Spirit Matters Talk

Deepak Chopra Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Francis Bennett is a former Trappist monk and hospice chaplain. His beliefs evolved to a more inclusive mystical, non-dogmatic approach when, in 2010, while in the middle of mass, he experienced “a radical perceptual shift in consciousness,” illuminating the awareness that the presence of God is at the heart of everything. His vision is informed by his love of the Christian mystics and is deepened by what he has learned from intensive work with Buddhist teachers. Francis now devotes shares his message with those interested in integrating spirituality into everyday life, offering events and retreats in the US and Europe. We spoke about his transformative awakening, his unique path and his current work. Learn more about Francis Bennett here:www.findinggraceatthecenter.com

Francis Bennett 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 The Law of Divine Compensation, Everyday Grace, Healing the Soul of America, and A Year of Miracles. 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 she is our first repeat guest on Spirit Matters. This conversation focused on her new book, Tears to Triumph: The Spiritual Journey from Suffering to Enlightenment. Learn more about Marianne Williamson here: www.marianne.com

Marianne Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

John Andrews is a physician, trained in the US and UK, who specialized in internal medicine before studying meeting the spiritual teacher Osho (formerly Bhagvan Shree Rajneesh) and exploring meditation as a basis for holistic approaches to well-being. He was Osho's personal physician, taking care of his body for many years including his final days. He currently gives courses on meditation at the OSHO International Meditation Resort in Pune, India, one of the world's largest personal growth and meditation centers. We spoke about his unique background; Osho's teaching methods and personality, and the growing acceptance of meditation by the scientific community and the general public. Learn more about Osho here: http://www.osho.com/

John Andrews Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Larry Dossey, M.D., is a former physician of internal medicine and former Chief of Staff of Medical City Dallas Hospital. Dr. Dossey is the author of 12 books dealing with consciousness, spirituality, and healing, including the New York Times bestseller Healing Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine, and most recently One Mind: How Our Mind is Part of a Greater Consciousness and Why it Matters. His books have been translated into 30 languages. He lectures at medical schools, hospitals and other venues throughout the United States and abroad, served as co-chairman of the Panel on Mind/Body Interventions at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health, and is the executive editor of the peer-reviewed journal Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing. We spoke about his fascinating journey from mainstream medicine to spirituality, the compelling research on nonlocal consciousness and many other topics. Learn more about Larry Dossey here: http

Larry Dossey Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Jane Wolf Waterman is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Los Angeles. She is the author of Oh My God! We’re Parenting Our Parents: How to Transform this Remarkable Challenge into a Journey of Love. Drawing on her personal experience with her own parents, her expertise as a psychotherapist and her previous background as a lawyer and social activist, she has created a specialized coaching program with certified POP Family Coaches nationwide to help families. We spoke about the spiritual underpinnings of her approach to families facing the final stage of a loved one’s life and practical advice for those in that position. Learn more about Jane Wolf Waterman here: http://www.parentingourparents.org/about-jane/

Jane Wolf Waterman Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Debashish Banerji is the Haridas Chaudhuri Professor of South Asian Philosophy and Culture and the Doshi Professor of Asian Art at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Prior to this, he taught at the University of Philosophical Research, Pasadena City College, UCLA and the University of California, Irvine. An expert on Sri Aurobindo and art history, he has curated a number of exhibitions of Indian and Japanese art and is also Executive Director of Nalanda International. He has edited a book on the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore and is the author of two books: The Alternate Nation of Abanindranath Tagore and Seven Quartets of Becoming: A Transformational Yoga Psychology Based on the Diaries of Sri Aurobindo. We spoke about the life and work of Sri Aurobindo, the uses of Indian sacred art and other matters. Learn more about Debashish Banerji here: http://debashishbanerji.com/

Debashish Banerji Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Radhanath Swami is a Vaishnava sanyassin (a monk in a Krishna-bhakti lineage) and a teacher of the devotional path of Bhakti-yoga. His popular memoir, The Journey Home, traces his search for spiritual truth from teenage alienation in Chicago to Europe, the Middle East and finally India, where he discovered his path and met his guru, Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Today, he resides mainly at his spiritual community in Mumbai and teaches throughout India, Europe and North America. He also directs acclaimed social action projects, including Midday Meals, which daily serves more than 260,000 needy children, as well as hospitals, eco-friendly farms, schools and ashrams, and other projects. We spoke of his remarkable journey, his service work, his new book, The Journey Within, and the nuances of the bhakti path. Learn more about Radhanath Swami here: http://www.radhanathswami.com/.

Radhanath Swami Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Paul John Roach is a native of Wales, UK. He has BA and MA degrees in English from Oxford University and a postgraduate degree in Education from the University of Wales. He has been the minister at Unity of Fort Worth since his 1988 ordination from Unity Ministerial School in Kansas City, Missouri. The host of a weekly radio show, World Spirituality, on the Unity.fm internet radio network, Paul has written booklets on practical spirituality and articles for Unity Magazine, and he is currently writing a book on the unity in world religions. He also serves on the board of Unity World Headquarters. We spoke about Paul’s spiritual path, the basic principles of the Unity churches, and what he’s learned as a minister and radio host.

Paul Roach Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Robert A. Jonas, M.T.S., Ed.D., is the founder and director of The Empty Bell, a contemplative sanctuary in Northampton, MA, with a special emphasis on the Buddhist-Christian dialogue and the arts. An author, musician and retreat leader, Dr. Jonas is a Carmelite Christian who has also received spiritual formation with Buddhist teachers. He is a member of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies, on the Board of the Henri Nouwen Society, and co-founder of Project Noah, which connects people of faith to wilderness protection. He is the author of many books and articles and plays the Japanese bamboo flute (shakuhachi) in sacred contexts. We spoke about how Buddhism has informed his Christianity, his work at The Empty Bell and how tragedy can contribute to spiritual growth. Learn more about Robert Jonas here: http://www.emptybell.org/bio.html

Robert Jonas Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Bob Roth is the Executive Director of the David Lynch Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity which has brought meditation to over 500,000 inner-city youth in underserved schools in 35 countries, to veterans and their families who suffer from post-traumatic stress, and women and children who are survivors of domestic violence. A teacher of Transcendental Meditation for over 40 years, he also directs the Center for Leadership Performance, a nonprofit that brings meditation to Fortune 100 companies, government organizations, and charities. Bob is the host of the SiriusXM radio show "Success Without Stress," and has spoken to industry leaders at Google Zeitgeist, Aspen Ideas Festival and Wisdom2.0. We spoke about his long history of teaching meditation, the work of the Lynch Foundation and the satisfaction of teaching at-risk populations. Learn more about Bob Roth here: https://www.davidlynchfoundation.org/staff.html