Project 4: Rethinking (and Reexperiencing) Christianity
Periods: 2019–Present
Results: 1 book; study group.
Results: 1 book; study group.
Description:
The goal of the project Rethinking (and Reexperiencing) Christianity is providing a context to rediscover the teachings of Christ that is free from dogmatic assertions. There is an emphasis on exploring human perception: Christ proposed a different way of seeing the world and of apprehending reality; the kingdom of heaven implies a new way of living in which perceiving the Light and infinitude of being, while feeling empowered by the Spirit or creative Force is of paramount importance. Christ said that knowing the truth leads to freedom (John 8:31-32); thus, experiencing a greater freedom of being is how we know we are following the path that he suggested. In this line, the project seeks revisiting the teachings of Christ in a particular manner, with a purpose: to rethink (and reexperience) the Christian Way as a liberating path leading to existential freedom.
This project emerges from a number of observations. First, many spiritual practitioners today have problems with their Christian upbringing and/or Christian cultural background. Moreover, some individuals have had sad—at times traumatic—experiences in a Christian context; these negative experiences often take precedence over the positive experiences, overpowering them. Parallelly, spiritually inclined people—including those who think on themselves as “spiritual-but-not-religious,” but also practitioners open to traditional religion—are unable to relate to the Christian Way as a liberating, inspiring force. Consequently, the Christian path (and so Christ’s teachings) appear as having no value any longer. This project thus seeks exploring, sometimes counterculturally, the vitality and inspirational force of the path proposed by Christ.
The goal of the project Rethinking (and Reexperiencing) Christianity is providing a context to rediscover the teachings of Christ that is free from dogmatic assertions. There is an emphasis on exploring human perception: Christ proposed a different way of seeing the world and of apprehending reality; the kingdom of heaven implies a new way of living in which perceiving the Light and infinitude of being, while feeling empowered by the Spirit or creative Force is of paramount importance. Christ said that knowing the truth leads to freedom (John 8:31-32); thus, experiencing a greater freedom of being is how we know we are following the path that he suggested. In this line, the project seeks revisiting the teachings of Christ in a particular manner, with a purpose: to rethink (and reexperience) the Christian Way as a liberating path leading to existential freedom.
This project emerges from a number of observations. First, many spiritual practitioners today have problems with their Christian upbringing and/or Christian cultural background. Moreover, some individuals have had sad—at times traumatic—experiences in a Christian context; these negative experiences often take precedence over the positive experiences, overpowering them. Parallelly, spiritually inclined people—including those who think on themselves as “spiritual-but-not-religious,” but also practitioners open to traditional religion—are unable to relate to the Christian Way as a liberating, inspiring force. Consequently, the Christian path (and so Christ’s teachings) appear as having no value any longer. This project thus seeks exploring, sometimes counterculturally, the vitality and inspirational force of the path proposed by Christ.
| sample_questions_for_discussion_in_study_groups_chapter_1.pdf |
