The Agnostic Mystic Podcast

In part 6 of our series on centering prayer, we read two poems by the late Mary Oliver and the now 95-year-old(!) Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh, followed by a short discussion. Thanks to James Hayward for the awesome edit. People and topics of interest in this episode: Mary Oliver, centering prayer, Jesus wept, pain, Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnam, evil, attention, silence.

In part 5 of our series on centering prayer, we discuss the dynamic of validation-seeking that comes strongest when we feel ourselves shifting away from the status quo in our tribe. Thanks again to James Hayward for a killer edit! Interesting topics and people mentioned: Richard Foster, tribe dynamics, Islam, love, Kali, anger, Santa, loneliness, Plotinus, centering prayer, fantasy sex cult, humility, performance principles, loving your faults.

In part 4 of our series on centering prayer, we talk about noise, silence, and how to work with pain in your prayer practice. Thank you, James Hayward for the edit! If you hear me say, “rum,” that’s me saying, “room,” with a townie (Newfoundland) accent. Hope you enjoy! Topics or people mentioned in this episode include: Richard Rohr, noise, noting silence, entering silence, interruptions, goalless practice, Richard Wagamese, acceptance, taking birth, pain, Stephen Levine, Lauryn Hill, Swami Ramdas, play, Plato, ego, death, John of the Cross, King David, Jesus, spiritual materialism, centering prayer, psychedelics, your curriculum.

In today’s episode, we’ll touch on Josh’s story and what uncertainty means for the mystic/Post-Christian. Then we’ll discuss a few thoughts about the sacred word. I hope everyone enjoys and has a great week! Topics or people of interest in this episode are: St Augustine of Hippo, Faith break-up, panic attacks, path of subtraction, spiritual rebounding, Scott Peck, Soren Kierkegaard, Cynthia Bourgeault, Plotinus, Martin Buber, Alex Grey, Mark Rothko, “ruach”, “pneuma”, James Nestor, Neem Karoli Baba, Contemplation, centering prayer. If ANYONE notices my stuffy nose in this episode, sorrryyyyyy :) I should be cleared up and sounding less nasally on the next episode!

This is Part 2 in our series on centering prayer. Here is a list of concepts and people mentioned in this episode: cage of separateness, centering prayer, Martin Buber, Dao de Ching, negative/apophatic theology, Gregory of Nyssa, ee cummings, Hosea, da’ath, gnosis, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Neoplatonism, theoria, contemplation, St Augustine, Lectio Divina, Middle Ages, Reformation, enlightenment, Ignatius of Loyola, Society of Jesus (Jesuits), spiritual malware, Everard Mecurian, John of the Cross, Pseudo-Dyonesius, Meister Eckhart, Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich, The Cloud of Unknowing, India, humility. Thanks for listening!

This is part 1 of a series of reflections on Centering Prayer, given by myself, Josh Westcott, a Post-Christian agnostic. Enjoy!

Here is a short introduction giving some context to my series of reflections on Centering Prayer. You can skip this if you’d like and you wouldn’t miss any vital information. For your listening pleasure only!