David G. Benner's Blog, page 44

The Illusion of Separateness

I wonder if you remember the story of the first astronauts who went into space to see the stars but were most deeply impacted by seeing the earth. It was, however, what they didn’t see that was even more surprising to them. No matter how hard they looked they were unable to see national, ethnic, racial, socio-economic, or religious boundaries. All they could see a single undivided earth. Fundamentally, we are one. We have always been one. And we will always be one. But despite the fact that we seem to all be born within a state of undifferentiated oneness,...

Live Wisdom: From Theory to Practice

“In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice, there is!” Whoever said this had obviously practiced the theory, and we all have experienced the gap. Every teacher knows: students learn by doing. Life is our never ending school where we become human by trying to actualize the theory of our own being, by doing, by trying to find meaning and aiming to live a good life. So, what is the “theory” we seek to comprehend and apply in our life? Is it to love and be loved? Is it to see, welcome and actualize our...

Beyond Belief

Recently someone contacted me asking if I was the David Benner who was a spiritual teacher. I told her that people sometimes describe me that way but I wondered why she asked. She responded by asking what beliefs I taught. I told her that I have never taught beliefs because my calling is to help people walk the transformational path associated with the awakening of the heart and transformation of consciousness. She didn’t seem satisfied with this answer and asked what beliefs we taught at Cascadia. Once again I told her that we didn’t teach people what to believe but...

Being Human

Recently, psychologist and spiritual director, Dr. Jackie Stinton sat down with me to talk about what it means to be fully human and why this is so important for the spiritual journey and for living wisdom. Join us in that conversation. Jackie: When I reflect on the big themes of your writing I am struck by the priority you place on being human. You suggest that any healthy spirituality should help us actualize the fullness of our humanity. What led you to this emphasis on being human? David: My interest in what it means to be human was the reason...

Being Human

In October 2015, psychologist and spiritual director, Dr. Jackie Stinton sat down with me to talk about what it means to be fully human and why this is so important for the spiritual journey and for living wisdom.... Continue Reading »

Poetry, Truth and Wisdom

Often we live on the outskirts of reality, seeing what we assume truly is – but only through our preconceptions and comforting illusions. Wisdom comes from penetrating those illusions and seeing the Real. Poetry has great potential to... Continue Reading »

Beyond Belief

Recently someone contacted me asking if I was the David Benner who was a spiritual teacher. I told her that people sometimes describe me that way but I wondered why she asked. She responded by asking what beliefs... Continue Reading »

Wisdom and Hidden Wholeness

Wisdom is a multi-faceted jewel of inestimable value. It is much more than the ability to make good decisions or avoid foolish ones. In fact, it doesn’t start with what we do at all. Its foundation and starting... Continue Reading »

Knowing Oneness

If I could be granted the fulfillment of one wish it would be that all humans would know their oneness in Christ, and through this, their oneness with everything that exists. Quite possibly other things spring to mind... Continue Reading »

Why Pray

As the firstborn child growing up in a seriously religious home I took my childhood religion seriously – in retrospect, far too seriously. Daily personal prayer was a stable part of my life for several decades until the... Continue Reading »