I’d say I would…but a secular Christ yogi sounds good to me 😅. Obviously lots of connotations with the term Christian…but I suspect we are pretty similar
I'm excited to get stuck into you writing Tyler, thanks for beginning your page. I find myself in a funny position in life at the moment: I feel a strong pull toward the love of Jesus yet have gained so much from great spiritual teachers like Ram Dass and his guru Neem Karoli Baba. (In fact, it was Ram Dass, Thich Nhat Hanh, Eckhart Tolle and Alan Watts who really brought me back to loving God after I 'ran' away from my Catholic upbringing due to the cliched "fear of eternal hell".) I'm wondering if you've wrestled with describing yourself as a Christian while still appreciating other spiritual paths? I'm not sure this can ever truly be reconciled logically or with words alone, but I'd love some of your thoughts. Thanks!
I absolutely have, and in some ways I still do, although over time the intensity and fear have softened. I recently joked on a podcast that I've tried to become Buddhist many times...but I just keep backsliding into Christianity. 😂
Two things come to mind.
The first is a story about a Christian who traveled to India, exhausted with the Western church. He went to the head monk of a monastery and said he wanted to convert and become a monk. The monk asked, "How old are you?" He replied, "Thirty." The monk said, "You could join us, and perhaps you'll become enlightened by the time you're sixty. Or you could go home, stay within your own tradition, wrestle honestly with its tensions, and perhaps become enlightened next year."
I love that story because it reminds me that there is something deeply transformative about finding God in the midst of the tension rather than always trying to escape it. So much of our spiritual formation happens there. That's one of the reasons I've remained devoted to Christ, even through all my questions.
The second thing is that I think there's far more room at the table than we've often been led to believe. I love every one of the teachers you mentioned. What's always struck me is how deeply they speak of Jesus—with such reverence, tenderness, and affection. I've had moments where I've laughed to myself thinking, "Hey...that's my guy! I'm supposed to be talking about him like that." 😂
For me, following Jesus hasn't meant closing myself off from the wisdom of other traditions. It's actually made me more open to seeing truth, beauty, and Love wherever they appear. There's enough room at the table for all of it, I promise.
Have you read the gospel of Sri Ramakrishna? Opening myself up to the absolute yogi and studying Vedanta and Jesus as a guru, but the absolute pure one only guru who embodied God has been fascinating
I’ve not! But it looks very interesting….I love books that expand my way of seeing like that…I’m excited to put it on my list. Truly….thanks for sharing.
I am looking forward to your book. Do you consider yourself Christian? I wish there was a better word, maybe I could be a secular Christ yogi lol
I’d say I would…but a secular Christ yogi sounds good to me 😅. Obviously lots of connotations with the term Christian…but I suspect we are pretty similar
Just swap out your gorilla biscuits shirt for Pink Floyd lol 🙂
lolol….never!!!!!
I'm excited to get stuck into you writing Tyler, thanks for beginning your page. I find myself in a funny position in life at the moment: I feel a strong pull toward the love of Jesus yet have gained so much from great spiritual teachers like Ram Dass and his guru Neem Karoli Baba. (In fact, it was Ram Dass, Thich Nhat Hanh, Eckhart Tolle and Alan Watts who really brought me back to loving God after I 'ran' away from my Catholic upbringing due to the cliched "fear of eternal hell".) I'm wondering if you've wrestled with describing yourself as a Christian while still appreciating other spiritual paths? I'm not sure this can ever truly be reconciled logically or with words alone, but I'd love some of your thoughts. Thanks!
I absolutely have, and in some ways I still do, although over time the intensity and fear have softened. I recently joked on a podcast that I've tried to become Buddhist many times...but I just keep backsliding into Christianity. 😂
Two things come to mind.
The first is a story about a Christian who traveled to India, exhausted with the Western church. He went to the head monk of a monastery and said he wanted to convert and become a monk. The monk asked, "How old are you?" He replied, "Thirty." The monk said, "You could join us, and perhaps you'll become enlightened by the time you're sixty. Or you could go home, stay within your own tradition, wrestle honestly with its tensions, and perhaps become enlightened next year."
I love that story because it reminds me that there is something deeply transformative about finding God in the midst of the tension rather than always trying to escape it. So much of our spiritual formation happens there. That's one of the reasons I've remained devoted to Christ, even through all my questions.
The second thing is that I think there's far more room at the table than we've often been led to believe. I love every one of the teachers you mentioned. What's always struck me is how deeply they speak of Jesus—with such reverence, tenderness, and affection. I've had moments where I've laughed to myself thinking, "Hey...that's my guy! I'm supposed to be talking about him like that." 😂
For me, following Jesus hasn't meant closing myself off from the wisdom of other traditions. It's actually made me more open to seeing truth, beauty, and Love wherever they appear. There's enough room at the table for all of it, I promise.
Tyler this is super helpful thank you. I’m going to keep holding the tension and just allow that to lead the way. Thank you mate :)
“deeply loved, radically free, and always unfolding.”
“This means my punk ethos, my parenting, and my entrepreneurial work are not at war with a deeply contemplative life.”
“before we strive, improve, perform, or become, we are already fully known and fully loved. Beloved.”
“where the ordinary catches fire with the divine.”
ALL THIS!
Excited to read more… 😊
lets gooooo! Thanks K.G.
A love that not only transcends all religions, but the entire universe and the infinite vastness beyond.
https://substack.com/@joeynostrils/note/p-191575462?r=1g7i8f&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
amazing! thanks for sharing…I just followed along!
Have you read the gospel of Sri Ramakrishna? Opening myself up to the absolute yogi and studying Vedanta and Jesus as a guru, but the absolute pure one only guru who embodied God has been fascinating
I’ve not! But it looks very interesting….I love books that expand my way of seeing like that…I’m excited to put it on my list. Truly….thanks for sharing.
Just read the intro to your book. Very inviting and added to my wishlist. Will there be an ebook?
Honestly I’m not sure…at this point its up to my publisher…some things we authors don’t always know out of the gate
So glad to be here! 👵🏻 Excited to learn more!
Love your Tikkun Olam. 💜
Glad you are here too! And wow! Good eye!!!
I love to look at and ask people about their ink. I am more of a surgical ink pen gal myself. Lovely purple, lasts a few days, move right along.
Tyler, you might enjoy some of this.
https://substack.com/@joeynostrils/note/p-191575462?r=1g7i8f&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action