Podcasts about enlightenment ain

As a professor of religion, Robert Forman acquired a stellar reputation for his pioneering work on spiritual experiences and the study of mysticism. Some of the eleven books he wrote or edited became classics in academia, including: The Problem of Pure Consciousness; The Innate Capacity; and Mysticism, Mind, Consciousness. He's also written non-academic books such as Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be. After retiring from academic life, Robert founded the Forge Institute for Spirituality and Social Change and The Forge Guild of Spiritual Leaders and Teachers. He later became a hospital chaplain, retiring from that in 2023. We talked about what he's learned from those diverse careers and the book he's currently working on, about how "mystics on the margins" are reinventing Christianity by finding meaning and community even when they don't accept key doctrines and beliefs.    Connect with Robert Foreman Meet Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can we honestly explore and navigate through change in the most authentic way? How can we learn to trust? Dr. Robert Forman returns to the show for a time of heartfelt reflection. Bob is the creator of the SoulJazz program, Founder and Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality & Social Change and one of the top experts on Mysticism in the world. He is the author of the highly acclaimed memoir Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul, an exploration of his fascinating 40+ year spiritual journey. Bob has 20+ years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. He is the author of over ten books, as well as the Co-Founder of the Journal on Consciousness Studies. He also provides one-on-one assistance through his spiritual counseling practice and is a hospital chaplain. The lessons Bob has to share are always vital and real, straight from the heart. Bob's web sites: SoulJazzOnline.com EnlightenmentAint.com To learn more about The Frontier Beyond Fear broadcast, now in its 6th year, visit FrontierBeyondFear.com. Frontier Beyond Fear music copyrighted by Grammy award winner Larry Seyer, www.larryseyer.com, included in this podcast with his permission.

How can we be chaplains for one another? How can we connect honestly as our authentic selves? A hospital chaplain himself, Dr. Robert Forman is the creator of the SoulJazz program, Founder and Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality & Social Change and one of the top experts on Mysticism in the world. He is the author of the highly acclaimed memoir Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul, an exploration of his fascinating 40+ year spiritual journey. Robert has 20+ years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. He is the author of over ten books, as well as the Co-Founder of the Journal on Consciousness Studies. The life lessons Robert has to share are straight from the heart, beautifully personal and authentic. He provides one-on-one assistance through his spiritual counseling practice. Robert's web sites: SoulJazzOnline.com EnlightenmentAint.com To learn more about The Frontier Beyond Fear broadcast, visit FrontierBeyondFear.com and follow the show on Facebook & Twitter. Frontier Beyond Fear music copyrighted by Grammy award winner Larry Seyer, www.larryseyer.com, included in this podcast with his permission.

To grow aloud is to truly BE, openly. The greatest gift we can give to ourselves and to others is to BE who we truly ARE, more and more completely. Dr. Robert Forman is one of the top experts on Mysticism in the world, as well as the creator of the SoulJazz program, bringing soul to life and relationships. He is the author of the highly acclaimed memoir Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul, an exploration of his fascinating 39+ year spiritual journey. The Founder and Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality & Social Change, Robert has 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. He is the author of over ten books, as well as the Co-Founder of the Journal on Consciousness Studies. The life-changing lessons Robert has to convey are intensely authentic, personal and heartfelt. He also provides one-on-one assistance through his spiritual counseling practice. Robert's web sites: SoulJazzOnline.com  (The next SoulJazz webinar begins October 26, 2014 - or be sure to check out the schedule if listening to this podcast at another time.) EnlightenmentAint.com   Frontier Beyond Fear music copyrighted by Grammy award winner Larry Seyer, www.larryseyer.com, included in this podcast with his permission.

How can understanding the synergy between mysticism and intimacy (and not implying sexuality) enhance your close relationships? Dr. Robert Forman is one of the top experts on Mysticism in the world, as well as the creator of the new Soul Jazz program, bringing soul to life and relationships. He is also the author of the highly acclaimed memoir Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul, an exploration of his fascinating 39+ year spiritual journey. The Founder and Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality & Social Change, Robert has 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. He is the author of over ten books, as well as the Co-Founder of the Journal on Consciousness Studies. The life-changing lessons Robert has to convey are intensely authentic, personal and heartfelt.  He provides one-on-one assistance through his spiritual counseling practice. Robert's web sites: SoulJazzOnline.com EnlightenmentAint.com   Frontier Beyond Fear music copyrighted by Grammy award winner Larry Seyer, www.larryseyer.com, included in this podcast with his permission.  

Is enlightenment truly what we seek? Dr. Robert Forman, author of the highly acclaimed memoir Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul, explores insights from his fascinating 39+ year spiritual journey.  The Founder and Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality & Social Change, Robert is one of the world's leading experts in the study of Mysticism. The lessons Robert has to convey are intensely personal and heartfelt, yet also reflect his 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. He is the author of over ten books, as well as the Co-Founder of the Journal on Consciousness Studies. Robert recently launched the new Soul Jazz program, bringing soul to life and relationships. He provides one-on-one assistance through his spiritual counseling practice. Robert's web sites: EnlightenmentAint.com SoulJazzOnline.com   Frontier Beyond Fear music copyrighted by Grammy award winner Larry Seyer, www.larryseyer.com, included in this podcast with his permission.

Are you ready to discover true intimacy in life, whether in deeply satisfying friendships or romantic relationships? How do you find the courage, how do you allow the vulnerability, to take the risks? How do you recover from wounded trust in the past? How do you find the trust to "be real" in the present? Dr. Robert Forman, Founder and DIrector of the Forge Institute for Spirituality & Social Change, recently launched the new Soul Jazz program, bringing soul to life and relationships. One of the world's leading experts in the study of Mysticism, as well as a spiritual counselor, Robert returns to the show to talk honestly and spontaneously with host Susan Larison Danz. A reflection of his fascinating 39-year journey of personal spiritual enlightenment, Robert's highly acclaimed memoir Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul, was praised as "definitely chicken soup for the spiritual seeker's soul" by Jack Canfield. The lessons Robert has to convey are intensely personal and heartfelt, yet also reflect his 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. He is the author of over ten books, as well as the Co-Founder of the Journal on Consciousness Studies. Robert's web sites: EnlightenmentAint.com SoulJazzOnline.com Frontier Beyond Fear music copyrighted by Grammy award winner Larry Seyer, www.larryseyer.com, included in this podcast with his permission.

Are you ready to connect with others soul to soul? Are you ready to embrace and reveal true authenticity? Dr. Robert Forman, Founder and Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality & Social Change and one of the world's leading experts in the study of Mysticism, returns to the show to talk honestly and spontaneously with host Susan Larison Danz. Robert just launched the new Soul Jazz program, bringing soul to life and relationships. A reflection of his fascinating 39-year+ journey of personal spiritual enlightenment, Robert's highly acclaimed memoir Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul  was praised as "definitely chicken soup for the spiritual seeker's soul" by Jack Canfield. The lessons Robert has to convey are intensely personal and heartfelt, yet also reflect his 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. He is the author of over 10 books, as well as the Co-Founder of the Journal on Consciousness Studies. Robert's web sites:  SoulJazzOnline.com    EnlightenmentAint.com   Frontier Beyond Fear music copyrighted by Grammy award winner Larry Seyer, www.larryseyer.com, included in this podcast with his permission.

01/03/2014 - Enlightenment Ain't All It's Cracked Up To Be - Part 2 with guest Robert Forman

In these times, when more and more people are looking for spiritual truth and engage in practices like meditation, it’s hard to know what to expect from attaining a lofty goal like Enlightenment. What does Enlightenment look like? What happens when we attain it? What does it mean in terms of our relationships? Our families? Our jobs? In his book Enlightenment Ain’t What It’s Cracked Up To Be (Changemakers Books, 2011), spiritual teacher and religious scholar Robert K. C. Forman explores the illusions we buy into when we enter and walk the spiritual path. “People so want a life that is easy, effortless, satisfying. And the promise [of enlightenment] itself becomes part of the problem. Because now you have a strong wish for that kind of perfection”, he says in our interview. “And that gets in the way of recognizing the transformations that are actually taking place. The drive for a perfect marriage gets in the way of a good enough marriage. The drive for having a perfect life gets in the way of what we do have.” Enlightenment is not about attaining some perfect state of mind, but to be honest to oneself and others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In these times, when more and more people are looking for spiritual truth and engage in practices like meditation, it’s hard to know what to expect from attaining a lofty goal like Enlightenment. What does Enlightenment look like? What happens when we attain it? What does it mean in terms of our relationships? Our families? Our jobs? In his book Enlightenment Ain’t What It’s Cracked Up To Be (Changemakers Books, 2011), spiritual teacher and religious scholar Robert K. C. Forman explores the illusions we buy into when we enter and walk the spiritual path. “People so want a life that is easy, effortless, satisfying. And the promise [of enlightenment] itself becomes part of the problem. Because now you have a strong wish for that kind of perfection”, he says in our interview. “And that gets in the way of recognizing the transformations that are actually taking place. The drive for a perfect marriage gets in the way of a good enough marriage. The drive for having a perfect life gets in the way of what we do have.” Enlightenment is not about attaining some perfect state of mind, but to be honest to oneself and others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In these times, when more and more people are looking for spiritual truth and engage in practices like meditation, it’s hard to know what to expect from attaining a lofty goal like Enlightenment. What does Enlightenment look like? What happens when we attain it? What does it mean in terms of our relationships? Our families? Our jobs? In his book Enlightenment Ain’t What It’s Cracked Up To Be (Changemakers Books, 2011), spiritual teacher and religious scholar Robert K. C. Forman explores the illusions we buy into when we enter and walk the spiritual path. “People so want a life that is easy, effortless, satisfying. And the promise [of enlightenment] itself becomes part of the problem. Because now you have a strong wish for that kind of perfection”, he says in our interview. “And that gets in the way of recognizing the transformations that are actually taking place. The drive for a perfect marriage gets in the way of a good enough marriage. The drive for having a perfect life gets in the way of what we do have.” Enlightenment is not about attaining some perfect state of mind, but to be honest to oneself and others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In these times, when more and more people are looking for spiritual truth and engage in practices like meditation, it’s hard to know what to expect from attaining a lofty goal like Enlightenment. What does Enlightenment look like? What happens when we attain it? What does it mean in terms of our relationships? Our families? Our jobs? In his book Enlightenment Ain’t What It’s Cracked Up To Be (Changemakers Books, 2011), spiritual teacher and religious scholar Robert K. C. Forman explores the illusions we buy into when we enter and walk the spiritual path. “People so want a life that is easy, effortless, satisfying. And the promise [of enlightenment] itself becomes part of the problem. Because now you have a strong wish for that kind of perfection”, he says in our interview. “And that gets in the way of recognizing the transformations that are actually taking place. The drive for a perfect marriage gets in the way of a good enough marriage. The drive for having a perfect life gets in the way of what we do have.” Enlightenment is not about attaining some perfect state of mind, but to be honest to oneself and others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12/06/2013 - Enlightenment Ain't All It's Cracked Up To Be - with guest Robert Forman

Are you ready to stop being an expert in yearning and make some real changes? Are you ready to take a stand for your own life? Dr. Robert Forman, Founder and Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality & Social Change and one of the world's leading experts in the study of Mysticism, returns to the show for another honest, heart-based discussion. Robert just launched the new Soul Jazz program, bringing soul to life and relationships. A reflection of his fascinating 39-year journey of personal spiritual enlightenment, Robert's highly acclaimed memoir Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul was praised as "definitely chicken soup for the spiritual seeker's soul" by Jack Canfield. The lessons Robert has to convey are intensely personal and heartfelt, yet also reflect his 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. He is the author of over ten books, as well as the Co-Founder of The Journal on Consciousness Studies. Robert also offers one-one-one assistance through his spiritual counseling. Web sites: SoulJazzOnline.com EnlightenmentAint.com   Frontier Beyond Fear music copyrighted by Grammy award winner Larry Seyer, www.larryseyer.com, included in this podcast with his permission.

How do you discover, with an open heart, the mystery, surprise and depth of a soul-to-soul relationship with another person? How do you allow yourself to enter a space of vulnerability and trust? How do you truly begin to listen? Dr. Robert Forman, Founder and Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality & Social Change and one of the world's leading experts in the study of Mysticism, returns to the show for another honest, heart-based discussion. Robert is unveiling the new Soul Jazz program this Fall, an opportunity to truly bring relationships to life. A reflection of his fascinating 39-year journey of personal spiritual enlightenment, Robert's highly acclaimed memoir Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul was praised as "definitely chicken soup for the spiritual seeker's soul" by Jack Canfield. The lessons Robert has to convey are intensely personal and heartfelt, yet also reflect his 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. He is the author of over ten books, as well as the Co-Founder of The Journal on Consciousness Studies. Robert also offers one-one-one assistance through his spiritual counseling. Web sites: SoulJazzOnline.com EnlightenmentAint.com   Frontier Beyond Fear music copyrighted by Grammy award winner Larry Seyer, www.larryseyer.com, included in this podcast with his permission.

What does it mean to be intimate, to share our deeper selves with another person? Dr. Robert Forman, Founder and Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality & Social Change and one of the world's leading experts in the study of Mysticism, returns to the show to talk honestly and spontaneously with host Susan Larison Danz. (And note that the type of intimacy we are talking about does not imply sexual intimacy.) We often look for it and fear intimacy at the same time. How do we know when to foster it? How do we know when to trust? How can we be both discerning and empathic? How do we deal with the emotional risks? A reflection of his fascinating 39-year journey of personal spiritual enlightenment, Robert's highly acclaimed memoir Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul was praised as "definitely chicken soup for the spiritual speaker's soul" by Jack Canfield. The lessons Robert has to convey are intensely personal and heartfelt, yet also reflect his 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College.  He is the author of over ten books, as well as the Co-Founder and Executive Editor of The Journal on Consciousness Studies.  He is also a spiritual counselor. Robert's web sites: GoDeeperTogether.com EnlightenmentAint.com     Flute music segues freely distributed under several licenses, including GPL.

What if you spent years of your life seeking spiritual enlightenment but were looking in the wrong place? Dr. Robert Forman, one of the world's leading experts in the study of Mysticism, returns to the show to talk honestly with host Susan Larison Danz about enlightenment, mystical experiences and his fascinating 39-year journey of personal spiritual exploration.  During the last part of the show, you won't want to miss the discussion of why so many of us yearn for deeper connections with one another and how to navigate the powerful energy and emotions we can experience in the process. Robert's highly acclaimed memoir Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul was praised as "definitely chicken soup for the spiritual seeker's soul" by Jack Canfield. The lessons Robert has to convey are intensely personal and heartfelt, yet also reflect his 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. The author of multiple books, Robert is the Founder and Executive Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality & Social Change. Robert's web sites: EnlightenmentAint.com GoDeeperTogether.com   To learn more about this program, visit FrontierBeyondFear.com. Flute music segues written and performed by Colin Ross and freely distributed under GPL (www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html).      

Dr. Robert Forman, inspirational author of the award-winning book Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be, returns to reflect with host Susan Larison Danz on our yearning to leave "the game" behind.  If we no longer choose to live by the old rules of ambition, what then? Robert has spent 39 years exploring enlightenment in the midst of some of the top spiritual wayshowers in the world - and he is one of them!   His highly acclaimed memoir was praised as "definitely chicken soup for the spiritual seeker's soul" by Jack Canfield. The lessons Robert has to convey are intensely personal and heartfelt, yet also reflect his  20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College.  He is one of the world's leading experts in the study of Mysticism. The author of multiple books, Robert is the Founder and Executive Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality and Social Change.  Robert's web site: EnlightenmentAint.com   To learn more about The Frontier Beyond Fear, visit FrontierBeyondFear.com and follow the show on Facebook. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colin_Ross_-_Etherea.ogg, written and performed by Colin Ross and freely distributed under several licenses, including GPL (www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html).

Dr. Robert Forman, inspirational author of Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up To Be and a popular regular guest, has made a special request:  He would like to talk more deeply with host Susan Larison Danz about her journey, focusing on transformative moments that have changed her life, including her experiences with both evangelical Christian and New Age paths. Robert's approach to spirituality is based on 39+ years of exploring spiritual enlightenment - from his beginnings as a Transcendental Meditation teacher training in the presence of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the guru of the Beatles, to his 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions.  Robert has a PhD from Columbia University focused on Mystical Experience and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. Robert's highly acclaimed memoir was praised as "definitely chicken soup for the spiritual seeker's soul!" by Jack Canfield.  Robert's web site:  EnlightenmentAint.com To learn more about The Frontier Beyond Fear radio program, including ways you can help support the show, visit: FrontierBeyondFear.com Flute music segues appearing on "The Frontier Beyond Fear" originate from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colin_Ross_-_Etherea.ogg, written and performed by Colin Ross and freely distributed under several licenses, including GPL (www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html).  

Are you disillusioned with goals unreached? Dr. Robert Forman, author of the award-winning book Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be, returns for a heartfelt, honest discussion of goals not quite being what they are cracked up to be. From his 39 years exploring spiritual enlightenment to his 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, Robert shares a deeply insightful, personal perspective whenever he talks with host Susan Larison Danz on the show.  A popular regular guest on The Frontier Beyond Fear, this is Robert's fifth appearance on the program.  Visit The Frontier Beyond Fear web site for links to Robert's earlier shows. Robert's web sites: EnlightenmentAint.com GoDeeperTogether.com Flute music segues appearing on "The Frontier Beyond Fear" originate from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colin_Ross_-_Etherea.ogg, written and performed by Colin Ross and freely distributed under several licenses, including GPL (www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html).  

Dr. Robert Forman, author of the award-winning book "Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be", and a popular regular guest, returns to share deeper insights on the nature of mystical experience and how such experiences can impact our lives personally. Robert has spent 39 years exploring enlightenment in the midst of some of the top spiritual wayshowers in the world (and he too is a wayshower for us all).  Robert has 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University focused on Mystical Experience and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College.  Robert also shares the depth of his insight and understanding on a personal level as a spiritual counselor. Visit Robert's web sites: www.enlightenmentaint.com www.godeepertogether.com Flute music segues appearing on "The Frontier Beyond Fear" originate from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colin_Ross_-_Etherea.ogg, written and performed by Colin Ross and freely distributed under several licenses, including GPL (www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html).  

Dr. Robert Forman, inspirational author of "Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be", shares heartfelt insights into dealing with spiritual disillusionment and disappointment in the midst of unexpected grace.  [Note: Don't be deterred by some sound issues early in the show, as they resolve themselves later.] Robert's highly acclaimed memoir was praised as "definitely chicken soup for the spiritual seeker's soul!" by Jack Canfield. The lessons Robert has to convey are intensely personal, yet also reflect his 20 years experience as an esteemed Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University focused on Mystical Experience and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. Robert's approach to the spiritual path is based on 39 years of exploring spiritual enlightenment.  From his beginnings as a Transcendental Meditation teacher training in the presence of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the guru of the Beatles, to his reflecting on mystical experience with Ram Dass, you will appreciate the depth of wisdom Robert has to share from his fascinating journey. Robert is currently the Executive Director of The Forge Institute. Robert's web sites: http://EnlightenmentAint.com     http://GoDeeperTogether.org   http://www.TheForge.org Flute music segues appearing on "The Frontier Beyond Fear" originate from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colin_Ross_-_Etherea.ogg, written and performed by Colin Ross and freely distributed under several licenses, including GPL (www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html).

Dr. Robert Forman, acclaimed author of "Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be" returns to the Frontier to share his authentic, humorous and poetic approach to the spiritual path, based on his 39 years of exploring spiritual enlightenment. The lessons Robert has to share are intensely personal.  Even so, one cannot help but mention his 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University focused on Mystical Experience and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College.  We will talk a bit about Mystical Experience from multiple perspectives, given the depth of his expertise and experience.  When Robert speaks from the heart, you will realize that this is a Professor who is not at all afraid to show us how to explore and reveal our deeply authentic selves. Visit Robert's web site: http://enlightenmentaint.com/

Dr. Robert Forman, award-winning author of "Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up To Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul", will share how to embrace "the human messiness" of one's path.  Based on his 39 years of exploring enlightenment, Robert's courageously authentic, humorous and poetic insights offer new directions for people looking for a sane and healthy spiritual pathway in our increasingly confusing world.  Robert has 20 years experience as a Professor of Comparative Religions, with a PhD from Columbia University focused on Mystical Experience and professorships at City University of New York and Vassar College. If you can relate to the disillusionment so often encountered on one's spiritual journey, whether you have found a way to transcend it or if you are feeling stuck, you will greatly appreciate the depth of Robert's insightful conversation with host Susan Larison Danz. Visit Robert's web sites: http://enlightenmentaint.com/ http://www.godeepertogether.com

Dr. Robert K.C. Forman is uniquely qualified, both personally and professionally, to re-imagine the spiritual goal and the path to it. Personally, Dr. Forman hasn’t missed a day of meditation in 40 years. He broke through to the first major life shift he sought during a nine-month meditation retreat, just two years after beginning Transcendental Meditation. Further developments have continued through his gaining of a Ph.D. in mystical experience from Columbia U and his 20 years as a Professor of Comparative Religions, through his lifetime of yearly solo meditation retreats, self-reflection, 18 years of psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic training, his marital work, his teaching, writing and leading of workshops, and his research into and national leadership role in the "spiritual but not religious" community. (Quotes below are from Robert's book, Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up To Be.) “Do not settle,” the vastness whispers. “Do not be content with partial love. Be open here too. Be so open with this other that there is nothing left to close.” (P. 160) His curiosity and confusion about his early spiritual breakthroughs led him to a Ph.D in Comparative Religions (Columbia U), where he specialized in the nature of and philosophical issues around mystical experiences and the spiritual life. He has often been called “one of the leading voices in the academic debates on mysticism," because of his work in the international scholarly debate about mystical experiences, which came to be known as “The Katz-Forman debates,” the work for which he has been awarded numerous grants and, just last year, an honorary doctorate. A tenured professor of religions at Hunter College of the City University of New York and a professor at Vassar College, Union Theological Seminary and the New School for Social Research, he often taught courses on mystical experiences and spiritual goals in every tradition, and his books are used in classes around the world. Many of his insights about the spiritual path and goal came from his work as founder and Executive Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality and Social Change and the Forge Guild of Spiritual Professionals, a non profit dedicated to helping people from any religion or spiritual path live “soul to soul.” He routinely gives lectures, trainings and workshops around the world. He was the co-founder and is executive editor of The Journal of Consciousness Studies , which has become the principle journal in the field. He is also the author of ten scholarly books on spirituality, mysticism, consciousness and world religions. "God save us from some bloodless “joy, joy, joy!” If we are after anything, we are after full-bodied freedom. … I want to be awake, utterly non-resistant, to pain and joy and love and loss and boredom and knowing and not-knowing, wide open to the full catastrophe that is the paradox of a whole, confusing human life." (P. 198) Robert's site: http://enlightenmentaint.com/ Robert's book: Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up To Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul Interview recorded 4/8/2012 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

Robert Forman comes back to be with us today to talk about his ideas about Jazz in the Soul in which relationship becomes real and soulful. Robert is the author of “Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul” carries a profound awareness of what it is like to live life in touch with soul. When it comes to relationship, we tend to think that the other party is our soul. They represent our happiness, our security, our hope and often we think that we cannot live without some of our relationships. Well perhaps we never live without them, but that's not the question. The question is how much of our relationship is soul and how much operates as if it is separate from the soul? If you want to learn how to make yours into a soulful relationship, don't miss this show.

You know there are a lot of people out there talking about enlightenment, what it means and how to get it. The biggest hype about it is that if you are enlightened you are living in a constant state of bliss. But can most people really attain that? A better question is: Is that what enlightenment is really all about? Well our guest today is going to answer that question. He is Robert Forman, PhD, author of the book Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up To Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul, in which he exposes his own journey to enlightenment in some very enlightening ways. The book is so candid as to become an opening in the psyche of the reader to allow room for the affirmation of one's own journey, while simultaneously busting some of the mythology about enlightenment. If you are on your own journey to enlightenment, you are not going to want to miss this show.