Topics covered: The parable of the Prodigal Son is a story about our never-ending relationship with the Divine Creator. There is no end to that journey; We are not moving through time and events. Time and events are moving through us, and it all takes place first of all within consciousness. Events do not unfold outside of you; The Kingdom of Heaven is not found outside of you...

Topics covered: We don't know what it means to be effortlessly here (in the present moment); The mind is disconnected from the body whenever we do something that we later wish we hadn't done; Nothing good can happen if the mind is disconnected from the body. The mind is unconscious to what it does to the body in its pursuits; Something always goes ahead of us trying to figure out...

I have been in a relationship for many years now. Because of the way I was raised -- in a family with parents who were stand-offish and critical, and who had issues with substance abuse -- I have had difficulties expressing and experiencing emotional intimacy with my partner -- who is outgoing and passionate, and craves that kind of connection, and who now refuses to respond to me after being...

Topics Covered: Blame is the same as avoidance of seeing yourself; Every creation is given, every day, what it needs to work; Discovering the truth of yourself is the same as discovering where energy has heretofore been wasted; ATUTS is "Addicted To Useless Thinking Syndrome"; The thing that you are addicted to has power over you only so far as you believe in its power to free you from pain.

Sometimes people with depression have no choice but to "give in" to depression, so don't they need kindness and understanding?...

You are so correct when you say one has to want liberation more then anything else... but this lower nature can be most irksome to my soul, even in the slightest ways. I still fall into the shadows from time to time -- fantasies can be very stimulating -- but after a period of time of falling, something happens, and in a blink I will come back. I guess this is just pure mental laziness on my p...

Topics Covered: What difference does it make what others think of you?; A coward dies a thousand deaths; Do what is in your power and refuse to do what is not; Outgrowing beliefs involves exposing the consciousness that holds it; We are made aware of the sleeping consciousness when it resists; Awareness is the beginning of enlightenment, and enlightenment...

It seems that my relationships with people are so dissatisfying... lacking true mutual consideration, kindness, sensitivity, interest, etc. Everyone seems so self-absorbed that I've just about given up on reaching out. And the long-term relationships I've established seem to have each eventually disintegrated into habitual unhappiness or resentment. What higher understanding would help me look...

If all the people of our nation went out in the streets in a march for peace and then sat in silence, do you think it would have greater influence than the political wrangling and vitriol that gets little or no results, and seems to promote further violence? (From student correspondence)...

Hatred, violence, finger-pointing, and just plain suffering seem rampant these days, with religious belief systems often at the core. Wouldn't a true Christian or a true Muslim, or any other believer in God for that matter, be less self-serving and more kind and compassionate towards others, with the highest prayer being for the good of all? How is it that acts of darkness and pain directed...

I have a friend who is forever correcting me and admonishing me to begin the "arduous path" of spiritual enlightenment. Are we not supposed to enjoy life and have a fun and light spirit? Is my understanding of spiritual enlightenment correct in saying that people with this gift are generally kind hearted and speak kind words to one another and enjoy having fun in their experience of learning?...