Welcome to an enlightening journey with Brian Muraresku, the author of The Immortality Key. In this discussion, we delve into the profound insights of Karen Armstrong, a renowned writer on religion, as we explore the mysticism of ancient times and its significance today.
Saint Augustine once said, “If you think you’ve understood God, that isn’t God.” This statement, made over 1600 years ago, highlights the complexity of defining God. Whether you are religious, non-religious, or somewhere in between, how we perceive God shapes our understanding of ourselves, our interactions with others, and our relationship with the Earth.
Joseph Campbell offers a fascinating perspective, suggesting that God is an idea that transcends rational thought. This paradoxical notion implies that God cannot be fully comprehended by the human mind, nor can any institution claim ownership of this concept. Karl Rahner, a prominent theologian, even proposed avoiding the word “God” for 50 years to prevent confusion about its mysterious nature.
In ancient times, various religions offered unique interpretations of God. In Confucianism, “Chi” represents an unknowable essence of being. Taoism sees a sacred force at the core of existence. Hinduism describes God not as a figure in the clouds but as Brahman, the foundation of all reality, with our individual soul, Atman, being identical to Brahman. Buddhism, on the other hand, speaks of a compassionate mystery that unites all beings.
Karen Armstrong, a scholar of comparative theology, has explored these Eastern definitions of God. Her journey began after leaving her life as a Catholic nun, leading her to study the sages, mystics, and prophets of antiquity, particularly during the axial age—a period when many religions emerged.
Armstrong discovered that monotheistic faiths once shared similar ideas with Eastern traditions. Thomas Aquinas, a significant Christian thinker, believed that God permeates nature and reality. The axial age traditions suggest that we all carry a divine spark, but finding this spark requires stepping outside ourselves.
Armstrong’s encounters with the divine mystery occurred when her scholarship transformed into ecstasy. This impersonal definition of God resonates with Albert Einstein’s belief in Spinoza’s God, which reveals itself in the lawful harmony of the world. Einstein emphasized that overcoming the illusion of separation is the essence of true religion.
Armstrong and other scholars, along with scientists like Einstein, embrace this paradoxical understanding of God. At the core of our true selves lies the potential for transformation. Sufis, for example, strive to recover their full identity in this lifetime. Rumi, a 13th-century Sufi master, suggested that shedding the ego reveals the universe’s secrets.
In her book Sacred Nature, Armstrong highlights the concept of self-emptying, or kenosis, as a key to our survival and the planet’s well-being. This involves transcending the self and fostering compassion for others and the Earth.
Armstrong encourages small acts of self-emptying, such as quiet reflection, spending time in nature, or simple acts of kindness. Spiritual disciplines like chanting, praying, and fasting aim to achieve kenosis. Historically, techniques like drumming and visionary plants also sought this goal.
Today, scientific research explores the connection between mystical experiences and nature, offering a potential remedy for the illusion of separation. In this interconnected reality, everything and nothing matters, as Ram Dass beautifully put it, “It’s all perfect in its unbearable imperfection.”
Thank you for joining this exploration of mystical dimensions. For a deeper dive, consider reading Karen Armstrong’s Sacred Nature or listening to it on Audible. You can also explore Brian Muraresku’s The Immortality Key for further insights. Enjoy your journey of discovery!
Write a reflective essay on Saint Augustine’s statement, “If you think you’ve understood God, that isn’t God.” Consider how this idea challenges or aligns with your personal beliefs and how it influences your understanding of divinity. Use insights from Joseph Campbell and Karl Rahner to support your reflections.
Conduct a comparative analysis of the interpretations of God in Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Discuss how these perspectives differ from or align with Western monotheistic views. Present your findings in a class presentation, highlighting the unique and common elements among these traditions.
Participate in a group discussion exploring the common threads among different religions as discovered by Karen Armstrong. Discuss how these shared ideas can foster interfaith dialogue and understanding. Reflect on Thomas Aquinas’s belief in the divine permeating nature and reality.
Engage in an experiential learning activity by practicing kenosis through small acts of self-emptying. Spend a day engaging in activities such as quiet reflection, spending time in nature, or performing acts of kindness. Document your experiences and share how these practices impacted your sense of self and connection to others.
Undertake a research project exploring the connection between mystical experiences and nature. Investigate scientific studies that examine this relationship and present your findings in a research paper. Consider how these experiences can address the illusion of separation and promote a sense of interconnectedness.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Welcome back to After Skool! I’m Brian Muraresku, author of *The Immortality Key*, and today we’ll be exploring the work of Karen Armstrong. She is one of the world’s best-known writers on religion and a personal inspiration of mine. Together, we’ll discuss the mysticism of antiquity and its relevance for us today. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
If you think you’ve understood God, that isn’t God. These words were penned by Saint Augustine roughly 1600 years ago. Whether you’re a person of faith, no faith at all, or somewhere in between, how we define God is crucial. Strange as it sounds, the fate of the planet could depend on our definition of God. Even if the word means nothing to you or conjures images of an elderly man with a beard sitting in the clouds, or if it’s synonymous with organized religion, traditions, and beliefs, it matters. Our definition of God influences how we understand ourselves, how we treat each other and the Earth, and how we grapple with the mysteries of the cosmos.
I often turn to Joseph Campbell for insight. He suggests that God is a thought, an idea, but its reference transcends all thinking. There’s a paradox here: God, whatever that means, is not something to be understood by the rational mind, and no institution can claim ownership of it. Following Augustine, Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner, one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century, argued that we shouldn’t use the word “God” for 50 years, as it confuses our understanding of God as a holy mystery that is incomprehensible and impenetrable.
In the ancient world, this definition of God could be found across various religions. In Confucianism, “Chi” is the essence of being, regarded as unknowable. For Taoists, this sacred force is at the heart of existence. In Hinduism, God isn’t a figure in the clouds but Brahman, the foundation of all reality. Our individual soul, Atman, is identical to Brahman, meaning divinity resides within us. Buddhism doesn’t recognize a personal God, but it speaks of a compassionate mystery that unites all beings.
These Eastern definitions of God come from Karen Armstrong, who has authored numerous books translated into 45 languages. Before becoming a scholar of comparative theology, she was a Catholic nun for about seven years until she realized she struggled with prayer and wanted nothing to do with God. Armstrong began exploring the sages, mystics, and prophets of antiquity, focusing on the axial age, a period between the 8th and 3rd centuries BC when many religions emerged.
Armstrong sees more similarity than difference among religions. After years of studying her work, I reached out for a conversation. She reminded me that before the Scientific Revolution confined God to the sky, monotheistic faiths shared the same ideas as Eastern traditions. Thomas Aquinas, a significant Christian thinker, believed that God is everywhere, infusing nature and reality.
The traditions of the axial age suggest that we participate in divinity and carry a divine spark. However, it’s challenging to find that spark or experience the incomprehensible God until we step outside ourselves. Armstrong realized that it wasn’t about worshiping an external God or merely engaging in research; her encounters with the mystery occurred when scholarship became ecstasy.
The personal God that Armstrong could never find transforms into the impersonal Brahman of the East or the God of Aquinas. This definition of God also captivated Albert Einstein, who expressed belief in Spinoza’s God, revealing itself in the lawful harmony of the world. Einstein noted that the striving to free oneself from the illusion of separation is the essence of true religion.
Armstrong and scholars like her, along with scientists like Einstein, embrace this paradoxical definition of God. At the root of our true self lies the potential for transformation. The Sufis, for example, seek to recover their full identity in this lifetime. Rumi, a 13th-century Sufi master, suggested that if one could rid themselves of their ego, the secrets of the universe would be revealed.
In her new book, *Sacred Nature*, Armstrong emphasizes self-emptying as a potential answer to the survival of our species and the planet. This concept, known as kenosis in Greek, is essential for transcending the self and fostering compassion for others and the Earth.
While many focus on environmental issues, Armstrong urges us to reconsider our definition of God and practice self-annihilation to experience the mystical God of Einstein and the contemplatives. Gus Beth, founder of the National Resource Defense Council, echoes this sentiment, stating that the real problems facing the world are greed, selfishness, and apathy, which require a spiritual and cultural transformation.
Armstrong suggests that we can achieve small acts of self-emptying daily, whether through quiet reflection, spending time in nature, or simple acts of kindness. The spiritual disciplines of contemplatives involve chanting, praying, and fasting, all aimed at achieving kenosis. In the past, archaic techniques like drumming and the use of visionary plants also sought this goal.
Today, scientific literature is exploring the relationship between mystical experiences and nature connectedness, offering a potential antidote to the illusion of separation. In this interconnected reality, everything and nothing matters, and as Ram Dass said, it’s all perfect in its unbearable imperfection.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of After Skool. If you enjoyed the information in this video and want to dive deeper, I highly recommend Karen Armstrong’s new book, *Sacred Nature*. You can log on to audible.com/afterskool or text “afterskool” to 500-500 to listen to *Sacred Nature* for free. You can also start with a free 30-day Audible trial for access to thousands of audiobooks and podcasts. If you’re interested in my work, you can also listen to *The Immortality Key*. Thanks for watching!
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This version removes any potentially sensitive or inappropriate content while retaining the core message and themes of the original transcript.
Mysticism – A spiritual belief system that seeks to achieve direct communion with the divine or ultimate reality, often through meditation or contemplation. – The study of mysticism in various religious traditions reveals a common pursuit of experiencing a profound connection with the divine.
Divinity – The state of being divine or god-like, often associated with a deity or the sacred aspects of existence. – In many religious philosophies, divinity is considered the ultimate source of truth and moral guidance.
Transcendence – The act of surpassing ordinary limits, often used to describe the experience of going beyond the physical world to a higher spiritual plane. – Philosophers have long debated the nature of transcendence and its implications for human understanding of the universe.
Compassion – A deep awareness of and sympathy for the suffering of others, often accompanied by a desire to alleviate that suffering. – Compassion is a central tenet in many religious teachings, emphasizing the importance of empathy and kindness.
Spirituality – A broad concept that involves a sense of connection to something greater than oneself, often involving a search for meaning in life. – Spirituality can be expressed through various practices, such as prayer, meditation, and service to others.
Transformation – A significant change in form, structure, or appearance, often used in a religious context to describe a profound change in one’s spiritual state. – The concept of transformation is central to many religious narratives, symbolizing the journey from ignorance to enlightenment.
Kenosis – A theological concept referring to the self-emptying of one’s own will to become receptive to God’s divine will. – In Christian theology, kenosis is exemplified by the incarnation and humility of Christ.
Reflection – The process of serious thought or contemplation, often used in religious contexts to consider one’s beliefs, actions, and relationship with the divine. – Reflection is a key practice in many spiritual disciplines, encouraging individuals to examine their lives and grow in understanding.
Nature – The inherent qualities or characteristics of something, often used in religious and philosophical discussions to refer to the essence of the universe or the divine. – Many religious traditions explore the relationship between humanity and nature, seeking to understand the divine presence in the natural world.
Religion – A system of beliefs, practices, and values that often involves the worship of a higher power or deity, and provides a framework for understanding the world and one’s place in it. – Religion has played a crucial role in shaping cultures and societies throughout history, offering guidance and meaning to countless individuals.
