On Being a Mystic

On Raising a Girl Right

Written Spring 2013 For months I did not sleep in the same place as my babies. Speaking that fact made my throat choke and tears stream down my face. There were moments when I felt confident about my choices and direction. But whenever I felt like torturing myself I would ask, "What kind of mother doesn't sleep in the same place as her babies?" And then I would answer myself by falling apart... ---- I have another podcast and platform called The WellBeing Project. It’s a fresh, practical approach to mental and physical well-being. Really, it’s part of my dream to create meaningful support for every person who needs it. I’d love you to check it out. www.RachelBulkley.com [http://www.rachelbulkley.com] www.TheWellBeingProject.info [http://www.thewellbeingproject.info] The WellBeing Project Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/5Unxbx7nIQYFEZj5njlsNe?si=059d8af0a7124996] Read on Medium [https://medium.com/@rachelbulkley] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rachelbulkley/]

Audio Diary: In Which I Debrief A Relationship

This episode is a spontaneous recording I made nearly a month ago. I’d just used AI to help shorten the spiral of rumination after a recent breakup. I wanted to share what a surprisingly brilliant tool it can be for reducing the emotional toll of feeling misrepresented when a relationship ends. There are helpful ways to use AI, and there are… less helpful ways. That day, I was reveling in the relief of having my efforts and intentions recognized, after they'd been denied, ignored, or distorted by someone else. But before I got to that part of the story, I went deeper into the backstory than I planned to. This isn’t emotional exhibitionism. It’s taken me a few weeks to circle back and decide to post it. I’m sharing because I’ve always found comfort and solidarity in hearing from other humans who are doing their best despite flaws and frailties. This is the kind of thing I appreciate hearing, so I’m offering it in case someone else needs to. I've changed the name of the person I was in a relationship with. We have mutual friends, and I don’t share this for him or for them. If it feels unkind, that’s unfortunate, there’s no malice behind it. Enjoy x

Audio Diary: The Vending Machine Theory + Thoughts on Science, Spirituality & the Mystic Urge

I recorded this while hiking yesterday, just letting my thoughts flow as I walked through the woods. I was thinking out loud about frameworks that have helped me make sense of spiritual evolution and the relationship strain that often comes with it. I talk about what I call my Vending Machine Theory of Religion—a perspective that helps me make sense of faith in general and its many manifestations. I start off with why everything being energy isn't mystical fluff but basic physics, then talk about how our brain's plasticity means we can adjust or improve spiritual perception. And I share why I—as someone who deeply believes in God—actually have credible space for atheism. If you've ever felt caught between your spiritual past and where you're growing, or if you're navigating the pain of growing apart from people you used to share sacred space with, this conversation is for you. I'll talk about the grace we owe ourselves and others, why some of us have what I call the mystic urge, and making peace with being a spiritual explorer in a world that often prefers spiritual settlers. If that sounds interesting, lace up your mental hiking boots, and let's walk this trail together. Here are some completely unedited thoughts on science, spirituality, and making peace with spiritual evolution.

If Taylor Swift Was God

Original written 2022 My daughter absolutely adores Taylor Swift. A few months ago we were discussing a scenario where she would actually meet her idol. She couldn't imagine anything but freaking out and nearly having a panic attack. I asked her why and she couldn't say exactly, just that the thought of it totally overwhelmed her. I suggested that it might be that she was thinking of Taylor Swift as something other than a human like her... www.RachelBulkley.com [http://www.rachelbulkley.com] www.TheWellBeingProject.info [http://www.thewellbeingproject.info] The WellBeing Project Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/5Unxbx7nIQYFEZj5njlsNe?si=059d8af0a7124996]

On Being a Mystic

Back in 2003 I was arriving home from work one evening when I heard a voice say something really random and curious. I’d just gotten off the tube, London’s subway system, near where I was living. As I entered the garden and walked toward the side entrance, I wasn’t thinking about anything in particular when all of the sudden I heard a voice say, “You are a mystic.” I remember putting my key in the lock and thinking, “A what? Huh, I wonder what that means.” Oddly, even though I thought about it for a few days, I don’t remember googling, “What is a mystic?” I just sort of let it go... www.RachelBulkley.com [http://www.rachelbulkley.com] www.TheWellBeingProject.info [http://www.thewellbeingproject.info] The WellBeing Project Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/5Unxbx7nIQYFEZj5njlsNe?si=059d8af0a7124996]