Learning How to See with Brian McLaren

What if questions are God’s way of communicating? Could we learn to embrace asking questions as a spiritual practice?For this episode, Brian McLaren invites two great wisdom teachers of our time, Dr. James Finley and Dr. Barbara Holmes into a conversation about the simple steps we can take to celebrate the sacredness of each moment. This conversation journeys into the heart of embracing mystery and all that is unsolved in your heart. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here Brian's new book, Do I Stay Christian? can be found here Dr. Barbara Holme's podcast, The Cosmic We can be found on: CAC | Apple or wherever you like to download podcasts. Dr. James Finley's podcast, Turning to the Mystics can be found on: CAC | Apple or wherever you like to download podcasts. Everyone who purchases a copy of Brian's new book Do I Stay Christian? from our online bookstore will be invited to participate in an exclusive Community Read-Along on Facebook! There will be discussion questions, prompts, and shared practices as we move through the book each week.The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen compassionate engagement in the world. When you purchase this or any other book from our online bookstore you help us to introduce seekers from around the world to the contemplative Christian path of transformation. (Everyone who purchases a copy of Do I Stay Christian? will receive a URL to join the discussion group via email.)Connect with us: We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. Send us an email at podcasts@cac.org Center for Action and Contemplation: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Brian McLaren: Website| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

What is the Christian Cult of Innocence and how does it limit our view of ourselves, God, and Christian wisdom? In this episode, Brian McLaren continues his journey of discovering wisdom and perspectives that can break Christianity open. In this conversation, Fr. Richard Rohr and Paul Swanson explore how embracing our flawed human nature can free us from limiting judgements that keep us and everyone else limited, small, and feeling unworthy of Divine Love. Learn to liberate yourself and everyone else you know to be unapologetically human! Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here Brian's new book, Do I Stay Christian? can be found here Everyone who purchases a copy of Brian's new book Do I Stay Christian? from our online bookstore will be invited to participate in an exclusive Community Read-Along on Facebook! There will be discussion questions, prompts, and shared practices as we move through the book each week.The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen compassionate engagement in the world. When you purchase this or any other book from our online bookstore you help us to introduce seekers from around the world to the contemplative Christian path of transformation. (Everyone who purchases a copy of Do I Stay Christian? will receive a URL to join the discussion group via email.)Connect with us: We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. Send us an email at podcasts@cac.org Center for Action and Contemplation: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Brian McLaren: Website| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

Renowned civil rights leader and best-selling author Valarie Kaur joins Brian for this episode of Learning How to See. In this conversation, they help us see how learning about another faith tradition can help us see our own tradition in a different way.Valarie Kaur is a renowned civil rights leader and celebrated prophetic voice "at the forefront of progressive change" (Center for American Progress). Valarie burst into American consciousness in the wake of the 2016 election when her Watch Night Service address went viral with 40 million views worldwide. Her question "Is this the darkness of the tomb – or the darkness of the womb?" reframed the political moment and became a mantra for people fighting for change. Valarie now leads the Revolutionary Love Project to reclaim love as a force for justice in America. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here Brian's new book, Do I Stay Christian? can be found here Valarie Kaur's work with Revolutionary Love can be found here. Everyone who purchases a copy of Brian's new book Do I Stay Christian? from our online bookstore will be invited to participate in an exclusive Community Read-Along on Facebook! There will be discussion questions, prompts, and shared practices as we move through the book each week.The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen compassionate engagement in the world. When you purchase this or any other book from our online bookstore you help us to introduce seekers from around the world to the contemplative Christian path of transformation. (Everyone who purchases a copy of Do I Stay Christian? will receive a URL to join the discussion group via email.)Connect with us: We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. Send us an email at podcasts@cac.org Center for Action and Contemplation: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Brian McLaren: Website| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Valarie Kaur: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

Antisemitism, theology, empire—this week’s episode invites us to examine our histories and faith traditions with an honest lens. Explore a different perspective of Christianity with Rabbi Jill Jacobs, who discuss what is means to have Christianity as a neighbor. Rabbi Jill Jacobs (she/her) is the CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, an organization that trains and mobilizes more than 2,300 rabbis and cantors and their communities to bring a moral voice to protecting and advancing human rights in North America, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories. She is the author of Where Justice Dwells: A Hands-On Guide to Doing Social Justice in Your Jewish Community and There Shall Be No Needy: Pursuing Social Justice through Jewish Law and Tradition, both published by Jewish Lights.Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here Brian's new book, Do I Stay Christian? can be found here Rabbi Jill Jacob's work with T'ruah can be found here. Everyone who purchases a copy of Brian's new book Do I Stay Christian? from our online bookstore will be invited to participate in an exclusive Community Read-Along on Facebook! There will be discussion questions, prompts, and shared practices as we move through the book each week.The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen compassionate engagement in the world. When you purchase this or any other book from our online bookstore you help us to introduce seekers from around the world to the contemplative Christian path of transformation. (Everyone who purchases a copy of Do I Stay Christian? will receive a URL to join the discussion group via email.)Connect with us: We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. Send us an email at podcasts@cac.org Center for Action and Contemplation: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Brian McLaren: Website| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Rabbi Jill Jacobs: Website | Twitter This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

On the second episode of this season, Brian is joined by Lisa Sharon Harper and Gigi Ross exploring the many ways colonialism has injected racism into Christianity, politics, and the culture we live in. Utilizing theology, research, and drawing heavily from Lisa's work in her latest book Fortune, this episode offers a gripping examination of slavery’s lingering impact on the shadow of Christianity. Please be advised this episode discusses topics around sexual violence that may elicit difficult emotions and memories for some. Note: This episode was recorded on March 10th, 2022, before the Supreme Court draft opinion potentially overturning Roe vs. Wade was leaked. Some elements of the conversation will reflect this.Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here Brian's new book, Do I Stay Christian? can be found here Lisa's book, Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and The World and How to Repair It All can be found here. Everyone who purchases a copy of Brian's new book Do I Stay Christian? from our online bookstore will be invited to participate in an exclusive Community Read-Along on Facebook! There will be discussion questions, prompts, and shared practices as we move through the book each week.The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen compassionate engagement in the world. When you purchase this or any other book from our online bookstore you help us to introduce seekers from around the world to the contemplative Christian path of transformation. (Everyone who purchases a copy of Do I Stay Christian? will receive a URL to join the discussion group via email.)Connect with us: We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. Send us an email at podcasts@cac.org Center for Action and Contemplation: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Brian McLaren: Website| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Lisa Sharon Harper: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

What does “Christianity” mean to you? Do you see it as a force for good in the world? How much harm has it caused? Do you want to stay Christian? And if so, what kind—and how?In this first episode from season three of Learning How to See, host Brian McLaren goes straight to the heart of these questions and more. Joined by scholar and historian of Christianity Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D., and CAC staff member Mike Petrow, Ph.D., these theologians discuss the diverse experiences they have with Christianity.Informed by Brian’s new book Do I Stay Christian?, season three of Learning How to See will challenge listeners to relearn how they see Christianity by embracing exploration over explanation and dialogue over dogma.From transcending toxic theology embedded in childhood to applying ancient wisdom to modern life, this first episode sets the trajectory for an enlightening and transformative season. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Brian's new book, Do I Stay Christian? can be found here Diana's book, Freeing Jesus can be found here. Everyone who purchases a copy of Brian's new book Do I Stay Christian? from our online bookstore will be invited to participate in an exclusive Community Read-Along on Facebook! There will be discussion questions, prompts, and shared practices as we move through the book each week.The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen compassionate engagement in the world. When you purchase this or any other book from our online bookstore you help us to introduce seekers from around the world to the contemplative Christian path of transformation. (Everyone who purchases a copy of Do I Stay Christian? will receive a URL to join the discussion group via email.)Connect with us: We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. Send us an email at podcasts@cac.org Center for Action and Contemplation: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Brian McLaren: Website| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Diana Butler Bass: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

On the third season of Learning How to See, Brian McLaren invites us to see and experience Christianity in new ways. Exploring sections from his new book Do I Stay Christian? Brian helps listeners at a spiritual crossroads to honestly examine their evolving faith.  Joined by guests Diana Butler Bass, Lisa Sharon Harper, Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Valerie Kaur, Richard Rohr, James Finley, Barbara Holmes, and Tripp Fuller, Learning How to See season 3 reveals how a contemplative mind can help us see, understand, and engage with the Christian faith.Everyone who purchases a copy of Brian's new book Do I Stay Christian? from our online bookstore will be invited to participate in an exclusive Community Read-Along on Facebook! There will be discussion questions, prompts, and shared practices as we move through the book each week.The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen compassionate engagement in the world. When you purchase this or any other book from our online bookstore you help us to introduce seekers from around the world to the contemplative Christian path of transformation. (Everyone who purchases a copy of Do I Stay Christian? will receive a URL to join the discussion group via email.)

On this bonus episode, Brian, Gigi, Mike and Paul conclude the season in their reflections on the dynamics of suffering and the art of beginning again in order to learn how to see.The prayers/intentions used in this season can be found here at the following links, depending on where you listen to podcasts: Apple | Spotify | RadioPublic | StitcherResources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Brian's e-book: Why Don't They Get It? Song: Bruce Colburn - "Us All" (Youtube) Connect with us: We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. Send us an email at podcasts@cac.org Center for Action and Contemplation: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Brian McLaren: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

On this episode, the hosts discuss the biases of confidence and conspiracy. They explore how our brains prefer confident lies over hesitant truth and how shame makes us vulnerable to stories of evil conspiracy. They emphasize the importance of recognizing biases and engaging in open conversation. The chapter also highlights the value of substance and authenticity in listening to wise voices, the need for vigilance against manipulation, and the significance of embracing contemplative wisdom. They delve into the phenomenon of conspiracy bias, discuss the presence of this bias in conspiracy theories, and explore nested stories of reality as a means to counteract them. The podcast concludes with a prayer for help in cultivating compassion, justice, and humility.

In this episode, the hosts discuss Catastrophe Bias, which makes our brains focus on sudden negative changes and miss slow ones. They also explore Cash Bias, where we struggle to see things that interfere with our livelihoods. They reflect on the impact of the prosperity gospel and share personal experiences with financial struggle. The power of money and its influence on our values and spirituality are discussed. They emphasize the need to prioritize love over money and recognize our biases.