Podcast 254: Epiphany: True Stories of Sudden Insight to Inspire, Encourage, and Transform with Elise Ballard

Elise BallardI recently had the pleasure of interviewing Elise Ballard the author of a new book entitled “Epiphany: True Stories of Sudden Insight to Inspire, Encourage and Transform“.  I believe that all of us have had an epiphany in our life at one time or another, the question is have we had the courage to tell someone about our epiphany?

So what is the definition of  epiphany: ” a moment of great sudden revelation; an intuitive grasp of reality through something usually simple and striking; an illuminating discovery, realization or disclosure”.  Elise emphasizes that our epiphanies change not just us, but others in our lives and frequently the world.

In her new book Elise interviews over 50 well noted actors, and leaders in her attempt to explore how their personal epiphanies changed their lives.  These stories are truly moving, and provide the reader with a sense of just how powerful their epiphanies were in changing their lives.

Elise discovered some commonalities about epiphanies–Listening:Whether they were calmly contemplating the sky, meditating or praying, clinging to hope in a crisis, desperate to heal or searching for an answer, people were listening or paying attention to signs and what was going on around them. Belief: Whenever people have an epiphany, they never doubted for an instant whatever happened for them was real.  They had absolute faith and trust in the experience. Action: Every single person who epiphany positively changed his or her life took action. Serendipity:   After people began to take action on their epiphanies, circumstances seemed to fall into place so that they could take the next steps.

So I had to ask Elise if she believed epiphanies were a spiritual occurrence, and were the people she interviewed involved in some practices that would help to create the epiphany experience.  While she would not confirm my ideas about the spiritual connection of epiphanies, she certainly did not deny it.  She did note that many of our epiphanies can occur during times of extreme stress or challenges in our lives, as if a higher power was providing us with guidance and direction.
Whatever your personal belief is about epiphanies, I would highly recommend that you read Elise Ballard’s new book “Epiphany: True Stories of Sudden Insight to Inspire, Encourage, and Transform“.  I would also encourage you to visit Elise’s website by clicking here, it is a wonderful website and she provides you an opportunity to record your epiphany as well as watch many video interviews she conducted with the people profiled in her book.  Enjoy this wonderful interview with someone who had dedicated their live to exploring and understanding our epiphanies in life.

Podcast 253: How to Thrive in Changing Times with Sandra Ingerman

Sandra IngermanThis is my second interview with Sandra Ingerman, and during this podcast we will speak about her book entitled “How to Thrive in Changing Times“.  We have all experienced challenges in our life at one point or another, and Sandra provides some simple tools to create true health, wealth, peace and joy.  This is certainly something we call all use a dose of as we bring in this New Year.

I know that everyone has heard this before, and Sandra makes a point to remind us.  One has to do with how our thoughts and words create the world we live in, and the other has to do with what we now know through science about how we can change our thought patterns.

As we navigate through 2011  I don’t think that their could be anything more important that re-framing how we speak to ourselves and to others.  Sandra is right on with her wisdom and advice in that this simple behavior shapes our world.  Just set your intentions to be more positive, and to give  yourself more self-love.   In most spiritual practices there is the teaching of as above, so below; as within, so without.  What we see in our outer world is merely a reflection of our inner state of consciousness.

Sandra asks the question in her book “How to Thrive in Changing Times”, “Are we holding on to the vision that we would like to see for our descendants and ourselves?  I would encourage you to ask this questions as you enter this New Year.   As we take a deep look inside, and do the spiritual work to transform ourselves and the world around us, we must work from the inside out states Sandra.  Too many of us only focus on the outer world. When we only focus on what is happening in the outer world, we start to feel like we are on a roller coster ride.  This yo-yoing can go on and on unless we come to the realization that our happiness, peace and joy and wealth lie within.

 

Sandra has a simple diagram in her book which is great.  New thoughts–New Behaviors–New Outcomes–New Thoughts.  So my recommendation as you enter this New Year is to listen to this great podcast with Sandra Ingerman as well as read this simple but wise book “How to Thrive in Changing Times.  If you would like more information about Sandra please click here to be directed to her website.  Enjoy your New Year, and set your intentions to re-frame your self-talk, and how you speak to others.

Podcast 250: Wisdom Films-Alchemy for the Soul, and The Beauty of Being with Gary Malkin

Gary MalkinI have had the honor of knowing Gary Malkin for a number of years.   I was originally introduced to his beautiful work through my son Sean.  Eight years ago when my son was diagnosed with Leukemia, Christmas morning under our tree was an amazing gift from Sean.

The gift was music to the spoken word, produced by Gary Malkin entitled “Graceful Passages“.  If you are not familiar with this particular CD series, I can not speak enough about the moving, touching and transformational work that Gary created. It will touch your soul like nothing else, I listened to these passages over and over again and again until they were etched in my being.

In my interview with Gary for this podcast we speak about his new Wisdom Films creation “Alchemy for the Soul and Beauty of Being“.  What Gary has created utilizing much of his work from Graceful Passages is a magnificent work of artistry and cinematography for you listening and viewing experience…and an amazing experience.

We all live in a very fast paced world, filled with constant change and lots of challenges.  I personally know that I like to take a break from what seems like a non stop lifestyle and practice my morning meditation.  It is this practice that ground me and prepares me for my day.

If you would like to experience a calming, peaceful, pleasant experience then I recommend that you play one of the passages from “Alchemy for the Soul or “The Beauty of Being“, as Gary states it is “inner-taniment” The films provide a unique opportunity to cultivate the “witness within”-that quiet inner-knowing-which can help us to experience equanimity in the midst of any storm. This state, know as “The Relaxation Response”, enhances your overall health while strengthening your capacity for compassion and inner peace.  When you’ve cultivated these qualities, you become a part of the fabric of the world’s solutions, rather than its problems.  This ‘witness within’ experience-over time-can help you, as Gandhi once said ” to become the change you wish to see in the world”.
If you want to treat yourself to a wonderfully calming, peaceful and transformational experience then get a copy of the two (2) set DVD from Wisdom Films.  If you would like more information about the product the Wisdom Films offers, please click here to be directed to their website.  Please enjoy this wonderful interview with a very compassionate artist and author…Gary Malkin.

Podcast 249: Lifting the Veil of Duality with Andreas Moritz

Andreas MoritzI recently conducted an interview with Andreas Moritz about his book entitled “Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation, and was so impressed with his other books, and we decided to do another podcast.

In my interview with Andreas we discuss his new book entitled ” Lifting the Veil of Duality“. This topic is certainly something that will be debated, and probably misunderstood but Andreas sheds light on this subject and makes it very easy for us to understand.

As Andreas states in the books “We are all on the same journey of discovery, searching for that special place, the Divine Moment (known as the state of grace) where judgment has no value or meaning, where we are free of fear and resistance, beyond desire and its fulfillment. It is a quiet place: a unified state of silence where opposites meet and merge their differences. Untouched by the turbulence of thoughts and activity, it is here that you can truly be who you are, and be Love. The Divine Moment, which is a field of all possibilities, is not held back by the past and it is not plotted into the future. It is free and ever-present, at each segment of time. In this sacred place, you are at peace with yourself and at peace with your world. The very moment you enter the state of grace, (a state of non-separation) you are complete.

In my interview with Andreas we discuss this concept of separation, and how important understand the role it plays in making our world so disjointed.  It is the concept of separation that leads us to judgment which in turn leads to feeling so anger, resentment and hostility.  All of these emotions leading to a never ending state of dis-ease, which leads to disharmony and illness.

In your truest essence, you are beyond all the images and beliefs of the mind. Now the time has come to honor, respect, and accept the opposing aspects of life, enter a state of willing acceptance and take your first steps into the field of non-judgment where freedom dawns, the freedom to be yourself with all your power and glory.

If you would like to be released from judgement and understand how your mind assists you in creating this endless separation and the duality that we live in, then please read Andreas Moritz new book ” Lifting the Veil of Duality“.  It is possible to live in a state of bliss, happiness, joy and acceptance.  Andreas will assist you in learning how to let go, and become one with all living beings.  For more information please visit Andrea’s website by clicking here.
Enjoy this great interview with a wonderfully wise author and counselor–Andreas Moritz.

Podcast 248: Gifts From A Course in Miracles with Roger Walsh

Roger Walsh M.D.I just love conducting interviews with Roger Walsh.  This is my third interview with Roger, and certainly will not be my last.  Every time we speak I am inspired, and encouraged to look at the world in a new way.  This is gift that Roger posses, and if you listen carefully you will hear exactly what you need hear about transforming your own life.

In our interview we discuss his book entitled “Gifts from A Course in Miracles” we explore the gifts that the Course in Miracles has given its students.  As Marianne Williamson states in the forward ” Just as there are stars and then superstars, there are books and then Great Books.  Within the Great book category, there are THE BOOKS, the great spiritual source materials which contain the words that reveal the highest truths.  They are the Bible, the Koran, the Talmud, and the I Ching, and others.  For many of us, A Course in Miracles is one of these.  It opens the heart to healing and hope, enlightenment and love.”

As Roger states in “Gifts from A Course in Miracles“.  “There has never been a time in history when the need for peace was greater. Every year new wars erupt and a trillion dollars are spent on weapons, while millions of people remain hungry, helpless, and homeless.  Yet, it is not that we are any more agressive than our predecessors.  Indeed, at this very moment millions of people are devoting their lives to calming hostilities, redressing injustices, and helping the poor and deprived.

If you are searching for a way to understand the injustices of the world, and find more peace, love and compassion in your own life then “Gifts from A Course in Miracles” just might be what you are looking for.  “Enlightenment is bout a recognition, not a change at all.”  A Course in Miracles offers a path of awakening.  Like other paths, the Course suggests that our usual perceptions, awareness and sense of identity are clouded and distorted.  It therefore offers us a means of correcting these distortions so that we may see ourselves and the world more clearly.   This transformation of perception is what the Course means by a “Miracle”.
Why not have some miracles in your life…listen to my interview with Roger Walsh and you will be on your way.  If you would like more information about the Course in Miracles please click here to be directed to Roger’s website.

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