Podcast 641: Writing as a Path to Awakening with Albert De Silver

I absolutely love how author Albert Flynn DeSilver approaches the topic of writing.  In his new book entitled ” Writing as a Path to Awakening,” Albert guides the reader through what can only be expressed as a spiritual experience.  If you have ever written a book, poetry or long-term paper you will agree that the process of writing can be an out of body experience.

The deeper you get into your writing the more open you are to just write without judgments and you will experience what I term as flow.  It is a wonderful experience, and sometimes you don’t know where the words on the paper come from–it’s is as if you were the channeled.

Albert writes that many of us struggle with maintaining a practice of staying consistent in order to develop a process.  The consistent striving for an imagined sense of perfection is one of the things that can keep us off the page.  If perfection is your jam, say this out loud, in all caps for emphasis.  THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PERFECTION.

“Writing as a Path to Awakening”  is a treasure trove of practical advice on writing and on finding yourself, for the process of creative writing always has you exploring your deep inner thoughts, and learning how to express them to the world.

I hope you enjoy this great interview with author Albert DeSilver if you want to learn more about the author please click here to be taken to his website.

Podcast 629: A Stroke of Faith with Mark Moore

 

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It is not often that one gets hit in succession with nearly two fatal strokes, but that is what happened to Mark Moore my guest on this podcast, and the author of a new book entitled “A Stroke of Faith-A Stroke Survivor’s Story Of A Second Chance At Living A Life of Significance”. 

Mark Moore was a successful CEO of a thriving company that he and his partner founded and was also in apparent great health when his strokes occurred.  Mark’s story is about his triumph over adversity that this event caused in his life.  One day he was fine, then the next day he was lying in a hospital bed in a coma.  He had to learn how to walk, tie his shoes, sign a check and all the normal activities that we all take for granted.

We speak in the podcast about the strains an illness like this takes on the family, but also how this event brought Mark and his wife and children closer together. Mark’s family and the strength they provided him were the single most compelling reasons for his survival and willingness to fight for his life.

Since the stroke, Mark has made almost a complete recovery and has run a marathon on the one-year anniversary of his stroke.  Through his life will never return to his pre-stroke normality, he has now chosen to dedicate his life to philanthropy, his family, educating others about stroke awareness and prevention, and inspiring those who have suffered similar events.

I hope you enjoy this inspiring interview with Mark Moore the author of ” A Stroke of Faith“.  You can learn more about Mark by visiting his website by clicking here.

 

Podcast 620: From Egos to Eden-Our Heroic Journey to Keep Earth Livable with Lee Van Ham

So what are the real issues that help to foster the environmental concerns that all of us are faced with?   Author Lee Van Ham in his new book entitled “From Egos to Eden” has identified what I personally believe are the biggest issues.

As a nation and society, we live as if we have a Multi Earth filled with resources for constant consumption.  We don’t understand that we need to start living as a society and nation as if we were inhabiting One-Earth and reduce our consumption of resources so that future generations can inhabit our earth and still have the necessary resources, as well as clean air, water, and soil that will be able to be farmed and produce nutritious crops.

As Lee writes ” The changes Earth is making in this 21st century exceed anything we’ve known in 12,000 years. The ecological crises she’s undergoing mean that by 2100 CE she will not longer be home for millions of species, and our species is the primary reason for their extinction.  If you are at all interested in learning about the shift in our mindset about how we live in harmony with mother earth, then I encourage you to listen to my interview with author Lee Van Ham about his book “From Egos to Eden“.

I also encourage you to check out another of Lee’s books entitled “Blinded by Progress“.  You can reach Lee by visiting his website by clicking here, or on Facebook by clicking here. I hope you enjoy this lively interview with a wonderful author and leader in the ecological movement.

 

Podcast 613: Belonging to God, Science, Spirituality and a Universal Path of Divine Love with William Keepin

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing author William Keepin.  His  book entitled “Belonging to God, Science, Spirituality and a Universal Path of Divine Love” addresses the religious disparities with the intent of finding a common ground between all religions which is that of divine love.

In our lively interview together Will explains that “There is a profound need today for people to understand how the religious traditions relate to one another, what they have in common, and how their remarkable difference are dwarfed by their even more remarkable common ground. In Wills book he explores divine love in Christianity, Islam and Hinduism as exemplified through the scriptures and writing of leading mystics from these traditions–that presents a glorious universal path of love that is illuminated equally by modern science and ancient wisdom.

If you are interested in learning more about Will’s new book “Belonging to God” you can go to his website by clicking here.  I hope you enjoy the wonderful interview with a fascinating author and scholar of our greatest religions.

 

Podcast 587: Creativity Unzipped with Jan Phillips & Ruth Westreich

My good friend Jan Phillips and her co-author Ruth Westreich joined me for this podcast interview about their new book entitled “Creativity Unzipped-Why Your Thoughts Matter“. In my interview with both Jan and Ruth we discuss we discussed how creative blocks are the biggest challenge that any artists, entrepreneur , author or creative person faces.

Jan states “we are hardwired to find creative solutions to complex problems, but there’s a problem with our software–inherited beliefs and cultural conditioning”.  How we develop our beliefs and hold on to them does more to stifle our creativity that almost anything.

This book is different, the message is that you already know everything you need to know to be fully expressed, creative agent.   Jan quotes Meister Eckhart, the German mystic, and he says that the process of enlightenment is one of subtraction, not addition.  To become luminous, we must let go of the darkness, let go of our negative beliefs–luminous is a natural state.

As we proceed in the act of creation, the litmus test is always about authenticity. It is about your voice, your soul, your story coming through this peace. The idea or seed your cultivating has surfaced for a purpose and awaits the originality only you can bring to it.

If you are attempting to tap into your creativity, then I recommend that you read “Creativity Unzipped“.  Jan & Ruth take the reader on a journey that explores the reason for your creative blocks, and provides you with way to tap back into the creative genius that lurks within.

If you want more information about Jan Phillips & Ruth Westreich I recommend that you visit the book website by clicking here.

 

Podcast 581: A Way To God with Matthew Fox

I always enjoy my interview with author Matthew Fox.  His writing is thoughtful and insightful.  I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Matthew for his new book entitled ” A Way To God-Thomas Merton’s Creation Spirituality Journey“.

In our interview together we discuss the life and teaching of Thomas Merton.  This book creates a methodology for understanding the vast and deep contributions that Merton made to the history of spirituality by demonstrating his teaching by way of the Four Paths of Creation.

Those four paths are: Via Positiva–the path to delight, joy awe and wonder. Via Negativa–the path of Silence and emptying the mind; grief and suffering and nothingness and the apophatic divinity.  Via Creativa– is the experience of God through creativity, and Via Transformativa–is the experience of God via justice-making and compassion, the way of the prophet.

I hope you will join Matthew Fox and myself for an exploration into the writing and teaching of Thomas Merton.  Enjoy this great interview with one of the best read authors on the life and times of Thomas Merton as we discuss his new book “A Way to God“.

If you want more information about Matthew Fox please click here to be directed to his website, or click here to be directed to his Facebook page.

 

Podcast 555: How to Live an Awesome Life with Polly Campbell

Are you interested in learning how to be your most authentic-self?  Author Polly Campbell in her new book “How to Live an Awesome Life” provides the reader with an opportunity to see the world through a lens of awareness and engagement.  Polly will admit that life is messy, but if we learn how to focus on the beauty and the energy of awe our lives would be filled with more joy, happiness and fulfillment.

Polly is encouraging the reader to look at the world with wonder and amazement for this forces us to adjust our mental models.  To live with mystery and uncertainty, but when living life this way we will grow our spiritual perspective and open to the possibilities.

Psychologist Paul Pearsall calls awe or eleventh emotion and and described it as “overwhelming and bewildering sense of connection with a startling universe that is usually far beyond the narrow band of our consciousness.”

If you are looking to live your life in awe and wonder, then I recommend reading Polly Campbell’s new book “How to Life an Awesome Life“.

If you want to learn more about Polly you can visit her on Facebook by clicking here, or go to her Twitter page by clicking here.  I hope you enjoy this great interview with author Polly Campbell.

 

Podcast 552: Path to Financial Wealth with May McCarthy

In this interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with May McCarthy, the author of “Path to Financial Wealth.”  This is truly a great read.

May talks about how there are seven steps to make the All-Knowing Power of the universe your new business partner.  She will take you step by step to teach you how to create and cultivate your new business partner so that you can achieve more of the good stuff in life.  When you learn to follow the steps you will notice that you aren’t working as hard to reach your goals.

May McCarthy is a 34+ year serial entrepreneur, angel investor, author, and philanthropist.  She has become successful by implementing spiritual principles into her ventures, and it is her passion to pass her knowledge on to others.

Learn more about May McCarthy at www.maymccarthy.com and you can purchase “Path to Financial Wealth” here.

 

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