Episode 58: Science, Religion, Spiritual Bypass, & Why We Want to Believe in Something

This week’s episode of the podcast came about after an impromptu rant by Cayly recounting her spiritual trajectory thus far in her life and her admission that she feels a little bit lost right now with regard to what she believes.

In this conversation, Tracey and Cayly ask the question:  Why do we want to believe in something? They both explore their spiritual and religious histories, including Cayly’s journey from Mormonism to atheism to Buddhism, and Tracey’s path from pop culture Christianity to Paganism and humanism as an adult.

This discussion also touches on the law of attraction, manifestation, and some of the problems Tracey and Cayly see with new age spirituality, including a failure to acknowledge the important role of privilege and systemic oppression.

This is an honest, open, vulnerable conversation, and Tracey and Cayly hope it serves as an example of how much they are continuing to grow and in evolve in their lives over time.

As always, if you love the episode, please consider leaving the show a 5-star rating or review in iTunes. Tracey and Cayly are trying to grow their audience right now in the hopes that they can keep the show going, so please help them out by taking two minutes to rate them. They would really appreciate it!

- Tracey and Cayly’s own spiritual trajectories

- Episode 57 & does any one thing have all the answers?

- Is there anything from Cayly’s background in Mormonism that still resonates?

- Spiritual bypass (http://robertmasters.com/writings/spiritual-bypassing/) and law of attraction, and Cayly’s concerns about these approaches

- What is the role of privilege, bias, and luck in our belief systems?

- On passive vs. active spirituality

- The role of materialism in new age spirituality

- Is there truth in the law of attraction?

- Can science become dogmatic?

- Why do we want to believe in something? Why is the unknown so uncomfortable?

- How believing in something can help us feel connected and why Cayly has been feeling disconnected lately

- The importance of ritual for both Tracey and Cayly, and why you don’t have to buy in 100% to benefit from a spiritual approach

- How visualization can be helpful

- Is it okay to have some absurd beliefs? When can absurd beliefs become dangerous?

- Have we offended you? Let us know! Please!

- And more!

Piquing Our Curiosity:

Shipwreck (https://www.instagram.com/shipwreckportland/), a vintage shop in Portland, with a fabulous collection of both new items and vintage items, wonderfully curated by the lovely owner, Marcy. I LOVE this shop and highly recommend checking it out. Find them online here (https://www.facebook.com/Shipwreck-827197044091414/) or here (https://www.instagram.com/shipwreckportland/).