Karen Armstrong

Karen Armstrong, a former nun and renowned author on religion, shares profound insights on shedding self-centeredness to lead a more authentic life. She discusses using nature to boost happiness and offers the Confucian practice of 'quiet sitting' as a transformative tool for awareness and connection. Armstrong reflects on her journey, describing how her nun experience sometimes heightened self-preoccupation. Ultimately, she encourages small acts of kindness as a pathway to ecological consciousness and a deeper appreciation for the sacredness of life.

Karen Armstrong speaks about her progression from a disillusioned and damaged young nun into, in her words, a “freelance monotheist.” She’s a formidable thinker and scholar, but as a theologian she calls herself an amateur — noting that the Latin root of the word “amateur” means a love of one’s subject. Seven years in a strict religious order nearly snuffed out her ability to think about faith at all. Here, we hear the story behind Armstrong’s developing ideas about God. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Karen Armstrong, a renowned religious scholar and author, shares profound insights into the nature of scripture. She redefines scripture as a performative practice that challenges rigid dogmas and emphasizes midrash, or the art of reinventing texts for contemporary relevance. They discuss how scripture transcends self-centeredness and inspires justice across traditions. Armstrong contrasts Buddhist paths to compassion, considers Confucian ethics, and addresses the role of ritual in communal healing. Her personal spiritual practices highlight the importance of stepping outside oneself for deeper understanding.