The Spiritual Forum
The Spiritual Forum
Welcome to The Spiritual Forum, a space curated by Rev Carol Saunders for extraordinary conversations that explore the realms of spiritual living. Join us weekly for heart-to-heart dialogues with captivating individuals, delving into themes like love, faith, awakening, forgiveness, healing, spiritual practices, and divine encounters. These transformative narratives aim to inspire, fostering a deep connection to the profound experiences that shape our lives. Rev Carol’s guests include authors, filmmakers, experts, and everyday individuals who authentically share their journeys toward wholeness. These discussions transcend the ordinary, offering insights into navigating the complexities of our current world with authenticity and grace.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 1, 2020 • 1h 11min
Episode 100 - Letting Go
To grow as a human being, we must repeatedly let go of what burdens us. Letting go, or Release, is a Divine power and a conscious action we take. Healthy functioning bodies undergo continual processes of taking in and letting go. Our minds and hearts are no different. There are lots of opportunities for us to let go. We can let go of thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and things – anything that no longer serves us. In this episode we share what we are letting go of today and the processes we use to release and become freer and more authentic beings
Apr 24, 2020 • 50min
Episode 99 - The Infinite Reservoir of Joy
Joy is different from happiness. Happiness is transient and depends on outer circumstances. Joy is an infinite reservoir that dwells within us and is independent of life's circumstances. Even when we are immersed in great difficulty or sorrow, we can reach within and find Joy. That is because it is part of our nature. We are being called now to learn, know, and become aware of Truth - that Joy abides in us. In this episode we share how we experience and express Joy and how we block ourselves from it.
Apr 17, 2020 • 1h 5min
Episode 98 - Your Transmutation Story
The Easter story is the incredible story of an incredible man and the followers who loved him. It is also our story. It shows us the path of transmutation - fundamentally changing ourselves and allowing new life to arise in us. Every time a crucifixion experience shows up in our lives, we have the opportunity to walk the path to a higher way of being. Every time. That's one of the promises of Easter. In this episode we share reflections on the Easter story and our experiences with transmutation.
Apr 10, 2020 • 1h
Episode 97 - Your Palm Sunday Story
Stories are powerful teaching tools. When you find yourself in one, you can gain a new and meaningful perspective on your life. Whether you identify with the Christian faith tradition or not, and whether you have appreciation for the Bible or not, the Easter story is rich in spiritual and personal meaning. It is our story. In this episode we look at some of the themes of the Palm Sunday story and share how these themes are being expressed on our lives today.
Apr 3, 2020 • 1h 5min
Episode 96 - Got Faith?
Faith is a Divine power within us. It is the power we use to manifest anything in the physical world. To make anything purposefully happen, we must first believe it is possible. And with just a tiny bit of faith, we can move the largest of obstacles. We never really lack faith. But we can direct it in ways that don’t serve our highest good. Our doubt can literally cause us to sink. In this episode we explore where we place our faith (in appearances or possibility) and how to shift from doubt to knowing. A critical dialogue in today's world.
Mar 27, 2020 • 1h 2min
Episode 95 - Moving Through Crisis as Divine Beings
The spiritual path is the path from personal consciousness to Christ/I am consciousness. During times such as these, we have the opportunity to grow in consciousness and live more closely as the Divine beings we were created to be. We should be in inquiry about everything! What do we really need? What is really important? What are we learning? What do we need to change? Are we actively bettering ourselves? How can we make this time profoundly meaningful? Rev. Carol emphasizes that we all chose to be here, in this incarnation, on this planet, at this time in order to usher in something new. In this episode, we have an open dialogue on what we are personally experiencing and seeing.
Feb 28, 2020 • 58min
Episode 93 - Life Is for Living
Why do we spend so much of our time here focusing on what is missing, complaining or being otherwise irritated? Why is that a conversation that unifies us? Even if we're not doing those things, are we alive? Do we notice it? We can choose to be alive or dead (in Heaven or Hell) every moment of our lives. But the thief - our own ego - clings to thoughts that steal, kill and destroy our experience of Life Itself. Being alive in this physical realm is a gift of great value - a pearl of great price. Every moment is valuable. In this episode we explore what being fully alive looks like, and what we do to bring ourselves back to Life when we notice we are not present to it.
Feb 21, 2020 • 1h
Episode 92 - The Epic Speech of Joaquin Phoenix
Through all the glitter and glam, red carpet fashion statements and dazzling entertainment, a message of Universal Love and Hope came through the person of Joaquin Phoenix at the 2020 Academy Awards. When accepting his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in the movie, Joker, he chose to use his three minutes to share a profound message. He didn't take sides. He didn't make anyone wrong. It was a message of Gratitude, Awakening, Hope, Forgiveness and Grace. In this episode we share our reflections on the universal message of social justice for all beings.
Feb 14, 2020 • 58min
Episode 91 - To Everything There Is a Season
During the course of our lives we go through many seasons – seasons of death and birth, creativity and stagnation, joy and sorrow, and many more. There is no schedule or specific duration of these seasons. We have to honor them as they arise. The outer world may want us to conform to its demands, but we don't have to conform. The world will go on. Our job is to walk the path that is laid before us. In this episode, we share our experiences with seasons that arise in our lives and how we moved through them. This topic was inspired by the very recent passing of Rev. Carol's father. There is some rawness to this one.
Jan 31, 2020 • 52min
Episode 90 - Fight, Flight or the Third Way
When faced with ill treatment, oppression, or bullying, we are conditioned to react in two ways: 1) fight back as hard as we can or 2) submit/run away. The third way reveals the power in resisting the desire to respond to violence with violence, while also not submitting. The third way teaches us to respond in a way that establishes equality with our oppressor. This is so important because it snaps us out of victim consciousness. We retain our God given power.
