Spirit Matters Talk

Shinzen Young discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Dr. Barbara De Angelis is a best-selling author, popular TV personality and sought-after motivational speaker who has inspired tens of millions of people over the past 35 years. The author of 16 books that have sold over ten million copies in 25 languages, her expertise in personal transformation and spiritual development is recognized worldwide. She has hosted a daily television show for CBS and a popular radio talk show in Los Angeles, and has been a frequent guest on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The View and other popular shows. In 1994 TV infomercial, Making Love Work, won top honors in the industry and was seen by hundreds of millions of viewers. She is one of only five women to win the Toastmasters International Golden Gavel Award. We spoke about spirituality and love, as expressed in her latest book, The Choice for Love: Entering into a New, Enlightened Relationship with Yourself, Others and the World (click here for a free chapter and an audio). Learn more about Barbara De Angelis here

Barbara DeAngelis discussion on 2017-03-21 at 15.02 by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Mirabai Starr writes creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature, especially the Spanish mystics. Her books include Dark Night of the Soul (about John of the Cross), The Interior Castle (about Teresa of Avila), God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity & Islam, and Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialog. We spoke about the contemporary spiritual environment, her work with Ram Dass, whom she met when she was 14, Neem Karoli Baba and other topics. Learn more about Mirabai Starr here: http://mirabaistarr.com/about/

Mirabai Starr 2 discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Jim Burklo is an ordained United Church of Christ pastor who has ministered with congregations, university students, and homeless people. Now serving as Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, he has been a mindfulness practitioner and teacher for nearly 40 years. He is the author of several books, including: Open Christianity: Home by Another Road, a primer on theologically and socially progressive Christianity, Birdlike And Barnless: Meditations, Prayers, and Songs for Progressive Christians and his latest, Mindful Christianity. He is an activist and board member with Progressive Christians Uniting. His blog, Musings, is read by lay people and faith leaders around the world. We spoke about his new book, mindfulness practice, Progressive Christianity and his observations about the current generation of college students. Learn more about Jim Burklo here: http://mindfulchristianity.org/jim-burklo.html

jim Burklo discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee is an award-winning filmmaker whose work has been featured on in prestigious publications, television networks, museums and festivals worldwide. The many projects produced by his Go Project Films include Marie’s Dictionary, Isle de Jean Charles, Path of Freedom and Elemental. He is the founder and executive director of the Global Oneness Project, an award-winning online multimedia platform that brings the values of global citizenry into mainstream education. He also directs the Spiritual Ecology Fellowship, an innovative leadership and incubation program that works with emerging leaders to bring spiritual values into environmental work. The son of Sufi lineage holder Llewelynn Vaughan-Lee, he is a Naqshbandhi Sufi and lives in Northern California with his wife and two children. We spoke about the influence of spirituality on his mission as a filmmaker, educator and social activist. Learn more about Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee here: https://www.globalonenessproject.org/people/emmanuel-vaughan-lee

Emmanuelle Vaugh Lee discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Roger Nelson is the founder of the Global Consciousness Project (GCP), a long-running international collaboration of 100 researchers studying interactions of consciousness and the environment. He is an experimental psychologist with a PhD from New York University whose background also includes physics and engineering. Formerly the Research Coordinator for the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) laboratory, he has directed the Global Consciousness Project since its inception in 1997. His recent work integrates consciousness research and parapsychology, and looks to quantum physics to help explain anomalous effects of consciousness as documented in experiments. We spoke about his interest in consciousness and the implications of the Global Consciousness Project findings. Learn more about Roger Nelson here: http://noosphere.princeton.edu

Roger Nelson discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Robert Atkinson, Ph.D., is a pioneer in the development of the life story interview methodology and among the first to apply Joseph Campbell’s classic work on the hero’s journey to personal mythmaking. He is professor of human development and religious studies at the University of Southern Maine. The author, coauthor or editor of eight books, including Songs of the Open Road: The Poetry of Folk Rock and the Journey of the Hero and Remembering 1969: Searching for the Eternal in Changing Times, his latest publication is The Story of Our Time: From Duality to Interconnectedness to Oneness. We spoke about the content of that book, its relevance to our current social climate and the lessons he learned from friendships with Pete Seeger and Joseph Campbell as a young man. Learn more about Robert Atkinson here: https://www.robertatkinson.net/

Robert Atkinson discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Mas Vidal is a teacher of Yoga and a practitioner of both Ayurveda and Vedic Astrology. He offers lectures, workshops and certification training programs throughout the USA, Asia, and India. His work is primarily influenced by the lineage-based traditions of India, particularly those of Paramahansa Yogananda and Swami Sivananda. The founder/director of Dancing Shiva Yoga Ayurveda, an international non-profit educational organization with a center in Southern California, he is the author of Sun, Moon and Earth: The Sacred Relationship of Yoga and Ayurveda. We spoke of the integration of Yoga and Ayurveda, the importance of lineage and the purpose and content of his new book. Learn more about Mas Vidal here: https://dancingshiva.com/dancingshiva/site2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=178&Itemid=108

Mas Vidal discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Imam Jamal Rahman is a popular speaker on Islam, Sufi spirituality, and interfaith relations. Jamal is co-founder and Muslim Sufi minister at Seattle's Interfaith Community Sanctuary and adjunct faculty at Seattle University. He is a former co-host of Interfaith Talk Radio and travels nationally and internationally, presenting at retreats and workshops. Along with his Interfaith Amigos (Rabbi Ted Falcon and Pastor Don Mackenzie), he has been featured in numerous media outlets. Jamal is the author and co-author of several books, the latest of which is Finding Peace through Spiritual Practice: The Interfaith Amigos Guide to Personal, Social and Environmental Healing. We spoke mainly about Islam in today’s world and his interfaith work. Learn more about Imam Jamal Rahman here: www.jamalrahman.com

Jamal Rahman discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Dena Merriam interview by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Dena Merriam discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Purusha Hickson is the Founder and Director of Stretch for Success Seminars. He has been teaching hatha yoga for over 40 years and has studied in depth the Sivananda, Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga systems. His views on yoga and health have been solicited by numerous publications, including Yoga Journal, Yoga International and the L.A. Times. He conducts workshops and retreats worldwide, and has developed a Teacher Training Program for aspiring yoga teachers in the Los Angeles area. Purusha’s spiritual teacher was the late Swamini Turiyasangitananda, better known as Alice Coltrane. We spoke about Swamini’s teachings and her music, and touched upon her husband, John Coltrane, before discussing Purusha’s philosophy and work. Learn more about Purusha Hickson here: www.purushahickson.com Note to subscribers: this is a replacement for the previously posted interview, which had technical problems.