The Mysticism of Frozen II: Part 3, The Philosophical Problem of Change

The characters of Frozen II sing about how "some things never change," even amid the changing world. Mysticism unveils those unchanging enduring things, the greater Whole that is also One and Love.

The Mystical and Archetypal Nature of a “Heavenly Book” and Joseph Smith’s “Gold Plates”

A tradition of a "heavenly book" runs through many traditions, including Mormonism with its "gold plates." What spiritual reality might these traditions be pointing to?

The Mystical “Messiah” in the World’s Traditions

Many traditions have a messiah who is thought will come to redeem them and the world. There is perhaps a mystical interpretation of this messianism.

The "Hidden Treasure" of God in Mormonism and Buddhism

In my paper "The Book of Mormon as Literary Alchemy: Joseph’s Magnum Opus and the Philosopher’s Stone," I suggested that the "gold plates" that Joseph Smith had in his possession were not actually made of gold, and did not actually contain ancient historical records like Mormons traditionally think. But that doesn't mean that there were not "gold plates" which were a kind of "hidden treasure" that Joseph really did discover within himself, which was the source of real divine wisdom, "ancient wisdom," and which he taught could be found within all people as well.

"Are More People Achieving Stream Entry These Days?" with guest Culadasa on Deconstructing Yourself

On my morning run I listened to this podcast with host Michael Taft of Deconstructing Yourself talking with Buddhist teacher Culadasa (John Yates), author of The Mind Illuminated. It was a great discussion of the deepest realizations that come through meditation, from a Buddhist point of view.

Ego Sacrifice & Transcendence a Common Theme in World Religions and Science

We see this theme repeated over and over again throughout religious history into the present day, from Judaism through Christianity, in Hinduism and Buddhism, in Islam, in Confucianism and Taoism, and even into modern day scientific studies, that the overcoming of "self" or ego is central to our flourishing in an abundance of Life and Love in the world, and in realizing higher Truths that go far beyond our typical everyday minds and consciousness.