Unbinding the Mind: Weekly Koans & Reflections 7/28/2025 – 8/3/2025

Weekly koans to spark curiosity and illuminate hidden truths, drawn from the crossroads of philosophy, faith, and timeless wisdom.

Greetings, my fellow Pilgrims of the Unbound!

Each week, I share short mental puzzles—modern koans—to help us question the assumptions shaping our lives. Many of these draw from classical philosophy and Christian wisdom, inviting us to journey deeper into truth, freedom, and the mystery of what it means to live well.

Here’s a roundup of the koans I shared this week across social media, gathered here so we can ponder them together on this shared pilgrimage.

Koan #1: July 28, 2025
What lies silent until heard with the heart?
→ Answer: Truth.
“Speak the truth in love.” — Ephesians 4:15

Koan #2: July 29, 2025
What must you lose to finally find yourself?
→ Answer: Ego.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30

Koan #3: July 30, 2025
What shines brightest when hidden, but dims when displayed?
→ Answer: Humility.
“Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” — Matthew 6:3

Koan #4: July 31, 2025
What is never owned, but always shaping us?
→ Answer: Time.
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12

Koan #5: August 1, 2025
What grows each time you give it away?
→ Answer: Love.
“Love is the only thing that grows when shared.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (adapted)

Koan #6: August 2, 2025
What guides the soul more surely than proof?
→ Answer: Faith.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1

Koan #7: August 3, 2025
What must be heard before it can be spoken truly?
→ Answer: Silence.
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” — Isaiah 30:15

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Pilgrims of the Unbound–I’m grateful for your companionship each week. These koans remind me that wisdom grows not in certainty, but in the willingness to keep asking deeper questions.

If you feel moved to share your own reflections—or simply to say hello—I’d love to hear from you!

May your journey this week be filled with moments of quiet insight and unexpected joy.

John

P.S. If you know someone who might find meaning in these weekly reflections, feel free to share this letter. Wisdom grows when it’s shared among fellow pilgrims.

For those of you supporting this work as paid subscribers, I’d like to share some deeper reflections below on how these questions connect. Your support makes it possible for me to keep writing and sharing these ideas each week—thank you for being part of this journey.