Spirit Matters Talk

Graham Schweig Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Deva Premal and Miten have been performing sacred music together for more than 20 years. Since the release of their first recording, The Essence, their mantra-based albums have exceeded 1.5 million sales. They have 550,000 monthly Spotify listeners and 400,000 Facebook followers; they have been featured in major media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, and The Huffington Post; their original chants are widely used on meditation, yoga, stress management, and massage playlists; and their music has been featured in movie soundtracks and praised by notables from Cher to the Dalai Lama. In their words, they are “modern nomads on a mission to share with humanity the medicine of mantra.” We spoke about the origins of their work at Osho’s ashram in India, the meaning and power of the Gayatri mantra, their upcoming tour, and more. Learn more about Deva Premal & Miten here: https://devapremalmiten.com/

Deva and Miten Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Swami Sarvapriyananda has been Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York since January, 2017. Prior to that, he was Assistant Minister of the Vedanta Society of Southern California for 13 months. He joined the Ramakrishna Math and Mission in 1994 and received Sannyas in 2004. Before coming to America, he served as an acharya (teacher) of the monastic probationers’ training center at Belur Math (the order’s headquarters in India); Vice Principal of the Deoghar Vidyapith Higher Secondary School; Principal of the Shikshana Mandira Teacher Education College; and first Registrar of the Vivekananda University. His presentations have become quite popular on YouTube. We spoke about Vedanta philosophy and his work as a representative of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda lineage. Learn more about Swami Sarvapriyananda here: http://www.vedantany.org/resident-swamis/

Swami Sarvapriyananda Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Mirabai Starr 3 Interview by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Mirabai Starr 3 Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Raymond Rigoglioso is the founder and executive director of Gay Men of Wisdom. Prior to starting the organization in 2012, he had an extensive career in the nonprofit sector, working with Gay Men's Health Crisis, The Picker Institute (a health care think tank), the United Hospital Fund, and other charitable and philanthropic groups. A certified life coach as well, he has taught at New York University's George H. Heyman, Jr. Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising and at the Support Center for Nonprofit Management in New York City. We spoke about Gay Men of Wisdom and what he means by promoting “awareness and understanding of the value of gay men’s differences” and “the power of gay men’s gifts for personal and social good. Learn more about Ray Rigoglioso here: https://www.gaymenofwisdom.org/About.html

Raymondi Rigoglioso Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Ann Gleig is associate professor of Religious Studies at the University of Central Florida, where she specializes in Asian religions, Asian religions in America, and Religion and Psychoanalysis. She is co-editor (with Lola Williamson) of the book Homegrown Gurus: From Hinduism in America to American Hinduism, has published numerous scholarly articles, and contributed chapters to several books. She is also Co-Chair for the Mysticism Group, and a Steering Committee Member for the Buddhism in the West Group, at the American Academy of Religion. Her latest book is American Dharma: Buddhism Beyond Modernity. We spoke about that book and various issues around contemporary Buddhism in America. Learn more about Ann Gleig here: https://philosophy.cah.ucf.edu/faculty-staff/?id=569

Ann Gleig discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Kamla K. Kapur was born and raised in India and studied in the United States. Her writing has included plays, novels, poetry, essays and reimagined spiritual writings. Her critically acclaimed books include The Singing Guru, on the legends of Guru Nanak, and Ganesha Goes to Lunch: Classics from Mystic India. Her latest book, Rumi: Tales of the Spirit, contains reinterpretations of stories by the great Sufi mystic poet along with insightful commentaries. An accomplished public speaker, she was also on the faculty of Grossmont College, San Diego, for 15 years teaching composition, literature, creative writing, mythology, and Shakespeare. We spoke mainly about Rumi, his enduring popularity, and lessons to be derived from the stories in her latest book. Learn more about Kamla Kapur here: https://www.kamlakkapur.com/bio.

kamla kapur discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Maurizio and Zaya Benazzo are the founders and organizers of the Science and Nonduality (SAND) conferences, which are held annually in California and Italy, attracting a large number of participants and prominent speakers. Part of SAND’s purpose statement reads: “the time is right for the fragmentation of knowledge that has occurred over the last four hundred years to give way to a new integrative paradigm in which science and spirituality reenter into meaningful dialogue.” SAND also maintains a lively website featuring videos, workshops, and other resources. Maurizio, originally from Italy, and Zaya, from Bulgaria, are also filmmakers. Maurizio’s documentary, “Short Cut to Nirvana,” is about the 2001 Maha Kumbha Mela in India. Together they made the recent movie, "The Art of Life" (available on Amazon Prime) and are working on other film projects. We spoke mainly about the origin and purpose of SAND and the spiritual lessons they have learned from the successful series of conferences. Learn more about Zaya,

Maurizio and Zaya Benazzo Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Gina Salá has been chanting since her childhood, which was spent in the Canadian ashram of Swami Sivananda Radha (a disciple of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh). Her repertoire spans 23 languages, and her performance credits include Cirque du Soleil, the United Nations, and numerous international festivals. In her retreats, India tours, and workshops, Gina shares call-and-response devotional chanting (kirtan), Indian raga singing, sanskrit mantra, cross-cultural healing songs, and voice empowerment. She also founded the Awakening Voice (Power of Love) Sound School, where she trains students in raga, mantra, cross-cultural healing songs, and other techniques. We spoke about her work with music and sound, her year with HWL Poonja (Papaji), her recent retreat with Ram Dass, and more. Learn more about Gina Sala here: www.ginasala.com

Gina Sala discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Philip Clayton holds the Ingraham Chair at Claremont School of Theology and directs the Comparative Theologies PhD program. He has taught at Williams College and the California State University, and held guest professorships at the University of Munich, the University of Cambridge, and Harvard University. As a leader in interreligious education and dialogue for more than two decades, Dr. Clayton has: helped launch a global, seven-year collaboration of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian scientists; organized conferences at Harvard on Judaism, Buddhism, and science; participated in programs on Islam and science and on Abrahamic partnerships in the Philippines, Indonesia, France, Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE; helped plan and implement the Justice Assembly at the 2018 Parliament of the World’s Religions. He is the author or editor of some 25 books and 300 articles, and currently serves as the President of the Institute for Ecological Civilization. We spoke about his unusual path in Christianity and interfaith work, some

Philip Clayton discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Rabbi Rami Shapiro is an award–winning author of over thirty-six books on religion and spirituality, including Holy Rascals – Advice for Spiritual Revolutionaries, Recovery—the Sacred Art, and his latest, The Tao of Solomon: Unlocking the Perennial Wisdom of Ecclesiastes. A “Jewish practitioner of Perennial Wisdom,” he received rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a Ph.D. in religion from Union Graduate School. A rabbinic chaplain with the USAF for three years, a congregational rabbi for twenty, and a professor of religious studies for ten, Rabbi Rami currently co-directs the One River Foundation, writes the Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler column for Spirituality and Health magazine, and hosts the magazine’s weekly radio show, Essential Conversations with Rabbi Rami. We spoke mainly about The Tao of Solomon and Rami’s unconventional take on Ecclesiastes. Learn more about Rabbi Rami here: http://www.rabbirami.com/.