Find Your Center, Find Your Feet

Join us for an Easter Lectio Divina Meditation as we stand at the crossroad of spring. These words inspired by Macrina Wiederkehr, O.S.B., Steve Garners-Holmes and Henri Nouwen.  For more information about Moravian University School of Theology Spiritual Direction Certificate Program:   https://www.moravian.edu/school-theology/academics/certificates Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com

A repost of our very first podcast episode in honor of our Beloved Amma Rita who now ‘supervises from the other side’  ~Mary the Mother of Tenderness, be with our beloved Amma now. Join Hosts Pam and Marcella as they have a conversation with MTS Spiritual Director Supervisors, Pat Herbst and Rita Pursel who we fondly call our Amma's. Listen as they share their journey as Spiritual Directors and the wisdom they learned along the way. Connect with us: https://www.moravian.edu/school-theology/academics/certificates Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com  

Cynthia Bourgeault is a modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader. She divides her time between solitude and sailing the waters around her seaside hermitage in Maine and traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian contemplative and Wisdom paths. In this podcast Cynthia offers a teaching on the 50 Thin Days of Easter, the Easter-tide days between Easter and Pentecost, when Jesus is offering his final  teaching and transmissions by way of a series of miraculous visitations. Cynthia invites us too to tune into this sacred season for our own ongoing transformation. To learn more about Cynthia see wisdomwaypoints.org/. To learn about the Fifty Thin Days of Easter online program see:>>> REGISTER TO JOIN THE COURSE HERE <<< For more information about Moravian University School of Theology Spiritual Direction Certificate Program:  https://www.moravian.edu/school-theology/academics/certificates   Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com

Heather Ruce joins us to talk about having "Conscious Relationships" with the people in our lives. Heather says being conscious is a spiritual practice that we must tend to with intentionality, attention and awareness. Heather works with individuals in Wisdom Spiritual Direction and facilitates wisdom practice circles, groups, retreats, and wisdom schools. She offers teaching and guidance in various wisdom and mindfulness practices including Centering Prayer, Christian meditation, sacred chanting, lectio divina, conscious work and embodiment. She has a M.A. Marital and Family Therapy from Bethel University and is a graduate of our Graduate Spiritual Direction training program. For more information about Moravian University School of Theological Spiritual Direction Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com Heather Ruce: https://www.heatherruce.com/practices *This conversation originally aired on The Talking Joy Podcast with host Pam Rotelle Roberson www.talkingjoy.org    

Contemplation is about waking up. To be contemplative is to experience an event fully, in all aspects practicing the presence of the Holy. Join us for an exploration and a guided meditation. Inspired by, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun. For more information about Moravian University School of Theology Spiritual Direction Certificate Program:  https://www.moravian.edu/school-theology/academics/certificates Meditation music by Dr. Charity Wicks  Into Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com

Join this conversation with Cathy AJ Hardy, author of the book Pause; A Year of Soulful Meditation. Cathy is a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and founder of Soul Care ®, offering courses in spiritual formation and direction. A facilitator of soul work for the past two decades, Cathy is also the author of four books: Love Breathes with Me (2018), Walk With Me (2020), and Love Breathes With Me II (2022), and Pause; A Year of Soulful Meditation (2023). In addition to her passion for guiding others in their spiritual growth, Cathy is also a poet and award-winning singer-songwriter, her most recent album being released last year is called Here I Am.  Cathy lives in  British Columbia among the mountains, rivers, and forests. Her song shared at the end of this podcast can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8i9_e9Hmrc For more information about Moravian University School of Theology Spiritual Direction Certificate Program:  https://www.moravian.edu/school-theology/academics/certificates Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com

What does the world need right now? As Maureen took this question to heart, what arose is the world needs our greatness--the fullness of one's being. Using meditation is a spiritual practice that helps you shift your perception to get inside of things...join us for a great conversation and as Maureen leads us an embodied heart meditation. She says that freedom can be found with  conscious communion of the breath.  Connect with Maureen: https://www.maureendebellis.com/ For more information about Moravian University School of Theology Spiritual Direction Certificate Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com  

A conversation with author Nancy Fitzgerald about her book: Brigid’s Mantle: Finding the Fiery Saint of Kildare at the Heart of Celtic Christianity (2025).    Nancy is an award winning journalist specializing in health, wellness, and spirituality. Her work has appeared in publications including Parents, The New York Times, national Geographic, Prevention, Guidepost, and Commenweal. Nancy's book was recently reviewed by Spiritual Directors International in their PRESENCE magazine (https://www.sdicompanions.org/media/presence/presence-31-2-october-2025/brigids-mantle/). She serves on the board of directors of the Women’s Ordination Conference, where she is co-editor of New Women, New Church. A graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary, she lives in PA.   For more information about Moravian University School of Theology Spiritual Direction Certificate Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com  

Join us for Lectio Divina with readings from Love Poems from God by Daniel Ladinsky. A collection of poems by twelve “timeless spiritual writers” from both the East and the West. They include Christian writers such as St. Catherine of Siena, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross as well as writers of other faith traditions. This mediation also includes a loving eyes reading from How to Train a Wild Elephant by Jan Chozen Bays, MD—physician and Zen teacher—who has developed a series of simple practices to help us cultivate mindfulness as we go about our ordinary, daily lives.  For more information about Moravian University School of Theology Spiritual Direction Certificate Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com    

A conversation with Dr. Catherine Williams, highlighting her new book: Preaching and Music: Powerful Partners in Proclamation. Dr. Williams joined the faculty at Lancaster Theological Seminary in 2017, now housed in The School of Theology (which includes both Moravian and Lancaster Seminaries), after serving both the academy and the church. Her Princeton Theological Seminary PhD dissertation was on developing a distinctive, post-colonial homiletic rooted in the music of calypso for her birth place, the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago.  A graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University, she is also an accomplished musician who has taught piano and voice. Williams is a worthy guide, offering insightful clarity and practiced wisdom as she engages not only preachers, but also the deep work of Spiritual Directors as we attune to the music of the Spirit alive in each Spiritual Direction encounter. For more information about Moravian University School of Theology Spiritual Direction Certificate Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com    

Imagine that you are outside walking and you notice a bird soaring high above you. You focus on its wings and the way it holds itself up in the air, gently gliding. Join us for this guided presence practice using birds as a metaphor. Imaginative meditation inspired by NCHPAD. Poetry by Jennifer Hoffman and Mary Oliver.  For more information about Moravian Theological Seminary's Spiritual Direction Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com  

An interview of Dr. Cindy Lee author of Contemplative Witnessing: BIPOC-Centered Spiritual Direction. Rev. Mia White joins the interview, as a graduate of our MTS Spiritual Direction Program, and as a member of the BIPOC community. As a Taiwanese American, Dr. Cindy Lee has a PhD in Practical Theology in Spiritual Formation from Claremont School of Theology and a DMin in Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University. Cindy Lived in Beijing and Taipei for 6 years, and currently resides in LA, while serving on the SDI Board. In Contemplative Witnessing, Lee explores how BIPOC people can experience a liberating spirituality so we can settle into our own bodies, experience the traditions and spirituality of our cultures, and engage with communities that reflect our sacredness back to us. Contemplative Witnessing serves as a guide for spiritual directors to facilitate such encounters. This book equips spiritual directors, to journey with and within, and to serve as witnesses as BIPOC people encounter our most sacred and honest selves.  For more information about Moravian University School of Theology Spiritual Direction Certificate Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com  

Join Pam Robertson for a whole body relaxation mediation for fall. I am Listening poem by Macrina Wiederkehr and Joyce Rupp from Circle of Life: The Heart's Journey Through the Seasons. What Makes a Fire Burn poem by Judy Brown, from The Sea Accepts All Rivers.    For more information about Moravian Theological Seminary's Spiritual Direction Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com  

A  conversation with Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, poet, teacher, speaker. She is a writing facilitator who co-hosts Emerging Form, a podcast on creative process, which is also on substack. Her daily audio series, The Poetic Path, is on the Ritual app. Her poems have appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, PBS News Hour, O Magazine, American Life in Poetry, and Carnegie Hall stage. Her recent collections are All the Honey and The Unfolding. In 2024, she became poet laureate for Evermore, helping others explore grief and love through poetry. Since 2006, she’s written a poem a day, sharing them for FREE on her daily blog, AHundredFallingVeils.com.  The link to the video shared at the end of the podcast of the poem Because: https://youtu.be/dVu-HHUqIng   For more information about Moravian Theological Seminary's Spiritual Direction Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com  

50 Thin Days of Easter with Cynthia Bourgeault, a modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader, teaching and spreading the recovery of the Christian contemplative and Wisdom paths. In this podcast Cynthia offers another teaching on the 50 Thin Days of Easter, the Easter-tide days between Easter and Pentecost, particularly focusing on the final 10 days  between Ascension and Pentecost. Cynthia invites us to honor this Ascension Season of Holy Hush and to listen deeply within, almost tuning into nothing but the subtle and let the world with all its predictable dramas go for a while, and pay attention to watching trees budding and leafing out. For more information about Moravian Theological Seminary's Spiritual Direction Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com    

Christine Valters Paintner is the Abbess at the Abbey of the Arts (www.abbeyofthearts.com), an online global monastery without walls, offering retreats, classes, books, and resources to nurture contemplative practice and creative expression. A writer, artist, spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and teacher, she earned her PhD in Christian Spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and her professional status as Registered Expressive Arts Consultant and Educator (REACE) from the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association. For more information about Moravian Theological Seminary's Spiritual Direction Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com    

Jennika Eckhaus, Moravian University Chaplain, is an ordained presbyter in the Moravian Church. She is a 1998 graduate of Moravian University and a 2001 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary. She also graduated with her Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Moravian in 2020 and on May 3rd she will graduate with her Doctor of Ministry Degree, also from Moravian. As Chaplain, Jennika works to build communities of belonging on the University campus, offering prayer and worship opportunities as well as pastoral counseling for students, faculty, and staff. This summer she will be transitioning to become the Dean for Spirituality and Inclusion and Director of Moravian Church Relations for the University. For more information about Moravian Theological Seminary's Spiritual Direction Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com  

Join us for a guided meditation to easter your spirit! A lectio divina with Macrina Weiderkehr's poem, Listening to Spring and a daily Examen of the last twenty four hours of your life.  For more information about Moravian Theological Seminary's Spiritual Direction Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com

Find a quiet place and join us for a guided grounding meditation! Inspired and adapted readings from Valerie Kaur, Sherry Zak Morris and Jack Kornfield. Blessing of Angels by John O'Donohue and Change Is In The Air by Melody Beattie.  For more information about Moravian Theological Seminary's Spiritual Direction Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com

Nancy Bieber is Author of Decision Making and Spiritual Discernment: the Sacred Art of Finding Your Way. Nancy rooted in her Quaker tradition, is a spiritual director and psychologist, a writer and teacher. She has taught at the School of the Spirit (Quaker), Oasis Ministries (ecumenical), and Lancaster Theological Seminary. She has frequently led retreats and workshops for groups around the country. Nancy has written 3 books: Decision Making and Spiritual Discernment: The Sacred Art of Finding our Way; Fianna’s Story: A True Story of Love, Grief and Faith (the story of her grandparents); and the book Those Who Came Before (a story of her ancestors). For more information about Moravian Theological Seminary's Spiritual Direction Program: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/academics/certificate/spiritual-direction Music by Robert Long: robertjohnlong@gmail.com