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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 - 1 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 - 7 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 - 2 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 - 18 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

Can you recommend any apps, sites, or books that are excellent resources for increasing familiarity with the Bible (especially outside the Gospels and Torah), as a supplement for regular Bible reading and general study strategies? [more inside]
posted by branca at 8:34 AM - 6 answers

Help me come up with a mental image for my alter ego: the relentless, goal-slaying version of me that I wish I could channel more often. When sparked, I am relentless in pursuit of my goals. I'll get up at 5am to work on my goal, work on it during any breaks in my day, and come home to work on the goal some more. I'll collect data and track my progress to hold myself accountable. I'll live and breathe the thing I'm trying to achieve. What person or thing displays these characteristics? [more inside]
posted by saltypup at 6:16 PM - 33 answers

I’m not in danger of self harm. Content note death and wanting to die. I’m looking for leads on how to respectfully pray to die in any spiritual or religious tradition. I think it would help me a lot and ironically would make me more resilient. Thanks so much!
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 1:17 PM - 32 answers

Can anyone point me to writings/reflections on the role, purpose, history, efficacy, of abstaining from drugs (or weed) and alcohol from a Buddhist perspective? [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 4:00 AM - 11 answers

Looking for books about spirituality, prayer, questions of meaning and suffering and life, etc - that are agnostic friendly [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 11:43 AM - 13 answers

What are some resources--articles and books--that will help me learn more about the Puritans in North America, in the context of their time, their legacy, popular conceptions of their culture, etc? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 11:13 AM - 8 answers

How should my wife and I address religious issues with our children resulting from years of indoctrination by a narcissistic grandparent? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:23 PM - 55 answers

(Some of the) big numbers in the Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 21:5. 2 Samuel 24:9. Jesus and his squad had that background. So I've been thinking lately that Matthew 18:21-22 has not been preached well. [more inside]
posted by phrits at 8:33 AM - 15 answers

When you close a life door (turn down a job, make a time commitment, etc) how do you keep that door closed? What rituals/practices do you use to commit to the life you’ve chosen? [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 5:46 PM - 9 answers

I would like to virtually attend a Christmas Eve service, and it's occurred to me that I could probably watch something of higher quality than a local church and that probably churches all over the world are doing something virtual. Can you recommend a church's Christmas Eve service that fits my criteria? [more inside]
posted by kochenta at 11:26 AM - 5 answers

I started meditating during the pandemic and have found it valuable. I'm interested in going farther and would like to find a meditation class or community to join. I'd also like to learn about Buddhism and possibly become Buddhist. I live in Colorado where the Shambhala community is popular. I was looking at their classes until I found out about their sexual assault and abuse problems. Where do I look next? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:04 PM - 12 answers