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Articles by Larry Jordan
Letter: NY-21’s choice: America’s direction and Congress’s duty
As conflict spreads around the world, America is retreating from its traditional role as a global leader and embracing an increasingly nationalistic approach to foreign affairs. U.S. policy is moving closer to some of Vladimir Putin’s objectives while distancing us from longstanding European allies. Even Canada, our closest neighbor and longtime friend, is now treated as a trade adversary. These developments should concern voters, not just during presidential elections.
Today, I Take More Time for Self-Care
Today, I take more time for self-care. And the single-minded banker who funded schools and streets 25 years ago would not recognize the pony-tailed beachcomber who writes spiritual books. The single-minded banker who funded schools and streets 25 years ago would barely recognize the pony-tailed beachcomber who writes spiritual books today.
The Golden Rule Demands More than We Think
Everyone is related, and everything is connected. That sets a high standard for us. Many traditions, including Christianity, do NOT only concern us and our relations with our families and friends. So we should NOT only treat others as they treated us. And we should NOT only share a small portion of our abundance with others. If you suffered in life and want other people to suffer, too, because ‘you turned out fine,’ you did NOT, in fact, turn out fine.
A Zen Koan Hits the Bullseye
Do you welcome the “embrace of not knowing”? Not knowing is most intimate. So Dizang then asked, “What is the purpose of pilgrimage?” Fayan replied, “I don’t know.” Image from Gemini/AI-generated, in the public domain A koan is a paradoxical question, statement or story intended to prompt a spiritual awakening by bypassing ordinary logic or reasoning. Once, I joined an online event at a Zen center. Many people attend these events, and they can be relatively anonymous.
Why I Practice in Many Spiritual Traditions, Not Just One
Interspirituality helps me to experience our interconnectedness. It broadens and deepens my spirituality. And it introduces me to many wonderful spiritual communities and spiritual people. Stupa of Enlightenment in Crestone, Colorado. Image by the author Reflections on Interspirituality Recently, I had the opportunity to share at the Center for Non-Religious Spirituality (CNRS) Sunday Morning Community Hour. Jim Palmer, who wrote the foreword to The Way, founded CNRS.
Reflections on My Religious Deconstruction
Beliefs are NOT real. They are speculations, abstract and conceptual words attempting to describe what is real. Recently, I had the opportunity to share at the Center for Non-Religious Spirituality (CNRS) Sunday Morning Community Hour. Jim Palmer, who wrote the foreword to The Way, founded CNRS. The Community Hour is a non-religious space to pause, reflect, reconnect and explore what it means to live well in a changing world.
Narcissism, Apologetics and Evangelism
Healthy interfaith dialogue is NOT based on evangelism. We should meet people where they are and speak each other’s languages. We should NOT feel superior or privilege our own traditions. As people leave Christianity for other religions, secular pursuits or the “spiritual, but not religious” fold, Christians will encounter non-Christians (including former Christians) more often. Ideally, we need to meet people where they are and speak each other’s languages. We can NOT remain in our own bubbles.
Creationism, Miracles and the Death of Expertise
Are faith and science compatible? Certainly, they can be compatible. But if we accept religious claims without ANY corroborating evidence (and despite ANY evidence to the contrary, no matter how compelling or credible), how will we progress as a society? According to the Gallup Polls, 40% of Americans believe in creationism. But scientists agree that evolution is settled science. Image from Gemini/AI-generated, in the public domain I wrote about heaven here, and I asked several clarifying questions.
Does Hell Exist? “Hell, No!!” What About Heaven?
When someone asked progressive firebrand Bishop John Shelby Spong if hell exists, he reportedly exclaimed, “Hell, no!!” Death is almost certainly our greatest fear, our most fundamental anxiety. So, we are eager to embrace any belief system that promises that we can conquer death and experience eternal life. We are eager to embrace any belief system that promises that we can conquer death and experience eternal life.
Could We Drop Some Beliefs if It Required Dropping Others?
There are aspects of many religions that puzzle outsiders. One said, “There sure is some crazy stuff in that religion!!” The other replied, “There is some crazy stuff in our religion too!!” Image by ChatGPT/AI-generated, in the public domain A few years ago, I attended a live performance of “The Book of Mormon,” an award-winning musical comedy that satirizes the religion of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For most, the musical was affectionate and funny.
Do UAPs/UFOs Undermine Christian Theology?
Does Christian theology make sense in the modern world? What if Earth is NOT the center of the universe and human beings are NOT the only intelligent beings? Would aliens think that our religions and our gods are tribal myths? Why would aliens hate our religions or fear our gods? Image from Gemini/AI-generated, in the public domain Recently, I watched “The Age of Disclosure,” a 2025 documentary film about Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP).
I Lost My Anger When I Stopped Taking My “Self” So Seriously
We act with compassion when we depersonalize things. What I call my “self” is an impersonation of myself, a construct arising from chemistry, conditioning and connections. I am not my body or my brain, nor my actions, my thoughts or my words. Image from Gemini/AI-generated, in the public domain I wrote about anger here. I wrote that Christianity has become the religion of empire. Many people who taught us their beliefs did NOT do the homework. Some of us stayed in church too long.
Anger is a Common, But Difficult, Aspect of Deconstruction
Anger often accompanies faith deconstruction. Some people who think that “God is on my side,” citing their scriptures or traditions, can become angry and unkind, and they often will express it. Almost everyone who deconstructs their faith has received angry responses from family, friends and strangers. And some people who deconstruct their faith can become angry and unkind, too. Almost everyone who deconstructs their faith has received angry responses from family, friends and strangers.
We Are All Atheists. We Are All Agnostics.
Because there is no irrefutable evidence for the existence or the nonexistence of God, there are two types of people. Some people will admit that they can not know whether God exists or not, and other people will NOT admit that they can not know whether God exists or not. We think we “know” because we believe. All religion is cultural. All theology is speculation. “There have been nearly 3,000 Gods so far, but only yours actually exists. The others are silly, made-up nonsense. But not yours.
Atheist or Theist: Are There Only Two Choices?
Binary thinking is usually simplistic thinking. Most attributes are NOT binary; they are arrayed on a spectrum. And many political and religious issues are NOT simple; they are complex. Complex, nuanced thinking often serves us well. But binary, dualistic thinking seldom serves us well. Image from Gemini/AI-generated, in the public domain According to AI, the neurodivergent spectrum encompasses natural variations in how we all process information.
Does Individualism Promote the Greater Good?
In The Way, I wrote that theology has teeth. Can a politics of personal responsibility and a theology of personal salvation produce a society that works for all (not just some) of us? I wrote about communal and individual spirituality here: “We profess an explicitly capitalistic, competitive, dog-eat-dog, ‘every man for himself’ mentality in the West. This has NOT equipped us to avoid climate change, global pandemics or nuclear wars.
Is Our Spirituality Communal or Individual?
Here, I take swings at sacred cows. I suspect that more sacred cows were harmed in the writing of this article than in any other article. I write a lot about Christianity and the Western worldview, and they have become increasingly problematic for me. Also, I write a lot about Zen and the Eastern worldview, and they have NOT. These splits between individual, next-life movements and communal, social justice movements are parallel developments in the Eastern and Western traditions.
How Could Christianity be Different?
Christians can no longer plead ignorance. And Christians’ reluctance to listen will only hasten the church’s decline. Those of us who left have been crystal clear about why we left. Christianity looks very different from the “outside-looking-in.” Image from Gemini/AI-generated, in the public domain From the “Outside-Looking-In” I spent over 50 years as a Christian, first as a Roman Catholic and then as a Protestant.
Is Christianity Doctrinal, Exclusive and Evangelical?
As a preface to my last article, I wrote that Christianity focuses more on beliefs than practices, compared to most traditions. I say this all of the time, but this time, readers responded to it. Colonizers imposed Western cultural norms, as well as Western languages and symbols. Image from Gemini/AI-generated This post prompted some really interesting and insightful comments. Several readers thought that the most important consideration is NOT beliefs or practices, but how we show up for others.
Being Altogether Here, Present to Life
We try to balance our spiritual life and our spiritual practice. When we do that, we are really exploring how best to love our neighbors as ourselves, how best to be present to life. I wrote about consciousness here. In the article, I quoted author Michael Pollan.
Is Connection the Fundamental Force of the Universe?
The Western worldview is anthropomorphic and dualistic and individualistic. Our ideas about Ultimate Reality can be problematic. And our ideas about relationships can be problematic, too. However, the Eastern worldview is NOT anthropomorphic or dualistic or individualistic. Everyone is related, and everything is connected, according to the Eastern religions, the mystics, and the scientists.
What Does Consciousness Have to Do with Spirituality?
Consciousness is certainly one of the most challenging and interesting topics that I have encountered in my spiritual journey. Perhaps Ultimate Reality (God) is the mind of the Universe. In my writing, Ultimate Reality is probably NOT personal, possibly NOT supernatural, and perhaps NOT even intentional. I use this neutral term to describe the “ground of being,” NOT a being, and there is nothing “woo woo” about it.
Can We Choose NOT to Live in Anger and Fear?
When we choose NOT to live in anger and fear, we will experience more joy and less suffering in our lives. And we will introduce less pain to other people’s lives. Recently, I had a conversation with a good friend in the deconstruction community. He described how he overcame his fear of leaving church. Although I had never focused on overcoming my fear, I realized that my story required overcoming fear, too. Many of us live in fear of death or hell or loss of some kind. Is there a hell?
What Does “Faith” Mean in Non-Religious Spirituality?
Many Christians do NOT understand non-religious spirituality. Christianity focuses on beliefs, and its beliefs focus on a personal God. But most religious and non-religious traditions focus on practices (orthopraxy) more than beliefs (orthodoxy), and they may NOT believe in God. Spirituality, broadly defined, involves the connection to something greater, which is NOT necessarily personal, supernatural or intentional.
Our Questions Often Presuppose Our Beliefs
How did the Universe begin? How did life begin? How did sentience begin? How did the Universe begin? How did life begin? How did sentience begin? Image from vecteezy/Pisut Tardging I wrestle with many spiritual questions. Often, I encounter mystery, paradox and uncertainty, rather than “solid” answers. Sometimes, I change my mind. Changing our minds can be helpful, even necessary, as we gain more life experience and encounter different perspectives.
Who is “Us”? Rethinking Church in a Multicultural Society
Real spirituality is embodied—right here and right now. Real spirituality is embodied. Otherwise, it is merely an intellectual exercise. Image from StockCake/In the public domain I wrote about the false presumption of “normalcy” here. Some small corners of the world might look mostly Christian, middle-class, or white. Globally, we are NOT predominantly Christian, middle-class or white. We never were. We never will be.
Who Is “Us”? Rethinking Community in a Changing America
Can we build a community that works for ALL of us? Will we erect bigger tables or higher walls for our new neighbors? Image from StockCake/In the public domain One of my friends was venting about the “woke” media. “How come we see so many gay people, Muslims, non-white people and poor people every time we turn on the TV or watch a movie?! Why don’t we just see regular people anymore?” “That’s easy,” I replied.
At 68, Death Made Me More Alive: A Zen Reflection
Don’t Fear the Reaper A glimpse of mortality can bring attention and presence to our lives. At age 68, death is present to me in a way that it was NOT present only a few years ago. Zen teacher John Tarrant tells a touching story about Issan Dorsey, seen by some as a “Zen saint,” who ministered to people with HIV until he himself died from complications linked to AIDS: “A friend was helping him come back from the bathroom. They paused on the first-floor landing.
My Actual, Mortal Life is a Remarkable Gift
My actual life is ephemeral, finite and fleeting. That’s the point. That’s why it’s meaningful, precious and worthwhile. The Buddhists realize that pain and suffering are NOT the same thing. That is, pain is universal and unavoidable. Suffering arises from craving, notably longings or regrets about the past and hopes and fears about the future. So I do NOT need to imagine a future, eternal life. To me, it’s a distracting speculation that pulls me out of the here and now.
How Can We Understand Transcendent Experiences?
Spirituality requires both curiosity and skepticism. I wrote about the dubious existence of souls here. In the article, I wondered why some people assume that near-death experiences (NDEs) prove that there is an afterlife. Seems like a stretch to me. There is NOT a way to know whether an NDE is the last thing we see when we die or the first thing we see when we reincarnate. I suspect it’s the former. But I can NOT know.
Are We Simply Stirred into the Cosmic Soup?
Eventually, I will fall asleep for the last time. It’s OK if I do NOT wake up one day. I am grateful for the 25,000-odd days (and some of them were very odd!) that I DID wake up. Do We Have Souls? I wrote about the different gods, religions, and scriptures that people have chosen to follow here. Assume that we were lucky to choose to worship the right god among 3,000 gods. Also, we chose to follow the right scripture among 1,700 books and the right religion among 10,000 religions.
What Happens When We Die?
Many people are concerned about existential questions. Maybe the metacrisis and the threats of climate change, global pandemics and nuclear wars are upsetting people. (No wonder. Me, too.) In Buddhism generally, and in Zen specifically, there is NOT much emphasis on speculative questions about the existence of God, the meaning of life or the possibility of an afterlife. Regardless, these questions increasingly arise in my circles, both religious and secular.
Guest Column: A Moment of Clarity by Kevin Curnutt
There is Oneness beyond the apparent separation of good or bad, right or wrong. Today, I am reprinting an article from my good friend, Kevin Curnutt with his permission. Kevin is an author and a modern-day mystic. And he wrote a book, From Horror to Transcendence. There is an inner sanctuary, and it is available to all of us.
One Person Listened. One Life was Saved.
Meaningful spiritual practice is embodied. A Zen teacher told me that the biggest obstacle to Zen practice is “time travel.” So, are we here now, or are we distracted by past regrets or future fears? Recently, I wrote about attention here. And are we paying attention to the people around us, or are we distracted by self-centered navel-gazing or baseless, theoretical speculation? Are we paying attention to interconnectedness? And are we experiencing it? Are we observing it? And are we embodying it?
Pay Attention. Look For The Helpers. Be A Helper.
There is NOT necessarily anything woo-woo about transcendence. Recently, I read about the 80/20 rule of communication, which suggests that we should spend 80% of our time listening and 20% of our time talking. And a Zen teacher reinforced this lesson when he challenged me to pay attention to the everyday interactions in my daily life.
How Do We Recover Our Sense Of Transcendence?
Do we create our gods, or do our gods create us? In The Way, I write that most traditions recognize that there are two (not three) aspects of God. And these aspects correspond to the immanent and the transcendent. Thus, Swami Abhayananda, a Hindu sage, realized that there is a binitarian concept of God that is common to most religions. How do we restore our respect for our common heritage, our entangled destinies, and our essential Oneness?
Is It A Good Or Bad Thing If The Church Fails As An Institution?
Is it a good or bad thing if the church fails as an institution? Churchgoing is NOT a virtue, and it is NOT essential to loving our neighbors. Image from StockCake/in the public domain In my last column, I challenged the myth of the resurgence of religion. Recently, Ryan Burge, whom I quoted here, posted about the predominance of Baby Boomers in churches: “I think people fundamentally misunderstand the demographic oddity of the Baby Boom generation in American religion. ‘Oh, it’s fine.
Has Church Become The Last Stronghold Of Political Conservatism?
Has church become the last stronghold of political conservatism? If so, why is that a good thing, and what does that have to do with loving our neighbors as ourselves? What are the implications for a pluralistic, secular society when (for example) anti-semitic, homophobic, Islamophobic or misogynistic views, which are rightly discouraged in the public square, are actively encouraged in conservative churches? Has church become an agent of change or an obstacle to progress?
Do You Know 100 People Who Were Transformed By Spirituality?
I can think of many instances when the church divided people. I can think of a few instances when the church transformed people. So what is the point? Can you explain it? Me, neither. What does church look like if all are welcome, even if they do not believe everything that we believe? Image generated by AI, in the public domain Recently, I attended a Zoom meeting with philosopher John D. Caputo.
There Are Many Ways To Feel Connected To Something Larger
There are many ways to feel connected to something larger than ourselves. Many of them do NOT involve religion, such as art or nature; brain stimulations or hallucinogenic drugs; community or service; devotion or ritual; knowledge or wisdom; and meditation or prayer. “Transcenders” are typically more holistic, more intimate, more loving, and more natural.
Is Bad Theology Responsible For The Metacrisis?
Is it possible to resolve the metacrisis? I don’t know if it’s possible, but it’s necessary. There is no other way forward, and it requires big changes, starting with a major retooling of our bad theology.
There Are Many Advantages To Faith Deconstruction
There are many advantages to faith deconstruction. Often, we experience or observe some of the disadvantages, such as anger, denial and depression. But for those who can navigate the process, many people who leave church can find connection, joy, meaning and service outside of church. People who leave church find connection, joy, meaning and service outside of church. Image from StockCake/AI-generated, in the public domain The process of deconstructing our beliefs can be difficult.
Is God Or The Universe Intentional?
Is God or the Universe intentional? Like a song or a sunset, we can be awed by relational, but impersonal, experiences that connect us to the Whole. Last week, I wrote about a spirituality that is relational, but impersonal, here. When we are wrapped in a blanket or a hug, we can feel like we are “woven into the fabric of the Universe.” Image from StockCake/AI-generated, in the public domain Some believe that Ultimate Reality is benevolent. Beauty, goodness and truth are foundational.
What If Our Spirituality Is Like Our Connection To Music Or Nature?
What if our spirituality is like our connection to music or nature? Last week, I participated in a Zoom call at the Center for Non-Religious Spirituality (CNRS), which Jim Palmer founded. CNRS expanded its offerings recently. It is an engaging community with relevant and timely content. Danu Poyner facilitated the Zoom call. He is the founder of Grokkist, a learning community for curious and caring people who live outside the lines.
Why Would Anyone Spend A Week In Meditation?
According to Buddha, the three marks of existence are impermanence, no self and suffering. In my opinion, there is no better way to recognize these three attributes than to attend a sesshin. Modern society is increasingly coarse and contentious. For me, it helps to accept the three marks of existence, to acknowledge reality as it is, and to avoid clinging to our hopes and fears.
Free Speech, Harm, Privilege, And Truth
“Truth with a capital T” is universal. If we are having trouble convincing someone of our “truth,” then it is probably NOT “Truth with a capital T.” (Or maybe we are trying to have a conversation with someone who does NOT want to listen to us, even when we are speaking the Truth.) A good friend sent me this quote from writer Ernest Hemingway. And it highlights the common thread in whatever success I might have enjoyed as an investment banker and as a spiritual writer.
We Can Change Our Beliefs
We can weigh our beliefs against our evidence and experience. If some of our beliefs do NOT make sense, we can change our beliefs, much like we can paint over our art or write over our words. We can change our beliefs, much like we can paint over our art or write over our words. Image by Larry Jordan Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their accomplishments. They are afraid of being exposed as frauds, despite external evidence of their competence.
Fewer People Believe In Virgin Births And Physical Resurrections
Today, fewer people believe in virgin births and physical resurrections, which were common beliefs in many ancient religions. And many of us believe different things about the nature of God. So, if (or when) we find that our beliefs conflict with our reality, do we change our beliefs to conform to our reality? Changing our minds, when warranted, is a good thing. NOT a bad thing. Fewer people believe in virgin births and physical resurrections. Skeptics are NOT nay-sayers. They are critical thinkers.
Some People Struggle To Cultivate Meaningful Connections
Our society is increasingly divisive, individualistic and insensitive. And in this environment, some people struggle to cultivate meaningful connections and substantial relationships, especially people who used to find connections and relationships in church. I wrote about leaving church and finding community here. I wrote about leaving church and maintaining spiritual practices here. Since we left the church, we have more friends and deeper friendships.
Complex Issues Are Rarely Black-and-white
Complex issues are rarely black-and-white. Further, many seemingly straightforward issues are actually complex issues, riddled with ambiguities, exceptions and paradoxes. My Zen practice helps me to get along with people who see the world differently than I do. Generally, I avoid people looking for a fight, and I seek out people looking for common ground.
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