237: Near Enemy Behaviors that Creep into Missionary Work & Marriage

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Series Title:  Exposing the Near Enemy [Part III of IV]

In this episode Val and Nathan continue their deep dive into applications of the Buddhist concept of the near enemy, shining a light on how this concept might apply to how the LDS and surrounding community might grow in light and truth as these ideas are understood and embraced. 

They focus on how behaviors like self-aggrandizing, pity, and clinging subtly undermine virtues such as charity, compassion, and love, often posing as their close allies. 

They analyze how these near enemies negatively impact missionary work, intimate relationships, and spiritual growth within the Latter-Day Saints community, particularly highlighting how spiritual exceptionalism and codependency in eternal marriage theology can hurt connection at the micro and the macro levels. 

The episode culminates in a reflective call for embracing both light and shadow selves and emphasizes acting from a place of genuine love and virtue rather than fear or the desire for validation.             

Thank you for joining us in this series intended to expand our capacities to grow whole and healthy in and around the LDS church.

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