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
Nov 8, 2019 • 58min
Episode 81 - Having Differences Without Division
By all appearances, we live in a very divided nation these days. The political divide has intensified in ways that sadly cause people to disconnect with friends and family, or stay connected but only by keeping ideas silenced. It is nearly impossible to have a conversation about politics today without a huge fallout. But we don't have to be a part of the division that we see. By our consciousness and actions, we can be Uniters. In this episode we learn how we can hold a vision of Unity for our nation, foster Understanding and connection in places where there is none, and recognize how it all applies to living spiritually.
Nov 1, 2019 • 51min
Episode 80 - The Masks We Wear
Early in our lives most of us learned to wear any number of 'masks' for the purpose of gaining/rejecting love/attention from others or to protect ourselves. We then became so used to wearing them that over time, they seemed to become us. Yet when we look honestly, we find they aren't us.They are tools of our conscious and unconscious minds and when we decide to remove them, we reveal more of our True Nature (aka Higher Self, God Self, Inner Christ, Authentic Self, etc.). On the spiritual path, we continually awaken to how our ego is structured to keep us from awakening to our Divine Self. In this episode we share about the masks we have worn and our process of taking them off.
Oct 25, 2019 • 55min
Episode 79 - Who Do You Think You Are?
Who do you think you are? That is THE fundamental question that frames your whole life. We struggle with ideas about ourselves that someone else gave us. We believe ourselves to be a mere humans with faults, limitations, and fixed personality traits. We focus on some form of “I’m only human” or “I’m not enough.” We confuse who we think we are with our feelings. But all that isn’t true! We are image and likeness of God, the Divine idea of human perfection. When we are conscious of our perfection in the Infinite, we manifest who we have always been in Being. In this episode we engage in dialogue on how our beliefs about ourselves show up in our lives and how we remember and live the Truth.
Oct 4, 2019 • 57min
Episode 78 - Do You Want to Be Healed?
Many of us talk about the conditions in our bodies, minds and hearts that we wish were different. But if we are meant to be whole and healthy, and these conditions are still present, what's going on? We have to ask ourselves, “Do I want to be healed?” In this episode we dig deep to find what healing opportunity – illness/pain in body, unhappy relationship, past hurts, negative ideas, etc. – is before us now, and discern truthfully if we want to be healed. Because while healing can be spontaneous, it often requires changing ourselves in some way (lifestyle, forgiveness, release of addictions/thoughts, etc.), which we resist.
Sep 27, 2019 • 57min
Episode 77 - The Allure of Being Offended
In today’s world, giving and taking offense is everywhere. We see it expressed on social media and by news commentators and government officials every day. And when we look closely, we also find ourselves frequently being offended by someone or something. When we hear or read something that disturbs our sensibilities - what we think is right - or that seems hurtful to us or another, we often respond by taking offense. Why do we do that? What is the payoff? What are the consequences? In this episode we explore these questions, share our offense triggers and discover how being offended shuts down conversation and blocks our inner calling to “Love one another.”
Sep 20, 2019 • 1h 1min
Episode 76 - Internal Guidance System
Within each of us is an Internal Guidance System. Our guidance can come in the form of intuition, a gut feeling, a sense of peace or a voice. But there is also the voice of ego in us, which is compelling! Sometimes we have a hard time discerning whether our guidance is Divine (from our Higher Self/Spirit) or rooted in ego (separation/fear/lack/limitation/etc.). In this episode we share experiences of inner Guidance and what we do to cultivate our Divine Self so we can trust its 'voice.'
Sep 13, 2019 • 56min
Episode 75 - When Bad Things Happen to Good People
Bad things happen. We may do everything we can to be our best, do our best, be loving and caring to others, and even do 'the right thing' when doing so is really hard. But living a life of Goodness and Virtue doesn't guarantee an escape from hardship. When unfortunate circumstances or trauma happens, we often launch into questioning why. Why does suffering exist? Why me? In this episode we explore the timeless story of Job which reveals how such questions bind us to perpetual suffering. There is a way to live with trauma without becoming its victim.
Aug 30, 2019 • 46min
Episode 74 - Sacred Feminine Rising
The Sacred Feminine, which resides in both females and males, has been prominent as an archetype in many of the world's cultures for thousands of years. Each of us -- as well as the world at large -- thrives when she is in balance with the Sacred Masculine. When masculine energy is not balanced by feminine, we experience dominance, aggression and action without Wisdom. We all suffer. In this episode we share how the Sacred Feminine expresses through/as us and our blocks to balance. If we want to restore balance in our world, this is an important inquiry.
Aug 23, 2019 • 56min
Episode 73 - In Conversation: The Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago has been a Christian pilgrimage since medieval times. It traverses the northern part of Spain and has many routes, all of which lead to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. Today hundreds of thousands of people are called to make this 500-mile journey on foot for retreat, spiritual growth or cultural reasons. Inspired by the 2010 movie, The Way, Katie O'Meara was called to walk the Camino, and in this episode we learn about her calling and unique physical, mental and spiritual setbacks and overcoming. She completed pilgrimage in 40 days, walked an additional 50 miles to the western coast of Spain and returned as a new person.
Aug 17, 2019 • 44min
Episode 72 - I Have No Response to That
Inspired by the fable-like film, Joe Versus the Volcano, we engage in dialogue on how and when to apply, "I have no response to that" in our lives. A regular spiritual practice will hone our Divine gift of Discernment so when a situation arises, we will know when a response is a good use of our time and energy and will add to the conversation. Here we share our life successes and failed attempts at choosing to not respond.
