Spiritual Progressivism and the Healing of the World
 
Amidst the dueling dualities of scientific materialism and religious fundamentalism, an evolutionary new spiritual order is emerging, one that recognizes that this world, not the next, is where the action is. Or, to quote Swami again, "Why don't we go for heaven on earth, just for the hell of it?" We do this by evolving from "children of God" to "adults of God," and recognizing philosopher Alan Watts' distinction: "The common error of ordinary spiritual practice is to mistake the symbol for the reality, to look at the finger pointing the way and then to suck it for comfort rather than follow it." In Judaism, there is the phrase Tikkun Olam, "repairing the world," that expresses this practical application of spiritual teaching. This week's guest, Rabbi Michael Lerner, is the founder of Tikkun magazine, and a leading weaver of spiritual tradition and the evolutionary notion of "we're all in it together." Please tune in for an inspiring discussion with this brilliant, heartful and committed activist / teacher.
 
Rabbi Michael Lerner is a political activist and spiritual leader who is Rabbi of Beyt Tikkun synogogue and editor of Tikkun Magazine: A Bimonthly Jewish Critique of Politics, Culture and Society. In 2003, North Atlantic Books published his book Healing Israel/Palestine, the first serious attempt to tell the story of the Middle East in a way that would be compassionate toward both Israelis and Palestinians, and critical of both sides as well. His most recent book is The Left Hand of God: Taking Our Country Back from the Religious Right and he is a co-founder of the Network of Spiritual Progressives. His work can be found online at http://www.tikkun.org