At the same time, I think the esoteric/exoteric dichotomy might be a bit too simplistic. There are plenty of esoteric religionists out there who are no earthly good (or actually harmful – I don’t mean to break Godwin’s law, but Hitler & his inner circle were mystics of a sort), while at the same time there are exoteric practitioners out there who are truly the salt of the earth. As much as I love (say) Thomas Merton in my own tradition, I also need to learn a lot from Dorothy Day. One saw the Christ within; the other saw Christ ‘in the most distressing disguises,’ in the faces of the poor, marginalized, and scum of the earth. (Merton & Day are actually rather balanced examples; each was, if not perfectly ‘symmetrical,’ a good blend of the inner and outer paths) I think that an AQAL Christianity will dig into some of its own best practices not only along the interior way, but in the outpoured life of service. The single best book I know exploring this theme is Elizabeth O’Connor’s classic Jounrey Inward, Journey Outward.

This does not detract from the larger point of your dialogue – for religion to be healthy in the 21st century, we need to look at how classic stages of interiority map with stages of human development. I’m all for this in our liturgy, spiritual formation, and apprenticeship to Jeeeesus.

My watercolor, using yellow and turquoise. I have found that using coral to stimulate discourse doesn’t show up. (no edge)

Bless you all. Wonderful Holidays. I am out of colors.

Last night, walking downtown, I was confronted by a young Christian evangelist pointing his finger and telling me that I am going to hell unless I repent, etc.

I wonder what the chances are that he will ever read this post ? I also wonder what the chances are that he is simply a psychopath cloaked in his accusatory role.

What are the chances that ( insert leader’s names here) will ever read this post? God I am depressed.

What the hell is wrong with people? ( walks off looking for a letter opener to stab himself with…)

This post was mentioned on Twitter by lindahollier: RT @CoreyWdeVos New blog post — Two Kinds of Religion: Inside and Out http://bit.ly/2cUYBy...