A Christian and a Buddhist walk in to a bar

Living in the tension of impermanence and eternity

Today we take ourselves on a walk through impermanence, eternity, and what gives us hope. 
Let us know if you'd like more of these 'rambling' episodes at christianbuddhistbar@gmail.com

Does Everybody Worship?

Today we enter the world of David Foster Wallace, and his assertation: everybody worships. Wallace contends that there is no such this as atheism and we only get to choose what, not if, we worship. 
Jacob and Jamal explore this contention, and go off on all the usual tangents. 
 
https://mbird.com/literature/more-david-foster-wallace-quotes/ 

The Mindfulness Capitalist Conspiracy Part 2

Last episode we asked 'what does mindfulness look like without ethics behind it?'. This week we  turn the lens toward the mindfulness industry, and investigate the intersection between mindfulness and capitalism while asking: is there a place for mindfulness as a commodity in the market?
 
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jun/14/the-mindfulness-conspiracy-capitalist-spirituality 

The Mindfulness Capitalist Conspiracy Part 1

Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist technique for achieving enlightenment. It is also a massive capitalist industry, promising to both counter the issues caused by capitalism, and also to bring productivity and riches to all. 
What does 'McMindfullness' have to do with traditional Buddhism, and what does it say about our society and religions?
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jun/14/the-mindfulness-conspiracy-capitalist-spirituality 

Buddhism and Relationships – The Eightfold Path

We continue our discussion on how Buddhist teachings can apply to romantic relationships. How can we accept our partners as they are? How should we think and behave towards our partners? 
 
https://medium.com/@spiver/buddhism-and-relationships-the-eight-qualities-of-love-b820cdc415f0  

Buddhism and Relationships - the Four Noble Truths of Love

What does Buddhism say about relationships? Can you have them? and if so, how should you go about being in relationships in a Buddhist way? 
We start the year by exploring the Four Noble Truths of Love, and how these can help us have happier and stronger romantic relationships.
 
https://medium.com/@spiver/buddhism-and-relationships-the-four-noble-truths-of-love-11859b5ca2df 

The Buddhamas Special

Just in time for Xmas, we are rounding out the year with the Christian Buddhist Bar 'Buddhamas special'. 
We take a walk through the nativity story of the Buddha, and learn about a silent, holy night - in 564 BCE India
We will be taking a break for a little while over the New year, and will be back with new episodes in early 2023. Thanks so much for being with us this year. Please give your friends the Xmas present of knowing about the pod!

Is Facebook good news for religion?

Facebook wants to be your go to platform for your online spirituality. This week we discuss what this means, what the motives might be, and what benefits and negatives this may bring. 
Religion. Coming to a facebook page near you! 
www.nytimes.com/2021/07/25/us/facebook-church.html

Debating God

This episode, for the first time ever, we venture away from our well-trodden paths of Christianity and Buddhism and into the world of Jewish debate. 
What does it look like to argue with other scholars, with the meaning of texts and even with God? We discuss the Jewish tradition of debate, and its role in the religion, and what it makes us think and feel. 
 
https://asiasociety.org/countries/religions-philosophies/art-debate-jewish-style 

Does the world have a future?

This week we try to find a slice of heaven or at least part of heaven itself. Where is it? Does our current earth have any link to this? Does our world have any value?
Article: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/environment/jesus-is-coming-plant-a-tree