Larry Jordan

We appeared on The Desert Sanctuary podcast with our friends, Karl and Laura Forehand. Karl and Laura have coauthored several books. Karl has 20 years of experience as a pastor and counselor, and Laura is a second-grade teacher. Both are good friends who have supported our journey.


The Places We Won't Go: Mysticism
The Places We Won't Go: Eastern Religions
The Places We Won't Go: Quantum Physics
The Places We Won't Go: Zen

We recorded a four-part series of brief discussions on some interesting topics we encountered in our deconstruction, including mysticism, Eastern religions, quantum physics, and Zen. It was a treat for me to share the microphone with my wife, Jill, because my journey was really OUR journey.

The four-part series is called "The Places We Won't Go," and the first episode is about mysticism. Jill had a mystical/peak/transcendent experience at a waterfall in Costa Rica many years ago. We discuss the experiential and intellectual aspects of spirituality, which are complementary.

In the second episode, we discussed the differences between Eastern and Western worldviews, which determine the nature of Eastern and Western religions. 
Also, we discussed a broader view of Ultimate Reality that allows seekers to appreciate the insights from different religions and worldviews.

In the third episode, we discussed recent scientific developments confirming the physical universe's interconnected nature. Connectedness or Oneness is not just New Age woo-woo stuff. Also, science reminds us of the paradoxical, probabilistic natures of our lives.

In the fourth episode, we discussed Zen's experiential, non-doctrinal nature and its focus on alleviating suffering, realizing Oneness, and recognizing impermanence. Zen is practical, not theoretical, and Zen encourages us to engage, not disengage, in the world.