What if we aren’t even really surviving? I guess I’m asking: is this kind of soul work the luxury of those who are at least making ends meet? I’ve been meditating on the ideas of “luxury beliefs” (Rob Henderson) and it opens my eyes to different layers, the varied obstacles towards the deep flourishing of the human soul. Just musing and wondering others’ thoughts on this.
I have not read Henderson, but if I am understanding you correctly, your question about what if we aren't even surviving is important, Kelsey. One would certainly need to be at a functioning level to do this kind of work. I don't know if I would say it is a luxury belief if it's real, it's free, and it can help you learn more about who you are and how loved you are. I would think it could be incredibly empowering. But, it does require time spent on oneself for mindfulness, and that can definitely be a luxury for someone who can't make ends meet. I do look at healing our wounds and spiritual growth as a responsibility, but one which also requires grace, curiosity, and connection. Man, there's a lot to work through, though, with your question, than a comment will suffice. Thanks for the comment.
Absolutely. And it was not intended as contentious—but I think you knew that. Rather: I want to be sensitive towards any who might feel like they just don’t have the bandwidth or that it would mess too much with the “lower Jenga blocks” in their lives as a counselor friend calls it. It is such an act of faith and trusting that the Father has you to do this kind of work. It sobers me and adds dimension to my prayers to think through this “pinpoint.”
I lifted his category and assertions which talk about the beliefs only held by elites (in this case progressive secular) to think through them as applied to a Christian cultural frame.
Thanks for sharing, that's an interesting article on luxury beliefs. I would say that according to his definition, that luxury beliefs are ideas and opinions that confer status on the upper class while inflicting costs on the lower classes is exactly what this connecting with our souls is combatting. I don't know if you read my previous article about the cost of not doing the work, but it always harms others in projection. And in referencing the "successful" church leaders in this article, it's harmed those they've abused and entire congregations. Maybe people will use mindfulness as a status symbol, and that is what you are getting at. But this is an interpersonal work that recognizes how our own behavior harms others, and I would hope a move towards responsibility, vulnerability, and humility. It's anti-status in that sense.
Excellent points—and I would say that the connection I’m making is tenuous at best. I’m trying to make sense of something I’ve observed, but none of the categories are quite right. The idea with which I’m wrestling relates to the need for the deep soul care but the feeling that you can’t risk doing that work because you have to keep it together. It feels like a “luxury” you can’t afford. I think I want to be sensitive to my presuppositions that the heart/soul work is so valuable that everyone should be able to 1. See its value as higher than everything else and therefore 2. Drop everything they are doing to do that deep work. That seems like an elitist way of thinking, and I am feeling convicted for standing in that place.
Honestly, this is me “thinking out loud” and thankful for iron that sharpens iron in our discussion.
That quote from Mirabai Starr certainly DOES stir the imagination! But I do want to be careful about her advice. She's described herself as “a Jewish Sufi with a Hindu guru and a Buddhist meditation practice and a pagan inclination who is a contemporary translator and commentator on the Christian mystics" (https://portraitsinfaith.org/mirabai-starr/). I saw no mention of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
What if we aren’t even really surviving? I guess I’m asking: is this kind of soul work the luxury of those who are at least making ends meet? I’ve been meditating on the ideas of “luxury beliefs” (Rob Henderson) and it opens my eyes to different layers, the varied obstacles towards the deep flourishing of the human soul. Just musing and wondering others’ thoughts on this.
I have not read Henderson, but if I am understanding you correctly, your question about what if we aren't even surviving is important, Kelsey. One would certainly need to be at a functioning level to do this kind of work. I don't know if I would say it is a luxury belief if it's real, it's free, and it can help you learn more about who you are and how loved you are. I would think it could be incredibly empowering. But, it does require time spent on oneself for mindfulness, and that can definitely be a luxury for someone who can't make ends meet. I do look at healing our wounds and spiritual growth as a responsibility, but one which also requires grace, curiosity, and connection. Man, there's a lot to work through, though, with your question, than a comment will suffice. Thanks for the comment.
Absolutely. And it was not intended as contentious—but I think you knew that. Rather: I want to be sensitive towards any who might feel like they just don’t have the bandwidth or that it would mess too much with the “lower Jenga blocks” in their lives as a counselor friend calls it. It is such an act of faith and trusting that the Father has you to do this kind of work. It sobers me and adds dimension to my prayers to think through this “pinpoint.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/robkhenderson?r=z8t1s&utm_medium=ios
For your perusal 👆🏽
I lifted his category and assertions which talk about the beliefs only held by elites (in this case progressive secular) to think through them as applied to a Christian cultural frame.
Thanks for sharing, that's an interesting article on luxury beliefs. I would say that according to his definition, that luxury beliefs are ideas and opinions that confer status on the upper class while inflicting costs on the lower classes is exactly what this connecting with our souls is combatting. I don't know if you read my previous article about the cost of not doing the work, but it always harms others in projection. And in referencing the "successful" church leaders in this article, it's harmed those they've abused and entire congregations. Maybe people will use mindfulness as a status symbol, and that is what you are getting at. But this is an interpersonal work that recognizes how our own behavior harms others, and I would hope a move towards responsibility, vulnerability, and humility. It's anti-status in that sense.
Excellent points—and I would say that the connection I’m making is tenuous at best. I’m trying to make sense of something I’ve observed, but none of the categories are quite right. The idea with which I’m wrestling relates to the need for the deep soul care but the feeling that you can’t risk doing that work because you have to keep it together. It feels like a “luxury” you can’t afford. I think I want to be sensitive to my presuppositions that the heart/soul work is so valuable that everyone should be able to 1. See its value as higher than everything else and therefore 2. Drop everything they are doing to do that deep work. That seems like an elitist way of thinking, and I am feeling convicted for standing in that place.
Honestly, this is me “thinking out loud” and thankful for iron that sharpens iron in our discussion.
This is a very timely book, I’m only half-way through but wholeheartedly (alluding to Chuck’s prior soul care book) agree with your thoughts here.
That quote from Mirabai Starr certainly DOES stir the imagination! But I do want to be careful about her advice. She's described herself as “a Jewish Sufi with a Hindu guru and a Buddhist meditation practice and a pagan inclination who is a contemporary translator and commentator on the Christian mystics" (https://portraitsinfaith.org/mirabai-starr/). I saw no mention of a relationship with Jesus Christ.