The Spiritual Forum: Recent Episodes
The Spiritual Forum
Intimate, authentic and practical, this is not your usual podcast. Every other week Rev Carol Saunders engages in extraordinary conversations with interesting people on spiritual living. She seeks to inspire her audience through personal stories of awakening, forgiveness, healing, spiritual practice, touching the Divine and other experiences of transformation. Her guests may be authors, filmmakers or experts, or they may be everyday people who are willing to open up and authentically share their journey to wholeness and how they are navigating our current world.
Gain valuable insights into navigating life with faith and resilience as Rabbi Judy Greenfeld shares her own experience around the tragic murder of her father and the spiritual journey it took her on. Coming from two different faith traditions, she and Rev. cover esoteric questions such as “What is God?” “What is spirituality?” and “Why did we come here?” as well as what it will take to establish peace within ourselves and a harmonious and creative world. Tune in and empower yourself to move forward with hope, strength and purpose!
Bio : Judy Greenfeld is a concierge Rabbi / Cantor and co-author of two books that integrate ancient wisdom with modern approaches to holistic healing: Minding the Temple of the Soul and Entering the Temple of Dreams. As the founder of Nachshon Minyan, a community geared toward unaffiliated Jews, Judy is committed to helping people rewrite their negative stories about faith and find deeper meaning through personalized daily spiritual practices.
spiritualawakening #interfaith #interfaithdialogue #faith #resilience #spirituality #hope #survival #innerpeace #meaningoflife #findyourstrength #god #spiritualjourney #findingpurpose #harmoniousworld #personalgrowth #spiritualgrowth #lifechallenges #spiritualinsights #whatisgod #whenbadthingshappen
Alan Heeks left his successful business career to start an organic farm from scratch. This bold transition led him to profound insights about cultivating human nature.🌱 In this episode, Alan shares about the importance of engaging deeply with nature. You will also you will learn how organic methods, such as nourishing our roots, composting stress, and maintaining wild margins can help us thrive and create solutions in our everyday lives. 🌿 At 22 minutes, Alan also leads us in a short tree meditation to facilitate self discovery.
Bio : Alan Heeks is a wellbeing expert and author who had a successful business career before following a wild impulse and starting an organic farm from scratch, with zero experience. His Natural Happiness approach has helped him through his life crises, and his new book, Natural Happiness: Use Organic Gardening Skills to Cultivate Yourself, has grown from the many workshops he has led for individuals, community groups, and NHS doctors.
About Alan's book : https://www.alanheeks.com/natural-happiness/
NaturalHappiness #WellbeingJourney #TransformationalInsights #OrganicLiving #SelfDiscovery #PersonalGrowth #ThriveNaturally #CultivatingHumanNature #Meditation #SustainableLiving #OrganicFarming #NatureTherapy #MindfulLiving #EcoFriendly #HolisticHealth #TreeMeditation
Discover the power of a Self-Led Life! Seth Kopald, author of Self-Led Life, introduces us to Internal Family Systems (IFS), a transformative tool that sees every human being as a system of protective and wounded inner parts led by a core Self. Learn how to uncover and befriend your reactive/exiled parts so that your authentic Self can take the helm of your life. This powerful spiritual practice fosters genuine relationships, healthier parenting and a deeper connection to the Divine.
Bio: Seth Kopald is a certified, level 3, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Practitioner. He holds a PhD in Organization Management with a Specialization in Leadership and a Masters in Education. Seth is an experienced IFS training Program Assistant for Levels 1, 2, and 3. He has also been on Dick Schwartz’s staff for multiple retreats and Seth facilitates his own retreats and workshops. Seth is the author of the book Self-Led and his specialties include Self-led Parenting, Leadership, Parts Art, Spirituality, and creating spaces where people's parts feel safe and understood.
About Self Led book by Seth Kopald : Self-Led walks you through the building of authentic relationships with yourself and with others. While reading Self-Led, you will gain a thorough understanding of what Internal Family Systems (IFS) refers to as your Self and your parts. You will learn how to form relationships with your parts by listening to and understanding them. You will also learn how to be Self-led in some of the most important aspects of your life: in intimate relationships, at work, while parenting, and in your own spirituality. By becoming Self-led, you will live a more harmonious life.
Website : https://www.sethkopald.com/
SelfLedLife #InternalFamilySystems #IFS #AuthenticSelf #SpiritualPractice #DivineConnection #HealingJourney #InnerHealing #SelfAwareness #PersonalGrowth #emotionalintelligence
healthyrelationships #spiritualgrowth #parentingtips #selfcompassion #spiritualawakening #takecontrolofyourlife
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kaira Jewel Lingo, a Dharma teacher continuing the legacy of engaged Buddhism pioneered by Thich Nhat Hanh. After 15 years as an ordained nun in Thich Nhat Hanh's monastic community of Plum Village, Kaira now shares her wisdom internationally, blending Zen and Vipassana traditions with a focus on BIPOC communities, activists, artists, educators, families, and youth. In this episode we traverse the themes of answering the spiritual call, discerning ends and beginnings, being in service to others, the experience of interconnectedness, and much more. 🧘
Kaira Jewel Lingo Bio : Kaira Jewel Lingo is a Dharma teacher with a lifelong interest in spirituality and social justice. She draws inspiration from her parents’ lives of service and her dad’s work with Martin Luther King, Jr. After living as an ordained nun for 15 years in Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastic community, Kaira Jewel now teaches internationally in the Zen lineage and the Vipassana tradition, as well as in secular mindfulness, at the intersection of racial, climate and social justice. She is the author of We Were Made for These Times: Ten Lessons in Moving through Change, Loss and Disruption and co-author of Healing Our Way Home: Black Buddhist Teachings on Ancestors, Joy and Liberation. She and her husband currently lead Buddhist/Christian retreats in Long Island, NY.
I teach a monthly, online Buddhist Christian Community of Meditation and Action with my partner, Adam Bucko, an Episcopal priest. It is usually the last Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9pm ET. More info at: https://www.kairajewel.com/teaching/buddhist-christian-community-of-practice-and-action
website: www.kairajewel.com
Kaira's books are available on Amazon : Amazon.com/author/kairajewel
EngagedBuddhism #ThichNhatHanh #DharmaTeacher #Zen #VipassanaMeditation #SpiritualJourney #Activism #Liberation #SpiritualGrowth #Mindfulness #SocialJustice #BuddhistCommunity #TransformativeWisdom
Our spiritual path calls us to care for every ecosystem and creature on our beautiful planet. In this episode we delve into the importance of being good Earth stewards and participating in the Ecochallenge 2024 initiative with our special guest Elizabeth Zavodsky. Join us as we explore the various ways individuals and communities can make a positive impact on the planet through small, everyday actions. We hope you are inspired to participate in any or all of five action categories during the month of April: community, fresh water & oceans, land and forests, climate & air, and biodiversity & wildlife.
Elizabeth Zavodsky Bio : Elizabeth is an experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the environmental services industry. Skilled in Fundraising, Sales, Management, Program Development, Business Development, and Alumni Relations. Strong community and social services professional with a Master's degree focused in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration from University of Denver.
Link to sign up for the Earth month ecochallenge:
https://earthmonth.ecochallenge.org/
Ecochallenge2024 #SustainableLiving #ClimateAction #EarthStewards #EnvironmentalChallenge #ReduceReuseRecycle #GreenLiving #PlanetCare #EcoActivism #biodiversity
Join us on an enlightening journey as we delve deep into the awakening of consciousness with the insightful Monica Esgueva. Monica believes we are living in a time where the Earth is transforming vibrationally and each of us is either evolving with it or not. She shares her insights on why we are here, the three tiers of human development, and the importance of cultivating our inner wisdom during these critical times. We discuss the enormous challenges in the awakening process and the perpetual allure of the matrix/simulation/sense world we are immersed in. Ultimately, each of us is on our own hero’s journey to higher levels of consciousness, calling us to make life-affirming choices with compassion for all. Two roads stand before us. Which one are you prepared to take?
Monica Esgueva bio : Mónica Esgueva is a renowned self-development teacher and spiritual guide known for bridging the gap between Eastern and Western philosophies. With a profound understanding of the mind, human consciousness, and spirituality, she has been helping the transformation of individuals for more than fifteen years.
She is a prolific author celebrated for her impact on self-development in Spain and Latin America, with 9 empowering books, including the bestselling "Mindfulness." Mónica's journey extends beyond her literary contributions; she immersed herself in profound teachings from Tibetan lamas, including the revered Dalai Lama, during a decade-long exploration in India and Nepal.
She teaches workshops and guides meditation & transcendence retreats. She has been a TEDx speaker and a frequent Spanish national TV guest. Very committed to guiding others’ inner evolution, she has worked as a transformational coach for the last fifteen years. Currently, she is co-directing a documentary about the path to self-realization, for which she is also the hostess.
Mónica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a Master’s Degree. Afterward, she completed several studies and training in Coaching with NLP (with John Grinder, co-creator of Neuro-Linguistic Programming), leadership at INSEAD (France), Mindfulness at UCLA, psychology and neurosciences at MIT and King's College London, hypnosis at the NLP Center of New York, and more. Since 2008, she has taught emotional mastery, self-knowledge, and mindfulness to more than 2,500 executives at companies such as Accenture, Samsung, and Oracle.
She was honored as one of the Top 100 Women Leaders in Spain and one of the Top 10 “Thinkers and Experts Awards.” Besides her native Spain, she has lived in Paris, London, Tanzania, and Asia. She speaks four languages fluently.
Monica Esgueva website : http://www.monicaesgueva.com/
Check out all Monica Esgueva's books on - http://www.monicaesgueva.com/books/
Consciousness #PersonalGrowth #Spirituality #MindBodySpirit #PodcastInterview #MonicaEsgueva #EvolvingConsciousness #awakening #greatawakening #matrix #simulation #sovereignty #transformation #herosjourney
Dr. Nayana Shah, a quantum physicist, meditation practitioner and creative visionary, shares her profound wisdom on cultivating a life brimming with awareness, kindness, and innovation. Nayana's expertise extends far beyond conventional boundaries. Rooted in the Ahimsa principles of Jainism, enriched by the practice of Vipassana meditation, and inspired by the revelations of quantum physics, her consciousness is a tapestry of ancient wisdom and modern insights.
Nayana Bio - Dr Nayana Shah is an international scientist – a theoretical quantum physicist – dedicated to living a conscious, compassionate and creative life illuminated by a constant inquiry of truth. Her research seeks to understand how different phases and properties of matter emerge in a collection of many particles interacting with each other under different conditions. That quest is also to identify the universalities within the diversity. She has a holistic plant-based and Ahimsic lifestyle (rooted in her Jain upbringing) and is a long-term Vipassana meditator as well as a yoga and non-violent communication practitioner/teacher/facilitator. She has founded and led several initiatives in diverse spheres and settings, is involved in grassroots activism and regenerative movement, and her work spans from the local to the global level. She serves as a board member and education chair of the Cincinnati Permaculture Institute and as a board trustee of the Parliament of the World’s Religions
On Golden Rule Day, 5th April, the Charter for Compassion will be celebrating the occasion with a day of special events and Dr. Nayana Shah will be presenting a talk "Alice's adventure in the Golden Rule Land. Follow Charter for Compassion on Social Media to get more information as the Golden Rule Day approaches.
https://charterforcompassion.org/news-events/special-events/golden-rule-day/golden-rule-day.html
ahimsa #quantumphysics #goldenrule #consciousness #compassionateliving #awakening #mindbodyspirit #jainism
In this conversation, Michael shares his insights and experiences in the realm of breathwork and mindfulness. Discover how Michael's journey led him to explore the transformative power of conscious breathing practices and how they can positively impact our lives. Through his wisdom and expertise, Michael offers practical techniques to cultivate presence, reduce stress, and enhance emotional well-being.
Michael Bio - Michael, a retired scientist, has devoted decades to a profound engagement with an ancient yoga tradition that prioritizes breathwork. With over forty years immersed in this tradition and direct tutelage under its esteemed founder, Michael has emerged as a preeminent teacher of remedial breathwork. He has led two teacher-training courses, imparted his expertise at esteemed platforms such as the European Yoga Congress, and graced the stage at four World Yoga Festivals. Currently serving as the Chair of the British Council for Yoga Therapy (bcyt.org), Michael resides in Hampshire, UK, enriching lives through his deep understanding of breathwork and holistic well-being.
Breath for Health book: https://www.amazon.com/Breath-Health-Mindful-Restore-Breathing/dp/1803414405
https://breath4health.yoga/
How do we ride the waves of turmoil, crisis, and all that is currently happening in the world? According to Nicola Amadora, we need to unleash love - to live as love and embody it; to plant seeds of love in the midst of conflict and mindfully find ways to be in sacred relationships. In this episode we delve into the true nature of love and its extraordinary ability to heal, inspire, and elevate us to our fullest potential.
Nicola Amadora Bio - Dr. Nicola Amadora teaches a refreshingly real and embodied way of spirituality to unleash love for the great turning in our lives and this world. For three decades she has been guiding thousands of people as a spiritual teacher, psychologist, women leader, author and speaker worldwide. She is the founder of Living Connection and The deep Feminine Way' and the author of Love Unleashed.
Nocila Amadora Website - https://www.nicolaamadora.com/
Get copy of her latest book - https://www.amazon.in/Love-Unleashed-Rise-World-Edge-ebook/dp/B0CLRRTC4D
Medical anthropologist and certified mindfulness instructor Sue Schneider shares about the transformative power of mindfulness and how this practice can reshape our brains for the better, and foster resilience, clarity, and emotional well-being. Cultivating a mindful state serves as fertile ground for wise and compassionate action, empowering us to navigate life with grace and kindness. Sue Schneider Bio - Sue Schneider, Ph.D., is a medical anthropologist, integrative health coach, certified mindfulness instructor, and author. She leads community health and wellness initiatives as an Extension Professor and Sate Health Specialist with Colorado State University’s Office of Engagement and Extension. Sue is the author of Meeting the Moment with Kindness: How Mindfulness Can Help Us Find Calm, Stability, and an Open Heart published by Mantra Books. She lives in Fort Collins, CO with her husband, teenage son, and two dogs.
Link to Sue's book: www.meetingthemoment.org.
Humanity has been embroiled in wars for thousands of years. In 2024 we find ourselves in a war-torn world once again. In this episode, we delve into a discussion on why we keep repeating war and who we need to become as spiritual beings to stop its perpetuation. Hans Wilhelm, renowned author, illustrator and mystic is our guest as we cover three of his key subject videos: “How to Transcend War,” “Why Do We Kill,” and “Who Rules the World?”
Hans Wilhelm Bio - Hans Wilhelm is a mystic, author, and illustrator of over 200 books for all ages – including some together with Byron Katie. His books have sold over 40 million copies and are translated into 30 languages. For more than 10 years Hans has created over 140 short YouTube videos in which he visually explains the spiritual laws of the universe. In these videos, you can watch him drawing the dynamics of these laws and see how all the dots connect. This absolutely unique visual presentation has made his videos so successful that they have been watched by over 18 million viewers. The videos are also available for free on www.LIFEexplained.com.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIFEexplainedvideos.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LIFEexplainedMedia Instagram: lifeexplained
Join us on a profound journey "From Beyond the Veil" as we explore the mysteries of near-death experiences (NDEs) with esteemed researcher Douglas Hodgkins. In this podcast episode, we delve into the depths of consciousness and the afterlife, guided by Hodgkins' extensive research of over 500 NDE testimonies. Learn about the common themes of NDEs and the universal spiritual lessons they reveal.
Douglas Hodgkins Bio - Douglas Hodgson is a former lawyer and Dean and Professor of Law residing in Perth, Western Australia. He is the author of many books and articles including "Transcendental Spirituality, Wisdom and Virtue: The Divine Virtues and Treasures of the Heart". His latest book - Spiritual Revelations from Beyond the Veil" is available on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble, 0-Books, Hive, and Indie as well as local bookshops.
Douglas's book: https://www.amazon.in/Spiritual-Revelations-Beyond-Veil-Experience-ebook/dp/B0CLRR74F5
Celeste Edmunds considered herself a “garbage bag girl” for much of her life as she was immersed in the child welfare system from the age of seven, constantly moving and experiencing various forms of abuse. Hers is a compelling story of transformation, healing, hope and overcoming adversity against all odds, as well as owning her own regretful actions. Here she tells her spiritual story for the first time and how her higher power ultimately guided her to a new life of self-love and service to others. Anyone on the spiritual path will be inspired.
Celeste Edmunds Bio - Celeste Edmunds is passionate about making a difference in the lives of youth and the child welfare system so that others may not have to go through the same experiences she had. Today she is the Executive Director of Christmas Box International located in Utah, which has defended more than 155,000 children over 28 years. In her recently released book, Garbage Bag Girl, Celese tells her story of being in the child welfare system from the age of seven, where she experienced an ongoing cycle of police calls, fighting, and physical, sexual, and mental abuse. Ultimately, hers is a story of hope and inspiration, where she finds her way back to her higher power and a family of love.
Know more about Celeste: https://celesteedmunds.com/
Get Celeste’s memoir, Garbage Bag Girl: https://www.amazon.com/Garbage-Bag-Girl-Celeste-Edmunds/dp/1958626635
Dive into the world of mindfulness and simplicity with the one and only Timber Hawkeye, renowned author of "Buddhist Boot Camp." In this episode, Timber shares his insightful perspectives on cultivating inner peace amidst the chaos of modern life. We explore practical applications of Buddhist principles, discussing how simple yet powerful practices can bring tranquility and clarity to our everyday experiences. Timber's unique blend of wisdom, humor, and relatable anecdotes will leave you inspired and help you navigate life's challenges. Timber Hawkeye Bio - Timber Hawkeye was born Jewish, ordained Buddhist, uses a Hindu mantra, and his morning meditation is a Catholic prayer. He is the bestselling author of Buddhist Boot Camp, Faithfully Religionless and The Opposite of Namaste. His books and podcast offer a secular and non-sectarian mindfulness practice to be at peace with the world. Get his latest books - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0086AEXKE Know more about Timber Hawkeye - https://www.buddhistbootcamp.com/
In this heartfelt episode, we invite you to embark on a journey into the realm of spirituality within relationships. Join our insightful conversation with the renowned relationship and personal growth expert, Barry Vissel, as we explore the transformative power of spirituality in fostering deeper connections and love. Barry shares about the amazing miracles in his life, learning to say 'no' and delving into the self to experience authentic feelings.
Bio - Barry Vissell, MD, together with his wife Joyce since 1964, is the co-author of 10 books, including The Shared Heart, To Really Love a Woman, To Really Love a Man, and their just-released, A Couple of Miracles: One Couple, More than a Few Miracles. Barry is a medical doctor and psychiatrist who travels internationally conducting talks and workshops on relationship and personal growth.
Know more about Barry - SharedHeart.org
Get know of his latest book - https://www.amazon.com/Couple-Miracles-One-More-Than/dp/0961272090
Join us in this thought-provoking podcast episode as we explore 'An End to Upside Down Medicine' with the insightful guest, Mark Gober. Delve into a captivating discussion that challenges conventional perspectives on medicine, consciousness, and healing. Mark Gober, an esteemed author and thought leader, shares his profound insights on shifting paradigms in healthcare, offering a fresh perspective that could revolutionize our approach to well-being. Tune in for a mind-expanding conversation that redefines the boundaries of modern medicine and invites you to consider a new era of holistic health.
Bio: Mark Gober is the author of the "Upside Down" series of six books spanning the topics of consciousness, spiritual development, politics, economics, and medicine. Previously he was a partner at a Silicon Valley strategy firm and a New York investment banker. He graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University.
Mark's latest book: https://www.amazon.com/Upside-Down-Medicine-Vaccines-Consciousness/dp/1960583867
Website: https://markgober.com/
“Do you have the courage to be free?” That is the question that kicks off this conversation with return guest, Guy Finley. It is our birthright to be free, and we are equipped with everything we need to live powerfully. In spite of this, we habitually look to the outer world to give us something that will make our lives easier. And it’s a ruse! According to Guy, “We have swallowed images of ourselves, failing to see that our lives are not made better by it. All the things we amass and identify with have stolen our freedom instead of enlarge or enhance it.” The focus of this conversation is Guy’s book, The Courage to Be Free. You will learn how to step into courage, which is the door to true freedom.
Key lessons:
1. No psychological fear is part of your original equipment
2. No painful resentment or regret is part of your original equipment (resistance is negative attraction)
3. No anxiety – with its painful rushing around – is part of your original equipment
About Guy Finley:
Guy Finley is the Founder and Director of Life of Learning Foundation, a nonprofit Center for Spiritual Discovery, through which he has presented over 5,000 self-realization seminars to thousands of people throughout North America and Europe over the past 20 years. He is the acclaimed author of The Secret of Letting Go and more than 45 other books and audio programs that have sold over two million copies in 30 languages worldwide. Born into a successful show business family, Guy’s career traversed a number of areas including composing award-winning music for many popular recording artists such as Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, Billy Preston and the Four Seasons. He also scored several motion pictures and TV shows and wrote and recorded his own albums under the Motown and RCA labels. I am going to cut this short and let Guy fill in the blanks of his story from his childhood in Hollywood to composer to self-realization author and worldwide seminar leader.
Listeners of The Spiritual Forum podcast can purchase the hard-cover book of The Courage to Be Free at $5.99 which is 60% off the regular price. www.guyfinley.org/courage
Guy also leads free twice weekly online classes which can be accessed at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/9067053776971860749?source=interview
© the spiritual forum 2024
As we head into 2024, Rev. Carol shares some inspiration and highlights from a few of her podcast guests who were on the show this past year. We are living a world immersed in wars and social divides, and one that is changing rapidly. Who are we going to be going forward? Is our consciousness rising? What wisdom can inspire us to remain steeped in faith and make the right choices for our evolutionary path? What spiritual practices should we consider starting? This and more is shared in this episode. A new lineup of 2024 guests will begin next week! Happy New Year!The podcast episodes highlighted are:Episode 222 with Pierre Pradervand -Spiritual Discernment Pierre's theology:Creator bless my mind that I may think only think only thoughts of loveBless my ear that all I hear, I listen to with loveBless my eyes that I may see all with loveBless my lips that every word that comes from them is a word of love.Bless my heart that I may give and receive loveBless my hands that all I do is done with loveBless my feet that I may walk with peace upon this earthEpisode 218 & 219 with Geoff Thompson - Freedom Through Forgiveness and Reciprocity & Entanglement“When we forgive someone, they should be very afraid. It means we have given them over to the law of reciprocity. It means we have let them go.” -- Geoff Thompson “Until we can use our will to live consciously and make wise choices every day, to be self-aware, to self-observer and be virtuous, we cannot lay claim to the kingdom.” -- Geoff ThompsonEpisode 197 with VinnieTolman - The Light After DeathVinnie's ten lessons he learned while purifying his soul on this extraordinary soul journey beyond the veil:1.Be authentic2.The purpose of life3.Love everyone (which includes EVERYONE)4.Listen to your inner voice5.Use technology responsibly6.Release prejudice (even against the intolerant)7.The power of Creation8.Avoid negative influences9.The purpose of evil10.We are all oneEpisode 206 with Lois Bouchard - Being at Peace with What Is• We are never alone• We are protected• We each have a destiny• The key to hearing the voice of Spirit is quieting the mind • Faith, hope and love guide us through all adversity • Look for the light when you are in darkness – lift your heart to God/Source/Spirit© the spiritual forum 2024
I am re-publishing this episode from 2021 for Christmas week, 2023. What better Christmas present to give ourselves than an understanding of the Law of Attraction and the Art of Receiving? The Law of Attraction, as we understand it, doesn’t always work! My guest, Patty Lennon, shares why that is and how we can remove our blocks to receiving. Patty is an ex-corporate banker turned intuitive coach. She cared for aging parents, worked through grief and racked up significant debt in the midst of starting a new business. A big shift that brought 'magic' into her life happened once she started to surrender her heavy obligations and hold faith that the Divine truly had her back. Patty has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company and Daily Worth. She is the founder and CEO of The Receiving School and the author of the new book, Make Space for Magic. We have a lively and insightful conversation which includes:•Living with the question, “Would God be happy with me?”•Seeing success through a new lens of "How can I help others succeed?"•What is “magic?”•What the energy of surrender creates for us•How the Law of Attraction must vibrate from our soul, not just our mind•We have to be receptive to receive what the Universe gives us•Being in receptivity means receiving every piece of our life, every piece of ourselves -- the good and the bad•Timing matters – be willing to accept something that is in the direction of your dreams -- you may have to wait for the ultimate fulfillment •We sometimes have desires but we don’t ask•The horrible experience of Law of Attraction shaming – when people say, “It didn't work because you didn’t do it right!”•This is an individualized process, not a one size fits all•The minute you have a desire, the divine starts co creating with you•There's only one currency on the other side of the veil and it's kindness•The five rules of receiving: 1) Receive the outer world fully 2) Receive yourself fully 3) Clear space to make space 4) Learn your language – how the divine communicates with you 5) Do your 100 percent but not more; after that surrender• The rejected self theory – the benefit to accepting ourselves as lazy, selfish, needy, etc.Patty Lennon links:https://www.pattylennon.com/https://patty-lennon.mykajabi.com/the-receiving-schoolhttps://www.amazon.com/Make-Space-Magic-Abundance-Universe/dp/195480119X© the spiritual forum 2023
In this episode, Rev. Carol shares a spiritual interpretation of the Christmas story. The story tells of the birth of the Christ Presence on Earth in the baby Jesus, but it also tells us of the birth of the Christ consciousness in us. The Christmas story combines the accounts in Matthew chapters 1 & 2 and Luke chapters 1 & 2. It has been told for over 2000 years and we see it depicted in nativity scenes in homes, churches and cities. Some people believe the account to be true. Others believe it is a birth story, created to exalt the person of Jesus. Still others believe it is 100% story. Beyond all that, what does it mean for us? This is a condensed retelling of the Christmas Eve service that Rev. Carol led at the Unity church she founded. She shares metaphysical interpretations of all the key elements in the story. Every character is a part of you! Let this story come alive in you this Christmas season!© the spiritual forum 2023
Are you being called by the Divine to step into a new way of life?Is there some aspect of yourself that keeps you bound or unfree that you are ready to leave behind?Is there a person in your life who you need to unbind in some way so they can freely step into a new way of life?These questions and more are explored in this episode with guest, Rev. James Martin as we delve into the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. You may think this story has little to do with you, but you are invited to find yourself in the characters and see it come alive.Guest bio: Rev. Martin is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, consultor to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, and author of the New York Times bestsellers Learning to Pray, Jesus: A Pilgrimage, and The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything. Father Martin is a frequent commentator in the national and international media, having appeared on all the major networks and outlets like: The Colbert Report, NPR’s Fresh Air, the New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. In his latest book, Come Forth! he examines one of the most intriguing events in the New Testament—the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead—and explains its significance for us today. In this episode we talk about:•Being open to the call of Spirit and living lives of transformation•The story of Lazurus from historical and metaphorical perspectives•The symbols of the tomb and the command “unbind him”•The important role of community in a “coming forth” experience•The many ways we can personally experience death and rebirth •The story of Mary and Martha – action and receptivity and how both are necessary•Rev. Jim’s ministry to the LGBQ community•The importance of making stories mean something to us individuallyMore about Rev. James Martin:America Magazine: https://www.americamagazine.org/voices/james-martin-sjCome Forth book: https://www.amazon.com/Come-Forth-Promise-Greatest-Miracle-ebook/dp/B0B1DSFWJ1?ref_=ast_author_mpbJames Martin books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002L09ZEY/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=2509ea2c-b4f4-47ff-9ed2-25ae8825909d&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdrSocial media links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrJamesMartin/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesmartinsj/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesMartinSJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorLearn more and if you are moved to donate at thespiritualforum.org.© the spiritual forum 2023
In this episode we talk about the shadow and how important it is to the spiritual path. Have you ever wondered how spiritual leaders and gurus who claim to reach high levels of consciousness can get caught up in sexual or financial scandals, or just generally misbehave in relationships? Or how independent adults can give up their own authority and give blind faith to someone else? In this episode we’ll learn about that and more. Listen to the end to learn about the separate lines of development and how we have shadow material stuck in each chakra. This is very important spiritual work!Guest bio: Connie Zweig is a retired psychotherapist, former executive editor at Jeremy P Tarcher Publishing, former columnist for Esquire magazine and contributor to the LA times. She has been on a spiritual path, practicing and teaching meditation for more than fifty years - exploring the light and dark side of contemporary spirituality. Her award-winning book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, extends her work on the Shadow into midlife and beyond and explores aging as a spiritual practice. She is a wife, stepmother, and grandmother. In all these roles, she practices the shift from role to soul. Connie’s latest book is Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path – The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening. Some of the topics we discuss are:• Our focus on the light and not the dark • Meditation doesn’t solve our emotional problems, prayer doesn’t resolve our trauma, affirmations don’t bring us relief or awakening• We don’t want to give up the practices but we want to expand to include the full spectrum of life• We can’t “grow up” with spiritual practices only• Meditation can help prepare us to meet our shadow• If I recognize my shadow characters I can have a moment where I can make another choice – requires self-reflection and moral development• Narrow cultural identities that are so popular today miss the spiritual identity• Most of humanity is tribal, not yet individuated out of the group• There are separate lines of development in us – emotional, spiritual, moral, cognitive• There is shadow material stuck in every chakra If you want to learn spiritual shadow work with other people (free groups), email conniezweig@gmail.com and put "Spiritual Shadow" in the subject lineLinks:Website: https://conniezweig.com/The Inner Work of Age: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1644113406?tag=simonsayscomMeeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: https://www.amazon.com/Meeting-Shadow-Spiritual-Path-Awakening/dp/1644117223#shadowwork #awakening #awakeningsoul #consciousness #spiritualshadow #chakrahealing© the spiritual forum 2023
Born into an impoverished Ozarks hillbilly upbringing, Barbara Jenkins was always a dreamer, which led her to high adventure. As a young woman living in New Orleans in 1976, she dropped work on her master’s degree to walk across America with her newly wedded husband, Peter Jenkins. Their three-year, 3,000-mile walk across America became one of the most popular stories in the National Geographic Magazine in 1979. Her story is one of faith, courage, fortitude, humility and forgiveness – all essential elements of the spiritual journey. After 40 years of silence, Barbara now reveals how she experienced the famous walk across America and its crushing aftermath in her memoir, So Long as It’s Wild. In this episode we learn about the spiritual lessons she learned on her compelling life adventure. Some of the many things we discuss are:· We are all dreamers –cultivate your own dreams!· Callings don’t necessarily come as a command, but as a question· You declare your own destiny by the next step that you take – it’s not preordained· There are many ways we are protected by the Divine· Endurance and long-suffering can serve us well – they prepare us for future challenges· Walking in faith is not knowing what the next step is - taking life one day at a time and trusting God to lead you· Every person has a destiny – it’s important to find your own· We can use our internal struggles to catapult us to greater things· Fear of the unknown keeps us stuck· The importance of telling your own story· Spirit guides show up in many ways, including people and animals· There is so much beauty and life around us that we fail to notice“Although Peter chose a different path than the one we started together, all human beings are flawed, and I’m chief among them,” says Jenkins. “I was pathetically naive, codependent, self-righteous, and stubborn as an Ozark mule. For reasons I may never understand this side of eternity, walking across America; enduring heartache, love, and loss; and laying down my marriage was my destiny. And I wouldn’t change a thing. It was tangled and messy at times, but I’ve learned to do two things: keep repenting and keep forgiving. God’s grace will do the rest. Let not your heart be troubled. Go on your way because like me, whatever your destiny is, you are the apple of God’s eye. Hear the words of my dirt-poor and sweet ole’ Granny from the Ozarks: ‘Everything will be all right.’” — Barbara Jenkinswebsite: https://www.barbarajojenkins.com/book: https://www.amazon.com/So-Long-Its-Wild-Standing/dp/1947297716© the spiritual forum 2023
“Go within or go without” is Martha Creek’s concise and clear mission and vision. A double ordained minister, self-employed consultant, speaker, coach, leader and workshop facilitator, Martha has a unique and endearing coaching style. In her work she helps people function at higher levels in their professional and personal relationships, honoring others while staying true to themselves. This episode is chock full of useful guidance and is timed to support you in navigating some of the challenges you may face at family gatherings, such as Thanksgiving. Martha’s latest book is Presence and Potential - Experience Your Higher Self and Live in Wholeness. This is a book for anyone with the desire to increase their leadership and their lower anxiety. Some of the topics we discuss are:• Breaking patterns of relating• The crazy expectation that people will show up differently• How to refuse to be coerced by others• The false belief that we can stop the suffering of others • The importance of keeping relationships open and focused on the person, not others who aren’t there• The traps of gossip• Be willing to learn – what is possible?#spirituality #differentiation #truetoyourself #stayconnected #familychallenges Martha's links: Website: https://marthacreek.com/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Presence-Potential-Experience-Higher-Wholeness/dp/B0CL4XQ36RYouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@marthacreek© the spiritual forum 2023
Marla Hughes is passionate about children -- learning from their wisdom, preserving their divine connection and creating rituals to support them in their challenging times. She answers the call of her intuition to take dramatic actions, anchored in love, in the world. Together with her daughter, she brought play to refugee children in Poland. She founded the Ethiopian Family Fund, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of Ethiopian children. She travels annually to Ethiopia where she learns to slow down and appreciate the simplicity of life while being in service to local communities. She also recently authored her first children’s book, Love Magic, which inspires children who have lost oved ones to reconnect with them in the here and now. Marla is the founder and host of the podcast, Interviews with Innocence, where she explores how children can help us reconnect with our spiritual selves. Whether you have children in your life or not, in this episode you will learn about the light and hope that today’s children bring to the world and gain some ideas on how to heal and honor your own inner child from his/her breaks in belonging and unacknowledged feelings. We also discuss the wisdom of the elderly, the culture in Ethiopia, the importance of ritual and how we can bring it alive in our lives. And much more!website/podcast: https://www.interviewswithinnocence.com/rituals: https://www.interviewswithinnocence.com/introductionLove Magic book: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Magic-Marla-Hughes/dp/1953912117Ethiopian Family Fund: http://www.ethiopianfamilyfund.org/© the spiritual forum 2023
Is it rational to be believe in a higher power? Or is God/Source/Spirit a fantasy “Santa Claus” crutch that appeases our childlike natures? These questions and more are explored in this episode with guest, Dr. Eldon Taylor. Eldon is a New York Times best-selling author publishing on a wide range of topics from exposing the darker sides of mind programming and brainwashing to the spiritual search for life’s meaning. He is an expert in the area of preconscious information processing and has served as an expert trial witness with regards to both subliminal communication and hypnosis. Eldon was also a practicing criminalist for over ten years where he supervised and conducted investigations and testing to detect deception. In the first half of this podcast we explore the power and susceptibilities of the human mind. In the second half we dig into his latest book, Questioning Spirituality – Is It Irrational to Believe in God?, which explores both the atheist/scientism and believer rationales for trusting in a higher power. Among the many ideas shared in this episode are:•When we are dishonest, we are betraying ourselves•How and why subliminal messages work•How we talk to ourselves is a predictor of how we will behave•There are two ways to be tied up in the world - externally or internally through our beliefs•Free will is not free•Brainwashing goes way beyond MK Ultra etc. – it’s everywhere•We have a genetic predisposition, but we can change our personalities•What the first step to changing limiting thoughts is•The mechanistic model of science regarding humanity•The ‘logical’ reasons to reject spirituality•The advantages of being spiritual and why it’s not irrational to believe in God•“White Crow” stories that can’t be explained scientifically and attest to there being something beyond this reality – •Eldon’s own white crow story •Reason is a gift to decipher the language of GodLinks:Website: www.eldontaylor.com/Questioning Spirituality book: www.amazon.com/Questioning-Spiri…God/dp/1803413018Gotcha book: www.amazon.com/Gotcha-Subordinat…ooks%2C110&sr=1-1© the spiritual forum 2023
In this solocast, Rev. Carol shares the opening thoughts she presented at the 2023 Whole Planet Spirituality Forum & Retreat at Unity Village. The retreat theme was Peace Begins with Me and we explored ways we could evolve into Peacemakers on the planet. Nearly everyone wants peace, but are we doing the inner work to establish peace within ourselves? What we see in the outer world is a reflection of our consciousness! In this episode, Rev. Carol shares some suggested passages to peace. She also shares David Hawkin’s scale of consciousness and the importance of aligning our values, words and actions. Finally, she concludes with a short segment on Peace Pilgrim, a remarkable woman who walked penniless across the United States 6 ½ times to awaken the world to our common humanity and spiritual potential as peacemakers.Links:David Hawkins Scale of Consciousness (below): https://life-longlearner.com/how-to-measure-consciousness-using-the-map-of-consciousness-3-of-7/Power Versus Force book: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Force-David-Hawkins-M-D/dp/1401945074Peace Pilgrim: https://www.peacepilgrim.org/© the spiritual forum 2023
Are you living your purpose? Are you creating your life or letting circumstances drive it? What do you have to offer the world? Randy Adkins is passionate about inspiring individuals to live authentically, discover their purpose, and lead fulfilling lives. He is an ordained congregational minister, software programmer, corporate consultant, community leader and Distinguished Toastmaster. Randy hosts the Produce on Purpose podcast and has recently published the book, Produce on Purpose: Experience Life Being the Real You. Through his writing teaching and speaking, he inspires people to integrate spiritual growth principles into everyday life and become leaders and change agents – producers of their own lives. Some of the things we discuss in this episode are:•The roles of actors, directors and producers - we have the ability to be producers of our own lives•Cultivating our imagination allows us to be able to create in this world•How to wake up consistently at peace•We can create ourselves out of our current world conditions•We wear masks to hide our emotions or be socially accepted•Part of our purpose is to have intentional aim•How to find your purpose•We have a choice in saying yes to our purpose•Even in a dark world we all have light to share•There are seasons to our livesWebsite: www.RandyAdkinsJr.comBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1960236016?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_D90GRYZ1SJHDTZ99CMR3Podcast: https://www.randyadkinsjr.com/speaker/podcast/© the spiritual forum 2023
“Somewhere just at the edge of the apparent end of a matter is a door to a place where we might put a breath into the sentences of our lives – a place where we are stripped of all questions where more than we can imagine takes place.” - Rob Wykes in Pause - A Spiritual PowerOpportunities to enter a spiritual place are all around us but we often don't recognize them, opting instead to move on to the next thing. In his book, Pause - A Spiritual Power, author Rob Wykes helps people to identify those moments and enter places of ‘spiritual pause’ which exist ‘just at the fingertips of our mortal grasp.’ A former builder turned Chaplain and then charity Chief Executive, Rob trekked through Europe, India, Iran, and Pakistan as a young man, where he awakened to the deep and profound experiences that cross cultures. While he is a practicing Christian, the power of pause is not confined or defined by any one faith tradition. In this episode Rob defines pause as a spiritual power, talks about the importance of attending to the spiritual life, and shares his own pause experiences. Some of the things we talk about are:•There is much more to us than meets the eye•What is spirituality?•Categories don’t apply to our spiritual nature, so words can’t describe•God inhabits the spirit not the mental or emotional•Pause is when we get to the edge of the material •Why pause is a spiritual power•The spirit within us is fixed and needs no improvement•The soul, like the body needs feeding too•How prayer can be an internal conversation in our head•What ‘ask and it will be given’ really means •At the end of our mortal grasp is the spiritual realm; at the end of our prayers, we discover God •Unity and individual experiences•The importance of being expectant, waiting and listening Links:https://youtu.be/J8b9ho7vL0shttps://robwykes.com/https://www.facebook.com/rob.wykes.1© the spiritual forum 2023
Kate McNally grew up in a mainstream Christian faith, where she could not find the connection to the divine that she sought. Her path took her through psychology, science, and the pursuit of a successful career, but ultimately, she found solace for her soul in the Quaker tradition. There she discovered a spiritual community and a stripped-down, simple way of following the basic commandment, “Love one another.” In this episode we learn about the Quaker faith, talk about her book, Quaker Quicks - A Simple Faith in a Complicated World, and explore the faith of Jesus rather than the faith about Jesus. Some of the things we discuss are:• Peace, equality, simplicity, truth/integrity are the four core testimonies (values put into action)• Ministry is where your great joy meets the world’s needs• Every human can have a direct unmediated experience of the divine and every person/creature has a bit of God in them• Accountability, discernment and shared leadership• Curiosity about Jesus the human being• What “follow me” means (letting your life speak)• The ways many churches have missed the mark by glorifying themselves • The focus on Jesus’s death versus life• A new refreshing definition of perfection • Trying to be perfect doesn’t get us closer to God• How our strengths and weaknesses are inextricably linked • The impactful behind the scenes work of Quakers on the world stageA Simple Faith in a Complicated WorldL https://www.amazon.com/Quaker-Quicks-Complicated-Quakers-journey/dp/1803413034Kate's blog: http://www.bravespaces.blog#quaker #followme #spiritualjourney #loveoneanother © the spiritual forum 2023
In this second conversation with Serena Faith-Masterson, Rev. Carol explores with her some of the fear paradigms that plague the world, and what we can do to transmute them and raise our consciousness. Over 35 years, Serena healed from severe trauma, dissociative identity disorder, PTSD, depression, eating disorders and many other emotional issues. Twenty of those years was under the guidance of Norma Delaney, who taught her how to connect to her authentic self. Serena had been raised in a satanic cult and subjected from infancy to covert MK-Ultra mind-control experiments, where in her courageous fight to survive, she dissociated into over three-hundred unique personalities. Today she is a fully integrated person. In the epilogue of her memoir, I Am Serena, she wrote about the fear in our world (made more evident during Covid) and the opportunity to create something completely different by connecting with our souls through breath. In our first conversation, Episode 225 - The Power of the Soul, Serena shares her healing journey. This episode focuses on how to live in a world filled with fear programs, and choose life. Some themes we cover are:The nature of fear and what it does to usWe are all running fear programs whether we know it or notWhat we focus on we createThe brilliance of our soulHow to make the best choices for ourselvesThe waiting nature of the soulWhat we do to raise our consciousness impacts everyoneWe get to choose in every moment to live as higher consciousness“Our Soul voice tells us how brilliant we are, how loved we are, how exquisite we are. Our Soul honors and encourages us; she never judges us. She holds us with pure love, no matter what we do or what we experience.” – excerpt from I Am SerenaEpisode 225 - The Power of the Soul: https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/thepowerofthesoulLinks:Serena’s website: https://www.iamserena.net/Book: https://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Serena-Serena-Faith-Masterson/dp/1733097082Free breathing meditations: https://www.iamserena.net/breath/© the spiritual forum 2023
“God gave animals to humans for food.” “Jesus ate fish.” “Jesus helped fishermen catch fish.” “God loved animal sacrifice.” These are just a few biblical arguments that many Christians make to justify humanity’s current utter domination of animals. But how do they jibe with what the Bible really says? How do our behaviors harmonize with the Christian ethics of love, mercy, peace, service and humility? How should we apply any of this to today’s world? Rev. Carol and philosophy and religion professor emeritus, Dr. Lisa Kemmerer cover all this and more in this engaging episode. Dr. Kemmerer is internationally known for works focused on animals, the environment, and disempowered human beings. She is the author of over a dozen books and founded and directs the educational, information-sharing non-profit, Tapestry. Her latest book, Animals and Christianity, was written to empower Christians to talk to one another and encourage people to start conversations with their Christian friends and family. It is the focus of this conversation. Here is a summary:•The fallacies in biblical arguments and the importance of reading scripture•Love is not limited; it is not a zero-sum game•The human factor - oppression of slaughterhouse workers•The corrective attempts of the Prophets to turn people back to God’s original intention•What we really need to sacrifice•The importance of context in moral arguments (i.e. today’s fishing is nothing like fishing in biblical times)•The excuse of sin•The story of the snake and Balaam’s donkey and what they tell us about animals and historical misinterpretationsWebsites:Animalsandreligion.orgTapestry - http://tapestryofpeace.org/Lisakemmerer.comLisakemmerer.orgAnimals and Christianity book: https://www.amazon.com/Animals-Christianity-Religion-Lisa-Kemmerer/dp/B09WPTLSP7© the spiritual forum 2023
Are you a phoenix? Or an angel? Did you know that most people with spiritual abilities/interests have planet placements in the eighth or twelfth houses? What does that mean? The answers to these questions and more can be found in this episode with Carmen Turner-Schott. Carmen she is a licensed clinical social worker, psychological astrologer, author, certified Reiki Master Energy Healer, Quantum Healing Hypnosis (QHHT) Practitioner and Akashic Records International Consultant and avid dream researcher. She brings her knowledge of astrology together with these multiple modalities to help people with healing and psychological processing. Carmen is the author of nine books on astrology and healing, including her most recent book, Phoenixes and Angels: Mastering the Eighth and Twelfth Astrological Houses, which is the focal point of this episode. Some of the topics we discuss are: •How knowing your astrological chart can support your life•Characteristics of 8th and 12th house people (see summaries below)•8th and 12th house planet placements are often considered a blessing or a curse•Why some people don’t seem to be in alignment with astrological chart readings•How to access your own chart•What is currently happening with the planets that is impacting our practical lives8th house Phoenixes: •Ruled by Scorpio •House of death, loss, emotional/mental/physical rebirth, healing •Deep and emotionally transformative energies •The most resilient house •Financial or spiritual inheritance •Do well in crisis •Attract people who feel comfortable sharing their problems and secrets •Keep secrets •See truth when others don’t12th house - Angels •Ruled by Pisces •Rules dreams and sleep •House of cosmic consciousness, meditation and spiritual service •Have to work on balancing spiritual and practical worlds •Have to develop boundaries so they can be in service•Gets psychic information through dreams •Spiritual gifts like seeing auras and feeling energy•Addiction and escapism tendencies •Want to take on the pain of other people www.carmenturnerschott.comSocial Media LinksFacebook Pageshttps://www.facebook.com/www.deepsouldiversastrologyhttps://www.facebook.com/CarmenTurnerSchottWriterYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/carmenturnerschott@CarmenTurnerSchottInstagram: carmen_turner_schott_authorTwitter: @astroawareness© the spiritual forum 2023
“Learning to differentiate our head voice from our Soul voice begins this opening. Our head voice says you should, you must, you did it wrong; but our Soul voice tells us how brilliant we are, how loved we are, how exquisite we are. Our Soul honors and encourages us; she never judges us. She holds us with pure love, no matter what we do or what we experience.” – Excerpt from I Am SerenaRaised in a satanic cult and subjected from infancy to covert MK-Ultra mind-control experiments, Serena-Faith Masterson developed over three-hundred unique personalities in her courageous fight to survive. In her remarkable and inspiring memoir, I am Serena, she authentically shares her 35-year journey to heal severe trauma, dissociative identity disorder, PTSD, depression, eating disorders and many other emotional issues, and integrate into the whole person she is today. She did this by connecting to her authentic self under the guidance of Norma Delaney, a woman who committed over twenty years to helping Serena heal. In this episode, Serena shares her journey from hatred to love of self, her relentless pursuit of truth, and the brilliance of her soul to navigate the fulfillment of her life purpose. Today she lives joyfully, free from her past. Some of the key ideas discussed are:•We are in truth, divine beings•The Kingdom of God dwells within•The applicability of Serena’s healing to everyone•The miracle of breath •The love affair that matters •Integration requires facing truth and releasing rage and judgment•It takes perseverance to discern what you are feeling, what is truth and what is a lie•The wisdom of Kuan Yin•The infinite love of God/our Soul•With Spirit ANYTHING is possible•We are never alone•How we impact consciousness•Fear is NOT the reality on this planet!If you are curious or skeptical about childhood ritual abuse, here is an informative published research paper on the subject: https://www.academia.edu/2128441/The_role_of_ritual_in_the_organised_abuse_of_children#:~:text=This%20paper%20is%20based%20on%20qualitative%20interviews%20with,of%20religious%20or%20mythological%20justifications%20for%20organised%20abuseLinks:Serena’s website: https://www.iamserena.net/Book: https://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Serena-Serena-Faith-Masterson/dp/1733097082Free breathing meditations: https://www.iamserena.net/breath/© the spiritual forum 2023
Two years ago, Rev. Carol had a fascinating conversation with Solveig Barrios, founder of the Mayan Wisdom Project. From Guatemala and born in a line of Mayan spiritual leaders, Solveig's whole life has been a journey of discovering the deep knowledge and wisdom of one of the most ancient and enlightened civilizations in the world. She founded the Mayan Wisdom Project to allow universal access to the incredible healing technologies known to the Mayans. Today we are in the midst of a great awakening and potentially a political collapse. Solveig shares her perspective on what is happening in the world through the lens Mayan Wisdom. After two years, this is a good time to revisit this conversation and reflect on where we are and the possibilities we can create. Some of the things we talk about are:•The significance of 2012•Why Mayan wisdom can now be shared•Five important cycles•How we became attached to the third cycle•Illusion and reality•The period of awakening and transmutation•Predictions for 2025•We are going against nature – we are going against ourselves•The deeper way the Mayans view nature•What we call technology is not what technology is supposed to be•Why we will not pull off going against the fifth cycle•We are masters not victims•Everything that is happening now is perfect•The purpose of duality•What evil is in Mayan philosophy© the spiritual forum 2021wisdommayanknowledgeunityspiritual pathhealing
“We have divorced ourselves so entirely from the living soil, that we imagine we exist outside of its cosmic order. With our screens and our machines, our drugs, and our dictators, we have placed all faith in the greatness of our intellect, and in doing so, sent into exile the intuitive wisdom of the divine feminine force.” -- Maré Hieronimus
Maré Hieronimus is a mother, dancer, writer and philosopher. Her unconventional upbringing on a commune in Maryland - surrounded by mystical teachings, a reverence for the earth, and a love of dance - allowed her to grow up keeping traditional societal roles and values at arm’s length. She listened to the call of her soul to live a creative life. Maré is a return guest on The Spiritual Forum podcast. In this episode – one year later - we once again explore what we see happening on the world stage through a spiritual lens. Maré shares her perspectives on transhumanism, the exile of the Sacred Mother, the widespread dislocation of the soul from the body, the war on children and women, and the meaning of sacred biology. Some of the things we talk about are • The need to have conversations about what is happening • The divine feminine as the portal • The erasure of the high sacred feminine through transhumanism • The ways we play God • Extraction from our wisdom lineages cause us to not anchor • The sacred nature of the human form • We are set adrift when we split ourselves from our bodies • Divine wisdom pulses through us when we are healthy • There is a mass dislocation from our intuition • What is the remedy? • The inversion of politics • What are we hopeful for
© the spiritual forum 2023
Are religions the primary source of violent conflicts of human history? Can a person be spiritual but not religious? Is secularism devoid of close-mindedness and irrationality? These are some of the questions addressed in this episode by theolgian, Jonas Atlas. Jonas is a Belgian scholar of religion who writes and lectures on religion, politics and mysticism. Growing up Christian in predominately secular Europe he found himself having to defend himself for being religious. Additionally, his marriage to a Muslim from Turkey influenced his interest in deconstructing the way people think about religions. Jonas currently teaches classes on ethics, spirituality, and religion at the KDG University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Antwerp, Belgium. He is also an independent researcher at the Radboud University, as a member of the Race, Religion, and Secularism network. His latest book, Religion: Reality Behind the Myths, unravels the most common misunderstandings about religion.
Here are some of the things we talk about:
• What are the seven myths about religion? • What is religion? • Religions, like languages, evolve • When we pretend to live without structures, we become blind to all the structures we are really in • The characteristics and behaviors that people think are bad about religions are in all organizations because violence, control, oppression is in our consciousness • Everything that can be said of a religion can also be said of the secular world (i.e. they both do dumb things) • “Us versus them” mentality keeps us from reconfiguring our consciousness • The spirituality of the big bang
Jonas Atlas links: Website: https://jonasatlas.net/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Religion-Reality-Behind-Jonas-Atlas/dp/1803411821 Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/re-visioning-religion (where you can hear the conversations with Jeffrey Kripal and William Cavanaugh) Interfaith conversations with Muslim scholars, activists and artists: https://halalmonk.com/
© the spiritual forum 2023
“For me, the number one reason of our temporary sojourn on Earth is simply to grow in love.” — Pierre Pradervand
Pierre Pradervand is a true world citizen, having labored most of his life for social justice. Among his varied work experiences, he had a brief stint in the United Nations in Geneva, worked as a demographer in Algeria, worked for American Friends Service Committee in Senegal and started a periodical that became the best-selling magazine in sub-Saharan, French-speaking Africa. Pierre has led workshops on personal development and spirituality for 30 years and is the author of 22 books, including The Gentle Art of Blessing and The Gentle Art of Spiritual Discernment. At the wise age of 86, he is totally happy living a simple life in his home in Geneva, Switzerland. In this episode Pierre tells the story of getting Texas inmate, Roger McGowan, off of death row and his continued relationship with him. We also talk about:
Pierre Pradervand is a true world citizen, having labored most of his life for social justice. Among his varied work experiences, he had a brief stint in the United Nations in Geneva, worked as a demographer in Algeria, worked for American Friends Service Committee in Senegal and started a periodical that became the best-selling magazine in sub-Saharan, French-speaking Africa. Pierre has led workshops on personal development and spirituality for 30 years and is the author of 22 books, including The Gentle Art of Blessing and The Gentle Art of Spiritual Discernment. At the wise age of 86, he is totally happy living a simple life in his home in Geneva, Switzerland. In this episode Pierre tells the story of getting Texas inmate, Roger McGowan, off of death row and his continued relationship with him. We also talk about:
• The privilege of life itself • Pierre’s two mystical experiences • The basic structure of the universe • Similarities between Joel Goldsmith and Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore • Spiritual Discernment, integrity and finding your own point of view • The #1 problem in the world • We all must be our own teacher • Discussion on the scientific method • Women’s World Foundation run by Pierre’s wife • The debt we have towards Africa • The spiritual practice of blessing
Pierre's website: https://pierrepradervand.com/
Gentle Art of Blessing: https://gentleartofblessing.org/
Gentle Art of Discernment book: https://www.amazon.com/Gentle-Art-Spiritual-Discernment-Discovering/dp/164411805X
Messages of Life book co-authored with Roger McGowan: https://pierrepradervand.com/messages-of-life/ https://www.amazon.com/Messages-Life-Death-Pierre- Pradervand/dp/1439235600/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Women’s World Foundation run by Pierre’s wife: www.women.ch
Prize for Women's Creativity: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wwsf-prize-womens-creativity-rural-life-2017-giving-elly-pradervand/
© the spiritual forum 2023
blessing #spiritualjourney #pierrepradervand #spiritualdiscernment #deathrow #integrity #joelgoldsmith
Dianne Waltner grew up in rural Kansas where her Mennonite family ran a poultry hatchery. An introverted, highly sensitive child who was bullied and ostracized at her small school, Dianne always felt a sense of solidarity with the underdog, which ultimately led her to challenge the paradigm she was raised in. Her journey through cognitive dissonance, feelings of loss & rejection, depression, self-medication with alcohol, and her ultimate redemption is told in her book, Evolving Into Wholeness – A Journey of Compassion. Through her self-discovery and its unavoidable companions, pain, courage and dark nights of the soul, Dianne ultimately chose to align her life with her deeply held values of compassion for all. These are some of the things we talk about in this episode:
• How quickly humans become desensitized to the suffering in the world • The spiritual path is about becoming ourselves not the living out the patterning of our parents and culture • What is cognitive dissonance • The compassionate nature of our inner child • The struggle associated with breaking away from family norms (especially if you are loved) • Self-care/love versus will power is at the root of quitting unhealthy habits • Connection to all life supports loving the self • Changing habits like diet or drinking isn’t about giving up, it’s about gaining • The Animal Chaplaincy program - what the program is about and what people are doing with it (starts around 35 minutes)
Dianne's Memoir: https://www.amazon.com/Evolving-into-Wholeness-Journey-Compassion/dp/B08WZMB9CL
Dianne's email: dwaltner@icloud.com
Animal Chaplaincy Program: https://www.compassionconsortium.org/training
Books Dianne references in our conversation:
Man Kind? by Cleveland Emory https://www.amazon.com/Kind-Incredible-Wildlife-CassCanfield/dp/0060100923
America’s Last Wild Horses by Hope Ryden https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Last-WildHorsesRyden/dp/B001LGC4GA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8LXYX5HVWSIO&keywords=America%27s+last+wild+horses&qid=1691257811&s=books&sprefix=america%27s+last+wild+horses%2Cstripbooks%2C143&sr=1-1
© the spiritual forum 2023
“How we live is how we die” -- The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners
The Tibetan Book of the Dead is the English translation of the Tibetan text known as Bardo Thodol. It serves as a guide for the soul of the deceased after it has left the body and before it is reborn. Lama Lhanang Rinpoche and Mordy Levine co-authored a recently published book, The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners, which provides enduring and accessible advice for living with wisdom and compassion, and meeting the end of life with courage and peace.
Lama Lhanang Rinpoche was born in northeastern Tibet. At the age of 8 he was chosen and invited into the monastery by a great Buddhist master. He studied there until he completed his training as a monastic. He has received teachings from a large number of teachers from the different lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, including from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Lama Lhanang Rinpoche is from the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. He is the founder and director of Jigme Lingpa Center, a non-profit organization with centers in the US, Canada and Mexico. His mission and teachings are to develop world peace through inner peace.
Mordy Levine, an accomplished entrepreneur, has been a Buddhist practitioner for over 40 years. He is the creator of the Meditation Pro Series, which teaches meditation for conditions that affect western civilization such as stress, insomnia, weight issues and smoking. He serves as president of the Jigme Lingpa Center.
In this episode we talk about:
· Lama Lhanang’s story of coming to America, his initial resistance
· Mordy’s first experience with karate which led to his journey with Buddhism and his initial resistance
· Our state of not knowing that we are unhappy
· Summary of the Tibetan Book of the Dead and its history (life and death, the six bardos, direction on how consciousness should proceed during death)
· Differences between western and Buddhist perspective on death and aging
· When you work with death, death is not death, it is liberation
· Fear of death is rooted in our fear of the unknown
· We can prepare for death now – training our mind today can bring a peaceful state of mind at death
· Chasing material things without appreciation keeps people hungry and unsatisfied; it’s Important to have happiness in our hearts and peace in our homes
· The benefits of a meditation practice to retrain our minds to be in the present moment
· Consider alternative views of the self to create positive karma
· Difficult confrontations are gifts to help us see who we really are, we all think we are good people until we are challenged
· Learning in wisdom through listening
· The only thing we know is our mind; we know nothing about the minds of other people
· How to support loved ones as they navigate death (last 10 minutes)
Jigme Lingpa Centers: https://www.buddhistsandiego.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Tibetan-Book-Dead-Beginners-Living/dp/B0C384VH5J
Mordy’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGQb8ts_ORIbjigbSL9RoCw/featured
© the spiritual forum 2023
“Until we can use our will to live consciously and make wise choices every day, to be self-aware, to self-observer and be virtuous, we cannot lay claim to the kingdom.” -- Geoff Thompson
In this second hour with Geoff Thompson (best-selling author of nearly 50 books, successful playwright, BAFTA award winning screenwriter, and one of the world’s highest ranking martial arts teachers), we get into more depth on the Law of Reciprocity (aka Law of Compensation, Law of Cause and Effect, Law of Karma, etc.), the forces of good and evil, the power of the will, and how we can use entanglement to thrive. He also tells the story of how his single act of compassion transformed a neighborhood street in London. In Part 1 (Episode 218 - Freedom Through Forgiveness) Geoff shared his experience of confronting his childhood abuser as an adult with truth and forgiveness rather than vengeance. He embarked upon a journey of turning into his fear and converting it to light. Geoff's most recent book, 99 Reasons to Forgive and Revenge Ain’t One, catalogues his personal experience of transformation and the power of forgiveness. Some of the things we discuss in this episode are:
• If the judicial law doesn’t serve you, you don’t need to concern yourself because the law of reciprocity is impeccable • We have evil and good inclinations like a right terminal of energy and left energy of energy in a lightbulb • The best way to keep the dark forces at bay is to constantly be in a place of love • Simple message – just live kindly (the golden rule) • Understand the rules of life – they are restrictive and protective It is the will that makes the change from cultural conditioning • The part of us that exercises the will is our true authentic self • Everything is connected – we are in a sense responsible for everything that happens, so we want to contribute in a positive way • Revenge interrupts the flow of love
The Forgiveness Project: www.theforgivenessproject.com/stories-li…-thompson/
Instagram: @geoff_thompson_official
Book: www.amazon.com/99-Reasons-Forgiv…int/dp/1803411341
© the spiritual forum 2023
forgiveness #lightanddark #goodandevil #authenticself #revenge #karma
“When we forgive someone, they should be very afraid. It means we have given them over to the law of reciprocity. It means we have let them go.” -- Geoff Thompson in 99 Reasons to Forgive and Revenge Ain't
Geoff Thompson is a best-selling author of nearly 50 books, successful playwright, British Academy of Film & Television Arts award winning screenwriter (writer of Retaliation starring Orlando Bloom), and one of the world’s highest ranking martial arts teachers. In his most recent book, 99 Reasons to Forgive and Revenge Ain’t One of Them. Geoff shares his experience of confronting his childhood abuser as an adult with truth and forgiveness rather than vengeance. He embarked upon a journey of turning into his fear and converting it to light. Freedom and restored innocence, will and soul was the result. In this episode Geoff shares how his life was ruled by fear prior to forgiveness and the expansiveness that resulted when he turned over psychic entanglements to God. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Along with some very rich storytelling, here are some of the things Geoff shares in this episode:
• Revenge blocks our ability to see what we’ve done wrong • Curiosity neutralizes fear • What forgiveness is and isn’t • Who has the power to forgive and who doesn’t • Control of personal will is the Kingdom of God • Discussion on the law of reciprocity • How suffering can be a gift when you can change how you see it • The inner “battle’ of winning ourselves back from habits, beliefs, concepts and precepts • Recognizing where we don’t have control of our will (control of thoughts, eating, body, congruency, etc.) and the journey to mastery (i.e. the kingdom) • The power of a single act of compassion
The Forgiveness Project: https://www.theforgivenessproject.com/stories-library/geoff-thompson/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/99-Reasons-Forgive-Revenge-Aint/dp/1803411341
© the spiritual forum 2023
Theresa Beran Kulat, a pioneer in the field of the Collaborative Process, works as a lawyer, mediator, and coach in the divorce space. She founded Trinity Law Firm (Chicago) in 2003 so that she could offer unique legal services and balance her schedule with the well-being of her family. Teri is a deeply spiritual person with a daily meditation practice. She also provides coaching using astrology and has mastery level training from the TantraNova Institute and Quantum Healing training in The Rowley Method. Teri integrates her spirituality with her work world with ease and grace to help people build new futures. In this episode we talk about relationships, specifically divorce, which is typically a messy experience, and how it is possible to go through that process in a way that honors the humanity and spirit of those involved. We also discuss:
• Holistic law • The ways we split ourselves between career, personal and spiritual • Intention, trust and commitment to a path • The importance of somatic work • Invitation to heal versus run away • Listening for guidance through dreams • The importance of prayer and meditation • What a collaborative divorce can look like • The importance of ritual for endings and beginnings • Marriage is the creation of a new life, so is divorce • Conscious contracts • The essential need to stay centered
Law firm: http://www.TrinityFamilyLaw.com
Personal website: http://www.TBKulat.com
Seven Ways to Save Your Marriage online course (enter code TSF200 and get $200 off): https://tbkulat.teachable.com
© the spiritual forum 2023
Raised close to the land, Benig Mauger is an internationally known Jungian psychotherapist, teacher, poet and workshop leader. She has authored a number of critically acclaimed books including Songs from the Womb, which sheds much needed light on the "loss of soul" encountered by many people due to our modern medicalized way of birth. In Benig’s latest book, The Soul & the Sea, she brings psychology and spirituality together and presents a range of rooms of the psyche where we grow and heal. Written from her home by the sea in Connemara, Ireland during the first nine months of the Covid lockdown, she draws from her own life experiences as a Jungian therapist and spiritual teacher to illustrate how connection to nature and the spiritual world can heal emotional wounds. Here are a few things we talk about:
• We are in the midst of an unprecedented awakening • There is an imprint that the birthing experience leaves on the soul • There is often generational trauma around the birth experience • All women have their own birth story and what matters is what they feel about it • The inner power we have to heal, connecting with the wisdom of the earth • Heartbreak opens us to unconditional love • The great awakening is about the rise of the feminine • The importance of connection & community • The symbolism of water in dreams
Website: https://www.soul-connections.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Sea-Essential-Healing-Everyday/dp/1803411279
© the spiritual forum 2023
“Hierarchical control systems are based in the idea that everyone is inherently flawed and incapable of experiencing their truth and their reality on their own, so therefore they need to be spoon fed.” - Michael Koyoti
This is Part 2 of an extended conversation with Michael Koyoti, author of Isness - Science, Consciousness, Spirit. In this episode we learn how pervasive controlling hierarchies are in our culture (religion, science, academia, politics, etc.) and how they interfere with the principles of Isness, our natural state. These hierarchies are designed to keep a handful of people in charge, ruling through fear and trauma while promising some elusive future that never happens. They perpetuate through our obedience to them. Humanity seems to have been genetically ingrained and culturally infused with this desire to be controlled and told what to believe. By so doing, we abandon our true divine nature! Here are some of the many things we talk about:
• The three aspects of controlling hierarchies which interfere with the principles of Isness • The savior syndrome • Every controlling hierarchy collapses under its own weight • Where our obedience or acquiescence comes from • A classic example of the scientific controlling hierarchy • How the principle of oneness devolves into a synthetic collective consciousness that resolves around narcissism • What we can start doing now to restore ourselves
website: www.michaelkoyoti.com/
book: https://www.amazon.com/Ness-Science-Consciousnes-Spirit-ebook/dp/B0BW2892SJ
Bio: Michael Koyoti has had a lifelong journey encompassing music, electronics, engineering, digital audio, technology executive roles, semiconductor startups, and venture capital. Alongside his technical career, he immersed himself into decades of meditation and spiritual inquiry with Sufis, Shamans, and mystic Christians. Among his many jobs, Michael worked for a government contractor that played a pivotal role in the development of the internet. Witnessing the devolution of the internet from decentralized to centralized, corporate controlled space, Michael began to focus on sovereign digital identity, decentralized computing and cyber security, while taking a deep dive into ancient traditions that embraced the sovereignty of the human spirit.
© the spiritual forum 2023
“The human spirit exists as a singularity, manifested in a sea of consciousness. Each conscious being experiences Creation from a unique and singular perspective shared with no other conscious being. The power of spirit does not come from its past achievements or future aspirations, but from its existence in the present instant. This is the essence of our existence. Awareness of this essence is called the state of ‘Is-ness.’” Michael Koyoti in his book, Isness - Science, Consciousness, Spirit
Michael Koyoti has had a lifelong journey encompassing music, electronics, engineering, digital audio, technology executive roles, semiconductor startups, and venture capital. Alongside his technical career, he immersed himself into decades of meditation and spiritual inquiry with Sufis, Shamans, and mystic Christians. Among his many jobs, Michael worked for a government contractor that played a pivotal role in the development of the internet. Witnessing the devolution of the internet from decentralized to centralized, corporate controlled space, Michael began to focus on sovereign digital identity, decentralized computing and cyber security, while taking a deep dive into ancient traditions that embraced the sovereignty of the human spirit. In this podcast Michael shares his understanding of Isness (defined above) and Aether, the medium which connects all matter. This is Part 1 of our conversation. In Part 2 we discuss how our natural state is blocked by oppressive controlling hierarchies and what to do about it.
website: https://www.michaelkoyoti.com/
© the spiritual forum 2023
In this episode, I share my reflections on my Akashic Records reading from Episode 212 - The Akashic Records Speak, where the guides knew I was about to go on a vacation. They told me to call it a sabbatical and not work, but soul search and notice what feels good to me and what doesn’t. Open honesty with myself would open the door to opportunities. They said there would be spaces in time in the coming days to observe, "How am I reacting? How am I in story?" I was told to take a day of reflection when I returned. I did all that and recorded my reflective thoughts in this podcast. I may have more reflecting to do! That door never closes. But I recorded my reflections because I thought it might serve as at least one example of how we can observe ourselves and allow those reflections to inform our path going forward.
Amy Robeson is a Master Akashic Records Teacher, Light Language Master, and Mentor who helps people tap into their most powerful inner potential to experience profound transformation. She is passionate about exploring spiritual concepts and truths and encourages her students to get curious and stay curious. As the founder of Sacred Awakening, she has created a powerful Akashic Records program, allowing her students to receive answers in any area of their life so they can live an empowered, aligned life. In this episode, about two thirds of the way through, Amy does an Akashic Records reading for Rev. Carol and the podcast audience. What she says in these readings are for you if it resonates with you. Here are some things we discuss:•Following your energy/heart•Living in curiosity•What the Akashic records are and how can they be used•Who the guardians are and how they help us •Thinking versus intuition•How to cultivate a relationship with our natural intuition•Free will and infinite possibilities•Rev. Carol’s reading at 39:30•Podcast/listeners' reading at 61:00https://theamyrobeson.com/© the spiritual forum 2023
“My religion was ambition and achievement. It took a long time for me to realize I wasn’t the one saving their lives. I was a small part of that. I was the hand of a greater being.” – Dr. David WeillFor 20 years, Dr. David Weill kept with him a list of names of people who were in dire need of lung transplants. As the Director of the Center for Advanced Lung Disease and Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Program at Stanford University Medical Center, he led a team of 55-60 people and was in charge of the care plan for transplant patients, assessing their psychological chances for survival and matching them with organs as they became available. Life and death seemed to be in his hands and losing a patient seemed to him like a personal failure. In this episode Dr. Weill tells the story of how he rode the emotional rollercoaster and evolved from arrogance to authenticity as he loosened his hold on control and awakened to the presence of higher power working through him. When he left the front lines of the hospital, he started Weill Consulting Group, which focuses on improving the delivery of pulmonary, ICU, and transplant care. His riveting memoir, Exhale: Hope, Healing, and a Life in Transplant, rawly and authentically depicts his fascinating life journey. Here are some of the things we talked about:•The job of a transplant director•Learning from transplant patients•The ego’s addiction to control (i.e. ‘control enthusiasts)•Insights gained from reading the Bible cover to cover•The humanity of doctors and the loss of the soul in medicine•The prevalence of post-covid confusion •The need for systemic change (government, healthcare, etc.) to come from the grassroots level•Writing as a way to process life•Telling the truth and not pretending•The importance of connection© the spiritual forum 2023
Paul and Lauren Bell are devoted to right-livelihood, conscious parenting and intentionally building community grounded in the fundamental knowledge of Natural Law. Paul is a chef, culinary expert and yoga teacher. Lauren is nature philosopher and certified teacher of permaculture design. Together they founded Truth Love and Freedom (a platform for activism, teaching Natural Law, morality, and voluntaryism) and Blue Hill Farm Organics, both of which operate from their certified organic permaculture farm in Southern California. Paul and Lauren are deeply tuned into themselves, consciously live their values and take action in the world. Here is some of what we cover in this inspiring and educational conversation:•What is Natural Law?•Living with cognitive dissonance•Perceptions versus Truth•Morality is objective•Force versus violence•Ideas for creating self-expressive community•Our body is a temple•What is permaculture?•Why organic is so important•The myths of homeschooling•The need to take action!https://truthloveandfreedom.com/https://bluehillfarmorganics.com/permaculture-designhttp://www.ahimsabowls.com/© the spiritual forum 2023
Born into a successful show business family (son of late-night TV and radio pioneer Larry Finley), Guy Finley had a successful early career that included composing award-winning music for popular recording artists such as Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, Billy Preston and the Four Seasons. He also scored several motion pictures and TV shows and wrote and recorded his own albums under the Motown and RCA labels. At the young age of 27, he realized that "there wasn’t a soul on the planet who could do for me what I needed to do for myself,” so he hung it all up and pursued the inner spiritual journey. Guy is now the Founder and Director of Life of Learning Foundation, a nonprofit center for spiritual discovery and acclaimed author of over 45 books, including The Secret of Letting Go and The Essential Laws of Fearless Living. In this episode we have a deep conversation about a number of spiritual topics including: •The root of fear•Our self-perpetuated prison•Unconscious identifications•The problem with trying to avoid being reactive•Resistance as a form of negative attraction•How affirmations can give voice to what we are not•The path to fearlessness•Moving mountains•How we are meant to help the worldWebsite: https://www.guyfinley.org/Outreach Program: https://onejourney.net/Free weekly classes: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/9067053776971860749?source=interviewEvents: https://www.guyfinley.org/events.htmlGuy Finley books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001ITW1CM/allbooks
Dr. Yael Green is a coach and energetic guide, who embodies a sense of self and core resonance with neutrality. She refers to herself as a hybrid human, with a memory of being dropped off on this planet. In Episode 207 we discussed portals (shifts in beingness), the hero’s journey and our eternal dance between containment and possibility. ln this episode we continue our conversation and explore the idea of water as our teacher. Our bodies are comprised of ~70% water. We depend on it for our survival and we find ourselves drawn to bodies of water. Water is in the origination stories of all religions. All religions have a water ritual. Water is used in spiritual healing modalities. Is water a being that teaches us? What is it telling us? Open your mind to a deeper way of looking at water as we explore: •The nature of water as yielding and maintaining structure•How to create moments with water•The amazing properties of water•How we are designed to hydrate our bodies•What our attempts to poison waters says about us•The compassionate nature of water•What water teaches us about ourselves•Creating our own water meditationhttps://watermatrix.org/© the spiritual forum 2023
“Freedom is the actual awareness of your choice to have an experience and not judge it as good or bad.” – Yael GreenYael Green is a hybrid human, an embodied portal, water technologist and intuitive guide with a specific mission to help humanity during this time of transition and upgrade. She remembers being severed from source when she was 'dropped off on this planet' and she is immune to karmic cycles. Yael embodies an extensive knowledge of sacred geometry, balance and harmony and she spends most of her time in possibility. With a Bachelors and Masters in Business and non-profit Management and a Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy, she spent the last 25 years in the fields of organizational and systems management, physical therapy, somatics, sound healing and education. In this episode we have a lively dialogue on a number of topics including:•What is an energy portal?•The Hero’s Journey•Rites of passage, shamanic journeying, plant medicine and meditation as portals•Redefining aliens and UFOs•The eternal dance between containment and possibility•Neutrality and the exploration of possibility without story•The choices we all make to interact with life•Why karmic cycles happen•What is freedom?website: https://watermatrix.org/© the spiritual forum 2023
“I have never met anyone who is as much at peace as you are.” Lois Bouchard’s cardiologistLois Bouchard was diagnosed with Scleroderma, an extremely rare and fatal autoimmune disease that few doctors are able to treat. On top of that, in 2020 she suffered a stroke, and in 2022 she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. In the face of all this, she lives today with no fear, worry or anxiety. Her current state of peace came about from the three years she spent sitting with Spirit and listening. She documented the messages she received during her journey of meditation and prayer in her book, Dear Lord, I Am Listening. Her hope is that the message in her book will provide people of all walks of life, convictions and generations with inspiration, faith, hope, and love. In this episode, you will find that Lois is the living embodiment of faith, hope and love, and her story is an inspiration for those who have ‘ears to hear.’Her message includes:•We are never alone•We are protected •We each have a destiny•The key to hearing the voice of Spirit is quieting the mind •Faith, hope and love guide us through all adversity•Look for the light when you are in darkness – lift your heart to God/Source/SpiritBook: https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Lord-Am-Listening-Messages/dp/B0BLG5T3GK©️ the spiritual forum 2023
A former quintessential city girl, Renee King-Sonnen married into the ranching business deep in the heart of Texas. Unexpectedly, she experienced a profound change of heart and fell in love with the farm animals, which changed the course of her life forever. In this episode Renee tells her story of transformation from rancher’s wife to Founder and Executive Director of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary to her work with the Rancher Advocacy Program, which transitions cattle ranchers and animal farmers out of animal agribusiness. She continually brings her message of love and compassion to the hearts of sanctuary visitors, local businesses, churches, fellow ranchers and government officials, effecting real change. As a spiritual seeker, Renee has taken the deep dive into many of the world’s faith traditions and finds her greatest strength in the still, small voice inside her that she has come to know through her practice of yoga and meditation in the pasture with her cow family. She is the embodiment of aligned feelings, thoughts and actions as she passionately and unrelentingly answers her calling at all levels in her life. Renee and her husband Tommy’s story has been seen on CBS, ABC, RFD, and Animal Planet. Their sanctuary lives are featured in the newly released documentary, Rowdy Girl. She will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Whole Planet Spirituality Retreat that I am hosting at Unity Village this October. Website: https://rowdygirlsanctuary.org/Documentary: https://rowdygirlsanctuary.org/rowdy-girl-documentary-screening/Rancher Advocacy Program: https://rancheradvocacy.org/Whole Planet Spirituality Retreat: https://thespiritualforum.org/retreat©️ the spiritual forum 2023
“There is an infinite path to the light…and everyone has a calling to connect to a higher power.” Derek JanuszewskDerek Januszewski has been on a healing journey. A survivor of abuse and neglect as a child, he has traveled through alcoholism and addiction to the plant medicine ayahuasca, through relapse and to ultimate healing through intense shadow work. He founded Pachamama Sanctuary in New Hampshire where he currently serves as pastor and organizes weekend retreats for people who are called to sit with ayahuasca as a healing modality. In this episode Derek shares his journey and stresses the importance of shadow work and integration, no matter what spiritual healing practice you pursue. Some of the things we talk about are:o Serving others creates a personal purposeo God gives gifts in unexpected situationso Plant medicine alone without doing the deeper work may be bypasso The12-step program as shadow worko What is ayahuasca and the spiritual event it invokeso There are no drive-thru solutions – we need to live a different wayo The benefits of an integration coach or integration plano Who shouldn’t do ayahuascao The three categories that ntentions fall intoo Plant medicine helps strip away the ego – it’s not an intermediaryo The legality of plant medicine o Stories of people’s experiences at the Pachamama Sanctuary – from the extraordinary miracle to finding authentic purpose ('resurrection' experiences)o Listen to your intuition about which path to takehttps://pachamamasanctuary.org/©️ the spiritual forum 2023
Zac Lovas is the co-founder of Vegan Travel Asia by Voyages, a team of 5 friends from 4 different countries and different faiths who came together to create tours that focus on bridging gaps through cultural immersion while enjoying 100% local vegan food along the way. Collaborating with local communities, they develop tours that are environmentally friendly, socially impactful, and cruelty-free. They also invest 50% of their profits into the communities they work with through programs focused on social impact, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, education, and conservation. Their journeys seek to promote a deeper understanding of different cultures, the environment, the planet, and our interlinked coexistence. Zac is a practicing Theravada Buddhist and in this episode he shares about the storytelling nature of cultural immersion travel, how we can find a sense of belonging in the most unlikely places, and his involvement in the newly released award-winning, life-changing documentary, Maa Ka Doodh.WEBSITE: https://vegantravelasia.comRESPONSIBLE TRAVEL LINK: https://vegantravelasia.com/responsible-travel/VEGVOYAGES FOUNDATION: https://vegvoyagesfoundation.org DOCUMENTARY: https://maakadoodh.in/© the spiritual forum 2023
“What if the gospel writers intended it not to be historical fact? What if it was meant to be a story?” These are the questions posed by author Geoff Roberts (now deceased) in his book, The True Origins of Jesus: The Myth Behind the Man. In this episode Rev. Carol talks about these ideas with her guests, Colm Holland and Dean Wilkinson. Colm was featured in The Spiritual Forum podcast episodes 121 & 122. He is the publisher of the global bestseller The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and the author of the Amazon #1 bestseller The Secret of the Alchemist. On matters of faith and religion, Colm takes a Jungian view where the power lies in myth and the many ways unconditional love effects change for good. He identifies as an “alchemistic Christian.” Dean Wilkinson is an industry disrupter and lifelong learner. He is trained in spiritual direction, leadership, and business. Having spent much of his life in all levels of church service and leadership, Dean experienced a completely new and different Bible when he read it “for the first time” without the lens of prior teaching. He now encourages people to be open to all that Christ can be and to not abandon their faith because they think they need to take the bible literally. Colm is the editor of the book, The True Origins of Jesus: The Myth Behind the Man, and Dean wrote the forward. This was a lively conversation and these are some of the topics we discussed:We read the Bible as if we already know, not with fresh eyesThere are hidden truths in the Bible that we don’t see when we look at it literallyThere were multiple competing religions during the emergence of ChristianityGnosticism was a dominant faith in the early Christian years; the Gnostics view was divinity was not about believing in an external deity, but finding the God withinMyth gives shape to chaos - the human psyche concretizes myth There is a similarity between Beatitudes, gospel stories and Buddhist teachings – content, verse and pentameterCarl Jung was concerned about Christianity being about sinlessness and not the full spectrum of humanityWhat is the definition of Christianity?There is a diaspora of agony for those who have rejected the literal but also the divineYou have to go to the darkest places to find God – not just the lightReligion is meant to bind us togetherUnity churches emphasize the inner Christ/Divine spark, do not interpret the Bible literally and welcome everyone!Book link: https://www.amazon.com/True-Origins-Jesus-myth-behind/dp/1789049040©️ the spiritual forum 2023
“The Light of Man brings science, religion, history, spirituality, quantum physics, metaphysics, and belief systems all together to create a pivot, a transformational moment in the world's history and what people believe God or a higher power is.” — Kevin McCruddenIn this episode Rev. Carol talks with motivational/leadership speaker turned filmmaker, Kevin McCrudden, about his award-winning documentary, The Light of Man. The Light of Man® is about the origins of God, God's relationship with humankind, and humankind's relationship with God (aka Spirit, Creator, Mystery, Source, etc.). It has guest appearances by renowned physicist/consciousness researcher, Dr. John Hagelin, physician/philosopher/NDE expert, Dr. Raymond Moody, and the Dalai Lama among others. The film has been selected for viewing at 20 Film Festivals around the world, most recently The Cannes World Film Festival in Cannes, France. It was awarded the Best Inspirational and Best Short Documentary in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, London, Paris and Rome. Kevin is a practicing Catholic and found himself inspired to bring the idea of the Divine Light in humankind to life via film in hopes of awakening and inspiring humanity to evolve spiritually. Here's what we talk about: How are we evolving? (hint: we're not!) All religions point to the same thing - a higher power There are multiple ways to interpret the Bible God/Creator/Source/Spirit created ALL beings with a spark of divinity There is an explosion of Light at conception There is Light at death The journey is inward not outward Science universally points to God/Creator/Source The miracles and synchronicities associated with the making of The Light of Man The power of meditation The meaning of Namaste The Light of Man documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22183984/The Light of Man trailer: https://youtu.be/F3yHaOfh3Jk
“Now is a critical time to use our collective power ot dream up a better world for our shared-dream reality." Dr. Howard Eisenberg "Where there is no vision the people perish." Proverbs 29:18Dream It to Do It - The Science and the Magic is Howard Eisenberg's most recently published book. Recognizing the many existential threats facing us today, Howard is committed to sharing how reality works in the hopes of bringing a better world into being. During his life-long quest to discover the true nature of reality, Howard became a medical doctor with postgraduate training in both psychology and psychiatry, and is also a lecturer in parapsychology at the University of Toronto, and associate professor of medicine at the University of Vermont. As a psychiatrist, he doesn't prescribe drugs, but works with his patients' awareness. In this episode we discuss many things including:The connection between imagination & realityImagining beyond the obstacleThe power of belief, the placebo effectOur culture’s widespread intentional manipulative programming How we are caught up in a collective nightmare and feeling powerlessValuing the dream world which can be more realHow lucid dreaming changes everything – we can participate in creating realityPlato’s allegory of the cave and how our ignorance imprisons us The importance of thinking beyond the filters we identify with (political, religious, etc.)The child’s mind & seeing with soft eyeshttps://drhowardeisenberg.com/book-dream-it-to-do-it/https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Do-Science-Howard-Eisenberg/dp/1737916908
If we were to begin with a blank slate, how would we organize ourselves? What society would we establish that would meet our needs for protection and services while honoring spiritual principles and non-aggression? In this episode Rev. Carol and Mark Gober have a conversation about these questions. It may be a bit of a mind bender, but you are invited to come along for the ride and rethink some fundamental premises that we have inherited and accept by default - maybe even start imagining a new world. Mark was a guest on The Spiritual Forum podcast – Episode 178 – An End to Upside Down Thinking. He is quite a prolific writer having published five books in five years including An End to Upside Down Liberty, which is the focus of this episode. We cover quite a range of ideas including:· How mutually agreed upon contracts work via consent· The way we do government is not aligned with spiritual principles· The left & right argue over ways to control· History/scripture about the consequences of seeking a leader who “will lead us and fight our battles” · The human propensity to off load inner authority to experts· Voluntaryism versus statism/applying spiritual principles to how we organize ourselves· The non-aggression principle, Natural Law and the Golden Rule· Our failure of imagination· Taking steps in line with our divine evolution· Non dual volutaryismhttps://markgober.com/
Have you considered that your relationships are a spiritual practice in themselves? Linda Bloom is a psychotherapist and marriage counselor who teaches communication seminars and relationship workshops. She is the co-author of the best-selling book, 101 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Married; also Simple Lessons to Make Love Last, Secrets of Great Marriages and That Which Doesn’t Kill Us: How One Couple Became Stronger at the Broken Places. Linda and her husband Charlie have been married for 50 years and are living examples of making relationship a daily spiritual practice. In this episode we focus on Linda and Charlie’s latest book, An End to Arguing – 101 Valuable Lessons for All Relationships, which was just published. Here are a few areas we cover in our conversation:•The importance of doing your own work•Forgiveness meditation as a central practice•The need to loosen attachments•The practice of being with feelings•Seeing your partner (or friend, sibling, etc.) through the lens of appreciation and gratitude•The importance of inviting your partner into conversation•Making agreementsWebsite: https://bloomwork.com/Books: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/linda-and-charlie-bloomFree e-books https://app.robly.com/subscribe?a=2ec85ee30b32f83a0cf2b18b108f3a0dAn End to Arguing book: https://www.amazon.com/End-Arguing-Linda-Charlie-Bloom/dp/1646638085
Twenty years ago, Vincent Tolman was found dead at the age of 25 in the bathroom of a small restaurant. He had been dead for over half an hour when paramedics arrived. They put him in a body bag and took him away. A rookie paramedic had a feeling that he should try to resuscitate Vincent, knowing he would risk his career by breaking all protocols. Miraculously, he restarted Vincent's heart. Vincent was in a coma for three days and he remembers what happened on the "other side" while he was dead. He tells his story in his book, The Light After Death, My Journey to Heaven and Back. In this episode, Vincent shares his incredible experience and expounds upon the ten principles he learned while purifying his soul on this extraordinary journey. These are timely messages for today's world and this is a very hopeful conversation! They principles/lessons are:1. Be authentic & vulnerable2. Understanding the purpose of life3. Love everyone (which includes all beings)4. Listen to your inner voice5. Use technology responsibly6. Release prejudice (even against the intolerant)7. The power of creation (we all have it)8. Avoid negative influences9. The purpose of evil10. We are all onewebsite: https://thelightafterdeath.com/book: https://www.amazon.com/Light-After-Death-Journey-Heaven/dp/B0BK8FLXV8
If you are a regular listener, please provide feedback on The Spiritual Forum podcast here: https://revcarol.wufoo.com/forms/mbzaqtj1kis579/If we realized the divine potential of our children, how would we educate them? Our current “one size fits all” system is limiting and based on compliance/conformity. Dr. Edith Ubuntu Chan is devoting her life to co-creating a new paradigm. Dr. Edith (a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Harvard University in Applied Mathematics) left her traditional software career to pursue her unconventional childhood dream to be a Chinese Medicine Healer. She is also an author(SuperWellness), speaker, coach, and mama of two luminous kids. In 2021, she launched the Luminous Education Revolution program, supporting families in transitioning into the new paradigm of education, homeschooling/unschooling, village building, and awakened parenthood. An exciting and hopeful future is emerging! In this episode we cover many topics including:•Dr. Edith's profound darkness meditation that awakened her to human potential and her story of conscious pre-conception communication with her children•Living in a connected way•Spirit babies coming to build a new experience of what it means to be human•Luminous kids and how kids naturally learn•Self-directed learning•The distortion of rewards and punishments (i.e. obedience training)•Parenting and educational paradigms that are congruent with the new world that is emerging through us•Bringing heaven to earthhttps://www.dredithubuntu.com/https://www.luminousrevolution.com/
If you are a regular listener, please provide feedback on The Spiritual Forum podcast here: https://revcarol.wufoo.com/forms/mbzaqtj1kis579/Shawn Murphy started his spiritual journey at the age of 14 after leaving the Catholic Church. His search for a logical explanation of Christianity took him on a journey through history, philosophy and eighteen different religions. As an engineer and entrepreneur, his curiosity led his search for a logical explanation of the spiritual world and the original teachings of all the prophets and Jesus. He has published four books and numerous papers on religion, and spirituality. He is a prolific writer on Quora with over 6.6 million views and the creator of three spaces there: The Spiritual World, Early Christian Wisdom and Torn Between Two Worlds. In this episode we have a lively exchange and cover:•The first Christians•Scientifically based theologians•Origen of Alexandria•The consistency of spiritual and material laws•Socrates, Plato & Aristotle (who contributed what)•The order and logic of God/Creator•The making of a true philosopher•The book of Revelation as history, not prophecy•The Restoration of All Things (Origen’s teaching) versus the Doctrine of Salvation•Rhetoric versus WisdomShawn Murphy links: https://linktr.ee/tornbetweentwoworlds
If you are a regular listener, please provide feedback on The Spiritual Forum podcast here: https://revcarol.wufoo.com/forms/mbzaqtj1kis579/When her 24-year-old son died unexpectedly, Vanessa May was broken open and unable to find the help she needed. As a consequence, she determined her own ways to navigate the complex grieving process. As a nutritional therapist and well-being coach, she is now a certified grief coach and can guide people who are going through what she has been through with heartfelt compassion. Vanessa’s holistic grief coaching looks at all aspects of the grieving process and how it can affect not only our emotional and mental well-being, but also the body and the spiritual. Her recently published book, Love Untethered, is a very raw and authentic accounting of her experience, which will help anyone who is going through the grieving process or trying to understand someone who is. In this episode we talk about many things including:· Continuing bond theory (death ends a life, not a relationship)· How sharing oneself deeply and authentically connects us and raises consciousness· The use of mediums in the grief process· How trauma grief involves body, mind & soul· Finding purpose· The importance of listening and avoiding victim shaming· Growth through suffering· Spiritual bypass· Spiritual awakening and faithAuthor website:www.vanessamay.co.ukHolistic grief coaching, nutritional therapy:www.wellbeingandnutrition.co.ukInstagram:@may.wellbeingTwitter:@maywellbeingLove Untethered Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Love-Untethered-Live-When-Child/dp/1803410485/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3588U039UAP54&keywords=love+untethered+vanessa+may&qid=1671730528&sprefix=%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-1Love Untethered Barnes & Noble:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-untethered-vanessa-may/1140825652
If you are a regular listener, please provide feedback on The Spiritual Forum podcast here: https://revcarol.wufoo.com/forms/mbzaqtj1kis579/Elizabeth Monroy is an international filmmaker, visionary artist and author of the recently published book, The Infinite Human. In her book, she shares truths that have been hidden in plain sight while taking readers on a journey into esoteric knowledge, supernatural phenomenon and cosmic disclosure, ultimately guiding them in the process of co-creating the infinite New Earth. Elizabeth also founded the New Consciousness Renaissance School in Florence Italy for the creation of conscious media and she is currently creating an eco-community in Quintana Roo, Mexico. In this episode we have a very lively conversation and cover many topics including:The danger of frequency manipulation (5G)The impact of food contamination and degradationThe Hopi prophecy and two timelinesTrue divine technology coming on lineThe Law of One versus the parasitic structures we live inHidden historyThe hero’s journey and shadow workAttuning to the vibrational frequency of GodWhat 2023 bringsStepping into our soul mission (it’s going to be great!)website: https://www.infinitehuman.com/book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1958184004film school: https://elizabethleemonroy.wixsite.com/florencefilmschool/new-conscious-renaissance-schoolNOTE: Personally, I have wondered about all the 5G towers going up during the covid lockdowns, as if their construction was ‘essential work.’ I find the towers blot the beautiful landscapes of the countryside and ask myself, “Why? Why do we need these? Who asked for them?” It feels like a technological imposition that none of us really need or want. I am doing my own research and encourage you to do yours. You will of course find a lot out there that supports the narrative that 5G is here to help and has no health impacts. But is that true???? Here are a few links to start your journey:https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/productfamily/electronic-warfarehttps://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/mind-reading-and-mind-control-technologies-are-coming/https://frankreport.com/2020/04/05/is-the-real-vector-of-coronavirus-5g-radiation-and-a-stealth-electronic-war-on-civilian-populations/
If you are a regular listener, please provide feedback on The Spiritual Forum podcast here: https://revcarol.wufoo.com/forms/mbzaqtj1kis579/In this episode we traverse the life of poet and memoirist Hope Andersen as she shares herself and her delightful poetry from her book, Postcards from a Loving God, which explores relationships with Nature, family and God. Her rich imagery and strong, feminine voice allow the reader to enter into the mysteries and wonder of every day life. Each of her poems is a snapshot of some intimate, spiritual moment. Hope shares her experiences with writing, recovery and medical challenges, all which brought her to a surrendered state. Here are some of the topics we discuss:· Finding your own voice· The importance of self-care· “I don’t mind what happens”· The attitude of “run along and play”· Living an impossibly wonderful life· The process of writing poetryHope reads five of her poems in this episode They are (with approximate timestamps):“Ooh Ah Point” at 27:46“Another Chance” at 46:00“All There Is” at 47:00“Heart Over Head” at 51:06“The Conversation” at 56:51Book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Postcards-Loving-God-Hope-Andersen/dp/1954614918
Why do some people blossom through adversity and others fall apart? Drawing on 20 years of experience and using real life stories of survivors (from loss, accidents, abduction, slavery, illness, incest, and more) acclaimed memoirist Mark Matousek gives a comprehensive look at the power of drawing passion, beauty and wisdom from the most unlikely places. Mark is a bestselling author of seven books, a teacher, and speaker. His work focuses on personal awakening and creative excellence through transformational writing and self-inquiry. In this episode we focus on his most recent book, When You’re Falling, Dive, which shows how disasters can be used to awaken and transform us. Some highlights include:•The willingness to move toward the unknown•Thriving beyond surviving•The role of curiosity and gratitude in transcending adversity•How grief can become an ally•Mark’s writing workshops•The Work of Byron Katie•Appreciation of Mysteryhttps://markmatousek.com/https://www.amazon.com/When-Youre-Falling-Dive-Lessons/dp/159691369X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=19W4F2PEA18QI&keywords=when+you%27re+falling+dive+by+mark+matousek&qid=1672344988&s=books&sprefix=when+you%27re+falling+dive+by+mark+matousek%2Cstripbooks%2C131&sr=1-2©️ the spiritual forum 2023
Over two years ago, I interviewed Colm Holland, publisher of the worldwide bestseller, The Alchemist, and author of The Secret of the Alchemist. I thought the message of alchemy and the hero's journey would be a good one to revisit as we approach the New Year. Alchemy is transmutation - a transformation that has some definitive finality to it. It is metaphorically turning iron to gold, or a lower state of consiousness to a higher state. When we alchemize, we don't have to repeat our healing practices over and over again. We essentially manifest a higher consciousness. In this episode Colm Holland shares his personal alchemy story, the story of Santiago's journey in The Alchemist, and the three stages of alchemy on the spiritual path.https://www.colmholland.com/https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Alchemist-Uncovering-Coelhos-Bestselling/dp/1789044340
Katie Mahon and Joan Hill are Miracle Collectors. Both these extraordinary women experienced profound miracles in their lives, which set them in pursuit of the miracle stories of other people. This collection is featured in their book, The Miracle Collectors - Uncovering Stories of Wonder, Joy and Mystery. Katie and Joan were guests on The Spiritual Forum podcast in July of 2021 (Episodes 144 & 145) and Rev. Carol brought them back to share inspiring miracle stories around the holiday season. Miracles inspire hope and hold the possibility of transcending divisions because they connect us at the soul level. In this episode we share several heartening Christmas/holiday miracle stories and discuss the common themes. Among them are: We are all have the opportunity to be miracles for others The Christmas/holiday season is a time to give all that we have Miracles can be large or small - we tend to discount them if they are small It takes a 'looking out the window' attitude to step into the opportunities that life presents us Introverted or extraverted, we need to get out of our boxes and into the world It's important to receive/accepte help whether we are comfortable or not Seeing another person is a gift; everyone wants to be seen We may never know the impact we have on people Christmas is a time of Hope and Love. We hope this podcast warms your heart and inspires your holiday season. "Our lives are lived in the quiet corners of the ordinary. We build tiny hearth fires, sometimes barely strong enough to give off warmth. But to the person lost in the darkness, our tiny flame may be the road to safety, the path to salvation." Kent Nerburn Website: https://www.themiraclecollectors.com/
As an independent thinker from a very young age, Charlotte Cressey is currently on a quest to manifest a paradigm shift for humanity in the department of love. Growing up and through her educational pursuits, she was exposed to the theories of feminism, but ultimately concluded that she needed to develop her own theory. Her forthcoming book, Like a Virgin: Dating the Aphrodite Way, distills her research of 20+ years on this topic and shifts the dating paradigm to one based on shared power between men and women, which honors the body, self, soul and divine. Among the many topics we discuss in this episode are:•Why she chose Aphrodite as the archetype for women in relationship/dating•The sanctity of our bodies and the need to focus our energy beyond pursuit of the perfect mate•The spiritual consequences of today’s hook-up culture and transactional relationships•The strength in waiting and choosing•Clearing out old beliefs about men, women, courtship and marriage•Creation versus competitionCharlotte is a life-long animal activist and holds a Master’s Degree in Women’s Spirituality and a Bachelor’s Degree in Women’s Studies. She currently coaches people on Dating the Aphrodite Way and is offering an online course in 2023. Sign up for Charlotte's online courses, enroll in one-on-one work to manifest your Legendary Love, or receive updates on her book release: DatingTheAphroditeWay.com. To sign up for The Vegan Paradigm Shift teachings, go here: TheVeganParadigmShift.comCharlotte's recommended further reading and courses:Courtship:Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, The RulesThe original "Fascinating Womanhood or The Art of Attracting Men" consists of eight booklets published by The Psychology Press in 1922. Some volumes of the book series are accessible for free on GoogleBooks and, at times, available for sale elsewhere. This 1922 version is the best version of Fascinating Womanhood by Cressey's standards.Helen Andelin, Fascinating Womanhood: How the Ideal Woman Awakens a Man's Deepest Love and Tenderness Dixie Andelin Forsyth, Fascinating Womanhood for the Timeless WomanAlena Kate Pettitt, Ladies Like Us, English Etiquettehttps://www.thedarlingacademy.com/Epstein/ Moore, The Technique of the Love AffairWomen's Spirituality:The Queen Teachings with Ava Park Sign up to learn more by contacting Ava at Ava@MuseumofWoman.usAva's Queen Coach Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBu925ZjMdM Anne Baring and Jules Cashford, The Myth of the Goddess: Evolution of an ImageBarbara G. Walker, The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets Patricia Monaghan, Encyclopedia of Goddesses and HeroinesRiane Eisler, Sacred Pleasure
After the tragic death of his father, Miguel Candelas lost the meaning of life and spent the following two and a half years traveling around the world non-stop looking for it. On a journey of discovery, he spent time with Buddhist monks in India and Burma, lived with shamans in Bolivia & Peru, found healers in Madagascar, Brazil & Indonesia and lived with interesting communities all over the world. Ultimately, he found answers to his philosophical questions – “Who am I?” “Who are we?" nd “Why are we here?” In this episode, Miguel shares his inner journey through shame and guilt, his outer journey of connection with humanity, and the discoveries which ultimately led him to leave his United Nations job and become a personal coach. Miguel holds three masters degrees, is fluent in seven languages, and is currently writing a book to catalogue his life lessons. Website: https://www.migcandelas.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miguellifecoaching Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-life-coaching/
Deborah Eden Tull is a dharma teacher, spiritual activist, author, and sustainability educator who has taught engaged meditation for over 20 years. She trained for seven and a half years as a Buddhist monk at a silent Zen monastery and has lived in sustainable communities as an organic gardener & farmer for decades. Eden has authored three books, most recently Luminous Darkness – An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown. Darkness has long been associated with evil and/or the absence of light. But it is also the field of possibility, the domain of dreaming and the place from which all creativity arises. But we are taught to avoid our personal underworlds and focus on light. In this episode Eden shares how the darkness has been her teacher throughout her life. She also discusses:•The overlighting of the planet•The need for shared power (power with versus power over)•Navigating the uncertainty of being human•Practicing endarkment alongside enlightenment•Celebrating the Yin aspect of being•Why so many of us “sunshine” and/or spiritually bypasshttps://www.deborahedentull.com/https://www.amazon.com/Luminous-Darkness-Buddhist-Approach-Embracing/dp/1645470776
With over 20 years of teaching, mentoring, tutoring, and counseling experience, Vonettia Calloway is committed to empowering children and adults. As a woman of great faith, she was given the vision to co-create The Black Vegan Experience. The Black Vegan Experience is a multicultural educational conference, celebration of African-American ancestry, and networking event where Black professionals and practitioners address the medical concerns in the Black community and remove the stereotypes attached to veganism and Black culture. It takes place quarterly in different US cities and is funded by The Committee of Consciousness, also founded by Vonettia. Vonettia is a wonderful example of Love in action on the planet. In this episode we learn about Vonettia’s inspiring faith-based and gratitude-centered life, the biblical roots of veganism, and how her vision is unfolding. We also mention the documentary, They’re Trying to Kill Us, in relation to food deserts and the disproportionately high rate of chronic disease within the Americans of Color communities. theblackveganexperience.comcommitteeofconsciousness.orghttps://www.theyretryingtokillus.com/
Hans Wilhelm is a mystic, author, and illustrator of over 200 books for all ages – including some together with Byron Katie. His books have sold over 40 million copies and are translated into 30 languages. Hans has recently created over 130 short YouTube videos in which he visually explains the spiritual laws of the universe. These short videos (~8 minutes each) help bring clarity to many of life’s spiritual questions and they remind us of our divine nature and why we are here. Accessible for free to everyone at lifeexplained.com, they have been watched by over 17 million viewers. In this episode Hans shares his spiritual path and we delve into the contents of three of his videos: “The Amazing Earth School,” “Forgiveness,” and the “Law of Projection.” Also mentioned in this episode are “The Christ Spark” and “Family.”In this episode we talk about many things including:What our primary fear isThe armor of gratitudeWhat forgiveness really isHow projection worksThe mirror nature of our adversariesHow to look at evilHow to release ourselves from victimhood website: lifeexplained.comvideo index: https://www.lifeexplained.com/video-indexchildren’s books: https://www.lifeexplained.com/shop
In this episode, Rev. Carol shares the essence of her opening remarks at The Road to Eden Whole Planet Spirituality Forum & Retreat at Unity Village, which set the stage for the weekend. What/where is Eden? Why does it matter? What is Whole Planet Spirituality? Most of us sense that the world of normalized violence that we live in today is not aligned with our divine natures. Rev. Carol shares her thoughts on this and also shares some early Unity history and a brief sampling of some of the forgotten teachings of Unity founders, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. The Fillmores lived in alignment with their values and were in action in the world as ambassadors of love and peace at all levels, for all beings. They are exemplars of Eden travelers and Whole Planet Spirituality. Next year’s Whole Planet Spirituality retreat at Unity Village is set for October 19-22, 2023. Here are the Charles Fillmore quotes shared in this podcast:“The master on the spiritual plane is not a slave driver. He does not use force. The only law that he recognizes is love. To this law he must be true in all its ramifications throughout the universe of forms. He must love every creature, every beast in the field, every fowl of the air. His love must flow forth in protecting streams when any creature is in danger of violence or destruction. He must recognize all life as God’s life, destined by a wise arrangement to be in its right place wherever he finds it. Thus he cannot in any way sanction the killing of animals for food.” “Flesh-Eating Metaphysically Considered,” 1910“But in the matter of animal slaughter, who countenances it or defends it, after his eyes have been opened to the unity of life? Yet every time we eat meat we are accessories of those who committed the overt act. We stand, in the sight of the moral law, exactly where the receivers of stolen goods stand in the civil law.” From “Education and Temperance,” November, 1933“There is a relation between thinking and eating, and as you grow spiritually the character of your food and all that pertains to eating may have to be changed in conformity with the new order of things. If you will leave meat and all animal products out of your food you will see a change for the better.” Atom-Smashing Power of Mind “We need never look for universal peace on this earth until men stop killing animals for food. The lust for blood has permeated the race thought and the destruction of life will continue to repeat its psychology the world round, until men willingly observe the law in all phases of life, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’” From “The Vegetarian,” May, 1920NOTE: The rate of animal slaughter in the USA is 1 million per hour. If humans were decimated at that rate, it would be equivalent to the populations of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio and San Diego (the eight most populous US cities) disappearing in a single day. And then again the next day. Every day. That is a lot of killing.
Amethyst Mahoney is an ex-fundamentalist and former psychologist turned Tarot reader and coach. She spent decades reading and researching religious texts and helping others overcome self-doubt while understanding the history and multiple interpretations of the Bible. Amethyst is passionate about helping people find freedom from fundamentalism without succumbing to toxic spirituality or spiritual bypassing. She is also the founder of Spiritual Badass and the author of the Life Map System. In this episode we have a lively conversation about a lot of things including: • Religious trauma • Spiritual bypass • The hidden ways fundamentalism permeates our culture • The original blessing • Keeping a connection with God while finding a new path
Spiritual Badass https://spiritualbadass.info/ The Life Map System book at thelifemapsystem.com
Alan Abrahams was an ultra Orthodox Jew living in London. For many years he taught Jewish philosophy and spent most of his spare time studying Jewish literature. During his 20’s, Alan had a transformative experience at a retreat where all his worries and anxieties instantly fell away, and he saw what lay behind our personal mind. This experience changed him and he felt happy for no reason at all. Fast forward to his early thirties and together with his wife and children, Alan made the tough decision to leave his job and religion. That was the beginning of a journey that challenged him beyond anything he could ever have imagined. In this episode Alan shares his remarkable journey of awakening that caused him to question everything and ultimately land in a place that authentically reflected his true Self. Through it all he miraculously remained connected to his family. Alan also shares his remarkable spiritual practice of simply listening.
An MIT educated physicist and lifelong Catholic, Thomas Sheahen, PhD serves as a unique bridge between science and religion. He is the author of the recently published book, Everywhen – God, Symmetry and Time, which expands the reader’s thinking about the nature of God and the time-space reality we live in. What came before “In the beginning?” What happens “after” life? Everything we know is constrained by time, but God/the Divine isn’t. In this episode we discuss these questions as well as: • The time transcendent nature of God • How science supports religious faith • The mistake that Creationism and Darwinism both make • What “let there be light!” means • The need to remain humble • The false gods of science
© the spiritual forum 2022
Thomas Sheahen's book: https://www.amazon.com/Everywhen-Symmetry-Dr-Thomas-Sheahen/dp/195671510X
After being steered down multiple dead ends in the medical community, Dr. Jess Bell, an osteopathic physician with over 20 years of experience, was guided to find her own solutions. She founded Energetic Osteopathy™, which bridges traditional osteopathic treatment and energy medicine, and ultimately teaches people how to work inside their own bodies energetically. In this episode we hear how Jess came to be aware of a much greater source of healing than she had learned from her medical training. We have a lively conversation that includes:
• The natural ability we all have to heal our own bodies • The co-dependent relationship we have with medical professionals • The healing energy of love and power of the heart • The energetic upgrade that is happening within people and on the planet
Dr. Jess's website: https://www.centersforenergetichealing.com/
Online self-healing community: https://selfhealingimmersion.com
Receive one month free membership: one month FREE membership: https://selfhealingimmersion.com/plans/202084?bundle_token=6c0cc1ddfbbff7d0b6c86951caeed945&utm_source=manual
NOTE: In this episode Rev. Carol mentions the healing story at the Pool of Bethesda. Here is the full scripture in John chapter 5:
Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
“Everything I thought I knew about reality had to be reconsidered.” – Mark Gober
How many people in your world can say that? A Princeton grad, former Silicon Valley tech group partner and investment banking analyst, Mark Gober questioned his fundamental reality (i.e. the reality we all live in) resulting in his four books: An End to Upside Down Thinking (2019), An End to Upside Down Living (2020), An End to Upside Down Liberty (2021), and An End to Upside Down Contact (2022). In this episode we cover a range of topics including:
The materialistic paradigm we all live in The nature of consciousness - it precedes the material The iterative process of awakening The four categories of spiritual practice Compassion with discernment The importance of individuality The unfortunate suppression of science involving consciousness
It’s a very lively and enlightening conversation. Gober currently serves on the board of the Institute of Noetic Sciences and the School of Wholeness and Enlightenment, and hosts the remarkable podcast, "Where Is My Mind?"
© the spiritual forum 2022
For books and podcast: https://markgober.com/ Institute of Noetic Sciences: https://noetic.org/ School of Wholeness and Enlightenment: https://www.soweglobal.com/
In this episode Rev. Carol mentions a 'video' on 9/11. It was actually a five-hour documentary called, September 11: The New Pearl Harbor. It can be found on YouTube. Learn more here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3828916/
Ambiguous grief is the emotional state that occurs with the loss of a loved one, but not to physical death -- when someone is still living yet their relationship with us has changed. This can show up as loss due to divorce, addiction, cognitive decline, incarceration, familial estrangement and more. After Stephanie Serazin had her own experience with ambiguous grief, she sought out her own healing which led to further research, discoveries about hope, and co-authoring the Ambiguous Grief Process Model. In this episode we talk about grief as a portal to our higher self, the gift and trap of hope, our societal propensity to not share grief, and the family dynamics that ensures challenges are kept private. Called to action by Spirit, Stephanie now works to bring awareness to ambiguous grief as a nuanced, natural, and navigable response to loss. She is the founder of the Rise Up Rooted Community and her book, SoulBroken, will be published in October, 2022.
“Grief is the price we pay for love. So if you’re grieving any loss, say to your heart, ‘Well done.’” — Stephanie Serazin
RiseUprooted.net
stephaniesarazin.com
Soulbroken: A Guidebook for Your Journey Through Ambiguous Grief: https://www.amazon.com/Soulbroken-Guidebook-Journey-Through-Ambiguous/dp/1538709759
After a near-death experience during a heart and kidney transplant in 2020, Shana Pereira is now channeling her purpose into building a movement, content platform and research institute around the future of religion and healthcare. She openly shares her lessons around organ transplantation, the importance of partnership with your medical team, the mental resilience it takes to survive when faced with death, and the emotional impact of having seen the afterlife. In this episode we learn how serendipity, God/Higher Power, and her own initiative guided her extraordinary path. We discuss the importance of honing our power of discernment and paying attention to the minute, opportune moments in life that call us to action. Shana also details her death experience, her new calling, and her relationship with her new heart.
Website: http://www.shanapereira.com/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shana_pereira
Dr. Will Tuttle, visionary author of the international best-seller, The World Peace Diet, has presented over 3,000 lectures, workshops, and concert events throughout the world. An ordained Dharma Master in the Zen tradition, he is a featured expert in Cowspiracy and A Prayer for Compassion. In this episode we traverse human history beginning 10,000 years ago when animal herding became the dominant culture and brought with it the elite class structure, materialism, war, domination of the feminine, and systemic exploitation that are so familiar to us today. We have individually and collectively been wounded by this culture and lost our ability to make relevant connections. The ultimate result is the commodification of humanity (as you sow, so shall you reap). But a benevolent revolution that honors all life, our sacred bodies and the Divine within, is in our grasp. Keep your mind and heart open to this message!
The World Peace Diet: Eating for Spiritual Health and Social Harmony: https://www.amazon.com/World-Peace-Diet-Spiritual-Harmony/dp/1590565274
http://www.willtuttle.com/
https://www.worldpeacediet.com/
https://circleofcompassion.org/
It was only when breast cancer knocked at her door in 2016 that everything changed for Celine O’Donovan. A new path emerged in front of her and she was propelled in a new direction -- a direction that she could never have found on her own. In this episode we talk about the gifts that came out of her devastation. She got off the proverbial “hamster wheel,” did a lot of “undoing” and breaking open, and moved herself through fear to her own power. A native of Galway City on the west coast of Ireland, Celine recently published a book titled, Gifts from the Devastation – What Cancer Taught Me About Life. She is also a qualified life coach and public speaker who is passionate about sharing her story of hope. Her message is for anyone experiencing any kind of devastation, not just a cancer diagnosis.
Celine’s Inside Out Living Indicator, mentioned in this podcast, is shown below her photo.
https://linktr.ee/celineodonovan
Website:www.celineodonovan.com
Gifts from the Devastation Print Book: https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/o-books/our-books/gifts-from-devastation-cancer-life
Gifts from the Devastation Audio Book: https://celineodonovan.samcart.com/products/audio-book
https://www.instagram.com/celineodonovan/
https://www.facebook.com/celine.odonovan.9
Anneke Lucas is an author, speaker, advocate for human trafficking victims and creator of the Unconditional Model. Her work is based on her decades-long healing journey, after surviving being sold by her family as a child sex slave into a murderous pedophile network in Belgium. In this second episode we go deeper into her healing process – how her memories were recovered and the work she has done herself and with other survivors. We also discuss the internal and external power structures that we are stuck in and how we give our power away to authorities because we haven’t healed ourselves. Indeed, we do create our reality. And by our healing/integration/awakening work, we can create a new one. Anneke’s message is one of hope and healing – we have to be the Light in this world. She has shared her life experience in a TedxTalk and four-part YouTube interview series, and she recently published a book titled, Quest for Love: Memoir of a Child Sex Slave.
US link to book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4FV3982
International links to book: https://annekelucas.com/book
Website: www.annekelucas.com
TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLp5LM18wIU
Four part Interview Collective Evolution: https://explorerlounge.one/programs/elite-pedophilia-sex-rituals-anneke-lucas
NOTE: In our conversation we mention Internal Family Systems Model. You can learn more about that here: https://ifs-institute.com/about-us
We also share paraphrased scripture about children. Here are a few of Jesus’s words about it:
"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Mark 10:15"If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6
“Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4
Anneke Lucas is an author, speaker, advocate for human trafficking victims and creator of the Unconditional Model. Her work is based on her decades-long healing journey, after surviving being sold by her family as a child sex slave into a murderous pedophile network in Belgium. In this episode we learn about Anneke’s journey through mind control, abuse, a near death experience and healing. We discuss the psychology of the pedophile perpetrator and why it is so hard for people to contemplate this widespread, but hidden reality. Anneke’s message is one of hope and healing as she also shares her experience of extreme Divine aid, influx of Christ consciousness, and awareness of Light in the depth of her darkness. Extremely intuitive as a child, she was able to see beyond the masks of her perpetrators to their own suffering -- a spiritual understanding that is incredibly inspiring. Anneke has shared her life experience in a TedxTalk and four-part YouTube interview series, and she recently published a book titled, Quest for Love: Memoir of a Child Sex Slave (see excerpts below).
US link to book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4FV3982
International links to book: https://annekelucas.com/book
Website: www.annekelucas.com
TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLp5LM18wIU
Four part Interview Collective Evolution: https://explorerlounge.one/programs/elite-pedophilia-sex-rituals-anneke-lucas
NOTE: In our conversation we mention John Paul Rice. I had a deep conversation with him in Episode 159 on Forgiveness, Reconciliation and the Inner Child.
We also talk about the Dutroux case in Belgium where 30 scheduled witnesses mysteriously died. Here are some links about that:
https://pedogate.world/cases/dutroux-affair/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6eBpZAhf3w
Gary Beckwith is a solar system engineer, certified hypnotherapist and writer. Out of personal interest, he studied comparative religion, focusing his research on similarities. Searching for a simple book that outlined the common teachings shared by the world’s major religions and unable to find one, he decided to write The Message That Comes from Everywhere: Exploring the Common Core of the World’s Religions and Modern Science. The book is a useful tool to learn about spirituality and promote peace from an inclusive perspective. In this episode we discuss the commonality among the world’s major religions and how we can benefit from their cross fertilization. We also discuss the application of the scientific method to theological questions, the myth of God in the sky, the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls and more.
To order the book from The Harmony Institute (discount price for Spiritual Forum listeners): http://theharmonyinstitute.org (you'll see a big button on the home page that links to the special for podcast listeners)
To order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0970112564
Spirituality Discussion Group on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualitydiscussion/
The Harmony Institute Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/harmonyinstitutevt
Contact Gary personally: gary.beckwith@theharmonyinstitute.org
If you love this podcast please rate and review! https://ratethispodcast.com/thespiritualforum
Born into a family of seekers and artists at a commune in Baltimore, Maryland, Maré Hieronimus spent her childhood surrounded by mystical teachings, a reverence for the earth, and a love of dance. An artist and dancer by training, Mare has kept traditional aspirations at arm’s length, instead listening to the call of her soul to live a creative life. At this pivotal time of transition, Maré believes we are being asked to choose between two paths – nature/divine and transhumanism/anti-divine. In this episode we discuss these two paths as well as the natural technology of the body, cultural structures around motherhood, how to connect to the wisdom body, our crisis in imagination, the importance of learning family stories, the need to retain our individual, sovereign nature, and more.
Maré is the author of three books: Path of Remembrance - Vision for a New Earth, Systems of Indoctrination and The Wild Rose of the Soul, and Majesty of the Wild - Writings on Freedom.
Website: https://thesacredbody.earth/
Ceremonies: https://thesacredbody.earth/womens-ritual-and-ceremony
Embodied movement and healing sessions: https://thesacredbody.earth/embodied-movement-and-healing
“Sometimes the universe/God taps you on the shoulder ands says you know what? You might want to change the direction you are in. And then you get a shove from behind, and if you ignore that, sooner or later you get a big whack with a 2x4.” – Gregory David Roberts, TSF Episode 169
Former heroin addict/bank robber/fugitive turned best-selling author/musician/devotee, Gregory David Roberts has quite a story to tell. He is most known for his critically acclaimed best-selling novel Shantaram, which sold over 7 million copies and was hailed “a masterpiece” by critics. It has been translated into 44 languages and is sold in over 116 countries. Roberts recently authored the book, The Spiritual Path, a personal journey of wonder and insight into science, belief, faith and devotion which catalogues his experience over six years in spiritual practice blowing the conch shell (an Indian practice) in devotion to God. In this episode, we talk about what gives life meaning, the power of intention, humbling the self, the unconditional nature of Faith, offering ourselves to God, and more. He also has a bright message for anyone who is currently suffering from addiction. There is a lot of wisdom in this remarkable man, who turned his life around after a year in solitary confinement in an Australian prison.
Anissa Amason’s awakening journey became the focus of her life in 2018 after a mystical experience silenced her incessant suicidal thoughts. She spent the last five years researching and exploring the nature of the presence that brought such peace and love into her awareness and experimenting with many tools and modalities to tap into that inner mystical reality. In addition to Anissa’s fascinating story of her struggle with suicidal thoughts and her ultimate healing, we also talk about surrendering, humbling ourselves, removing blocks, life purpose and being authentic in the workplace. Anissa is the founder of The Meditation Lounge™, a sacred space for women exploring and cultivating their own capacity for healing and gaining clarity and connection to their unique soul guidance. She’s a gifted intuitive channel, energy healer and a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anissaamason/ Contact: anissa@themeditationlounge.org Healing transmission meditation: subscribepage.io/uwzkAn
Why doesn't the Law of Attraction always work? That's the million dollar question and in this episode, Patty Lennon helps us understand the answer. Patty is an ex-corporate banker turned intuitive coach. She cared for aging parents, worked through grief and racked up significant debt in the midst of starting a new business. A big shift that brought magic into her life happened once she started to “surrender” her heavy obligations and hold faith that the Divine truly had her back. Patty has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Daily Worth. She is the founder and CEO of The Receiving School and the author of the new book Make Space For Magic.
https://www.pattylennon.com/
https://patty-lennon.mykajabi.com/the-receiving-school
https://www.amazon.com/Make-Space-Magic-Abundance-Universe/dp/195480119X
Padma Menon is a dancer and philosopher. She is a pioneer in reviving the ancient practice of dance contemplation. Padma helps those seeking to reclaim their sacred selves by generously sharing her lifetime knowledge of sacred Indian dance, philosophy and ritual—so that they can experience unconditional freedom, taste their true essence and move in this world in a sacred way. In this episode we learn about spirituality as a moving, sensory experience that opens us to a consciousness beyond time and the illusion of separation. We learn how dance – not the choreographed type - allows us to express our inner ferocity, experience of an unknowable dimension, and connect to the essence of animal consciousness, all things that western theology has discouraged for centuries.
Having studied Yang-style Tai Chi intensively during his years in the Boston area under Grandmaster Gin Soon Chu and his son, Master Vincent Chu, Levi Ben-Shmuel moved to Israel in 1991. During his ten years there, Levi began teaching Tai Chi, met his Kabbalah teacher, and co-created Sulam Chi. Sulam Chi means Ladder of Life Force Energy and is a graceful and powerful set of movements that integrates the energies of Tai Chi and Kabbalah’s mystical Tree of Life. He returned to the US in 2001 and is currently a teacher of Tai Chi, Kabbalah, and Ayurveda. Levi authored the book, Living Wisely, a collection of wisdom topics which guide the reader in exploration and self-inquiry.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/livingindivineromance
website: https://www.levibenshmuel.com/ book: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Wisely-Levi-Ben-Shmuel/dp/1935604570 Sulam Chi online class: https://www.levibenshmuel.com/online-classes
Kashish Gambir is a spiritual guide who teaches karma, divine love, the path back to Source, the inner journey of the soul, and infinite peace of mind and bliss. As a guide/intuitive, she is able to transfer Divine Energy to people through meditation sessions and consultations, awakening aspects of the soul. She also leads peace meditations in Delhi, India as well as online. In this episode, Kashish tells the fascinating story of her search for God and meaning since childhood, and finding a spiritual teacher who helped her gain a quantum jump on her spiritual awakening. She and Rev. Carol have a lively conversation about all sorts of things including world religions, transcendent experiences, karma, and reducing suffering in the world. https://karmicbuzz.com/
Raised under harsh conditions during the Cultural Revolution in Maoist China, Yan Ming Li learned early on that he was born with a spiritual gift. Tucking himself away under his parents' bed in a tiny apartment, Li found solace in a mysterious and powerful force he called the Light. He learned to use this Light to heal people including his paralyzed mother, and has dedicated his life to teaching people the power they hold inside to heal themselves. The Whole Body Prayer is a meditation and healing technique which thousands have used to cure themselves of stage 4 cancer and other 'terminal' illnesses, while awakening to the spiritual energy of the Light/God. Li tells his fascinating story in a recently published memoir called, Whole Body Prayer - The Life Changing Power of Self-healing. He does not speak English so his conversation in this podcast is lovingly translated by his wife Sandra and son Alex.
If you would like to see the uncut video and Whole Body Prayer demonstration, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzAv3iShhRc
website:https://mywholebodyprayer.com/ book: https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Body-Prayer-Life-Changing-Self-Healing/dp/B09XVKZN3G whole body prayer stance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcQISA-bisQ
Reverend Sarah Bowen is an ordained minister, animal chaplain, seminary faculty member, columnist for Spirituality & Health magazine, and author of Sacred Sendoffs: An Animal Chaplain’s Advice for Surviving Animal Loss, Making Life Meaningful, and Trying to Heal the Planet. She teaches interspecies mindfulness practices, works with humans grieving the loss of companion animals, loves up animals in shelters, and provides wildlife struck by cars a sacred sendoff. Daughter of a pastor, Sarah shares her story growing up as a free spirit tomboy who cared for "God's creatures" and was also concerned about them when they died. We talk about the importance of recognizing animal loss and healing from its wounds, our cultural and personal blind spots regarding animals, and how Compassion calls us to engage in interspecies relationships that are fair to all.
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Sendoffs-Chaplains-Surviving-Meaningful/dp/1948626594
Memorial tips: https://www.sacredsendoffs.com/memorials
Animal Meditations: https://www.sacredsendoffs.com/meditations
Become an Animal Chaplain: https://www.compassionconsortium.org/training
Compassion Consortium: https://www.compassionconsortium.org/
Whole Planet Spirituality Forum & Retreat: https://thespiritualforum.org/retreat
Reverend Richard Carlini is an ordained Unity minister, a registered nurse and hospice administrator. He has been privileged to be present with hundreds of people during their dying process. The crucial subjects of grief and loss, which touch each of us during our lifetime, rarely receive the attention they deserve. In this episode, Carol and Richard engage in conversation about our culture’s relationship with death, the five stages of grief (associated with any ending), and what we can do to normalize our relationship with dying and prepare for our own post-life celebration/ritual. While death may be an end, it is also a rebirth and a transition that deserves our attention.
Once plagued by severe anxiety attacks, Joshua Bloom developed a way of being that grounds the body into a state of wellness. He calls this process Quantum Energy Transformation™. Quantum Energy Transformation is based on the science of Quantum Physics and the Cellular Biology research of Bruce Lipton. It works at the higher levels of energy to create deep energy movement at the cellular level of the body for natural healing and removal of blocks. Unlike other modalities, Joshua claims this process transforms trauma quickly and easily. In this episode, Joshua tells some of his remarkable healing stories and we discuss questions such as: What causes illness? How does healing happen? How did Jesus heal people? Why can’t we just change our thoughts? Joshua Bloom is the author of The Ultimate Answer is Inside and the executive producer of the movie of same name.
https://www.quantumenergycenter.tv/ Free Gift: https://quantumenergycenter.mykajabi.com/let-go-of-overwhelm-opt-in-for-Rev-Carolsaunder-1
John Paul Rice began his film career in the movie, Remember the Titans (2000), and is currently the president/producer of No Restrictions Entertainment, a film company that produces bold, cutting-edge and authentic stories that humanize issues rarely shown in Hollywood movies. Among them are A Child’s Voice, which exposes child trafficking and the most recent, Game Day, an authentic and powerful story about a dysfunctional family that fights passionately among themselves, but never gives up on each other. In this episode, Rice shares his belief that unconscious trauma (child abuse) and forsaking our inner child are at the root of today's polarities. He joins Rev. Carol for an interesting conversation on forgiveness, healing, consciousness, unconditional love, our inner child, and how the various fragmented factions of today can heal and reconcile.
https://www.norestrictionsent.com/
Three years ago, on a sunny California day at his house near Calabasas California, Christopher Peter’s life and physical reality were obliterated. From out of the clear blue sky the creators of the universe entered his life in the flesh and never left. In this episode, Peters begins by sharing his tumultuous life story. With movie producer Jon Peters (portrayed in the movie, Hairspray; executive producer of Caddyshack, Flashdance, Rain Man, Man of Steel) as his father, and actress Lesley Ann Warren (Cinderella, Victor Victoria, and Desperate Housewives) as his mother, he was immersed in the world of entertainment. He was one of the first producers to start, create, and get approved a no-holds-barred fight show - UFC Ultimate Fighting Championship - with a major television network, Showtime. Peters’ Hollywood upbringing was devoid of spirituality and religion, which makes his current day, ongoing relationship with beings of light so fascinating. You decide what to believe as he shares the creator beings’ message to humanity.
Christopher tells his background story first. He begins his encounter story at 27:47.
Bob Vetter is a healer and cultural anthropologist whose life work concerns the intersection of spirituality and healing in diverse indigenous cultures. He studied the traditional Mesoamerican healing system called Curanderismo with teachers both in the United States and Mexico, and maintains a healing practice and community temazcal (traditional Mesoamerican sweat lodge) in New York. In this episode Bob tells his unique story that begins when he was a graduate student at University of Oklahoma, seeking the last Comanche medicine man to interview for his graduate studies. It then traverses a multitude of relationships with Native American elders, ultimately resulting in Bob becoming an adopted nephew, son and grandson, and healer in his own right. Along with his adopted uncle, medicine man Richard Tartsah Sr., he authored the book Big Bow: The Spiritual Life and Teachings of a Kiowa Family. He currently hosts the podcast, “Healing and Spirituality in World Cultures."
Many years ago, artist Monique Rebelle's personal life was a source of depression and she eventually became suicidal. It was at this point that the amazing, miraculous occurrence of a full kundalini rising took place and changed her life completely. Her book, Transcendence Calling - the Power of Kundalini Rising and Spiritual Enlightenment catalogs her experience in detail and outlines a path to open the gates of each chakra. In this episode, Monique explains kundalini and we take a deep dive into her unique understanding/revelation about each of the seven energy centers.
https://www.moniquerebelle.com/
Ronna Detrick is a storyteller. She also coaches and creates unique ways for women’s stories, both past and present, to be understood as a powerful and sacred source of wisdom, encouragement, and hope. This matters to both men and women because we are in relationship with each other. We've all inherited interpretations of classic stories, and whether we know it or not, they impact the way we form our world. The stories of women in the Bible are told through a lens that can keep women limited, held back, silenced, shamed, and playing small. In this episode, Rev. Carol and Ronna have a lively conversation about the story of Eve, Hagar, and other women in the Bible. You will gain insight into how new stories can change your experience of your own self, life, and God.
https://www.ronnadetrick.com/
Teresa Wagner has loved and communicated with animals all of her life. For the past 30 years, she has worked as an animal communicator and offered grief support and counseling for those with lost or deceased animals. In this episode, we discuss what animal communication entails and learn that it is an expression of our natural state rather than a special spiritual gift. We learn how we can spiritually support animals (and humans) who are suffering, and what to do when animals make a home where they are not wanted. We enter the magical world of inter-species communication and realize that this sacred connection is the original intention of Creation. Teresa has authored the audiobook, Legacies of Love; A Gentle Guide to Healing from the Loss of Your Animal Loved One. She also facilitated Sacred Swim trips to swim and communicate with humpback whales for 19 years.
In 1996, Kayt Raymond's life was profoundly changed by meeting a group of angels. Though not an artist, she was invited to paint and write with these beings and was taught how to commune and co-create with them as colleagues and friends. She is known as an angel communicator. With a career in corporate strategy and coaching leaders, Kayt also offers Angel Consults to people who want to have a conversation with angels on questions, issues, and opportunities in life, work, relationships, finances, business, creativity, and more. In this episode, Rev. Carol and Kayt have a delightful conversation about angels, guardian angels, archangels, and spirit guides, and how they can help us.
For more about Kayt Raymond and the Angels:
Website: www.kaytraymond.com
Instagram: @kaytraymond
Facebook: @kaytraymondofficial
In this episode, Rev. Carol speaks with retired pediatric surgeon and spiritual author, Dr. Ivan Figueroa Otero. At age 61, Dr. Figueroa Otero made a significant career change and is now certified nationally in medical acupuncture. With his current patients, he takes a holistic approach to disease emphasizing prevention and modification of lifestyles. We traverse a lot of ground in this conversation including the contrast between western and eastern medicine, holistic healing, forgiveness, the current state of health in the world, and Dr. Otero’s School of Life trilogy. His recently published fourth book, Reflections in My Magical Mirror (Spirituality 104), encourages readers to remember that every difficult experience is a lesson of love.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/spiritualityandmedicine
For more information:
The Holographic Origin of Disease
https://www.ivanfigueroaoteromd.com/
https://ifigueroa.allauthor.com/.
Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/ivan.figueroaotero
https://twitter.com/figueroaOteroMD
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-figueroa-otero-0a518026/
The transformation from trained killer to Zen teacher, monk, and peace activist is the story of Claude Ashin Thomas's life, which he rawly tells in his memoir, "At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace". In this episode, Rev. Carol converses with Claude Anshin about war, suffering, awakening, and his road to peace. We learn about breaking the cycle of ancestral karma, the spiritual practice of living with suffering without being controlled by it, and how we are all responsible for the perpetuation of war. Claude Anshin Thomas's recently published second book, Bringing Meditation to Life, is a collection of 108 short Zen teachings.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/asoldiersjourneyfromwartopeace
Learn more at Zaltho Foundation: https://zaltho.org/
It's rare to hear the kind of raw and vulnerable sharing expressed in this episode. Eric Reed made a trip to Guatemala to visit a friend, but it turned into an experience of the mystical and magical. Away from the constantly broadcast fears and narratives of the world and the chattering obligation of his mind, he found himself - led by Spirit - to a metaphysical school where he spent "two months going inward, digging in the shadows of my psyche, sending probes into my emotional body and finding the space and time to let free what has long been cast in shame and buried in busyness." There is a lot to ponder about life in this episode.
In this episode, Rev. Carol goes deeper with Dr. Chelsea Wakefield. We learn about the six love capacities - Commitment, Courage, Curiosity, Communication, Compassion, and Creativity. This is the 'how to' core of creating empowering relationships, centered on honesty and real love. We are divinely designed to 'see' each other and grow with our partners. And every relationship can become a soul-mate partnership (assuming there is no abuse, pathology, or addiction present). This is good news! Of note, what Dr. Wakefield presents can be applied to our family and work relationships as well.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/labyrinthoflove2
https://www.chelseawakefield.com/
In this episode, Rev. Carol engages with Dr. Chelsea Wakefield, Ph.D., LCSW, therapist, author, and relationship expert. Dr. Wakefield's most recent book, The Labyrinth of Love, supports people in growing and healing through their relationships. The spiritual path is the journey to wholeness. Through our relationships, if we are aware, we can see our projections and then do the inner work of growth and healing. Alternatively, we can stay mired in interlocking complexes and dissatisfaction. When we remove our projections from other people, we begin to see them for who they are, rather than for who we wish they were or want them to be. This is the process of creating a soul mate relationship. Dr. Wakefield discusses all this and more in this episode.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/labyrinthoflove
https://www.chelseawakefield.com/
In this episode, Rev. Carol has an engaging conversation with Dr. Lisa Kemmerer, professor of philosophy and religions. Dr. Kemmerer is also an award-winning author of nine books, including Eating Earth, Animals, and World Religions, and Sister Species, and she is known internationally for her work across overlapping concerns of justice. Her advocacy includes nonhuman animals, the environment, and disempowered human beings. Our conversation traverses the fundamental tenet of all world religions, what it means to be an activist (many of us already are), how to invite your spiritual community to engage in more compassionate practices, what intersectionality is all about, and the upcoming Spiritual Forum hosted Vegan Spirituality Forum and Retreat at Unity Village, Missouri.
In this episode Rev Carol engages with Solveig Barrios, founder of the Mayan Wisdom Project. From Guatemala and born in a line of Mayan spiritual leaders, Solveig's whole life has been a journey of discovering the deep knowledge and wisdom of one of the most ancient and enlightened civilizations in the world. She founded the Mayan Wisdom Project to allow universal access to the incredible healing technologies known to the Mayans. Solveig shares with us an overview of Mayan Wisdom, its healing potential and how it fits into the events of the world today.
In this episode, Rev. Carol dives deeper with Katie Mahon and Joan Luise Hill on miracles. We go more deeply into the contents of their book, The Miracle Collectors - Uncovering Stories of Wonder, Joy and Mystery, and share favorite miracle stories. Many people think they don't experience miracles or that miracles have to be huge supernatural events. But life itself is a miracle when you open yourself to it, and miracles are available to all of us. This is hopeful news as we all do our best to navigate through challenging times.
In this episode, Rev. Carol engages with Katie Mahon and Joan Luise Hill on the topic of miracles. Both these extraordinary women experienced profound miracles in their lives, which set them in pursuit of the miracle stories of other people. This collection is featured in their recent book, "The Miracle Collectors - Uncovering Stories of Wonder, Joy and Mystery". In Part 1 of this conversation, Joan and Katie share their own miracle stories -- Katie escaped serial killer Ted Bundy and Joan had a profound synchronistic experience around the healing of her son. We also discuss how to become aware of the everyday miracles in our lives.
In this episode, Rev. Carol dives deeper with Dr. Brent Satterfield on exactly what his experience was like beyond the veil. What was his experience of God? How did he/she appear to him? Dr. Satterfield is a DNA scientist and author of the book, Bringing Heaven Home – We Were Never Meant to Do It Alone, where he catalogues his five personal and highly detailed crossovers with the divine. For the full context, make sure you listen to Part 1 of this conversation or Episode 142.
In this episode, Rev. Carol engages with DNA scientist, Dr. Brent Satterfield, about his five personal and highly detailed crossovers with the divine, similar to near-death experiences. Each of these crossovers provided a unique perspective and through them, Dr. Satterfield experienced pivotal realizations that liberated him from the quagmire of inherited societal norms and more rigid religious traditions into an understanding of his own inherent worth and inner light. Brent’s most recent book, Bringing Heaven Home – We Were Never Meant to Do It Alone, catalogues his journey. This is Part 1 in a two-part conversation.
As we continually develop our spiritual nature, we become more conscious of our inner divine powers and call on them to do the work of Spirit in our relationships, work, life challenges, and creative endeavors. We become masters of our inner gifts and use them for Good. In this episode, we share how we use these powers in our lives and reflect on how they work cooperatively to balance, temper, and complement each other. Since it was our last time together as a group, those who were moved shared what the ministry of The Spiritual Forum has meant to them. Going forward, The Spiritual Forum podcast will be in a new format consisting of interviews, focus groups, and Rev. Carol's occasional reflections.
Life is our ability to energize, vitalize, enliven, animate, and invigorate. It is also the energy of healing and restoration. So many people today live in fear, cut off from Life Itself. Fear of death. Fear of illness. Fear of failure. Fear of connection. Fear of living. Life calls us to be bold. It calls us to care for our bodies and heal. It calls us to create. In this episode, we share our experience of life and delve into the question, “How alive are we?”
Zeal is our ability to start and be motivated. Nothing is begun, birthed, sustained, or progressed without the gift of zeal. We may know zeal more as joy, enthusiasm, or passion. It is the inner igniting power that gets us up and keeps us going. After a year of COVID lockdowns and restrictions, many people are feeling unmotivated, apathetic, and lethargic. But those are not natural expressions! In this episode, we share the ways zeal expresses through us and how we can make our passion happen and live a zealous life no matter what.
Will is the directive power in us that chooses a course of action. When we don't use our spiritual understanding to inform our choices, we can be willful -- imposing our will on others or on a circumstance/process. But when we use our spiritual understanding, we make choices in line with Divine Will, and we are willing partners with Spirit/Source/God. In this episode, we explore our willingness and willfulness, and how the choices we make define our character.
In the last episode, Rev. Carol spoke with Dorrie van Roij-Houtappels and Norberto Rodrigues who were featured in the documentary, Already Free, In this episode, she engages Director/Producer Kim Shelton about the making of the film, the spiritual process of filmmaking, how the topics of her film select her, and her own spiritual journey. Kim has been making award-winning independent documentary films for over 35 years. Among her films are The Lost Borders: Coming of Age in the Wilderness, The Welcome, A Thousand Mothers, and Already Free.
ALREADY FREE is a beautiful award-winning film that documents the profound transformation of Dorrie van Roij-Houtappels and Norberto Rodrigues. Though living thousands of miles apart (New Zealand and Portugal) they travel the same path to awakening – a life cultivation path called Ren Xue. The practice opens them to the true freedom of mind and heart that is the ultimate promise of most spiritual traditions. In this episode, Rev. Carol engages Norberto and Dorrie in conversation about their transformation and the healing methodology of Ren Xue, which includes the Yuan Gong method of Qigong and a deep dive into the essential qualities of the heart.
Order is our ability to organize, balance, sequence, and adjust. The intelligence of the Universe expresses Itself as Order. The seasons, tides, and cycles of growth all happen in perfect sequence. Stories all have a beginning, middle and end. On the spiritual path, it is good to be mindful of the order in our lives. Experiencing 'disorder' is often an indication that we may need to establish order within. Are we clear about our priorities? Are we living in alignment with them? Are our minds cluttered with negative thoughts? Are we trying to circumvent or control a natural process? These are some of the questions we consider during this episode as we engage in inquiry on the spiritual gift of Order.
We are each endowed with inner spiritual power – the kind of power we can exercise over our own selves, not over others. This is our ability to master or have dominion over our thoughts, feelings, and habits, and to move energy from one state of consciousness to another. The center of power resides in the throat chakra, for it is our voice that often brings the invisible (ideas) into the visible world (manifestation). Power in its purest form is self-mastery - the recognition that nothing and no one has power over us. In this episode, we share where we are with self-mastery and how we use the power of our word to create.
Wisdom is our ability to discern, evaluate and make decisions. It is also our inner guidance/intuition and judging with spiritual discernment. With wisdom, we draw upon Spirit for guidance and make the highest and best conclusion for all. It’s a completely different function from the intellect which draws upon knowledge and tries to figure things out. On the spiritual path, we learn to use our inner wisdom rather than look to the outer world to discern what is right - be it right direction, right choice, or right action. In this episode, we share how we have evolved in Divine wisdom and how it serves us when we are faced with lofty decisions or uncertainty.
Love is our ability to know Oneness with all that is. It is also our ability to attract, unify, harmonize and desire for only Good to come to all. Love has no conditions and sees no boundaries. Our world could use some of that now. Can we be love in the face of someone who has disrespected or harmed us? Or can we express love to someone who despises, mischaracterized, or misunderstands us? Can we unconditionally accept love from anyone? In this episode, we explore these questions and also share how we express love with all our hearts for the Divine Itself.
Strength is our ability to endure, stay the course and persevere. It can also be expressed as patience, tolerance, steadfastness and balance. True Strength is not rigid, but flexible, like the tree that blows in the wind but remains firmly rooted. It does not seek to dominate or control. When we need to set healthy boundaries, endure hardship, quit a habit, stand up for ourselves, start a new practice or move through loss or fear, it is the power of Strength that we call upon. This is one of many gifts of Spirit that each of us has. Honing the power of Strength will serve us well during these times of transition. In this episode, we share how we express the divine power of Strength in our everyday lives.
What happens in our nation is a reflection of our consciousness. It is important that we watch how we respond to events because that will point us to what is calling for transformation and healing. That is why we are here at this time – to evolve our consciousness and usher in a new world. During these transitional times, it is important that we keep our vibration high, so we can anchor the Light. It is also important to remember our power - the power of our word, the power over our thoughts, and the power to discern. We hold the ability to 'rebuke' the winds that seem to engulf us. In this episode, we share how we are responding to recent events, what paradigms we are releasing and how a new world is stirring in us.
Hope is to want something to happen or be true. In the depths of darkness, hope is the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Hope is also what lifts our vision for the future. The birth of anything new brings new hope. Having hope is not about always getting what we want, because often our hopes are dashed. But if we carry hope in our hearts, we free ourselves to live lightly, joyfully, and creatively. Without a hopeful vision, we surrender our innate power to create, and become victims of circumstance. In this episode, we share our hopes for the New Year and how hopeful living has served our lives. We are on the precipice of a great transformation in human society and if we allow hope and faith to work together, we will move boldly into the unchartered territory that is before us.
'You are the light of the world.' This profound truth implores us to shine the light that we are courageously into the world for all to see. So many of us keep our light hidden and we need to ask ourselves why. Our light is our creativity, talent, authenticity, generosity, honesty, love, and prayers. It is also boldly speaking our truth. Our light makes each one of us uniquely who we are. When we show up as light in the world we are clear expressions of Spirit. We honor ourselves and say thank you to the Divine for our lives. In this episode, we share how we are light in the world, how we see the light in others, and what stops us from being aware that we are ‘shining like the sun.’
Light illuminates darkness. Darkness can be ignorance, the unexplored, unseen or undiscovered. It can also be the darker elements of our society that are generally kept hidden like corruption, exploitation, and human trafficking. Many of us live completely in the dark, not inclined to change or go beyond the perception of reality we are comfortable with. When we are willing to widen our perspective, expand our field of knowledge, broaden our sources of information, consider what we haven't yet considered, explore where we have not yet been (including our own minds), and dare to learn beyond our comfort zones, we illuminate the darkness. Our highest Self will lead us. In this episode, we share about willingness or hesitancy to light up the darkness and how we can shift collective consciousness by our illumination.
The Christmas season is nestled in the darkness of winter. It is no surprise that we light up our homes during this time, and that light is a prominent theme in the Christmas story. The light of Spirit is always with us, and poised to guide us. It is the light that guides our long journey to our highest self and fulfilled purpose. It can show up as inner intuition or as the guidance of another person or sign. We may not be able to see the fullness of our path or know how things will turn out, but this guiding light is like a North star that keeps us on course. The light of Spirit can also appear as a flash of insight with a commanding voice that calls us to action. In this episode we share about how these two forms of ‘guiding lights’ support us and remind us that we are never alone.
Are you going in the direction you want? As we go through life, we follow a path toward our dream/purpose with varying levels of success. Some of us never leave our starting point. Some of us complete the journey. And some of us find sufficient satisfaction in the middle of the journey and never fully complete it. This is the hero’s journey. At its ultimate level, this is a journey through the depths of our soul and back to our original Self. At the same time, we each have a personal purpose to fulfill, also a hero’s journey. During this episode we use the journey of Santiago in The Alchemist and find ourselves in it. As Paulo Coehlo says, “When you’re on a journey to pursue your personal legend, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it.”
Your heart feels all the feelings of life. It informs you. It expresses its hopes, desires and fears. It can be sweet and it can be volatile. It reaches out and connects to other hearts. It is your partner in pursuing your dream. It is always there for you. It is the seat of Divine Love and Wisdom. Frequently though, many of us override its message and instead follow our heads. This keeps us from pursuing our dreams. In this episode, we continue our dive into The Alchemist and share our experiences of sincerely listening to and engaging with our hearts. When we learn to do this, there our ‘treasure’ will be.
Outrageous Love is unconditional Love. It has no bounds, forgives completely and is full of compassion and mercy. It is the Divine Love under all Creation that loves us! On our spiritual journey, we learn to accept this love and to love ourselves. From that place we can then love others without expectations or conditions. Embodying, embracing and accepting unconditional Love to the best of our abilities is of extreme importance in these times, as we continue to experience a very divided nation. In this episode we share where we are with loving ourselves and others unconditionally, and how we reveal love through action.
This is Part 2 of Rev. Carol's engaging conversation with Colm Holland, author of The Secret of the Alchemist. During this conversation we continue our conversation about alchemy, and delve more deeply into the power and nature of unconditional Love. We also discuss the collective unconscious, archetypes, miracles, and vulnerability. True empowerment is unconditional Love, and when you open yourself, the Universe is there at the ready to fully support your life.
This is Part 1 of Rev. Carol's engaging conversation with Colm Holland, author of The Secret of the Alchemist. During this conversation we learn about alchemy, the hero's journey, and the three phases of alchemy, which are pertinent to real transformation. Alchemy is the spiritual journey to one's true Self, to true empowerment. It is our journey! We also hear Colm's inspiring story of personal transformation, which was alchemy in action.
This episode crowns the 10-year anniversary of host, Rev. Carol Saunders, as a minister/spiritual leader. She briefly walks us through her journey and shares 10 spiritual themes she has gleaned from it. These themes are: endings and beginnings, free will, create, vision, people, gratitude, boundaries, change, know who you are, and the journey. Each of us is on a journey, and milestones are a good time to reflect and discern who we are because of it.
As we enter into more unstable times, trust becomes even more important to us. Who are we going to call in times of uncertainty and instability? Many of us no longer trust those we've trusted up to now. Some of us are finding new people and organizations to trust. When it comes down to it, there really is just one play to make with our cards. That is, trusting the still, small voice within – trusting Spirit. With spiritual practice we learn to not just look to experts and the opinions/directions of others, but trust our inner resources and spiritual gifts. In this episode we share where we are on trust, and how we learn to trust the Divine voice in us.
Our resilience comes from Spirit within. When the events of life dump on us, we can partner with Spirit and shake it off. We can choose to transform adversity (real or perceived), and step up to a higher level - to whatever is next. Sometimes we find ourselves in the wells of life over and over again. This happens when we focus on being victimized or don’t take the moment to allow for Divine ideas to come. Sometimes we never get out. An old fable, the Story of the Mule, illustrates how to overcome adversity and use it to our advantage. In this episode we share our stories about getting piled on, shaking it off, and stepping up, ultimately to find higher ground.
No matter how bad or wrong things may seem, it's important for our own well-being to look for the good -- to look for Go(o)d everywhere. Whatever we see or experience in another person or circumstance, we can also find good if we want to. We can also expect good to manifest in our lives. When we do, it will find us, and we will be happier, more effective people. Looking for the good doesn't mean that we ignore the bad, or spiritually bypass into a false or blind optimism. Instead, we can learn to see what is there, widen our perspective, and find our way to a sense of grounded appreciation or optimism. In this episode we share our stories of looking for the good and/or being stuck in seeing what is wrong and finding our way through.
Spiritual sovereignty is our birthright. We are each created as a complete entity unto ourselves. When we exercise our sovereignty, we are free of the control and coercion of others. We have authority over our own body/mind and are free to direct our own lives. Does individual sovereignty conflict with the premise that we are all One? It can seem that way at times because “love one another” is often confused with feeling the need to conform with the group. But the Divine never asks us to abandon our sovereignty in deference to social pressure. In this episode we share how we express our spiritual sovereignty and balance “I am sovereign” with “We are One.”
We are each born in innocence, and as we grow to adulthood, we experience its loss. At some level, we want to reclaim this lost innocence, but don’t know how or whether it would fit in the adult world. We can't reclaim it by taking it from another, or living vicariously through our children. We actually have to do the inner healing work to find/integrate it. And we have to actively engage our child-like nature in our day-to-day lives. When we 'become as little children,' we truly 'know God.' We are able to see through outer appearances to the innocence of another. In this episode we share our experiences of lost innocence, what we do to reclaim it, and why this is so important today.
Grace means good will, loving-kindness, or favor. It is that extra something that comes our way whether we deserve it or not, and often when we least expect it. We don't have to earn grace, nor do we have to be someone special to receive it. It is an unconditional gift from the Divine. Grace is also something we can give to others when we decide to be gentle, let annoyances go, forgive, or find some other way to give someone a break. It's easier to give grace to people we barely know, and much harder to those who seriously challenge us. In this episode we share our experiences of receiving and giving Divine grace, and we learn the historical story behind the famous song, Amazing Grace.
We find ourselves now living in a period of great awakening. There is so much coming to light that had been previously held in darkness. Have you noticed? Generally speaking, people walk around in a state of slumber, choosing to see only what their perceptions allow them to see, and staying firmly rooted in one side or the other. Now is a time to pay attention, to notice what is happening around us and awaken our consciousness. Of course, the prime awakening is awakening to our Divine Truth - our God Self. Cruelty, exploitation, victimization and power structures would disappear if we did. In this episode, we share our experiences of awakening and how it is fundamentally changing us.
Possibility thinking happens when we become aware of what might be possible in a situation, versus just seeing what is or likely to be. Life shifts from being a set of problems to overcome, to an exciting array of challenges and opportunities. To do this, we have to learn to see beyond our expectations and worldviews. Most of our minds don’t think this way unless we make a conscious effort. Our unconscious tendency is to think in terms of what is not possible or is most probable, which keeps new possibilities from ever emerging. In this episode we share how possibility thinking can be applied to our personal lives and also to the world at large.
Prayer is an act of love, of elevating consciousness, and finding that place inside where the Divine (Source energy) is being you. When we pray with intention with two or three (or more), something mystical and magical happens. Minds, hearts and spirits unite as one, and the Presence arises within. It becomes easier to shed the ego's hold and more fully experience Oneness. It can also help us move away from our own problem. because by ourselves, we can so easily stay embroiled in what is wrong or missing. For anyone new to this, we provide a live demonstration of praying with another person in this episode, then share our own experiences of group prayer.
Most of us experience frustration in the world of people, places and things. We want things to be different than they are! We also may fear what the future may hold. Even though we don’t have control over conditions outside us, we can use the practice of prayer to raise our consciousness so we can see things rightly. We center ourselves in love, and stand in the intersection of acceptance and change. In this episode Rev. Carol lays out a process for praying when things aren't the way we want, and we share our own experiences.
Prayer is an act of love. It is also a creative and connecting activity. In prayer, we unite with the Divine. There are many ways to pray – supplication, thanksgiving, and affirmative, to name just a few. Affirmative prayer is noticeably different from other forms of prayer because it comes from a completely different place. It is prayer from a conscious awareness of God, versus prayer to God. In this episode, Rev. Carol presents a step-by-step affirmative prayer process and we share our experiences with holding intentions for ourselves through personal prayer.
There are deep divisions occurring between us that manifest in multiple ways. The media feeds on fear and division and keeps us stirred up. This is the time to be in spiritual practice and do deep integrative spiritual work. In this episode, we discuss the ideal of "One Nation, Under God (divine guidance/protection), Indivisible," and ultimately "One Self, Under God, Indivisible." Our work is to do what we can: avoid ‘us versus them’ thinking/conversations, act in alignment with our inner Truth, heal trauma and integrate our hidden shadow – the parts of us we keep hidden from ourselves and others. When we do this important work, we will be able to hold differing subjective realities and refrain from hurtful projection. Ultimately this leads us to deeper, authentic connection.
Within each of us are feminine and masculine archetypes. On the spiritual path, we seek to balance these energies and allow their sacred forms to emerge in us. The Sacred Masculine manifests as informed action, protection, discipline, order and strength through healthy boundaries. He stands firmly in Truth, and will lay down his life for it. The energies of the Sacred Masculine are greatly needed today to bring about planetary balance, protect freedom, protect the Earth, step fearlessly through change, speak Truth, and establish Order. In this episode we share how the Sacred Masculine expresses in us and where we see opportunities for its emergence.
Fear is part of being human. We all experience it. But it is useful to know that it is one of the lower energetic expressions. Fear, guilt and shame are some of the most effective ways to manipulate people. And if you are awake, you are seeing these three energies being used in our current world. Whatever is causing us to experience fear, it is important to remember that its presence is a call to Faith, Strength and Courage. In this episode we share the spiritual practices we use to support us in moving from fear to Faith.
Listening is an act of the heart. It takes time and patience to listen and be a container for another person. It also takes a certain level of inner surrender and openness. We all have someone in our lives who talks a lot or even rambles, making it challenging to want to listen. We also have difficulty listening to people with different views or opinions. Sometimes we are distracted or in a hurry and don't take the time to pause and listen. But everyone wants to be heard. In this episode we share our blocks to listening and our experiences of ‘having ears to hear’ another, especially the still, small voice within.
With protests and riots erupting in cities across our nation over the death of George Floyd, we are all stunned, disoriented, angry and feeling despair. As the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr said, "we are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." Our nation seems plunged into a state of chaos and out of it, we have the power to shape a better world in closer alignment with the Truth of our being - Love and justice for all. In this episode we share our thoughts and feelings about what is happening in our nation and also what we see in ourselves regarding division.
Life is ecstatically beautiful. A new baby is awake to it. But somewhere along the way, most of us stopped paying attention to the beauty of the world and got entrenched in another one. We became conditioned to think that beauty is subjective, something we decide. But what if we could see beauty in everything – as God’s handwriting? What if beauty spawned our feelings of love? When we slow down, pause, become present and behold beauty in all its magnificence, we can fall in love with life and see everything in a new way. In this episode we share our relationship with and experience of beauty, and how we can make it a centerpiece of our lives.
Sacred Mother is an archetype and a planetary energy. She embodies the energies of love, comfort, care and healing, and is the feminine nature of God. On our spiritual paths we are called to awaken to the Sacred Mother in her many forms and integrate her into our being. When we do this important work, we balance ourselves and bring balance to the world. Sacred Mother can be found in our religious traditions, our Mother Earth, in God, our own mother figures and within. Ultimately, when we are able to see her in everything, we will know God in a deeper way. In this episode we share our personal experience of the Sacred Mother and how we can celebrate her.
We are body, mind and spirit. Our body is a holy container. Our mind is the center of our sovereignty in the physical world. Our Spirit is the center of Self, our authentic nature. To be fully alive and true to our nature, we need to be deeply connected with our body, mind and spirit. We need to provide life-giving nourishment to each. What we are more apt to do however, is take good care of one aspect of ourselves and neglect the others. In this episode we share the ways we nourish our body, mind and spirit, and where we see ourselves as being out of balance. Restoring balance is key to spiritual living and is another way we 'seek first the Kingdom.’
To grow as a human being, we must repeatedly let go of what burdens us. Letting go, or Release, is a Divine power and a conscious action we take. Healthy functioning bodies undergo continual processes of taking in and letting go. Our minds and hearts are no different. There are lots of opportunities for us to let go. We can let go of thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and things – anything that no longer serves us. In this episode we share what we are letting go of today and the processes we use to release and become freer and more authentic beings
Joy is different from happiness. Happiness is transient and depends on outer circumstances. Joy is an infinite reservoir that dwells within us and is independent of life's circumstances. Even when we are immersed in great difficulty or sorrow, we can reach within and find Joy. That is because it is part of our nature. We are being called now to learn, know, and become aware of Truth - that Joy abides in us. In this episode we share how we experience and express Joy and how we block ourselves from it.
The Easter story is the incredible story of an incredible man and the followers who loved him. It is also our story. It shows us the path of transmutation - fundamentally changing ourselves and allowing new life to arise in us. Every time a crucifixion experience shows up in our lives, we have the opportunity to walk the path to a higher way of being. Every time. That's one of the promises of Easter. In this episode we share reflections on the Easter story and our experiences with transmutation.
Stories are powerful teaching tools. When you find yourself in one, you can gain a new and meaningful perspective on your life. Whether you identify with the Christian faith tradition or not, and whether you have appreciation for the Bible or not, the Easter story is rich in spiritual and personal meaning. It is our story. In this episode we look at some of the themes of the Palm Sunday story and share how these themes are being expressed on our lives today.
Faith is a Divine power within us. It is the power we use to manifest anything in the physical world. To make anything purposefully happen, we must first believe it is possible. And with just a tiny bit of faith, we can move the largest of obstacles. We never really lack faith. But we can direct it in ways that don’t serve our highest good. Our doubt can literally cause us to sink. In this episode we explore where we place our faith (in appearances or possibility) and how to shift from doubt to knowing. A critical dialogue in today's world.
The spiritual path is the path from personal consciousness to Christ/I am consciousness. During times such as these, we have the opportunity to grow in consciousness and live more closely as the Divine beings we were created to be. We should be in inquiry about everything! What do we really need? What is really important? What are we learning? What do we need to change? Are we actively bettering ourselves? How can we make this time profoundly meaningful? Rev. Carol emphasizes that we all chose to be here, in this incarnation, on this planet, at this time in order to usher in something new. In this episode, we have an open dialogue on what we are personally experiencing and seeing.
Coronavirus is dominating the news, social media and our attention. While we need to stay firmly grounded in the what is happening in the world in order to make the best decisions for ourselves and the whole of humanity, we also need to stay centered in God and focused on Truth. We are powerful Divine beings and there is nothing that can truly harm us. In this episode Rev. Carol shares some interesting metaphors presented by the virus and participants share how they are balancing being in the world but not of it. This was our first online gathering and we are committed to continually improve our sound quality to approximate an in person recording.
Why do we spend so much of our time here focusing on what is missing, complaining or being otherwise irritated? Why is that a conversation that unifies us? Even if we're not doing those things, are we alive? Do we notice it? We can choose to be alive or dead (in Heaven or Hell) every moment of our lives. But the thief - our own ego - clings to thoughts that steal, kill and destroy our experience of Life Itself. Being alive in this physical realm is a gift of great value - a pearl of great price. Every moment is valuable. In this episode we explore what being fully alive looks like, and what we do to bring ourselves back to Life when we notice we are not present to it.
Through all the glitter and glam, red carpet fashion statements and dazzling entertainment, a message of Universal Love and Hope came through the person of Joaquin Phoenix at the 2020 Academy Awards. When accepting his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in the movie, Joker, he chose to use his three minutes to share a profound message. He didn't take sides. He didn't make anyone wrong. It was a message of Gratitude, Awakening, Hope, Forgiveness and Grace. In this episode we share our reflections on the universal message of social justice for all beings.
During the course of our lives we go through many seasons – seasons of death and birth, creativity and stagnation, joy and sorrow, and many more. There is no schedule or specific duration of these seasons. We have to honor them as they arise. The outer world may want us to conform to its demands, but we don't have to conform. The world will go on. Our job is to walk the path that is laid before us. In this episode, we share our experiences with seasons that arise in our lives and how we moved through them. This topic was inspired by the very recent passing of Rev. Carol's father. There is some rawness to this one.
When faced with ill treatment, oppression, or bullying, we are conditioned to react in two ways: 1) fight back as hard as we can or 2) submit/run away. The third way reveals the power in resisting the desire to respond to violence with violence, while also not submitting. The third way teaches us to respond in a way that establishes equality with our oppressor. This is so important because it snaps us out of victim consciousness. We retain our God given power.
2020 vision is the term used to describe normal vision acuity, or clarity. It’s 2020 and a good time to commit ourselves to seeing more clearly. Clarity helps us see through the muck of our own stuff. It distinguishes reality from our story about it. It shows us what is really happening as well as what we do and don't know. It reveals our part in our own life dramas and also who our friends are. It is also a gift we can employ to keep us focused on what is important and avoid falling prey to distractions. And ultimately, the highest expression of Spiritual Clarity is when we see God in all things.
As a New Year begins, we have the opportunity to let go of thoughts, beliefs, habits, grievances and behaviors that no longer serve us, and then set our intentions from a new, 'cleared out' space. We do this symbolically through the ritual of the Burning Bowl. In this episode, we share our experience of letting go of blocks and setting intentions for the New Year. Be inspired to perform this ritual yourself as you discern who you want to be in the world and what blocks need to go.
Every Christmas season we can pause and reflect on how a new Light is being born in us. How will we live more completely as our God Self? The characters and events in the timeless Christmas story reveal meaningful symbols for us to ponder. Their journey is full of ups and downs and also risks and disappointments. It's not a short or easy journey, but it is one of purpose, where eventually a new Light is born that is a gift for all people. Metaphysically, their journey is our journey. In this episode, we take a deep dive and find ourselves in the story of new birth. A star is born, and that star is each one of us!
Metaphysically speaking, an angel is a spiritual idea direct from God. We may see them, hear them or experience them as bright ideas that come to us. Dreams are another way we can experience the 'voice of Spirit.' In a dream, our psyches use recognizable symbols to show us what is happening or what needs our attention. Angels and dreams guide us in profound ways when we are open. In this episode we follow the Christmas story’s use of angels and dreams and share how these voices of Spirit guide, inspire and inform us.
In our own way, we are each chosen to do what we are called to do. Using the Christmas story as allegory, we share in this episode what happens for us when we receive a "You are highly favored" call from Spirit. Like Mary in the story, the choice to surrender our personal will to Divine Will is the choice to be active as our Divine/Higher Self. From this place, we live a purposeful life, acting on inner guidance, and authentically expressing who we have come here to be. We each hold the potential to bring into manifestation a new Light for all people.
In the documentary, A Prayer for Compassion, filmmaker Thomas Jackson traverses the globe on a quest to seek answers to the question, “Can compassion grow to include all beings?" Interviewing dozens of people from multiple faith traditions, he finds the common theme among all faith traditions is Compassion, and being compassionate toward animals, while generally overlooked today, is a key teaching of every tradition. In this episode we share our experience of this ground-breaking film, what/who inspired us and how we were changed by it.
Before you do anything, do you visualize it? Do you anticipate its perfect fulfillment? Do you stand in Faith knowing only a Good outcome? When you want to attract something into your life, do you give thanks, knowing it is already yours? In this episode we talk about the joy of living in expectancy, the impact of giving thanks in advance and how doing so is energetically different from being grateful for what already is.
The Universe operates in accordance with law. Some laws are physical; some are spiritual. Just as we participate in the law of gravity and manifest the presence or absence of bodily injury depending on our understanding, we participate in spiritual laws and manifest the presence or absence of prosperity, joy and abundance, depending on our understanding. It is up to us. In this episode we share about The Law of Circulation and how when we give freely of our time, energy, knowledge or money, it will come back to us multiplied. There are many factors that feed into how successfully we experience this law. Giving wisely and freely without guilt, self-sacrifice, duty, coercion or strings attached, opens a space in our consciousness to receive. There is a Flow to the Universe and Abundance is its natural state.
By all appearances, we live in a very divided nation these days. The political divide has intensified in ways that sadly cause people to disconnect with friends and family, or stay connected but only by keeping ideas silenced. It is nearly impossible to have a conversation about politics today without a huge fallout. But we don't have to be a part of the division that we see. By our consciousness and actions, we can be Uniters. In this episode we learn how we can hold a vision of Unity for our nation, foster Understanding and connection in places where there is none, and recognize how it all applies to living spiritually.
Early in our lives most of us learned to wear any number of 'masks' for the purpose of gaining/rejecting love/attention from others or to protect ourselves. We then became so used to wearing them that over time, they seemed to become us. Yet when we look honestly, we find they aren't us.They are tools of our conscious and unconscious minds and when we decide to remove them, we reveal more of our True Nature (aka Higher Self, God Self, Inner Christ, Authentic Self, etc.). On the spiritual path, we continually awaken to how our ego is structured to keep us from awakening to our Divine Self. In this episode we share about the masks we have worn and our process of taking them off.
Who do you think you are? That is THE fundamental question that frames your whole life. We struggle with ideas about ourselves that someone else gave us. We believe ourselves to be a mere humans with faults, limitations, and fixed personality traits. We focus on some form of “I’m only human” or “I’m not enough.” We confuse who we think we are with our feelings. But all that isn’t true! We are image and likeness of God, the Divine idea of human perfection. When we are conscious of our perfection in the Infinite, we manifest who we have always been in Being. In this episode we engage in dialogue on how our beliefs about ourselves show up in our lives and how we remember and live the Truth.
Many of us talk about the conditions in our bodies, minds and hearts that we wish were different. But if we are meant to be whole and healthy, and these conditions are still present, what's going on? We have to ask ourselves, “Do I want to be healed?” In this episode we dig deep to find what healing opportunity – illness/pain in body, unhappy relationship, past hurts, negative ideas, etc. – is before us now, and discern truthfully if we want to be healed. Because while healing can be spontaneous, it often requires changing ourselves in some way (lifestyle, forgiveness, release of addictions/thoughts, etc.), which we resist.
In today’s world, giving and taking offense is everywhere. We see it expressed on social media and by news commentators and government officials every day. And when we look closely, we also find ourselves frequently being offended by someone or something. When we hear or read something that disturbs our sensibilities - what we think is right - or that seems hurtful to us or another, we often respond by taking offense. Why do we do that? What is the payoff? What are the consequences? In this episode we explore these questions, share our offense triggers and discover how being offended shuts down conversation and blocks our inner calling to “Love one another.”
Within each of us is an Internal Guidance System. Our guidance can come in the form of intuition, a gut feeling, a sense of peace or a voice. But there is also the voice of ego in us, which is compelling! Sometimes we have a hard time discerning whether our guidance is Divine (from our Higher Self/Spirit) or rooted in ego (separation/fear/lack/limitation/etc.). In this episode we share experiences of inner Guidance and what we do to cultivate our Divine Self so we can trust its 'voice.'
Bad things happen. We may do everything we can to be our best, do our best, be loving and caring to others, and even do 'the right thing' when doing so is really hard. But living a life of Goodness and Virtue doesn't guarantee an escape from hardship. When unfortunate circumstances or trauma happens, we often launch into questioning why. Why does suffering exist? Why me? In this episode we explore the timeless story of Job which reveals how such questions bind us to perpetual suffering. There is a way to live with trauma without becoming its victim.
The Sacred Feminine, which resides in both females and males, has been prominent as an archetype in many of the world's cultures for thousands of years. Each of us -- as well as the world at large -- thrives when she is in balance with the Sacred Masculine. When masculine energy is not balanced by feminine, we experience dominance, aggression and action without Wisdom. We all suffer. In this episode we share how the Sacred Feminine expresses through/as us and our blocks to balance. If we want to restore balance in our world, this is an important inquiry.
The Camino de Santiago has been a Christian pilgrimage since medieval times. It traverses the northern part of Spain and has many routes, all of which lead to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. Today hundreds of thousands of people are called to make this 500-mile journey on foot for retreat, spiritual growth or cultural reasons. Inspired by the 2010 movie, The Way, Katie O'Meara was called to walk the Camino, and in this episode we learn about her calling and unique physical, mental and spiritual setbacks and overcoming. She completed pilgrimage in 40 days, walked an additional 50 miles to the western coast of Spain and returned as a new person.
Inspired by the fable-like film, Joe Versus the Volcano, we engage in dialogue on how and when to apply, "I have no response to that" in our lives. A regular spiritual practice will hone our Divine gift of Discernment so when a situation arises, we will know when a response is a good use of our time and energy and will add to the conversation. Here we share our life successes and failed attempts at choosing to not respond.
The words, "It's all in Divine Order" are thrown around a lot, and they mean different things to different people. Two common interpretations are that everything happens in the right and perfect time/way and/or some outside power has created the current state of affairs for some purpose - maybe for us to learn. We turn to these ideas when things are chaotic/challenging/unpleasant or when circumstances force us to be patient. In this episode Rev. Carol introduces another way of looking at Divine Order – that it is not so much a state we are in, but the primary Universal Law by which all things come into existence. We are the ones ordering what happens! In this episode we engage in dialogue on Divine Order, particularly in light of the recent tragic mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton.
We conclude our series on The Four Agreements (and The Fifth Agreement) by exploring the process of moving from the Dream of the First Attention (Victim) to the Dream of the Second Attention (Warrior) to the Dream of the Third Attention (Master). This is the arduous path to Oneness consciousness. It is arduous because we are constantly pulled back into Victim consciousness, which is society's dream, and we must do the work of the Warrior to identify and reject old agreements. This is where the Divine gift of Will comes into the picture. Will is the directive power that can choose a new course of action.
In 2010 The Fifth Agreement, a sequel to The Four Agreements, was published. In this episode we take on the last new agreement, "Be Skeptical but Learn to Listen." Here we share our insights on the power of doubt and how asking, "Is it true?" about everything we hear supports the process of un-domestication of the planet, ultimately leading us to Truth. This one can upend our entire belief system, but through it we can find complete acceptance of ourselves and others just the way we are.
In this episode we share our thoughts and experiences on the Fourth Agreement, "Always Do Your Best." This is a statement that most of us heard from childhood and it can carry some emotional baggage. But the intention of this new agreement is to free us from the inner critic that berates us for not being perfect, while also knowing that our best looks different in different circumstances. It also helps us to give other people a break from our judgments.
We are assumption making machines. We make assumptions about the motivations, intentions, thoughts and behaviors of other people. We make assumptions about groups of people and how others respond to us. Basically we make assumptions when we lack information and don't seek clarity. These assumptions cause us great suffering! In this episode we explore the Third Agreement, "Don't Make Assumptions," and discover the freedom it provides.
We continue our dialogue on The Four Agreements and share our experiences and insights about taking things personally. Almost all of us take things personally. Yet the second agreement advises us to not take anything personally, because nothing other people say, think or do is because of us. When we get this, we become immune to the opinions and actions of others and experience authentic freedom.
In this episode we launch into a new series on the 1997 bestseller, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. While published two decades ago, this little book packs a great deal of timeless wisdom and presents four agreements, or ways of living, that when embraced will lead to personal freedom and power. Here we share our insights about and experiences of the first agreement: "Be impeccable with your word."
In this episode Rev. Carol has a lively conversation with her daughter and traveling partner about their recent travels and spiritual adventures in Peru. They share their experiences and reflections on Indigenous ceremonies, Earth religions, hiking the Inca trail, seeing Machu Picchu, feeling the life of the terrain, experiencing the native culture and much more. Their time together in Peru was a life-changing and grounding experience that will always be a part of each of them.
Transcendent experiences are those that surpass usual limits, or extend beyond the limits of ordinary experience. They can be as dramatic as meeting God (or our Higher Self) face-to-face, as in the story of Moses and the burning bush. Or they can be experiences of a sudden insight, an intense sense of Divine Light/Love or a place of extraordinary beauty. They can can also be as humble as perceiving the depth of a stranger's humanity in an unexpected encounter. In this episode we share some of our transcendent experiences of the Divine and how they changed our lives.
Jesus of Nazareth probably influenced western civilization more than any other person. Not a warrior, king, scientist or political leader, his imprint upon billions of individuals, and across multiple cultures and nations is vast, deep and profound. His teachings are firmly imprinted in our society whether we adhere to them or not. In this episode we share our understanding and experience - both past and present - of the man and spirit of Jesus.
In this episode Rev. Carol engages modern mystics Jenny & Greg Donner in dialogue about A Course in Miracles and their profound change in mind from fear and future planning to living entirely by inspiration and guidance. Greg’s and Jenny’s paths are selfless ones where they put aside personal interests and preferences in order to answer fully the prayer of being truly helpful. Most recently they spent two years compiling 25 years of David Hoffmeister’s work in the book, This Moment Is Your Miracle.
Imagination is our ability to picture, conceptualize, envision and dream. It is what gives shape, form and color to unformed mental energy. Before we bring anything into manifestation, we first have a picture of it. This is a Divine gift, and as with any gift, we can use it to create good in our lives or more separation. We have a propensity to create stories in our minds about people, relationships and the past - stories that we play over and over in our imagination. In this episode we share how we use Imagination to create the lives we truly want.
Do you believe you can take spiritual control of your body? Do you believe that there is no incurable disease? Do you believe that with God all things are possible? Most of us accept that illness is a natural part of being alive and that we inherit conditions of health or disease from our families. But when we take a threefold approach that includes spirit, mind and body, we can manifest healing. We start with knowing that perfect health is our birthright. In this episode we share our range of beliefs and experiences on spiritual healing and get inspired to take new steps in our lives.
We conclude our series on the Beatitudes with the last statement, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." Religious persecution is definitely still rampant in our world, and while most of us don't experience persecution to that degree, we often experience ill-treatment, marginalization or judgment because of our beliefs or convictions. Here we learn that when we hold steadfast to who we are - when we are truly aligned with righteousness/right thinking - the world may try to persecute us…but the world doesn't hold that power. Only the Kingdom -- the full awareness of Spirit -- holds true power.
We talk a lot about wanting peace. But are we makers of Peace? In the Peacemaker, ideas of Peace, Love, and Good prevail in the heart and mind. Thought, word and deed are in harmony. The path of the Peacemaker is not an easy one. It involves forgiveness, loving others, loving oneself, and acceptance of reality. The promise is to be called 'children of God.' In this episode we share our experiences on our paths to being/becoming Peacemakers.
The heart is more than a physical organ. It is the center of of emotions, thoughts and intentions. Understanding, discernment, insight, conscience and morality live there. To have a pure heart is to be free from thoughts and feelings that are not our Divine Truth (like hate, fear, disease, limitation, jealousy, domination, resentment or victimization). When our hearts are pure we allow the Spirit of Love and Life to fill us, guide us, and act through and as us. We see Good/God. In this episode we explore the Beatitude, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Divine Mercy is a quality that is within us. It includes showing forbearance toward an offender or someone we have power over, as well as having sympathetic concern/awareness of another's suffering and the desire to alleviate it. When we see an expression of mercy we are usually profoundly moved. In this episode we explore the fifth Beatitude, "Blessed are the merciful," and how we can bring ourselves as Divine Mercy into our world.
In this episode we delve into the fourth Beatitude, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness." Righteousness is more than a morally virtuous life. It is the Presence Itself that we can choose to express as right living, right thinking and right being. We must first have a yearning for God's presence before we can expect it to manifest in our lives, and when we do. we are filled in multiple ways. There is a lot of deep spiritual work shared in this one.
In this episode we delve into the third Beatitude, "Blessed are the meek." Meekness is not a favorable term in today's world. But when we look at the word's historical context, other meanings come to light, such as power/strength under control, honestly knowing who you are and where you stand with God/self/others, not needing to defend/react/take offense/offend. This is the balance that all spiritual journeyers strive for every day. Here we share how we have grown in our experience of 'meekness' and its promise of life mastery.
In this episode we delve into the human experience of mourning. Mourning is the expression of grief or sorrow. It’s no fun, but going through it gets us to a new normal. There is “Good” on the other side. The promise to those who mourn is Divine Comfort, which shows up in myriad and unexpected ways. Ultimately, we find it within ourselves.
The Beatitudes are the first eight statements of the famous Sermon on the Mount. They present a revolutionary set of ideals that focus on love and humility rather than force, power and status. The first one is about being spiritually humble. In this episode we reveal that spiritual humility is the fundamental basis of spiritual living. When we live in partnership with Spirit, heaven consciousness is the result.
The Law of Increase is a spiritual law that operates on every plane of our lives, including money. When we wisely use whatever we are given, we produce more than we originally had. This includes our innate talents/abilities, our mind, our ideas, and also our money. Many of us play small and keep our talents and resources buried. In this episode, we share about the activity of the Law of Increase in our lives and our challenges with effectively using what we have been given.
Money has been with us for a looooong time. Bartering - the exchange of goods and services for mutual advantage - started tens of thousands of years ago. The first coins came onto the scene in 1000 BC and paper money showed up for the first time in 806 AD. We had a gold standard for a little over 100 years and dumped that in 1930. Now our money is primarily electronic, something we rarely even touch! Money has taken a lot of forms, but it has been, and still is an integral part of our social structure and everyday lives.
Worry seems to be part of the human condition. We worry about relationships, work, money, the future, health and more. And yet most of what we worry about never happens! When we need to make something happen, persevere, overcome, heal or create, worry blocks us. In this episode we talk about how we release worry (and striving) and what we can be assured of, no matter what.
In light of the recent media buzz about the encounter between the Covington Catholic boys, the Native American drummer and the Black Hebrew Israelites on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., here we enter into dialogue on the transmuting power of Spiritual Understanding. Understanding is our ability to know the Truth that stands underneath what we see and see beyond biases and preconceived ideas. We take a look at our own lives and discover how we can move with ease and grace through triggering moments and uncomfortable situations, and bring a higher vibration to our world.
What do you say when you talk to yourself? It's important to watch because our thoughts form our world. In this episode we explore what single limiting thought are we ready to release. It's very often hard to find because we tend to stop at our feeling or a much broader thought than the core driving thought. This is an important first step in creating the lives we truly want to live.
The 2019 Cecil B. deMille award recipient at this year's Golden Globes was Jeff Bridges. His acceptance speech was epic, fascinatingly authentic and replete with joy and wisdom. He inspired everyone to be who they were created to be and reminded us that we can make a huge difference in small ways. In this episode we share our experience of the wisdom of "Tag, you're it!" and living as a trim tab.
Whenever we enter a New Year we have the opportunity to declare who we want to be and who we don't want to be. We can also chose to bring ourselves vibrantly, fully alive to the world. In this episode we explore what enlivens us and how we can impact the world. This is where Life calls us to create a meaningful life.
Joy is a state of well being that already exists deep inside us. It is a Divine gift - an infinite well - which we can experience independent of circumstances. It is an internal quality and a mystery, because we can actually live in Joy when things are pretty darn awful. We don't look for people, places and things to satisfy our expectations in order to experience Joy. We just need to enter into it. Joy comes from a place of deep connection to Spirit/Source/Higher Self/God. And when we live in Joy, we can share it with the world.
We see and hear a lot about love in novels, pop music and movies. It is often wrought with angst, longing, loss of self, and attachment. This is otherwise known as romantic love, and is a distinct part of Western culture. But Real Love endures. It is unconditional and has no boundaries. Real Love frees. It is something that we do, not something that we feel or elicit. Love is the theme of the third week of Advent.
In order for Peace to be, it must first be established in our consciousness. It is not something we can make happen by any external activity. When we establish Peace and Harmony in our consciousness, we are okay with life as it is AND we hold the power to calm its storms. Peace is the theme of the second week of Advent.
Hope exhorts courage and is underneath any forward movement toward our life goals. It is also something we can give to and receive from others. What is your current hope for yourself and the world? How can we use Hope powerfully in our lives? These are questions we explore in this episode.
There are Divine Ideas or Qualities under everything that happens or exists. When we express Gratitude, we usually extend it to people, circumstances or things. But if we dig to find the Quality underneath a situation in our life, a whole new experience may open up.
Living with an attitude of gratitude changes everything. It lifts us to a higher level and allows more Good to be revealed. In this episode we talk about who/what we can be radically grateful for and how being grateful in the midst of so much sadness and challenge in the world is a good thing. Gratitude fundamentally changes us.
In this episode, Rev. Carol engages best-selling author and lifestyle coach, Victoria Moran, in dialogue on spirituality and eating, the original teachings and practices of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore on ethical vegetarianism, and the new spiritually-focused documentary, A Prayer for Compassion. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian or omnivore, this dialogue brings to the surface our need to examine the way we have been culturally conditioned to eat, as we do our best to live as Compassion and Peace, and create a sustainable future for everyone on our planet.
Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage. It is similar to observances in other societies of a time to celebrate the life of a deceased loved one. Believing that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, people celebrate the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities that the deceased enjoyed in life. But what is death? What is beyond death? These are the questions that we will be delving into this Sunday during The Spiritual Forum.
Halloween has a long history. Our annual trick-or-treating tradition is rooted in the 15th century celebration of All Soul's Day, when people went door to door to offer prayers for people in exchange for cakes. When look at this historical tradition and remove its religious trappings, we can see a spiritual Truth, which is, when we pray for others, we receive bountiful gifts! In this episode we share about the spiritual gifts we receive when we we pray for others. It changes us.
Bearing false witness can be about lying, but it is much more. It can also describe the ways we see another or ourselves falsely. It is what we do when look at another and see lack, limitation, what's missing, inferiority (or superiority) or what's wrong with them. These are some of the ways we judge our brothers and sisters (and ourselves) in the relative world, instead of seeing their Divine Truth. Beholding and giving voice to the Divine Truth is what living spiritually is all about!
This is the final Spiritual Truth and it's about coveting. Coveting is a little different from envy. It is more than a feeling. When we covet, there is usually an obsessive thought attached to the desire - like an addiction - which can consume our lives. It's under a lot of misery! Beyond that, if we look even deeper, this Spiritual Truth calls us to not focus on what seems to be missing in our lives, but to be satisfied and present! That's where all the Good is.
If we look closely, the thought under needing to take from another is 'there is not enough' - not enough substance or not enough power. This is self-deception because in Truth, each one of us is and has enough. Here we explore the ways we 'steal' in everyday life. Not to make us feel bad or wrong, but to awaken us to living a fuller, more abundant life.
The verb adulterate means to debase or make impure by adding inferior materials or elements. This Spiritual Truth is about who we are in our closest relationships. It's about putting our hearts and souls into our most important relationships so they feel complete trust and not neglect, and to not let the sense world lead us off course. It is also about finding love, joy or pleasure without it being at the expense of another. Lastly, it points to the power in keeping our thoughts singular, not corrupted by inferior, limiting thoughts, ultimately staying true to ourselves.
Murder is defined as "killing unlawfully and with premeditated malice." It is the ultimate squelching of life. At face value, this directive seems like a pretty easy thing for most of us to comply with. But let's consider this from an 'outside the box' perspective.
The Sabbath is time set apart and made holy - when we put away active work and thought, as well as distractions, and enter prayer, contemplation, celebration, faith, stillness and/or reverence. It is the 'space between' where we 'let go and let God.' It is also the time when we release distractions and focus on our relationships. Here we share all the ways we create this essential space.
Honor your father and mother. I think those of us with loving parents understand this, as do those of us who currently are parents. Everyone wants respect, right? But why doesn't this 'commandment' ask parents to honor their children? Wouldn't life be better if they did. Listen and find out why it is so important for us to get this primal relationship right, even if our parents aren't 'deserving.'
What is your spiritual Truth, really? How can you use your "I Am" statements to create the life you are intended to create?
So what's a graven image? In the story of Exodus, graven images were carved statues that people worshipped as gods. The proverbial golden calf is most famous. Today we don't do such things. But we do a lot of other things that reveal what our life priorities really are, and what activities/beliefs we put before our experience of God.
The Ten Commandments are foundational statements for successful living. Each one can be looked at from a surface perspective or a deeply personal, soul perspective. We'll be doing more of the latter than the former.
Our dialogue on The Infinity of Creation was so energized, that we continued on the topic another week. It's so incredibly significant. We are all inspired by the vastness of Spirit, the Infinity of Creation and the fact that we are all made of the same 'energy-stuff'- the stuff that comes from dying stars. In this episode we share how we put our inspiration into practice on our everyday lives.
We live not just in an abundant Universe, but a crucible of abundant Creation. God is INFINITE CREATION. And we are made of the stuff that makes up everything.
Fred Rogers, known to most of us from the TV show, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood was an unassuming hero with a bold but simple message: Everyone matters. His life was one of Universal Love and Kindness. We can all walk away inspired by this man to share our own message in the world.
The world was riveted by the plight and rescue of the young Thailand soccer team last week. This week we will engage in dialogue on some of the spiritual takeaways from this amazing story. Remember we are all One, so our stories inform and inspire each other. Let's find ourselves in this one.
In this episode we look at the spiritual message in the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence as it pertains to us as individuals: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Specifically we talk about how we allow others to be inferior or superior to us, honor our own Life force and pursue our own happiness.
There's a crisis on our border and also borders around the world. As human beings, we come down on different sides of an issue such as this, and most of us are unhappy in some way. When we don't like what is happening in our world we can either add to its angst by complaining or imposing our will, or we can bend it to our own vibration.
We all have the father archetype within us that is essential to living a balanced, successful and healthy life. It is the protective, boundary setting, and guiding activity of Spirit that keeps us focused and holds us accountable. Without it we would wander aimlessly.
Forgiveness is for us. When we forgive, we relieve ourselves of the burden we carry around in our everyday lives. We often convince ourselves that we have forgiven another, but when we're still complaining about someone, it's an indication that there is more work to do! So who are you still complaining about and what are we going to do about it?
Over the next couple weeks during The Spiritual Forum, we will be in dialogue on Forgiveness. Forgiveness is the bold art of unshackling ourselves. Forgiveness doesn't condone bad behavior, but it releases us from the burdens of resentment and blame. It is an act of self-love because it frees us.
This week during The Spiritual Forum we will be in dialogue on the activity of Faith in our lives. Faith is focusing on what we want to see live and grow, not what is missing. When you truly live in Faith, the game changes. We are able to bridge the paradox between what is and what will be with ease and grace.
Mothering energy can show up in lots of ways and through different kinds of people. It is not specific to women, but is a part of the Feminine Essence, which we all hold within us. This week during The Spiritual Forum we we will be in dialogue on 'all things Mother.'
The practice of prayer is knowing the Light is there, opening the blinds and gratefully receiving it. Prayer is not just saying a bunch of words hoping that the good you seek will come your way. It requires belief and action. Prayer is a spiritual practice that will change your life and also impact our greater world if we understand it.
Today we take the time reflect on what Earth means to us, who we are in relationship with it, and who will we be going forward.
We all have fears. Some of our fears stop us in our tracks, leaving us feeling unfulfilled. Others we are able to move through and find great joy on the other side. Is there something we need to help us transcend fear and live the fullest, most amazing lives possible? Or do we already have it?
This Sunday is Easter, and also April Fool's day. It's an interesting juxtaposition of observances. One way to look at is Jesus is saying to everyone, "April Fools. I am NOT dead!"
We are looking at the Easter story as if it were our own. We all experience false accusations, unjust trials, and abandonment by friends in our darkest times. These can be 'dark night of the soul' experiences. We are not meant to stay in suffering, but the path through it will take us to a better state. In this episode we share our Dark Night experiences (our own Garden of Gethsemane struggles) and how we moved through them.
As a run-up to Easter we are looking at the story as if it were our own. There is a lot of very pertinent symbolism around the story of Jesus clearing the Temple. This is when we do a big release - or reset - of our consciousness. Sometimes gently letting go is what is needed. Other times something a bit more jolting is what we need. Here we discuss times in our lives when we 'cleared our own temple.'
This week we will engage in dialogue on the fundamental question, "What Is God?" How we answer this question directs every aspect of our lives. It will be interesting to share our understanding and experience of God and walk through some of the foundational teachings in Unity together.
We would all benefit from creating some space in our lives where we give up the distractions of life and listen to the inner voice that calls us to our next level.
Are Peace and Nonviolence values of yours? Do you really want a peaceful world? Can you see ways that you act violently toward others? What actions can you take to be kinder and gentler?
In your spiritual life, what is before you now that you want to overcome? What fears do you want to release? What do you think you need to fundamentally believe or know about yourself in order to be free?
In your spiritual life, what are you facing now that you want to overcome? Dig deep. There is always another mountain. What have you overcome in the past and how did it come to pass?