The Spiritual Forum

Episode 192 - Postcards from a Loving God

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In this episode we traverse the life of poet and memoirist Hope Andersen as she shares herself and her delightful poetry from her book, Postcards from a Loving God, which explores relationships with Nature, family and God. Her rich imagery and strong, feminine voice allow the reader to enter into the mysteries and wonder of every day life. Each of her poems is a snapshot of some intimate, spiritual moment. Hope shares her experiences with writing, recovery and medical challenges, all which brought her to a surrendered state. Here are some of the topics we discuss:
·       Finding your own voice
·       The importance of self-care
·       “I don’t mind what happens”
·       The attitude of “run along and play”
·       Living an impossibly wonderful life
·       The process of writing poetry
Hope reads five of her poems in this episode They are (with approximate timestamps):
“Ooh Ah Point” at 27:46
“Another Chance” at 46:00
“All There Is” at 47:00
“Heart Over Head” at 51:06
“The Conversation” at 56:51
Book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Postcards-Loving-God-Hope-Andersen/dp/1954614918

Episode 190 - When You’re Falling, Dive!

Why do some people blossom through adversity and others fall apart? Drawing on 20 years of experience and using real life stories of survivors (from loss, accidents, abduction, slavery, illness, incest, and more) acclaimed memoirist Mark Matousek gives a comprehensive look at the power of drawing passion, beauty and wisdom from the most unlikely places. Mark is a bestselling author of seven books, a teacher, and speaker. His work focuses on personal awakening and creative excellence through transformational writing and self-inquiry. In this episode we focus on his most recent book, When You’re Falling, Dive, which shows how disasters can be used to awaken and transform us. Some highlights include:
• The willingness to move toward the unknown
• Thriving beyond surviving
• The role of curiosity and gratitude in transcending adversity
• How grief can become an ally
• Mark’s writing workshops
• The Work of Byron Katie
• Appreciation of Mystery
https://markmatousek.com/
https://www.amazon.com/When-Youre-Falling-Dive-Lessons/dp/159691369X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=19W4F2PEA18QI&keywords=when+you%27re+falling+dive+by+mark+matousek&qid=1672344988&s=books&sprefix=when+you%27re+falling+dive+by+mark+matousek%2Cstripbooks%2C131&sr=1-2
©️ the spiritual forum 2023

Revisiting the Alchemist

Over two years ago, I interviewed Colm Holland, publisher of the worldwide bestseller, The Alchemist, and author of The Secret of the Alchemist. I thought the message of alchemy and the hero's journey would be a good one to revisit as we approach the New Year. Alchemy is transmutation - a transformation that has some definitive finality to it. It is metaphorically turning iron to gold, or a lower state of consiousness to a higher state. When we alchemize, we don't have to repeat our healing practices over and over again. We essentially manifest a higher consciousness. In this episode Colm Holland shares his personal alchemy story, the story of Santiago's journey in The Alchemist, and the three stages of alchemy on the spiritual path.
https://www.colmholland.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Alchemist-Uncovering-Coelhos-Bestselling/dp/1789044340

Episode 189 - Christmas/Holiday Miracles

Katie Mahon and Joan Hill are Miracle Collectors. Both these extraordinary women experienced profound miracles in their lives, which set them in pursuit of the miracle stories of other people. This collection is featured in their book, The Miracle Collectors - Uncovering Stories of Wonder, Joy and Mystery. Katie and Joan were guests on The Spiritual Forum podcast in July of 2021 (Episodes 144 & 145) and Rev. Carol brought them back to share inspiring miracle stories around the holiday season. Miracles inspire hope and hold the possibility of transcending divisions because they connect us at the soul level. In this episode we share several heartening Christmas/holiday miracle stories and discuss the common themes. Among them are:
We are all have the opportunity to be miracles for others
The Christmas/holiday season is a time to give all that we have
Miracles can be large or small - we tend to discount them if they are small
It takes a 'looking out the window' attitude to step into the opportunities that life presents us
Introverted or extraverted, we need to get out of our boxes and into the world
It's important to receive/accepte help whether we are comfortable or not
Seeing another person is a gift; everyone wants to be seen
We may never know the impact we have on people
Christmas is a time of Hope and Love. We hope this podcast warms your heart and inspires your holiday season.
"Our lives are lived in the quiet corners of the ordinary. We build tiny hearth fires, sometimes barely strong enough to give off warmth. But to the person lost in the darkness, our tiny flame may be the road to safety, the path to salvation." Kent Nerburn
Website: https://www.themiraclecollectors.com/

Episode 188 - Dating the Aphrodite Way

As an independent thinker from a very young age, Charlotte Cressey is currently on a quest to manifest a paradigm shift for humanity in the department of love. Growing up and through her educational pursuits, she was exposed to the theories of feminism, but ultimately concluded that she needed to develop her own theory. Her forthcoming book, Like a Virgin: Dating the Aphrodite Way, distills her research of 20+ years on this topic and shifts the dating paradigm to one based on shared power between men and women, which honors the body, self, soul and divine. Among the many topics we discuss in this episode are:
• Why she chose Aphrodite as the archetype for women in relationship/dating
• The sanctity of our bodies and the need to focus our energy beyond pursuit of the perfect mate
• The spiritual consequences of today’s hook-up culture and transactional relationships
• The strength in waiting and choosing
• Clearing out old beliefs about men, women, courtship and marriage
• Creation versus competition
Charlotte is a life-long animal activist and holds a Master’s Degree in Women’s Spirituality and a Bachelor’s Degree in Women’s Studies. She currently coaches people on Dating the Aphrodite Way and is offering an online course in 2023.
Sign up for Charlotte's online courses, enroll in one-on-one work to manifest your Legendary Love, or receive updates on her book release: DatingTheAphroditeWay.com. To sign up for The Vegan Paradigm Shift teachings, go here: TheVeganParadigmShift.com
Charlotte's recommended further reading and courses:
Courtship:
Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, The Rules
The original "Fascinating Womanhood or The Art of Attracting Men" consists of eight booklets published by The Psychology Press in 1922. Some volumes of the book series are accessible for free on GoogleBooks and, at times, available for sale elsewhere. This 1922 version is the best version of Fascinating Womanhood by Cressey's standards.
Helen Andelin, Fascinating Womanhood: How the Ideal Woman Awakens a Man's Deepest Love and Tenderness
Dixie Andelin Forsyth, Fascinating Womanhood for the Timeless Woman
Alena Kate Pettitt, Ladies Like Us, English Etiquette
https://www.thedarlingacademy.com/
Epstein/ Moore, The Technique of the Love Affair
Women's Spirituality:
The Queen Teachings with Ava Park
Sign up to learn more by contacting Ava at Ava@MuseumofWoman.us
Ava's Queen Coach Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBu925ZjMdM
Anne Baring and Jules Cashford, The Myth of the Goddess: Evolution of an Image
Barbara G. Walker, The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets
Patricia Monaghan, Encyclopedia of Goddesses and Heroines
Riane Eisler, Sacred Pleasure

Episode 187 - The Search for Meaning

After the tragic death of his father, Miguel Candelas lost the meaning of life and spent the following two and a half years traveling around the world non-stop looking for it. On a journey of discovery, he spent time with Buddhist monks in India and Burma, lived with shamans in Bolivia & Peru, found healers in Madagascar, Brazil & Indonesia and lived with interesting communities all over the world. Ultimately, he found answers to his philosophical questions – “Who am I?” “Who are we?" nd “Why are we here?” In this episode, Miguel shares his inner journey through shame and guilt, his outer journey of connection with humanity, and the discoveries which ultimately led him to leave his United Nations job and become a personal coach. Miguel holds three masters degrees, is fluent in seven languages, and is currently writing a book to catalogue his life lessons.
Website: https://www.migcandelas.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miguellifecoaching
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-life-coaching/

Episode 186 - Befriending the Darkness

Deborah Eden Tull is a dharma teacher, spiritual activist, author, and sustainability educator who has taught engaged meditation for over 20 years. She trained for seven and a half years as a Buddhist monk at a silent Zen monastery and has lived in sustainable communities as an organic gardener & farmer for decades. Eden has authored three books, most recently Luminous Darkness – An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown. Darkness has long been associated with evil and/or the absence of light. But it is also the field of possibility, the domain of dreaming and the place from which all creativity arises. But we are taught to avoid our personal underworlds and focus on light. In this episode Eden shares how the darkness has been her teacher throughout her life. She also discusses:
• The overlighting of the planet
• The need for shared power (power with versus power over)
• Navigating the uncertainty of being human
• Practicing endarkment alongside enlightenment
• Celebrating the Yin aspect of being
• Why so many of us “sunshine” and/or spiritually bypass
https://www.deborahedentull.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Luminous-Darkness-Buddhist-Approach-Embracing/dp/1645470776

Episode 185 - The Black Vegan Experience

With over 20 years of teaching, mentoring, tutoring, and counseling experience, Vonettia Calloway is committed to empowering children and adults. As a woman of great faith, she was given the vision to co-create The Black Vegan Experience. The Black Vegan Experience is a multicultural educational conference, celebration of African-American ancestry, and networking event where Black professionals and practitioners address the medical concerns in the Black community and remove the stereotypes attached to veganism and Black culture. It takes place quarterly in different US cities and is funded by The Committee of Consciousness, also founded by Vonettia. Vonettia is a wonderful example of Love in action on the planet. In this episode we learn about Vonettia’s inspiring faith-based and gratitude-centered life, the biblical roots of veganism, and how her vision is unfolding. We also mention the documentary, They’re Trying to Kill Us, in relation to food deserts and the disproportionately high rate of chronic disease within the Americans of Color communities.
theblackveganexperience.com
committeeofconsciousness.org
https://www.theyretryingtokillus.com/