What a gift to witness one spiritual path light up another. When Arthur said, “The Dalai Lama makes me a better Catholic,” it reminded me of the best kind of mysticism—the kind that doesn’t cling, but connects.
Real holiness doesn’t build fences. It radiates.
Love as action. Forgiveness as daily practice. Joy as wisdom wearing giggles.
This isn’t interfaith kumbaya fluff—it’s the future of spiritual sanity.
I'm having further thoughts on this, but I tend to overthink things.. Many years ago I began reading The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie, which is based on 12 step programs, because of codependency issues with people in my family. This is a book with daily readings, so I have read it many times. I am a volunteer junkie, and imagine my surprise when I realized that I had a codependency issue with volunteerism. It seemed that I needed admiration, approval, and love because of the amount of volunteer work that I do, and even though I volunteer for causes that I am passionate about, if I don't get the recognition that I need, I get depressed and want to quit. Getting back to the podcast with Arthur and Rainn, and my realization that admiration, approval, and love are my idols, I am thinking that my addiction is to admiration, approval, and love from others. Question: could drugs, drinking, and other addictions actually be "distractions" (pleasure), which they would seem to be; and the 12 step programs are to help people work through their addictions, then is admiration/approval/love my addiction, or my idol? Maybe you have already done a podcast on this subject and apologies if I have missed it, but could you invite someone who conducts 12 step programs for a podcast, and ask them to explain, step by step, how they work? I'd be fascinated. I don't have that depth of spirituality that these guys have, and I would love to get to that level. Thanks!
This podcast was amazing. I didn't discover the Soul Boom podcasts until well after this one aired, so I was watching and listening to this one for the first time today. It could not have been more inspiring and exactly what I was looking for as a "seeker," for lo these many years. Please, please, please have more podcasts like this one, in which spiritualty and happiness are the focus. By playing Arthur's "game," I realized what I probably already knew, that my idol is the admiration of strangers and in fact of everyone. And substituting outrage with action! What a gem, and so very true. This is my favorite podcast and I think it will be my favorite of the whole series. Thank you, Rainn, and Soul Boom team, for this! PS I just ordered one of Arthur's books.
Thank you for this. I also had the great good fortunate to meet His Holiness though I am a Buddhist and view the Dalai Lama as my spiritual leader. When you said that you view him as no greater than the janitor emptying the trash, I had this reflexive instinct to point out your disrespect of this living embodiment of pure wisdom and compassion. But if there is anyone walking the face of Earth who would sincerely agree with, and be delighted by, with your holding him equally with the man emptying the trash, it would be His Holiness. A small self-reflection I got a kick out of in what was an overall great experience of reading this very thoughtful piece. Thank you ❤️🙏
Beautiful, Rainn! ✨✨ I was lucky enough witnessing him a few years ago when he - along with brain scientists- spoke about happiness and responsibility ❤️🫶🏼🫶🏼.
This is a gorgeous piece. I am reminded of the late Louis Zamperini who forgave his Japanese captors (and torturers) after WWII, even meeting with them in Japan.
What a gift to witness one spiritual path light up another. When Arthur said, “The Dalai Lama makes me a better Catholic,” it reminded me of the best kind of mysticism—the kind that doesn’t cling, but connects.
Real holiness doesn’t build fences. It radiates.
Love as action. Forgiveness as daily practice. Joy as wisdom wearing giggles.
This isn’t interfaith kumbaya fluff—it’s the future of spiritual sanity.
Thanks for bringing us along, Rainn.
Spiritual sanity indeed. Thank you!
I'm having further thoughts on this, but I tend to overthink things.. Many years ago I began reading The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie, which is based on 12 step programs, because of codependency issues with people in my family. This is a book with daily readings, so I have read it many times. I am a volunteer junkie, and imagine my surprise when I realized that I had a codependency issue with volunteerism. It seemed that I needed admiration, approval, and love because of the amount of volunteer work that I do, and even though I volunteer for causes that I am passionate about, if I don't get the recognition that I need, I get depressed and want to quit. Getting back to the podcast with Arthur and Rainn, and my realization that admiration, approval, and love are my idols, I am thinking that my addiction is to admiration, approval, and love from others. Question: could drugs, drinking, and other addictions actually be "distractions" (pleasure), which they would seem to be; and the 12 step programs are to help people work through their addictions, then is admiration/approval/love my addiction, or my idol? Maybe you have already done a podcast on this subject and apologies if I have missed it, but could you invite someone who conducts 12 step programs for a podcast, and ask them to explain, step by step, how they work? I'd be fascinated. I don't have that depth of spirituality that these guys have, and I would love to get to that level. Thanks!
This podcast was amazing. I didn't discover the Soul Boom podcasts until well after this one aired, so I was watching and listening to this one for the first time today. It could not have been more inspiring and exactly what I was looking for as a "seeker," for lo these many years. Please, please, please have more podcasts like this one, in which spiritualty and happiness are the focus. By playing Arthur's "game," I realized what I probably already knew, that my idol is the admiration of strangers and in fact of everyone. And substituting outrage with action! What a gem, and so very true. This is my favorite podcast and I think it will be my favorite of the whole series. Thank you, Rainn, and Soul Boom team, for this! PS I just ordered one of Arthur's books.
Fantastic ✨
Thank you for this. I also had the great good fortunate to meet His Holiness though I am a Buddhist and view the Dalai Lama as my spiritual leader. When you said that you view him as no greater than the janitor emptying the trash, I had this reflexive instinct to point out your disrespect of this living embodiment of pure wisdom and compassion. But if there is anyone walking the face of Earth who would sincerely agree with, and be delighted by, with your holding him equally with the man emptying the trash, it would be His Holiness. A small self-reflection I got a kick out of in what was an overall great experience of reading this very thoughtful piece. Thank you ❤️🙏
That’s a very kind response, and it tracks that His Holiness would agree. Thank you for your grace!
Beautiful, Rainn! ✨✨ I was lucky enough witnessing him a few years ago when he - along with brain scientists- spoke about happiness and responsibility ❤️🫶🏼🫶🏼.
Wonderful memory!
This is a gorgeous piece. I am reminded of the late Louis Zamperini who forgave his Japanese captors (and torturers) after WWII, even meeting with them in Japan.
Thanks so much! Lovely reaction.