Podcasts about sbnr

For the 200th episode, Carol wanted a topic that is especially intriguing and uplifting. More fundamental than growth, the Universe is expanding in all ways, so the conversation is about how we are expanding in our spirituality, too. Rev. Bill (as usual) takes the discussion back to the fundamental concept that we are already 100% spiritual, and what expands is our awareness of it.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

A listener is having trouble with intrusive thoughts about tripping and falling, and is concerned that this repetitive mental activity could be drawing a problem into his life. Carol's experience is that the negative thoughts are coming from within, so the best place to start is an internal dialog to change the thoughts. Rev. Bill adds that it's not our thoughts that create our experience of life, but our beliefs. He suggests a technique to pivot from the undesired experience to what would be preferred instead.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol wants to talk about AI. Can it can enhance our expression or risk dulling our minds? She and Rev. Bill explore the rise of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on creativity, spirituality, and human thought. The conversation turns to AI-generated prayer, offering a fresh perspective on tradition, technology, and the soul of spiritual practice.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol has noticed that many people have a tendency to think of God in human terms, to anthropomorphize the Infinite. Rev. Bill has some ideas about why this happens, the two discuss the challenges and benefits of letting go of the idea of a Guy in the Sky.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, we explore the deep roots and evolving expressions of what it means to be "Spiritual But Not Religious" (SBNR), especially through the lens of Christian mysticism and contemplative history. We ask: What does it truly mean to be SBNR? Where did these spiritual instincts come from? And can we trace a meaningful lineage that validates the SBNR experience as more than just a modern reaction, but part of a legitimate spiritual path? The conversation journeys through the lives and legacies of figures like Emerson, Thoreau, John Muir, and the Quakers—spiritual seekers who shaped an evolving Christian spirituality that was less institutional and more experiential. We touch on the influence of Calvinist Puritanism, the rise of Transcendentalism, and the period that became known as The Jesus Movement. Ultimately, this episode invites listeners to consider how the SBNR impulse—often seen as post-religious—is in fact deeply rooted in the Christian mystical and contemplative tradition. It's not about rejecting religion entirely, but about seeking a more integrated, soulful, and embodied way of being. Whether you're inside, outside, or somewhere in between institutional religion, this is a conversation for anyone on a spiritual path. Stay connected! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram @natureasbeloved. Send us your ideas, questions, or feedback: natureasbeloved@gmail.com.

Questions? Comments? Text Us!In this heartfelt episode of What's On Your Mind, Jerry L. Martin and Scott Langdon explore a deeply personal spiritual journey shared through three emails from a listener named Roxana. Spanning over a year and a half, Roxana's correspondence reveals an inspiring evolution from doubt and disconnection to curiosity, courage, and a desire for oneness with the Divine.Through Roxana's words, listeners will resonate with the emotional honesty of someone searching for truth in the wake of personal suffering, disillusionment with religion, and the isolating static of anxiety. Her initial doubts and questions, sparked by pain, secular influences, and spiritual exhaustion, give way to hopeful inquiry, theological exploration, and a longing to reconnect with God.Jerry and Scott reflect on Roxana's unfolding story with compassion and philosophical insight, discussing themes like panentheism, the nature of divine communication, the role of suffering in spiritual growth, and the difference between religious doctrine and lived spiritual experience. They unpack how spiritual progress often begins not in certainty, but in openness- the kind that Roxana beautifully models through her vulnerability and persistence.This episode offers encouragement to those feeling spiritually adrift, reminding us that we may already be home, we just need to remember. Whether you're religious, spiritual but not religious (SBNR), or spiritually curious, Roxana's journey invites us all to look inward and listen deeply.

Our money says "In God We Trust", and Carol thinks it shows that we all share a common belief that we're carrying with us at all times. Rev. Bill agrees, mostly, and points out that we can trust the Infinite to create according to our beliefs even when we don't like what we're believing in.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol has been a leader in three different religious denominations, and has found one consistent element throughout, which is the hunger for truth - for what is true? Her answer suggests that each of us has what is true for us. Rev. Bill takes the New Thought perspective and goes back to the Ultimate Truth that there is ONLY God, showing up differently for/as each of us.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Things happen - "bad things" - and Carol has found that people get paralyzed by fear that they'll get worse, or catastrophe will ensue. She and Rev. Bill explore how we can all turn to the Principles underlying the New Thought teaching, and the foundational source of the power of Practical Prayer.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

People around Carol are insecure about meditation - afraid that they're going to do it wrong,that they'll choose the wrong technique, or an unsuitable teacher or guru, or that they won't be able to stay awake, or sit still, olr whatever. Rev. Bill reminds us that we can't figure it out ahead of time, so the thing to do is meditate, then see how it went, then either meditate that way again, or try it a different way.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

We're starting a new mini-series! In these shorter episodes, Stephen will be sharing his musings and reflections, speaking about the ways Wilderness Christian Mysticism connects with what's going on in our world.  For this first "musing," Stephen shares his reflections about the current state of affairs, while responding to the question: Why would a Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR) person want to embrace anything Christian? ___ Follow along on Facebook or Instagram: @natureasbeloved Share with us your feedback or thoughts: natureasbeloved@gmail.com

Carol has a notion of a Sacred Contract - an agreement we make as we begin our human lives about who we're here to be, and what we're here to do. Rev. Bill has a similar idea that we are born with a unique set of skills, abilities and possibilities, and our opportunity is to figure out what they are and how best to use them. They wholeheartedly agree that predestination, where we have no free will, is hogwash.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

The reason for prayer is to change an experience we're having in life - a Practical Prayer works! Carol and Rev. Bill discuss the techniques, how different it is from "traditional" prayer, and the ways that their prayers have been yielding results in their lives.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol has found that New Thought has Affirmative Prayer, and Practical Prayer, as well as Affirmations and Realizations, and wants to know what the differences are. Rev. Bill takes a giant step back to discuss the differences between New Thought and other spiritual practices, then takes a running jump into Carol's question.Our apologies for the substandard audio quality on a portion of this episode.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

People are talking to Carol about synchronicities, with certain sequences of numbers appearing over and over, and other indicators that there's more going on than meets the eye. Rev. Bill suggests that these "little happy coincidences" are indications of the "big happy coincidence", which is another version of the Creation Story of the Universe.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol says that everyone wants abundance, but knows that we are pulling from a limitless sea of potential. The question is how we can connect with it, and experience it? Rev. Bill says that we can't pray for abundance, but instead get to align ourselves between the experience we desire and the Infinite Power that brings it into our lives.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol has noticed what seems like a discrepancy in the New Thought philosophy - that we are individulized expressions of the One Divine Presence, but there is no separation. Rev. Bill jumps in with examples that include lifting our hands, raindrops and rainbows.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

There have always been difficult times, and Carol reminds us that even in the midst of good times we can experience difficulty. Rev. Bill notes that events are currently moving very quickly, and that there will - somehow - be a process of re-balancing. Our challenge is to keep ourselves balanced while the process unfolds.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol believes that it's crucial to attend to our spiritual growth, but has noticed that not everyone agrees. Rev. Bill points out that "practice makes practiced", and that everyone is free to attend to life at the experiential level, or develop a practice to cultivate a deeper awareness of our spiritual nature.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol has found that the idea of "oneness" can be a heavy lift for people coming into the New Thought philosophy. Non-duality is easy, because it means the same thing as oneness. But where did the notion of duality come from in the first place? Rev. Bill describes how our perspective on the world and sense of duality comes at us through all five senses.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

People have more and more been reaching out to Carol in distress over the challengin times we live in. She's pretty calm about it, but brought the topic up for deeper discussion. Rev. Bill notes that "challenging times" happen all the time, and reminds us that we are able to look the "facts" in the face and know something better.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol notes that when a "miracle" happens, it might have been in the works for many years, and seems miraculous because we didn't see it coming. Rev. Bill agrees, suggesting that the "miracle" might not just be love at first sight, but the meeting and enduring friendship with the person who invited you to the party where the miracle happened.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

What if religion no longer defined your spirituality? Zach Bell, co-founder of MyPlace and Namuna, is reshaping how we connect, share, and grow through communities like SBNR (Spiritual But Not Religious). In this episode of the Harvest Series, host Rose Claverie sits down with Zach to explore the rise of SBNR, the power of shared spaces, and how technology can foster authentic connections. From his work with Burning Man to building transformative platforms, Zach reveals what makes communities thrive and why consistency is their beating heart. Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation!3:00 - The interview kicks off with Zach discussing the rise of Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR) individuals. Who are they, and what draws them to spirituality over traditional religion? Zach also introduces Namuna, the new spiritual platform he's launched.10:20 - Is the SBNR movement part of a broader cultural and societal shift? Zach shares his thoughts.13:54 - The conversation turns to cultural appropriation in spirituality. Zach explains why, in his view, religions that fail to adapt to modernity risk becoming obsolete.17:20 - What does faith mean to Zach? Is it tied to belief in God's story, or something deeper? Zach offers a fresh perspective.19:00 - Zach explores the essence of community and what makes one truly thrive. His answer? Consistency. He also challenges the notion that technology destroys communities, arguing it can, in fact, strengthen them.24:49 - Zach reflects on his work with Burning Man and its significance to him as a cultural and communal phenomenon.28:46 - Are we living in a renaissance? Zach believes so and explains why these transformative times hold so much promise.33:54 - Zach dives into the story behind his deep commitment to fostering communities and how this passion has shaped his journey.36:40 - What makes a community real and authentic? Zach shares his insights into the key elements that bring them to life.41:20 - Courage takes center stage as Zach defines what it means to him and highlights individuals who inspire him with their fearless spirit.You can follow us on Instagram at @HarvestSeries or @rose.claverie for updates.Watch our podcast episodes and speaker sessions on YouTube: Harvest Series.To follow Zach M Bell's work : https://www.zachmbell.com/Credits:Sound editing by: @lesbellesfrequencesTechnician in Kaplankaya: Joel MoriasiMusic by: ChambordArtwork by: Davide d'AntonioHarvest Series is produced in partnership with Athena Advisers and Capital PartnersHarvest Series Founders: Burak Öymen and Roman Carel

Carol believes that ego is key to our success, and also drives our failures and frustrations. Rev. Bill suggests that there's a difference between controlling our ego and not letting our ego control us.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol asks, "Is everything a miracle? Or is nothing a miracle?" Rev. Bill says the answer is "yes," and the discussion proceeds with the idea that the miracle of life and all of Creation depends on how you look at it.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Rev. Bill is solo in this episode. He talks about the the simplicty of Practical Prayer, and how that simplicity contrasts with the complexity of actually practicing with it in our day to day life. Transformation is at hand, but might require some diligence on our part!Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Questions? Comments? Text Us!Celebrate the Best of 2024's Life Wisdom Project! As we close out the year, join us for a captivating journey through the most inspiring moments of the Life Wisdom Project. This special episode highlights profound conversations with our esteemed guests, including philosophers, spiritual seekers, and scholars, who unpack the deeper meanings of God's messages and their impact on daily life.Explore topics like balancing self-worth and ego with Dr. Jonathan Weidenbaum, understanding divine awareness with Judy Dornstreich, and harnessing the transformative power of the "evil urge" with Dr. Michael Poliakoff. Discover faith beyond ideology with Dr. Mikhail Sergeev, gain insights into romantic love's spiritual dimensions with Dr. Abigail Rosenthal, and learn how to live as divine partners with God alongside Ajit Das.Whether you're seeking spiritual growth, philosophical reflection, or practical wisdom, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights to carry into the new year. Don't miss this celebration of connection, harmony, and purpose!Other Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:From God To Jerry To You- a brand-new series calling for the attention of spiritual seekers everywhere, featuring breakthroughs, pathways, and illuminations.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God- sit in on a dialogue between philosophers about God and the questions we all have. What's On Our Mind- Connect the dots with Jerry and Scott over the most recent series episodes. What's On Your Mind- What are readers and listeners saying? What is God sayingResources:THE LIFE WISDOM PROJECT PLAYLISTHashtags: #lifewisdomproject #godanautobiography #experiencegod Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the podcast for free, and explore the book God and Autobiography as Told to a Philosopher by Jerry L. Martin, available on amazon and at godanautobiography.com.Share your thoughts or questions at questions@godandautobiography.com—we'd love to hear your story of God!Share Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Time seems to be moving SO quickly to Carol and those around her. Changes that used to take ten years now happen in two years, or even faster. How do we maintain our center? Rev. Bill offers perspective on the ways that the changes are not just disruptive, but open up new avenues for good.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

The ideas of Hell and Heaven saturate traditional religion, and Carol wants Rev. Bill's perspective. He breaks the conversation down into three facets - what Heaven and Hell are, where you're going, who gets to say where you're going, and why.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol is intrigued by Rev. Bill's claim a few episodes back that "we don't manifest anything." There are clearly a LOT of people busy doing Manifesting work of all sorts. so she wants to know what the heck he's talking about. The conversation turns to "Theolocation", a new term coined by Bill to help explain it.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Some people around Carol have been using the words wealth, prosperity and abundance as three ways to say the same thing. The are different, and Rev. Bill explains that Abundance is an aspect of God while the other two are descriptions of the ways that we can experience life.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Questions? Comments? Text Us!In this special Thanksgiving episode of God: An Autobiography, The Podcast, the team gathers for a heartfelt conversation filled with gratitude and reflection.Creative Director and Host, Scott Langdon, takes listeners behind the scenes as he, along with Dr. Jerry L. Martin, Laura Buck, and Amanda Horgan, explores the theme of seasons in life, gratitude, and the unique challenges of suffering each team member has faced.Throughout this candid discussion, Jerry prompts the team to express what they're grateful for, leading to a poignant exchange that unveils the depth of their connections and the role of gratitude in their lives. Touching on topics of personal growth, coping with difficult times, and the impact of seasonal changes on mental health, listeners are sure to find gratitude in unexpected places.The conversation digs into a spiritual perspective, probing the concepts of suffering as the law of growth in the universe, and the notion of God enduring alongside us.Join the team for this intimate and reflective episode that goes beyond the traditional narrative, providing listeners with a genuine glimpse into the team's journey of spirituality, growth, gratitude, and understanding.Other Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:The Life Wisdom Project- How to live a wiser, happier, and more meaningful life with special guests.From God To Jerry To You- a brand-new series calling for the attention of spiritual seekers everywhere, featuring breakthroughs, pathways, and illuminations.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God- sit in on a dialogue between philosophers about God and the questions we all have. What's On Our Mind- Connect the dots with Jerry and Scott over the most recent series episodes. What's On Your Mind- What are readers and listeners saying? What is God saying?ResourcesREAD: "Love Yourself As I Love You"LISTEN: Special Episodes with the Team: Thanksgiving: God's Story | 100th Episode CelebrationHashtags: #godanautobiography #experiencegod #thanksgivingspecial #gratitude #sufferingWould you like to be featured on the show, or do you have a question about spirituality or divine communication? Share your story or experience with God! We'd love to hear from you!

Carol has a lifelong love of music, and is aware of the possibility for messages to be hidden within. There are other ways we can be influenced without our specific awareness. Rev. Bill dives into the topic, with stories along the way of meditation, hypnosis, and gardening.After more than 170 weekly podcast episodes and a friendship that started during the pandemic, Carol and Rev. Bill FINALLY met in person. The meeting brought out old ways of thinking and fresh new ways to misunderstand what was happening. The two dig into the experience, and the metaphysics behind it.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol has come across the notion of "outlining", which is different in the bible than the way it's addressed by Emmet Fox, and other visionaries of New Thought. Rev. Bill describes outlining as our tendency to identify what we want AND the process by which we expect to get it. It's like wanting a work of art but giving the Infinite a color-by-numbers canvas that severely limits our possibilities.After more than 170 weekly podcast episodes and a friendship that started during the pandemic, Carol and Rev. Bill FINALLY met in person. The meeting brought out old ways of thinking and fresh new ways to misunderstand what was happening. The two dig into the experience, and the metaphysics behind it.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

In watching the little kids at Halloween, Carol gave thought to the masks we wear, the roles we play, and how we present ourselves differently to different groups at various times. Rev. Bill brings in the ideas of appropriateness, and authenticity, noting that we can engage differently at different times without hiding our true selves.After more than 170 weekly podcast episodes and a friendship that started during the pandemic, Carol and Rev. Bill FINALLY met in person. The meeting brought out old ways of thinking and fresh new ways to misunderstand what was happening. The two dig into the experience, and the metaphysics behind it.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Questions? Comments? Text Us!In a world where beliefs are as assorted as the aisles in a spiritual supermarket, seekers encounter countless options and spiritual pathways to consider. With Dr. Jerry L. Martin, explore the evolution of religions up to the pluralistic landscape of today, where spiritual discernment invites openness to many truths. The choices about how to live and what to believe become radically personal, moving beyond tradition toward an individual spiritual calling.Founder of Theology Without Walls, Jerry presents a fresh, transformative approach that transcends the cathedrals of fixed beliefs, opening a world of spiritual possibility.Join the podcast on a journey where discernment meets timeless wisdom in the search for meaning.Visit godanautobiography.com for more information and to get your copy of God: An Autobiography, As Told To A Philosopher—the true story of an agnostic philosopher who heard the voice of God and recorded their conversations.Other Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:Life Wisdom Project: How to live a wiser, happier, and more meaningful life with special guests.From God To Jerry To You: Calling for the attention of spiritual seekers everywhere, featuring breakthroughs, pathways, and illuminations.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God: Sit in on a dialogue between philosophers about God and the questions we all have.What's On Our Mind- Connect the dots with Jerry and Scott over the most recent series of episodes.What's On Your Mind: What are readers and listeners saying? What is God saying?Resources:READ: "The Personal is essentially interpersonal."FROM GOD TO JERRY TO YOU PLAYLIST#fromgodtojerrytoyou #FGTJTY #godanautobiography #experiencegodWould you like to be featured on the show or have questions about spirituality or divine communication? Share your story or experience with God!Share Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

After more than 170 weekly podcast episodes and a friendship that started during the pandemic, Carol and Rev. Bill FINALLY met in person. The meeting brought out old ways of thinking and fresh new ways to misunderstand what was happening. The two dig into the experience, and the metaphysics behind it.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Questions? Comments? Text Us!Episode 203 celebrates a milestone of 200 episodes in God: An Autobiography, The Podcast, transforming a simple project into an exploration of life, spirituality, and human connection. With insights from Jerry L. Martin and Scott Langdon, this episode reflects on how God: An Autobiography has deeply impacted listeners, delving into themes of divine harmony, human choice, and personal growth.The episode revisits Episode 21, discussing the I Ching and early Chinese philosophy, with guest Jonathan Weidenbaum adding valuable insights. Through the analogy of acting, life's duality is explored—revealing how repetition and freshness shape the human experience, much like a divine presence perceives the uniqueness of each moment.Listeners also hear a compelling story of a disrupted theater production, showing how bold actions can restore harmony, mirroring Chinese philosophy's pursuit of balance. Insights inspired by Ray Silverman highlight dialogues rooted in curiosity and respect, while political and personal interactions reflect the I Ching's wisdom on empathy, truth, and understanding.Join this enriching conversation on growth, wisdom, and the beauty of life's journey, offering a deeper appreciation for the human-divine relationship.Follow along with future episodes and get your copy of God: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher here. Get the newest book, Two Philosophers Wrestle with God- A Dialogue here.Other Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:Life Wisdom Project: How to live a wiser, happier, and more meaningful life with special guests.From God To Jerry To You: Calling for the attention of spiritual seekers everywhere, featuring breakthroughs, pathways, and illuminations.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God: Sit in on a dialogue between philosophers about God and the questions we all have.What's On Our Mind- Connect the dots with Jerry and Scott over the most recent series of episodes.What's On Your Mind: What are readers and listeners saying? What is God saying?Resources:READ: “The Personal is essentially interpersonal.”WATCH: What's On Our Mind Playlist#whatsonourmind #godanautobiography #experiencegodWould you like to be featured on the show or have questions about spirituality or divine communication? Share your story or experience with God! We'd love to hearShare Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Carol notes that there are two concepts, one of of Manifesting... repeating affirmations to create a change in our lives, and one of Divine Timing, in which a power and intelligence way beyond ours is bringing things together. She urges Rev. Bill to point out whether they're connected, and how they work for us.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol points out that "evolution just happens - you don't get to vote," and that people around her are resistant to change, even though it's going to happen anyhow. Rev. Bill points out that even when nothing changes, there is still newness and change happening. Just try taking one great breath that will last forever!Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol says that religion is dos and don'ts and dogma, brought together with judgement. She believes that spirituality lies beneath it, and can get lost. Rev. Bill agrees, and compares the difference to the ways that we learn to dance.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Questions? Comments? Text Us!Revisit Episode 21, where Dr. Jerry L. Martin, the philosopher who heard the voice of God, explores one of God's earliest forms of communication with humankind: the I Ching, or Book of Changes. The I Ching emerges from humanity's earliest spiritual attempts to seek divine insight, using oracle bones to reveal God's presence and guidance. God shares how these human-initiated forms of divination shaped God's communication, presenting Godself not only as the creator but as the embodiment of aesthetic order in the cosmos.God explains that engagement with early Chinese spiritual seekers influenced the development of the I Ching and laid the groundwork for spiritual traditions like Taoism and Confucianism. God and Jerry discuss:Hexagram 1: The Creative – representing perseverance and the masculine force of yang, which God associates with His role as the originator of universal laws.Hexagram 2: The Receptive – symbolizing the feminine force of yin and its connection to the Earth, focusing on acting in harmony with natural and divine order.Hexagram 3: Difficulty at the Beginning – exploring how God views early struggles as a foundation for personal growth and spiritual development.Hexagram 5: Waiting – a lesson in patience and nourishment, emphasizing the importance of allowing divine timing to guide human action.Hexagram 6: Conflict – offering wisdom on resolving disputes and finding divine balance in moments of tension.Hexagram 7: The Army – revealing how organized effort and divine strategy play a role in achieving goals through cooperation.Join us next week as we celebrate the 200th weekly episode of God: An Autobiography, The Podcast!Other Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:The Life Wisdom Project- How to live a wiser, happier, and more meaningful life with special guests.From God To Jerry To You- a brand-new series calling for the attention of spiritual seekers everywhere, featuring breakthroughs, pathways, and illuminations.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God- sit in on a dialogue between philosophers about God and the questions we all have. What's On Our Mind- Connect the dots with Jerry and Scott over the most recent series episodes. What's On Your Mind- What are readers and listeners saying? What is God sayingResources:READ "A Self Requires Another Self"DRAMATIC ADAPTATION PLAYLISTWould you like to be featured on the show or have questions about spirituality or divine communication? Share Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Carol has become increasingly aware of the difference between being purposeful, and perfectionism, and the ways that people can deny the presence of the Divine in daily activities. Rev. Bill shares his background as a recovering perfectionist, along with insight about what else shows up when we let go of having the answer.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Questions? Comments? Text Us!Curious how aligning your desires with a higher will can transform your spiritual practice? In this What's On Our Mind, Scott and Jerry explore God-centered prayer, intention, and spiritual growth, contrast spontaneous and memorized prayers, and explore ancient Chinese spiritual traditions, offering practical insights to deepen your connection with the divine.Follow along with future episodes and get your copy of God: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher here. Get the newest book, Two Philosophers Wrestle with God- A Dialogue here.Relevant Episodes:[What's On Your Mind] Embracing Divine Callings and Personal Courage in Your Spiritual Journey[Life Wisdom Project] Aesthetics and Philosophy in Chinese Spirituality | Special Guest: Dr. Jonathan Weidenbaum [Special Episode] God Shares His Earliest Interactions In Chinese Spirituality[From God to Jerry to You] How To PrayOther Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:Life Wisdom Project: How to live a wiser, happier, and more meaningful life with special guests.From God To Jerry To You: Calling for the attention of spiritual seekers everywhere, featuring breakthroughs, pathways, and illuminations.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God: Sit in on a dialogue between philosophers about God and the questions we all have.What's On Our Mind- Connect the dots with Jerry and Scott over the most recent series of episodes.What's On Your Mind: What are readers and listeners saying? What is God saying?Resources:READ: “Listen to Your Body”WATCH: What's On Our Mind Playlist#whatsonourmind #godanautobiography #experiencegodWould you like to be featured on the show or have questions about spirituality or divine communication? Share Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

It's a double-topic as Carol brings up the disconnect between our feelings and the "serious" nature of our intention-setting and Creative nature. Rev. Bill confirms that our intentions are fired by our feelings, and the importance of belief and enthusiasm in the change that we're inviting.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

What goes around comes around... karma... You reap what you sow.Carol has found that Traditional Religion includes this idea, but doesn't spend much time talking about it. Rev. Bill explains the New Thought perspective, and how it is a natural expression of the same creative process that is always at work.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

This is a Rebroadcast of Episode 34 from January 2022Carol wants to know about God's plan, and how predestination and free will fit together. Rev. Bill talks about finding the unique combination of skills, talents and abilities we're been gifted with, and how we can put them together for good.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

In her early days in traditional religion, Carol was given a specific, standard technique for meditation. Over the years, the guidance on How to Meditate has changed. Rev. Bill describes the goal and purpose of meditation, and the idea that any technique that gets to the goal is valid and worthwhile.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Both Carol and Rev. Bill got the idea to revisit this topic from the early episodes of the podcast. It's partly to re-establish this important idea, but even more importantly to share the evolution and growth in understanding that each has been through in the years since beginning the partnership.Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★

Carol was surprised by a conversation with a colleague who is intent on growing their organization the same way that would have been done before COVID. She's wondering about whether our thinking has to evolve when circumstances change. Rev. Bill points out that every change - and every moment - is an invitation for a new idea. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen!There's more information about the podcast, and the classes and resources to bring Practical Prayer, more fully into your life at be-the-light.com. This podcast is supported by listeners like you. We're grateful for your tax-deductible donation at newthoughtphilly.org or donate using PayPal. ★ Support this podcast ★