What are the best spirituality blogs?

[13zebras]

While I love Steve's blog, I'm looking for some with a more spiritual focus, preferably not focused on one faith. Who are some of the best bloggers in the spiritual world? You know, the quality stuff like Steve, not just random musings. The blogosphere is loaded with blogs, and I want to cut straight to the point, and I figure there are some knowledgeable people here to help. Thanks!.... Tom

[Erin Pavlina]

I've heard Steve's wife's blog is wonderful. She writes about topics related to spirituality, compassion, etc. She is not religious so there's none of that on her site. Check it out at Erin Pavlina - Spiritual Wisdom for Conscious People

[AndreaHess]

Here's a list of some I like:

Empowered Soul Blog (slight bias, this one's mine. I also just hosted a Blog Carnival with some awesome entries from all over the blogosphere. )
Shift Your Spirits
Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker
Urban Monk
Evolving Times

That should keep you busy and reading for a while!

[13zebras]

Andrea, Erin, thanks for the input. Don't worry, plugging your own blog is cool. I will be checking them all out and seeing what I like. Thanks!.... Tom

[Mags]

I subscribe to both Erin's and Andrea's blog. They stand head and shoulders above many others that I've looked at over the years. Their content is valuable, and they both have a wonderful loving energy and wisdom that emanates out of my computer screen when I read what they have written

[Terumoto]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

I've heard Steve's wife's blog is wonderful. She writes about topics related to spirituality, compassion, etc. She is not religious so there's none of that on her site. Check it out at Erin Pavlina - Spiritual Wisdom for Conscious People

Is humility no longer a virtue or something? -_-

[AndreaHess]

Thank you, Mags! I so appreciate the kind feedback!

[AndreaHess]

Humility is totally overrated. If we can't step into our own abilities and let our Light shine brightly and loudly, how can we make a difference in this world? I say, go Erin!

What's so virtuous about humility?

[Erin Pavlina]

I hope ya'll realize I was just being cute. I saw he was a first time poster. It's like walking into someone's party and saying, "Anyone know of any parties in town?"

[Terumoto]

Originally Posted by AndreaHess

Humility is totally overrated. If we can't step into our own abilities and let our Light shine brightly and loudly, how can we make a difference in this world? I say, go Erin!

What's so virtuous about humility?

Does everyone need to know about how great you are?

Perhaps while you're being bright and loud, it becomes harder to see and hear others, and easier to see and hear yourself. Perhaps while you're being bright and loud, you disturb somebody who was enjoying a bit of quietude or trying to appreciate the night sky.

You can make a difference in the world either way. Is it important to you that people recognize how good you are? Humility keeps good deeds and intentions truly good, and prevents them from being obscured by self-righteousness.

According to one of the most influential people in history, "all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." One of the other most influential people in history also taught that humility is a virtue. In fact, he liked the idea so much he gave up the bright, loud life of being a prince to hang around with and try to help average people.

I agree with you, though. You need to let your light shine brightly. You don't need to shine it into people's eyes and say "Hey, look at me, I am a wonderful, helpful person!" If you were wonderful and helpful, people lost in the dark would go "Hmm, that light looks pretty helpful, I think I'll follow it."

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

I hope ya'll realize I was just being cute. I saw he was a first time poster. It's like walking into someone's party and saying, "Anyone know of any parties in town?"

See, I don't think she was shining a light in anyone's eyes. She's not really like that.

[AndreaHess]

It's not about gaining admiration, or having people see "how good we are." What you're describing is someone who says "Look at my ability and Light - and you don't have that, therefore admire me." Totally not where I'm coming from.

By owning our abilities, our talents, our gifts, we encourage everyone else to do the same. I think that's very needed in the world! Just imagine if we all felt free to fully embrace all that we are, to totally step into our Divinity. That's the world I want to live in. Every one is an amazingly bright star.

I would never presume that someone should follow my Light. I think everyone should follow the Light that shines brightly within themselves.

Who are we not to acknowledge all that we are, all that we've been given? I'm a Divinely created being - and SO ARE YOU. How can we not revel in that, celebrate it for all it's worth? How does it serve to say "Oh no, I'm not that special, not that great." I say to that: "Yes, you are."

[AndreaHess]

Originally Posted by Terumoto

According to one of the most influential people in history, "all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." One of the other most influential people in history also taught that humility is a virtue. In fact, he liked the idea so much he gave up the bright, loud life of being a prince to hang around with and try to help average people.

Well, let's not take JC totally out of context - he was talking about the Pharisees, who were clearly putting themselves above others as authority figures. I'm not a fan of that sort of behavior, either.

Personally, I consider JC very loud and bright. Here's a guy who said "I am the light of the world" and "I am the resurrection and the life." And he was pretty public about it ...

[Terumoto]

It's just that having humility doesn't mean you have to wallow in self pity, have no confidence in your abilities, or be a victim of low self esteem. You can't deny that Jesus was humble, he was basically the embodiment of humility. For you to say humility is overrated, I feel that you should give humility more credit as a virtue.

You are special, so am I. So is everybody else that has ever existed. If you tell someone they're special, what if they misunderstand and really think *they* are somehow more special than others? Feeding people's egos is not the best way to help them reach a better state of mind.

[triplelight]

Umm... I think my blog is great. New, but great!

The Media Messiah

[TheFlyingMan]

Hey Andrea, thanks for recommending my blog - just noticed a few hits from this thread.

[Jacobm]

Yeah another vote for Urban Monk here!

And for a dose of "non-duality", check out Takuin Minamoto and also Kenton Whitman.

[eblight]

I looked up the word humble in an old dictionary. It is derived from the Latin word humus meaning ground. Then I thought about people in history and people I know who display humility and yes each one of them is a grounded person. They flow with life and have an ease about themselves. They are generous of spirit and generally speaking have a wide sphere of influence in whatever they do.

[Takuin Minamoto]

Originally Posted by 13zebras

Who are some of the best bloggers in the spiritual world?

Yeah another vote for Urban Monk here!

And for a dose of "non-duality", check out Takuin Minamoto and also Kenton Whitman.

I am glad to have made it on the list. I write as an expression of being, so it is not as if there is an expectation of a vast readership like Steve has grown over the years.

But it is always nice to know that others find value in what one writes.

Takuin Minamoto

P.S. Urbanmonk is a friend of mine. I'll be sure to let him know you are all talking about him. He will get a kick out of it.

[AndreaHess]

You are special, so am I. So is everybody else that has ever existed. If you tell someone they're special, what if they misunderstand and really think *they* are somehow more special than others? Feeding people's egos is not the best way to help them reach a better state of mind.

You know, I think most people are in no danger of thinking they are somehow "more special" than others, or better than others. Maybe I'm wrong here, and I don't have the arrogant cross-section of people in my life and clientele. I see people struggling to embrace their own unique gifts. I don't think it's feeding the ego to tell someone how beautiful and special they are. I think it's feeding their spirit.

Really, should we go around telling each other "you're not so special?" Why not celebrate how special and unique and beautiful each one of us is?

To me, there's a very happy place between arrogance and "look how great I am" and the kind of humility that says "I'm nothing special, I'm insignificant." That happy place if full ownership of all that we are, and appreciation of all that everyone around us is, also.

[Terumoto]

Originally Posted by AndreaHess

You know, I think most people are in no danger of thinking they are somehow "more special" than others, or better than others. Maybe I'm wrong here, and I don't have the arrogant cross-section of people in my life and clientele. I see people struggling to embrace their own unique gifts. I don't think it's feeding the ego to tell someone how beautiful and special they are. I think it's feeding their spirit.

Really, should we go around telling each other "you're not so special?" Why not celebrate how special and unique and beautiful each one of us is?

If everyone is special, then nobody is special. Being special ceases to actually be special. If people are told "you're special, just like everyone else," it's like it's just a trick to make them superficially feel better about themselves. I think I see what you're saying though, it's just the use of the word "special" that I don't agree with. There would be no harm in people realizing or being told that they as well as everyone else are beautiful, perfect, unique etc.

Originally Posted by AndreaHess

To me, there's a very happy place between arrogance and "look how great I am" and the kind of humility that says "I'm nothing special, I'm insignificant." That happy place if full ownership of all that we are, and appreciation of all that everyone around us is, also.

I agree, except I have a question. Who is it that owns all that you are?

[MartialDev]

Meditation Articles — Martial Development

[hunt0715]

I agree that Urbanmonk.net is one of the best. I always check his Alexa rank and he is moving, moving up.

Missing Vegas

Jennifer Hunt