The Building 4th Podcast

Beatitudes and Mental Health

Doug Scott, LCSW, was invited by a Methodist pastor to give a sermon during the Sunday liturgy. Doug chose the Beatitudes and focused upon interpreting this beautiful but rarely unpacked Biblical story from the domain of mental health and becoming agents of wholeness in the world. 

[Part 3] Made In the Image, Growing In the Likeness

Mental Health counselors, Doug and Marie complete their three-part series on a deep dive into the Trinity.  This episode explores how healers are intentional participants of the divine desire to experience through creative expression. 

[Part 2] Made in the Image, Growing in the Likeness

Doug and Marie continue exploring how the Trinity unfolds in the human experience. This is part 2 of the series:
Made in the Image of God and Growing in the Likeness of God
Part 2: The Trinity and the Human Experience
A.Law of Three and the Veil of Forgetting
B.Skin of Human Suffering
C.The hidden seeds in the ground below the Contrast
The Seeds of Hope and the Flower of Joy
The Seeds of Anxiety and the Weed of Terror
D.Joy: gestalt of manifested wholeness

Exploring Meta-Modern Christianity: Bridging Tradition and Contemporary Spirituality

Doug and Matt begin by discussing Brendan Graham Dempsey's work on metamodern spirituality, and particularly metamodern Christianity. Matt highlights the differences between how Eastern and Western spiritual traditions have been adopted and critiqued within this framework, noting that Western Buddhism has been largely stripped of its cultural and cosmological context due to the nature of the modern colonial encounter out of which it arose. He contrasts this with Christianity, which he thinks is more challenging to separate from its cosmological and ritual elements. Matt praises Brendan's efforts to challenge Biblical literalism and explore a version of Christianity that aligns with contemporary scientific understanding. However, Matt expresses feeling somewhat constrained by Brendan's approach, suggesting there are other ways to interpret, for example, the Christ event, that respect scientific perspectives without being reductionistic or literalistic. Doug agrees on the importance of balancing esoteric and exoteric elements in spirituality, using an analogy of understanding a Lamborghini by both driving it and examining its engine. He appreciates Brendan's honest grappling with these spiritual issues but notes the need for incorporating rituals to ground spiritual practice. They both stress the significance of ritual in religious practice, not as mere metaphors but as enactments that transform consciousness. Matt argues that rituals help bridge the gap between our limited, individual perspectives and a more expansive, collective and even cosmic understanding. Doug adds that rituals lay the groundwork for collective human experience and help us connect with the deeper truths of existence. Doug also brings up the challenge of modern political discourse, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in political conversations. Matt agrees, suggesting that political engagement should be centered in the heart, aiming for persuasion rather than force. They both acknowledge the difficulty of navigating political polarization in an increasingly “post-liberal” era, but stress the importance of seeing the humanity in others and striving for a more compassionate and inclusive dialogue.

[Part 1] Made in the Image, Growing in the Likeness

This is the first of a three-part series entitled: Made in the Image, Growing in the Likeness.  This first part's title is: Being is Becoming: Why the Trinity is the Template of All Reality. 
Marie Woods:
Host of the "Everything You Need to Know in a Relationship" podcast and president/ founder of Life Above Foundation. In this enlightening episode, Marie and Doug discuss how the Trinity is the pattern for everything.
Doug Scott’s Bio
Doug Scott, LCSW, works as a mental health counselor in his private practice in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from college in 1997, he served as an international volunteer for two years in Bluefields, Nicaragua. This intense experience changed his life and he returned to the US to pursue graduate studies in clinical social work and pastoral ministry at Boston College. The nexus of spirituality and psychology have always intrigued Doug since childhood and he brings this sensibility to his counseling practice.
Doug Scott, LCSW, MA, grew up Catholic and was always drawn to the mystical lineage within this belief system. He had experiences with Jesus, Mary, and angels at an early age. His mystical inclinations have led him to seek the depth of things and teachers who inspire him, including: Richard Rohr, Cynthia Bourgeault, Ilia Delio, Teilhard de Chardin, Alfred North Whitehead, Jim Finley, and the lives of the Saints such as St. Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and Teresa of Lisieux.
Doug sees the Trinity in everything and everywhere.  He sees how the living pattern of the Trinity provides the power for evolution in biology, psychology, and spirituality. For him, the Trinity is the codeword or abbreviated name of God. What is the long version? Something like this:  The Who-ing, the Why-ing, and the How-ing of Eternal Becoming.
Finally, Doug felt called to develop an approach—a type of pedagogy—that attempts to identify the steps in transformation and how a counselor, spiritual director, or caregiver in any position can help someone else initiate and process through the path of wholeness-making.  This is the SH!PS Approach.   
Presentation Outline:
A. Law of Three
B. Aware-Consciousness Principle
C. Creative Principle
D. Pan-Experientialism
E. To Hold, To Heal, To Bless: Pan-Sacramentalism

Law of Three and the Two Paths of Dynamic Polarity in the Ra Material

Doug Scott, LCSW brings his experience of a mental health counselor in exploring what the Law of Three has to offer when try to understand how the Ra Material describes how following the positive ethical pole and the negative ethical pole are equally difficult in Earth's Third Density.  

Law of Three, Jesus Christ Event, and the Logos' Path of Development (w/ Dr. Matt Segall, PhD)

Doug Scott, LCSW, MA offers into a detailed presentation about his synthesis of various philosophical and mystical traditions, discussing the concept of cosmogenesis and the evolution of consciousness. He outlined how different forces interact to create new dimensions of being, referencing the Law of Three, Whitehead’s process thought, and other sources. Dr. Matt Segall, PhD, noted the resonance between Doug's ideas and those in other philosophical traditions, such as Steiner’s anthroposophy and Vedic traditions. He appreciated the depth and universality of the Trinitarian creative process Doug described. They discussed how these esoteric principles manifest at various scales, from the quantum level to the macrocosm of the Earth, and how tensions and conflicts drive evolutionary progress. As Doug elaborated on the Christ event and its cosmic significance, Matt reflected on the current global situation. He emphasized the heightened tension and fragmentation in human identity and how this mirrors the larger cosmic process. Matt expressed concern over the geopolitical conflicts and the way what were once "cultural runways" for spirit to incarnate have by now become "runaway cultures" that distract us from the task of individual transformation.

The SH!PS Approach, part 3: Deepening techniques

Join us in this last part of three episodes as we delve deeper into the SH!PS Approach. Our host begins with a grounding meditation, inviting us to connect with the Earth's energy and our chakras, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the SHIPS model: Solidarity, Hope, Inspiring Service, and Trusting the Process.
We revisit the concept of Solidarity, likening it to the ship itself – the essential vessel that enables connection and mutual support. The discussion moves into Hope, emphasizing its dual nature as both a feeling and a reality, and how it ties into the cosmic law of three, where every crisis holds the seeds of reconciliation and transformation.
The episode features an engaging exercise where participants identify their core values by imagining what they hope to be remembered for at their funeral. This exercise helps bring subconscious values to the forefront, allowing for more intentional living. Listeners are invited to explore their values by reflecting on people they admire and the characteristics they embody.
Trusting the Process is another key topic, where various models like "Order, Disorder, and Reorder" and "Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing" are discussed. The host emphasizes the importance of holy indifference – engaging in actions without attachment to outcomes, allowing for a more genuine and effective service to others.
The episode concludes with a focus on Inspiring Service, encouraging listeners to commit to specific acts of service and follow through. This practice not only enriches the lives of others but also deepens one's own spiritual journey by embodying core values in everyday actions.
Tune in for a transformative conversation that offers practical tools and profound insights to help you navigate your spiritual growth and personal development journey.

Unlocking the SH!PS Approach: Part 2

In this enlightening episode, we dive deeper into the transformative power of a metamodern approach to caregiving Doug Scott, LCSW, calls the "SH!PS Approach," a method designed to foster solidarity and hope in our relationships and interactions. Our host, Doug, shares personal stories and insightful techniques that have proven effective in creating meaningful connections and healing old wounds.
We explore the core components of the SHIPS approach, breaking down the significance of each letter and how they collectively guide us in entering the worldview of others. Doug emphasizes the importance of truly listening, holding space for others, and employing techniques that foster genuine empathy and understanding. Beginning with the  "i" in "ship," Doug shares that the "i," or as he writes, it, "!" is the mast of ship, and stands for "Interview," or sharing of views (entering the view of the other). "S" in "SH!PS" stands for entering into "solidarity." "H" is cultivating "hope." "P" is for trusting "process," and the last letter, "s," stands for inspiring, encouraging, or modeling "service."
The episode also delves into the concept of hope, offering a nuanced definition and practical ways to cultivate it. Using the Law of Three as a framework, Doug explains how affirming, denying, and reconciling forces interact to bring about transformation and new possibilities.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into techniques such as reflective listening, expressing gratitude, and inquiring about core values, all aimed at strengthening our ability to connect with and support others. Whether you're seeking to improve your personal relationships or enhance your professional skills, this episode provides a robust toolkit for fostering deeper, more meaningful interactions.
Join us for an inspiring journey into the heart of human connection, and learn how the SH!PS Approach can help you navigate the complexities of relationships with greater compassion and efficacy.

(Part 2) Unveiling the Chakras: Balancing Your Energy Centers

In this captivating episode, we continue our deep dive into the intricate world of energy centers, also known as chakras, following an enlightening discussion from last week. Our host leads us through an in-depth exploration of each chakra, from the foundational red ray (root chakra) to the transcendent violet ray (crown chakra), detailing their functions, common blockages, and how they influence our daily lives.Special attention is given to practical methods for balancing these energy centers, drawing on insights from Ra's teachings. We discuss the importance of meditation and the conscious balancing of emotions, using patience and impatience as a key example. Listeners are guided through a step-by-step process to identify and harmonize their own energy centers.We also delve into the concept of the "tone poem," a unique vibrational signature of each individual's energy configuration. Historical examples, including General Patton and famous composer Albert, illustrate how different energies manifest in various personalities. The episode wraps up with a group discussion, where participants share personal experiences and insights about their strongest and weakest chakras, providing a rich tapestry of perspectives on the journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.Join us for an enlightening session that promises to deepen your understanding of the chakras and offer practical tools to enhance your spiritual practice.