• Episode 75: A Tribute to Richard Rohr

    In this episode of Latter-day Contemplation, Christopher and Riley pay tribute to the life and legacy of Franciscan friar, Richard Rohr. Father Rohr, as an ecumenical teacher, speaker, and author is largely responsible for the modern resurgence in popularity of contemplative practices. He has successfully brought together teachers from many Christian denominations into The Living School, teaching perennial truths about the universal nature of the Christ, our mutual, inborn dwelling with God the creator of all flesh, and the brotherhood of man. His message of inner and relational peace has drawn a following of millions.

    Comments Off on Episode 75: A Tribute to Richard Rohr
  • Episode 74: Renouncing War

    In Episode 74, Christopher and Riley revisit a topic they’ve previously spoken about on the podcast, but from a different perspective. Episode 5: On Peace deals with inner peace, while this one deals with interpersonal, relational, and world peace. They explore the LDS doctrinal case for renouncing war in Sec. 98 as a springboard to a larger discussion about practical application of peace, as exemplified by Jesus, the anti-nephi-lehis, St. Maximilian and others. They make a case for a non-violent reading of scripture, particularly the Book of Mormon and challenge the listener to take small proactive steps, in concert with others, forming a grassroots movement towards a peaceful world. The…

  • Episode 73: Contemplating Justice

    For this episode, Christopher and Riley are joined by LDPS member and contributor, Jeffrey Goddard, for a wide-ranging discussion on justice, sin & righteousness, good & evil, and atonement. In the past year Jeff read or listened to 200 books, and wrote one of his own - The Physician Christ. As a medical practitioner he tends to see the world through a scientific lens which adds critical context to the discussion of individual and social development. Our hosts make it a point to avoid strict, objective definitions of these constructed ideas, but instead try to problematize prevailing understandings so as to point the listener to a more holistic, and universally…

  • Episode 72: The Shadow

    In this episode of Latter-day Contemplation, Christopher and Riley are joined by a friend of the program and Carl Jung fan, Morgan Aldous, to discuss the concept of the Jungian Shadow. Morgan is a life coach who has spent considerable time in the study of psychology, philosophy, and religion as the means to personal transformation. This concept of The Shadow, which historically finds expression in scripture, mystical poetry and experience, visual & performance art, great literature, and formal psychological treatment methodology has application for those of us pursuing a spiritual path of personal development as well. In his first interaction with Father Adam and Mother Eve, Lucifer, the father of…

  • Episode 71: Stoic Objectivity and Amor Fati

    In this episode Christopher and Riley draw upon the teachings of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, Byron Katie upack the stoic concepts of Amor Fati (love of fate, consent to destiny) and Objectivity as a means of better understanding Christ and our duties as disciples. The evidence surrounds us; life is filled with adversity, or as a Buddhist might say, “life is suffering”. Thermodynamics further affirms the inevitable death and dissolution of all matter. Recognizing and accepting this inevitability can liberate us from despair in our darkest moments of sadness, anger, and grief. Most of the circumstances that confront us conjure up impressions, judgments, and emotions (collectively: phantasia) within us, but…

    Comments Off on Episode 71: Stoic Objectivity and Amor Fati
  • Episode 70: Contemplating Emotions

    In this episode, Christopher & Riley take up a discussion on emotions and emotional intelligence. They start from the premise that humans are (contrary to popular opinion) primarily emotional, not rational, beings. Taking this as a given, they search for meaning in the emotional journey, and recognizing our emotional drivers, suggest practices to help us respond appropriately to our emotional triggers. They meander into a discussion about sincerity in emotion (as opposed to manipulation) and imagine a God who only interacts with his children sincerely, as a means of supporting our holistic development into fully integrated emotional intelligences. Relating to the God, (modeled by Christ, but too often obfuscated by…

    Comments Off on Episode 70: Contemplating Emotions
  • Episode 69: Contemplative Habits & Rituals

    For this episode of Latter-day Contemplation Riley welcomes back Phil McLemore to discuss the power habits and rituals. Habits can be positive or negative and ultimately become the structural backbone of our lives. As we learn to use them in productive ways we are led to lives of inner and outer transformation. However, habits have the potential to become an unconscious, soul and agency destroying cancer that compounds the problems of the “natural man”. Bringing conscious awareness to the individual and accumulated habits which form our routines can help us replace entropic, destructive processes with what Christ called “living water”. They offer specific ideas and guidance based on the book…

    Comments Off on Episode 69: Contemplative Habits & Rituals
  • Episode 68: Contemplating Art with Greg Olsen

    In this episode Christopher and Riley welcome artist Greg Olsen. Greg is particularly well-known in LDS circles as a painter of Jesus. Our hosts had the opportunity to mine his experiences becoming a professional painter of religious iconography and images that convey the relatable nature of the Savior. Of course, he is much more than his public works and this conversation takes them through his contemplative practices, the nature of symbols, and simplifying our faith by practicing loving-kindness.

    Comments Off on Episode 68: Contemplating Art with Greg Olsen
  • Episode 67: The Bhagavad Gita (Part 2)

    In this episode Christopher and Riley welcome Phil McLemore and Ben Heaton, Bhagavad Gita enthusiasts and students of Vedic wisdom, to finish our discussion of the seminal Hindu scripture.  Our hosts dive into the usefulness of the book, approaches to understanding it, and a few favorite passages.

    Comments Off on Episode 67: The Bhagavad Gita (Part 2)
  • Episode 66: On Exodus

    The Book of Exodus can be divided into three parts: First, we witness the power of the Lord as he extends his arm against Pharaoh, sending the ten plagues and finally parting the Sea of Reeds, which swallows up Pharoah and his army, letting Moses and the Israelites escape into the wilderness. In the second part, Moses will ascend Mount Sinai and receive the law (Torah). The final section of the book is devoted to the construction and description of the tabernacle, or the portable temple the Israelites will carry with them over the next 38 years they spend in the desert. A three-part division is also seen in the…

    Comments Off on Episode 66: On Exodus