Benjamin Riggs's Blog, page 5
February 14, 2017
February 13, 2017
"He and I Can not Dwell Together in the Same Space."
*title quote: Jewish proverb 
February 10, 2017
Finding God in the Body Goodreads Giveaway
<!-- Show static html as a placeholder in case js is not enabled --> .goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: inline-block; 
February 9, 2017
Spirituality is the Chaos of Daily Life
My favorite time of day is noon. I’m usually in the living room hunched over my laptop, promoting my book or working on an article. Then suddenly my single-pointed focus is interrupted. A loud scream rips me away from my computer. I immediately feel irritated. I want to finish what I’m working on: write one more paragraph, make one more change, just get to a good stopping point. But that 
February 7, 2017
Suffering and Spiritual Practice
Excerpt from Finding God in the Body: A Spiritual Path for the Modern West "Wanting to stop does not lead to transformation. What is an addiction apart from the perpetuation of an unwanted behavior? The idea that swearing off overcomes suffering is an adult version of the adolescent attitude that, following our first break-up declares, “Love stinks! I will never date again.” We are trying to
February 3, 2017
Politics Begins with the Maintenance of our Spiritual Condition
I find the above quote from Finding God in the Body particularly relevant, given the current political environment. I am not promoting political quietism. Politics is an aspect of daily life, one that those fortunate enough to live in a democratic society should be grateful for. We must be not only present and engaged but always informed, well-intentioned and open-minded. The above
February 1, 2017
The Role of Church in a Modern, Pratice-Based Spirituality
In this episode of the Finding God in the Body podcast, I talk about the role church--or really any place of worship--must play in a modern, practice-based spirituality. 
January 31, 2017
Donald Trump's State Sponsored Islamaphobia
My favorite TV show is The Office. In the “Gettysburg” episode, the CEO of Dunder Mifflin, Robert California, pays a surprise visit to the Scranton branch. He is looking to discuss new ideas with the regional manager, Andy Bernard. But Andy is out of the office on a company retreat to Gettysburg. So Robert California settles for a brain-storming session with a handful of employees who 
January 27, 2017
40% Off Finding God in the Body E-Book
Finding God in the Body E-Book on sale 1/27 - 1/29 Click here to order. Available in Kindle and Paperback formats. That we all want to live meaningful, happy lives is self-evident. The question is, how? Finding God in the Body answers this question with action, spiritual practice. Finding God in the Body draws from the wisdom of the world's traditions--Buddhism, contemplative 
January 26, 2017
Letter From a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Perhaps it is a few days late, but it is nevertheless timely. Dr. King's letter to white, moderate clergyman serves as an urgent reminder for our time. It is a reminder that, yes, it is easy to avoid confrontation, to smile and change the subject, to segregate politics and morality and hide behind the vacuous platitudes of an unearthly religion. But as King reminds us, "Only a dry-as-dust
