In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Mirabai Starr, an acclaimed author, translator of sacred writings, and interspiritual teacher. Her insights blend timeless wisdom with a modern perspective, focusing on contemplative spirituality, the experience of grief, and the profound beauty found in everyday life.With two decades of experience in teaching philosophy and world religions, along with a lifetime of personal practice, Mirabai imparts her insights globally. She explores contemplative living, writing as a spiritual practice, and the profound impact of grief and loss on transformation.From her early years immersed in spirituality at the Lama Foundation, to her recent book, Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground, Mirabai shares her journey of finding the divine beyond religious structures.In our conversation, Mirabai invites us to leave the safety of our known spiritual world and encounter Love, the Beloved, the Divine, and Ultimate Reality in a new and less familiar way.To connect with Mirabai Starr:Visit her website: www.mirabaistarr.comCheck out her Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mirabaistarr/Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirabai.starr.author/Order her latest book - Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred GroundTo connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision. Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Cynthia Bourgeault, an Episcopal priest and modern-day mystic, shares her deep insights into contemplative spirituality. She discusses the nature of ultimate reality, merging personal and impersonal dimensions, and her journey towards non-dualism. The conversation also delves into the significance of unity consciousness across spiritual traditions and the joy found in individuality within community. Additionally, Cynthia highlights her new book on Thomas Keating and upcoming events honoring his legacy, emphasizing the transformative power of contemplative practice.

We are excited to kick off our first guest conversation of the season with Netanel Miles-Yépez. He is an artist, philosopher, religious scholar, and spiritual teacher deeply involved in the interspiritual movement. Netanel is also a co-founder of the Charis Foundation for New Monasticism and Interspirituality and has authored several books, including The End of Religion and Other Writings.As the head of the Inayati-Maimuni lineage of Sufism and a leading thinker in the interspiritual and new monasticism movements, he provides profound insights into spiritual identity and the blending of religious traditions.To connect with Netanel Miles-Yépez:Order his book: The End of Religion and Other Writingshttps://www.amazon.com/End-Religion-Other-Writings-Interreligious/dp/1960360000Listen to The New Monastics Podcast: https://charisinterspirituality.org/new-monastics-podcastThe Charis Foundation: https://charisinterspirituality.org/The Keating-Schachter Center for Interspirituality: https://www.naropa.edu/academics/schools-centers/keating-schachter-center-for-interspirituality/To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision. Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

The hosts dive into the transformative impact of centering prayer on relationships, emphasizing interfaith solidarity. They explore the historical significance of the Snowmass Dialogues and the quest for common ground across diverse spiritual traditions. Throughout, they champion authentic conversations that transcend religious boundaries, highlighting the interconnectedness of various sacred beliefs. Listeners can look forward to deeper discussions on contemplative practices and how they can shape personal and collective spiritual journeys.

Welcome back to season three of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts! This season, we're shifting our focus to explore the later teachings of Thomas Keating. Our conversations will feature interspiritual and interreligious insights from guests representing various spiritual traditions. These dialogues will be guided by theological principle #11:“We affirm our solidarity with the contemplative dimension of other religions and sacred traditions. United in our common search for God, we respect and honor other religions and sacred traditions and those committed to them. We engage in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue and work together in areas of social justice, ecological concerns, and contemplative initiatives.”We’re excited to have you join us as we experience perspectives from other spiritual traditions.To learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision. To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreacSeason 3 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer.This season 3 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Rachael SanyaExtra music from Bensound.com. License codes: Z5MRZR8RFEARKTF1 and Z8ATTZIZZVFUOXNCStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

In this engaging talk, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault, a modern-day mystic and Episcopal priest, dives into the transformative power of contemporary contemplative practices like Centering Prayer. She discusses her deep connections within spiritual mentorship and the importance of embodying physicality in spiritual practices. Cynthia emphasizes the unifying role of contemplation across faiths, and the balance required in spiritual leadership for fostering community growth. Her insights aim to inspire a new generation of Wisdom teachers.

Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries and author, shares profound insights on compassion and kinship. He discusses the transformative power of Centering Prayer in fostering mental and physical well-being. Fr. Boyle emphasizes the inherent goodness in every individual, advocating for unconditional love and understanding, particularly for marginalized groups. He highlights the importance of community support in healing trauma and the need to embrace life's randomness, fostering meaningful connections over judgment.

Rev. Michael Battle, a renowned theologian and author, shares insights from his experiences with Desmond Tutu and the African philosophy of Ubuntu, emphasizing our interconnectedness. He discusses the significance of expanding contemplative practices, especially for people of color, in today’s spiritual landscape. The conversation dives into how centering prayer can enhance not just personal spirituality but also community healing. Battle also highlights the balance between activism and contemplation, urging a moral approach to faith that honors individual gifts.

In this engaging conversation, Keith Kristich—a writer and retreat leader—challenges traditional views of spirituality and encourages listeners to unlearn rigid religious practices. He discusses the journey from evangelical Christianity to contemplative practices, highlighting the importance of Centering Prayer. Keith emphasizes a universal spirituality that honors diverse beliefs and advocates for engaging younger seekers through modern platforms. The impact of technology on community and the vital need for authentic connections in today’s digital age are also explored.

Dr. Rory McEntee, a religion scholar and philosopher-theologian known for his work in the interspiritual movement, shares deep insights on the challenges and benefits of community. He emphasizes that empathy stems from our individual uniqueness as manifestations of the divine. McEntee also addresses contemporary spiritual yearnings among younger generations, advocating for inclusivity and the evolution of spiritual practices. His thoughts on the transformative nature of contemplative prayer reveal how it fosters emotional vulnerability and deeper connections.