Spirit Matters

Francis X. Clooney is the Parkman Professor of Divinity and professor of Comparative Theology at Harvard Divinity School. Prior to that, he taught at Boston College and was the director of Harvard's Center for the Study of World Religions. He is a renowned scholar of Hinduism and at the same time, a Catholic theologian and an ordained Jesuit priest for more than half a century. He is also a leading figure in the developing field of Comparative Theology, which involves studying traditions other than one’s own.

Dr. Clooney is a prolific author whose books reflect a deep interest in interfaith enquiry. They include: Theology After Vedanta: An Experiment in Comparative Theology; Comparative Theology: Deep Learning Across Religious Borders; Reading the Hindu and Christian Classics: Why and How it Matters; and his recently published memoir, Priest and Scholar, Catholic and Hindu: A Love Story. We spoke about his extraordinary life and the spiritual benefits of reaching beyond our borders. 

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Daniel McKanan is a senior lecturer at Harvard Divinity School, occupying a chair named after Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Faculty Director for the school’s Program for the Evolution of Spirituality. His scholarly work focuses on religious and spiritual movements for social transformation in the united states and beyond, with an additional focus on the Unitarian Universalist tradition and the Anthroposophical movement, which was founded by Rudolph Steiner in the early 20th century.

 Professor McKanan is the author of six books, including Prophetic Encounters: Religion and the American Radical Tradition; Eco-alchemy: Anthroposophy and the History and Future of Environmentalism; and most recently Camphill and the Future: Spirituality and Disability in an Evolving Communal Movement. He is also deeply involved in the training of Unitarian Universalist ministers and scholars and has served as board chair of the International Communal Studies Association. 

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Dana Sawyer is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and World Religions at the Maine College of Art & Design. The author of biographies of two prominent 20th Century thinkers, Aldous Huxley (2002) and Huston Smith (2017), his primary expertise is in Hinduism and Buddhism. For more than twenty years Dana's work has focused on comparative mysticism, theories of the “perennial philosophy,” and the value of psychedelic experience in the study of mysticism. His most recent books are an analysis of the Transcendental Meditation Movement for Cambridge University Press (2023), and The Perennial Philosophy Reloaded, published by Monkfish in July, 2024. Our conversation focused on that last book, whose subject, Perennialism, is vital for understanding spirituality in today's complex, pluralistic landscape. 

www.danasawyer.com

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Kaira Jewel Lingo lived for 15 years as an ordained nun in Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastic community, Plum Village. She now teaches internationally in the Zen and Vipassana traditions, as well as in a secular mindfulness context. Her work is at the intersection of racial, climate and social justice with a focus on activists, black, indigenous, and people of color, as well as artists, educators, families, and youth.

Her work continues the Engaged Buddhism developed by Thich Nhat Hanh, interweaving nature, ecology, embodied mindfulness practice, art and play. She draws inspiration from her parents’ lives of service and her father’s work with Martin Luther King, Jr. She’s the author of We Were Made for These Times: Ten Lessons in Moving Through Change, Loss and Disruption and the co-author of Healing Our Way Home: Black Buddhist Teachings on Ancestors, Joy and Liberation. She is married to, and sometimes works with, Adam Bucko, who has also been a guest on this podcast. 

https://www.kairajewel.com/books 

https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh

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Paul John Roach is a native of Wales, UK. He earned BA and MA degrees in English from Oxford University and a postgraduate degree in education from the University of Wales. Paul was ordained at Unity Ministerial School in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1988 and served as the senior minister at Unity of Fort Worth until his retirement in 2018. He has also served the Unity movement in other ways, including as a board member of Unity World Headquarters.

For 14 years, Paul hosted a program on Unity FM titled World Spirituality, where he interviewed spiritual leaders and authors from around the world. He is the author of the award-winning book Unity and World Religions, which focuses on the perennial philosophy within all spiritual traditions, which is prime focus of this conversation. 

Paul John Roach web site

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Acharya Shunya is the first female head of a spiritual lineage that goes back 2,000 years in India. In her teaching, Acharya reinterprets and re-contextualizes Vedic wisdom, the nondual perspective of Advaita Vedanta, the lifestyle principles of Ayurveda, and Yoga philosophy and practices – and in so doing attempts to make the ancient insights relevant to modern sensibilities and needs. She says her purpose is “to create a learning and awakening path for contemporary seekers, empowering people everywhere to lead spiritually fearless, fulfilled and enlightened lives.”

A motivational speaker, podcast host, workshop facilitator and retreat leader, she’s the founder of the Awakened Self Foundation and Vedika Global. She is the author of three books, Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom; Sovereign Self; and Roar Like a Goddess: Every Woman's Guide to Becoming Unapologetically Powerful, Prosperous, and Peaceful.

Meet the host of Spirit Matters Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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Oren Jay Sofer holds a degree in comparative religion from Columbia University and now teaches Buddhist meditation, mindfulness, and communication internationally. A certified trainer of nonviolent communication, he is a practitioner of somatic experiencing for the healing of trauma and the author of several books. They include: Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication and his current book, Your Heart Was Made for This: Contemplative Practices for Meeting a World in Crisis with Courage, Integrity, and Love. We spoke mainly about that second book and the need for spiritual responses to current world conditions. 

Meet the host of Spirit Matters Philip Goldberg

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Swami Medhananda is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order and a distinguished academic, currently serving as Senior Research Fellow in philosophy at the Vedanta Society of Southern California. He received his Ph.D. in 2009 from the University of California at Berkeley, and also studied at Humboldt University in Berlin and at Oxford University in the UK. His current research focuses on the global philosophy of religion, the epistemology of mystical experience, cosmopsychism, Indian scriptural hermeneutics, and Vedantic philosophical traditions.

The Section Editor for the International Journal of Hindu Studies, he has published over thirty articles in leading academic journals as well as several books, including Swami Vivekananda’s Vedāntic Cosmopolitanism; Infinite Paths to Infinite Reality; and Panentheism in Indian and Western Thought. He also serves as Hindu Chaplain at both UCLA and USC. 

Swami Medhananda

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Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, originally David Nowe of Pittsburgh, met Swami Muktananda and received Shaktipat initiation from him in 1975. He spent the next 8 years studying with and working for Muktananda in various ashram settings. Along the way he took initiation as a sannyasi and received the name Brahmananda. He returned to householder life for a period of time, then resumed the swami life. At one point he founded the God Realization Ministry, which taught the principles of siddha yoga in more than 200 churches, and was also the spiritual director of Simple Peace Retreats in Assisi, Italy.

 Since the time Covid broke out, he has been offering satsangs and conducting Shaktipat intensives in India. He is also a team member of American Veda Tours, co-leading (with the host of this podcast) journeys to sacred sites in India. We spoke about Muktananda, Kashmir Shaivism, and other illuminating topics.

Find out more about Philip Goldberg books here

Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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Dr. Alton B. Pollard III is a scholar, author, consultant, and public speaker on the subject of African American and U.S. religion and culture. He is about to join Wake Forest University as the Chair of Baptist Studies in the School of Divinity and professor of African American Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.

His prior positions include: President Emeritus of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Dean of the School of Divinity and professor at Howard University, Director of Black Church Studies at the Candler School of Theology, and Chair of American Religious Cultures at Emory University. He is the author of several books, including Mysticism and Social Change: The Social Witness of Howard Thurman, and a new edition of W.E.B. DuBois’s The Negro Church. He has also written dozens of book chapters, journal articles, and op-eds. We spoke about Thurman, DuBois, and the influence of Mahatma Gandhi on the American civil rights movement. 

Find our more about the host of Spirit Matters, Philip Goldberg

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Adam Bucko is an Episcopal priest, a teacher of contemplative spirituality, and an interfaith activist. Born and raised in Poland under a totalitarian regime, his early exposure to spiritual activism greatly influenced his life trajectory. His books and teachings often include collaborations with spiritual leaders and activists from different faith traditions. He is the author of Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation; The New Monasticism: An Interspiritual Manifesto for Contemplative Living; and his newest book Let Your Heartbreak Be Your Guide: Lessons in Engaged Contemplation. Actively involved in social and ecological justice efforts and programs that combine contemplative practice with activism, Adam is currently the Director of The Center for Spiritual Imagination, which is located at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in New York. 

Adam Bucko https://fatheradambucko.com/ 

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Kimberley Theresa Lafferty is a teacher-practitioner who specializes in what she calls Constructive Developmental Psychology as well as Indo-Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. She offers private online psycho-spiritual counseling for individuals and couples, and in that work integrates the latest research on adult ego development, contemplative psychology, and other disciplines. She leads multi-year, private spiritual education cohorts through her organization, The Confluence Experience, which is also the url of her website. She is also an active board member of the Association for Spiritual Integrity.

The Confluence Experience https://confluenceexperience.com/

Find out more about Kimberley Theresa Lafferty

Connect with the host of Spirit Matters Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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Beryl Bender has been teaching yoga and meditation since 1971, and has been training yoga teachers through her school, The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute, for nearly 50 years. She’s also the best-selling author of several books on yoga, including Power Yoga; Beyond Bower Yoga; and Yoga for Warriors: Basic Training for Strength, Resilience, and Peace of Mind, which was written especially for active duty military service members and veterans.

In her teaching, Beryl addresses the full range of Classical Yoga and its implications for consciousness, spiritual development, and holistic human growth. She also co-founded the Give Back Yoga Foundation has been a leader in addressing the relationship between yoga practice and activism and service.

https://www.power-yoga.com/

Find out more about Beryl Bender

Retreats https://www.power-yoga.com/retreats/ 

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Daaji, aka Kamlesh D. Patel, is the fourth and current spiritual guide of the Heartfulness Institute, a century-old lineage that used to be known as the Shri Ram Chandra Mission. The organization has taught Heartfulness Meditation to several million practitioners in 126 countries. In addition to teaching and overseeing an international organization, Daaji gives keynote addresses and conducts workshops around the world.

Formerly a successful pharmacist in New York City for over three decades, he is also an author whose books include: The Wisdom Bridge; Designing Destiny; The Heartfulness Way; and his latest, Spiritual Anatomy: Meditation, Chakras, and the Journey to the Center. 

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Ann Helmke is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and serves as the faith liaison for the city of San Antonio, Texas. Prior to that she was the director of spiritual services at Haven for Hope, a program that serves homeless people. She has taught theology, has led workshops and retreats, co-founded the interfaith San Antonio Peace Center, and co-authored books. All of her work has focused on social justice through civic engagement. Consistent with that mission, she currently works with San Antonio mayor Ron Nirenberg on Compassionate USA, a campaign designed to promote compassion and community healing. We talked about her metaphor of getting out of the boat and walking on water -- the vital intersection of spirituality and compassionate action in the world.  

Meet Rev. Ann Helmke

CompassionateUSA.org

CharterforCompassion.org

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Yoshin David Radin is the abbot and founder of the Ithaca Zen Center in upstate New York and he also taught regularly at the Rinzai-ji Zen Center in Los Angeles. He began Zen practice in 1976, was ordained a monk in 1983, and an Oshō in 1989. He has been published in Tricycle Magazine and some of his writings have been turned into songs or spoken poems that were released in four collections, including "Love Songs of a Zen Monk." He also edited two books by his teacher, Joshu Sasaki, and is the author of his own book, "A Temporary Affair: Talks on Awakening and Zen." It is a collection of talks he gave at a time when his health was severely compromised and could have died. We talked about his long and interesting path, his somewhat untraditional teaching, and what it was like to experience serious illness and look at the face of death. 

Find out more about Ithaca Zen Center and Yoshin David Radin https://ithacazencenter.org/teacher/

https://ithacazencenter.org/books/

Meet Philip Goldberg here Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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Dr. David. H. Rosmarin is a board-certified clinical psychologist, a peer-reviewed scholar, a professor at Harvard Medical School, and the director of the Spiritual and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital. A leading expert and recognized innovator in the treatment of anxiety, he founded the Center for Anxiety, which has facilities in New York and Boston. He puts that expertise to use in his new book, Thriving With Anxiety: 9 Tools to Make Your Anxiety Work for You. In this conversation, we discussed the links between psychology and spirituality, why spiritual people are not immune from anxiety, and how to turn anxiety from a crippling problem to a strength.

Dr. David Rosmarin https://dhrosmarin.com/

https://www.mcleanhospital.org/treatment/smhp

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Neale Donald Walsch is the author of the hugely popular Conversations with God series, seven of which were on the New York Times bestseller list (the first one, in 1995, remained on the list for 134 weeks. In all, his forty books on contemporary spirituality and its practical application in everyday life, have been translated into 37 languages and read by millions around the world. His latest book, and the main topic of our conversation, is Godtalk: Experiences of Humanity's Connections with a Higher Power. We talked about his personal path, the reactions to his provocative books, and how to forge a deep connection with the divine.

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Imam Jamal Rahman is the co-founder of the Interfaith Sanctuary in Seattle. A popular public speaker on subjects related to Islam, Sufi spirituality, and interfaith relations, he has collaborated with a rabbi and an Christian minister as part of The Interfaith Amigos. The trio has toured the country sharing the message of spiritual inclusivity and have been profiled in national media outlets. As an author, Jamal's books include Sacred Laughter of the Sufis; Spiritual Gems of Islam; and The Fragrance of Faith. He is also coauthor of several books, including Finding Peace Through Spiritual Practice. Enjoy and learn from this delightful conversation about the heart and soul of mystical Islam. 

Jamal Rahman Interfaith Amigos

Connect with Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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Rizwan Virk is a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur, a video game pioneer, a film producer, a venture capitalist, a computer scientists, and an author whose books explore the intersection of science, business, and spirituality. They include Zen Entrepreneurship and two books at the cutting edge of computer science and metaphysics, The Simulation Hypothesis and The Simulated Multiverse. His most recent book is Wisdom of a Yogi: Lessons for Modern Seekers from Autobiography of a Yogi, referring to the iconic memoir by Paramahansa Yogananda. Our conversation ranges from the profound spiritual metaphor of Simulation, drawn from video game and virtual reality technology, to pragmatic lessons about life on the spiritual path. 

www.zentrepreneur.com

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Dean Sluyter is a public speaker, meditation teacher, leader of workshops and retreats, and the author of several critically acclaimed books, including: Natural Meditation, Cinema Nirvana, The Zen Commandments, and his latest, The Dharma Bum's Guide to Western Literature: Finding Nirvana in the Classics. Dean draws on his studies with a number of teachers from different traditions over many years, and employs his gift for uncovering spiritual teachings in unlikely places, like works of art we don't think of as "spiritual." We talked about "Casablanca" and "Huckleberry Finn," among many other things

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Kimberly Braun spent ten years as a nun in a Carmelite monastic order and then moved on to pursue a multidimensional spiritual path. Now, as a public speaker, author, meditation coach, and ordained minister, she helps guide others closer to the divine presence in a number of ways through her workshops, retreats, and online gatherings. We spoke about her fascinating and compelling journey, which she described in her book, Love Calls, Insights of a Former Carmelite Nun. We also spoke about the spiritual community she facilitates online, her latest book (Miracles in the Naked Light), and her upcoming Discovering Self online summit. 

Find out more about Kimberly Braun here www.kimberlybraun.com

www.essencetribe.com

https://www.kimberlybraun.com/events/discovering-self-summit/

Meet Philip Goldberg, host of Spirit Matters

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In our proliferating spiritual environment, with easy access to diverse teachings and practices, Kate Sheehan Roach and Jeff Genung are providing services to help all spiritual explorers find what works best for them. Kate was the founding editor or Contemplative Journal and managing editor at Patheos.com. She currently works at ContemplativeLife.org and Prosocial World. As does Jeff, who is managing director of Prosocial World (a non-profit whose purpose is "to consciously evolve a world that works for all") and co-founder of Contemplative Life ("a digital hub connecting people and communities with transformative practices"). Jeff is also a core team member of transformation365.org. 

Meet Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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As a professor of religion, Robert Forman acquired a stellar reputation for his pioneering work on spiritual experiences and the study of mysticism. Some of the eleven books he wrote or edited became classics in academia, including: The Problem of Pure Consciousness; The Innate Capacity; and Mysticism, Mind, Consciousness. He's also written non-academic books such as Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be. After retiring from academic life, Robert founded the Forge Institute for Spirituality and Social Change and The Forge Guild of Spiritual Leaders and Teachers. He later became a hospital chaplain, retiring from that in 2023. We talked about what he's learned from those diverse careers and the book he's currently working on, about how "mystics on the margins" are reinventing Christianity by finding meaning and community even when they don't accept key doctrines and beliefs.   

Connect with Robert Foreman

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J.D. Stillwater is a public speaker, author, and science educator who finds--and helps others find--spiritual insight and inspiration in the empirical, evidence-based discoveries of hard science. An officer of the Religious Naturalist Association and a member of the governing council of the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science, he shares revelations from natural reality to drive spiritual awakening in his various audiences, and in this interview he shares that sense of wonder and excitement with us. You'll see how the cold facts of science reveal the same interconnectedness and oneness that the mystics of all the world's traditions have pointed us to for millennia. 

J.D. Stillwater Science, Sustainability, Spirituality https://www.jdstillwater.earth/

Meet Philip Goldberg, host of Spirit Matters Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach https://www.philipgoldberg.com/

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Christina Donnell has worn many hats over the course of a remarkably interesting life. A clinical psychologist, spiritual teacher, public speaker, and writer, she has not only studied Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, she delved deeply into a shamanic tradition in Peru for thirty years. She's the author of Transcendent Dreaming: Stepping Into Our Human Potential and, recently, Encounters with Living Language: Surrendering to the Power of Words. We explored, among many of things, the spiritually transformative use of language, literature, dreams, and her work at the Winds of Change Association.

https://www.christinadonnell.com/ Christina Donnell

https://www.christinadonnell.com/winds-of-change/  Winds of Change

Meet Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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Steve Farrell was a hugely successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur before transforming his life and devoting his time and energy to service. He's the co-founder and Executive Director of Humanity's Team, a non-profit focused on helping people awaken to their deeper selves and "the divine truth of oneness." The company offers a variety of educational programs on "conscious living" in different spheres of life. We discussed his personal evolution, Humanity's Team, and his new book, "A New Universal Dream," which is both a memoir and a call to action. 

Find out more about Steve Farrell here

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Sadly, many spiritual organizations display the negative characteristics of cults, and many spiritual teachers and leaders abuse their power. As a result, many sincere seekers end up disillusioned, wounded, or traumatized. Steven Hassan is an expert on cults, mind control, and "undue influence," and his Freedom of Mind Resource Center is dedicated to empowering spiritual students to protect themselves and retain their independence. We discuss some of the valuable tools Steven has developed, such as the BITE (Behavior, Information, Thought, Emotional control) model and the Influence Continuum, as well as the indicators of healthy teachers and organizations and unhealthy ones.

Find out about Steve Hassan and the Freedom of Mind Resource Center

Connect with Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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We all have wounds. We've all struggled with pain, grief and loss. In this interview, the psychologist, contemplative teacher, and renowned author, James Finley, discusses what he calls "a path, a way of life, in which we human beings may be healed from all that hinders us from experiencing the steady, strong currents of divinity that flow on and on in the bitter-sweet alchemy of our lives." The author of "Merton's Palace of Nowhere," "Christian Meditation," and other books and audio series, Jim here draws on his latest book, "The Healing Path: A Memoir and an Invitation," pointing us to "the secret opening through which we pass into wholeness."

Find out about James Finley and the Center for Action and Contemplation

Connect with Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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We've all heard of Kundalini. However, misconceptions about it are commonplace. In this episode we get it all straight by speaking with Joan Shivarpita Harrigan about kundalini and the entire process of spiritual development. An American who was authorized to teach in a traditional lineage based in Rishikesh, India, Joan has practiced, studied, and taught Advaita Vedanta and Raja Yoga for 45 years, 30 of which were spent as Director of Kundalini Yoga Care USA. A retired psychologist as well, she's the author of two books, Kundalini Vidya: The Science of Spiritual Transformation and Stories of Spiritual Transformation: The Fulfillment of Kundalini Process. 

KundaliniCare.com

Find out more about Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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In the first half of this episode, we explore the life and teachings of the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Anthroposophy and the Waldorf Schools, with two longtime practitioners and teachers in Steiner's tradition, Signe Eklund Schaefer and Christopher Schaefer. Then Christopher says goodbye and Signe discusses her new book, She Was Always There: Sophia as a Story for Our Time. The term Sophia is Greek for "wisdom" and has come to signify the Divine Feminine. We explore Her implications for our spiritual growth. Both Signe and Christopher are authors of previous books and taught at Emerson College in England and Sunbridge College in the U.S.

Signe Eklund Schaefer Author Page

Christopher Schaefer

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Karen Tate is an Interfaith Minister, a public speaker, a podcaster, a social justice activist, and an author. Her books include Sacred Places of Goddess; Voices of the Sacred Feminine; and her latest, Normalizing Abuse: A Commentary on Our Pervasive Culture of Abuse. Observing that "abuse and exploitation are pervasive and global," she warns about the risks of accepting this as "ordinary, acceptable, usual, or standard." The conversation focuses on her research on the various forms of abuse found in spiritual institutions and her advice about protecting ourselves and our communities.

Find out more about Karen Tate here

Connect with Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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Mark Matousek is an award-winning author, teacher, and speaker whose work focuses on transformative writing for personal, professional, and spiritual development. He’s the founder of the Seekers Forum, an online community for non-sectarian spiritual dialogue, a founding member of V-Men, an organization devoted to ending violence against women and girls, and he offers workshops in self-inquiry and personal development, featuring a method he calls Writing to Awaken. He blogs for psychologytoday.com and is the author of eight books including the memoir Sex Death Enlightenment, Writing to Awaken, and his new book, Letters from an American Stoic: How Emerson Can Change Your Life. That’s the subject of this conversation, which dives deeply into the valuable lessons to be gleaned from Emerson’s life and thought and the enduring ideas of the American Transcendentalists. 

Mark Matousek https://markmatousek.com/

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Connie Zweig, Ph.D., is a retired psychotherapist, a prolific author, and a practitioner and teacher of meditation for more than 50 years. Best known for her research and writing on Carl Jung's concept of the shadow, she's the co-author of Meeting the Shadow and Romancing the Shadow and the author of A Moth to the Flame (a novel about the life of the Sufi poet Rumi), the bestselling book on aging, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, and her latest book, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening. About that book, the author says: "Within each of us is a spiritual longing that prompts us to unite with something greater than ourselves. Yet, no matter the spiritual path we choose, we inevitably encounter our own shadow." How to understand, recognize, and work effectively with our shadow is the main focus of this illuminating conversation.  

Connie Zweig, Ph.D.

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Author, Educator, and Developmental Psychologist Robert Atkinson, joins us to talk about his timely new book, A New Story of Wholeness: An Experiential Guide for Connecting the Human Family. We spoke about the need, in our fragmented time, for a shared vision of our interconnectedness and the unity that binds us in spite of our superficial differences. Atkinson shares his belief that we're approaching what he calls "a consciousness of global integration."

Connect with Robert Atkinson https://www.robertatkinson.net/

Meet author, spiritual counselor, speaker, and writing coach Philip Goldberg

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Yoga teacher and teacher trainer Eric Shaw joins us to discuss his exhaustively researched book, Sacred Thread, A Comprehensive Yoga Timeline: 2000 Dates That Shaped Yoga History. The subject, and our conversation, goes well beyond just the developments in what's known as "postural yoga." It includes the entire range and depth of yogic precepts and practices and their spread from India to the rest of the world. We also touched upon the impact yoga has had on other traditions and the importance of protecting the system from distortion and dilution. We also discussed some controversies that Eric was involved in.

Find Eric Shaw on Facebook

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Welcome to the official podcast of the MindBodySpirit.fm podcast network. For our debut episode we will explore the concept of Gratitude as a life practice through the eyes of award-winning cinematographer and director of the documentary film Gratitude Revealed, Louie Schwartzberg. We gathered three podcasters from the network Philip Goldberg host of Spirit Matters, Cynthia Occelli host of Rewritten and Dr. Steven Farmer host of The Dr Steven Farmer Podcast-Healing for Your Soul to get their impressions of this incredible film. In a candid Q and A with Louie, each person shared their reactions and feelings about the film. Moderated by Co-Founder Diane Ray, we discover why Louie was drawn to the subject of gratitude, what his definition of gratitude is, and how we can live a more meaningful life full of gratitude.

What began as a short film viewed by millions at TED in 2014 has evolved into a global effort to make this film available to all. If you would like to find out more about this extraordinary film or host your own screening of Gratitude Revealed, please visit www.gratituderevealed.com. If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to hear other podcasters views on the idea of gratitude, visit the Gratitude page https://mindbodyspirit.fm/showcase/gratitude/  

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Saniel Bonder and Linda Groves-Bonder work together as spiritual teachers through the Human Sun Institute, the organization they co-founded. Best known for the process called Waking Down (later Waking Down in Mutuality), they describe their mission this way: "To being heart-based embodied awakening to a worldwide audience." Our conversation focused on their spiritual histories and their current work, such as what it means to become "a human sun." We also addressed delicate issues relevant to contemporary spiritual seekers: the potential of power abuse by teachers and the vulnerability of their students.

SanielandLinda.com

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To most of us, the word surrender evokes weakness, defeat, captivity, and giving up -- not good things. Yet, many spiritual traditions call upon followers to surrender and portray it as the key to the kingdom. In this spirited and illuminating interview, the globally-known transformational teacher, Kute Blackson, author of the inspiring new book, The Magic of Surrender, describes how surrender, properly understood and applied, can lead to freedom, strength, and spiritual riches by syncing individual consciousness with divine intelligence. 

Connect with Philip Goldberg- Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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We explore deep and powerful spiritual lessons from the Christian mystics with one of the world's leading experts, Mirabai Starr. From John of the Cross and the dark night of the soul to the liberating teachings in the lives of female saints like Teresa of Avila, there are spiritual blessings to be gleaned. We also plunge into the heart of despair as Mirabai shares from personal experience how to grow spiritually following the heartbreak and grief of a painful loss.

Connect with Mirabai Starr

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Arielle Ford was a highly successful agent and publicist who represented some of the world's top self-help and spiritual authors. Then she became an author herself, writing 11 non-fiction books including Wabi Sabi Love and The Soulmate Secret, which launched her on a new career as a respected coach and speaker on the subject of love and relationships. Now she's published her first novel, The Love Thief, about the spiritual transformation of the main character, an American woman who finds herself in India. We spoke about why she wrote the book, the plot and characters (without giving anything away), and why fiction can be especially transformative for both author and reader alike. 

Get the book The Love Thief Connect with Arielle Ford here

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Connect with author, speaker, spiritual counselor, and writing coach Philip Goldberg

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Psychologist Rachel Harris, author of Listening to Ayahuasca, joins us to discuss her fascinating new book, Swimming in the Sacred. In recent years, entheogens, aka psychedelics, have enjoyed a resurgence of interest since research on the substances was halted amidst the abuses of the 1960s. Studies undertaken at prestigious universities have been demonstrating the therapeutic applications of the "medicines." While she, like many psychologists and physicians, consider this a promising, if not transformative, development, Dr. Harris is concerned that "research protocols may be significantly different from the best practices developed over decades of work by guides in the underground psychedelic community." We discussed exactly what that hard-earned wisdom consists of and the potential psychospiritual benefits of the careful use of entheogens. 

Find out about Psychologist Rachel Harris

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A deep and far-ranging conversation with the renowned spiritual teacher, poet, storyteller, and prolific author, Mark Nepo. Mark's 25 nonfiction books have sold more than a million copies. They include The Book of Awakening, which topped the New York Times bestseller list; More Together Than Alone; and most recently Surviving Storms: Finding the Strength to Meet Adversity. In addition, he just came out with a volume of his poetry titled The Half-Life of Angels. We'll learn about the link between creativity and spirituality, how to derive the greatest spiritual benefit from reading poetry, tips for surviving life's biggest challenges, and what we're called upon to do at this moment in history.

Connect with Mark Nepo here

Philip Goldberg- Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach

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The spiritual memoir is an extremely popular genre and a time-tested vehicle for conveying spiritual wisdom as well as the blessings and challenges of life on the razor's edge we call the spiritual path. In this conversation, Richard Lischer -- an ordained Lutheran minister and a professor at Duke Divinity School -- discusses his book, Our Hearts are Restless: The Art of the Spiritual Memoir, and his own observations as both a reader and an author of books in that genre. You'll learn how to get the most out of reading a spiritual memoir, and about writing one should you choose to give it a try.

Find out more about Richard Lischer

Get the book- Our Hearts Are Restless: The Art of the Spiritual Memoir by Richard Lischer

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The culmination of the ancient Vedic tradition, Vedanta represents the core teachings of what we call Hinduism. In its modern expression, it has had a huge influence on spiritual seekers around the world, and its impact continues to grow. In this interview, Swami Sarvapriyananda, the Minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of New York, and one of the primary proponents of Vedanta today, makes this profound and practical wisdom easily understandable and accessible.

Vedanta Society of New York

Swami Sarvapriyananda

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World Music pioneer and leading kirtan artist Jai Uttal joins us for a probing conversation about the spiritual value of music in its myriad forms and expressions. We talked about his musical roots, his discovery of the increasingly popular Indian style of call-and-response mantra chanting (kirtan), and how he and others have integrated Western instruments and motifs into traditional Indian music. We also talked about his latest album, "Dust and Tears," which features a broad range of musical styles, and the transformational impact of music that touches the heart--even when it triggers sadness or longing.

Jai Uttal https://jaiuttal.com/ 

Find out more about Spiritual Teacher, Author, Speaker Philip Goldberg

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Since 1980, Gayatri Naraine has served as the United Nations representative of the Brahma Kumaris, a worldwide spiritual organization founded in India in 1937 with a strong orientation toward service work and the practice of Raja Yoga, which Gayatri has practiced for over 45 years. She is also a senior teacher at the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. We spoke about the origin and unique features of the Brahma Kumaris, its unusual emphasis on female leadership, and her work at the UN, which focuses on exploring and developing the spiritual dimension of UN programs with practical relevance to individual lives, such as its sustainable development goals. 

Brahma Kumaris

Brahma Kumaris at the UN

Find out more about Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Spiritual Counselor

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Matthew Fox, the eminent theologian, author, and former Catholic priest, discusses his estrangement from the Church and his highly influential reframing of the Christian tradition with concepts such as Creation Spirituality and Original Blessing. A treasure trove of insights for everyone regardless of their path.

Find out more about Matthew Fox

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The first major Indian guru to come to America, Swami Vivekananda set the template for all the teachers who followed - and his enormous impact persists. Here, Oxford historian Ruth Harris, author of the landmark biography "Guru to the World," explores Vivekananda's fascinating life and enduring legacy.

Get the book- Guru to the World: The Life and Legacy of Vivekananda

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As longtime teachers and practitioners, and as co-founders of the Association for Spiritual Integrity, Jac O'Keeffe and Rick Archer have seen the good, bad, and ugly of contemporary spirituality. Here they dive into the need to promote ethical standards among spiritual teachers and ways to help seekers and students guard against spiritual abuse.

Find out more about the Association for Spiritual Integrity

Connect with Jac O'Keefe

Ric Archer and Buddha at the Gas Pump

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A lively conversation with Robert Mulhall, CEO of The Kripalu Center for Yoga, and Stephen Cope, author, psychologist, and longtime Scholar in Residence at Kripalu. They discuss the fascinating history of the most prominent yoga retreat center in America, the challenges of adapting an ancient tradition to modern life, and yoga's (and Kripalu's) role in generating personal and cultural transformation.

The Kripalu Center for Yoga

Stephen Cope

Author, Spiritual Counselor, Speaker, Philip Goldberg

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A penetrating conversation with the passionate and prolific expert on the world’s mystical traditions, Andrew Harvey. Andrew, the founder and director of the Institute of Sacred Activism, and author of more than 30 books, including Radical Regeneration, discusses the vital need for engaged spirituality in our times -- and much more. 

Find out more about Andrew Harvey

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In this deep conversation with renowned spiritual teacher Sally Kempton, author of Awakening Shakti: The Transformative Power of the Goddesses of Yoga and Meditation for the Love of It, we dive deeply into a variety of valuable topics, such as the practical implications of nonduality, the relational aspect of spirituality, working with personifications of the Divine, and meditation as play. And Sally leads us in a guided meditation. 

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In this episode, the interspiritual rabbi Rami Shapiro shows us the transformational value of exploring traditions other than our own. Listen as we discuss perennial teachings across boundaries, Rami's notion of "nondual aliveness," and much more.

Find out more about award winning author Rabbi Rami Shapiro

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In this first episode of the new Spirit Matters, we have a far-ranging, illuminating, and practical conversation with the renowned scholar of Buddhism, Robert Thurman. A close friend of the Dalai Lama and author of many books, including Wisdom is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life, Bob’s ability to communicate complex ideas in ways that everyone can understand and apply to their lives is on full display here – as is his playful wit. 

Get Philip Goldberg's latest book Spiritual Practice For Crazy Times

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