Podcast 272: Tell Them That I Love Them with John Di Battista

John Di BattistaI had the pleasure of meeting John DiBattista at a weekend retreat that my good friend Larry Wilson was conducting.  I immediately was taken by John’s presence and his wonderful demeanor and gravitated toward wanting to get to know him better.   I received a call from him some months later as a result of our mutual friend recommending that John be interviewed for Inside Personal Growth.

John’s new book entitled ” Tell Them That I Love Them” is truly about an amazing personal spiritual experience that changed his life forever.  John believes that each of us has come into this world with a purpose, and that we were given the tools to fulfill that purpose.  We are created in God’s image as John states and gifted by our creator to represent him in some manner, small or great.

While on our life’s journey our true life’s purpose unfolds–the rebirthing process allows us to rediscover our individual purpose.  Our lives gets reoriented through the process of belief, faith, repentance, baptism and the receipt of the Holy Spirit as John states in his statement of philosophy in the book.

If you are interested in learning how the personal experience of John giving his life to Christ absolutely changed him forever,  and the message that Jesus told him to share with the world then I recommend that you listen to this amazing interview with author John DiBattista.  His encounter and epiphany as a result of an encounter with Jesus during an out of body experience is quite compelling and very heartfelt.  It does not matter what religion you embrace or how spiritual you are t
his story is for anyone who has a belief in a higher power.

Enjoy this wonderful interview with an inspiring and God centered author, who truly just wants to share a wonderful message “Tell Them That I Love Them”.

Podcast 270 : The Upgrade: How to Improve Your Life By Healing Others with Doug De Vito

 

Doug De VitoIn my interview with author Doug De Vito we discuss his new book entitled ” The Upgrade: How to Improve Your Life By Healing Others”  Doug started working with author and founder of “The Reconnection” Eric Pearl, and was probably the least likely candidate  to become involved in the work of “The Reconnection“.   Previous to getting engaged in this work Doug was an engineer with an MBA, but synchronistically brought both Doug and Eric together, and Doug has spend a good percentage of his time working with outside researchers to prove the work of “The Reconnections”.

So just what is reconnective healing work?  It is a new form of energy, light and information that is here on the planet for the first time. When the practitioner accesses that “energy” it helps a person move into a state where tremendous healing can occur. It is as if the frequencies help to connect the other person into a state where their “dis-ease” states and symptoms tend to fall away.  This new frequency has been measured, documented and validated by various respected research and scientific teams around the planet, and they are stating that it is quite different that anything we have had on the planet before now.  Reconnective Healing sessions are typically done “hands off” , with the practitioner normally working around someone eles’s body.  The practitioner then feels and observes various energetic sensations in and around that person’s field, and this somehow connects the person to a healing state within himself or herself.

If you would personally like to experience Reconnective Healing, Doug De Vito will be conducting a class to teach this process.  It will be held in San Diego at the Crowne Plaza San Diego April 15-17, 2011.
To sign up for this class please click here to be directed to the Reconnective Healing website to register.   I hope you enjoy this interview with author Doug De Vito.

Podcast 268: The Last Year of Your Life with Clint Arthur

 

Clint ArthurI was listening to an interview on Fox 5 San Diego with author Clint Arthur and was intrigued by his message about his new book “The Last Year of Your Life“.   Unlike many personal growth authors Clint’s approach to living your life is to look at life as if it is the “Last Year of Your Life”.  I can really appreciate this way of looking at life, for I believe we would all find new ways to live our lives if we knew this was our last year of life.

Clint’s book is designed as a workbook with lots of thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter.  They are designed to engage the reader in creating concrete results and question the things in life that are really important.  There is a chapter for each week of the year with very simple and easy to do exercises.  If the reader completes the whole 52 weeks the objective is that they will have completed some very deep personal reflection and discovery, thus transforming their life.  This can be some of the most difficult work, but the most rewarding.

I speak from experience, if one does the work and really applies themselves to any personal growth and transformational work they will see results.  The key here is to stick to the work and do the lessons.  I know that it is frequently tough, and life seems to get in the way but I encourage you to do the work first!!!.

In my interview with author Clint Arthur we discuss not only some of his personal life experiences, but we discuss some of the master teachers he has admired throughout his life and the important roles they played in shaping the person he has become today.
Clint has a quote in his book from the by the Buddha “All that we are is the result of what we have thought”  Just remember, put good thoughts in and get positive results out.

If you are looking for a book will become your 52 week guide then I would recommend that you pick up a copy of Clint Arthur’s book “The Last Year of Your Life“.  Please click here to be directed to Clint’s website for more information.

Podcast 265: Fried- Why You Burn Out and How to Revive with Joan Borysenko

 

Joan BorysenkoI know that many people go through times in their lives when they feel Fried, and burned out.  This is certainly not an uncommon feeling, especially when things have veered off course.  In my interview with author Joan Borysenko  about her new book entitled “Fried-Why You Burn Out and How to Revive“,  we discuss the challenges associated with these feelings and what one can do to revive.

As Joan states “Fried” may seem like an innocuous enough word since so many of us use it these days to describe our frenzied, speed-oriented, exhausted state of mind. But innocuous it is not.  Feeling fried is an alarm that life has veered off course.  It’s shorthand for losing our way individually and culturally in a world spinning so fast that it feels like we’re about to be launched into outer space.

In our interview together we discuss the work of author and psychologist Herbert Freudenberger who first popularized the condition in his book “Burnout: The Hight Cost of High Achievement“.  As Joan discribes in her book, and atributes to the work of Freudenberger ” Falling short of your ideal in a way–perceiving a gap between what you think is require of you and the reality of what you can produce can be disheartening to the point where your entire sense of self crumbles.

Joan certainly know the challenges of burn out herself, having gone through it several times and reverting to using antidepressants to combat the overwhelming feeling of depression. She soon learned that the use of drugs to treat the condition was only temporary and was not a permanent solution to the things she needed to change in her life to sustain a life of balance and harmony.   As Joan states knowing what to limit in your life and what to seek more of isn’t always easy to figure out, let alone implement.
Joan also reveals that burnout can have its roots in childhood, and the seeds germinate many years later and can be carried into adulthood.  They grow in emotional soil polluted by helplessness that was deeply rooted in the nervous system during childhood.  Given the right conditions–a bad economy, a mismatch of values at work, frequent rejection, and abusive or loveless relationship, those seeds of burnout and depression often germinate many years later.

If you are interested in learning more about burn out and want to know more about how to cope with it, then I highly recommend that you read Joan’s new book “Fried-Why You Burn Out and How to Revive“.  You can learn more about Joan’s book and become involved in her community of Facebook followers sharing their experiences by clicking here to be directed to her Facebook page.

Enjoy this great interview with a wonderful author and friend.

Podcast 264: Loyalty To Your Soul with Ron and Mary Hulnick

Ron and Mary HulnickI had the distinct honor to interview two spiritual teachers of mine  who have had a significant impact on transforming my life for the positive, and countless thousands of other University of Santa Monica graduate students in the study of Spiritual Psychology.

In my interview with authors Ron and Mary Hulnick we get the opportunity to discuss their new Hay House book entitled ” Loyalty To Your Soul-The Heart of Spiritual Psychology“.   This book at it’s essence distills the teachings of the Spiritual Psychology, a two year graduate course and it does an amazing job of covering so many of the valuable lessons of the course.

There are 22 Principals of Spiritual Psychology covered in the book, and while Ron, Mary and I only have time to cover a few you will certainly want to purchase a copy of the book so that you can learn more, believe me it is well worth you investment of money and time.

A key point of the Spiritual Psychology course is something that Ron and Mary call your “Learning Orientation to Life“.   Most people in life are on the “goal line” of life.  Acquiring more things in the physical world reality, home, cars, more money etc.  While this is part of our physical world reality, it is not the most important.  We will soon get tired of just seeking the next new thing in life, and ultimately it will not fulfill our soul.  On the other hand if our orientation to life is on the learning line, we are focused on our spiritual evolution.

Ron and Mary state in Principle #5 ” Physical-world reality exists for the purpose of spiritual evolution.  If you understand this point, it changes your life perspective and will have major positive implications for your lifetime. Wins on the Goal Line stay here, while wins on the Learning Line go with you.  It’s the Learning Line that leads Home to God where progress is spiritual evolution is made.

Mary and I discuss that consciousness functions on three levels, physical, mental and emotional.  On each of these levels we have either positive or negative experiences.  As we grow in our consciousness evolution we seek to ascend to what is referred to as our Authentic Self Level.   At this level of understanding and peace is where we know Unconditional Love.

Your Authentic Self knows the curriculum you have come here to learn. It knows what ego work you’re here to complete.  It also knows that until your ego work is done, your spiritual agenda in the physical world will serve you by continually providing experiences that will tend to trigger your unresolved issues.  These experiences are actually spiritual opportunities to learn, grow and complete what must be done.  The Authentic Self cooperates with this structure, for it knows what it’s here to do and how this physical form supports it spiritual progression.
If you are at all interested in exploring your personal spiritual growth, and want a book that will provide you with so many of the answers you have probably been seeking then I highly recommend Ron and Mary’s Hulnick’s new book ” Loyalty To Your Soul”.  You can also visit the books website by clicking here, or you can learn more about the Spiritual Psychology Master’s program by clicking here to be directed to the USM website.

Please enjoy this wonderful interview with two of the most amazing spiritual teacher I have ever encountered.

Podcast 260: The Power and the Pain: Transforming Spiritual Hardship into Joy with Andrew Holecek

Andrew HolecekA good friend recently recommended that I interview Andrew Holecek, and I am certainly glad that I did.  Andrew’s new book entitled “The Power and the Pain: Transforming Spiritual Hardship into Joy” is a gift to all that read it.

In his book, Andrew directs or attention to the two key points of the Buddhist spiritual journey: suffering and the obstacles and opportunities that suffering presents us with as we try to understand and transcend it.  Essentially, it is a book about the hardships of the journey that sometime takes us by surprise, and wear us down, or even discourage us from continuing. We all have been in this position, and sometimes it seems like we will never emerge from the hardship.  But somehow with persistence and belief, we do.

In my interview with Andrew we discuss the the Four Nobel Truths that are articulated so clearly in the Buddhist philosophy: 1) Life means suffering 2) The origin of suffering is attachment 3) The cessation of suffering is attainable  4) The path to the cessation of suffering.

If you understand these basic truths, then you will understand that we are all going to suffer and that much of our personal suffering is due to our attachment to the material world and our beliefs about it.  What is clearly available to us, but frequently we are blinded to the truth is that their is a path to the cessation of suffering.

The Buddha summarized them thus: ” I teach one thing and one thing only: suffering and the end of suffering.” Suffering is not only the overt hardship of things like disease and disaster but also the everyday experiences of dissatisfaction, anxiety, and unhappiness.  If we simply open our eyes and acknowledge what we see and feel, we will discover the truth of suffering in its many guises.
If you are interested in reading a wonderfully well written book on the philosophy and paths to the end of suffering, then Andrew’s new book “The Power and the Pain” is a wonderful read.  The depth of his work is transformational as well as easy to read and understand.  If you would like more information about Andrew and his work, please visit his website by clicking here.  Please enjoy this wonderful interview with a great author.

Podcast 257: The 12 Step Buddhist with Darren Littlejohn

Darren LittlejohnIn my recent interview with Darren LittleJohn the author of “The 12 Step Buddhist” we speak about his personal bouts with addiction as well as how he has learned to cope by utilizing his practices in the Buddhist philosophy.

Darren’s program is designed to augment the AA program, but is not intended to replace AA.  His states that Buddhism isn’t a substitute for the 12 Steps.   I don’t care how devout you are, whether your’ve meditated with the Dali Lama or had an audience with the pope states Darren.   The book is his personal story, his critical analysis of treatment methods, and practical advice on how to integrate Buddhism with a 12-Step recovery program.

In our interview together Darren addresses the Buddhist concept of attachment.  We’re all attached to something else: concepts. Our concepts form our identities, our selective, distorted memories, personalities, goals, dreams, complaints, and fears. And we love to have them.  When we look at attachment from this angle, it’s obvious that we’re addicted to our thoughts.  We’re willing to go to the mat for our right to believe them, especially the ones that we think define who we are.

The bigger questions we should really ask from a Buddhist perspective is ” Who are we?”  When an addict ( or anyone for that matter) asks this question, he or she can really understand at a very deep level this concept of  attachement. At this level of awareness we understand we are spiritual beings having a human experience, allowing us to let go of many of the addictions and attachements and this can be our awakening to a new life of sobriety.

If you are dealing with addiction and are looking to find alternative methods to supplement your current treatment program, then I would recommend reading Darren’s book “The 12-Step Buddhist“.  Darrens’ book is a great guide to alternative practices such as meditation which can really have an effect on both the physical and spiritual aspects of addiction.
Please visit Darren’s website by clicking here for more information as well as informative video of Darren speaking about the practices of Buddhism and their positive effects on addiction.

Podcast 256: 52 Ways to a Happier Life with Jim Donovan

Jim DonovanI always enjoy my interviews with the Tremendous Life Book authors, and Jim Donovan was no exception.  His new book entitled “52 Ways to a Happier Life” is filled with great advice and wisdom.

I found author Jim Donovan to be with one of the most authentic people I have spoken with in quite sometime.  His authenticity and “realness’ just exude during our to dialogue together.  Jim is the real deal. He had a very challenging young adulthood which helped to shape him into the person he is today.   His new book “52 Ways to a Happier Life” is a short read, but filled with practical and applicable suggestions to really live the life you were born to live.

How many of us remember to congratulate ourselves?  Sounds simple doesn’t it, but how many of us really take the time to acknowledge our accomplishment daily.  I bet not many of us.  The question we should be asking is why not?  Why don’t we take the time to acknowledge our accomplishments?  It is usually because our EGO is to busy telling us that we could do more, be more and have more so we just don’t have the time because of our busyness and focus on the material world.  Jim’s advice would be to quiet the inner critic and take the time to go inside and reconnect at a soul level. I know we  will be happier if we completed this act of self-kindness.

Jim dedicates several chapters to the importance of goal setting and planning.  He cites a statistic which thought was just astounding,  that over 97% of the worlds population does not take the time to write and set goals for themselves.  I had not idea that the numbers were so high.

So just what does goal setting do for you?  It provides one with a direction, a purpose and an opportunity to explore their personal passion.  Once you ignite this spark within the skys the limit.  It is really not so important if you don’t reach the goal, but it is important to put them in your subconscious and written goals are good reinforcing the subconscious.

I know you are going to love this book, and the wise advice from a man who walks his talk.  Please listen to this great podcast, for it is a wonderful way to start your New Year.  I also recommend that you visit Jim’s website and listen and watch his videos, you will be glad that you did.  Practical advice from a practical author and wise person.
Please click here to be directed to his website, and to purchase a copy of the book click here.

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