Podcasts about perennial wisdom

When the world gets chaotic and uncertain, we need spiritual practice more than ever—not just to sustain our souls and restore our inner peace, but to recharge and prepare ourselves to take on challenges with effective action. A few years ago, Philip Goldberg, the author of “Spiritual Practice in Crazy Times” and host of the Spirit Matters podcast. interviewed twelve spiritual leaders to help us get through the pandemic. We're now re-releasing the interviews as an encore series, because the messages are as relevant today as when they first aired. Rabbi Rami Shapiro is a self-proclaimed “Jewish practitioner of perennial wisdom,” who was ordained by Hebrew Union College and earned a Ph.D. in religion from Union Graduate School. He writes the Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler column for Spirituality and Health magazine and has written more than thirty books, including Holy Rascals – Advice for Spiritual Revolutionaries; The Tao of Solomon: Unlocking the Perennial Wisdom of Ecclesiastes; Judaism Without Tribalism; and his latest, Zen Mind, Jewish Mind: Koan, Midrash, & The Living Word. In this interview, he shares perennial wisdom about grieving for the dead and the dying, addiction and recovery, the profound concept of being surrendered, and what it means to be a holy rascal.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rabbi Rami Shapiro is a self-proclaimed “Jewish practitioner of perennial wisdom,” who was ordained by Hebrew Union College and earned a Ph.D. in religion from Union Graduate School. He is the codirector of the One River Foundation, writes the Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler column for Spirituality and Health magazine and has written more than thirty books on religion and spirituality. His books include Holy Rascals – Advice for Spiritual Revolutionaries; The Tao of Solomon: Unlocking the Perennial Wisdom of Ecclesiastes; Judaism Without Tribalism; and his latest, Zen Mind, Jewish Mind: Koan, Midrash, & The Living Word. As I wrote in my endorsement of the last book, “Not into Zen? Not a Jew? Not a problem. Anyone on any path will benefit enormously from this profoundly illuminating book.” The same is true of this deep and wide-ranging conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This authentic discussion emphasizes the imperative evolution of modern healthcare to include an integrative approach that valorizes the wisdom of traditional healing practices, the cultivation of noetic skills, and the personal growth of healthcare providers. It underscores the significance of self-awareness, the exploration of one's true calling ('Swadharma'), and the incorporation of emotional and spiritual education alongside conventional medical training. Stressing the limitations of a system overly focused on metrics, it invites a reevaluation of the connections between emotions like shame and fear, and physical health, highlighting the role of thought and behavior patterns in disease manifestation, particularly in heart health. Dr Chennaiyan persuasively argues for a transformative educational and practical framework that embraces holistic health paradigms, including insights from wisdom traditions such as classical Chinese medicine and tantra, viewing the heart not just as an organ, but as a central nexus of potentiality and healing. It advocates for a future where healthcare transcends empirical metrics, nurturing a space that fosters joy, bliss, and comprehensive well-being.00:00 Exploring the Essence of Swadharma and Personal Dharma01:42 Introducing the Healers Council: A Journey into Wisdom and Healing02:48 Meet Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan: A Multifaceted Healer06:45 Bridging Science and Spirituality: The Mission of Modern Healers20:29 Understanding Suffering and the Path to Resilience29:41 The Power of Asking the Right Questions: A Deep and Direct Dive into Physician Burnout39:53 Rekindling Wonder and Confronting Fear: The Path to Empowerment for Healers50:34 Exploring the Loss of Wonder and Idealism51:04 The Power of Idealism and Vision in Life51:57 Understanding Swadharma: Aligning with Your True Calling52:40 The Consequences of Misaligned Career Choices57:00 The Impact of Fear and Shame on Professional Healers01:13:15 Addressing the Crisis of Identity in Healthcare01:14:43 The Potential and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare01:23:34 The Importance of Self-Knowledge and Emotional Maturity in Medical Education01:33:55 Envisioning a Future of Healing: The Heart of Wellnesshttps://svatantra.institute/

What does it look like for us to sit in silence, whether it be for two minutes or twenty? As we sit in that silence, what do we do with it? Is it a time for rolling over the to-do's of our day, for sitting with an image or a phrase? Is it something we do alone or with others? On this week's podcast, we explore the ins and outs of Centering Prayer - its origins, the “rules,” why we sometimes need to interpret those “rules,” and why we find the experience so enriching and grounding. Join us as we consider this relatively modern form of prayer that bears the mark of Perennial Wisdom. Additional ResourcesBook: Open Mind, Open Heart by Thomas KeatingHashtagsThomas Keating, Thomas Merton, Spirituality, Prayer, Contemplative Prayer, transformation, anxietySign up for our newsletter here: https://foundrysc.com/about/newsletter

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/VFpHk9WqCrY Jeffrey Mishlove explores the crossroads of dreams, parapsychology, and the active observer approach in consciousness studies, shedding light on the intricacies of the human mind. NOTE: It's crucial to clarify that the perspectives expressed by this guest (and every other) don't mirror my own. There's a versicolored arrangement of people, each harboring distinct viewpoints, as part of my endeavor to understand the perspectives that exist. Listen now early and ad-free on Patreon https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal.  - Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal (early access to ad-free audio episodes!) - Crypto: https://tinyurl.com/cryptoTOE - PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE - Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt - Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs - iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802 - Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e - Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything - TOE Merch: https://tinyurl.com/TOEmerch LINKS MENTIONED: - New Thinking Allowed (Jeffrey's Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@NewThinkingAllowed - Podcast w/ Dennis McKenna on TOE: https://youtu.be/I9fJbns2aBU - Podcast w/ Ryan Graves (interviews Curt): https://youtu.be/MdNVKQlP3SA - Podcast w/ Karl Friston on EGO DEATH (10 min clip): https://youtu.be/ywjaGO0jhco - Podcast w/ Karl Friston on EGO DEATH (full version): https://youtu.be/SWtFU1Lit3M - The Reflexive Universe: Evolution of Consciousness (Arthur M. Young): https://amzn.to/460QAtl - The Red Book (Carl Jung): https://amzn.to/3P8b7p6 - Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death (F. W. H. Myers): https://amzn.to/4846xBa - Tech Bondage, Slavery of the Human Spirit (James Tunney): https://amzn.to/45GPFi8 - Modern Man in Search of a Soul (Carl Jung): https://amzn.to/3P2GKR3 - The Forgotten Language (Eric Fromm): https://amzn.to/4846FRa TIMESTAMPS: - 00:00:00 Introduction - 00:02:15 Jeffrey's Parapsychology Journey - 00:07:53 Mystical Experiences - 00:11:10 Media Influence in Non-Profit Sector - 00:13:01 How Do You Even Get a Degree in Parapsychology?! - 00:18:22 Academic Exploration of the Unseen - 00:27:10 The "Reflexive Universe" and Spirit's Descent into Matter - 00:33:00 Archetypal Synchronistic Resonance and "Past Life" Connection - 00:43:31 The Intrigue of William James - 00:51:00 Egyptian View on Death, Soul Fragmentation, and Reincarnation - 01:01:15 Death's Dependence on Perception - 01:04:32 Universal Cosmological Structure - 01:14:52 Implications of Parapsychological Tests - 01:27:33 Role of "Aliens" in Enhancing Psychic Abilities - 01:39:02 Imprecision in Paranormal Research - 01:52:53 Meta-systems Beyond Science (Abhijgnosis?) - 02:05:16 Perennial Wisdom and the Evolution of Theologies - 02:11:01 Enlightenment Misinterpretation, Ego Traps, and Spiritual Growth - 02:18:53 Talmudic Legends - 02:26:57 Enhancing Psi Ability - 02:36:52 Jungian Collective Unconscious & Freudian Remarks - 02:38:00 Psychic Potential: Threat or Evolution? - 02:40:53 Facing Our Darkness: Spiritual Paths & Jungian Shadows - 02:55:30 Linda Moulton Howe's and Bigelow's Research Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for a new and gentle way to tap into your soul's journey at the highest energetic realm possible?Explore the Akashic Records, a database of information from your soul that describes everything that has happened and will happen in your life, with Vanessa Lambert in this supportive Living 4D conversation.Learn more about Vanessa and her work on social media via Instagram here and here and Facebook. Listen to the Bee The Wellness Podcast with Vanessa and her husband Adam wherever you listen to podcasts.Sign up for Vanessa's free Akashic Journey: An Introduction to the Akashic Records at this link. For Living 4D listeners: Vanessa is offering listeners a $555 discount on her Akashic Records Certification course when you use the promo code CHEK at this link. Also, experience new adventures in Italy in September and Egypt in November and save $555 on either trip. Use the code CHEK when you set up your trip.TimestampsVanessa learned reiki and how to use the Akashic Records at a very young age. (14:27)What are the Akashic Records? (21:58)How Vanessa accesses the Akashic Records. (31:02)The problems associated with accessing the Akashic Records to predict the future. (38:07)Who/what maintains the Akashic Records? (44:58)Using the Akashic Records to discover what's true or not. (1:08:22)Dancing between the polarities and understanding the magic of both. (1:27:22)“I want everyone to learn how to read their own Akashic Records.” (1:34:45)Look into your own self-discovery. (1:41:01)Accepting your soul contract and giving it to God. (1:50:07)Editing a soul contract. (2:00:36)Developing your ability to read the Akashic Records. (2:22:08)ResourcesSacred Ground to Sacred Space: Visionary Ecology, Perennial Wisdom, Environmental Ritual and Art by Rowena KryderPaul's Living 4D conversation with Ervin LaszloCreodesThe work of PlotinusKundalini yogaFind more resources for this episode on our website.Thanks to our awesome sponsors:PaleovalleyBiOptimizers PAUL10Organifi CHEK20CHEK Institute/CHEK AcademyNed CHEKWe may earn commissions from qualifying purchases using affiliate links.

In today's episode I'm sharing notes from the International Enneagram Association Global Conference in San Francisco. I talk through a workshop on creativity with Russ Hudson and Catherine Bell as well as a talk on the possibility of a perennial philosophy and a panel on the enneagram and sexuality. -- Call/text your enneagram questions to (828) 338-9127 Grab a copy of my books at www.thehonestenneagram.com & www.theenneagramletters.com Check out my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/sarajanecase Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's podcast, we explore the life and work of Hildegard von Bingen, a multi-faceted woman who lived in the Middle Ages and yet continues to inspire people today. Join us as we talk about what it must have been like to have visions at the age of 3, begin convent life at 8 years old, and live in a world where few women were given permission to speak to both lay people and clergy alike. Come along and be in awe with us as we discuss this woman who was speaking about social justice and the interconnectedness of all things long before “being woke” was even a twinkle in our collective eye. #ecospirituality #equality #Divine #Spiritual #PerennialWisdom #InnerWisdom #Interconnection #balance #prophetic #womenleaders #mandalasSign up for our newsletter here: https://foundrysc.com/about/newsletter

Join Mukunda as he speaks with Farhan Qureshi. Farhan is an ex-Muslim who now identifies

In this episode, the interspiritual rabbi Rami Shapiro shows us the transformational value of exploring traditions other than our own. Listen as we discuss perennial teachings across boundaries, Rami's notion of "nondual aliveness," and much more. Find out more about award winning author Rabbi Rami Shapiro Connect with Philip Goldberg here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Schmelzer loves life hacks, but has found that they often have a shorter shelf life than he'd hoped. Contemplatives have a surprising answer for why that might be. Life hacks, they tell us, come from a world view saturated in original sin: your problems come from your fundamental laziness that has to be overcome. But maybe we don't need to overcome anything. Maybe we already have a deep happiness that we can access as we quiet down a bit. Rami Shapiro and Anthony DeMello and Tara Brach help us here.Mentioned on this podcast:Rami Shapiro's book Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually IndependentAnthony DeMello's book Stop Fixing Yourself: Wake Up, All is WellTara Brach's book Radical Acceptance

Betsy welcomes Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of JUDAISM WITHOUT TRIBALISM: A Guide to Being a Blessing to All the Peoples of the Earth. Rabbi Shapiro discussed, the 4 points of Perennial Wisdom, and they discussed intermarriage, what is the gravest danger facing Jews today, and what is Tribalism. All these questions with the answers can be heard in the audio interview we are providing in this blog. Rabbi Shapiro also discusses growing up in an Orthodox Jewish home and seeking out other beliefs about how people want to connect with "Divine Reality " and how we should be a blessing to each other. For more information and contact: https://bit.ly/3B6RlFi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

n today's interview,  Betsy Wurzel and Rabbi Rami Shapiro discussed his new book, "JUDAISM WITHOUT TRIBALISM", A Guide to Being a Blessing to All the Peoples of the Earth. Rabbi Rami Shapiro discussed, the 4 points of Perennial Wisdom, and they discussed intermarriage, what is the gravest danger facing Jews today, and what is Tribalism. All these questions with the answers can be heard in the audio interview we are providing in this blog.Rabbi Rami Shapiro discusses growing up in an Orthodox Jewish home and seeking out other beliefs about how people want to connect with "Divine Reality " and how we should be a blessing to each other.For more information and contact: https://bit.ly/3B6RlFi

Betsy welcomes Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of JUDAISM WITHOUT TRIBALISM: A Guide to Being a Blessing to All the Peoples of the Earth. Rabbi Shapiro discussed, the 4 points of Perennial Wisdom, and they discussed intermarriage, what is the gravest danger facing Jews today, and what is Tribalism. All these questions with the answers can be heard in the audio interview we are providing in this blog. Rabbi Shapiro also discusses growing up in an Orthodox Jewish home and seeking out other beliefs about how people want to connect with "Divine Reality " and how we should be a blessing to each other. For more information and contact: https://bit.ly/3B6RlFi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scriptures: John 12:3, Luke 10:25-37, John 4:20, 24Perennial Wisdom Value:  We value wisdoms that exist across faith traditionsPerennial Wisdom: Knowledge that continually recurs.Compassion: A common perennial virtueWhy do we care about perennial wisdom?  - It gives us the opportunity to learn from one another without pressure to change the other.Discussion One:- Have you ever experienced a barrier to having a mutual experience due to cultural or religious differences?- Any other thoughts, insights, or wonderings coming up for you?Why do we care about perennial wisdom? - It's meaningful to become aware of the shared human experience.Discussion Two: Has there been a time when you had a shared experience with someone from another culture or religion? Have you noticed where you have even shut down because of another person's religion or culture?

Ecumenical Engagement + Perennial Wisdom- We value the diversity of the Church and the wisdom that exists across faith traditions.Scriptures (NIV):Matthew 22:37-39, Galatians 5:14, 1 John 2:15a, 17Why is Perennial Wisdom Compelling:- Great to feel connection- New wisdoms and insightsExample: “We want to engage externally while letting go internally.” - Learn spiritual practices from other faith traditionsDiscussion One:- What experience, if any, do you have with Perennial Wisdom?- What have you found helpful about Perennial Wisdom?What are Challenges?- Walking on a slippery slope.- If I learn from other faith traditions, will I feel compelled to ignore my own tradition?- Fear of losing connection with others - Fear of the demonicDiscussion Two:- Are there fears that you're hearing named that you resonate with?- What other questions or wonderings have you had about perennial wisdom?

ECUMENICAL ENGAGEMENT + PERENNIAL WISDOM- We value the diversity of the Church and the wisdom that exists across faith traditions.Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV), Colossians 3:10 & 11b (ERV), Ephesians 6, Matthew 28:19-20Styles of Prayer- Declarative- Scripted- Petition- Without WordsDiscussion One:- Are there ways of praying that you have felt a strong connection to?- Have you noticed shifts in your prayer experiences and ways you connect to God?- Are there ideas here that surprise you or that you wonder about? Styles of Biblical Engagement:- Proclaimed- Lectionary- Bible Study- Images/MetaphorsDiscussion Two: - Can you identify quadrants that have been a part of your own story?- How does a diagram like this one help your engagement with others?- Are there things you feel curious or wonder about?

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Colossians 1:17, Ephesians 2:15b-16 Notes:Ecumenical: The entirety of all Christian faith communitiesPerennial Wisdom: Wisdom that spans across faith traditionsOur Guiding Value: - We value the diversity of the Church and the wisdom that exists across faith traditions.To Begin: - Diversity is good. - Diversity is hard.Confirmation Bias: The human brain welcomes information that confirms what it already thinks and resists information that disturbs or contradicts what it already thinks.Complexity Bias: The human brain prefers a simple lie to a complex truth. Discussion One:- What do you welcome about ecumenical diversity?- How have you found ecumenical diversity challenging?To Continue: - Connection is good.- Connection is hard.Quote - Bishop Michael Curry: - To love does not mean we have to agree. But maybe agreeing to love is the greatest agreement. Discussion Two: - What blesses your life about connection?- In what ways do you need Christ's help with connection?

A Disciple describes a singular journey with a universal appeal, on the path of Perennial Wisdom. There are lessons for us all as we recognise the call from our inner spirit, our yearning for ‘something other' in a materialistic world that so often leaves us dissatisfied. There is another way for us to live, and A Disciple asks important questions about faith and spirituality and connects us with the power of meditation. The author believes passionately that it is a meditation that provides the foundation for a caring and compassionate future. https://selfdiscoverymedia.com/?p=100456

Awe is a universal emotion that we experience and has been paid attention to by both spiritual and scientific communities. It turns out that experiencing awe is (amazingly!) good for us. And when we are tuned in to it, we can find awe everywhere, from nature to – wait for it – shiny trash can lids. Join us as we talk about ways to open to even more awe in our lives. Additional ResourcesTV Series: Foundation on Apple TV #Mindfulness#ContemplativeMusic#Exeperience#Perennial For Transcript: Go to the "Transcript" Tab. If you are in a player that does not have the Transcript Tab, use the link below:https://thecontemplativelife.buzzsprout.com/1642654/9672518-ep-47-the-perennial-wisdom-of-awe

Interspirituality is a new term for many of us, but broadly speaking, it's the experience of finding the common ground between our faith traditions and appreciating the ways in which those traditions compliment each other. In this episode, we dive into four different ways of being Interspiritual, and we consider how we've seen these ways of being emerging in our own lives and in the world around us. Join us as we explore the beauty of sharing our inter-connectedness. Additional ResourcesBook: The New Monasticsm: An Interspiritual Manifesto for Contemplative Living by Rory McEnfee and Adam BuckoSpeaker: Mirabai Starr's Talk: The Bees in the GardenBook: Foundations in Spiritual Direction: Sharing the Sacred Across Traditions by Beverly Lanzetta#PerennialWisdom#DeconstrucingFaith#ThirdWay#PrayerPracticesFor Transcript:Go to the "Transcript" Tab.If you are in a player that does not have the Transcript Tab, use the link below:https://thecontemplativelife.buzzsprout.com/1642654/9310548-ep-38-interspirituality

Sabina mentions her bi-monthly Facebook Live program: https://www.facebook.com/ShareInternationalCanadaShe also mentions Benjamin Creme:  https://www.share-international.org/background/bcreme/bc_main.htmand Share International Magazine: https://share-international.org/magazine/old_issues/2021/2021-07.htmElisa mentions Paramhansa Yogananda's book, Autobiography of a Yogi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobiography_of_a_YogiElisa also mentions the work of Canadian pyschologist, Ian Stevenson and his books on Reincarnation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_StevensonShe also mentions the story of Jenny Cockell, who recalled her previous life in Ireland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Cockelland Sri Satya Sai Baba: https://www.sathyasai.org/    

Mr. Gabriel Amorim delivers our morning sermon on the wisdom to be found in the book of Proverbs.

It's important to know that many things masquerade as Christianity but God calls us to use discernment. How do you know what is truth? Join me as I talked with my returning guest co-host and contributor today, Marcia Montenegro as we talked about the four faces of corrupt Christianity. CONTEMPLATIVE, PANENTHEISM, PERENNIAL WISDOM, AND THE ENNEAGRAM. You can call in at 646-668-8485 and press 1 to be live on air. Download Stitcher on your mobile device. Follow us on iTunes and iHeartreadio. Add PJC Media to your Spotify library, or click on the link here: http://tobtr.com/s/11954792.    

Today we're talking about Spiritual Independence. If we know this term, we may well identify by any number of names: Spiritual but not Religious, Spiritually Eclectic, Spiritually Fluid, Disaffiliated, Nones…But whatever we call ourselves and however we found ourselves here, many of us are finding our way into the Contemplative. In this episode, we explore a number of questions: Can we establish an openness and hospitality towards one another? Can we engage the universal sorts of wisdoms that span across faith traditions? Where and how can we find safe spaces to gather and to dialogue?Probably the only thing we know for sure is that there are more questions than answers. But might we be able to come together, celebrating the vastness of the Divine, engaging our similarities and being hospitable towards our differences. #SpiritualCompanioning#SpirtitualDirection#PerennialWisdom Additional Resources:Book: The Joy Diet by Martha BeckTV Series: Grantchester on PBSAuthor, Speaker & Life Coach: Martha BeckFor Transcript:Go to the "Transcript" Tab.If you are in a player that does not have the Transcript Tab, use the link below:https://thecontemplativelife.buzzsprout.com/1642654/8562603-ep-19-spiritual-independence

A Jewish practitioner of Perennial Wisdom, Rabbi Rami Shapiro is an award–winning author of over thirty-six books on religion and spirituality. He received rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a PH.D. in religion from Union Graduate School. A rabbinic chaplain with the USAF for 3 years, a congregational rabbi for 20, and a professor of religious studies for 10, Rabbi Rami currently co-directs the One River Foundation, is a Contributing Editor at Spirituality and Health magazine, and hosts the magazine’s bi-weekly podcast, Essential Conversations with Rabbi Rami. Website: rabbirami.com Books: Recovery―The Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice (The Art of Spiritual Living) Holy Rascals: Advice for Spiritual Revolutionaries Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent: Sacred Teachings―Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) The World Wisdom Bible: A New Testament for a Global Spirituality Surrendered―The Sacred Art: Shattering the Illusion of Control and Falling into Grace with Twelve-Step Spirituality (The Art of Spiritual Living) Some points discussed in this interview: Rabbi Rami’s spiritual journey through superficial Judaism through various traditions to a deep mystical Judaism. Humanity’s transition from matriarchy to patriarchy is the root cause of most of our problems. A collapse of norms is coming. Will it be mindful or mindless? Widespread spiritual practice will help the best outcome to manifest. Escape to another planet, to the transcendent, to heaven is not the answer. We need a balance between transcendence and immanence. The 10 ox herding pictures. Social justice work without a spiritual practice can be draining and ego-driven. Fundamentalist misinterpretations of Scripture. Perennial wisdom is a 4-fold teaching at the heart of all religions. As consciousness expands, personal shadows are illuminated and must be dealt with. Non-dual Judaism is a very rich religion. Tribal Judaism is ‘craziness’. Religions take advantage of people’s fear of death. Emo Phillips - Golden Gate Bridge skit Different perspectives on reincarnation. Out-of-body experiences suggest the existence of a subtle body. Metaphor: the brain as a radio receiver. Body, heart, mind, soul, spirit – We need to develop practices on each of those dimensions. Rami’s mystical experiences, including instruction from the Divine Mother. From a relative perspective, there are separate beings, but ultimately, it’s all God. Discussion on food addiction. Holy Rascals introduce mystical elements not necessarily welcomed by mainstream religion. Administrators are always threatened by the mystics. Perhaps in the coming years experiential, mystical religions rather than dead ones will predominate. The dead ones are rapidly losing membership. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Interview recorded March 14, 2021 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

As a rabbi drawn to Hasidism and Kabbalah, and a practitioner of Perennial Wisdom found at the mystic heart of all religions, Rabbi Rami Shapiro’s message is simple: Alles iz Gott: everything is a manifesting of God. He is inspired by anyone who dares to step outside the safety of sacred opinion to experience and perhaps utter Truth beyond “ism” and ideology. Love is a reaction to images we hold of others rather than to the others themselves. With this in mind, Shapiro prefers to meet others as they are rather than love them as he imagines them to be.

Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Ph.D., joins Jim and Sarah for a fun conversation on how you too can become a holy rascal and look at religion and religiosity differently. Can we get beyond the idea of “name-brand religion” and get to the Truth at the heart of them? Rami is the author of Holy Rascals and Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent. Plus, a new segment with Funniest Thing! Guy Ed Biagiotti!

Based on the following passage from today's daily office lectionary from the Book of Common Prayer:James 1:1-15 NIVJames, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:Greetings.Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Today’s guest is Julia Brown, an artist, entrepreneur, recovering fundamentalist Christian, and a living example of the mystical wisdom of the artist. Julia drops wisdom left and right in this conversation as she shares how she’s learned to navigate capitalism as an artist, and how her faith directs and influences her creative work. We talk about the limits of language, embracing mystery, and choosing compassion instead of judgement for ourselves and others. Julia has her own pottery business, and previously started an art studio for adults with disabilities in Nashville, TN. Julia and her husband live and work on the farm they created, the Tiny Giant Farm in Kalamazoo, MI.Connect with Julia's art and lifeConnect with Julia's craft and businessConnect with Heather on InstagramDid you hear? I'm now offering one-on-one spiritual guidance. If you're interested in diving deeper Into the work of God in your life, and feel like a guide would be helpful, you can learn more about spiritual guidance and get in touch with Heather on the Chickmonks website.Julia's references:Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently, Beau LottoThe Faithful Artist, Cameron J. AndersonChanging Signs of Truth, Crystal DowningHow Postmodernism Serves My Faith: Questioning Truth In Language, Philosophy, and Art, Crystal DowningBezalel's Body: The Death of God and the Birth of Art, Katie KresserPsychology Today's Narcissism series (my favorite line: "So, if there is an increase in narcissism, maybe it’s not such a bad thing.")

A homily based on the following reading from the daily office lectionary in the Book of Common Prayer:Luke 4: 14-30 (NIV)Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Of course we all want to maximize pleasant times and minimize difficult ones, but the great spiritual teachers--in many cases taking perspective from the eccentric biblical book Ecclesiastes--tell us that learning to fully inhabit both the hard and the good times transforms everything as we're taken into a sort of God Zone. In this story-rich episode, Dave Schmelzer will explore wisdom not just from Eccleciastes but from the contemplative Rami Shapiro and the early church father Clement of Alexandria. Mentioned on this podcast:Ecclesiastes 1:2-3,7; 9:2; 5:17-19, 7:14; 3:1-3,11; 4:8-9; 3:22; 9:7-8; 11:1Rami Shapiro's book Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually IndependentClement of Alexandria

Professor Betsy Coughlin is back for the first episode of "Heather and Betsy talk about sex," where Heather and Betsy talk about talking about sex.In this conversation we talk about the history of the Church, how we understand the Bible, and, spoiler alert: the patriarchal values that shaped both.Please, please reach out to Heather via Instagram or the Chickmonks website, or connect with Betsy if you'd like to respond directly to her.

This episode is a beautiful and vulnerable interview with my friend Valerie Hernandez-Sigamani. We cover big, important injustices in our experiences of Christianity and our hopes for what the future could be like for communities of people following Jesus, but doing it differently--especially making the church better for women and people of color.Connect with ValerieValerie's work: Wild Faith Co.Connect with Heather{NEW} Chickmonks website!Introducing 1:1 spiritual guidance with Heather. If you have been feeling directionless or confused, especially in regards to your sense of spirituality, belief systems, or who you are—I want you to consider working with me.Contact me using either of the links above for more Information.

There is a love that is so strong, it is present even in the most isolating and agonizing darkness. This love has been represented in the feminine form for millennia across spiritual traditions, so it’s no surprise that the love that accompanied Jesus into his agony is represented by these three women.Referenced:Christena Cleveland, author, theologian, activistA homily preached from the following daily office reading of the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer:Matthew 27:55-66 (NRSV)Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

Rev. Emily Hook and I grew up in Richmond, VA, both in Southern Baptist churches, and both had our own adult journeys into a contemplative, liturgical tradition. Emily tells her story on that path, and spoiler alert: she is now ordained to ministry in the Presbyterian Church. We scratched the surface on perfectionism, the community aspect of liturgy in worship, and the path of personal, contemplative faith through it all.And I especially hope you enjoy hearing Emily reflect on the unique balance of motherhood and pastoring, a beautiful and challenging and necessary role in the church. I’m so grateful we have women like her modeling the Divine Mother love of God within a historically patriarchal tradition.Connect with EmilyConnect with HeatherResources/ books Emily mentioned or recommends:Liturgy of the Ordinary- Tish Harrison Warren How to Be a Monastic and Not Leave Your Day Job: An Invitation to Oblate Life- Brother Benet Tvedten Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals- Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Enuma Okoro PCUSA Daily PrayerEpiscopal Book of Common Prayer Sacred Ordinary Days PlannerThe Cradle of Prayer (For daily prayer on the go)

For this Bonus Episode, I will continue my exploration of Mysticism by introducing you to a mystic named Meister Eckhart (1260–1328), who heavily influenced my own personal pursuit of 'detachment' (which he called "dis-interest"). I will also talk a bit about Perennial Philosophy (aka Perennial Wisdom),  a perspective in spirituality that views all of the world's religious traditions as sharing a single, metaphysical truth or origin from which all esoteric and exoteric knowledge and doctrine have grown. Finally, I will tease you with a little bit from the British writer and novelist Aldous Huxley who wrote the dystopian novel Brave New World as well as the 1945 non-fiction book The Perennial Philosophy. (FYI: In the Spring of ‘53, Huxley had his first mescaline induced mystical experience, which he details in The Doors of Perception - the book that inspired Jim Morrison to name his band 'The Doors'. I will tell you much more in next week's Full episode!) NOTE: I briefly touch on The Upanishads, which are a series of Hindu sacred treatises, one of Hindu's sacred texts, written in Sanskrit c. 800–200 BC, expounding the Vedas in predominantly mystical terms. The texts are written in a passionate poetic verse describing mystical states and spiritual concepts as well as descriptive short stories and dialogues between historical figures. They discuss things such as meditation, philosophy, Karma, higher states of being, and the nature of our maker... and even though the teachings are now thousands of years old, they are just as relevant today as they were back then. I encourage you to explore them further. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/unboxinggod/support

Shannon Hillenmeyer, LCSW is a counselor at Rooted Counseling Center in Nashville, TN, a powerful and gentle spiritual leader, and is one of the most formative yoga teachers I’ve ever experienced, so I can’t wait for you all to hear from her todayOur conversation was thwarted by internet connection issues, which means we sometimes talk over each other and the flow is a bit unnatural—but honestly if that isn’t your new normal right now, I don’t know if we’re living in the same reality. Interruptions aside, Shannon and I got into some really beautiful spaces about growth and ego work. We talk specifically about this spiritual path of transformation through yoga, teaching and leadership, counseling, and internal work.Shannon and I return over and over to the concept and gift of presence. Presence to ourselves, presence to the people we love, presence to the task in front of us. There are SO many things we as humans let get in our way of presence—we fill up our schedules, we distract or numb ourselves, we give ourselves to the anxiety and fear that seem to offer us relief, only to find that when we buy into their false promises, our lives are ruled by that anxiety and fear.Presence is the key to our freedom from this enslavement. When we practice presence, we start to make a home with ourselves. We start to engage in our lives with intentionality, and not simply trying to quiet the fear. Presence with ourselves allows us space to notice our reactions to the circumstances around us. And if, in that presence, we can offer ourselves acceptance, if we can find compassion and receive the truth of the present moment,eventually the voices of fear, of anxiety, and of judgment start to settle down, and we find peace.Connect with Shannon on InstagramConnect with me on Instagram

This conversation with Rachel Zolensky, and this will stir up all the things in you. Rachel is a social justice activist by trade and by conviction, but she’s also one of the most thoughtful, introspective people I’ve crossed paths with, and she has a gift for seeing and understanding the way things work and then explaining it to the rest of us.Rachel and I talk about change and transformation. Societal Transformation is only a hopeful ideal until it takes root at an individual level. One word that surfaces many, many times in this conversation is grief. Because this is hard work! For new things to be born, old things have to die, and that comes with grief.One of my favorite parts of this conversation is when Rachel reminds us that a world without white supremacy is better for white people too. When we climb over each other and press others down, everyone loses. Everyone dies. But it doesn’t have to be this way, and transformation begins with your heart.Resources:Rachel's work with Tennessee Institute for Higher EducationSonya Renee Taylor5 ways to get involved with local governmentSURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) SURJ is an organization specifically directed towards facilitating white action towards racial justiceConnect with Rachel on InstagramConnect with me on InstagramLight and Peace to you.

This conversation with Allie Utley (PhD candidate in homiletics and liturgy at Vanderbilt University, professor at Presbyterian Theological Seminary) is very much about the Church as a whole—you’ll probably even learn some new vocabulary. But this conversation is also about what we do as members of the Church—or any worshipping community, for that matter—when we can’t gather.Spoiler alert: it hurts. It calls for grief. And it calls for something new and creative from Christian circles.Allie and I talk in-depth about what on earth the Church as a worshipping community can do while public worship isn’t available. Also note that this episode is explicit for a reason.Connect with Allie: @aeutleyConnect with Heather: @theheatherlawrenceWe’re ready to hear from you if you have thoughts, ideas, responses, questions—consider this an open invitation to connection and conversation.

Delaney McBride is a massage therapist, registered yoga teacher, and personal cook, and has combined her skills and passions in an instagram account called Hand to Heart Wellness, where she promotes a balanced approach to health and wellness through connecting your mind, body, and gut. Definitely give her a follow—@handtoheartwellness.We talk about creative work, our relationships with food and exercise, and really, all of life as a way of knowing ourselves and being freed from our egos into greater Love. We talk about presence and self-awareness and spiritual practice, and all the things that have changed during this season of shifting and changing and canceling and slowing down. I thought I was going to talk to Delaney about food This interview picks up right away—we started catching up and I realized the material was too good to not record, so brace yourselves cause we’re jumping right in.

A homily based on the following reading from the daily office lectionary in the Book of Common Prayer:John 15:1-12 (HCSB)“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.“As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in My love. If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love.“I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.

Betsy Coughlin is an adjunct faculty member in the department of theology and religion at Belmont University in Nashville, TN, where she also earned her Bachelors in English and Religion, and received her M.Div from Boston University. In this conversation Betsy and I talk about her evolving faith and religious practice, pain and healing associated with growing up in the conservative church of the South, and the role emotions play in our faith and understanding of God. There are so many good moments in this conversation that I think will connect the dots for many of us who have started to see our faith pull apart at the seams, especially faith in the angry, masculine God and his supporting theology that so many of us have been handed as ultimate truth.I hope and pray this conversation brings healing and hope and more conversation into your life.

A homily based on the following daily office reading from the Book of Common Prayer:Mark 9:30-41 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

A homily preached from the following reading from the daily office lectionary from the Book of Common Prayer:Mark 1:1-13 (NRSV)The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Grace or judgment, you get to choose.A homily preached from the following reading from the daily office lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer:John 7:53-8:20, NRSVThen each of them went home, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”]]

A homily preached from the following Daily Office lectionary reading from the Book of Common Prayer:John 3:16-21 (NRSV)“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

At Christmas we encounter a lot of "shoulds" and disappointments. This is one of the reasons the idea of Advent is so powerful to me. The church calendar includes a 4-week period of longing. While the world around us hosts Christmas parties and celebrates the season, the church steps into a season where all we have is our desire that things were different.Advent speaks to our longing. It gives room to be in the darkness. It gives us a season to grieve that things don’t seem to be as they should. Advent is a space for those of us who have been disappointed in this life.And Advent gives us an opportunity for hope.Song: "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day"I heard the bells on Christmas dayTheir old familiar carols play;In music sweet the tones repeat,of peace on earth, good will to men.I thought how, as the day had come,The belfries of all ChristendomHad rolled along the unbroken songOf peace on earth, good will to men.And in despair I bowed my head:“There is no peace on earth,” I said,“For hate is strong, and mocks the songOf peace on earth, good will to men.”Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:“God is not dead, and does not sleep,The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,with peace on earth, good will to men.”

A homily on the following Scriptures from the daily office lectionary In the Book of Common Prayer:Matthew 17:14-20 (NRSV)When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.Psalm 95 (NIV)Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.Today, if only you would hear his voice,“Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,where your ancestors tested me; they tried me, though they had seen what I did.For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.’So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”Join the Chickmonks community as a monthly patron and become a part of expanding this healing and hope, maintaining regular, new episodes and access to older ones: https://www.patreon.com/join/chickmonks/checkout

A homily based on the following Scripture from the daily office lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer:John 9:18-41 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

A homily based on the following Book of Common Prayer daily office lectionary reading:Matthew 13:44-52 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

A homily based on the following Book of Common Prayer daily office reading:Matthew 13:1-9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!”

A homily based on the Book of Common Prayer daily office reading:Matthew 11:25-30 (NRSV)At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

One of my old favorite homilies from the (pre-podcast) Lenten season, based on BCP daily office readings:Jeremiah 2:1-13 (NRSV)The word of the Lord came to me, saying: Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord:I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride,how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.Israel was holy to the Lord, the first fruits of his harvest.All who ate of it were held guilty; disaster came upon them,says the Lord.Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord:What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me,and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves?They did not say, “Where is the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt,who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits,in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?”I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things.But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.The priests did not say, “Where is the Lord?” Those who handle the law did not know me;the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit.Therefore once more I accuse you,says the Lord, and I accuse your children’s children.Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing.Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods?But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit.Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate,says the Lord,for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me,the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves,cracked cisterns that can hold no water.Romans 1:16-25 (NRSV)For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.”For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

A homily based on the following daily office reading from the Book of Common Prayer:Matthew 9:1-8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town.And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.

Homily preached from the following Book of Common Prayer daily office reading:Matthew 7:1-12“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.“Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."

Homily preached from the following Book of Common Prayer daily office readings:Matthew 5:27-48[Jesus said,] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Western Christianity has settled for a narrow perspective on faith and knowing God--a perspective in which being right was the ultimate source of security and truth. When my spiritual path led me away from these constrictions and limiting beliefs, I discovered voices who had been knowing God through expansiveness rather than limitations--I found these voices in monks and contemplatives of modern orders all the way back to the ancient teachings of desert mothers and fathers. I encountered contemplative Christianity, and it brought me life to see Jesus as a teacher of this way.I also had a lot of healing to do on my patriarchal perspective on God and religion. The Spirit began to nudge me to refer to God with feminine pronouns. I learned more about Mother God and the Divine Feminine, enlivened as I encountered this part of God who resonated so deeply with my experience of what it means to be Loved by Love itself, and to learn to Love in the way of Christ.Chickmonks is all of the things that healed my faith rolled into one. It's a podcast full of conversations exploring contemplative Christianity from a female perspective. There will be a broad array of voices represented--yes, even men. But by emphasizing different voices and perspectives, Chickmonks aims to create a space for a fuller, truer, deeper encounter with God. Sometimes episodes will be interviews, sometimes there will be homilies, and sometimes there will be guided prayers. May you find grace, may you find compassion, and may the light of Jesus Christ make you more into Love.

Rabbi Rami Shapiro – The Future of Religion = The Future of Humanity Aired Tuesday, 18 June 2019, 5:00 PM EST / 2:00 PM PST From Parochial Dogma to Perennial Wisdom Interview with Rabbi Rami Shapiro – Author, Holy Rascal, and “Perennial Wise Guy” “It’s a dogma-eat-dogma world out there.” — Swami Beyondananda In case you haven’t noticed, there is a pitched battle going on between two dueling paradigms – traditional religion, and scientific materialism – both of which hold part of the story, neither of which have the whole picture. As Bruce Lipton has pointed out, this modern religion called “science” actually uses words like “dogma” and “heresy” to enforce a set of beliefs, not unlike religion. And while science is supposedly a system for carefully assessing evidence and determining fact, I have met “fundamentalist” scientific materialists as fervent as their religious counterparts. Unfortunately, while these two incomplete narratives are duking it out, we’ve lost the sane, sacred coherence of the spiritual and material acting in accord. Our guest on Wiki Politiki this week, Rabbi Rami Shapiro has dedicated his work and life to, in his words, “working for the spiritual liberation of humankind by freeing religion from the parochial and the political, the tribal and xenophobic, the one–dimensional and literal, to reclaim the Perennial Wisdom at the heart of humanity’s sacred myths, stories, rituals, and symbols.” A Jewish practitioner of Perennial Wisdom, Rabbi Rami is an award–winning author of over thirty-six books on religion and spirituality. He received rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a PhD in religion from Union Graduate School. A rabbinic chaplain with the USAF for 3 years, a congregational rabbi for 20, and a professor of religious studies for 10, Rabbi Rami currently co-directs the One River Foundation, is a Contributing Editor at Spirituality and Health magazine, and hosts the magazine’s bi-weekly podcast, Essential Conversations with Rabbi Rami (www.spiritualityhealth.com). Rabbi Rami also considers himself a “holy rascal” whom he defines as, “spiritual culture jammers who playfully pull back the curtain on the great and terrible wizards of parochial piety and shallow spirituality to free religion from hucksterism and pious pabulum.” So… how can accessing what Rabbi Rami calls “the mystic heart of the world’s religions” get us through the dystopian desert we seem stuck in to the Promised Land of thrival for each and all? Join us for a seriously humorous and humorously serious conversation this Tuesday, June 18th at 2 pm PT / 5 pm ET. http://omtimes.com/iom/shows/wiki-politiki-radio-show/ One more thing… How YOU and WE Can Make a Difference Have you noticed that regardless of which of the two political parties you vote for, neither of them seem to be willing to confront Monsanto and agribusiness? Are you disgusted and frustrated by the stonewalling by the two-party duopoly? Are you ready to empower a truly effective “third-way” movement that can move the dial? Are you ready for … oxymoron alert … FUNCTIONAL POLITICS? If so, go here to find out more: https://wikipolitiki.com/functional-politics-an-idea-whose-time-has-come/ Support Wiki Politiki — A Clear Voice In The “Bewilderness” If you LOVE what you hear, and appreciate the mission of Wiki Politiki, “put your money where your mouse

Rabbi Rami Shapiro is an award–winning author of over thirty-six books on religion and spirituality, including Holy Rascals – Advice for Spiritual Revolutionaries, Recovery—the Sacred Art, and his latest, The Tao of Solomon: Unlocking the Perennial Wisdom of Ecclesiastes. A “Jewish practitioner of Perennial Wisdom,” he received rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a Ph.D. in religion from Union Graduate School. A rabbinic chaplain with the USAF for three years, a congregational rabbi for twenty, and a professor of religious studies for ten, Rabbi Rami currently co-directs the One River Foundation, writes the Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler column for Spirituality and Health magazine, and hosts the magazine’s weekly radio show, Essential Conversations with Rabbi Rami. We spoke mainly about The Tao of Solomon and Rami’s unconventional take on Ecclesiastes. Learn more about Rabbi Rami here: http://www.rabbirami.com/.

by Janae Jean & Spencer Schluter – For our featured interview this month, we spoke with Rabbi Rami Shapiro. Rabbi Rami is the author of over 30 books, including his most recent, Holy Rascals. He is also the host of the podcasts Essential Conversations with Rabbi Rami and the How To Be A Holy Rascal …

Rami Shapiro. Rami is an ordained rabbi who describes himself as “a freelance theologian making my living writing and talking.” A boundary crosser, he draws from all the world’s spiritual traditions, and his path has gone through Zen and Vedanta Hinduism in addition to his ancestral Judaism. The most recent of his many books is Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent. We spoke of his unusual path, current spiritual trends and his efforts to revive Jewish mystical practices.

Astro Highlights is brought to you by HTTP://WWW.PUREPLANTESSENTIALS.COM organic aromatherapy. Today is Thursday, August 12th, 2010, the Sun is in Expressive and Creative Leo and the Moon, currently void of course, will enter relationship oriented Libra at 3:42pm Pacific. KG is being joined by Celebrity Astrologer Neil D. Paris of HTTP://WWW.NEWWORLDASTROLOGY.COM.... We had a LEO NEW MOON on Monday August 9th which will catalyze new beginnings for everyone over the next two weeks. Neil will share his take on how to benefit from this particular new moon. On Friday August 13th at 8:31pm Pacific URANUS will RETROGRADE back into PISCES for one last visit before re-entering Aries again in March of 2011 for an 8 year stay. We’ll have an opportunity to review our deepest commitments in life and let go of anything that’s no longer working for us. This is an excellent time for you to meditate upon perennial wisdom questions like WHO AM I? Confidence comes from knowing who you are. When you know who you are, your individual purpose in life becomes clear and flows naturally through you....Neil shares wisdom about what Uranus retrograde motion in Pisces means for us, and how you can best respond to these forces at play.... Please visit Neil's website for a special 30% OFF on astrology charts....My recommendation at this time during Uranus retrograde in Pisces through mid-March is to MEDITATE on PERENNIAL WISDOM questions daily. Ask yourself these three questions, slowly one at a time, become receptive, quietly wait and allow creative images, ideas, words, or feelings to surface and guide you. Your first question: 1) Who am I? Your second question: 2) How am I to live my life? Your third question: 3) What must I let go of in order to realize the Divine idea of who I am? I’m here to help if you need assistance with your journey. You can reach me through my website at https://www.kgstiles.com ...Thanks for joining us. We always appreciate your listening to our show and hope you benefit from what we have to share. I’m KG Stiles with Celebrity Astrologer Neil D. Paris with your Astro Highlights.