Chris Grosso The Indie Spiritualist

This week on the Indie Spiritualist, Chris has an insightful conversation with the spiritual teacher and author, Gabor Maté, about trauma, addiction, and recovery. What do we get out of our addictions? How does trauma cause us to disconnect from ourselves and dismiss our own experience? Gabor raises these important questions and provides guidance to rise above our suffering and self-abuse so that we may better care for ourselves and our loved ones.   Show Notes Addictions Are Not The Problem – Gabor and I discuss how addictions are not the problem but instead are the person’s attempt to solve a problem in their life.   Growing Up – Gabor and I explore the emotional and psychological conditions of children and their environment while growing up as a key component of the root cause of addiction.   Trauma, Addiction, and the Brain – Gabor talks about the relationship between trauma, our brain, and addiction.   Making Change – Gabor breaks down how we can begin to understand and then work with the traumas in our lives for true healing.   Falling — Gabor talks about why many people who have tools, been in recovery, or on a spiritual path and work with mantras, meditation, prayer, yoga, and so forth, still fall into old self-defeating behaviors at times.   Rising – Gabor and I explore the shame, stress, self-loathing and other negative feelings that come along for those who fall back into self-defeating behaviors and what people can do to not get lost in those overwhelming negative feelings?   Watching Addiction – Gabor talks about what family members can do for a loved one who is caught in the grips of addiction.   God and Recovery — Gabor talks about what a power greater than ourselves really means and how we can begin to transcend our limited egoic selves. More About Gabor Maté Gabor Maté is a sought-after speaker and teacher, regularly addressing health professionals, educators, and lay audiences throughout North America. As an author, Dr. Maté has written several bestselling books including the award-winning In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction; When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress; and Scattered Minds: A New Look at the Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder, and co-authored Hold on to Your Kids. His works have been published internationally in twenty languages. Dr. Maté is the co-founder of Compassion for Addiction, a new non-profit that focuses on addiction. He is also an advisor of Drugs over Dinner. Dr. Maté has received the Hubert Evans Prize for Literary Non-Fiction; an Honorary Degree (Law) from the University of Northern British Columbia; an Outstanding Alumnus Award from Simon Fraser University; and the 2012 Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award from Mothers Against Teen Violence. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of The Indie Spiritualist, Chris has on poet and author, J. Ivy. As a performance poet & author, Ivy’s passionate delivery always leaves spectators transfixed in a state of inspiration. His motto, “Dreams Don’t Come True, They Are True” has guided him from his hometown Chicago to hundreds of cities. J. Ivy’s new goal to get one million people to write a letter to their fathers is themed as “One Million Letters Written, One Million Hearts Healed!” This campaign’s mission is to help inspire healing through writing for children and adults who have grown up in fatherless homes, which will in turn help to prevent this hurt and imbalance from being perpetuated. Listen to Chris and J go deep about family, forgiveness, and inspiring the next generation.   Show Notes Chicago – J reminisces about his childhood years when he was still known as James Richardson and what it was like growing up in Chicago during the late seventies and early eighties. Changes – J talks about his experience of being a young teenager and watching his father’s life spiral out of control as he became an alcoholic, lost his job, his parents divorcing, and how that affected him.  Words – J shares candidly about a deep depression he experienced later on in his life, which led him to stop going to class and work, and how the art of writing helped him to find his way out of that. The Art Of Words – J & I explore various pieces of advice for aspiring writers. Thank You – J talks about the importance of gratitude in his life and how it can help to stop the negative self-talk our mind sometimes throws at us. Forgiveness – J talks about forgiveness as a teacher, and how to authentically forgive oneself and others. Dear Father – J talks about The Dear Father Letter Writing Campaign he started with his wife, whose mission is to help inspire healing through writing for children and adults who have grown up in fatherless homes, which will in turn help to prevent this hurt and imbalance from being passed on to the next generations. More About J. Ivy J. Ivy, a NAACP Image Award Winning Poet has been featured on Grammy Award Winning Platinum Albums with Kanye West, Jay-Z & John Legend.  He is the author of two books, Here I AM: Then & Now & Dear Father Breaking The Cycle of Pain published by Beyond Words/Atria/Simon & Schuster.  Find J on twitter @J_Ivy or at www.J-Ivy.com.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Indie Spiritualist Podcast, Chris has a compelling discussion with Ram Dass. From addiction to finding compassion for Donald Trump, Ram Dass shares his perspective on the spiritual path and using love to overcome our darkest moments.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tehya Sky Podcast   Tehya Sky is a metaphysical guide and healing facilitator who offers retreats and workshops internationally. Her work focuses on helping us integrate our humanity and our divinity, as well as honor our unique callings. Sky lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more, visit tehyasky.com   Dysfunction — Tehya discusses her formative childhood years, working in the music industry in LA, and finding her way onto the spiritual path.   Spirituality Today — Tehya and I discuss spirituality and whether people are looking for something different today or not.   Something Different — Tehya talks about what from A Ceremony Called Life offers that many of today’s “self-help” books don’t.   Influences — Tehya shares some of the important influences in her life, and I share about an experience including Radiohead, acid, and the millennium.   It All Is — Tehya and I discuss how spirituality can imbue all areas of our lives.   Vulnerability — Tehya shares about how vulnerability and how accepting our vulnerability leads to healing and growth.   Misunderstandings — Tehya and I discuss some of the common misunderstandings on the spiritual path, including the belief that we should get rid of our egos and have a silent mind.   Separation — Tehya talks about what causes the feeling of separation and how to work through the obstacles that keep us feeling separate.       Visit Tehya online HERE!   Check out Tehya’s book, A Ceremony Called Life HERE! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Interspirituality with Kurt Johnson Episode Recap Show Notes: • Early Years – Kurt discusses some of his early life events—including depression, scientific studies and much more—and how they led him to his life’s passion. • Wayne Teasdale – Kurt shares about his deep friendship with the wonderful Brother Wayne Teasdale, the impact he had on his life, and the continuing impact his work has in the world. • Interspirituality – In The Coming Interspiritual Age, Kurt writes, “Interspirituality is the natural discussion among human beings about what we are experiencing. In academic terms, it’s the intersubjective discussion among us all about who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. In the context of religion, interspirituality is the common heritage of humankind’s spiritual wisdom and the sharing of wisdom resources across traditions. In terms of our developing human consciousness, interspirituality is the movement of all these discussions toward the experience of profound interconnectedness, unity consciousness, and oneness.” Kurt and I explore what it means to be interspiritual and how it can deepen our spiritual paths. • Everyone’s A Mystic – Kurt and I explore our mutual friend Ken Wilber’s four quadrants of “I”, “We”, “It” and “It’s” and how they relate to each of us being a mystic. • Scientific Consciousness Studies – Kurt talks about scientific consciousness studies, discussing our basic experience of consciousness and “raw feeling”, quantum ideas of consciousness, and the future of unconsciousness.   Kurt's Website Kurt's Bio Kurt Johnson, Ph.D.  has worked in professional science and comparative religion for over 40 years and serves on many international committees, particularly at the United Nations.  In comparative culture and religion Kurt has been on the faculty of New York City’s One Spirit Interfaith Seminary for 12 years and is the co-author of the very influential 2013 book on the future of world religions: The Coming Interspiritual Age. In science, with a PhD in Evolution, Ecology and Comparative Biology he was on the staff of the American Museum of Natural History for 25 years and is currently associated with the McGuire Center for Biodiversity at the University of Florida.  Kurt has published over 200 scientific articles and seven books, including the popular science bestseller Nabokov’s Blues: The Scientific Odyssey of a Literary Genius. In 2015 his book on science and the arts, Fine Lines, appears from Yale University Press along with contributions in a United Nations NGO publication:  Ethics, Spiritual Values, and the New United Nations Development Agenda. Kurt has presented regularly on science and religion at The Science and Nonduality Conference and the Parliament of the World’s Religions and published articles on this inter-relationship in many periodicals, including audio discussions with Ken Wilber at Integral Life. He is a founding member of the Contemplative Alliance and President of the Friends of the Institute of Noetic Sciences. At the United Nations he serves on the Executive Committee of the UN NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns and the NGO Forum 21 Institute.  Formerly a monastic for over 10 years, and active in contemplative and sacred activism across several traditions, Kurt is also an ordained Eco-Minister and recently co-edited the Namaste Insights internet magazine on the eco-vision of interfaith pioneers Thomas Berry and Wayne Teasdale. Kurt’s Books: The Coming Interspiritual Age,Nabokov's Blues: The Scientific Odyssey of a Literary Genius, Fine Lines: Vladimir Nabokov’s Scientific Art   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Podcast Interview Bio Chandresh Bhardwaj is a seventh-generation lineage holder from a family of Indian gurus practicing the Tantric tradition. He is an internationally acclaimed speaker and founder of the Break The Norms Movement, with locations in New York, Los Angeles, New Delhi, and Amsterdam. For more visit breakthenorms.com.   Episode Outline:   • A Family of Gurus – Chandresh talks about his childhood and how he grew up in a family of spiritual Gurus.   • The Seeds of Questioning – Chandresh talks about the passing of his sister and a close childhood friend when he was younger, both of which happened within a few years of one another, and how they became a catalyst that planted seeds of questioning in him, particularly about life and death and meaning and how to live.   • Pain As A Teacher – Chandresh shares how we can use the pain in our lives as a catalyst towards our spiritual growth and development.   • Break the Norms – Chandresh talks about the Break The Norms movement and how that began.   • Today’s New Age Spirituality – Chandresh and I discuss today’s New Age Spirituality and chanting Sanskrit mantras, cursing freely, tattoos, veganism and more.   • Just Be You –Chandresh shares a practice he calls “Uncover Your Authenticity”.   • God – Chandresh and I discuss a humorous conversation he had with a Sanskrit scholar in regards to the nature of God, which we explore in greater detail.   • Edging God Out – You have a chapter discussing the ego, which is always a hot topic amongst spiritual enthusiast. I remember even Wayne Dyer humorously sharing about how he couldn’t even keep track of how many times he’s gone back and forth about it, one minute suggesting we befriend it, only to later say we need to destroy it, and back and forth etc. So what is ego from your perspective and what the hell do we do with it?   Recommendations:   Chandresh's Website   Break The Norms Website   Chandresh’s Book: Break The Norms   Other Books: 10% Happier by Dan Harris, Real Happiness by Sharon Salzberg See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jack Canfield Episode Recap   Bio   You probably know Jack Canfield as the co-creator and co-author of the New York Times #1 best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul book series which currently has 225 titles in the series and more than 500 million copies in print in 47 languages.   He is also the founder and President of the Canfield Training Institute, which trains entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, managers and sales professionals in how to accelerate the achievement of their personal, professional and financial goals.   Jack has personally helped hundreds of thousands of people on six different continents become multi-millionaires, business leaders, best-selling authors, leading sales professionals, successful entrepreneurs, and world-class athletes while at the same time creating balanced, fulfilling and healthy lives.   Jack is a dynamic speaker and was recently inducted into the National Speakers Association’s Speakers Hall of Fame.   He has appeared on more than 1000 radio and television shows including Oprah, Montel, Larry King Live, the Today Show, and two hour-long PBS Specials devoted exclusively to his work.  Jack is also one of the teachers featured in the recent hit movies The Secret, The Truth and The Tapping Solution.      Jack’s best-known success resources are the New York Times best-selling book “The 10th Anniversary of the Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, The Power of Focus, The Aladdin Factor, and Jack Canfield’s Key to Living the Law of Attraction.  All of these resources consist of powerful strategies designed to empower and inspire individuals to achieving success.  Jack’s vision is to train 1 million people his “success principles” to pass on his legacy to others.  He now has resources, live trainings and online certification course work available.    Jack has been presenting these powerful principles and breakthrough strategies for 40 years to corporations, governments and universities in more than 30 countries. His clients have included Virgin Records, SONY Pictures, Daimler-Chrysler, KFC, Federal Express, GE, Johnson & Johnson, Merrill Lynch, Campbell’s Soup, Re/Max, The Million Dollar Forum, The Million Dollar Roundtable, and The Young Presidents Organization.      Episode Outline:   • A Family Disease – Jack and I begin our conversation by discussing how even though he personally hasn’t struggled with substance abuse or addiction, he has had some very tough times as a child living with an angry alcoholic father, a mother who crossed the line from abuse to dependence, and an aunt and grandmother as well as two of his own children struggling with substance abuse.   • The Golden Buddha – Jack shares a story about a Golden Buddha and how it relates to those setting out on a path of sobriety.   • Can I Ever Drink Again – Jack addresses the two most common questions that come up in regards to the 30-Day Sobriety Solution, which are 1) Can I ever drink again and 2) Do I need to quit drinking right now?   • The Importance of 30 Days – Jack and I discuss an interesting experiment conducted by NASA that demonstrates why it takes 25-30 days to successfully reprogram the brain.   • Event + Response = Outcome – Jack breaks down an equation he uses in his book which states that E + R = O, or, Event + Response = Outcome. From The 30 Day Sobriety Solution: “Every outcome you experience in life—sobriety or alcoholism, excessive drinking or “normal” drinking, financial success or poverty, health or sickness, happiness or dissatisfaction—is the result of how you have responded to an earlier event or events in your life. The formula states that if you don’t like the outcomes you are experiencing in your life today, you have two options: 1) You can blame the event (E) for your lack of results (O) or 2) You can change your responses (R) to the events (E) —the way things are—until you get the outcomes (O) you want.”   • Why Do You Drink? – There’s a brief but very important section of The 30 Day Sobriety Solution that explores why people drink, noting that alcohol (or any other substance) is merely the symptom, whereas the real problem lies elsewhere, which Jack and I explore.   • The Importance of Action – Jack elaborates on an interesting statistic he shared in his book regarding the percentage of information we retain after 2 weeks time and how it depends on the various ways in which we take it in.   • The Power of Vision – Jack and I conclude our conversation by addressing one of the themes of the major themes of the book, which is how to get from where you are to where you want to be, or knowing where you are today vs. where you want to be in the future, and the importance of creating a vision and detailed description around that.   Recommendations:   Jack's Website   Jack’s Books: The 30-Day Sobriety Solution, The Success Principles, The Power of Focus   Other Books: In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Mate, Recovering Joy by Kevin Griffin, No Mud, No Louts by Thich Nhat Hanh See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alanna Kaivalya Episode Recap   Bio   Alanna believes Yoga is for everyone and each student can develop the self-empowerment needed to embark on a personal journey to meaningful transformation. On this principle she founded The Kaivalya Yoga Method, a fresh take on yoga emphasizing the individual path while honoring tradition. Teaching students since 2001, teachers since 2003, Alanna has written and developed teacher trainings worldwide for top studios and independently. In January she debuted a comprehensive 200hr-online teacher training with YogaDownload. She holds a Ph.D. in Mythological Studies with an Emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, has authored numerous articles and two books: Myths of the Asanas, an accessible practitioner’s guide to stories behind beloved poses; Sacred Sound, a yoga “hymnal,” illustrating the role of chant and mantra in modern practice. Look for her third book, Yoga Beyond the Mat, in Autumn 2016. She lives in New York City with Roxy the Wonderdog.     Episode Outline:   • You Lucky Shit – Alanna and I talk about meeting one another back in 2012 and how I road her coattails (so to speak) into performing that year at Yoga Journal’s Estes Park Conference.   • Yoga – Alanna talks about her journey to the yogic path and why her passion continues to grow for it on a daily basis. She also talks about the process of creating her recent 200-hour teacher training and what that offers that other programs don’t.   • Yoga is Broken – Alanna and I discuss the commoditization of yoga and spirituality.   • Books! — Alanna talks about her two published books, Myths of the Asanas and Sacred Sound, as well as and her forthcoming book Yoga Beyond the Mat, which will be out this fall.   • Han Solo – Alanna brings a little mythology into our conversation about Kylo Ren murdering his father Han Solo in the most recent episode in the Star Wars franchise.   Recommendations:   Alanna's Website   Alanna’s Books: Myths of the Asanas, Sacred Sound   Other Books: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Satchidananda, Chants of a Lifetime by Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bio Noah Levine, author of Dharma Punx, Against The Stream, The Heart of the Revolution and Refuge Recovery, is a Buddhist teacher, author and counselor. He has created a Buddhist approach to addiction recovery called Refuge Recovery, that includes peer lead meetings as well as a professional treatment center. He is also the founding teacher of Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society, with centers in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Nashville and over 20 affiliated groups around North America. He teaches meditation classes, workshops and retreats internationally. Noah holds a Masters degree in counseling psychology and lives in Los Angeles.   Episode Outline:   • Dharma Punk – Noah talks about his experience with addiction and how it led him to the Buddhist Path.   • A Community Effort – Noah revisits the origins of Refuge Recovery and shares about all of the preparation that went into the endeavor.   • Refuge Recovery –In the Refuge Recovery book, Noah writes, “Refuge Recovery is a practice, a process, a set of tools, a treatment, and a path to healing addiction and the suffering caused by addiction.” Which we discuss.   • Addiction Creates Suffering – Noah and I explore The Four Truths of recovery, beginning with the First Truth, which is, addiction creates suffering. In Refuge Recovery, Noah writes, “This is not a philosophy. It is a practice; it demands action. We must understand, acknowledge, admit, and take this action by writing and sharing an in-depth and detailed inventory of the suffering we have experienced in association with our addictions.” Can you expand on that?   • The Cause of Addiction Is Repetitive Craving – The Second Truth of recovery is that the cause of addiction is repetitive craving. In Refuge Recovery Noah writes, “We have come to understand that all forms of addiction have their roots in the natural human tendency to crave for life to be more pleasurable and less painful than it actually is. The addict is not at fault for the root causes and conditions that lead to addiction, only for the habitual reactive patterns that perpetuate it.” Which again, we discuss.   • Recovery Is Possible – The Third Truth of recovery is that recovery is possible. In Refuge Recovery Noah writes write, “Freedom from the suffering caused by addiction is attainable, if we are ready and willing to take responsibility for our actions and to follow the Eightfold Path. As you enter this process and attend group meetings, you will connect with many others who have also suffered the consequences of addiction and are now recovering. Allow the group to inspire you and to show the possibilities of recovery, while also making room for the imperfections of some of the individuals within the group.”   • The Path To Recovery – So The Four Noble Truths sets out the way, the Eightfold Path, that leads to the end of suffering and is composed of eight factors, which Noah talks about.   • Buddhist Atheist – Noah and I discuss an interesting conversation we recently had about God in relation to recovery and relapse.   • Moving Forward – Noah talks about the current and future state of Refuge Recovery.   Recommendations:   Refuge Recovery Website   Against The Stream Website   Noah’s Book: Refuge Recovery, Dharma Punx, Against The Stream, The Heart of the Revolution   Other Books: Indie Spiritualist by Chris Grosso (Foreword by Noah Levine), Hardcore Zen by Brad Warner See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  Bio Zach is the host of the “It’s All Happening” podcast, an infrequent blogger/writer and a seasoned digital marketer and brand strategist. Zach is also a practitioner of bhakti yoga as taught through many of the Vedantic systems of Northern India. Through the practice of bhakti yoga he has found keys that unlock doorways that allow the soul to experience it’s true nature of being eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. In addition to bhakti yoga, Zach has been influenced by many different methods and traditions of consciousness exploration ranging from trans-humanism to Buddhism and clinical psychology. Zach is also a frequent pundit on the political systems that are fueling societies economic systems and structures. At the core of all of Zach’s work is the belief that we have been fused together by the adoption and collective practice of using technology, spirituality and mysticism to define the very nature of who we are.   Episode Outline:   • Beginnings – Zach talks about growing up with Timothy Leary as a father, having Ram Dass around his house, Be Here Now, and the beginning stages of his spiritual path.   • Controversy – Zach and I discuss ISKON, Osho, Trungpa Rinpoche, and others in regards to their teachings and surrounding life controversies.   • Ram Dass and Maharajji – Zach and I swap stories about our experiences with Ram Dass and Maharajji.   • Kirtan – Zach talks about taking up the harmonium and singing his devotional heart out.   • Music And Spirituality Zach and I talk about finding spirituality in music using examples such as Krishna Das, Bruce Springsteen, Iron Maiden, Shelter, 108 and more.   • The Future Of America – Trump, Clinton, and Sanders. Zach shares his thoughts on why Bernie Or Bust will actually cause more harm than good, and the overall victory that Bernie Sanders has had regardless of how behind he is in the polls.     Recommendations:   Zach's Website   It's All Happening Podcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Betsy Chasse is an internationally known film Maker and author, most notable at the Co-Writer, Director and Producer of What The Bleep Do We Know?! In 2014, she produced the acclaimed Song of the New Earth, which premiered at The Seattle International Film Festival. She has authored 4 books including What The Bleep Do We Know: Discovering the Endless Possibilities to Altering Your Everyday Reality and in 2014 Tipping Sacred Cows. She recently released her latest book, It Came Out Of My Vagina, Now What?!, A hilarious book on parenting written with Co-Author Debbie Spector Weisman, and is in production on a new feature documentary, LEAP, which explores the world of Coaching (Life, Relationship, Business and Executive) to be released late 2016 / early 2017. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mary O’Malley is an author, counselor and awakening mentor in Kirkland, Washington.  In the early 1970’s, a powerful awakening led Mary to begin changing her relationship with her challenges, freeing her from a lifelong struggle with darkness.  Mary’s latest book, What’s In the Way Is the Way, provides a revolutionary approach for healing your fears, anxieties, shame, and confusion, so you can live from a place of ease and well-being. Visit her at: www.maryomalley.com and www.whatsinthewayistheway.com  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eben grew up in Ojai, California a mile from the home of rebel spiritualist Jiddu Krishnamurti. Eben great aunt was Paramahansa Yogananda's personal assistant and driver for a year at the Mount Washington Ashram in 1949. His father, when he was 6 years-old, also met Yogananda, so the thread of spirituality was woven into Eben’s life experience long before he became aware of its richness and beauty. During his teen years, in the 80's, Eben was a pioneer of the hardcore skateboarding and American hardcore punk rock scenes. He skated, played in bands, went to shows, and today acknowledges his place as a part of that greater movement. The same spirit guided him as he entered his life in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, and ultimately, into his life as a spiritualist.       See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mona Haydar is a poet, activist practitioner of Permaculture, meditator, composting devotee, mountain girl, solar power lover and a tireless God-enthusiast. She practices a life of sacred activism, poetry, contemplation and advocacy for living gently upon the Earth. She teaches classes and retreats on mindfulness and Islamic spirituality, leads workshops on creative writing and performs her poetry. Her words have found homes in the hearts of seekers, wanderers, poets, artists, lovers and stewards of the Earth. She grew up in Flint, Michigan, graduated from the University of Michigan and has since lived in Damascus where she studied Arabic and Islamic spirituality then went on to live in the mountains of Northern New Mexico at Lama Foundation and in the Redwood forest of Northern California with her husband and son. Mona and her husband, Sebastian set up a stand in Cambridge, Massachusetts with signs that read 'Talk to a Muslim' 'free coffee and donuts' 'free conversation' and 'Ask a Muslim' encouraging open and loving dialogue which garnered the attention of NPR, Al Jazeera, The Boston Globe among other media outlets. Currently she is working on her second collection of poems and her first work of nonfiction on Islamic Spirituality through the lens of other spiritual traditions. She is working towards her Masters in Divinity. Mona helps to grow a more universal love with her activism, writing, performing and teaching. www.monahaydar.com     Episode Outline:   Experiences and Expression – Mona and I discuss her relationship to spirituality and religion as a child, experiencing God in nature and the depth, stillness and interconnectedness that flourished as a result, poetry as an expression of God, pulling ourselves back from the world of form and the God of “busy-ness” and more.   Islam – Mona elaborates on my very nursery school understanding of what the word Islam means, discussing the peace and surrender aspects of it and how the universe has no problem intervening in our lives in order to make us surrender.   The “G” Word – Mona and I discuss who “the one God” is according to the Muslim faith?   Peace Be Upon Him – Mona explains the role of the prophet Muhammad in the Muslim faith.   Donuts Anyone? – Mona shares about the “Ask a Muslim” stand she and her husband Sebastian set up in Cambridge, MA, which offers free donuts and coffee to people, as well as a conversation about being Muslim.   A Tiny Bit More – Mona shares about the power of reaching out to ones neighbor, regardless of their religion or lack thereof and sharing more love in the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A former criminal lawyer and psychotherapist, Jeff Brown is the author of Soulshaping: A Journey of Self-Creation, and Ascending with Both Feet on the Ground. Endorsed by authors Elizabeth Lesser, Oriah Mountain Dreamer and Katherine Woodward Thomas, “Ascending” is a collection of Jeff’s most popular spiritual graffiti — quotes, soul-bytes and aphorisms frequently shared in social media. He is also the author of the viral blog Apologies to the Divine Feminine (from a warrior in transition) and the producer and key journeyer in the award winning spiritual documentary, Karmageddon, which also stars Ram Dass, Seane Corn, David Life, Deva Premal and Miten. He has written a series of inspirations for ABC’s Good Morning America and appeared on over 200 radio shows. His third book, Love it Forward, was published on Valentine’s Day, 2014. He is also the owner of Enrealment Press (www.enrealment.com) and the creator of a new online school, Soulshaping Institute (www.soulshapinginstitute.com), which launched in February, 2015. His newest books, a higher consciousness love story called An Uncommon Bond, and Spiritual Graffiti- another quotes and inspirations book- came out in 2015. He lives outside Toronto, where he both writes and makes regular plans to do a yoga class that never quite materializes. You can also connect with his work at www.soulshaping.com and www.karmageddonthemovie.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.