Eckhart Tolle: Pain Bodies and Other Goodies

Dennis mentioned in a comment how much he appreciated Eckhart Tolle.  Here are a couple of videos Dennis recommended:

Pain Bodies





Drama vs the Now




Not Reacting to Content

Idiots in the Pulpit: You Too Can Be Supernatural For $35.00

When God Becomes A Drug: Breaking the Chains of Religious Addiction and Abuse

Taken from When God Becomes A Drug by Leo Booth.

SYMPTOMS OF RELIGIOUS ADDICTION

Inability to think, doubt, or question information or authority

Black-and-white, simplistic thinking

Shame-based belief that you aren't good enough, or you aren't "doing it right"

Magical thinking that God will fix you

Scrupulosity; rigid, obsessive adherence to rules, codes of ethics, or guidelines

Uncompromising, judgmental attitudes

Compulsive praying, going to church or crusades, quoting scripture

Unrealistic financial contributions

Believing that sex is dirty -- that our bodies and physical pleasures are evil

Compulsive eating or excessive fasting

Conflict with science, medicine, and [secular] education

Progressive detachment from the real world, isolation, breakdown of relationships

Psychosomatic illness: sleeplessness, back pains, headaches, hypertension

Manipulating scripture or texts, feeling chosen, claiming to receive special messages from God

Trance like state or religious high, wearing a glazed happy face

Cries for help; mental, emotional, physical breakdown; hospitalization

PROGRESSION OF RELIGIOUS ADDICTION EARLY STAGE:

• *Ordinary religious or spiritual lifestyle
• Using Bible to calm nerves
• Excessive church-going / Bible study
• Praying before attending functions
• Church / Bible becomes greater focal point
• Using church / Bible / prayer to avoid problems
• Black-and-white thinking increases
• Missing family gatherings or work because of religious functions
• Compulsively thinking about or quoting scripture
• Preoccupation with church / Bible study
• Thinking only of church

LOSS OF CONTROL PHASE
MIDDLE STAGE:

• Rationalization begins
• Secret irritation when religious practices discussed or criticized
• Increased use of church / Bible / prayer to avoid problems
• Thinking world / body evil
• Compulsive church attendance and scripture quoting
• Church attendance bolstered by excuses
• Obsessive praying, church-going, crusades, proselytizing
• Loss of other interests
• Excessive financial contributions / tithing
• Obsession with church / religion / preacher(s)
• Increasing dependence on religion
• Sexuality is perceived as dirty
• Feel guilt when missing church functions
• Excessive fasting / eating disorder
• Refuse to think critically / doubt / question information or authority
• Efforts to control church-going fail
• Isolation from people
• Unable to sensibly discuss religious issues
• Non-religious family and friends judged or avoided
• Brainwashing: family and friends
• Grandiose and aggressive behavior
• Conflict with school or work
• Loss of job
• Money problems

LATE STAGE:

• Radical deterioration of relationships
• Preaching that sex is dirty
• Sexual compulsive / obsessive behavior; sexual acting out
• Unreasonable resentment(s)
• Physical and mental deterioration
• Powerlessness
• Lengthy crusades / mission work / communes
• Loss of family / friends
• "Messages" from God
• Unable to make decisions
• Trances/stares
• Complete abandonment
• Isolation
• Physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion
• Psychiatric assistance
• Hospitalization