Unbinding the Mind: Weekly Koans & Reflections (June 30–July 6, 2025)

Short mental puzzles inspired by classical and Christian thought, inviting deeper reflection and freedom of mind each week.

Greetings, my fellow Pilgrims of the Unbound!

Welcome back for our second weekly digest!

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 our roundup of koans from June 30th through July 6th, gathered for you to ponder on this shared pilgrimage.

Koan #1: 06/30/2025

What do we repeat without noticing… until it owns us?
→ Answer: Habits.

“First we form habits, then they form us.” — Aristotle (attrib.)

Koan #2: 07/01/2025

What seems small at first but can reshape a soul—or a civilization?
→ A single act of virtue.

“The smallest good act today echoes through eternity.” — Marcus Aurelius

Koan #3: 07/02/2025

What do we protect ourselves with that ends up isolating us?
→ Emotional detachment.

“He who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” — Proverbs 28:14

Koan #4: 07/03/2025

What feels like safety, but may actually be slavery?
→ Comfort.

“The road to hell is paved with good cushions.” — paraphrase of C.S. Lewis and early Christian ascetic thought.

Koan #5: 07/04/2025

What do we resist the most, yet it’s the only thing that brings growth?
→ Suffering.

“Suffering produces endurance, and endurance character.” — Romans 5:3-4

Koan #6: 07/05/2025

What do we offer carelessly, though the wise use it sparingly?
→ Words.

“Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.” — Matthew 5:37
“Speech is silver, silence is golden.” — Hesiod

Koan #7: 07/06/2025

What do we clean from the outside, but leave untouched within?
→ The soul.

“You clean the outside of the cup… but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” — Luke 11:39

Thank you, Pilgrims of the Unbound, for joining me as we continue this weekly rhythm. I’d love to hear which koan resonated most with you—or sparked your own questions. Feel free to reply here, or connect with me on X and Instagram where these koans first appear each day.

And if you’d like to explore these reflections more deeply, consider becoming a paid subscriber for weekly insights and future resources—including downloadable collections of these koans for personal study.

Until next time—may your journey be guided by wisdom and wonder.

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.