Spirit Matters Talk

This is the Spirit Matters Grand Finale. Dennis and Phil reminisce about their seven years and reflect on the 300 or so interviews they've conducted about spirituality with teachers, leaders, scholars, scientists and experts of various kinds - all wise and all happy to share their insights and guidance. They share what they've learned from the experience and their gratitude to everyone who helped along the way. And they announced that Phil will be carrying the Spirit Matters banner solo on a new platform: mindbodyspirit.fm.

Paul J. Mills is Professor of Public Health and Family Medicine and the Director of the Center of Excellence for Research and Training in Integrative Health. A clinical researcher with a focus on integrative medicine and spiritual practice, his former positions include: President of the American Psychosomatic Medicine Society, Chief of Behavioral Medicine at the University of California San Diego, Director of Research at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, and editor of several professional journals. He has more than 400 scientific publications in the fields of pharmacology, oncology, cardiology, psychoneuroimmunology, behavioral medicine, and integrative health. His work has been featured in Time magazine, The New York Times, National Public Radio, and many other sources. He has presented at hundreds of conferences and workshops around the world, including at the United Nations. And he is the author of the intriguing new book, Science, Being, & Becoming: The Spiritual Lives of Scientists. We spoke about that book, the historic tension between science and spirituality, and what he learned interviewing scientists about their spiritual experiences. Learn more about Paul Mills here: https://profiles.ucsd.edu/paul.mills

Henry Yampolsky is a lawyer, a mediator, an educator, a public speaker, and an author. He serves as the Assistant Director for Education, Outreach, and Conflict Resolution at Virginia Tech's Office for Equity and Accessibility and teaches conflict resolution, mediation, and peace building through the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention. Henry has worked on many complex conflicts and has taught and lectured around the world. He’s also a yogi and a master-level instructor of Sattva Yoga, having been trained in Rishikesh, India. He’s also the author of a new book, Dis-Solving Conflict from Within: An Inner Path for Conflict Transformation. A native of Kyiv, Ukraine, Henry currently resides in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. We spoke about his new book, spiritual development as a vital aspect of handling conflict effectively, why he speaks of “conflict transformation” rather than “resolution,” and much more. Learn more about Henry Yampolsky here: https://www.livingpeaceinstitute.com/#about

Machiel Klerk is a social entrepreneur, a licensed mental health therapist, an international speaker, and a dream worker. Trained as a Jungian psychologist and an expert in the spiritual and therapeutic value of dreams, he has traveled the world studying the healing and dream technologies of many cultures, especially in Africa where he was born. He’s the founder of the Jung Society of Utah and of Jung Platform, an online teaching organization. His new book is Dream Guidance: Connecting to the Soul Through Dream Incubation. We spoke about his background, his book, and the spiritual insights and guidance that can be gleaned from dreams. Learn more about Machiel Klerk here: https://machielklerk.com/about-me/.

Stephen G. Post is the founding director of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, and the founding director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics at Stony Brook University School of Medicine in New York. A public speaker and an opinion leader in medicine, Alzheimer research, and religion, he has promoted the idea of “give and live better” across the globe. Dr. Post is the bestselling author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People: How to Live a Longer, Happier, Healthier Life by the Simple Act of Giving. Another book, God and Love on Route 80, is a meditation on the meaning of life and the importance of spirituality. His latest, Dignity for Deeply Forgetful People: How Caregivers Can Meet the Challenges of Alzheimer's Disease, is about caring for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease. We spoke about his own path, consciousness, and the surprising philosophical and metaphysical implications of research on Alzheimers. Learn more about Stephen Post here: https://stephengpost.com/stephen-g-post-bio.php.

Robert A. Jonas, is an author, musician, environmental activist, and retreat leader, and the founder and director of the Empty Bell, a contemplative sanctuary in Northampton, MA, with an emphasis on Buddhist-Christian dialogue and the arts. A Christian in the Carmelite tradition, he has also received spiritual formation with Buddhist teachers. He is a student of Suizen, the Japanese shakuhachi bamboo flute (his shakuhachi album “Blowing Bamboo” is available on iTunes), a member of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies and the Eckhart Society, and past board member of the Kestrel Land Trust and the Henri Nouwen Society. He is a Visiting Lecturer at the Northwind Seminary, and author of several books and articles including The Essential Henri Nouwen and Rebecca: A Father’s Journey from Grief to Gratitude. His new book, My Dear Far-Nearness: The Holy Trinity as Spiritual Practice, is an exploration of the Holy Trinity as three dimensions of spiritual awareness rather than dogma or doctrine. In this, his second visit to Spirit Matters, we focused on his new book and his provocative interpretation and application of the Trinitarian concept. Learn more about Robert Jonas here: http://emptybell.org/.

Acharya Shunya is the first female head of a 2,000-year-old spiritual lineage from northern India. An award-winning and internationally renowned spiritual teacher, scholar of Advaita (nondual) Vedanta, and a classically-trained master of Yoga and Ayurveda, she is the founder of The Awakened Self Foundation and the nonprofit Vedika Global, Inc., platforms that empower, educate, and inspire a global community of students through online courses, workshops, and retreats. Acharya demystifies and contextualizes sacred concepts for modern life through her podcast, Shadow to Self, and her books—Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom: A Complete Prescription to Optimize Your Health, Prevent Disease, Live with Vitality and Joy; Sovereign Self: Claim your Inner Joy and Freedom with the Empowering Wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita (the subject of her previous visit to Spirit Matters); and her latest, Roar Like a Goddess: Every Woman's Guide to Becoming Unapologetically Powerful, Prosperous, and Peaceful. We spoke about her new book, and how women and men can use the symbolism, practices, and energy associated with principle goddesses in their lives. Learn more about Acharya Shunya here: www.AcharyaShunya.com.

Mark Nepo is a poet and philosopher who has taught in the fields of poetry and spirituality for over 40 years. Mark has moved and inspired readers and seekers all over the world. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, his numerous award-winning books—including The Book of Awakening, More Together Than Alone, and Drinking from the River of Light—have been translated into over twenty languages. Mark has appeared several times on Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul Sunday program. In 2016 he was named one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People by Watkins: MindBodySpirit, and was chosen as one of OWN’s SuperSoul 100. Mark devotes his writing and teaching to the journey of inner transformation and offers readings, lectures, and retreats internationally. In this, his third visit to Spirit Matters, we spoke about the subject of his timely new book, Surviving Storms: Finding the Strength to Meet Adversity. Learn more about Mark Nepo here: https://marknepo.com/about_bio.php.

Jim Blake is the CEO of Unity World Headquarters, the nonprofit organization that oversees the facilities of Unity, which helps people of all faiths and cultures apply positive spiritual principles in their daily lives. He previously served Unity as chief information officer and vice president of operations, and has held numerous executive positions in the corporate world, including as Director of Customer Operations for one company and as Vice President of Products and Technology for another. Jim has a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a masters of Divinity degree. He was ordained as a Unity minister in 2021. He is also the author of The Zen Executive: Gems of Wisdom for Enlightened Leadership. We spoke about ways to ground effective management and leadership in spiritual principles. Learn more about Jim Blake here and Unity here.

Spirit Matters continues its brief hiatus. Meanwhile, here is another offering from the special series of interviews Phil did for Unity Online Radio in the spring of 2021, under the title of his book Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times. In this episode, "Living in the Heart with Sally Kempton," the longtime spiritual teacher and author of "Meditation for the Love of It" shares yogic wisdom for building resilience; finding meaning in upsets; developing the inner witness; and integrating the energy centers of the mind, heart, and belly.

Spirit Matters continues its brief hiatus. Meanwhile, here is another offering from the special series of interviews Phil did for Unity Online Radio in the spring of 2021, under the title of his book Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times. In this episode, “Being a Holy Rascal with Rabbi Rami Shapiro,” the interspiritual rabbi and prolific author 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.

Spirit Matters continues its brief hiatus. Meanwhile, here is another offering from the special series of interviews Phil did for Unity Online Radio in the spring of 2021, under the title of his book Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times. In this episode, Choosing Love with Barbara De Angelis, the best-selling author and popular workshop leader tells us why it’s vital to treat difficult times as part of our “cosmic curriculum,” to be authentic, and to practice “courageous compassion.”

Spirit Matters continues its brief hiatus. Meanwhile, here is another offering from the special series of interviews Phil did for Unity Online Radio in the spring of 2021, under the title of his book Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times. In this episode, "Entering the Interior Castle with Mirabai Starr," the celebrated author and expert on mysticism shares the blessings of Sabbath, the deep meaning of Dark Night of the Soul, the wisdom of the Divine Feminine, and turning loss into transformation.

Spirit Matters continues its brief hiatus. Meanwhile, here is another offering from the special series of interviews Phil did for Unity Online Radio in the spring of 2021, under the title of his book Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times. In this episode, “Life Visioning and Soul Guidance with Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith,” the globally recognized teacher and speaker, author – and Founder and Spiritual Director of Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles – speaks about the virus of fear, climate reality, and practical methods for learning and growing despite difficult times.

Spirit Matters is on a brief hiatus. Until we record new shows, we are posting a special series of interviews Phil did for Unity Online Radio in the spring of 2021, under the title of his book Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times. In this opening episode, “Regeneration and Sacred Activism,” Andrew Harvey, the renowned author and expert on the world’s mystical traditions, talks about how we can thrive spiritually and help birth a new humanity in this perilous time for our planet.

Anneke Lucas is an author, speaker, advocate for child sex trafficking victims, and creator of the Unconditional Model, a mindfulness modality. Her work is based on the personal experience of a 30-year healing journey after surviving being sold by her family as a child sex slave to a pedophile network. Her healing through psychotherapy, writing, yoga and meditation were synthesized during a decade of service with incarcerated populations and with survivors of sex trafficking inside and outside of prisons. Sharing her own healing shaped her message for personal and global evolution through the Unconditional Model. On this, her second visit to Spirit Matters, we spoke about Anneke’s gripping new book, Quest for Love: Memoir of a Child Sex Slave, and the surprising way her harrowing journey led to profound spiritual gifts. As she puts it, “Heinous suffering can unlock hidden spiritual treasures of transcendence and unconditional love. Learn more about Anneke Lucas here: https://annekelucas.com/

Roger Walsh MD, Ph.D. DHL, is professor of psychiatry, philosophy, and anthropology at the University of California. His research focuses on topics such as meditation, psychological wellbeing, wisdom, and our global crises. An early pioneer in the field of Transpersonal Psychology, he is a student, researcher, and teacher of contemplative traditions, and an authorized lama in Tibetan Buddhism. His research and writings have received over twenty national and international awards, and his books include Essential Spirituality: The Seven Central Practices; The World of Shamanism; and The World's Great Wisdom. With John Dupuy, he cohosts the podcast Deep Transformation: Self-Society-Spirit, which is among the top 5% of English language podcasts and has listeners in over 100 countries. Among his more curious careers have been circus acrobat and “an extremely brief and unsuccessful career as a standup comedian.” In this, his second interview on Spirit Matters, we spoke about his podcast, the status of research on spirituality and consciousness, and the relevance of contemplative practice for today’s collective challenges. Learn more about Roger Walsh here: www.drrogerwalsh.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Roger Walsh Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Arthur Aghajanian is a Christian contemplative, essayist, and educator whose work explores visual culture through a spiritual lens. After many years of study and practice in Eastern traditions, he found his way back to Christianity with his discovery of the mystical tradition. His work, which combines a passion for art history and ongoing study of the great religious traditions, is committed to the idea that the study of images in both popular culture and art history through a contemplative lens provides support for those on the spiritual path. He holds multiple teaching credentials and has applied innovative pedagogy as an art educator for over twenty years, designing and implementing visual arts courses and teaching mindfulness to high school students. His essays have appeared in a variety of publications, including Ekstasis, Tiferet Journal, Saint Austin Review, The Curator, and many others. We spoke about the spiritually transformative qualities of visual art for both artists and viewer. Learn more about Arthur Aghajanian here: https://www.imageandfaith.com/

Arthur Aghajanian Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil