UnBoxing “God”

Have you ever wondered how taking psychedelics (or, "tripping" as it’s typically called) leads to experiences with the unknown?  Or how some people have trips that completely transform them? This week we’re unboxing what “ego death” means and how humans have long sought to lose their egos, to transcend themselves, through a variety of pre-mortem death and rebirth rituals (such as baptism ) includi...

For this Bonus Episode, I will continue my exploration of Mysticism by introducing you to a mystic named Meister Eckhart (1260–1328), who heavily influenced my own personal pursuit of 'detachment' (which he called "dis-interest"). I will also talk a bit about Perennial Philosophy (aka Perennial Wisdom),  a perspective in spirituality that views all of the world's religious traditions as sharing a...

What, exactly, is mysticism?  This episode takes the plunge into the history of what we know about mysticism. What defines a "mystical experience" and how can we all be modern-day mystics?  My dear, Floridian, friend (Iris) gives us a taste of how she connects mysticism to her daily life, and then, Brother Matthew Paul Grote OP gives us a master lesson in Christian Mysticism. Summary Mysticism = t...

This bonus episode continues the question of “Can we be ‘good’ without God?” (from Episode 5) Further exploration into the Stoic Philosophy/Lifestyle - with special friends and fellow travelers, Cassidy and Ryan. Specifically, we will unbox "The 4 Stoic Virtues". Also, we take a deeper look at the concept of “Sympatheia”, which if internalized, can change how we interact with the world—for the bet...

Today, we will take a look at an ancient Greek philosophy called Stoicism, which is a school of philosophy centered around personal ethics, founded about three hundred years before the time of Jesus. Guests: Cassidy and Ryan Summary The 12-Step “Serenity Prayer” is a Stoic meditation prayed to a Higher Power Stoic practices: Train your perception to avoid good and bad.  There is no good or bad to...

After a full week or protests, reading ‘White Fragility’, watching the news, and looking up the nose of Juneteenth, I have chosen to amplify the voices of black men and women for this week’s Bonus Episode.

Isolation vs Community, Connection, and Belonging - THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BRITTANY C & KRISTIN C, thank you for your support! Introduction What is “church”?  In this episode of Unboxing God, we delve into the true meaning of the word and why we feel we need it. Join us as we explore what “church” means for a few of our friends: Kyle details the experience of skating top speed on the ro...

In this episode, McCall's 11-year-old son (Marley) explains The Hero's Journey as a lens through which we can all choose to view our challenges, while his dad (McCall's awesome hubby, Kyle) reflects and applies each stage of the monomyth to Star Wars. Then McCall and Marley debrief on why the Monomyth can be such a helpful Knowledge Checkpoint in anyone's life adventures.

From poetry to lyrics and music, there are all sorts of ways to experience communion with the God of your understanding through prayer. Gratitude lists, music, and meditation are all different ways to praise The Divine. Similarly, “worship” can be done through art, singing, dance, even just sitting in intentional wonder as we gaze upon nature’s splendors. This week on Unboxing "God," McCall and fe...

In Episode 1, 'Sensing God", I discovered a favorite quote of Hellen Keller's from a poem called "Grieve Not For Beauty" by Witter Bynner:        "Therefore, O spirit, as a runner strips Upon a windy afternoon, Be unencumbered of what troubles you - Arise with grace And greatly go! - the wind upon your face! " I have continually gone back to read a much larger chunk of the piece, seeing new angles...

How a 10-day experiment in calling God “Waldo” helped me begin a love affair with the God of MY understanding. Other people’s “takes” of their own Alt. Higher Power. Where’s Waldo, and how did I find God in him? In a relentless effort to fill my personal God-Shaped-Hole, I’ve journeyed through a variety of faiths and soul seeking - from Synagogue to Catholic school to an Ashram, Wicca, shamanism,...

Today we will explore ways we might SENSE GOD.  Think about it for a moment... have you ever seen fingerprints of a power greater than yourself in Nature and the landscapes? Do you notice repeating numbers around you and wonder if it might not be a God WInk?  How about HEARING God? Is there music or poetry that sets your soul on fire? Is their a voice in your life that cuts through the outside cha...

Just a brief musing on what the idea of “Recovery” means to me, McCall, personally. Take what you like... and leave the rest. But please share YOUR “take” on the word/idea by email: waldolovesme@gmail.com or phone +1-WALDO-LOVE-3 If we get some usable clips (wav, mp3 or types shares) you could be featured in a future episode. As always, send ideas, thoughts, questions too! Let’s make this a conver...