/6TIFWcz4Ji
Pope Declares Vatican II ‘North Star’ in New Catechesis Series
Pope Leo XIV began a fourteen‑part catechesis on the Second Vatican Council on Jan. 7, framing the council’s teachings as a “North Star” for the universal Church. The series, running through May, revisits key council documents to address modern challenges and...
Brain's Uniqueness Defies Purely Computational Consciousness Models
"If the brain is not just a computer, then there’s little reason to believe that everything it does – including consciousness – can be abstracted away into the lifeless circuits of a digital computer." @anilkseth https://t.co/rqLMAYdAQR
Sam Altman's “Why?” Sparks Deep Existential Doubt
.@sama himself asks me "Why?" I am now questioning my tweet, my reasoning, my worldview, and possibly my entire existence. help pls. https://t.co/tpfo7Gylz3
Arthur Brooks Gives Vanderbilt Class of 2026 a Purpose‑Driven Homework Assignment
Vanderbilt University professor and bestselling author Arthur C. Brooks used his Graduates Day keynote to assign the Class of 2026 a personal‑growth homework focused on purpose, boredom and unplugged reflection. The assignment signals a growing push to embed evidence‑based happiness...
First Evidence of Traditional Psilocybin Use Beyond Americas
(5) Psilocybin changes people’s brains after their first trip; Anthropologists share first evidence of traditional psilocybin use outside of the Americas https://t.co/t4DakDMVvJ
Savoring: A Conscious Rebellion Against Our Negativity Bias
Savoring is rebelling against yourself. We’re wired to notice what’s wrong before we notice what’s good. That helped our ancestors survive, but it also means we move through life without fully experiencing the moments worth savoring. Savoring doesn’t come naturally. It’s...
I Just Want to Go Home...
The author reflects on week one of a 30‑day "Healing the Mother Wound" journey, focusing on the theme of "Distortions." After a day of deep cleaning, she finally engages with a guided meditation that triggers strong emotional release. The post...
True Happiness Lies Beyond Wealth and Palace Walls
The story of the Buddha starts with a prince who had everything — wealth, comfort, and even palace walls built to keep suffering out of his awareness. But the suffering found its way in anyway. That realization is what sent him...
5 Heart-Opening Yoga Poses to Help You Release Tension & Feel More Compassionate
The article spotlights five heart‑opening yoga poses—Puppy, Cobra, Fish, Wheel, and Child’s—that are designed to cultivate self‑compassion and empathy toward others. It explains how these backbends counteract the hunched posture of modern screen‑time life and activate the parasympathetic nervous system...
Fermentation Is Female Identity, Survival, Resistance, Devotion
The Fermentation School highlights the Guarani‑Kaiowá nhandesy women’s chicha‑making, framing fermentation as a conduit for female identity, spiritual devotion, and cultural survival. Through a series of webinars and courses, the initiative shares video and audio recordings of traditional practices, including...
Self‑Worth Comes From Within, Not External Validation
Your self worth and esteem have to be an INSIDE game, not an outside game.
Thirty Six Servings of Ayahuasca. Here's What She Taught Me.
The Balanced Blonde recounts completing 36 ayahuasca servings across four ceremonies, each spanning three nights, and shares how a viral Instagram Reels video amplified her plant‑medicine narrative. She highlights the intense, shadow‑work focus of the ceremonies and contrasts ayahuasca with...
Brahma Kumaris Yogi Gopi Patel Calls Over‑Stressed Filipinos to Embrace Vulnerability
Senior Raja Yoga teacher Gopi Patel of the Brahma Kumaris arrived in the Philippines to host two public talks and a national retreat, urging anyone who has been “strong for too long” to let go of the burden of relentless...
The Zen Book Everyone Says Changed Their Life
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, a classic Zen text, is highlighted as a practical guide for cultivating a beginner’s mindset and full‑presence in daily activities. The article outlines four core principles: infinite possibilities in a novice mind, doing one thing completely, recognizing inherent...
Unlived Potential Breeds Bitterness and Self‑suffering
Quote I’m pondering 🤔: “The world is full of people suffering from the effects of their own unlived life. They become bitter, critical, or rigid, not because the world is cruel to them, but because they have betrayed their own...
If You Have ChatGPT. And in a Relationship. Try This Prompt 👇🏻 (So Far It Is 90% Accurate)
A new ChatGPT prompt asks users to input personal and partner details, then requests a numerology‑based interpretation of their relationship across multiple lifetimes. The prompt claims about 90% accuracy and also generates a custom image infused with the spiritual reading....
What Happened When We Chose Not to React in Anger
A family’s traffic accident turned into a lesson in emotional restraint when the author chose not to react with anger after a motorcyclist damaged their tire. Instead of arguing, they focused on the practical need—getting the tire fixed—by driving cautiously...
Zodiac Guidance Fuels Travel Planning as One-Third of U.S. Adults Look to Stars
Bloomberg reports that roughly one‑third of U.S. adults are turning to astrology, tarot or astro‑cartography to decide where to travel. The trend is reshaping how agencies market destinations and prompting new niche services that blend celestial charts with itinerary planning.
PM Modi to Keynote Art of Living’s 45th Anniversary in Bengaluru, Launch New Meditation Hall
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Art of Living’s 45th anniversary in Bengaluru, delivering a keynote speech and inaugurating a new Dhyan Mandir meditation hall. The event underscores the growing mainstream appeal of meditation and India’s soft‑power push through...
The Quiet Fear of Wasting Your Life Without Realizing It
{"summary":"The post explores the subtle, growing fear that life may slip by unnoticed as we age, manifesting in everyday moments like late-night scrolling or routine drives. It highlights how this awareness can reveal periods of mental distraction, emotional disconnection, and...
Identity in Christ Trumps Career and Worldly Success
I love sports nutrition and genuinely enjoy being a dietitian, helping athletes fuel their bodies and perform at their best. But at the end of the day, my career as a dietitian is not my identity. I’m a daughter of...
Aging Body, Timeless Soul: Embracing Freedom at 80
The body ages. Consciousness does not. Love does not. The soul does not. As I approach my 80th year, I want to share a personal reflection on freedom, vitality, and the chapter ahead. Watch the full message. https://t.co/TKk9i8bw0Q
The Second Word of the Lord's Prayer
The article explores why many men cannot utter the second word of the Lord’s Prayer—"Father"—tracing the difficulty to unresolved father‑related trauma. It uses biblical examples, notably David’s strained relationship with his father, to illustrate how early wounds become lodged in...
Sometimes Helping Means Letting a Friend Feel Pain
The radical act of letting things hurt – how (not) to help a friend in sorrow https://t.co/fUkbvUKr60
The Meaning of the Creative Act
Nicolas Berdyaev’s 1916 treatise *The Meaning of the Creative Act* argues that true creativity is an expression of spiritual freedom, not a mere adaptation to material necessity. He condemns deterministic, mechanistic worldviews and posits that only the free individual can...
Mushrooms Made a Mother
A first‑person account details a guided psilocybin experience in suburban Atlanta, illustrating the author’s search for mental‑health relief after years of therapy and consumer excess. The narrative captures the emotional turbulence and curiosity that drive many to explore psychedelic‑assisted treatment....
Gary Snyder's Wisdom: Unbreaking the World on His Birthday
Gary Snyder – one of the great spirits of the past century, born on this day in 1930 – on how to unbreak the world https://t.co/K7I8kW7LYn
Debate Heats Up Over Claude's Consciousness After Dawkins Op‑Ed
Richard Dawkins’ recent op‑ed suggesting that Anthropic’s Claude might possess consciousness has set off a firestorm of commentary among scientists, AI developers, and spiritual thinkers. The piece has revived long‑standing questions about machine personhood and the psychological illusion of consciousness...
Do We Think Too Much About the Future?
In his May 8, 2026 Open Questions column, Joshua Rothman argues that for most of human history people largely ignored attempts to predict the future, suggesting that modern preoccupation with forecasting may be misguided. He contrasts ancient humility with today’s...
The Icons Are Coming Alive Again
Margarita Mooney Clayton’s new book *When Mary Calls* compiles contemporary personal encounters with the Mother of God, ranging from a pregnant woman’s miraculous healing to an icon‑painting monk‑turned‑family man and a composer’s re‑imagining of creativity. The collection highlights a surprising...
Go as a River, Not a Drop of Water: Taking Refuge in the Sangha
In a 2002 Dharma talk, Thich Nhat Hanh describes taking refuge in the sangha as becoming a river that inevitably reaches the ocean, rather than a solitary drop of water. He explains the practice of kung‑an—an intense, personal koan that...