The Spiritual Forum

Episode 152 - Spirituality and Medicine: A Holistic Approach

In this episode, Rev. Carol speaks with retired pediatric surgeon and spiritual author, Dr. Ivan Figueroa Otero. At age 61, Dr. Figueroa Otero made a significant career change and is now certified nationally in medical acupuncture. With his current patients, he takes a holistic approach to disease emphasizing prevention and modification of lifestyles. We traverse a lot of ground in this conversation including the contrast between western and eastern medicine, holistic healing, forgiveness, the current state of health in the world, and Dr. Otero’s School of Life trilogy. His recently published fourth book, Reflections in My Magical Mirror (Spirituality 104), encourages readers to remember that every difficult experience is a lesson of love.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/spiritualityandmedicine
For more information:
The Holographic Origin of Disease
https://www.ivanfigueroaoteromd.com/
https://ifigueroa.allauthor.com/.
Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/ivan.figueroaotero
https://twitter.com/figueroaOteroMD
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-figueroa-otero-0a518026/

Episode 151: A Soldier’s Journey from War to Peace

The transformation from trained killer to Zen teacher, monk, and peace activist is the story of Claude Ashin Thomas's life, which he rawly tells in his memoir, "At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace". In this episode, Rev. Carol converses with Claude Anshin about war, suffering, awakening, and his road to peace. We learn about breaking the cycle of ancestral karma, the spiritual practice of living with suffering without being controlled by it, and how we are all responsible for the perpetuation of war. Claude Anshin Thomas's recently published second book, Bringing Meditation to Life, is a collection of 108 short Zen teachings.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/asoldiersjourneyfromwartopeace
Learn more at Zaltho Foundation: https://zaltho.org/

Episode 150 - Two Months, a Gringo, and a Third-world Country

It's rare to hear the kind of raw and vulnerable sharing expressed in this episode. Eric Reed made a trip to Guatemala to visit a friend, but it turned into an experience of the mystical and magical. Away from the constantly broadcast fears and narratives of the world and the chattering obligation of his mind, he found himself - led by Spirit - to a metaphysical school where he spent "two months going inward, digging in the shadows of my psyche, sending probes into my emotional body and finding the space and time to let free what has long been cast in shame and buried in busyness." There is a lot to ponder about life in this episode.

Episode 149 - A Conversation on Relationships: The Labyrinth of Love Part 2

In this episode, Rev. Carol goes deeper with Dr. Chelsea Wakefield. We learn about the six love capacities - Commitment, Courage, Curiosity, Communication, Compassion, and Creativity. This is the 'how to' core of creating empowering relationships, centered on honesty and real love. We are divinely designed to 'see' each other and grow with our partners. And every relationship can become a soul-mate partnership (assuming there is no abuse, pathology, or addiction present). This is good news! Of note, what Dr. Wakefield presents can be applied to our family and work relationships as well.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/labyrinthoflove2
https://www.chelseawakefield.com/

Episode 148 - A Conversation on Relationships: The Labyrinth of Love Part 1

In this episode, Rev. Carol engages with Dr. Chelsea Wakefield, Ph.D., LCSW, therapist, author, and relationship expert. Dr. Wakefield's most recent book, The Labyrinth of Love, supports people in growing and healing through their relationships. The spiritual path is the journey to wholeness. Through our relationships, if we are aware, we can see our projections and then do the inner work of growth and healing. Alternatively, we can stay mired in interlocking complexes and dissatisfaction. When we remove our projections from other people, we begin to see them for who they are, rather than for who we wish they were or want them to be. This is the process of creating a soul mate relationship. Dr. Wakefield discusses all this and more in this episode.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/labyrinthoflove
https://www.chelseawakefield.com/

Episode 147 - Animals and World Religions

In this episode, Rev. Carol has an engaging conversation with Dr. Lisa Kemmerer, professor of philosophy and religions. Dr. Kemmerer is also an award-winning author of nine books, including Eating Earth, Animals, and World Religions, and Sister Species, and she is known internationally for her work across overlapping concerns of justice. Her advocacy includes nonhuman animals, the environment, and disempowered human beings. Our conversation traverses the fundamental tenet of all world religions, what it means to be an activist (many of us already are), how to invite your spiritual community to engage in more compassionate practices, what intersectionality is all about, and the upcoming Spiritual Forum hosted Vegan Spirituality Forum and Retreat at Unity Village, Missouri.

Episode 146 - Mayan Wisdom

In this episode Rev Carol engages with Solveig Barrios, founder of the Mayan Wisdom Project. From Guatemala and born in a line of Mayan spiritual leaders, Solveig's whole life has been a journey of discovering the deep knowledge and wisdom of one of the most ancient and enlightened civilizations in the world. She founded the Mayan Wisdom Project to allow universal access to the incredible healing technologies known to the Mayans. Solveig shares with us an overview of Mayan Wisdom, its healing potential and how it fits into the events of the world today.
Website: https://www.mayanwisdomproject.com/

Episode 145 - Miracle Collectors Part 2

In this episode, Rev. Carol dives deeper with Katie Mahon and Joan Luise Hill on miracles. We go more deeply into the contents of their book, The Miracle Collectors - Uncovering Stories of Wonder, Joy and Mystery, and share favorite miracle stories. Many people think they don't experience miracles or that miracles have to be huge supernatural events. But life itself is a miracle when you open yourself to it, and miracles are available to all of us. This is hopeful news as we all do our best to navigate through challenging times.