EP# 340 - The Spiritual Reality We’ve Forgotten How to See with Brian Zahnd - Audio

What if the Christian conversation about heaven has become too escapist, sensationalized, or sentimental? In this episode of Perspectives with Catherine Toon, author and pastor Brian Zahnd joins Catherine to explore themes from his book “Unseen Existences” and recover a deeper understanding of heaven, the unseen realm, spiritual formation, and our pilgrimage toward union with God. Brian describes heaven not simply as a distant location but as an eternal, unseen reality—and explores how our lives in this present world form us for deeper participation in God. Together, Catherine and Brian discuss the “already and not yet,” the spiritual significance of our everyday journey, and why there are no shortcuts in genuine spiritual formation. They also explore wonder and beauty as powerful ways of becoming more awake to God. From watching stars and bats in the backyard to intentionally noticing beauty on an ordinary drive through suburbia, Brian explains how wonder can awaken gratitude and reconnect us with realities we often overlook. The conversation moves into Christian aesthetics, spiritual experiences, prayer, imagination, technology, the false self, and the mystery of becoming who God created us to be. In this conversation, you’ll discover: • Why Brian believes Christians need a renewed theology of heaven • How this life functions as a pilgrimage toward union with God • Why wonder can become a spiritual practice • How beauty can point us toward the divine • Why ordinary spiritual experiences deserve meaningful conversation • How our humanity connects the physical and spiritual worlds • Why technology cannot replace our relationship with God • How imagination can help us become attentive to the unseen realm • Why holy awe—the “mysterium tremendum”—matters in spiritual formation Perspectives with Catherine Toon explores conversations that invite deeper encounters with God, spiritual transformation, love, truth, beauty, and what it means to live fully awake to His presence.  To support the ministry with tax-deductible donations: https://catherinetoon.com/support/ Marked by Love, Revised & Expanded Edition is here:
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Catherine has been in the business of changing lives for decades as an author, speaker, and prophetic coach. She is incredibly gifted at calling forth personal destiny and has helped thousands of individuals who are on that journey.