The Contemplative Light Podcast

Chris Luard is a meditation teacher based in Thailand.  He is a dear friend and a frequent guest.  On this episode, we talk about his upcoming retreats and Compassion and Joy, and on Embracing Change.  More information can be found on his website at www.suchsweetthunder.orgSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

For the past 30 years, Dr. Connie Zweig  has been a pioneer in fields of shadow work and meditation practice.   Her latest book, The Inner Work Of Age: Shifting From Role To Soul has  been a bestseller on Amazon for months.   You can check it out here: https://amzn.to/3qvTFjuShe is also co-author of Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature and Romancing the Shadow: Illuminating the Dark Side of the Soul, and author of Meeting the Shadow of Spirituality.You can find out more on her website, https://conniezweig.com/Clint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.  Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Guy Finley is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher and bestselling self-help author.  He is the Founder and Director of Life of Learning Foundation, a nonprofit center for spiritual self-study located in Merlin, Oregon. He also hosts the Foundation's Wisdom School — an on-line self-discovery program for seekers of higher self-knowledge. He is the best-selling author of The Secret of Letting Go and 45 other books and audio programs that have sold over 2 million copies, in 26 languages, Guy is now offering online classes every Wednesday evening and Sunday morning.   These classes are free to all and have been attended by hundreds of students throughout the world. You can learn more and register at www.guyfinley.org/online.  In this episode, we talk about his book, The Intimate Enemy.  Clint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Jana is  a spiritual psychologist and spiritual director in private practice. She teaches meditation and contemplative prayer, leads support groups, and creates sacred art.​She is the founder and creator of Luminas, an online retreat center, offering one- to five-day retreats for those seeking a deeper relationship with the Divine Source of all. The upcoming Centering Prayer Summit mentioned will be amazing! Find out more about it here: https://www.centeringprayersummit.com/products/cps2022?sc_ref=xZJv1QqI3czO6LJpSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Dr. Elaine Fourie is a retired psychologist and trained priest in the Anglican/Episcopalian Church. Elaine chose not to be ordained. She holds a PhD in Industrial Psychology and a Master's Degree in Systematic Theology. Since retiring, Elaine has become interested in writing and her program for 2021 includes writing a number of eBooks. She has an interest in the integration of psychology and theology as well as writing online courses covering various subjects of interest. Prior to retiring she was an academic at various universities in South Africa, mainly teaching leadership and psychology courses. She has written and published a number of academic papers and her PhD was awarded with merit.Her class on Teresa of Avila is available here. https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/the-genius-of-theresa-of-avilaSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Thom Krystofiak holds a B.A. from Harvard (magna cum laude) and an M.A. from Cambridge University (where he was a Knox Fellow). A trained teacher of Transcendental Meditation, he joined an intentional community in Fairfield, Iowa in 1983, where he and his wife continue to live. A rigorous and thoroughgoing skeptic surrounded by ready believers, he has developed unique perspectives on the eternal and ever-new contest of doubt vs. belief.His book, Tempted To Believe, is available on Amazon here. https://amzn.to/3DY9Qt4Tempted to Believe is a comprehensive exploration of how we believe, how we doubt, and how we navigate the conflicting attractions of reality and desire. Included in its scope are claims made by religion, politics, spirituality, marketing, the New Age, and the ordinary esoterica of everyday life.Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Rev. Bill McDonald's  life has been a spiritual journey, spanning slightly over 7 decades. His whole life has been a mystical trip in search of gurus, the paranormal, and self-discovery. He has written about his many spiritually transforming experiences and “near-death-experiences” including supernatural events during his combat tour of duty in the Vietnam War. In his books he has shared some incredible spiritual events that are beyond both common understanding or explanation. His autobiography “Warrior A Spiritual Odyssey” takes us on a life quest for love, understanding, forgiveness and enlightenment. His follow-up book (Publishing date 2017) “Alchemy of a Warrior's Heart “continues that mystical journey including four trips to India for even more profound experiences with holy men, miracles and his personal relationship with the Divine. What he knows for sure after all these years is that the only thing that is truly real is LOVE. He is an author, an award winning poet, international motivational speaker, artist, film adviser, veteran advocate, a Vietnam War veteran (Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart Medal, 14 Air Medals, The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, etc.). He has spoken around the world including Germany, England, Wales, Bolivia and India. He has been involved with a dozen films and documentaries. (Such as: “In The Shadow of the Blade”- showed on the History Network and “The Art of Healing” shown on PBS TV) Rev. Bill has been on over 800 radio and TV shows over the last 18 years and has stories about his life featured in over a dozen books by other authors and in hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. He has had articles in such diverse publications as “Parade Sunday Magazine” and “The Self-Realization Fellowship Magazine” as well as military magazines and new age magazines. His You Tube Video Channel has over 70 videos and had gotten over 550,000 views in the first 18 months it was posted. Contemplative Light is a spiritual organization with a digital magazine, podcasts, and resources for the spiritual journey.  You can find out more and support the show by visiting our website at www.contemplativelight.orgSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Lucy Grace grew up poor and over time passed through many levels of awakening.  She has come to her own enlightenment organically, without spiritual teachers or a formal path, but rather just by feeling her way through life with intuition and surrender.  Hers is a fascinating story, and she is a great soul.  Contemplative Light is a spiritual organization with a digital magazine, online classes, and resources for the spiritual journey.  You can support the show by visiting our website at contemplativelight.org and making a donation or enrolling in an online class. Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Sungshim Loppnow  began pastoral counseling in Korea in 1996, then came to the States to study MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy). Since then, she has continued her work as a psychotherapist to study system's theory, attachment, trauma resolution and brain-based relationship skills.While she is able to accurately assess the presenting problems, Sungshim is also passionate and skilled in helping people grow their capacity for transformation, in order for them to become an agent of blessing.Her book, Joyful Journey is available on Amazon.  Find out more here: https://amzn.to/3nHCKJp Her group's website is www.PresenceandPractice.comClint Sabom is the Creative Director for Contemplative Light.   He is the author of Preparation For Great Light: Recollections Of A Christian Mystic.  Find it here: https://amzn.to/3xftD5v Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Nancy Rynes has appeared on NBC news and the Today Show.  Nancy was raised in a Christian household but moved away from those teachings by her early 20s. As a scientist, science writer, and corporate trainer, for over two decades Nancy aligned herself with the skepticism prevalent in so much of the scientific community. She remained an atheist until her life-changing bicycling accident and near-death experience (NDE). Now, Nancy is an avid spiritual seeker as well as practitioner of compassion, kindness, contemplative prayer, and present-moment awareness. Clint Sabom is the Creative Director for Contemplative Light.  He also hosts The Sanity Sessions, a podcast about mental health and psychology.  Listen here.Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Jeff Vander Clute is a friend for the spiritual journey and an adviser to love-based businesses and organizations. He is committed to realizing a healed and transformed world through collective awakening to the source of life.Guided by deep listening and attunement to how life is moving, Jeff helps people to navigate the complexity of these times and discover illumined possibilities. The work provides a field of loving presence that accelerates spiritual development and the flowering of one's gifts – in service and in joy.Clint Sabom is the Creative Director for Contemplative Light.  He also hosts The Sanity Sessions, a podcast about mental health and psychology.  Listen here.Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Bill Epperly is a spiritual director living in Chicago and a longtime friend of Contemplative Light.   His website is integralawakenings.com In his own words: "My story begins in New Providence, NJ, where I grew up a member of the Methodist Church. My Christian roots run deep, but from an early age, I was troubled by the idea that Christianity is the only true religion. By age 12, I was an agnostic and might have stayed one were it not for a reintroduction to spirituality in 1985 through participation in a 12 step group. Then,  in 1987, I had a spontaneous and powerful “peak experience” of oneness with everything while attending a talk by Br David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk. In that moment of illumination, my story took an unexpected turn. I lost interest in my graduate studies and became a spiritual seeker. I began formal study of the Christian contemplative tradition and took up contemplative prayer. My interest in world religions grew strong and I read up on the lively interreligious dialogue between Buddhist and Christian monastics. This led me to become curious about zen and  Zen Buddhism, which seemed the antithesis of theist Christianity. Encouraged by early experiences with Zen meditation, I decided to take up formal study of Zen, initially as a new Christian prayer form. My experiences of God and community life were so positive that I undertook three years of residential training at Zen Buddhist Temples in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Chicago. I left that community in 1993, but elements of that time of practice and community living continue to inform and enrich me. During those years I was introduced to Ken Wilbers integral approach and I have worked to create an integral approach to spirituality that draws on Zen Buddhist, Christian Contemplative, and modern psychologically-based spiritual approaches.Clint Sabom is the Creative Director for Contemplative Light.  He also hosts The Sanity Sessions, a podcast about mental health and psychology.  Listen here.Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Chris Luard is a meditation teacher living in Thailand.  For more info on his retreat, visit his website.Clint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show

Begin your day with a meaningful, meditative spiritual practice.In Seeds of Devotion, Roger Butts delivers evocative and lyrical prose while sharing wisdom from some of the most powerful figures in spirituality today. Tidbits from Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and contemporaries like Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton are sprinkled in this devotional as he reflects on life's deepest mysteries.Written with an open heart and years of purposeful practice as a chaplain, Roger Butts offers immersive passages with Reflection questions allowing for further spiritual exploration at the end of each devotion.This book invites you to ask bigger questions of yourself and your life while immersed in meditative silence. These prayers and reflections are meant to guide you to a place of peace and spirituality but also challenge you to delve further into your grace.But most importantly, they are all designed to help you listen and connect with the deep wisdom of your heart.Roger Butts is a hospital chaplain in a 500 bed hospital in Colorado Springs. An ordained Unitarian Universalist minister for nearly 20 years, he is a member of the International Thomas Merton Society and the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship. He enjoys tennis, reading, and music. His wife, Rev. Marta Fioriti, is minister of Black Forest Community Church. He has three teenagers and a black lab named Gracie. He attended Appalachian State and Wesley Theological Seminary (DC). Seeds of Devotion is his first book.Clint Sabom is the Creative Director for Contemplative Light.  He also hosts The Sanity Sessions, a podcast about mental health and psychology.  Listen here.Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Chris returns to the podcast to dive deep in Buddhist practice.  Clint Sabom is the Creative Director for Contemplative Light.  He also hosts The Sanity Sessions, a podcast about mental health and psychology.  Listen here.Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Greetings and welcome to the Contemplative Light podcast.   Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. You can find us on Facebook as Contemplative Light where we have a very active facebook community or at our website at contemplativelight.org  Clint's new podcast is The Sanity Sessions: Exploring Mental Illness And Maladaptations.Phil is offering a special 40% off on his monthly memberships where you can receive insight and resources into Christian Yoga, guided meditations, prayer practices, and more.   You can sign up here and there is a 3 day free trial during Lent. Clint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Greetings and welcome to the Contemplative Light podcast.   Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. You can find us on Facebook as Contemplative Light where we have a very active facebook community or at our website at contemplativelight.org  The new book Dante's Road, from our executive director Marc Thomas Shaw, which   just  won an Nautilus Book Award.  Contemplative Light also offers classes on spirituality and mysticism.   Clint Sabom has a new podcast. The Sanity Sessions: Exploring Mental Illness And Maladaptations is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with leading experts in psychology and mental health.    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sanity-sessions-exploring-mental-illness-maladaptations/id1546807211Cornelius Swart's Praxis tries to combine evidence-based wellness practices with ancient Christian tradition. PraXis wants to bring the healthy body and mind back into daily prayer life as a way to glorify God.https://praxiswellness.center/author/portlandmedialab/Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Jeff Campbell is the author of Discovering the Essence: How to Grow a Spiritual Practice When Your Religion Is Cracking Apart, available here.   His website has a host of resources here. Clint Sabom has a new podcast. The Sanity Sessions: Exploring Mental Illness And Maladaptations is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with leading experts in psychology and mental health.   Contemplative Light has an active facebook community and a website of resources and articles.  Clint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Marc-Henri Paradella describes his epic tale recovering from toxic religion.   His book is available on Amazon.Clint's new podcast is The Sanity Sessions: Exploring Mental Illness And Maladaptations.Contemplative Light provides education and resources in contemplative spirituality. Find out more at contemplativelight.orgSupport the show

My new podcast is The Sanity Sessions: Exploring Mental Illness And Maladaptations. The Sanity Sessions: Exploring Mental Illness And Maladaptations is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with leading experts in psychology and mental health.  Click below to listen. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sanity-sessions-exploring-mental-illness-maladaptations/id1546807211The Contemplative Light podcast will continue, and we have some good guests coming up.   We're also putting out some great articles by our team of writers at contemplativelight.orgSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Keith Kristich is a certified Centering Prayer and Enneagram teacher. Keith's Closer Than Breath class on contemplative prayer is available here, https://closerthanbreath.com/take-the-course-contemplative-light.Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Keith Kristich is a certified Centering Prayer and Enneagram teacher.   Contemplative Light is delighted to announce our first ever Enneagram series taught by Keith.  To find out more, visit https://keithkristich.samcart.com/products/enneagram-basicsThe enneagram is most commonly known as a personality typing system highlighting 9 unique personalities born of our unconscious motivations that drive our life and behavior.But the enneagram is more than just a “personality typing system.”In essence, the Enneagram is a form of sacred psychology, blending spirituality and psychology, offering an integrated path for personal transformation. As a 9-pointed symbol, it maps the dynamic nature of human consciousness, weaving and integrating mind, heart, body, and soul.Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. Clint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. You can find us on Facebook as Contemplative Light where we have a very active facebook community or at our website at contemplativelight.org  Guy Finley is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher and bestselling self-help author.  He is the Founder and Director of Life of Learning Foundation, a nonprofit center for spiritual self-study located in Merlin, Oregon. He also hosts the Foundation's Wisdom School — an on-line self-discovery program for seekers of higher self-knowledge. He is the best-selling author of The Secret of Letting Go and 45 other books and audio programs that have sold over 2 million copies, in 26 languages, Guy is now offering online classes every Wednesday evening and Sunday morning.   These classes are free to all and have been attended by hundreds of students throughout the world. You can learn more and register at www.guyfinley.org/online. Clint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Our longtime friend Rich Lewis talks about centering prayer and his book.Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer.Download our guided Centering Prayer session here: https://contemplativelight.org/guided-centering-prayer-download/We offer a free mini course from Contemplative Light Walking With The Christian Mystics available here: https://contemplativelight.org/walking-with-the-christian-mystics/There is also a full course on the Christian Mystics from Contemplative Light available here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/living-sacramentsClint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer.Download our guided Centering Prayer session here: https://contemplativelight.org/guided-centering-prayer-download/We offer a free mini course from Contemplative Light Walking With The Christian Mystics available here: https://contemplativelight.org/walking-with-the-christian-mystics/There is also a full course on the Christian Mystics from Contemplative Light available here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/living-sacramentsClint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer.Download our guided Centering Prayer session here: https://contemplativelight.org/guided-centering-prayer-download/We offer a free mini course from Contemplative Light Walking With The Christian Mystics available here: https://contemplativelight.org/walking-with-the-christian-mystics/There is also a full course on the Christian Mystics from Contemplative Light available here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/living-sacramentsClint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. You can find us on Facebook as Contemplative Light where we have a very active facebook community or at our website at contemplativelight.org  The new book Dante's Road, from our executive director Marc Thomas Shaw, which   just  won an Nautilus Book Award.  Contemplative Light also offers classes on spirituality and mysticism.  You can click on this link to get our free mini course.Gary Gregory Gach is an American author, translator, editor, teacher and poet living on Russian Hill, San Francisco. His work has been translated into several languages, and has appeared in several anthologies and numerous periodicals.Author page: GaryGach.comMy links: LinkTr.ee/GaryGachCurrent book: PAUSE  •  BREATHE  •  SMILE As Paperback & as Audio Thich Nhat Hanh & the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism  http://PlumVillage.orgLongevity Stick Qi Gong : https://tinyurl.com/yattjxubhttps://tinyurl.com/y98x384xIntegral Tai Chi   [ I still have to find some better ones [https://www.integral-taichi.org/english/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt6VO3dbukkContemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer.Download our guided Centering Prayer session here: https://contemplativelight.org/guided-centering-prayer-download/We offer a free mini course from Contemplative Light Walking With The Christian Mystics available here: https://contemplativelight.org/walking-with-the-christian-mystics/There is also a full course on the Christian Mystics from Contemplative Light available here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/living-sacramentsClint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

A MESSAGE FROM CONTEMPLATIVE LIGHT: https://contemplativelight.org/a-message-from-contemplative-light/Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. You can find us on Facebook as Contemplative Light where we have a very active facebook community or at our website at contemplativelight.org  The new book Dante's Road, from our executive director Marc Thomas Shaw, which   just  won an Nautilus Book Award.  Contemplative Light also offers classes on spirituality and mysticism.  You can click on the link below to see our course offerings.https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Greetings and welcome to the Contemplative Light podcast. I'm your host Clint Sabom. Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. You can find us on Facebook as Contemplative Light where we have a very active facebook community or at our website at contemplativelight.org  The new book Dante's Road, from our executive director Marc Thomas Shaw, which   just  won an Nautilus Book Award.  Contemplative Light also offers classes on spirituality and mysticism.  You can click on the link below to see our course offerings.https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

My guest today is   Amoda Maa. Amoda Maa is a spiritual teacher, offering meetings and retreats to support and deepen the living of an awakened life. She has been sharing her teachings since 2012, initially at small gatherings. Today, her teachings are followed by a growing number of seekers world-wide. Amoda brings to her teachings a depth and breadth of understanding of the human journey, born out of her own immersion in the furnace of personal transformation. In 2002, in the depths of existential aloneness, she experienced a profound awakening in which there was a liberation of self from the knot of ego and an ongoing unfoldment into inner silence. After a long period of integration, in which all seeking and all methods stopped, she started to speak in public. Her teachings are free of any ideology and are not affiliated with any lineage or tradition. While she is often referred to as a ‘nondual teacher,' she prefers to emphasize the full embracement of the human experience as a path to liberation. Her work continues to evolve in alignment with the real-life concerns of the modern-day seeker of peace and fulfillment in an increasingly chaotic world. And I highly recommend her most recent book, Embodied Enlightenment.  It's been a big help to me.  Our conversation had lots of good depth to it so hope you enjoy.   Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer.Clint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

On this podcast, popular storyteller Kamla Kapur tells us about her own experience of the current world situation. She gives us an intimate portrait of her day-to-day quarantine life, full of panic and wonder, confronting death and giving thanks to Life. We discuss many themes of the coronavirus pandemic: our connection to the invisible, exploring the universe within, the energy of the earth, and the opportunity to relinquish the unnecessary attachments we've carried for too long. A soul made real through a rich life of suffering and triumph, Kamla Kapur blesses us with her human vulnerability in this episode. Kamla K. Kapur is the author of Ganesha Goes to Lunch, Rumi: Tales Of The Spirit, and The Singing Guru. She has also published two books of poetry, As a Fountain in a Garden and Radha Sings: Erotic Love Poems, numerous short stories, and a series of award-winning plays. And the follow-up book to The Singing Guru, Into The Great Heart, will be coming out on the 28th of this month.  She divides her time living in the Kullu Valley in the Indian Himalayas and in Southern California.  Her books draw on the wisdom of the Hindu, Sikh, and Sufi traditions.  You can find out more about her on her website, kamlakkapur.comContemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. You can find us on Facebook as Contemplative Light where we have a very active facebook community or at our website at contemplativelight.org  Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Chris Luard talks to us from Thailand, where he works as a meditation teacher at a retreat center.   He gives us a picture of how Asia has responded to the Covid-19 pandemic and some of the fortunate circumstances he has encountered. We discuss metaphysical philosophies of spirituality and mysticism, as well as practical meditation strategies.  Two of the books Chris recommends for listeners are: The Art of Solitude by Stephen Batchelor and The Tibetan Book of the Dead translated by Robert Thurman. Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. You can find us on Facebook as Contemplative Light where we have a very active facebook community or at our website at contemplativelight.org  There are different ways to support the show and keep our lights on.  You can write a review in Apple Podcasts or whatever podcast app you use.  This helps our show appear higher in the rankings.  You can also  make a donation, read and share our articles, take an online class, or buy the new book Dante's Road, from our executive director Marc Thomas Shaw, which we're pleased to announce just  won an Illumination Book Award. Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Rev. Dr. Matthew Fox is a spiritual theologian, an Episcopal priest and an activist for gender justice and eco-justice. He has written 37 books that have been translated into other languages over 70 times. Among them are Original Blessing, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, A Spirituality Named Compassion, The Reinvention of Work, The Hidden Spirituality of Men, Christian Mystics and The Pope's War. His latest book is the Tao of Thomas Aquinas, and he has quite a backstory too. You can find out more about him at his website, matthewfox.org. The Tao of Thomas Aquinas, can be found here:https://amzn.to/3azlYTz Clint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseContemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer.Download our guided Centering Prayer session here: https://contemplativelight.org/guided-centering-prayer-download/We offer a free mini course from Contemplative Light Walking With The Christian Mystics available here: https://contemplativelight.org/walking-with-the-christian-mystics/There is also a full course on the Christian Mystics from Contemplative Light available here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/living-sacramentsSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

On this episode, Chris Sartain dives deep with Clint into Kriya Yoga, Yogananda's lineage, eastern mysticism, and personal anecdotes about anything and everything.  Our most esoteric episode yet.Chris Sartain is an ordained teacher in the Kriya Yoga tradition. Christopher currently lives in southern Chile where he owns and operates a meditation retreat center. He is also spiritual director of Vinyasa Yoga Chile, which offers yoga teacher trainings and certification programs.Topics we explore on this episode include:The Gospel of ThomasYoganandaEnergetic HygieneMantra practice and concentrationThe mystical meaning of the coronavirusNada Yoga (Shabda Yoga)The dimensions of the afterlifeThe experience of PeruContemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. You can find us on Facebook as Contemplative Light where we have a very active facebook community or at our website at contemplativelight.org Clint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show

Keith Kristich dives deep with Clint into meditation techniques, process, and their experiences with different consciousness states.  Keith is a certified meditation, contemplative prayer, and Enneagram teacher. He did training in contemplation with both the Shalem Institute and Contemplative Outreach. He now leads weekly groups, retreats, and works 1/1 with folks as a life coach. Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer. You can find us on Facebook as Contemplative Light where we have a very active facebook community or at our website at contemplativelight.org  Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Contemplative Light Co-Founder Marc Thomas Shaw won the Bronze Medal of The Illumination Book Awards. Clint talks to him about his process of writing, publishing, and marketing. Marc opens up about personal struggles and triumphs. This episode is great for anyone with an online business who is interested in publishing a book or anyone who has felt hopeless in their undertakings and doubted their own efforts. Marc's book, Dante's Road, uses Dante's Inferno as a psycho-spiritual map through which readers can explore and re-imagine the narrative and themes of their own lives. It flowed out of him almost automatically, and despite self-consciousness regarding previous creative ventures, Marc maintained a quiet confidence and a divine trust with this work. It felt, according to him, important enough to work on even if his name was not affiliated with it. The difficulties of navigating the spiritual journey can make one want to give up on spirituality and God altogether sometimes, but Dante's Road shows us pathways through the inner darkness and doubt, helping us recover a sense of fun and play and love for life's adventure. Contemplative Light. Silence. Practice. Healing. www.contemplativelight.comSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Father Albert (pronounced as the French al-BEAR)talks with me about his new book, his own spiritual journey, and the mystic path. Full of joyful ebullience, Father Albert speaks on Mother Theresa, the dark night of the soul, and the perceptions of people regarding the phrases "mystic," "contemplative," and "mindfulness."Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer.Clint Sabom is Creative Director of Contemplative Light. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2007, he lived for six months in a silent monastery.. He holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and one in Spanish literature. He has traveled extensively through Europe and South America. He has spoken and/or performed at Amnesty International, Health Conferences, High Schools, and art galleries across the US. He has studied and done in his own work in Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Shamanism, NLP, and hypnosis.   Clint offers a powerful audio mini-course on emotional release, with powerful techniques you can use the rest of your life.  Learn more here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/emotional-releaseSupport the show

Dr. Seth Farber is a revolutionary psychologist who has appeared on Oprah, Geraldo, Coast to Coast, and Alex Jones. In the spirit of Anton Boisen (the founder of pastoral psychology) and RD Laing (the pioneering psychiatrist), Farber's book, The Gift of Spiritual Madness maintains, as Joseph Campbell did, that mystics and schizophrenics swim in the same area of consciousness. The difference is that the mystic is swimming and the schizophrenic is drowning. A friend and colleague of many 60s hippie-era icons, our conversation moves accordingly, jumping and tossing allusions and laughter. If you lose the threads, worry not, notes and links and quotes are included on our website www.contemplativelight.com/podcastSome of the topics we cover:-the mad pride movement-Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" as a battle-cry for mad pride-the mental patient's liberation movement-when did psychology and psychiatry become too medicalized and why-Does the APA have special interests-Mysticism, madness, and the problems with our culture-a personal anecdote about Thomas Sasz (author of The Myth Of Mental Illness) and RD LaingThe Schizophrenic and Mystic are swimming in the same deep sea of consciousness. The difference is that the Mystic is swimming and the schizophrenic is drowning. This phrase serves as the general theme of the mad pride movement and the thesis of this episode. RD Laing, MD: A pioneering and controversial psychiatrist whose book, The Politics of Experience, broke new ground, honoring the spiritual component of what mainstream psychiatry labeled mental illness. A liberal hippie, Laing has not been incorporated into mainstream psychology like his colleague and rival Thomas. Szasz Thomas Szasz: author of The Myth of Mental Illness, a book that maintains the label of mentally ill is a form of social control. While both Tom and RD believed in that defining mental health in terms of adaptation to a unhealthy culture was inaccurate, Tom did not have the spiritual component that Laing did, and his inclusion in the psychological canon is perhaps due to the secular nature of the industry.Peter Breggin, MD. Author of Toxic Psychiatry, a book that exposed the financial motives of drug companies giving money to the APA and the corruption that drove the medicalization of the psychology field. APA: The American Psychological Association. Often just the gatekeepers of the APA format dreaded by grad students, there is more to the story of their influence than meets the eye.Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Drawing from theology, developmental theories, and personal experience, Marc and Clint discuss the disturbing documentary with humor and precision.Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Much has been said, almost ad infinitum about this song. Here, I talk about the song as a move in the collective consciousness of America from Amber to Orange/Green. Was the day the music died, the day that old worldviews and traditional social conditioning suddenly no longer made sense? Sure, it was about the death of Buddy Holly, and sure, there are perhaps allegorical characters specifically mirroring cultural celebtrities, but as a whole, is this not a universal process of growth? For those who journey beyond religious literalism, do we not all experience the death and rebirth that in some way resembles the Americana-rich death portrayed in this song as a colorful masquerade? Lyrics at website, www.contemplativelight.com/podcastSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Themes:-Self-love, why do Christians hesitate?-Witnessing and Ego, is self-love the glue?-American Honey, the underbelly of America-Return of the ancestors, what happened to 2012 hype?-Putting out positivity, does it make a difference?Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

In honor of Pride and July 4th, I let the air out on this one. The main theme is the socio-cultural universe and how it affects spiritual growth. Personal anecdotes and surprises abound!Contemplative Light offers digital resources for the healing of persons. Visit us on Facebook or at https://www.contemplativelight.comSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Rev., Dr. Peter Traben Haas was born in Traben-Trarbach, Germany and grew up in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He is an ordained Teaching Pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and serves as Minister of a non-denominational contemplative Christian community in Austin, Texas called The Church of Conscious Harmony. Peter has an M.Div. from Princeton Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Peter is a certified Centering Prayer instructor and retreat leader, and is the author of multiple books and articles on the contemplative Christian dimension.Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

The Rev. Matthew Wright is an Episcopal priest, writer, and retreat leader working to renew the Christian Wisdom tradition. He serves as priest-in-charge at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church in Woodstock, NY and is a teacher for Northeast Wisdom and The Contemplative Society, non-profits rooted in the teaching lineage of Cynthia Bourgeault. Matthew lives with his wife, Yanick, alongside the brothers of Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY.Sites mentioned on this podcast, to learn more.Northeast Wisdom: http://northeastwisdom.org/The Threshold Society: http://sufism.org/The Contemplative Society: http://contemplative.org/ Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer.Download our guided Centering Prayer session here: https://contemplativelight.org/guided-centering-prayer-download/We offer a free mini course from Contemplative Light Walking With The Christian Mystics available here: https://contemplativelight.org/walking-with-the-christian-mystics/There is also a full course on the Christian Mystics from Contemplative Light available here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/living-sacramentsSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

On this episode, pastor Charles Stone talks about neuroscience and mindfulness and how it connects to Christianity.  He runs through different examples of brain mechanics in regards to meditation and prayer.  Clint asks him some peculiar questions.Dr. Charles Stone has been a pastor for over 35 years. His new book, Holy Noticing, offers a blend of neuroscience, mindfulness, and bible-based Christian contemplative practice. Some of the topics we cover are:-the health benefits of mindfulness-the neurobiology of mindfulness-the differernce between state mindfulness and trait mindfulness-the biblical and theological underpinnings of mindfulness-why Christianity was slow to get on the "meditation bandwagon"-the B.R.E.A.T.H.E. acronym for mindful practice-and more!You can find out more here. http://www.charlesstone.comSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Marc Thomas Shaw discusses themes in his new book. Dante's Road is available on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/Dantes-Road-Journey-Home-Modern/dp/1625244932/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dante%27s+road&qid=1555265181&s=gateway&sr=8-1Contemplative Light offers a free mini-course on the Christian mystics.https://contemplativelight1.lpages.co/mini-course-squeeze-page/Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Diana Shiflett's new book contains TONS of spiritual practices that can be done in groups. We go over several of them in this episode. Contemplative Light offers a free mini course on The Christian Mystics, https://contemplativelight1.lpages.co/mini-course-squeeze-page/Diana Shiflett is the pastor of spiritual formation at Naperville Covenant Church in Naperville, Illinois. She is an adjunct professor of youth ministry at North Park University and a licensed spiritual director.AUTHOR: Diana ShiflettBOOK: Spiritual Practices in CommunityBOOK INFO: https://www.ivpress.com/spiritual-practices-in-communityPRESS KIT: https://www.ivpress.com/Media/Default/Press-Kits/4648-press.pdfAUTHOR BIO: https://www.ivpress.com/diana-shiflettINTERVIEW DATE: Monday, April 8MEDIA: The Contemplative Light PodcastWEBSITE: https://www.contemplativelight.com/podcastHOST: Clint SabomClint Sabom is an award-winning writer. He has published in The Tulane Review, Paste Magazine and with Dabel Brothers, among others. His paper “Bunuel and Surrealism: The Changing Manifestations” won best paper at the 2012 Conference of The Americas. He lived in Budapest, Hungary in 2003 as a Gilman Scholar. For the first six months of 2007, he lived at The Order of Julian of Norwich, a contemplative, monastic order of The Episcopal Church. He enjoys hosting The Contemplative Light Podcast. He was recently interviewed on United Intentions Media. He has benefited immensely from the Jnana Yoga teachings of Roger Castillo.Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

I talk with psychotherapist Mackenzi Kingdon about religious abuse, gaslighting patterns, sexual shame, and the internalized negative core beliefs that can come from religion. Mackenzi Kingdon's website can be reached at: https://www.restorationcounselingseattle.com/who-am-i Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer.Download our guided Centering Prayer session here: https://contemplativelight.org/guided-centering-prayer-download/We offer a free mini course from Contemplative Light Walking With The Christian Mystics available here: https://contemplativelight.org/walking-with-the-christian-mystics/There is also a full course on the Christian Mystics from Contemplative Light available here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/living-sacramentsSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

I talk with Chris Luard about his life abroad, where he teaches meditation in Asia and stays largely in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We talk about some of the ins and outs of life in Thailand for an American, a kind of backstage glimpse into his daily life. Contemplative Light offers a free mini course on The Christian Mystics. https://contemplativelight1.lpages.co/mini-course-squeeze-page/?fbclid=IwAR3BogYsUAFbndTdo-atFPHWP_eYuoo-zxRCiCXryG7GJA7ptal3HWSzXCcSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Contemplative Light provides education and resources in a global effort towards inner transformation through meditation and contemplative prayer.Download our guided Centering Prayer session here: https://contemplativelight.org/guided-centering-prayer-download/We offer a free mini course from Contemplative Light Walking With The Christian Mystics available here: https://contemplativelight.org/walking-with-the-christian-mystics/There is also a full course on the Christian Mystics from Contemplative Light available here: https://contemplativelight.teachable.com/p/living-sacraments Support the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)

Michael Sciretti is the pastor for the Center for Christian Spirituality at Chapelwood Methodist in Houston, Texas. He talks about his own process into contemplative practice, as well as biblical insights, chanting, and the significance of the "temple."Michael has some good material on www.epiphanytoday.comContemplative Light has classes on Christian mysticism at www.contemplativelight.comSupport the show (https://contemplativelight.org/)