Benjamin Riggs's Blog, page 3

The Most Common Mistake in Meditation Practice & How to Correct it.

People come to meditation because they are stressed out. They are stuck between their ears, disembodied. They want to arrest the feverish pace of thought and abide peacefully in the present moment. Simply put, they want to get out of their head. But they don't know where to go. They don't know what it means to move beyond the thinking mind. Getting out of the head means, for most,

Finding God in the Body is Free Today Only!

Finding God in the Body: A Spiritual Path for the Modern West is a free download on Kindle today (4/18/17). Get your free copy here! That we all want to live meaningful, happy lives is self-evident. The question is, how? Finding God in the Body answers that question with spiritual practice.  Finding God in the Body draws from the wisdom of the world's traditions--Buddhism, contemplative

The Space Between Fundamentalism and Atheism

The remarkable success demonstrated by the methodologies of science over the past two centuries has brought us to a place in history where its epistemology has cornered the market. In the modern West objective truth and facts have a monopoly on value. By these standards, religion does not measure up. It is useless in the modern world. The question is whether this is a fair standard

Finding God in the Body Workshops and Retreats

The Finding God in the Body programs draw from the wisdom of the world's great spiritual traditions—Buddhism, contemplative Christianity, Judaism, and Twelve-Step spirituality—to present a modern view of embodied spiritual practice. If you are interested in scheduling a workshop or retreat or are looking for more information, please contact PR@FindingGodInTheBody.comThe Finding God in the

Storytelling in Spirituality: Christian Mysticism to Middle Earth

In this episode, I talk about the role myth plays in human spirituality. I cover everything from storytelling, to Buddhist tantra and Christian mysticism, and groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. Listen below on Soundcloud. Click here to listen on iTunes, or Stitcher. Click here to listen

Moving Beyond Literalism: Myth, Lent, & The Resurrection

The Bible is an anthology. It is a collection of books; not a single book as it is often thought to be.  Furthermore, the Bible did not fall from the sky in its completed form. The books that comprise the Bible were penned over the course of approximately 900 years. Therefore, the books of the Bible were written by many different authors, each of which had their own worldview, interests,

The Role of Myth in Spirituality: From Tantra to Alcoholics Anonymous

In the early 1930's J.R.R. Tolkien began work on The Hobbit.  Had he taken up the task of penning an academic essay extolling the virtues of courage and self-sacrifice, I doubt we would remember him. The overwhelming majority of people prefer storytellers to philosophers. Storytellers occupy a special place in society because they perform a sacred function. The storyteller's elevated

When Spirituality Becomes Self-Deception

I remember it like it was yesterday: I was sitting in this small reception room while my dad was in the back talking to someone from the intake staff. As I sat waiting, I made it a point to let anyone that so much as made eye contact with me know I was not happy about being there. My chest was poked out and I was talking like a tough guy—but inside I was scared sh*tless. Eventually, my

When Belief Becomes an Obstacle to Believing & How the 12 Steps Can Help

In episode 9 of the Finding God in the Body Podcast, I discuss the nature of "belief." I talk about how belief often prevents believing and what religion can learn from the 12 Step approach to spirituality. Click to listen on Soundcloud, iTunes, or Stitcher.  Click here if you prefer to read How Belief Prevents Believing.

The Actualization of God is the Meaning of our Life

Spirituality without practice is wishful thinking. Finding God in the Body draws from the wisdom of the world's traditions--Buddhism, contemplative Christianity, Judaism, and Twelve-Step spirituality--to present a modern view of embodied spirituality. It turns inward to examine the human condition, meeting personal suffering with heartfelt insight and transformative practice. It leaves no