Judith Ann Henrich, Interview #27

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality...

Your Name: Judith Ann Henrich

Where you live: Beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona

What you do as a vocation or avocation? I am the Director of Recruitment and Industry Relations for Global Cynergies, a venue selection company we formed in March 2008. In my career I have had the opportunity to work side by side with people in more that 40 countries - the diversity and camaraderie is truly a joy.

Your two favorite books: Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding (I was living in London when it came out and it made me howl with laughter), and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - epitomy of someone facing the giants.

Your two favorite cd's: Mary J. Blige Growing Pains, Sugarland, Enjoy the Ride

Why you are interested in spirituality? Because I don't believe we can go it alone and prayer is so powerful. Our company is founded on the power of prayer.

Your favorite quote: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him and the Lord will make straight your paths" Proverbs 3: 5-6

Your favorite web sites: I spend all day long working at a computer, so to be honest when I am done with work, I shut down.

Your hero? My parents - the epitomy of unconditional love when it comes to their children.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? Serving others wholeheartedly, with no reservation.

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" Outside in the early morning.

Arloa Sutter, Interview #26

Name: Arloa Sutter

Where you live: Chicago, IL USA

What you do as a vocation or avocation? I am the Executive Director of Breakthrough Urban Ministries. We provide interim housing and wrap around services for homeless adults and we operate sports and academic programs for children in the community of East Garfield Park in Chicago

Your two favorite books:

Theirs Is The Kingdom by Robert Lupton and Walking With The Poor by Bryant Meyers

Your two favorite cd's: Rita Springer "I Have to Believe" and Michael W. Smith "Worship"

Why you are interested in spirituality? I believe there is so much more to life than the physical and material world and I love living in the mystery of God. I also feel I have a lover and best friend in my personal relationship with the resurrected Jesus.

Your favorite quote: "Preach the gospel always, and when necessary, use words." St. Francis

Your favorite web sites:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/

http://www.changethis.com/,

http://www.breakthroughministries.com/

Your hero? Mother Teresa and Dorothy Day

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? Replacing fear with radical trust A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" Breakthrough Urban Ministries

http://arloasutter.blogspot.com/

Julie Clawson, Interview #24

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality

Name: Julie Clawson

Where you live: Yorkville, IL (outside of Chicago) USA

What you do as a vocation or avocation? I co-pastor an emerging house church (viachristus.org), I am a mother, and I am currently writing a book on how we can act justly and love others through our day to day actions.

Your two favorite books: Favorite is such a relative term... So these are two books that impacted me significantly at specific points in my life.

A New Kind of Christian - Brian McLaren. This book helped me to accept a faith beyond cultural constraints that allows for questions and authenticity. Discovering such options strengthened and saved my faith.

Dance of the Dissident Daughter - Sue Monk Kidd. Coming from a conservative background, this book helped me accept my worth as a woman and pushed me to help other oppressed women discover that same worth.

Your two favorite cd's: I've listened to both of these CD's incessantly the last few years. They capture a bit of who I am right now and inspire me. Into the Mystery - David Wilcox. Folk music that speaks to the heart of spiritual longings. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - U2. Popular yes, but poignant nonetheless.

Why you are interested in spirituality? I can't help but be interested in spirituality. I have questions that it seems only the spiritual can answer, or at least begin to address. The world is uncertain and full of mystery, I can't reduce it down in any way that excludes the spiritual. There is also so much pain and injustice in the world that can only be healed through outpourings of love (a spiritual act as I see it).

Your favorite quote: I recently came across a saying from the Talmud that connected with me - "It is not up to you to complete the work, but neither are you at liberty to desist from it." So often I can become overwhelmed at the injustices in the world and feel like I can't make much of a difference, but quotes like this help put things in perspective. I can't be so arrogant to think I can solve the problems in the world, but that doesn't mean I can give up either. I do whatever I can when I can.

Your favorite web sites: Well there's my blog - onehandclapping (julieclawson.com) and I also participate in the community at Emerging Women (emergingwomen.us). As part of the emerging church I appreciate the Emergent Village site (emergentvillage.us).

Your hero? I love the spiritual example of writer Phyllis Tickle. Her depth of knowledge, commitment to faith, mastery of language, and ease of communication are all traits I admire and aspire to. Her journey of faith as an intelligent woman has inspired and blessed me.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? Humility. The ability to hold my faith as dear but also respect the faith of others. I want to be able to respect and show love to those I disagree with, and humility in my own beliefs is vital to achieving that.

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" I respect and feel connected to beautiful and wild places, perhaps a sign that I have let myself become too disconnected from the natural world. But I also find myself spiritually connected whenever I am in community and conversation with friends. Exploring topics of faith, theology, and justice together is a holy experience for me.

Richard Bartley, Interview #23

Name: Richard Bartley
Where do you live: Planet Earth, in a region called Ireland.
What do you do for a Vocation or Avocation? Sales/Co. Director, that pays the mortgage; I also work to try to bring World Peace closer, through a movement called The World Peace and Prosperity Movement. My new web site is http://www.wppm.org/ it will be up and running during or after Easter.
Your two favourite books:

The Divine Art of Living by Mabel Hyde Paine and

The Hidden Words by Bahá’u’lláh
Your two favourite cd’s: “Bird” by Susan Lewis Wright. (Written and sung by her, it’s absolutely beautiful.
As we move along our favourites change, at the moment it’s Eckhart Tolle’s cd “The Flowering of Human Consciousness”, I see almost everything in a different way than he, but I listen to it a lot because I am being constantly reminded of my wish to live in my higher nature – mindful of the God within. His cd helps me to do that, and so for this I am extremely grateful to him.
Your favourite quote: “Let deeds not words be your adorning” again from “The Hidden Words”, for this reason I was reluctant to input to this Blog, but my love, respect and admiration for Sue (the inspiration behind the blog) left me no choice.
Your favourite web sites: The nearest thing I have to a favourite web site is the Google Search engine, how sad?
Your hero: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Why you are interested in spirituality?
Because “Man’s reality is a spiritual reality”, therefore to know this and then to ignore it would make no sense, and I’d like to think that my life does make sense, besides, the all most beautiful and meaningful things in my life are as a result of spirituality.
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? A spiritual lesson I hope to learn is how to deal with the responsibility of winning a million on the lotto… no to be serious, I hope to learn to live a contented, happy and joyful life – and to some degree to know and love God.
A place in the world where you feel spiritually “connected” Probably in my garden, but certainly with those I love.

Chad Parker, Interview #22

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality...
Name: Chad "Lamaian" Parker, Lamaian is my Maasai Tribal name. It means, "the one that brings God’s abundant blessings."
Where you live: Physically, I was born and raised in Bloomington, Illinois, USA. Mentally I try to live with a global mindset. Spiritually…I live in God’s merciful arms.

What you do as a vocation or avocation?
The work I’m passionate about: In 1999, while still in high school I started a web design company that has become one of the largest design studio’s in Illinois. I love my job!
The ministry I’m passionate about: In 2006, after a brief trip to Kenya, I founded GOYA Ministries; an organization dedicated to radically transforming the slum community of Mitumba in South C Nairobi not only physically but spiritually by assisting and supporting the locals in starting a school, church, community center and a number of other programs run and organized by Kenyan nationals.
Your two favorite books:
The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman - I’m fascinated by the way technology allows a person in Bangalore, India to compete for a job in Chicago, Illinois. But I’m equally disappointed in the way that this new "flat world" kills off many traditional ways of life that may be lost forever.
Good to Great by Jim Collins – God has given me so much…I’m always excited about learning new ways to make the most of what’s been entrusted to me…business, ministry, relationships, everything…
James and Philippians if we’re talking about books of the Bible.
Your two favorite cd's:
Are you kidding…can I pick two from each genre???
I’ll give you two of my favorites this week…how does that sound?
Versions by Thievery Corporation – Lush, complex and diverse sounds, driven by deep, rugged rhythm’s. I love it!
Live Sessions by Bonobo – I was the drummer for an indie band called Winter in Alaska for several years and there was nothing better than finding "the groove" with my fellow band members. When I listen to "The Plug" I can feel the groove this band was in when they played the song. There is something remarkable about creating that groove and then recognizing it when another band, playing a different song find it.
Why you are interested in spirituality?
I have a lot of faith in people. Undeniably, people are capable of accomplishing amazing things, however there are many incredible things that cannot be attributed to human achievement and I believe to write them off as random coincidence would be absolutely reckless. I’ve seen so many things that defy human ability…transformations that are so incredible, so far reaching, and achieved with such little human interaction that they simply cannot be attributed to anything other than a spiritual presence.
I am absolutely amazed that something as simple as a prayer can produce results beyond measure. To see, experience and recognize that power and NOT ask "how is this possible?" would be categorically irresponsible. I am interested in spirituality because there is something happening all around us. We can’t always see it with our eyes or touch with our hands but I think that "something" is bigger than any of us may have ever imagined.
Your favorite quote:
"Get Off You’re A** (GOYA)" I know it’s crude, but this is the statement that rumbled through my head over and over again after leaving the slum community of Mitumba, in Nairobi, Kenya. After realizing what little effort it took to make an incredible difference around the world ($6 and a trip across town for a case of 36 bottles of cold/cough syrup for children in desperate need), I simply could not sit on my a** any longer. Previous to that trip, malnutrition, lack of water, poor health and sanitary conditions, malaria, and no education were things I assumed were someone else’s problems. But after realizing that those things are my problem, and after realizing it didn’t take much to solve those problems, I decided to spend a little less (ok a lot less) time pursuing the American Dream and a little more (ok a lot more) time serving those that have not been blessed in the same way I have been blessed. …and all it took was "something" telling me, "GOYA."
Your favorite web sites:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PXI_5-aM6U8 (I was invited to a Filipino wedding and I was really excited about the food…until I ate this)
http://www.goyaministries.org/
http://www.cybernautic.com/
http://www.cubs.com/ …I check it every single day.
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn?
I hope to learn, why God continues to shower me in mercy when I continually disappoint. Hopefully I learn that lesson before the knobs on the "mercy shower" are turned off…come to think of it, hopefully they’re never turned off.
A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?"
The top of Mt. Pulag in the Philippines, the Maasai upcountry of Kenya, the backwater jungle of the Amazon and my families little ole farm house in Ellsworth, Illinois. Do you see a pattern? These are all places where my cell phone doesn’t work and no one can find me. It’s remarkable how spiritually connected we become when we disconnect from everything else.

Wendy Ellyatt, Interview #21

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality...

Name: Wendy Ellyatt
Where you live: Cheltenham, UK

What you do as a vocation or avocation?
Founder – http://www.ouroborostrust.org/
Founder – http://www.f2be.com/
Founder – http://www.teachersunite.com/
Founder – http://www.webessence.biz/
Your two favorite books:
Christopher Alexander – The Phenomenon of Life
David Abram – The Spell of the Sensuous
Your two favorite cd's:
Currently Jan Garbarek and The Hilliard Ensemble
Why you are interested in spirituality?
I wouldn’t say that I am interested in spirituality, I would say that my essence is spiritual (being a joyful coming-into-being’ness) and that I express this innate nature through the skills and abilities that I have developed over the years.
Your favorite quote:
Time reigns; yet the kingdom of love is every moment
Whose citizens do not age in each other’s eyes.
In a time of darkness the pattern of life is restored
By men who make all transcience seem an illusion
Through inward acts, acts corresponding to music,
Their works of love leave words that do not end in the heart
--Taliesin, The Spring of Vision

Your favorite web sites:
Whatever I am deeply researching at the time :-)

Your hero?
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev – an extraordinary man who is truly ‘walking his talk’
(and my mum who is a real light in the world! : ))

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? Complete trust in the process

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?"
Cornwall – on the coast of South West Britain where I grew up

Michael Farman, Xuan Lin, Interview #20

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality...

Name: Michael Farman, literary name Xuan Lin.
Where you live: Palestine, Texas, USA

What you do as a vocation or avocation? Electronics Engineer/Translator of Classical Chinese

Your two favorite books: Complete Ghost Stories of M. R. James
A Guide to the Symphony by Robert Layton

Your two favorite cd's: Symphony No 5 in D by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Das Lied Von Der Erde by Gustav Mahler

Why you are interested in spirituality? Having no concept of a deity, I am aware of a connection at the deepest level between us all and between everything in the universe. Insights provided by modern science and cosmology underline this....see Bell's Theorem, for example.

Your favorite quote:
"It is the poems you have lost, the ills
From missing dates at which the heart expires."
--from William Empson's villanelle "Missing Dates"

Your favorite web sites:
The Ghazal Page http://www.ghazalpage.net/
China the Beautiful http://www.chinapage.com/main2.html

Your hero? The Dalai Lama

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn?
What lies beyond the ego?

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" Stonehenge

http://www.cipherjournal.com/html/home.html

http:www.renditions.org

http:www.uiowa.edu/~xchanges/

(Editors note: I asked Michael if we could post one of his poetry translations, here it is...)

Drinking Wine Poem No. 5 by Tao Qian (365-427 CE) , translation Michael Farman

I built my home near people's houses
without the noise of carts and horses.
You ask me sir, how can this be?
a focused mind will stay secluded.

Picking chrysanthemums at the east hedge
I become aware of the South Mountain;
in the clear mountain air at sunset
groups of birds are returning home.
There's a deep truth revealed in this:
try to tell it and the words are gone.

Bruce Reyes-Chow, Interview #19

Real Lives, Real People, Real Spirituality...
Name: Bruce Reyes-Chow
Where you live: San Francisco, CA
What you do as a vocation or avocation? Presbyterian Pastor
Your two favorite books: American is in the Heart by Carlos Bulosan and The Alienist by Caleb Carr
Your two favorite cd's:�
Why you are interested in spirituality? Yearning for a physical and emotional connection with God.
Your favorite quote: "Peace it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."-Anonymous
Your favorite web sites: mine ;-) http://www.reyes-chow.com/
Your hero? My grandfather
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? Sustaining a sense and presence of peace in the midst of chaos.
A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" My church community, my family and while riding my motorcycle
Editor's Note: Check out Bruce's work here: http://www.blogger.com/goog_1013071816 and

Spreading the gospel in word and deed: Evangelism as a way of life (Celebrate)

Anna Lappé, Interview #18

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality...

Name: Anna Lappé

Where you live: In a brownstone on a tree-lined street in the Ft. Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, just blocks from the local farmers market.

What you do as a vocation or avocation? I'm a writer and connector. My books are Hope's Edge and Grub and I'm at work on a third about food, sustainability, and climate change. I also write a bi-monthly column for Spirituality & Health and present for programs like The Practical Guide to Healthier Living . In my other role as "connector," I help channel resources through the SmallPlanet Fund to groups that are changing the world through confronting the root causes of hunger. I also work with colleagues and friends across the country who are promoting local, sustainable, fairly produced food for everyone.

Your two favorite books: Two?! Who can have just two? It's like being asked to pick among your children! I can tell you the two books that have most moved me recently:

What is the What, a novel by Dave Eggers based on the life of Valentino Achak Deng, a refugee in war-ravaged southern Sudan. The other is Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, which I recently re-read and found her prescient words powerful.

Your favorite quote: On my mother's bedroom wall, growing up:

"Hope cannot be said to exist, nor can it be said not to exist. It is just like the roads across the earth. For actually there were no roads to begin with, but when many people pass one way a road is made."--Lu Hsun, 1921

Your favorite web sites: I love what you can discover online. I use the Internet all the time for tracking stories and getting inspiration. YouTube--if you're looking in the right place--can be enormously fascinating. You can find hidden treasures and fascinating clips, like a 1968 William F Buckley interview of Noam Chomsky that felt as insightful today as it must have felt decades ago. I also love the videos on karmatube.com.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? I suppose it's the spiritual lesson so many of us hope to learn: to be able to find peace inside, within myself, as well as with the world, while becoming even more engaged with not accepting what is and striving toward what might yet be.

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" On my yoga mat, wherever in the world that is.

Photo credit: David Needleman

http://www.smallplanet.org/

http://www.takeabite.cc/

Austin Repath, Interview #17

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality...
Name: Austin Repath
Where you live: Toronto, Canada
What do you do as a vocation or avocation: I'm not sure
Your Two Favorite Books: The Immense Journey by Loren Eiseley,
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman and, of course, LOTR (The Lord of the Rings)
Favorite CD: The Silk Road Ensemble Yo-Yo Ma
Why Are you Interested in Spirituality: There is fame, fortune, money, power, sex, but the best game in town is spirituality, and for me that means love in all its manifestations.
Your Favorite Quote: "When humanity learns to harness the power of love, it will have discovered fire for the second time." Teilhard Chardin
Movies: The Seventh Seal, The Fisher King, Don Juan de Marcos, The Bucket File
Your Favorite Web Sites: http://www.letterstothenextgeneration.com/ and http://www.pilgrimcards.com/
Your Hero: Anthony Quinn as Zorba,The Greek
A Spiritual Lesson You Hope to Learn: Learning how to bring love into this world.
A Place in the World Where You Feel Spiritually "Connected?" Walking the pilgrim's route, El Camino de Santiago inSpain, and sitting in front of the fireplace in my log cabin.
email: thepilgrim@look.ca

Pilgrim Cards

Michael Weiss, Interview #16

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality

Name:Michael Weiss

Where you live: Vienna, Austria

What you do as a vocation or avocation? I am a philosopher (both vocation and avocation) interested in ethics, intercultural communication and spirituality

Your two favorite books: Girlfriend in a Coma (by Douglas Coupland)

The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events (by Jane Roberts)

Your two favorite cd's:

The ideal crash (by dEUS)

Stoned and dethroned (by The Jesus and Mary Chain)

Why you are interested in spirituality? Because it helps me to improve my personality.

Your favorite quote: There are as many truths as human beings (by Linda Roethlisberger)

Your favorite web sites:

http://www.trilogos.ch/

http://www.kenwilber.com/

Your hero? His holiness the Dalai Lama

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? being in balance with my higher self

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?"Pangong Lake, Ladakh/India

Rick Ufford-Chase, Interview #15

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality...

Name: Rick Ufford-Chase
Where you live: Tucson, AZ

What you do as a vocation or avocation? Faith-Based activist - esp. peacemaking and immigrant's rights work
Your two favorite books: "The Kite Runner" blew me away. I read it two years ago but it haunts me. I haven't been able to make myself go see the movie. I also love "The Long Haul" which if Miles Horton's biography. It's a story on an amazing organizer of the twentieth century. I think it's a primer on the things to keep in mind if you want to change the world.

Your two favorite cd's: I just got turned on to an amazing Muslim Hip-Hop band from D.C. called Native Deen. I'm not normally a hip-hop fan, but these guys blew me out of the water. I also listen to David LaMotte - a good friend who is both an amazing guitarist/singer and also totally committed to the hard work of creating peace and justice.
Why you are interested in spirituality? I'm forty-three years old, and grappling with the realization that despite my best efforts, and the efforts of a strong faith-community - for the last twenty years, any objective look at the things I care most about leads to the obvious conclusion that things are getting far, far worse. Economic disparity that causes mass migrations of people, death of migrants in the desert who are trying to cross the border to find a future for their families, the level of right-wing xenaphobia, hate and viciousness against anyone who is "different", the never-ending war on terror, etc. etc. - it's all pretty discouraging stuff. For me, the bottom line is that I've got to stay grounded in who I'm called to be as a follower of the radical Jesus - the Prince of Peace. Even while I continue to struggle for justice everyday, I'm turning more and more to what it means to develop a practice of "sabbath keeping" that will help to ground me for the next forty years as I seek to live my faith, and work with others who are both Christian and of other faith traditions, who desire to work together to change the world.
Your favorite quote: "Try not to depend on hope, because unfulfilled hope leads to despair, and we have no need of a despairing people. Try instead to have faith." (Oscar Arnulfo Romero, martyred Bishop of El Salvador)

Your favorite web sites:
www.presbypeacefellowship.org (might as well plug my own stuff)

www.cpt.org (Christian Peacemaker Teams)

http://www.olivebranchinterfaith.org/

http://www.nomoredeaths.org/

www.christianpeacewitness.org

Your hero? Lois Baker, 86 years old, who was just arrested in Washington DC for her nonviolent protest to end the war in Iraq.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn?Sabbath-keeping - something of the Jewish tradition of withdrawing entirely from the world once a week for twenty-four hours or so - no computer, no shopping, no meetings, no email, no tv, etc. (I've got a long way to go on this.)

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" The Green Mountains of Northern Vermont - our "family homestead."
Precarious Peace: God and Guatemala.(Video Recording Review): An article from: The Other Side

Sarah Anderson, Interview #14

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality...

Your Name: Sarah Anderson
Where you live: New York
What you do as a vocation or avocation? PR Consultant, Cookie-Eater/Taster (my friend is opening a cookie bakery and lately all I do is “sample” cookies)
Your two favorite books: this is tough since I feel like I read less books since moving to New York (less time!)… I always love a good memoir (anyone who’s suffered and can articulate it wins me over). There have been a few writers/books that have stuck with me: Carolyn Knapp’s “Drinking: A Love Story”. Anything non-fiction by Anne Lamott. And as far as indulgent fiction goes, I spent last summer reading The Other Boelyn Girl – which is fantastic 16th Century fluff (I’m a little nervous about them making a movie… but I’ll still see it, I’m sure)
Your two favorite cd's: My friend tease me because I have such old stuff on my iPod (Earth, Wind & Fire, George Michael, Barry Manilow), but there are a few new things: that darn Broadway Xanadu soundtrack is an INSTANT mood-lifter (and yes, I’ve seen the show four times!), Fountains of Wayne, Ben Folds Five keep me happy during a run. But when the holidays come, I have Handel’s Messiah on my stereo playing constantly from November through January 1. Amazing.
Why you are interested in spirituality? I like the idea of continually seeking a greater level of peace – however undefined that sounds.
Your favorite quote: Oh I have a few that stick out:
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” – Eleanor Roosevelt.
“Relationships should enhance your life” – my mother, “the truth will reveal itself” – I think it’s Anne Lamott, but maybe not. And lately, my own mantra: “I can only control how I treat people and live my life… I have to be true to myself” (that sounds a little Oprah-ish, but it works!)
Your favorite web sites: Owie. I can’t think of any? Nymag.com for movies, restaurants… of course google…
Your hero? This is a tough one. My mother for her strength and steadfast-ness. My friend Dan for his sense of humor and kindness. Sue Baller for her wisdom. My friend Jenn for her optimism. My sister Nancy for her ability to listen.
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? I think the spiritual lesson is not necessarily what I’ll learn but the process – the search for greater peace, contentment
A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" Hmm… I think living in Manhattan with so little personal space makes me appreciate glorious, peaceful moments: going into Starbucks early in the morning when there isn’t a line, swimming – the one time when it’s quiet, lately a few friends and I have been doing these early morning winter runs in Central Park – and it’s usually so empty (since it’s crazy-cold), so the sound of our feet on the bridle path before the city wakes up is so peaceful. Any time I get out of the city – I appreciate the quiet, the slower pace and lack of urgency. Slowing down in a way makes me feel more spiritually connected… at least to myself.

Tyler Braun, Interview #13

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality

Your Name: Tyler Braun

Where you live: Portland, Oregon

What you do as a vocation or avocation? co-director of praise bands/seminary student

Your two favorite books: Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, The Emerging Church by Dan Kimball

Your two favorite cd's: Fee (We Shine), John Mayer (Continuum)

Why you are interested in spirituality? To be able to share the faith I have in a way that makes sense and is appealing to the average person.

Your favorite quote: "The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."

Your favorite web sites: ESPN.com, Facebook.com

Your hero? my dad

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? Humility/selflessness

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" The rural areas of the Willamette Valley, Oregon

manofdepravity.com

Eimear O'Neill, Interview #12

Name: Dr. Eimear O’Neill, Ireland born, Africa reared, Canada deepened

Where you live: Toronto Canada

What you do as a vocation or avocation? Psychotherapist, i.e. one who pays attention to psyche/spirit/breath and Educator, i.e. one who leads out the knowledge deep in others

Your two favorite books:
Kindling the Celtic Spirit by Mara Freedman
She Who Changes by Carol Christ

Your two favorite cd's:
Simbiosis by Manuel Obergon
Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul

Why you are interested in spirituality? See quote below and my website, http://www.eimearoneill.com/

Your favorite quote: We are not humans living a spiritual life but spirits living a human life.

Your favorite web sites: You Tube

http://www.rekindlingindigenousspirit.org/

Your hero? Starhawk, Tom Berry

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? To become more indigenous to my own body, peoples and place

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" The megalithic mounds of the Boyne Valley

Ute Graefin von Hardenberg Carson, Interview #11

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality...

Your Name: Ute Carson
Where you live: Texas
What you do as a vocation or avocation? Poet, novelist and clinical hypnotist
Your two favorite books:
How can I choose between Dostoevsky's "Idiot," M.K. Rawlings "The Yearling," Angela Carter's "A Night at the Circus" or Courntenay's "The Power of One?"

Your two favorite cd's? Any cd's by Bob Dylan

Why are you interested in spirituality?:
I know that there are realms beyond our wonderful five senses.

Your favorite quote: "Having two languages is having two souls," by the father of Geraldo Rivera. I have two souls, one German, one English.

Your favorite web sites: Amazon.com. For all the out-of print books!

Your hero? Bertold Brecht's "Mother Courage."

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? I want to learn that "The only fear is fear itself."

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" On the back of my horse on a warm spring morning with the sun just waking up.

Ute Carson at www.utecarson.com

Colin Lee, Interview #10

Real People, Real Lives, Real Spirituality...

Your Name: Colin Lee

Where you live: Sydney, Australia

What you do as a vocation or avocation? I help young people find their true inspiration in life! I help them empower themselves to create their own future through my own company, Shift International. We have to date reached and inspired over 25,000 young lives. I continue to live my dreams doing what I love and loving what I do!

Your two favorite books:
Prism of Love – Daniel O’Leary
No Man is an Island – Thomas Merton

Your two favorite cd's:
Meditation of the Passion of Christ
Inspiration - Dr Wayne Dyer

Why you are interested in spirituality?
Spirituality is the essence and the live blood of life. It gives me a greater purpose and meaning to life! I know that I am a spiritual being having a physical and emotional experience, so without spirituality, life is not complete. I also think spirituality humbles me to the creation of the universe and that it explains the many blessings I have received unexplained. I like to think that I am part of a bigger whole and purpose to the existence of human kind. Spirituality helps me discern my purpose and live it with inspiration.

Your favorite quote:
"Do what you love and love what you do!"

Your favorite web sites:
http://www.inspirationpeak.com/
www.shiftinternational.net

Your hero?
Jesus Christ, Mother Teresa, Reluctant Saint, Richard Branson.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn?
I’d like to know the purpose of my existence in relation to other people in more depth.


A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?"
Sydney, Australia
Arosa, Switzerland
South Island, New Zealand