Podcast appearances and mentions of cynthia bourgeault

Doug recounts a transformative visionary experience that occurred during a family RV trip to Colorado in 2020 or 2021. In Leadville, the highest city in the country at 10,000 feet, he ran ten miles and then consumed a powerful cannabis edible—his first time using cannabis in 10-15 years. Not knowing what he was doing, he ate an entire potent gummy, then smoked more weed, which launched him into an intense three-hour experience. The Descent into Hell Doug describes this period as "complete and total existential despair"—a literal descent into hell within his own psyche. He was bombarded with messages of worthlessness: "Abandon all hope, for there is none. The whole of you has always been false and a lie. You are nothing." This experience amplified his deepest insecurities, particularly around having kept his exploration of the Law of One material secret during the darkest seven-year period of his life (2013-2020). His imposter syndrome intensified to unbearable levels as he imagined his family discovering his perceived phoniness. He experienced such intense terror that he physically trembled and writhed, even contemplating that his family would be better off if he killed himself. Visually, he saw twisted, malformed, grotesque beings—viscera, lower chakra colors, volcanic orange fire, and a blackness that wasn't void but malice itself. He describes this as "dark light"—blackness inverted from void to malice rather than void to love. The Turning Point: Agency and Belonging At the lowest point, Doug received an internal nudge reminding him of cognitive behavioral principles: these thoughts and feelings were something he had created, not something creating him. He realized he'd always had a defense mechanism but now had to enact it at the deepest level ever. As he flew at 100 miles per hour over volcanic craters with demons pulling him down, he began repeating: "And you belong. And you belong. And I understand." He recognized these disintegrated parts—splintered through this lifetime and past lifetimes—as his own creations. Even negative external entities belonged because he is the creator. By saying "you belong," he cut the cords of shame and guilt. The arrows still hurt, but they no longer mounted one upon another or killed him—they bounced off. This awakened him to a greater truth that had been completely covered: he has agency. The word "Satan" means "the accuser"—the disintegrated energy level that accuses us of never having been whole. The Sacred Yes and Ascent Once Doug awakened to his agential self, he stopped being propelled by a force stronger than him. He declared his "sacred yes": "I desire to bring the light of wholeness. I desire to bring the light of Christ." For Doug, "Christ" represents the singularity of manifested wholeness—a code word invested with 2,000 years of human ritual and belief. Gold, the color of wholeness made manifest, became his experience. At this declaration, an explosion of golden luminosity occurred—a big bang bringing wholeness into the depths of hell within his psyche. He began blessing everything rather than being cursed by it. This shifted his energetic space, transporting him to a perspective higher than the hell realms. The Heaven Realms and the Great Realization Doug found himself in what he calls the heaven realms, surrounded by heavenly beings attentive to him. He belonged there and flew in the golden hue, bathed in hope after the funk of despair. When he looked down at the hell realms and saw the demonic beings looking up angrily, he didn't feel pure bliss. Instead, he felt what all the beings around him felt: the joy of wholeness simultaneously connected with great sadness that those below have, in a way, chosen to be miserable. The crucial insight: there was no line separating hell from heaven. The difference is that when one only desires disintegration, it doesn't occur to self that you have agency to transcend. From below, those in heaven appear as "other." From above, those in hell are seen as "us"—welcome to come up. The suffering Doug felt was the realization that the pain doesn't have to be this way, but we create our own hells—energetic vibrational streams of consciousness in the spectrum of separation. Integration: Metaphysical and Psychological Truth Doug emphasizes that while this was a visionary experience, it's metaphysically, archetypally, mythologically, and psychologically true. He connects it directly to his counseling work: when clients learn through courage to live in greater spaciousness and choose higher-grade responses instead of status quo reactions, they move from one frequency (perhaps hellish realms) into realms of integration and wholeness. It's all one reality, just described with different words. Good counselors, he argues, offer the "lore" of myths—these visionary experiences can be found in comic books, fantasy novels, or Revelations, but they're all words describing phenomenological, experiential facts. The key is dropping constricting worldviews by discovering your "sacred yes"—what Whitehead calls the "subjective aim." When you declare and articulate a sacred yes for the highest and greatest good, it becomes a focusing apparatus creating an orientation in time-space, a vortex of wholeness you can operate within. This awakening to agency and articulating what you truly want—"I want to bring the light of wholeness here"—can happen through mundane conversation, good counseling, or ayahuasca. The mechanism is the same: awakening to the sense of self, realizing agency exists, and declaring your sacred intention. Doug's Journey as the Archetypal Harrowing of Hell Mystical Christianity's Understanding of the Descent In mystical Christianity, the Harrowing of Hell refers to the "Vigil of the Heart of the Earth"—the liminal space between tragedy and triumph during Holy Saturday when Jesus descended into the heart of the earth to encounter the depths of separation and disintegration. According to Cynthia Bourgeault in The Wisdom Jesus, when Jesus entered the realms of the dead, he didn't fix, judge, or redeem hell itself. Instead, "he just sat there surrounded by the darkest, deepest, most alienated, most constricted states of pained consciousness; sitting, if we can imagine it, among all those mirroring faces of the collective false self... sitting there in the midst of blackness." His love went into the darkest and deepest places of darkness and reconnected the darkness to the whole. Bourgeault describes this as holding "all the boundary conditions of this realm (time, change, and circumstance) 'in and to love's embrace' and in such a way release duality... In that ultimate 'letting be,' he transformed them." The stillness of Holy Saturday represents Jesus' Spirit going "to the depths of the darkest realm of our consciousness, reconnecting our true self to his Spirit bringing his light to the dead. The Kingdom of God invaded and absorbed all sin brought forth from our ego and false self mirroring what it is (letting it be) and transforming it through his love." The Psychological and Inner Harrowing Mystical tradition understands that Christ's descent into Hell has an ongoing meaning relevant to daily spiritual life: "Christ is at all times poised to release that same love, to do to death the evil that is within us, now. This is the fuller and mystical meaning of the descent into Hell... It reminds us too of our responsibility to respond to the same love that destroyed the power of evil that once threatened to destroy Christ. What was done in him, will also be done in us." This is precisely what Doug experienced. His journey mirrors the four-part archetypal pattern he himself identifies: the descent into hell, the crucifixion (the terror and darkness), the harrowing (the work of recognition and integration), and the resurrection (the ascent into wholeness). Mary Magdalene as Witness and Model In Bourgeault's teaching "Through Holy Week with Mary Magdalene," she presents Mary as one who accompanies Jesus through the Paschal mystery, modeling "the transformed human heart bridging the finite and the infinite." Through Mary Magdalene's "witnessing and 'substituted love,' we come to understand how the human heart is the gateway to the transformational mystery." Mary Magdalene's presence and undying witness does not falter as she accompanies Jesus through his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Bourgeault emphasizes Mary's capacity "to not turn or run. To not run from our own pain, breaches, failings, and loss; and to not turn from that in others and in the world around us." This is exactly what Doug enacted in his hell realms. Like Mary at the tomb, he stayed present to the horror. He didn't flee or dissociate. Instead, he looked directly at the twisted beings and declared, "And you belong." This is the mystical witnessing that Bourgeault identifies as Mary Magdalene's gift to Christianity—the capacity to remain present to darkness without being consumed by it, to hold vigil at the threshold between death and life. Doug's Experience as Living Archetype Doug's journey perfectly enacts the Harrowing of Hell as understood in mystical Christianity: 1. The Descent into Disintegration: Like Christ descending to sit among "all those mirroring faces of the collective false self," Doug encountered his own splintered parts—the imposter, the liar, the fraud. These were the "anguish of Judas, the indecision of Pilate, the cowardice of Peter, the sanctimony of the Pharisees" within his own psyche. 2. Sitting with the Darkness: Rather than trying to fight, flee, or fix these demonic aspects, Doug learned to simply be present with them. Like Christ who "just sat there" in the blackness, Doug stopped running and began the work of recognition: "And you belong. And I understand." 3. The Reconnection Through Love: The essence of the Harrowing is that Christ's love "reconnected the darkness to the whole so that 'in Him all things hold together.'" Doug's declaration "I desire to bring the light of Christ and wholeness here" performed this exact function—reconnecting his disintegrated parts to the wholeness of his being. 4. The Transformation of Separation: The Harrowing asks: "Why is this creation here? Why did all this happen? And why are we in the midst of this?" The mystical answer: "I was a hidden treasure and I loved (longed) to be known so I created the worlds visible and invisible." The only way to be known is by taking the risk of loving. Doug's hell realms existed because separation exists—but his choice to love them ("you belong") rather than reject them enacted the cosmic pattern of reunification. 5. The Vigil at the Boundary: Like Mary Magdalene keeping watch at the tomb, Doug maintained consciousness at the boundary between death and life, hell and heaven. He didn't abandon himself in his darkest moment. This vigil—this sustained presence—is what allowed the resurrection to occur. 6. No Line Between Hell and Heaven: Doug's realization that "there was no line separating hell from heaven" reflects the mystical understanding that heaven and hell are not locations but states of consciousness. The early tradition used "Sheol" to describe "the place where those who had preceded Christ waited for his coming," not a place of eternal punishment but a realm of separation waiting for reconnection. The Sacred Yes as Resurrection Power Doug's "sacred yes"—"I desire to bring the light of wholeness here"—functions as the resurrection proclamation. In mystical Christianity, the Harrowing is not complete until the captives are led out. Doug didn't just sit with his demons; he blessed them and brought them into the light. This is the completion of the archetypal pattern: descent, recognition, embrace, transformation, and ascent. Bourgeault speaks of Mary Magdalene as embodying "surrender to the alchemy of transformation, the capacity to love and the willingness to remain, to stay—to not turn or run." Doug's journey demonstrates this exact alchemy. By remaining present to his hell, by declaring the belonging of all parts, by articulating his sacred intention, he enacted the Harrowing pattern within his own consciousness. This is why Doug's experience is not merely personal but archetypal and mythological. He lived out the pattern that Christ demonstrated, that Mary Magdalene witnessed, and that mystical Christianity has understood for two millennia: the way out of hell is not around it, but through it—by bringing love and consciousness to the darkest places within ourselves, we reconnect what has been severed and restore what has been lost. The counseling work Doug describes is simply helping others undertake their own personal Harrowing—descending into their disintegrated selves, learning to stay present without fleeing, discovering their agency, articulating their sacred yes, and allowing the light of wholeness to transform their inner landscape. Every therapeutic breakthrough is a small resurrection, every integration of shadow is a harrowing, every client who learns to respond rather than react is ascending from their personal hell into their heaven. This is the gift of mystical Christianity that Bourgeault has helped recover: the Harrowing of Hell is not merely a historical event that happened once, but an eternal pattern, a cosmic template that each person must enact within themselves to become whole.

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 How do we find our way through the maze of circumstances that come our way, and our inner feelings as to what is the right thing to do? Support the show

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 Looking at the relationship between truth and beauty, and how one can express the other. Support the show

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 What does it take to live from a place of joy? Support the show

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 Looking at the place of joy in our lives, and how we find it. Support the show

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 A talk about the importance of admitting to our brokenness, and how it can transform our experience. Support the show

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An answer to some of the problems our world is facing.  The audio version of a film showcasing the argument for forming a Unitive Consciousness as set out in the Aspen Forum and edited into a one hour presentation featuring Marianne Williamson, Tim Shriver, Cynthia Bourgeault, Andrew Harvey and others. Support the show

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 With everything swirling around us in our lives, how do we focus on what is really important? Support the show

 What is our response to what is going on in the world at the moment? Support the show

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 Some lessons from living through a dark night of the soul. Support the show

"In any situation in life, confronted by an outer threat or opportunity, you can notice yourself responding inwardly in one of two ways: Either you will brace, harden and resist, or you will soften, open and yield." - Cynthia Bourgeault

 Balancing the male and the female, the patriarchy and the matriarchy. A marriage that makes for heaven. Support the show

 We are stewards not owners of what we have. Let's be good stewards. Support the show

 Action and Inaction. When to act and when not to act. Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself? Support the show

Marianne Williamson, Tim Shriver, Cynthia Bourgeault, Matthew Fox, Cyprian Consiglio, Andrew Harvey, Sherri Mitchell, Shane Claiborne; Consciousness Compassion Mystical Unitive Alternative religion World Peace Alternative Christianity Aspen Wisdom Love Peace Education Centering PrayerSupport the show

Join licensed clinical social worker Doug Scott as he delves into an enlightening discussion on the 'Law of Three' - a principle that transcends traditional problem-solving methodologies by engaging consciously with tension and transformation. With a unique blend of spirituality and psychology, Doug provides an in-depth presentation that promises to guide listeners toward deeper connections with themselves, others, and the divine. Drawing from his vast experience, Doug simplifies this complex subject for beginners while incorporating rich storytelling, such as the journey of Emily and Marcus, a couple learning to navigate and heal from intergenerational trauma and spiritual misalignment. Their story showcases how confronting contrasts, tensions, and resolutions can spiral growth and harmony in relationships significantly. This episode invites listeners to move beyond cycles of conflict, embracing an evolutionary spiral of development through conscious awareness. Expect to explore practical applications, including resolving conflicts by locating ambivalence and identifying shared virtues and values. Discover the 'Law of Three' as an avenue for meaningful personal and spiritual development, transforming life's inevitable challenges into growth opportunities. Dive into a transformative exploration that intertwines ancient wisdom with contemporary understanding, perfect for anyone seeking to enrich their personal and relational lives. --- Summary of Key Themes from "How Practical Knowledge of the Law of Three Can Transform Your Relationships" The Law of Three as a Universal Pattern Doug Scott presents the Law of Three (also called the principle of teleopotentiation) as a fundamental pattern woven into the fabric of reality. This pattern describes how all meaningful development occurs through a three-phase process: Every contrast creates potential for tension Every tension creates potential for resolution Every resolution creates potential for a higher-level contrast This creates not a circle but a spiral pattern of growth, where each completed cycle leads to a more sophisticated level of experience. The concept parallels what Cynthia Bourgeault describes in Christian terms as "affirming force," "denying force," and "reconciling force" that together generate a "fourth" or "new arising" - something genuinely new that emerges from their interaction. Teleopotentiation: Purpose-Driven Growth Scott emphasizes that this process is neither random nor predetermined but guided by what he calls a "telos" or "polar north" - a guiding purpose that orients growth. The term "teleopotentiation" combines: "Teleo" (from Greek "telos" meaning purpose, end, or aim) "Potentiation" (the process of enhancing potential or power) This purpose-driven aspect is crucial - transformation isn't just about change but about development toward increasing harmony, complexity, and integration while maintaining balance. Levels of Consciousness and Tension A significant theme is how our level of consciousness affects our engagement with the Law of Three process: When tension remains in the unconscious, we cannot engage with it constructively. We may remain unaware of it even while others can see it (denial). When tension rises to the subconscious, we feel it but may not acknowledge it fully. This creates an "itch that cannot be scratched" and often leads to projection and scapegoating. Only when tension is brought to conscious awareness can we work with it purposefully to create resolutions that lead to growth. Resolution Pathways: Higher Order vs. Status Quo Scott distinguishes between two types of resolution: Bridge to Higher-Order Contrast - When we engage with tension consciously, guided by our "polar north" values, resolution becomes a pathway to more sophisticated development. Bridge to Status-Quo Contrast - When we remain unconscious or focused only on what we're against, resolution merely perpetuates existing patterns. The difference between these pathways isn't about eliminating tension but about how we engage with it. Midwifing Resolution: Practical Approaches Scott offers practical guidance for "midwifing resolution": Locate ambivalence - Recognize that every contrast creates ambivalence (values on both sides). Name both the desire for change and the fear of what might be lost. Locate polar north - Identify highest values and purposes to provide orientation. Ask "What is the goal here? What do you want?" Name the ambivalence - Acknowledge feeling trapped between important values ("I feel trapped between my need for X and my fear of Y"). Discover virtues - Uncover subconscious values by asking what virtues one hopes would be recognized at their funeral. This cultivates hope and provides direction. Bring tension to consciousness - Work to bring unconscious or subconscious tensions into conscious awareness where they can be engaged with purposefully. Application to Relationships The narrative of Emily and Marcus illustrates how the Law of Three operates in relationships: Their contrasting wounds (controlling perfectionism vs. emotional withdrawal) created tension in their relationship Initially, they projected blame and remained in unconscious patterns, creating cycles of pain Their breakthrough came when they identified a shared "polar north" (creating a relationship unlike those they witnessed growing up) They learned to recognize ambivalence, name tensions, and become "midwives" for each other's growth Their resolution opened the way to a "new arising" (their daughter Sophia) that represented a transcendent fourth dimension beyond their individual stories Application to Spiritual Development The spiritual application of the Law of Three is emphasized through: Parallels to Christian concepts of death, tomb time, and resurrection (deconstruction, uncertainty, reconstruction) Recognition that our images of God often unconsciously project our parental relationships The insight that healing human relationships provides a pathway to healing divine relationships Understanding that spiritual growth often requires passing through disorienting phases before reaching more expansive understanding The Transformational Promise The presentation concludes with the promise that understanding and applying the Law of Three enables: Transformation of pain rather than transmission of pain Movement from unconscious reactivity to conscious growth Creation of a legacy of awareness, intention, and love that shapes generations Finding meaning and purpose in life's inevitable tensions and contrasts The central message is that the Law of Three isn't a technique to eliminate life's challenges but a wisdom tradition that helps us engage with those challenges in ways that foster growth rather than stagnation, connection rather than division, and transformation rather than merely coping or surviving.

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 Why and how do we take this journey of awakening. What do we do and where does it lead? Support the show

 A Ritual of Ashing as we recognize that we die to our false self and take on the role of expressing the divine. Support the show

Faith in Transition: A Journey from Deconstruction to Reconstruction **Doug Scott, LCSW, holds dual master's degrees in Social Work and Pastoral Ministry from Boston College (2004). As a psychospiritual therapist with over two decades of experience, Doug brings a unique integration of psychological insight and spiritual depth to his work. His private counseling practice reflects an approach influenced by contemplative thinkers and progressive theologians including Richard Rohr OFM, Brian McClaren, Cynthia Bourgeault, and Ilia Delio OSF, while drawing inspiration from the mystical tradition of St. Francis of Assisi and the process philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. Mentioned in the talk by Doug is Dr. Matt Segall, PhD (https://footnotes2plato.com). Summary of Major Themes 1. Understanding Deconstruction and Reconstruction Doug Scott frames faith deconstruction as a necessary and "holy" process that many people are experiencing in response to the disconnect between their understanding of Christianity's core teachings (love, inclusion, vulnerability) and its current manifestations in American society (particularly Christian nationalism). He emphasizes that staying permanently in deconstruction can lead to existential anxiety and nihilism, and that reconstruction is the essential next step in the spiritual journey. The presenter uses the metaphor of "death, tomb, and resurrection" to illustrate this process: - Deconstruction = death of old beliefs - Tomb time = period of uncertainty and transformation - Reconstruction = resurrection into a new understanding Scott proposes that we need to "midwife the death of the old while midwifing the birth of something new," a concept he attributes to Mirabai Starr, a colleague of Richard Rohr. 2. Levels of Consciousness and Development A central framework of the talk is the developmental model of consciousness that Scott presents, which includes several stages: - **Pre-traditional Warrior Consciousness**: Focused on survival, tribal identity, power-based structures, magical thinking, and immediate gratification. - **Traditional Values Level**: Emphasizes order, hierarchy, absolute truths, moral certainty, conformity, and clear distinctions between right and wrong. Scott describes this as the "happy blues" (referencing Spiral Dynamics) because people at this level have certainty about their beliefs. - **Modernity**: Born from the scientific revolution and Enlightenment, this level rejects suffering for future rewards in favor of creating "heaven now" through technology and science. - **Postmodernity**: Emerges with a critique of all previous levels, recognizing that "truth" often comes at the cost of marginalizing others. This level emphasizes social justice but tends to deconstruct without offering reconstruction. - **Post-postmodernity/Integral/Metamodern**: Characterized by "include it all and thus transcend" rather than "transcend and exclude." This level integrates multiple ways of knowing, recognizes developmental stages, embraces paradox and complexity, and finds comfort in uncertainty. 3. Current Cultural Dynamics and "Conversions" Scott discusses the phenomenon of people who were formerly progressive suddenly embracing far-right ideologies or rigid religious structures. He attributes this to: - Existential anxiety generated by postmodern deconstruction without reconstruction - The appeal of certainty and community offered by traditional structures - The "hermeneutic of suspicion" taken to an extreme, where everything becomes suspect He argues that many current "conversions" are not based on authentic faith but are adopting a "mimetic Christianity" as a "social technology" that provides dopamine hits and community belonging without true spiritual transformation. 4. The Path Forward: Finding Common Ground Through Values The talk concludes with a practical exercise where participants identify core values they hope would be recognized at their funeral. Scott proposes that: - Our unacknowledged values form the lens through which we judge ourselves and others - Anger often stems from perceiving that others are violating these core values - By articulating our values and the behaviors that embody them, we can find common ground beneath the divisive surface - True spiritual leaders must be able to "hold tension" and become comfortable with uncertainty - The way forward involves connecting with others around fundamental shared values rather than political differences 5. Embodied Christianity vs. Power Structures Throughout the talk, Scott contrasts true Christianity (centered on love, vulnerability, and connection) with its distortions into power structures. He emphasizes: - The cross represents God's vulnerability, not power - Christianity should be about relationship and love, not control - The "sin" is furthering the ethos of separation rather than unity - We must be willing to engage with those we disagree with (referencing his own Catholic practice of saying "peace be with you" to those with whom he politically disagrees) 6. Hope for the Future Despite the current polarization, Scott expresses optimism about what lies beneath the "rigid crust" of modern discourse. He notes: - Younger generations often display unexpected wisdom and maturity - Beneath the rigid surface of polarized positions, many people experience doubts and questions - There is a growing capacity for connection if we can access it - Progress is happening despite appearances to the contrary The talk ultimately frames the current cultural moment as an opportunity for authentic spiritual growth if we can embrace vulnerability, articulate our core values, and connect with others at a deeper level beyond ideological divisions.

 As a part of our 'Aspen Initiative' looking at how we respond to the time we are living through, Sherri Mitchell talks of one way to respond. More at www.aspenwisdom.org Support the show

 How do we respond to the times we are living through. Sometimes we feel helpless. Support the show

We want to be good. But How do we do that authentically rather than just using a mask of kindness.Support the show

 What is spirituality for? To get enlightened. For inner peace? Or to confront the chaos that comes our way. This is not a Drill, it is what we need to be doing now, in these times. Support the show

We're thrilled to share this conversation with Cynthia Bourgeault, an Episcopal priest whose insights into spirituality have transformed our understanding of connecting with Ultimate Reality.Cynthia is a modern-day mystic with a diverse background in contemplative spirituality, theology, and interspiritual dialogue. Known worldwide as a retreat leader and author, she divides her time between her home in Maine and teaching engagements around the globe, where she's a passionate advocate for reviving Christian contemplative practices. Cynthia's work builds bridges across spiritual traditions, and her new book, Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Christian Mystic, explores Keating's life and influence on modern spirituality. Her teaching incorporates her profound respect for Thomas Keating, Teilhard de Chardin, and other visionaries of contemplative theology, offering fresh insights into Christian non-duality and inner transformation.To connect with Cynthia Bourgeault:Visit her website https://wisdomwaypoints.org/Get your copy of her new book, Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Christian Mystic: https://bookshop.org/p/books/thomas-keating-the-making-of-a-modern-christian-mystic-cynthia-bourgeault/21221862To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating's guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision. Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo host this captivating conversation into divine and personal love with two modern-day mystics, held dear by SAND from a SAND Community Gaterhing from July 2023. Love, a powerful catalyst for transformation on the spiritual path, resonates at the core of our being. Through this dialogue, we will transcend the limitations of a narrow, individualized perception of love, immersing ourselves in the boundless realm of our true nature—a universal expression of pure love. Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader, Cynthia Bourgeault divides her time between solitude at her coastal home in Maine and a demanding schedule traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian contemplative path. She is the founding Director of both The Contemplative Society and the Aspen Wisdom School. Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas), Founder of the Diamond Approach, was born in the Middle East, but at age 18 he moved to the USA to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics, where he was studying Einstein's theory of general relativity and nuclear physics, when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him more and more into inquiring into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature. Hameed is the founder of the Diamond Approach®—a spiritual teaching that utilizes a unique kind of inquiry into realization. Topics: 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:03 Introducing Cynthia Bourgeault 02:17 Introducing Hamid Ali and Non-Dual Love 03:07 Exploring Non-Dual Love 03:50 Cynthia's Perspective on Non-Dual Love 06:06 Hamid's Perspective on Non-Dual Love 08:44 The Nature of Divine Love 12:46 The Role of Love in Human Experience 18:14 The Transformative Power of Love 28:09 Understanding True Love 47:33 Healing Through Love and Gratitude 01:02:05 Closing Remarks and Reflections Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

Father Thomas Keating is one of great Christian mystics and contemplative giants of our time. Spiritual teacher Cynthia Bourgeault, a long time student and colleague of Fr. Keating, offers insight into this master's journey from cloistered monk to world-renowned spiritual leader.

This is the first of a three-part series entitled: Made in the Image, Growing in the Likeness.  This first part's title is: Being is Becoming: Why the Trinity is the Template of All Reality.  Marie Woods: Host of the "Everything You Need to Know in a Relationship" podcast and president/ founder of Life Above Foundation. In this enlightening episode, Marie and Doug discuss how the Trinity is the pattern for everything. Doug Scott's Bio Doug Scott, LCSW, works as a mental health counselor in his private practice in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from college in 1997, he served as an international volunteer for two years in Bluefields, Nicaragua. This intense experience changed his life and he returned to the US to pursue graduate studies in clinical social work and pastoral ministry at Boston College. The nexus of spirituality and psychology have always intrigued Doug since childhood and he brings this sensibility to his counseling practice. Doug Scott, LCSW, MA, grew up Catholic and was always drawn to the mystical lineage within this belief system. He had experiences with Jesus, Mary, and angels at an early age. His mystical inclinations have led him to seek the depth of things and teachers who inspire him, including: Richard Rohr, Cynthia Bourgeault, Ilia Delio, Teilhard de Chardin, Alfred North Whitehead, Jim Finley, and the lives of the Saints such as St. Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and Teresa of Lisieux. Doug sees the Trinity in everything and everywhere.  He sees how the living pattern of the Trinity provides the power for evolution in biology, psychology, and spirituality. For him, the Trinity is the codeword or abbreviated name of God. What is the long version? Something like this:  The Who-ing, the Why-ing, and the How-ing of Eternal Becoming. Finally, Doug felt called to develop an approach—a type of pedagogy—that attempts to identify the steps in transformation and how a counselor, spiritual director, or caregiver in any position can help someone else initiate and process through the path of wholeness-making.  This is the SH!PS Approach.    Presentation Outline: A. Law of Three B. Aware-Consciousness Principle C. Creative Principle D. Pan-Experientialism E. To Hold, To Heal, To Bless: Pan-Sacramentalism

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Jennifer offers a practice, inspired by her conversation with modern-day mystic and teacher Cynthia Bourgeault. Instead of virtues being a static object we have, they can be thought of as active agents of change. Jennifer offers a two-part practice to help you leverage your unique personal virtues (and power) to transform a current challenge. In this episode, Jennifer shares a personal example and emphasizes the importance of practice as a dynamic process of learning from your direct experience.If you play with this practice and have an insight you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you! Links & resources—For more practices, offerings and writing from Jennifer, subscribe to Jennifer's newsletterFollow Jennifer on Instagram or LinkedInEmail Jennifer with any questions or observations- jennifer@sparkcoaching.ca Gratitude for this show's theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.

Jennifer talks with modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, author and teacher, Cynthia Bourgeault about how our global breakdown might be a breakthrough. Weaving together science, philosophy and spiritual traditions they talk about the evolution of human consciousness and how to nourish and feed the collective.  In this episode they share- Our shift to an integral structure of consciousness How reciprocity works between the seen and unseen worldsWhat is three-centered awareness and how to develop itWhy virtues are more than personality traits Tune in to this beautiful conversation to learn the subtle art of cosmic reciprocity and discover why we're more resilient and creative than we think. Links & resources—Cynthia Bourgeault's websiteOrder Cynthia's books and reading suggestionsGlobal network for seekers on the wisdom path: Wisdom WaypointsSign up for Jennifer's weekly Substack, connect with her on IG or LinkedIN Gratitude for this show's theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.

 We are often at war with our bodies - diets, exercise, the unwanted judgements of others. How can we make peace and be satisfied with the only bodies we will ever have. Support the Show.