The Building 4th Podcast
Welcome to the Building 4th Podcast where we explore the Perennial Philosophy from various lenses including the psychological, theological, spiritual, conventional, and esoteric. Our points of emphasis include the Hebrew and Christian scriptures (including the non-canonical Christian texts), the Law of One material, the Enneagram, Process thought (ie Whitehead’s Philosophy of Organism) integral theory, and developmental psychology.
Episodes
12 hours ago
12 hours ago
The conversation in "Deconstruction, Reconstruction" presents a model of psychospiritual development that resonates with metamodernism, particularly its emphasis on navigating paradox and embracing complexity. The central analogy of moving from an "old room" of established beliefs to a "new room" of reconstructed understanding, through a chaotic "liminal space," mirrors the metamodern concept of oscillation. This process is triggered by a "shock" that disrupts our existing worldview, forcing us to confront the limitations of the "order box" of the old room. Liminal space, while painful and disorienting, is crucial for growth, as it allows for the dismantling of outdated structures and the emergence of new perspectives. The speakers emphasize that navigating this space requires embracing uncertainty and discomfort, resisting the urge to prematurely impose order.
Crucially, the transition to the new room hinges on cultivating "forgiveness, love, and understanding". This emphasis on compassion and empathy aligns with metamodernism's rejection of postmodern cynicism and its embrace of sincerity and hope. This reconstruction is not simply a return to a modified version of the old room; it represents a fundamental shift in consciousness, marked by a deeper integration of heart and mind, love and wisdom. This integration necessitates a willingness to act in accordance with this newfound understanding, even at the risk of being perceived as heretical.
Chris, a participant in the conversation, highlights the cyclical nature of this process, suggesting that reconstruction is not a final destination but rather a continuous process of "always entering new rooms," where each new understanding eventually becomes the "old room" ripe for future deconstruction. This ongoing evolution aligns with the metamodern view of reality as infinitely complex and the pursuit of knowledge as an endless journey. The poem read by Ashton emphasizes the importance of patience and trust in this process, acknowledging that growth unfolds gradually through "stages of instability and disorder". Ultimately, "Deconstruction, Reconstruction" suggests that psychospiritual development, from a metamodern perspective, involves a continuous dance between order and disorder, knowing and unknowing, ultimately driven by a compassionate engagement with the ever-unfolding mystery of existence.
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Trumping Trumpism Through Harvesting Fruit Amidst Thorns
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
In this thought-provoking episode, Doug Scott and RuDee delve into a rich dialogue exploring the complexities of human existence, the nature of spiritual growth, and the challenges of navigating a world filled with discord and division. Discussion includes a fresh perspective on how to critically engage with traditional belief systems and the importance of maintaining an open heart.
The conversation unfolds around the idea of "accompaniment" as a sacrament, emphasizing the need for a relational approach to life that respects the inherent value of every sentient being. The hosts discuss the significance of the Law of One and how it offers a lens through which to understand the spiritual journey and the collective challenges humanity faces.
Listeners are invited to reflect on personal experiences of transformation, the role of catalysts in spiritual growth, and the importance of remaining curious and engaged in the face of adversity. The episode also touches on the potential of technology and AI in shaping a more equitable future, highlighting the need for ethical considerations that prioritize the upliftment of the marginalized.
Join the hosts as they navigate the nuances of personal and collective evolution, offering insights into how individuals can contribute to a more harmonious world through understanding, patience, and active participation in the unfolding story of humanity.
Thursday Nov 07, 2024
Exploring Harvest: Insights from the Gospel of Thomas and the Law of One
Thursday Nov 07, 2024
Thursday Nov 07, 2024
Join us in this enlightening episode as we delve into the profound concept of "Harvest" through the lens of the Gospel of Thomas and the Law of One. Our discussion begins with an opening prayer, inviting listeners to connect with the confederation of planets in service to the one infinite creator. We explore how these ancient texts can provide psycho-spiritual education and offer fresh perspectives on the harvest theme.The conversation introduces Rudy and Leon, with Leon being hailed as our resident plant medicine guru. Together, we unpack parables from the Gospel of Thomas, exploring themes of vulnerability, innocence, and spiritual maturity. The discussion touches on the metaphorical aspects of being "naked" and living as "children" in fields not our own, with participants sharing insights into spiritual growth and self-awareness.We then explore the two harvests mentioned in the Law of One, focusing on the transition from third to fourth density. Our discussion highlights the challenges of embracing love and light, addressing themes of worthiness, guilt, and forgiveness. Participants share personal experiences and insights into the journey toward spiritual maturity and the joy of fourth density living.Concluding with reflections on community, joy, and the unfolding of perfection, this episode invites listeners to view their lives as part of the divine process. Join us in this journey of understanding and embracing the harvest, as we walk each other home in the spirit of unity and love.
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Trump’s “Trump” as Archetypal Personification of the Collective Bellicosity Thoughtform
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Carys joins Doug from England to discuss how the US election is an opportunity for Americans to look in the mirror and really ask ourselves, "Who are you?" "What do you want?" "What is your sacred yes?"
Other topics include:
efficiently processing bellicosity in our own lives is a type of service to others
The Collective Thoughtform of Bellicosity, or what Doug calls, "The Great BASH," is a type of psychospirital sentient being that was created, and has been nourished, by Earth's 3rd Density spacetime planetary entity, whose consciousness membrane is the noosphere.
Thursday Oct 24, 2024
Embracing the Emerging Fourth Density: Conversations on Healing, Growth, and Love
Thursday Oct 24, 2024
Thursday Oct 24, 2024
In this insightful episode, join the Building 4th Community Fred and a as they delve into the concept of the emerging Fourth Density and its impact on our world. The discussion kicks off with Fred sharing his unique perspective on how Fourth Density is manifesting through various societal and personal transformations. He highlights the importance of recognizing our collective pain as a step towards healing, emphasizing the idea of "no reveal, no heal."
The conversation then transitions into a rich dialogue about the Law of One and the subtle yet pervasive energy of the green ray. Participants share personal experiences of witnessing and engaging with Fourth Density energies in their daily lives, from college ministry work to personal spiritual practices. They explore themes of playfulness, joy, and the power of love and compassion amidst the chaos of the world.
Listeners will be moved by stories of transformation and the call to be a channel of love and healing. The episode concludes with a poignant reflection on the interconnectedness of creation and the role each individual plays in the ongoing unfolding of a new way of being.
Tune in to be inspired by the collective wisdom and hopeful visions shared by this group, as they navigate the complexities of personal growth and societal change in the light of Fourth Density.
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
My Spiritual “Pops,” Richard Rohr
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
In this deeply introspective episode, the host shares a transformative journey alongside the esteemed spiritual teacher, Richard Rohr. The episode explores the profound impact that Rohr's teachings have had on the host's life, shaping his spiritual path and professional work as a therapist.
The episode begins with a recount of how Doug first encountered Rohr's work during a time of personal crisis, leading to a lifelong journey of spiritual discovery and understanding. The host reflects on the depth of Rohr's teachings, particularly the concepts of unity, love, light, and joy, and how these have been pivotal in his own spiritual evolution.
The host shares a personal narrative of meeting Richard Rohr and the mentorship that followed, which has inspired the development of the SH!PS approach—a therapeutic method emphasizing solidarity, hope, interview, process, and service. This approach aims to foster deeper connections and catalyze personal transformation, drawing from the foundational principles found in Rohr's work.
Listeners are also introduced to the host's unique cosmic vocation, exploring the intersection of spirituality and the paranormal, including topics like UFOs and near-death experiences. The host candidly shares his belief in the potential for a broader cosmic reality, encouraging listeners to embrace a more expansive understanding of existence.
This episode offers an intimate glimpse into the host's journey, inviting listeners to explore their own spiritual paths and to find courage in pursuing their unique callings. Through the lens of Richard Rohr's teachings, the episode seeks to inspire a deeper exploration of faith, unity, and the interconnectedness of all things.
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Demystifying the Pyramid: Adept Work and Becoming Portable Pyramids Serving Others
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
In this captivating episode, we delve into the enigmatic world of pyramids through the lens of the Law of One material, focusing particularly on the teachings of Ra. Our discussion centers around the intricate design and profound purpose of the pyramids, especially the Pyramid of Giza, as tools for healing and initiation.The episode kicks off with a guided visualization that places listeners inside a pyramid, setting the stage for an exploration of the chakra system in relation to pyramid energy. We examine how these ancient structures were used to channel and distribute light and energy, aiding in both physical and spiritual healing. The conversation touches upon the different chambers within the pyramid, their esoteric functions, and how they align with the human energy system.Listeners will gain insights into the role of the Queen's Chamber for initiation and mental healing, the King's Chamber for physical healing, and the resonating chamber for advanced adept work. We also discuss the concept of humans as portable pyramids, capable of harnessing and distributing healing energy in their everyday lives.The episode is rich with interpretations and personal reflections on how modern spiritual practices and psychological techniques can align with these ancient teachings. Whether you're a seasoned spiritual seeker or new to the esoteric world, this episode offers a compelling blend of ancient wisdom and contemporary insights.Join us as we uncover the layers of mystery surrounding the pyramids and explore how we can embody their healing power in our own lives.
Sunday Sep 08, 2024
Synchronicities: Stories and Meaning
Sunday Sep 08, 2024
Sunday Sep 08, 2024
The Building 4th community shares stories of amazing synchronicities. Ways to understanding understand the meaning of synchronicities from the Ra Material and sound psychological footing are discussed.
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Practicing Metamodern Spirituality with Doug Scott: The SH!PS Approach
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
In this episode, we are joined by Doug Scott, LCSW, MA, an experienced therapist and counselor based in Dallas, Texas, who has a deep interest in the intersection of psychology and spirituality; and Brendan Graham Dempsey, a writer, poet, farmer, and the director of Sky Meadow Institute, an organization dedicated to promoting systems-based thinking about the things that matter most. (see below for more information on Brendan).
Doug shares insights from his private practice and his master's degree in pastoral ministry, focusing particularly on how metamodern spirituality can facilitate positive change in the world.
Doug introduces the SH!PS Approach, a conceptual and practical framework designed to help individuals navigate their spiritual and psychological journeys. The acronym SH!PS stands for Solidarity, Hope, Interview, Process, and Service, with each component playing a crucial role in fostering meaningful transformation and connection.
The discussion explores Doug's fascinating background, including his early years in Saudi Arabia, time in Nicaragua with the Capuchin Franciscans, and his education at Boston College. He also delves into the importance of relational connection, self-awareness, and the transformative power of loving service.
Tune in to learn more about Doug's innovative tools and how they can be applied to enhance personal growth, build solidarity, and cultivate hope. Whether you're interested in psychology, spirituality, or the intersections of the two, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to deepen their understanding and practice of metamodern spirituality.
For more information, you can visit Doug's websites at www.dougscottcounseling.com and www.cosmicchrist.net ----
Brendan Graham Dempsey is a writer, poet, farmer, and the director of Sky Meadow Institute, an organization dedicated to promoting systems-based thinking about the things that matter most.
He holds a BA in religious studies from the University of Vermont and a master's in religion and art from Yale University. He is the author of the 7-volume Metamodern Spirituality Series and, most recently, Metamodernism: Or, The Cultural Logic of Cultural Logics.
His primary interests include theorizing developments in culture after postmodernism, productively bridging the divide between science and spirituality, and developing sustainable systems for life to flourish. All of these lead through the paradigms of emergence and complexity, which inform all of his work.
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Ra Material’s "Heart of Evolution of Spirit": Unity, Love, Light, and Joy
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Doug leads a discussion in the Building 4th group about one of the most pivotal points in the Ra Material. Doug explores the following quote from an accessible perspective that is simultaneously conventional and cosmic.
52.11 Questioner: [...] from the point of view of an individual who wishes to follow the service-to-others path from our present position in third density, is there anything of importance other than disciplines of personality, knowledge of self, and strengthening of will?
Ra: I am Ra. This is technique. This is not the heart. Let us examine the heart of evolution.Let us remember that we are all one. This is the great learning/teaching. In this unity lies love. This is a great learn/teaching. In this unity lies light. This is the fundamental teaching of all planes of existence in materialization. Unity, love, light, and joy; this is the heart of evolution of the spirit.The second-ranking lessons are learn/taught in meditation and in service. At some point the mind/body/spirit complex is so smoothly activated and balanced by these central thoughts or distortions that the techniques you have mentioned become quite significant. However, the universe, its mystery unbroken, is one. Always begin and end in the Creator, not in technique.
Our Vision
Ra says, “The Original Desire is that all entities seek and become one” (20.27). The “oneing” arises across ever increasing complexity. Complexification is evolution, and evolution is gained “by the losing,” as Ra mentions in 93.24.
It is sometimes said that there are three boxes that lead to evolution: Order, Disorder, and Reorder. Individually and collectively, we have to a sense of ‘order’ so that we develop identity. Then, we have to go through ‘disorder’ so that the experience the expansion and transformation of our ‘order’ gave us. We arrive at ‘reorder,’ but not after considerable deconstruction. In a world whose sense-making worldviews and institutions are thoroughly in disorder, how can we hold the depth of meaning so that we live into new spaces of inner and collective freedom? Our podcast hopes to be a small voice in the desert (disorder) which attempts to integrate, not segregate; unite diversity, not demand uniformity; include the pieces of disorder so that we may transcend into reconstructing–reconciling–reordering–renewing–the ever ancient, and ever new.
Building 4th is the name of our small spiritual community that is centered around the cosmic law known as the Law of One.
What does “Building 4th” mean? [see below for further descriptions of each of these four points]
- Building the Fourth Density [1]
- Building the Fourth Energy Center [2]
- Building the Fourth Way [3]
- Building Forth On Our Spiritual Evolution [4]
Building 4th’s Fourth Way is to embrace an incarnational spirituality grounded in the immediacy of our life-situations.
- We seek to learn in order to serve: We affirm that whenever we study the Law of One or other spiritual material, whether on our own or as a group, this is for the purpose of crystallizing our spiritual principles and learning how to embody them.
- The mundane is sacred: We affirm that there is no separation between the ordinary world and divinity. For example, doing dishes is an act of the Creator knowing Itself and can be supremely sacred.
- Love is our metric: We affirm that any teaching or belief, whether conventional or esoteric, is valued by how well it helps us love and understand ourselves and others, including those others whom we perceive to be different or even antagonistic.
- The way down is the way up: We affirm that our ordinary lives are rich in opportunities to grow spiritually. We try to bring our full presence and open heart to each moment, even–and especially–the difficult ones. We are learning that there is no escaping the conditions that foster our personal growth and therefore our goal is to embrace each challenge wherever we discern that it is safe and appropriate to do so. And even in dangerous, unsafe situations, we want to hold the assurance that the creator’s love is with us and we are immortal spiritual beings. In short, the ascension process is not a journey up and out of this difficult third-density illusion, but rather a movement down and into it more.
- The importance of humility: Ra suggests that to become the creator, “[…]renders one the most humble servant of all, transparent in personality and able to know and accept others.” We trust that our understanding is ever evolving, thus we try to hold our own views and various identities with humility. We acknowledge that admitting we don’t know fully requires some level of vulnerability and this can be uncomfortable.
We are inspired by the perennial philosophy that undergirds most of the world’s major spiritual traditions. For us, one primary description of the perennial philosophy is the Law of One material.
We are also informed by the academic disciplines of psychology, sociology, and theology, as we endeavor to weave a healthy synthesis between the conventional and the cosmic, the exoteric and the esoteric, and micro and the macro [4].
We hope that you enter the adventure with us and that you’ll enjoy our podcast.