Desert Rain Community Radio: Recent Episodes
David Morrison & Dorian Mason
David Morrison and Dorian Mason discuss Desert Rain Community, ideas and principles around Christian spirituality, and people having an instrumental influence on community living.
David and Dorian revisit the topic of Centering/Listening prayer, similar to the Pathways to Presence series, but they are not referencing the book Open Mind, Open Heart by Thomas Keating in this episode.
David and Dorian sit town to discuss how busyness cultural and revival have infiltrated the church, as a direct result of Western culture. These two paradigms are not always sustainable, so how do we find our Center, hold it, in able to hear God's Whisper?
David and Dorian talk about the idea of being alone with God in nature, and other contexts, and how that opens up the ability to experience a Liminal Space.
David and Dorian sit down to discuss a quote from Ladislaus Boros regarding silence and the importance, and fading use, in today's Christianity.
David and Dorian are joined by Danny West. Danny tells us about his recent trip to Fort Worth, TX to see Greta Van Fleet. We explore how his fandom of the band has come to be and how it has informed his life. The back end of the conversation the three of us explore how live music and live events shape our life.
David & Dorian explore the idea of Shekhina and the etymology in regards to the word 'understanding'. They discuss how this plays into their spiritual evolution.
David and Dorian discuss the idea of modern isolation, and community in 2023. They also explore the idea of contemplative living to navigate the idea of isolation.
David and Dorian discuss the mystery and spiritual ideas surrounds the Trinity & Eucharist.
David and Dorian dive into part 6 of the continued series about Centering Prayer. We have been using the Open Mind, Open Heartby Thomas Keating.
David and Dorian discuss a Henri Nouwen quote from his book Discernment. We look at and breakdown what it takes to get to the place of claiming God's Unconditional Love.
David and Dorian discuss the current books David is writing. They explore some of the new challenges, and lessons learned from the previous book.
June 2022 they had a conversation about creative blocks, or Walls of Fire, (see episode here https://share.transistor.fm/s/83bd065b) and this conversation is an unofficial continuation of that episode.
Please visit https://www.dreamwalkerway.com and purchase a copy of David's book to help support these future books.
David and Dorian are once again joined by Jacob Neria. David and Jacob lay out how drumming became an important part of worship at Desert Rain, and how it has evolved over time.
David and Dorian continue the Pathways to Presence series walking about guidance and the importance of finding guides along the spiritual path.
David and Dorian sit down and discuss the Jesus Prayer, the origin story of it, how it has been used historically and how it has changed their life.
David and Dorian sit-down and discuss J. Philip Newell's reintroducing an ancient spiritual wisdom from Celtic Christianity.
David and Dorian sit down and discuss some insights written by Ken Wilbur comparing and contrasting religion and when it translates and when it transforms. Wilbur talks from a Buddhist perspective, while the guys look at the same things in Christianity.
The reading came from "From One Taste: Daily Reflections on Integral Spirituality by Ken Wilber. Tuesday, February 11 titled A Spirituality That Transforms.
David and Dorian sit down and discuss the season of death. All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day, our local observance of Día de los Muertos, and much more. Unlike their previous episodes regarding the topic of death, the focus today is on the community aspect of death.
David and Dorian continue the Pathways to Presence series, and this months topic is Worship. Please join us October 27, 2022 7pm at the Plaza Theater in El Paso for an event that includes David reading his poetry. https://www.pechakucha.com/events/pkelpaso-26
David and Dorian sit down and discuss the idea of spiritual giftings and how that can manifest in community. We use 1Cor. to give us a starting point for the larger conversation. If you are interested in pre-ordering David's book of Haiku "Desolate Beauty: The Book of Light and Shadow" please email desertrainpoem@gmail.com
David and Dorian sit down and discuss a quote from Archbishop Fulton Sheen about St Francis being the same person regardless of time and place. Our conversation eventually takes us to the idea of the incarnate Christ, and how that exists for everybody.
If you are interested in pre-ordering one of David's books, please email desertrainpoem@gmail.com
David and Dorian discuss the life and impact of Henri Nouwen on the world and their theology. According to Henri's website he "... was a Dutch-born Catholic priest, professor, psychologist and prolific writer. He taught psychology at the University of Notre Dame and pastoral theology at the Divinity Schools of Yale and Harvard before leaving academia to become the pastor at L’Arche Daybreak, a community for people with intellectual disabilities. A master communicator, Nouwen wrote and spoke with great openness and vulnerability about faith, spiritual formation, prayer, social justice, and other themes related to the spiritual life."
https://henrinouwen.org/about/
Portrait of Nouwen in the 1990s taken by Frank Hamilton. Dorian Mason cropped and made the picture black and white. - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
David and Dorian continue the Pathways to Presence series and look at the practice of confession. They start with the way the practice has been abused and taken advantage of, and shift to how it can help on a spiritual path.
David and Dorian discuss the ideas around Kingdomtide, social minded action, and David's idea of "a working class spirituality."
Episode picture is "Prisoners Exercising" painting by Vincent van Gogh.
David and Dorian sit down and discuss the impact that Barbara Brown Taylor's books have had on David's life. Barbara Brown Taylor, according to her website, is a "Writer, Speaker, [&] Spiritual Contrarian." Learning to Walk in the Dark, An Altar in the World, and Leaving Church are the main books we talk about on this episode.
David and Dorian sit down and discuss transitions in life. We look at both organizational type transitions as well as individuals going through life transitions.
David and Dorian sit down and continue the Pathways to Presence series we focus in on the idea and importance of service.
David and Dorian discuss the idea of spiritual direction, the importance of it in growing spiritually and some of the things to think about when looking for someone to mentor you spiritually.
David and Dorian sit down and discuss the idea of submission around spiritual growth, the good and bad. We also look at why this might be useful in a modern context.
David and Dorian sit down and continue the Pathways to Presence series focusing on solitude. How solitude has shaped their spiritual life, and how it has evolved over the last several years.
In this episode David Riefenberg joins Dorian for a conversation about his life, starting in Colorado. His many lives as a musician, follower of Christ, pastor, and eventually evolving to what his life looks like today as a Life Coach here in El Paso.
Jonathan Steele joins Dorian to discuss his time growing up at Desert Rain, going to university at New Mexico State, and some challenges that he has faced that eventually inspired him to move to Puerto Vallarta.
David and Dorian build off episode 49 "Shaping a Creative Life", and look at a practical side of creativity. How do we move through anxiety that might seem as a "Walls of Fire".
Thank you to everyone that has given to the Kickstarter for the book of poetry. kick.drcrpod.com is the link to follow if you would like to give or share with your friends.
David and Dorian continue their Pathways to Presence series and simplicity is the focus of today's discussion. How it has manifested in their life, and how it has evolved over time.
Thanks again for the Kickstarter support, and feel free to check in on it at kick.drcrpod.com
David and Dorian discuss the state of mental health in regards to the Christian community and how it is handled. Their conversation also explored some of the historical saints and how they may have struggled with mental illness.
David and Dorian discuss the Iona Creed. Its history and influence on David's life as well as its important symbolic and physical connection to Desert Rain. Kickstarter Link - http://kck.st/3FKTrux Thank you to everyone that has backed the Kickstarter campaign. Since we hit our financial goal, we are hoping to use the rest of the time as a preorder tool. If you are interested in getting a print of the first edition please consider giving at the $25 tier. Also, please pass the link along to anyone that is a lover of poetry, the desert, or both.
David Morrison has a big announcement. He is releasing a book of Haiku poetry later this year. This episode highlights a PechaKucha event David did a couple of months ago, we added some intro and outro thoughts and will be launching a kickstarter to help us with the funding of the book. Please reach out to desertrainpoem@gmail.com
David's PechaKucha - https://www.pechakucha.com/presentations/desolate-beauty
Jonathan Klassen joins Dorian to tell about his time growing up in Canada and Texas, his spiritual upbringing as a Mennonite and continued evolution, and eventually landing in El Paso with his wife Abby and baby Luna.
David and Dorian discuss the concept of study and scholarship when it comes to a spiritual life. What has worked for them and help to continue down the pathway to presence?
Steve Alvarez joins David and Dorian to discuss his life, becoming a christian, being a head pastor, and all the ups and downs associated with each.
Dorian sits down with Abby Carl-Klassen and they discuss her spiritual life as a kid and young adult, her attending UTEP, travels, and eventually landing as part of the community with her husband Jonathan and baby Luna.
And a link to her book of Poetry "Ain't Country Like You" - https://diggingpress.com/2020/08/11/aint-country-like-you-new-chapbook1/
David and Dorian are joined by surprise guest Bill Helm from last month's Numinous Space episodes. We unpack this idea of belonging, and the feeling of longing to belong. The importance of both in forming meaningful relationships and community.
David and Dorian discuss the practice of fasting from a spiritual perspective and share some practical things that have helped them through out the years.
David and Dorian discuss monasticism, historically and what it looks like in modern times. We also unpack monastic vows, and the great impact taking vows had on David's life.
David and Dorian sit down and talk about the "inner Pharisee" or the religious ego that sets on a self-righteous mountain that can eventually evolve into our community or people around us.
David Morrison and I continue our conversation with Bill Helm, and get into more specifics of the structures he envisioned while doing his research and the meaning of them.
David and Dorian are joined by Bill Helm, an architect in El Paso, and we explore this idea of sacred spaces and how they can be cultivated. http://numinousspace.com/
David and Dorian discuss prayer. As the 2nd part of this year's Pathways to Presence, we look at the evolution of prayer in our lives and how we have used different types of prayer during our life on this path called Life.
David and Dorian sit down and have a conversation around the desert. The actually desert and why does it call to us, as well as the desert's role in world religion and spirituality. Lastly if you are interested in the PechaKucha event find more information here: https://www.pechakucha.com/events/el-paso-vol-24 AND register here: https://pechakucha.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-Khv2IggT8muVgWZ7H-7HQ
David and Dorian discuss the idea of overlapping creativity and spirituality, what that might look like, and how we can embrace that in the mystical world.
David and Dorian sit down with Greg Steele and we explore the importance about having different people, perspectives, and ideas when living in community. They also investigate the importance of having similar principles.
David and Dorian sit down and explore the idea and practice of meditation. This is a new series where we will explore 12 different spiritual practices over 2022. We will release one episode a month under the "Pathways to Presence" series.
Dorian sits down with Marie Espinosa and they discuss her spiritual life as a kid, her communities through out the years, how philosophy has informed her religious and spiritual life, and eventually landing at Desert Rain with her family.
David and Dorian sit down and discuss the singer, songwriter, and missionary Rich Mullins. We look at how he embodied his faith, and the impact that had on David's spiritual journey.
David and Dorian sit down and talk about the story of Epiphany as a continuation of the Advent and Christmas conversations we have had over the last month.
Dorian and David sit down and discuss the Christmas story, Jesus' early life, and epiphany. This is the 4th part of our ongoing Advent series.
David and Dorian, on part 3 of this 4 part Advent & Christmas series, we sit down and discuss the story of Elizabeth and Mary. How it is important to the Advent story and modern day Christianity.
David and Dorian sit down to start our 4 part series about Advent and Christmas. We talk about the historical and spiritual significance, and why the season is still relevant in 2021.
First Sunday of Advent Gospel Reading Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 (3)
David and Dorian sit down and talk about gratitude, the idea of thanksgiving, and some ideas to get through a possible trying time around the holiday. We also end with multiple people from the community speaking on gratitude.
David and Dorian discuss the evolution from a Charismatic type of worship to a Contemplative lifestyle, and how that might serve people on their spiritual journey.
David and Dorian sit down to discuss the idea of success vs failure, and how ultimate success comes from failure. How can God use your failures as ultimate success in the world?
James Cone video - https://youtu.be/fPF2RuD4124
David and Dorian discuss the idea of God's Will for our lives, is our time here predetermined, and the concept of having a meaning to life.
Marsha Morrison joins David and Dorian to talk about community and contemplation. Our specific focus is on people coming into contemplation and/or community from different perspectives or 'starting points'.
The tables are turned once again and David has a conversation with Dorian about his road to Desert Rain.
David and Dorian sit down to discuss the idea of thin places and peak experiences. It is commonly said that heaven and earth is usually 3 feet apart, but and much closer in thin places.
Dorian sits down with Paul West and they discuss his spiritual life as a kid, some of the adventures he went on, before hitting some trials and tribulations in life. He eventually became part of the communtiy here at Desert Rain with his family.
David and Dorian sit down, we cover a lot of ground, starting with asking the questions of those in front of us, and ending with a reminder that we are all in this together and to continue to stay in the light of wonder in this sometimes hectic world.
Apollo 8: Earthrise Image Credit: NASA
Dorian sits down with Birgit West and they discuss her growing up in Germany, traveling internationally, and eventually going to missionary school in El Paso, TX. We learn about her connection to the community of El Paso and eventually with Desert Rain.
Jacob Neria joins David and Dorian for our first 3-person conversation, started as an experiment and turned into a beautiful experience. We discuss the origin, construction, and spiritual significance of the labyrinth at Desert Rain.
Dorian sits down with Kirsten Helm and they discuss her growing up in Buffalo and eventually heading west with her then husband, and making deep connections with David, Marsha, and Desert Rain. A connection that keeps her coming back every summer.
David and Dorian sit down to discuss the all too common experience of pain. Emotional and physical, what can we do while we walk through it, and how can we support one another. It is part of the human experience, so how do we come together and allow it to strengthen our community.
Dorian sits down with Stacy Arreola and they explore growing up in South Carolina, travels around the U.S. and world, meeting Boot, mission work in Paraguay, and eventually ending up back in El Paso and eventually at Desert Rain.
David and Dorian discuss the ideas around salvation, sobriety, and self-care. How they overlap, build on each other and contrast.
Dorian sits down with Boot Arreola and they explore his life in El Paso, meeting Stacy, highs and lows in South Carolina, their mission work in Paraguay, and eventually ending up here at Desert Rain.
David answers several questions around Desert Rain regarding are we a cult, property ownership, how to start living here, and visitation.
Dorian sits down with Crystal Joslyn and they explore her upbringing in El Paso, highs and lows in California, meeting Cole and eventually ending up here at Desert Rain.
Thank you Tiffany from TMD Fine Art Studio for this week's beautiful episode art. See more of her work at TMDFineArt.com
Dorian sits down with Cole Joslyn and they explore Cole upbringing in New Hampshire & El Paso, and explore some powerful moments of prayer that informed his life on the Road to Desert Rain.
David and Dorian sit down to discuss the idea of being an amateur in the spiritual & religious life, and the importance of not taking ourselves too serious in any endeavor.
"About Us" for Desert Rain mentioned at the beginning of the episode - http://www.theruined.com/about-community/a-parable-of-community/
Dorian sits down with Jacob Neria and they explore Jacob's upbringing in Northeast El Paso, and his mystical experiences that have touched his life on the Road to Desert Rain.
Deanna comes on to discuss her early life and things she had to overcome to become a co-founder on her Road to Desert Rain.
Greg and Dorian sit down to discuss how Greg's life twisted and turned until eventually becoming a co-founder of Desert Rain.
David Morrison explains the twist and turns along the way to being one of the cofounders of Desert Rain Community.
David Morrison and Dorian Mason talk about the Last Supper perhaps the First Supper. This episode is about the Eucharist, and we explore the importance of it and how it has changed and lifted our spiritual journey.
David Morrison and Dorian Mason explore the "dark side" of contemplation. They unpack the idea some call crisis of faith, others refer to as the dark night of the soul. What can it look like, and what can we do, when prayer, meditation, or other spiritual practices bring up tough emotions?
David and Dorian sit down and wrap up the series around the stages of faith. We focus today's episode on evangelism and the different perspectives around that.
David and Dorian continue our conversation around different stages of our faith and the paradigm Brian McLaren has discussed. This episode we focus on worship and how it is part of modern christian worship.
David and Dorian sit down and explore the different aspects of faith. Starting from the difference between beliefs and faith, and evolving through the stages of simplicity, complexity, perplexity, & harmony as laid out by Brian McLaren.
David and Dorian explore the space of living in the question and how certitudes can only serve us for so long. We are setting up for a longer conversation around faith, worship, and evangelism.
David and Dorian continue their conversation from last week around the dance with addiction and recovery. Today's episode focuses on the idea of service within our spiritual practices.
David and Dorian explore Dorian's struggle with alcoholism, subsequent road to recovery, and the 13 years of continuous sobriety.
David and Dorian continue their discussion around Holy Week, focusing on the Saturday vigil and into Easter. They also make sure to touch on the liturgical season of Easter and not just the single day.
The first part of a two part series; David and Dorian discuss the Paschal Triduum, more commonly known as Holy Week.
David and Dorian get into an open and honest conversation between soul friends. We explore and demonstrate an Anam Cara conversation. You can hear more about Anam Cara in the Celtic Christianity episode of DRCR.
David & Dorian deep dive into the importance of silence in our spiritual practices, especially in the context of Christianity. We also explore the practical idea of Centering Prayer.
David and I talk about the theology of the Kingdom of God. How John Wimber added to that perspective. The nearness to Heaven is now.
David Morrison & Dorian Mason discuss pain and suffering and the way we can walk through it with our practices and community.
David Morrison explores his near death experience with sepsis from a decade ago. We talk about the event and how that has inspired his service and prayer life.
David and Dorian discuss Celebration of Discipline & Streams of Living Water, both written by Richard J. Foster, and how these books have impacted our prayer life.
David & Dorian sit down and discuss the legacy, impact, and theology of John Wimber. He was a musician turned pastor & Christian author. He is well known for being a founding leader of the first Vineyard church.
David and Dorian sit down and discuss Fr. Richard Rohr OFM, his living school, and how he has informed and inspired both of their prayer life.
David and Dorian sit down and talk about the Bible. What is it, how to engage with it, learn from it and connect with it. How do we listen for that sacred whisper that is coming to us from scripture?
This week David and Dorian come together to discuss how to support and come together during trying times. Perhaps you are struggling in your life, or maybe someone close to you needs a helping hand with something.
David Morrison sits down with Dorian Mason to discuss his ER visit and two subsequent heart surgeries he had in the middle of a global pandemic.
David Morrison and Dorian Mason finish up their conversation around Celtic Christianity and the impact it has had on Desert Rain Community.
David Morrison and Dorian Mason sit down and talk about community, hospitality, pilgrimage, & Thin Places as it relates to Celtic Christianity.
David and Dorian discuss the early days of Desert Rain and the evolution over the last 17 years of living in community.