Real-time AI assistance for engaging more deeply with sermons, dharma talks, spiritual teachings, guided reflections, and philosophical discussions.
Spiritual Teaching quick prompts help you absorb, understand, and connect with the message being shared. Whether you're attending a sermon, listening to a dharma talk, sitting in a philosophical discussion, or following a spiritual podcast, these prompts help you go deeper than passive listening.
Each goal category supports a different way of engaging. Use "Deepen Understanding" to grasp concepts and context, "Reflect" to explore personal meaning, "Connect to Life" to find practical application, and "Explore Further" to continue your learning beyond the teaching.
Goal: Deepen Understanding
When this applies: You want to better understand the teaching being shared — the main message, specific concepts, or the context behind referenced texts and passages.
Ideal settings: During any spiritual teaching, when unfamiliar concepts are introduced, when texts or passages are referenced, when you want to make sure you're following the core message.
Summarize main teaching
What it does: Provides a concise summary of the main teaching or message being conveyed so far, focusing on the core principle or lesson.
When to use it:
You've been listening for a while and want to make sure you've captured the core message
The teaching has covered several points and you want to see the big picture
You joined late or lost focus briefly and want to catch up
You want a clear statement of the main idea to reflect on later
Example scenario: The speaker has been weaving together several stories and references for 20 minutes. You're engaged but want to make sure you haven't missed the thread connecting everything together.
What to expect: A clear, concise summary of the central teaching or message, highlighting the core principle being shared.
Summarize last 5 minutes
What it does: Provides a focused overview of what was discussed in the last few minutes, including key points, stories shared, and any texts referenced.
When to use it:
You briefly lost focus and want to catch up
A specific section felt particularly important and you want it captured
The speaker just made a point you want to remember
Example scenario: The speaker just shared a powerful story but you were too absorbed to take notes. A quick summary captures the key details while they're still fresh.
What to expect: A brief summary of recent content, highlighting key points, stories, and any referenced passages.
Explain this concept
What it does: Takes the spiritual or philosophical concept most recently discussed and explains it in clear, accessible language, with historical or cultural context where helpful.
When to use it:
An unfamiliar term or concept was just introduced
You understand the words but not the deeper meaning
The concept comes from a tradition you're less familiar with
You want a simpler explanation to help it sink in
Example scenario: The speaker references "kenosis" or "shunyata" or another concept from a specific tradition. You get the general idea from context, but a clear explanation would help you engage more fully with the teaching.
What to expect: A plain-language explanation of the concept with relevant historical or cultural context.
Context for reference
What it does: Identifies the most recently referenced text, scripture, or passage and provides background on its historical, cultural, or literary significance and how it's being used in this teaching.
When to use it:
A passage or scripture was just quoted or referenced
You want to understand the broader context of a referenced text
The speaker assumed familiarity with a text you haven't read
You're curious how this passage is typically interpreted
Example scenario: The speaker quotes from a passage and builds a teaching around it. You want to understand the full context — what comes before and after, when it was written, and how it's traditionally understood — to appreciate the speaker's interpretation more fully.
What to expect: Background on the referenced text including its source, context, and how the speaker is applying it in this teaching.
Goal: Reflect
When this applies: You want to move beyond understanding the teaching intellectually and engage with it personally — exploring what it means for you, what deeper truths it points to, and how it challenges your thinking.
Ideal settings: During contemplative moments in the teaching, when something resonates and you want to explore why, when you want to journal or meditate on a specific point later.
Personal reflection
What it does: Generates a thoughtful personal reflection question based on the current teaching, designed to connect the message to your everyday life.
When to use it:
A teaching point resonates and you want to explore why
You want a question to sit with after the teaching ends
You're looking for a journaling prompt connected to today's message
The teaching feels relevant to something you're going through
Example scenario: The speaker is discussing forgiveness. You know it's relevant to a situation in your life, but you're not sure how to bridge from the teaching to your specific circumstances. A reflection question can help you make that connection.
What to expect: An open-ended, personally applicable question grounded in the current teaching content. Non-prescriptive and respectful of your own path.
Deeper meaning
What it does: Explores the deeper philosophical, spiritual, or existential meaning beneath the surface of what was just discussed. What universal truth is being pointed to?
When to use it:
The teaching feels like it's pointing to something bigger than the literal words
You want to understand the principle behind the story or example
The speaker is using metaphor or allegory and you want to unpack it
You sense a universal truth but can't quite articulate it
Example scenario: The speaker tells a parable about a seed that must break open to grow. On the surface it's simple, but you sense it's pointing to something profound about transformation and surrender. Hedy helps you articulate what's beneath the surface.
What to expect: An exploration of the deeper meaning, connecting the specific teaching to universal spiritual or philosophical themes.
Challenge my thinking
What it does: Identifies how the current teaching challenges common assumptions or conventional ways of thinking, and what paradigm shift or new perspective is being offered.
When to use it:
The teaching is saying something counterintuitive or surprising
You want to understand why this perspective matters
The teaching conflicts with how you normally see things — and you want to sit with that
You want to be genuinely challenged rather than just comforted
Example scenario: The speaker says "strength is found in surrender" — that's the opposite of what the world usually teaches. How does this reframe the way you think about a current challenge?
What to expect: An analysis of how the teaching challenges conventional thinking, with questions to help you engage with the tension constructively.
Goal: Connect to Life
When this applies: You want to take the teaching beyond the room and into your life. These prompts help you find practical, everyday applications for the principles being shared.
Ideal settings: When the teaching feels inspiring but abstract, when you want something concrete to do differently, when you're looking for ways to practice what's being taught.
Practical application
What it does: Suggests one specific, practical action or habit you could start today based on the teaching. Grounded, achievable, and directly connected to the message.
When to use it:
The teaching resonates but you're not sure what to do with it
You want one concrete takeaway to carry into the week
You learn best by doing, not just listening
You want to turn inspiration into action
Example scenario: The teaching is about generosity of spirit. Beautiful concept — but what does that look like on a Tuesday afternoon at work? Hedy bridges the gap between principle and practice.
What to expect: One specific, practical suggestion directly connected to today's teaching that you can start immediately.
Daily practice
What it does: Suggests a simple daily practice or mindfulness exercise that embodies the teaching's principles. Practical, non-prescriptive, and sustainable.
When to use it:
You want to build a habit around what you're learning
The teaching suggests a way of being that requires ongoing practice
You want something simple enough to do every day
You're looking for a contemplative practice to try this week
Example scenario: The teaching is about being present and attentive to others. A daily practice might be: "Before each conversation today, take one breath and set the intention to listen fully before responding."
What to expect: A simple, sustainable daily practice that connects directly to the teaching's core message.
Relationship application
What it does: Connects the teaching to your interpersonal relationships — how the principles being discussed might improve communication, compassion, or understanding with others.
When to use it:
The teaching touches on how we treat each other
You're thinking about a specific relationship that could benefit from this message
Spiritual growth feels most real when it improves how you love and connect
You want to bring the teaching home — literally
Example scenario: The teaching is about patience. You immediately think of a family member who tests yours. How might this teaching change the way you show up in that relationship this week?
What to expect: Practical ways to apply the teaching's principles in your relationships, tailored to the specific message being shared.
Goal: Explore Further
When this applies: The teaching has sparked curiosity and you want to go deeper on your own. These prompts help you find related readings, discover universal themes across traditions, and identify key concepts to study further.
Ideal settings: When a topic particularly interests you, when you want homework or further reading, when you want to explore connections to other traditions or thinkers.
Related readings
What it does: Suggests related texts, readings, or teachings from various traditions that explore similar themes — including both primary source texts and accessible commentary.
When to use it:
A topic has captured your interest and you want to read more
You want to go deeper on a specific passage or concept referenced
You're building a personal study list
You want both classic texts and modern interpretations
Example scenario: The speaker discussed the concept of loving your neighbor and referenced a specific text. You want to read that text in full, plus find other writings that explore the same theme from different angles.
What to expect: A curated list of related readings, ranging from the specific texts referenced to broader explorations of similar themes.
Similar teachings
What it does: Identifies parallels between the current teaching and similar wisdom from other spiritual, philosophical, or cultural traditions, highlighting universal themes.
When to use it:
You're curious how other traditions approach the same questions
You want to see the universal truth behind tradition-specific language
Cross-tradition connections deepen your appreciation of the teaching
You want to discuss the teaching with people from different backgrounds
Example scenario: The speaker is teaching about non-attachment. You know Buddhism has a lot to say about this, but what do other traditions teach? What does Stoic philosophy say? What about Sufi poetry? These connections can deepen understanding.
What to expect: Parallels from other traditions that explore similar themes, highlighting the universal wisdom connecting different perspectives.
Key terms
What it does: Lists the most important spiritual, theological, or philosophical terms and concepts mentioned in the teaching, with brief definitions and suggestions for which ones warrant deeper study.
When to use it:
Several important terms were used that you want to understand better
You want a vocabulary list to study after the teaching
Some terms were used in a specific way that might differ from common usage
You're new to this tradition and building foundational knowledge
Example scenario: The teaching used terms like "grace," "covenant," and "redemption" in specific theological ways. You want clear definitions and a sense of which concepts are most important to understand deeply.
What to expect: A list of key terms with concise definitions and guidance on which ones are most important to study further.
Pro tip: After the teaching, check your Detailed Notes for a dedicated "Referenced Texts & Readings" section that lists every scripture, passage, or text referenced during the talk — with context on how the speaker used each one.