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I'm a lay person with lots of interest in philosophy and science. Generally speaking, I take a physicalist view of reality, and suspect that if there is an "explanation" for consciousness, it will come from scientific advances (maybe physics, maybe neurobiology; I don't know) rather than philosophy. [more inside]
posted by the antecedent of that pronoun at 6:47 PM - 11 answers

How commonplace is crossing one’s arms at communion time, hands on opposite shoulders, to receive a blessing rather than receive the Eucharist, in Catholic churches? [more inside]
posted by Charity Garfein at 11:14 PM - 46 answers

This to me is the most fundamental question about the human mind and emotions. As I see it, there are two "minds" or ways of being, and psychologists seem divided (at least it seems that way to me) about the correct way to use these "minds". I will illustrate the two minds through a scenario and then clarify my question. [more inside]
posted by oracleia at 12:47 AM - 14 answers

I would like to figure out which edition or editions of the Baltimore catechism I was taught from as a child and purchase copies. Is there any kind of definitive list? [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 7:42 AM - 3 answers

I am looking for resources (books, blog posts, communities, honestly whatever) on planning a life with a disability and coming to accept that that life will look different from what you thought growing up; overcoming internal ableism and accepting your limitations; shaping a life that accommodates your disability, in the workplace as well as at home. I am also interested in reading about how people live with chronic pain or fatigue and how they manage their perspective on it. Thank you!
posted by snerson at 4:18 PM - 3 answers

Do you have a daily or semi-regular gratitude practice you follow? [more inside]
posted by Captain Chesapeake at 9:01 PM - 12 answers

A friend was telling me about a mindfulness thought-exercise, something about “the apple is the apple and I am me, and if I eat the apple does it become me and when/if does it stop being me...” I want to find the original writing; can you help me? [more inside]
posted by dancing leaves at 7:51 AM - 3 answers

I need some pointers on Anglican theology, religious positions etc. during the Regency era in England, particularly more fringe or less mainstream beliefs, for the purposes of fiction research. [more inside]
posted by terretu at 7:29 AM - 8 answers

According to Wikipedia, some Muslims believe that some of the texts held sacred by Jews were modified, and thus convey divine revelation imperfectly. How widespread is this belief among religious leaders and laypeople? Is it enunciated in any exegetical works popular today? Are there any organized tendencies within Islam that do not take this position and/or do not hold to a supersessionist view of Judaism? As a bonus question: are there any organized tendencies that do not take a supersessionist view of Christianity?
posted by phrontist at 3:26 PM - 2 answers

As someone who identifies as an activist, I find that we should all be doing our best to address world problems as soon and responsibly as possible. The unanswered question as I see it, however, is: what should we be doing with our lives in an entirely just world/utopia (other than any maintenance that would be required for keeping said "just world" just)? I've been starting with formal logic to try to find the answer to this question but am wondering if there is a more intelligent way to go about answering this question. [more inside]
posted by defmute at 8:12 PM - 24 answers

I would like to practice interacting with the tarot as I am out and about, but -- at least for now -- only the 22 cards of the major arcana. The full tarot pack is bulky. How could I carry and protect these cards? [more inside]
posted by jander03 at 10:29 AM - 11 answers

I know this may not be the right crowd for this question but I also know there's a woo minority here. I'm looking for resources that one can use to help them interpret and digest the description of a shamanic journey made on their behalf. There tends to be rich imagery, metaphor, etc in these experiences similar to dreams. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 8:55 PM - 3 answers

Is it generally understood that Anglo-Saxon/Proto-Indo-European cultures failed to differentiate as we do between worms, snakes, and dragons as we do in the modern era? Or was this an artifact of later failures of translation? [more inside]
posted by Phyltre at 11:07 AM - 6 answers

I'm trying to determine if a tarot deck from an episode of the TV series The Finder (S01E10 - The Conversation) is real, and if real, where I could find it. [more inside]
posted by Jim T at 3:47 PM - 5 answers

I think this may be part of Indian mythology, but I am not sure. It is story of a god who came down to earth, turned himself into a pig and forgot he was a god [more inside]
posted by Quillcards at 11:20 AM - 8 answers

I feel a strong spiritual connection to running water and trees and places where they live. I would like to explore and deepen that connection. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 8:41 PM - 20 answers

Going through some pretty big life changes, and I'm experiencing quite some anxiety about it. What are your favorite sayings, quotes, song lyrics, scripture, essays, etc. about embracing change? The inevitability of change? The importance of accepting change? Anything that discusses or presents change in a positive light, please! [more inside]
posted by keep it under cover at 11:26 PM - 11 answers

Please help me understand how the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita both fit into Hinduism. The Bhagavad Gita seems monotheistic but is welcomed by Hindu practitioners and this confuses me as the Vedas are clearly pointing to a polytheistic approach, and Hinduism in general follows the polytheistic approach. I am confused how Hinduism accepts Bhagavad Gita as not somehow usurping the Vedic understanding. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 12:56 PM - 3 answers

Ever since learning about Julian Jaynes' 1976 theory of I've been excited by it - but why do people like Oliver Sacks or Sam Harris, who have written extensively about self-consciousness, never mention Jaynes? [more inside]
posted by Dressed to Kill at 4:17 AM - 19 answers

I enjoy the content of a well-known atheist call-in show podcast, but the main host is almost always rude, gets angry, and interrupts the callers and hangs up on them. So much so that it isn’t worth tuning in, for content that I totally agree with and otherwise enjoy. What is the kind, calm, alternative? Someone who can be consistently science-minded, skeptical, and Socratic, yet also be a good listener, and remain calm in their tone so that a conversation can happen— which is more important in the grand scheme of things anyway. [more inside]
posted by cake vandal at 3:00 AM - 4 answers