Spirit Matters Talk

Purusha Hickson discussion (2) by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Ben Pink Dandelion has worked at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham, England, for over twenty years and currently directs their postgraduate program. He is Professor of Quaker Studies at the University of Birmingham, and also works with Lancaster University. A committed Quaker, he has written numerous academic and devotional books on the Quaker way, and in 2014 presented the Swarthmore Lecture, which is the annual public lecture given to British Quakers. We spoke about the little-known history and theology of Quakerism, as well as the surprising diversity within the religion and what goes on at Quaker meetings. Learn more about Ben Dandelion here: http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/ppr/about-us/people/ben-dandelion

Ben Dandelion discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Marianne Williamson is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher, an electrifying speaker and a prolific author whose books include six N.Y. Times bestsellers—four of which, notably A Return to Love, reached the #1 spot. Her other books include Everyday Grace, Healing the Soul of America, and most recently, Tears to Triumph: The Spiritual Journey from Suffering to Enlightenment. An impassioned activist and former candidate for the U.S. Congress, she is an eloquent voice for the interaction of spirituality and social responsibility. As she has been interviewed by Oprah, Charlie Rose and other media luminaries, we are honored that this is her third appearance on Spirit Matters. This conversation focused on her observations about the post-election environment and the major event she has organized in response to it, Sister Giant, in Washington DC, February, 2017. Learn more about Marianne Williamson here: www.marianne.com.

Marianne Williamson (Interview 3 discussion) by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

ather Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. A Franciscan priest and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, NM, his work is grounded in practices of contemplation and self-emptying, expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized. He is the author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Breathing Under Water, and Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi. His latest book is The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (with Mike Morrell). Fr. Richard is also academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation, which trains individuals to work for positive change based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. We spoke about the growing interest in contemplative Christianity, aspects of Franciscan theology and the purpose that drives his work. Learn more about Fr. Ric

Richard Rohr discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Larry Payne, PhD, is an internationally respected yoga teacher and author. A founding father of Yoga Therapy in the U.S., he is coauthor of Yoga Rx and the bestselling Yoga for Dummies. He is based in Los Angeles, where he founded the Samata Yoga Center, Prime of Life Yoga® and the Yoga Therapy Rx program at Loyola Marymount University. Over a career of 30 years, he has accomplished many firsts, including serving as founding president of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, cofounding the yoga program at the UCLA School of Medicine, teaching yoga at the World Economic Forum, and doing a headstand at the North Pole. We spoke about designing yoga for people in midlife, Indra Devi and other yoga luminaries he’s known, and the development of Yoga Therapy as a discipline. Learn more about Larry Payne here: http://www.samata.com/?page_id=21

Larry Payne discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Naveed Hameed is a documentary filmmaker, an interfaith activist and a facilitator in the media and development sector. Growing up in an impoverished Christian family in predominately Muslim Pakistan, he became a peace activist as a student and now uses media as a tool of expression and a bridge between community and development. His documentaries have won awards and acknowledgments in film and peace festivals. Naveed conducts capacity building workshops for organizations working for peace, harmony and minority rights, and is the founder of SOCH, an organization dedicated to raising the voices of unvoiced and neglected communities. We took advantage of his presence in the U.S., on a prestigious State Department program, to talk about his inspiring work and his aspirations. Learn more about Naveed here: https://naveedhameed.wordpress.com/about-naveed-hameed/

Naveed Hameed discusson by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Mariana Caplan is a psychotherapist, yoga teacher, and the author of numerous magazine articles and six books in the fields of psychology and spirituality, including Eyes Wide Open: Cultivating Discernment on the Spiritual Path, Halfway Up the Mountain: the Error of Premature Claims to Enlightenment and The Guru Question: The Perils and Rewards of Choosing a Spiritual Teacher. The founder of The Yoga & Psyche Method and The Yoga & Psyche Conference, she teaches workshops and trainings at major retreat centers, yoga studios, and universities throughout the world and has been an adjunct professor at The California Institute of Integral Studies since 2001. She has also taught at Naropa, JFK, and Sophia Universities. In her psychotherapy, Dr. Caplan incorporates traditional and alternative approaches including: psychodynamic, gestalt, cognitive behavioral therapy, somatic, and dialectical behavioral therapy. Learn more about Mariana Caplan here: http://www.realspirituality.com/

Mariana Kaplan discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Steve Bhaerman is an internationally known author, humorist, and workshop leader. For nearly 30 years, he has written and performed as Swami Beyondananda, the "Cosmic Comic." Swami's comedy has been described both as "comedy disguised as wisdom" and "wisdom disguised as comedy." Marianne Williamson has called him "The Mark Twain of our generation." Since 2005, Steve has written a political blog with a spiritual perspective, Notes From the Trail. His latest book, written with cellular biologist Bruce H. Lipton, PhD is Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future and a Way to Get There From Here (Hay House, 2009). We spoke about the intersection of spirituality and humor, the reception of Swami Beyondananda by different groups and the need for a daily laughsative. Learn more about Steve Bhaerman here: www.wakeuplaughing.com

Steve Bhaerman aka Swami Beyondananda discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Dr. Igor Iwanek is a composer and performer whose music has been awarded at festivals in Europe, Japan and the USA. His compositions are rooted in the tradition of Bach and Scriabin, and draws inspiration from a range of influences, from Hindustani Ragas to Afro-Cuban dance music. As an active multidisciplinary educator, Igor teaches the importance of sound and vibration for human well-being. He has appeared live on NPR and television, and is the founder of a charitable initiative called Music and Mysticism. He works with the effects of sound and vibration, drawing from a variety of spiritual traditions, especially Nada Yoga and Sufism. We spoke about the healing and spiritual impact of sound, the uses of music and his own work as a composer, performer and educator. Learn more about Igor Iwanek here: http://thinkartmusic.com/biography.html

Igor Iwanek discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

NaRon D. Tillman is Pastor and Musical Director of St. Phillips Christian Church (DOC) in Brooklyn, New York. He is a faith, leadership and wellness coach, and a serial entrepreneur since age 19. His community work takes him from boardrooms and investor meetings to at-risk schools, shelters, senior centers and more. A graduate of Drake Business School, where he received a diploma in Business Systems, Pastor Tillman helps churches develop financial independence, self-sustaining revenue and advocate for change. He is also the New York Leader of Urban Yogis, a Health and Wellness Training Program with yoga as the cornerstone. We spoke about the path that brought him to ministry, his pastoral philosophy and his work bringing yoga to underserved youth. Learn more about Rev. Tillman here: http://www.spccbrooklyn.org/our-pastor

Rev Naron Tillman discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Sandra McLanahan, MD, is a holistic physician with a private practice in rural Buckingham, Virginia. She was Director of Stress Management for the pioneering research team led by Dr. Dean Ornish, which proved that heart disease can be reversed by natural methods including a very low-fat diet, yoga, meditation/relaxation and social support. A graduate of Swarthmore College and Wayne State University Medical School, she has been associated with the late Swami Satchidananda and his Integral Yoga Institute since the early 1970s. She is the author or co-author of several books, including Surgery and Its Alternatives, Dr. Yoga: Yoga for Health, and The Healthy Vegetarian. We spoke about Swami Satchidananda, her own research and the studies she conducted with Dean Ornish and the evolution of modern yoga. Learn more about Dr. McLanahan here: http://www.healthinsightstoday.com/articles/v4i5/mclanahan_p1.html