The Spiritual Forum

Born into a family of seekers and artists at a commune in Baltimore, Maryland, Maré Hieronimus spent her childhood surrounded by mystical teachings, a reverence for the earth, and a love of dance. An artist and dancer by training, Mare has kept traditional aspirations at arm’s length, instead listening to the call of her soul to live a creative life. At this pivotal time of transition, Maré believes we are being asked to choose between two paths – nature/divine and transhumanism/anti-divine. In this episode we discuss these two paths as well as the natural technology of the body, cultural structures around motherhood, how to connect to the wisdom body, our crisis in imagination, the importance of learning family stories, the need to retain our individual, sovereign nature, and more. Maré is the author of three books: Path of Remembrance - Vision for a New Earth, Systems of Indoctrination and The Wild Rose of the Soul, and Majesty of the Wild - Writings on Freedom. Website: https://thesacredbody.earth/ Ceremonies: https://thesacredbody.earth/womens-ritual-and-ceremony Embodied movement and healing sessions: https://thesacredbody.earth/embodied-movement-and-healing

“Sometimes the universe/God taps you on the shoulder ands says you know what? You might want to change the direction you are in. And then you get a shove from behind, and if you ignore that, sooner or later you get a big whack with a 2x4.” – Gregory David Roberts, TSF Episode 169 Former heroin addict/bank robber/fugitive turned best-selling author/musician/devotee, Gregory David Roberts has quite a story to tell. He is most known for his critically acclaimed best-selling novel Shantaram, which sold over 7 million copies and was hailed “a masterpiece” by critics. It has been translated into 44 languages and is sold in over 116 countries. Roberts recently authored the book, The Spiritual Path, a personal journey of wonder and insight into science, belief, faith and devotion, which catalogues his experience over six years in spiritual practice blowing the conch shell (an Indian practice) in devotion to the Divine. In this episode, we talk about what gives life meaning, the power of intention, humbling the self, the unconditional nature of Faith, offering ourselves to the Divine, and more. He also has a bright message for anyone who is currently suffering from addiction. There is a lot of wisdom in this remarkable man, who turned his life around after his first year in solitary confinement in an Australian prison. website: https://gregorydavidroberts.com Instagram: gdr_shantaram You like this podcast? Let us know at https://ratethispodcast.com/thespiritualforum

Anissa Amason’s awakening journey became the focus of her life in 2018 after a mystical experience silenced her incessant suicidal thoughts. She spent the last five years researching and exploring the nature of the presence that brought such peace and love into her awareness and experimenting with many tools and modalities to tap into that inner mystical reality. In addition to Anissa’s fascinating story of her struggle with suicidal thoughts and her ultimate healing, we also talk about surrendering, humbling ourselves, removing blocks, life purpose and being authentic in the workplace. Anissa is the founder of The Meditation Lounge™, a sacred space for women exploring and cultivating their own capacity for healing and gaining clarity and connection to their unique soul guidance. She’s a gifted intuitive channel, energy healer and a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anissaamason/ Contact: anissa@themeditationlounge.org Healing transmission meditation: subscribepage.io/uwzkAn You like this podcast? Let us know at https://ratethispodcast.com/thespiritualforum

Why doesn't the Law of Attraction always work? That's the million dollar question and in this episode, Patty Lennon helps us understand the answer. Patty is an ex-corporate banker turned intuitive coach. She cared for aging parents, worked through grief and racked up significant debt in the midst of starting a new business. A big shift that brought magic into her life happened once she started to “surrender” her heavy obligations and hold faith that the Divine truly had her back. Patty has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Daily Worth. She is the founder and CEO of The Receiving School and the author of the new book Make Space For Magic. https://www.pattylennon.com/ https://patty-lennon.mykajabi.com/the-receiving-school https://www.amazon.com/Make-Space-Magic-Abundance-Universe/dp/195480119X

Padma Menon is a dancer and philosopher. She is a pioneer in reviving the ancient practice of dance contemplation. Padma helps those seeking to reclaim their sacred selves by generously sharing her lifetime knowledge of sacred Indian dance, philosophy and ritual—so that they can experience unconditional freedom, taste their true essence and move in this world in a sacred way. In this episode we learn about spirituality as a moving, sensory experience that opens us to a consciousness beyond time and the illusion of separation. We learn how dance – not the choreographed type - allows us to express our inner ferocity, experience of an unknowable dimension, and connect to the essence of animal consciousness, all things that western theology has discouraged for centuries. website: https://www.movingarchetypes.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movingarchetypes (weekly practices) Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVrNn67qCzCW7Bq4HdFeBnA (weekly practices) Reclaiming your Sacred Self program (available online internationally) https://www.movingarchetypes.com.au/individual-program

Having studied Yang-style Tai Chi intensively during his years in the Boston area under Grandmaster Gin Soon Chu and his son, Master Vincent Chu, Levi Ben-Shmuel moved to Israel in 1991. During his ten years there, Levi began teaching Tai Chi, met his Kabbalah teacher, and co-created Sulam Chi. Sulam Chi means Ladder of Life Force Energy and is a graceful and powerful set of movements that integrates the energies of Tai Chi and Kabbalah’s mystical Tree of Life. He returned to the US in 2001 and is currently a teacher of Tai Chi, Kabbalah, and Ayurveda. Levi authored the book, Living Wisely, a collection of wisdom topics which guide the reader in exploration and self-inquiry. https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/livingindivineromance website: https://www.levibenshmuel.com/ book: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Wisely-Levi-Ben-Shmuel/dp/1935604570 Sulam Chi online class: https://www.levibenshmuel.com/online-classes

Kashish Gambir is a spiritual guide who teaches karma, divine love, the path back to Source, the inner journey of the soul, and infinite peace of mind and bliss. As a guide/intuitive, she is able to transfer Divine Energy to people through meditation sessions and consultations, awakening aspects of the soul. She also leads peace meditations in Delhi, India as well as online. In this episode, Kashish tells the fascinating story of her search for God and meaning since childhood, and finding a spiritual teacher who helped her gain a quantum jump on her spiritual awakening. She and Rev. Carol have a lively conversation about all sorts of things including world religions, transcendent experiences, karma, and reducing suffering in the world. https://karmicbuzz.com/

Raised under harsh conditions during the Cultural Revolution in Maoist China, Yan Ming Li learned early on that he was born with a spiritual gift. Tucking himself away under his parents' bed in a tiny apartment, Li found solace in a mysterious and powerful force he called the Light. He learned to use this Light to heal people including his paralyzed mother, and has dedicated his life to teaching people the power they hold inside to heal themselves. The Whole Body Prayer is a meditation and healing technique which thousands have used to cure themselves of stage 4 cancer and other 'terminal' illnesses, while awakening to the spiritual energy of the Light/God. Li tells his fascinating story in a recently published memoir called, Whole Body Prayer - The Life Changing Power of Self-healing. He does not speak English so his conversation in this podcast is lovingly translated by his wife Sandra and son Alex. If you would like to see the uncut video and Whole Body Prayer demonstration, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzAv3iShhRc website:https://mywholebodyprayer.com/ book: https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Body-Prayer-Life-Changing-Self-Healing/dp/B09XVKZN3G whole body prayer stance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcQISA-bisQ

Reverend Sarah Bowen is an ordained minister, animal chaplain, seminary faculty member, columnist for Spirituality & Health magazine, and author of Sacred Sendoffs: An Animal Chaplain’s Advice for Surviving Animal Loss, Making Life Meaningful, and Trying to Heal the Planet. She teaches interspecies mindfulness practices, works with humans grieving the loss of companion animals, loves up animals in shelters, and provides wildlife struck by cars a sacred sendoff. Daughter of a pastor, Sarah shares her story growing up as a free spirit tomboy who cared for "God's creatures" and was also concerned about them when they died. We talk about the importance of recognizing animal loss and healing from its wounds, our cultural and personal blind spots regarding animals, and how Compassion calls us to engage in interspecies relationships that are fair to all. Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Sendoffs-Chaplains-Surviving-Meaningful/dp/1948626594 Memorial tips: https://www.sacredsendoffs.com/memorials Animal Meditations: https://www.sacredsendoffs.com/meditations Become an Animal Chaplain: https://www.compassionconsortium.org/training Compassion Consortium: https://www.compassionconsortium.org/ Whole Planet Spirituality Forum & Retreat: https://thespiritualforum.org/retreat

Reverend Richard Carlini is an ordained Unity minister, a registered nurse and hospice administrator. He has been privileged to be present with hundreds of people during their dying process. The crucial subjects of grief and loss, which touch each of us during our lifetime, rarely receive the attention they deserve. In this episode, Carol and Richard engage in conversation about our culture’s relationship with death, the five stages of grief (associated with any ending), and what we can do to normalize our relationship with dying and prepare for our own post-life celebration/ritual. While death may be an end, it is also a rebirth and a transition that deserves our attention.