The third episode. Lots of learning. *Spaciousness *Forgiveness *Going over the line *Love *Atonement #rabbi_brian_af

10.16.18 PTSD fallout. Emmett and the Bully. Cleaning up the mess. Transformation is painful. Bad fucking language. Resistance Bible Study. Taking time off. Not fighting back chapter and verse. Spaciousness.

This is the very first post. Enjoy this. #rabbi_brian_af

The 77% Weekly Newsletter SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT DELIVERED FRESH TO YOUR INBOX 40/52 WEEKS A YEAR. FREE. TOOLS TO CONSIDER: I'm glad you are here. Really. I know this is just a website. But, if I think of it as my home on the web, I want you to feel at home. Let me...

And, God laughed. Rabbi Brian tells a longer than usual story about his being kicked out of his son's classroom.

Rabbi Brian talks about how to not take in other people's tension.   Video also available.

Rabbi Brian discusses the notion that HEAVEN ON EARTH will only happen when we stop thinking that other people are the ones to do it. It is up to us. Every day. In every moment. Religion-Outside-The-Box empowers adults to nourish their spiritual hunger. Rabbi Brian...

Rabbi tells a story. WIth a moral and an exercise that you will "HAVE TO" like. Well, maybe, you'll "GET TO" like it.

Rabbi Brian talks about getting used to the fact that it always looks darker than it is.

Rabbi Brian talks about an interaction of love that he had with an angry preacher at a protest march in Salem, Oregon.  

Rabbi Brian explains how "being fabulous" and "being born-again" are similar and how the notion of expressing the self's highest values.

        Spiritual Fortitude for Chaotic TImes. Rabbi Brian at West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. 30-minutes. Enjoy.

Rabbi Brian welcomes you to his podcast channel and explains a little about ROTB and why this is marked as explicit. Enjoy!

Rabbi Brian talks about the tooth fairy. And, paradigm shifts.

Rabbi Brian talks about making mistakes and how horrible it is when it we didn't think it was a problem.

Rabbi Brian was interviewed on KBOO Progressive Spirit by John Shuck. It's a delightful 30 minutes.

Rabbi Brian talks about the VALUE of a service he ran and asks you to think about the value of what you do.

Rabbi Brian talks directly to you. It is conversational. Not much said.

Rabbi Brian on KBOO with John Shuck. "The Rabbi (Outside The Box)"  John Shuck. Released: 2017. Genre: Podcast

Rabbi Brian talks about how we sometimes get upset about the wrong things.

Rabbi Brian talks about how we ought to be cautious not to overly manage our expectations.

Rabbi Brian talks about how sometimes people ACT holy, but are missing something.

Rabbi Brian talks about the importance of controlling the message

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

Rabbi Brian ponders about the sense of self and how it is not quite permanent.

Rabbi Brian teaches you how to get the best stuff being sold, free!

Rabbi Brian talks about mistakes. We all make them. And, THEY make them too!

Rabbi Brian talks about the difference between NOTICING SOMETHING and making an OPINION ABOUT IT.

Rabbi Brian talks about having gratitude.

Rabbi Brian talks about how it is EASIER on authority figures when we do what we are asked to do when they ask NICELY. And, to make no mistake about it, they can MAKE us.

Rabbi Brian gives a hack on how to get what you want. Really.

Rabbi Brian talks about ants. And how busy they are. (Strike a chord?)

Rabbi Brian talks about our self, our society, and God.

Rabbi Brian talks about the amount of buIIsh.t we have to (get to) deal with in our lives and how to deal with it better.

Rabbi Brian talks about how he knows better than to be controlled by the weather.

Rabbi Brian talks about what happens when we sublimate anger.

Rabbi Brian talks about how he (as a representative of organized religion) needs to ask you to forgive him,

Rabbi Brian talks about how he is comfortable with his religious practice.

Rabbi Brian talks about the roots of suffering.

Rabbi Brian talks about how EXTERNAL things ought not overly influence INTERNAL things.

Two gratitude practices that Rabbi Brian likes...

Rabbi Brian muses that anxiety might be brought upon the self! Wow. ()

Rabbi Brian asks you to tell three people a week what you like about them.

Rabbi Brian challenges you to go 21 days without complaining.

Rabbi Brian suggests that we know less than we think that we do.

Rabbi Brian talks about "IS" -- the verb and it's theologic implications. (More interesting than it sounds.)

Rabbi Brian discusses the 7 qualities that make up a mystical experience.

Rabbi Brian talks about standards and how we have lost sight of heaven on earth.

Rabbi Brian talks about what it means to be AUTHORIZED. Did someone ask you to help? If they didn't, stop helping.

Rabbi Brian's son grabs the mic and talks with rB about wisdom and knowledge.

Rabbi Brian talks about non-attachment.

Rabbi Brian did two presentation on finding and being with (the) God (of your understanding) at the West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Portland, Oregon. This is the second of the two presentations.

Rabbi Brian did two presentation on finding and being with (the) God (of your understanding) at the West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Portland, Oregon. This is the first of the two presentations.

Rabbi Brian delves into how we might just measure badly, a lot.

Rabbi Brian muses that sensational news might be good to help us feel anxious.

Rabbi Brian talks about how his students are often more alive than he is.

Rabbi Brian admits that he is mainly preaching to himself.

Rabbi Brian wonders why it is that we hold onto the bad better than the good.

Rabbi Brian's daughter snuck onto his lap and shared some thoughts about God and love. Rabbi Brian promises that he never taught Annie the theology that she picked up -- like God being a "he," "omniscient, " or "love." Amazing.

Rabbi Brian urges you to stop oversteering reality.

Rabbi Brian asks you to ponder and be proud of the things you do well.

Rabbi Brian explains how "If you dislike someone the way they hold their spoon with offend you, if you like them they could drop a plate of food on your lap and you won't mind" has to do with God.

Rabbi Brian asks you to get comfortable with the corrections that the universe gives you.

Rabbi Brian asks "How long does it take for you to go from annoyed to amused?"

Rabbi Brian challenges us to love things "as is" instead of needing them to be perfect.

Rabbi Brian ponders what if God didn't understand our language.

Rabbi Brian talks about becoming happy with what is.

Rabbi Brian talks about how CHANGE is important in spiritual-religious growth.

Rabbi Brian encourages you to, in the words of John Shelby Spong, "live fully, love wastefully."

Rabbi Brian encourages you to have a mind so open your brain falls out.

Rabbi Brian explain that sometimes to restore equilibrium after a wonderful event, we go to anxiety... perhaps this is why we have a hard time settling into the notion that (the) God (of our understanding) loves us?

Rabbi Brian talks about the IRONY of trying to SAVE time... yikes!

Rabbi Brian using Jewish and Muslim law about suicide as a way of looking compassionately at those who wrong us.

Rabbi Brian exhorts us to NOT tell ourselves stories to justify our emotional state.

Rabbi Brian asks you to contemplate if you have done enough...

Rabbi Brian talks about forgiveness.

Rabbi Brian speaks again about the spiritual-religious notion of SURRENDER and how we might be better off enjoying the ride than trying to control it.

Rabbi Brian encourages you to embrace the difficult things in your life as they might be there to teach you a lesson.

Rabbi Brian retells a story that explains why it is that people SHOUT when they are angry, but so physically close to each other.

Rabbi Brian was interviewed on Tapestry with Mary Hynes on Canadian Public Radio. He might have cursed at God. OK, he did. It's pretty awesome.

The proper response to the inevitable is love. Period.

Rabbi Brian waxes on about God, Buber, Jung, and Heschel. Yum.

Rabbi Brian laments that school (and our lives) are measured on time, not proficiency.

Rabbi Brian recounts a story of Rabbi Robert Levine's about a boat trip.

Rabbi Brian talks about LOVE and how we need to meet people where they are and love them.

Rabbi Brian explains how we can tell that we need to open our hearts more.

Rabbi Brian explains the spiritual advice from the song singing in the rain... well, from the part before the song.

Rabbi Brian wishes you lots of annoyances.

Rabbi Brian tell you how a children's song has spiritual advice.

Rabbi Brian talks 20 seconds longer than usual to explain the proper elements of love. Listen and do this!

Rabbi Brian talks asks about hope. From where do any of us get a sense that tomorrow will be better than today?

Rabbi Brian four year old, Annie shares her four year old wisdom, some shouting, and a joke.

Rabbi Brian discusses the book "Drama of the Gifted Child" and how it might apply to religion.

Rabbi Brian explains that many ROTB articles sound like.

Rabbi Brian talks about having a personal relationship with God.

Rabbi Brian talks about our sense of self and the poop that gets in our lives.

Rabbi Brian details what a virtuous life might hold.

Rabbi Brian asks you to take a breath of air, a deep breath, before you need it.

Rabbi Brian gives a primer on how to surrender! Don't try so hard!

Rabbi Brian uses the analogy of a dam to understand being frustrated.

Rabbi Brian discusses the 5 languages that people mean when they use the word love.

Rabbi Brian tackles the notion that joy and sadness are opposite sides of the same coin.

Rabbi Brian asks why is it that we only comfortable saying things are "meant to be" when they are positive ones?

Rabbi Brian tires to keep track of three balls in a pool and realizes he is dealing with life.

Rabbi Brian muses on a friend's notion that he is "running out of (external) excuses" for not being happy.

Rabbi Brian, stereotypes, God, and more.

Rabbi Brian explains how two characteristics of the human psyche can keep us from hearing God.

Rabbi Brian lauds perspective and how it can keep one from getting upset when you fall into the toilet.

Rabbi Brian tells the 3 components to nightmares and how our lives are a lot like them sometimes.

Rabbi Brian talks about how all loss is psychological.

Rabbi Brian implores you not to get annoyed with inanimate (or animate) objects that annoy you.

Rabbi Brian talks about how THEIR opinions can get US into big trouble. (This is very similar to a previously recorded notion published as issue 20 in 2013.)

Rabbi Brian explains an alternative method for when to declare something kosher.

Rabbi Brian talks about how addicted he is to the iphone. Not very profound.

Rabbi Brian talks challenges you if you consider yourself to be one of the "peaceful" people on the planet that it's probably not all true.

Rabbi Brian talks about how "no one does wrong willingly" and how we are more likely to forgive ourselves for our anger and errors than we do others.

Rabbi Brian talks about Stephen Pinkster's quote, "Our anger is justified and theirs is unprovoked."

Rabbi Brian talks his attempt to "teach" his children a lesson and how his son "learned" something else.

Rabbi Brian talks about when his daughter urinated on his lap and how wonderful and horrible it felt at the same time.

Door-to-door religious salesfolk. (A fresh interpretation.)

Why we don't have time to relax, explained.

My son was on my lap while I was recording podcasts. In between takes, he would lean into the microphone and do his version of "Rabbi Brian." So, I recorded him. "Be Alive and Stay Alive" might just be brilliant advice if you think about it.

Rabbi Brian compels you to believe that things happen for a reason.a

Rabbi Brian tries to not make any interesting comments to prove a point about conversation.

Rabbi Brian weighs in on his response to the question, "Why are leaders assholes?" The answer has to do with Martin Luther King, Jr. (How's that for an interesting description?)

Rabbi Brian takes on two spurious spiritual-religious notions, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" and "I'm as happy as I make my mind up to be."

Rabbi Brian tells one of his favorite jokes... it's about God. (Kinda)

Rabbi Brian give you permission to not be you... the thinking is that we spend so much time and thought trying to be "good" that we forget that we don't need to try so hard.

Rabbi Brian asks you to ponder if the news is good for you...

Rabbi Brian talks about how he was accidently kind to a student, and how that made him wonder about being that kind all the time.

Rabbi Brian give three different spiritual-religious exercises in this one podcast in which he tells you to brush the wrong way. (Special shout-out and 'woot!' to MK.)

Rabbi Brian discusses the very light rock, vermiculiute. You'll understand...

Rabbi Brian talks about why knowing the goal – even when it doesn't seem achievable – is important.

Rabbi Brian re-addresses the quote "The lesser the temptation, the greater the sin" which was part of 2011's 77% Weekly 25/40. Winds up, Aristotle had something to say about this.

Rabbi Brian quotes St. Augustine and the sociological phenomenon of not facing the back of elevators in urging you to not give advice.

Rabbi Brian relates how his 2 and 4-year-olds were upset about beads, how he thought they were upset about other things, but hey, they ought to know, no?

Rabbi Brian discusses (quickly) the five natural emotions: grief, anger, jealousy, fear, and love. He also briefly touches on the distortions of each.

Rabbi Brian talks about the quote, "There is nothing that is not made lighter through habit and familiarity." He explores the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual-religious realms.

Rabbi Brian asks you to consider underlying concerns that you might have in your life.

Rabbi Brian apologizes if you got duplicates of podcasts. I goofed with the format and had to re-post them!

Rabbi Brian discusses STRESS and how we have it still in this world filled with CONVENIENCES!

Rabbi Brian talks about shifting perspective, time management, and how we need to expect to be annoyed as a way to not be annoyed.

Rabbi Brian waxes about how we constantly seem to want to improve our world... and that this might not be such a good idea.

Rabbi Brian talks about an experience he had in which, in the span of ten minutes, he had a gamut of human emotions dealing with attachment.

Rabbi Brian talks a little about Channukah, but really about the pre-modern sense of time.

Rabbi Brian talks about placebo -- the latin word that means "I WILL PLEASE" and how pleasing others can be a problem.

Rabbi Brian tells you that your TO-DO LIST is your FRIEND. Really?!? That's crazy... or is it? (I'll tell you, it isn't.)

Rabbi Brian tells about watching his daughter learn to take the pits out of cherries and how we all push ourselves to improve.

Rabbi Brian talks about how we need to forgive others for not being as good as we are in the things we are excellent in.

Rabbi Brian talks about how real religion has NOTHING to do with God, how we need to get that in our heads, and how to live a true religious life.

Rabbi Brian discusses Kathryn Schultz's work on mistakes. How we tend to see people who disagree with us as ignorant, stupid, or evil.

Rabbi Brian encourages you to BE MEDIOCRE; but only if you are courageous enough to try!

Rabbi Brian revisits the spiritual-religious topic of surrender.

Rabbi Brian talks about two incidents in which he held the opinions of people outside of himself in higher regard than his better judgment.

Rabbi Brian talks deeply about how the next big goal is learning about yourself...

Rabbi Brian discusses the difference between pleasure and happiness. How the former is temporary, based on circumstances and the later is an inside job.

Rabbi Brian talks about problem of thinking that the problem is them.

Rabbi Brian talks about how a spiritual-religious life isn't that complicated.

Rabbi Brian talks about the PARADOX OF CHOICE and how when we have too many choices we wind up blaming ourselves.

Rabbi Brian shares home-grown observations after growing radishes.

Rabbi Brian talks about our sociality's issue of "B'GUTI" -- better get used to it.

Rabbi Brian reflects back on the terrible lesson he took from the "what's wrong with this picture" activity in Highlights Magazine.

Rabbi Brian tells you the hygienic and NOW SPIRITUAL idea of washing your hands. Sounds crazy, but it's scientific.

Rabbi Brian takes you through a serenity prayer...

Rabbi Brian takes on Plato! He was wrong. Really! (Alright, it's just about one small thing, but still.)

Rabbi Brian talks about "Gossip" -- the history of the word and then the basic premise: to shame. Don't do it.

Rabbi Brian tells you to EMBRACE (?!) your problems as a way for you to grow your spiritual-religious life.

Rabbi Brian guides you through the process of creating your own spiritual-religious podcast.

Rabbi Brian asks you to think about what the word "religious" means to you and to contemplate when you have had "real religious" experiences.

Rabbi Brian talks about the phrase in the Passover service, "It would have been enough." He muses on it and then asks you to muse upon it as well. It would have been enough. Amen.

Rabbi Brian gives the spiritual-religious exercise of keeping track of your major annoyances so that you have a better sense of how many annoyances per day you encounter. (The hope is that the better you KNOW how many times a week/day/hour you are annoyed, the better...

Rabbi Brian discussed the philosophical notion of JEALOUSY and some spiritual-religious notions tied to it. Good topic. Worth the listen.

Rabbi Brian challenges you to become a mentor. You'll listen and understand.

Rabbi Brian discussed the curious notion that "The greater the temptation, the lesser the sin."

Rabbi Brian discusses the spiritual-religious notion of surrender... and how if you don't let go, you just might get dragged. Shout outs this week to N.A. and D.S.M.

Rabbi Brian talks about the difference between family and relatives... it's a bit of etymology -- simple, but poignant if I have to say so myself...

Rabbi Brian asks you to image that you are having Tea with God and then, at the end of a lovely time, God does something unforgivable. He asks you to ... ah, shucks, just listen to the podcast and you'll find out. Hey, does anyone read these description

Rabbi Brian tells himself that he needs to take some time off. This podcast is really a podcast for him to listen to. If you listen to it, that's ok. But, it's really for him.

Rabbi Brian posits that you might be better off if you could figure out how to not desire so much... but how?

Rabbi Brian brings up the possibly crazy notion that we make friends with our suffering! Crazy, right? Perhaps. But, maybe, just maybe, it's not crazy. Maybe it's a way to ease some of our discontent...

Rabbi Brian discussed the notion that we all have so much to do and how it seems that we'll never get it done, and how he takes some comfort in that. Special shout out to my dad who is undergoing a lot. A lot, a lot. He could use your prayers.

Rabbi Brian asks, "If you had magic pills, what would they do?"

Rabbi Brian talks about some sage advice he received about he got word of his father's grave illness.

Rabbi Brian talks about the spiritual-religious truth of suffering and how our attempting to avoid it might not be the best way of dealing with it. (Shout out this week to my dad who is having optic-surgery.)

Rabbi Brian talks about his son trying to put a straight piece of train track where a round piece fit. And, how that applies to our lives. (Special shout out to my dad whose pituitary gland seems to be the cause of a lot of problems and will need surgery.)

Rabbi Brian discusses the notion of a spiritual barometer — what it is and how knowing about yours can help you and your loved ones. (Yes, again.)

Rabbi Brian tells a story about a "special, special gift" that he heard from Fr. Tony De Mello. You'll like the story. It's a good one. (Shout out to VK and everyone suffering from uncertainty.)

Rabbi Brian talks about the "baggage" we have from our childhoods. And, muses about how we might lessen our burden. (Special shout-outs this week to PS, L, and VK who are all in need of some extra prayers.)

Rabbi Brian talks about what it takes (little) to get us to just do the right thing. (This weeks shout-out to everyone who the chasing things to fill them that never fill.)

Rabbi Brian talks about life being a rollercoaster. Let's face it, every rabbi has a good analogy that "life is like..." This is my take on that. (A shout out this week to CP whose beloved wife died tragically.)

Rabbi Brian talks about these four little, all pervasive words -- more, fast, easy, and fun -- that run counter to our spiritual-religious health. (A shout out this week to my daughter, Johanna who was just born and to PR who just lost her better half.)

Rabbi Brian talks about how his son doesn't draw well and its implications for your spiritual-religious life. (It has them, really.)

Rabbi Brian talks about the idea of adding an ass kicking on top of our problems. Not a good idea. Special love to LK who, unfortunately, inspired this.

Rabbi Brian talks about the Chinese aphorism, "You have to stand on a hillside with your mouth open for a long time before a roast duck will fly in." That's about it. It's that good?

Rabbi Brian talks about a quote from the Tao Te Ching... unawareness of right and wrong are the sign of a mind at ease. Lots of love today for lots of people. We all need it.

Rabbi Brian talks about how there is NO ONE path to God and he tells a little about "THOSE" people who think there is. With love to all this week. All of them. Even the *ssh*oles deserve love.

Rabbi Brian talks about an universal experience he had called "a side of the road" experience — where it's only after we feel safe that we feel ok falling apart.

Rabbi Brian talks about "how to talk with your children about religion." He acknowledges that he is not the authority on the subject but that you (or their parent) is. Nonetheless, he shares some ideas. Shout out this week to Ernie whose mother died.

THIS ISN'T A PODCAST. This is an interview of Rabbi Brian on Mary Hynes's program(me) Tapestry broadcast on 11/2/08. http://cbc.ca/podcasting

Rabbi Brian talks about the notion of a "spiritual barometer," what it is, how it can help, and more... hey, does anyone read these notes anyway? Shout out this week to all of those who try so hard and don't feel like their efforts are met with success.

Rabbi Brian explains conditioning... why we do those things that we do... somewhat...

Rabbi Brian talks a bit about the educator and psychologist Vygotsky and his notion of the Zone of Proximal Development. (Alright, in simple words, it will explain why when you are stressed out you tend to talk to yourself more.)

Rabbi Brian talks about the idea that "certainty means that you are certain, not that you are right or wrong." (gulp!) (And, I'm talking to you... not to anyone else. On this topic we often think this is something someone else needs to learn, but not us.)

Rabbi Brian retells a conversation he had with a high school student and ponders if we all don't have a bit of "wanting to mow" but not really knowing why. (A shout out this week to my Grandma who died last week, Lois, Don, and Jesse.)

Rabbi Brian recorded this podcast from seat 22J on an American Airline flight from JFK to LAX... oh, yeah, I was sitting next to man who promotes GOGO -- a wifi in the sky. NO THEME no BACKGROUND MUSIC THIS WEEK Oh, I was also doing this podcast as a way to avoid my...

Rabbi Brian talks about this notion that we are only as good as our last performance... YIKES! This idea came about as he didn't know what to talk about today... (Shout out today to SM.)

Rabbi Brian talks about the "HYPE" around the latest bat man movie — The Dark Night — and why Americans are going gaga over this troubling movie. (A shout out this week to H&P and D&C for making history.)

Rabbi Brian asks you to pick between "Compassion, Wisdom, Cleverness, Kindness, and Being Smart." Which one do you think typifies you? Which do you wish did? And, how can you foster more of it in the world? (A shout out this week to JB whose growing a lot.)

Rabbi Brian tells about an insight (an ironic one to be telling you about) he had while meditating. (Shout out this week to FTJC, who might need a bigger plate.)

THIS IS NOT A PODCAST. In late 2007, Rabbi Brian was the guest of the reverend Richie Assad's radio show, THE GOLDEN RULE. It's long, but interesting...

THIS IS NOT A PODCAST. This is the audio of a sermon that Rabbi Brian gave to a church in 2000. (I don't know what church.) The audio quality isn't the best. But, the topic, "STRUGGLING WITH GOD" is a timeless one.

THIS IS NOT A PODCAST. This is the audio of the first sermon Rabbi Brian gave in a church in 2000. The man introducing him is Larry Keene the minister of Church of the Valley. The sermon was entitled, "Met God." It's one the of the best.

Rabbi Brian talks about what religion-outside-the-box is, what it means... it's a heartfelt, not perfect 3 minutes. (Shout out this week to BB and TS.)