Rebecca, Interview #89

Name: Rebecca

Where you live: Chicago, IL

What you do as a vocation or avocation?

I am active in helping to build an emergent church,

Wicker Park Grace (http://www.wickerparkgrace.net/)

and to host the monthly Emergent Village discussion group in our area.

Professionally, I am looking for a position that will allow me to use my recently acquired Masters in Public Policy to be a change agent on behalf of marginalized communities.

Basically, after being a high school teacher and a non-profit manager, I want to change the world at a systemic level.

Your two favorite books: Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson and The Collected Works of Tamora Pierce (http://www.tamorapierce.com/). The former is a perfect combination of the post-Modern ironic tone and a good action story for smart people and the latter are several series of books with strong adolescents as their protagonists. I re-read at least one every year to remind me that I am still embarrassingly adolescent in many ways in my development. But that means that I can still change the parts of me that I don't like. There is hope there.

Your two favorite songs: Leonard Cohen's "Anthem" and Vance Gilbert's "Unfamiliar Moon" (http://www.vancegilbert.com/). The redemption offered in "Anthem" recently saved my stressful experience of planning a second wedding and the music of Vance Gilbert has been a touchstone in my life for the last 15 years.

Why you are interested in spirituality? I seem to be wired this way. My mom once left me a voice mail because she had been reading about how they may have found a gene for spirituality. She worried, in the most motherly of ways, that mine might be mutated . I still laugh when I think of that message and regret accidentally deleting it. I think she was referencing the dissatisfaction that I've felt for so much of my life with the way spirituality gets lived out in most Christian churches that I've been attached to. I had a major ugly-duckling-realizing-I'm-actually-a-swan moment when I found the emergent Christianity movement. What I strive for is to live a life of meaning and continual transformation to deepen my awareness and contribution to creating shalom or rightness in this world. I believe we are all a little incomplete and we can only find that completeness in a community that reflects and welcomes God and God's law but have a fairly non-traditional idea of what that law probably is.

Your favorite quote: "How am I to talk of God to the millions who have to go without two meals a day? To them God can only appear as bread and butter." Gandhi

I think this quote can be interpreted both physically and metaphysically. Millions of folks are also starving for God in the form of something other than what traditional church has offered them.

Your favorite web sites: http://www.soulemama.com/;

http://www.accordionsandlace.wordpress.com/;

http://www.postsecret.com/;

http://www.arloasutter.blogspot.com/;

http://www.julieclawson.com/

Your hero? I haven't thought about this one in awhile. Right now, I'll default to my dad since he's 62 and still reflecting on himself and how his behavior affects others. He's always trying to be more loving. He's come a long way and still has a long way to go but he never stops and rests on his laurels. I would like to have that said about me at any point in my life.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? I would like to be self-confident enough that I can see other people's behaviors as reflection of their own internal conflicts rather than personal attacks on my right to exist in comfort. I know that it is true in theory but I'd like to be able to live it out in practice. Making space for others to be who they are seems to be an act of intense love.

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" Sitting with my husband at church or synagogue.

Read more about Rebecca at these sites:

http://www.princessmax.blogspot.com/
http://www.fiftypercenters.com/
http://www.up-rooted.blogspot.com/

Jan Phillips, Interview #88

Name: Jan Phillips

Where you live: San Diego, CA

What you do as a vocation or avocation? Teach/speak/write

Your two favorite books: The Gift by Hafiz; Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks

Your two favorite songs: Alphabet Mantra, My Body, My Temple from my CD Singing for the Soul

Why you are interested in spirituality? Interested in life and all life is essentially spirit

Your favorite quote: "There is someone out there who needs you. Live your life so that person can find you." Balinese dancer

Your favorite web sites: http://www.ted.com/ http://syracuseculturalworkers.com/

Your hero? bill moyers

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? i reside in the heart of my staunchest opponent

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

http://www.janphillips.com/

Jan is the author of The Art of Original Thinking-The Making of a Thought Leader

Divining the Body

Marry Your Muse

God is at Eye Level

Making Peace

A Waist is a Terrible Thing to Mind

Stephen P. Edwards, Interview #87

Name: Stephen P. Edwards

Where you live: Sarasota, Florida, But I’m originally from Blackpool England

What you do as a vocation or avocation? I have my hand in many different things. I travel around the country teaching students about financial literacy, the importance of having it, and how it will impact their life. I also teach them how to get it.

I teach financial principles from a perspective of helping others and by having financial literacy you cannot be taken advantage of.

I teach people how to face their fears and break free from the things that have been holding them back.

It is my passion to help navigate people through the transformative shift we are seeing our planet and concousness go through right now.

I invest actively in real estate. I am the author of Communion-Cating with God, and Your Miracle Life Audio program. I am currently writing a new book called Quantum Wealth, which will teach people the true meaning of wealth, which is not just a lot of money. The book will also show you how to get it. I am a speaker on subjects such as money, wealth, real estate and spirituality. I do mind body and spirit transformative weekend seminars.

Your two favorite books: Conversations with God by Neil Donald Walsch. I just finished reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown and loved it. I also enjoy books by Gregg Braden.

Your two favorite songs: Truly Madly Deeply; Savage Garden & Amazing; Seal

Why you are interested in spirituality? I believe we are living in the greatest time to ever be alive and currently we are experiencing a great shift. We are heading to a period of enlightenment and it is my joy to help people transcend through this time. I have always felt a connection with a higher power and realized that we all are connected and have that connection. Some people know how to access it and some do not. It is my passion to help every one connect to that higher power and thus live a life of miracles, a life that is full.

Your favorite quote: Every thing done in darkness eventually comes to light.

By Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Your favorite web sites: I enjoy Facebook because it gives me a chance to connect with people. J

Your hero: My Mum, she is amazing and strong, my Auntie Barbara for her strength, Nelson Mandela, Soldiers fighting for our freedoms, Mother Theresa, Jesus, Buddah, Ghandi,

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? To continuously live in the present and in the NOW.

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" I feel most connected when I am spending time with my wife Jenn.

The number 23 has a profound impact in my life and when I see it, the number reminds me to get present.

We love Hawaii, Mexico and New Mexico (Angel Fire).

I do not have to go any where to feel connected, I can feel that way in my home, car, on a plane, while listening to music etc.

You can reach me at: http://www.seemiracles.com/

http://blog.seemiracles.com/

Valerie Elverton Dixon, Interview #85

Name: Valerie Elverton Dixon

Where you live: East St. Louis, Illinois

Vocation or Avocation: I am a scholar and a writer.

Two favorite books:
Against Ethics by John D. Caputo is one of my favorite books. I appreciate his literary style of writing philosophy.
Shake Loose My Skin: New and Selected Poems by Sonia Sanchez is also one of my favorites. Sonia Sanchez writes poems aflame with a passion for justice. She also writes tender poems of love that are warm-glowing, long-burning embers.

Two favorite songs:
Amazing Grace Any version
Everything Must Change It reminds me that wounded hearts do heal and mysteries do unfold.

Why you are interested in spirituality:
I do not know why I am interested in spirituality. It is a mystery that has yet to unfold. My best guess is that I believe that our spiritual self is the eternal self, the part of us that will stay with people and the world long after the body dies. It is the part of us that will return to God.

Favorite quote:
“Take nothing for granted; take everything as possible.” ---

Katherine Dunham, an anthropologist, dancer and choreographer

Favorite Web Sites:
JustPeaceTheory.com
God’s Politics
On Faith
Tikkun Daily Blog
I publish at all of these sites. I especially appreciate the dedicated efforts of my colleagues at God’s Politics, On Faith and Tikkun Daily Blog. They are working hard to develop this aspect of new media to bring thinking to the public discourse that is engaging and that sees matters of faith and spirituality as vital to public policy decision making."

My hero:
My hero is a shero. She is Ida B. Wells Barnett (1862-1931) Barnett was a teacher, journalist, suffragist, wife, mother and relentless fighter for social justice, most especially the end of lynching.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn:
The problem is not learning the various spiritual lessons. Many of us know the basic teachings of the great spiritual leaders. The problem is living the lessons. The lesson that is a challenge for me to live at the moment is to do my work with faith and with integrity, trusting that the
outcome will be righteous and just.

A place in the world where you feel spiritually “connected”:
I feel spiritually connected in communal worship. I enjoy church. I love singing, praying, laughing, crying, witnessing to the goodness of God with others. I gain strength and encouragement from a good sermon and from the music ministry. I like to look around me and see people from infants to elders in community giving praise and thanksgiving to an awesome God who is love.

I invite everyone to visit my web site: JustPeaceTheory.com. You may read
my essays and lectures there. I hope to publish the site in book form next year. Please leave us your e-mail address so that we may alert you when I have posted something new. Thanks.

Jayanti Tamm, Interview #84

Name: Jayanti Tamm

Where do you live: I currently live in New Jersey, the Garden State, although near my
house there aren’t many gardens.

What you do as a vocation or avocation? I teach creative writing at Ocean County College.

Your two favorite books: I’m awestruck by the beauty of Jhumpa Lahiri’s writing. Her
book, The Interpreter of Maladies, is one I continue to reread in hopes of learning her
secrets of storytelling. Another stunning book is Lying Awake by Mark Salzman; he
explores the complexities between madness and the divine.

Your two favorite songs: I’m an unabashed devoted fan of The Smiths. The song “There is a Light That Never Goes Out,” is one that, decades later, still gives me chills. My other favorite song sung by Morrissey is “Cemetry Gates.” Not too many pop songs include Keats, Yeats, and Oscar Wilde all inside one song."

Why you are interested in spirituality? My involvement in spirituality began before I was born. It was my parents who, like so many seekers in the late 1960s, were actively searching for a teacher to guide them down a spiritual path. When they found Sri Chinmoy, a newly arrived guru from India, in New York City, they believed that he was the true holy man they had long sought. Sri Chinmoy married them in a ‘divine marriage,’ and initiated them as his disciples. The guru quickly turned the informal spiritual path into a rigorous cult, setting rules and demanding absolute obedience. One of his new rules was that all disciples—even married ones—were to be celibate. Shortly after my parents’ wedding, my mother became pregnant—a clear violation of the rules. While the Guru was initially angry at my parents’ disobedience, he later created a story that he was going to transform their mistake into a blessing. He claimed that he chose from the highest heavens a special soul to incarnate on earth as his dearest disciple; I was to be his perfect devotee, and my life was ordained to serve him. For twenty-five years, I lived in his inner circle, struggling to fulfill my imposed role. As a disciple, I was supposed to obey and surrender to his will and follow his orders. No matter how hard I tried, Sri Chinmoy’s version of what constitutes a spiritual life, never felt right. I didn’t want to shun the world, avoiding relationships with the ‘outside.’ Eventually, after multiple attempts to follow my own path, I was banished from the guru’s ashram. Since then, I have been very cautious about believing anyone who claims to have the answers to a true spiritual life. Instead of following someone else, I lead myself.

Your favorite quote: "The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along." --- Jalal al-Din Rumi

Your favorite web sites: Everyday I read the New York Times online.

Your hero? My mother. I’m in awe of all that she has been through and all that she does. She literally is a person who never stops thinking about and helping others. She’s ceaseless in her ability to love.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? I would like to learn more patience. I’ve always been quick to plunge into irritation when a situation requires patience. Luckily, I’m getting lots of chances to practice learning patience because I have a baby daughter who is determined to take on the world in her own way.

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" Wherever I go with my daughter becomes an incredible place of wonder, a place of joy. Everyday, she teaches me how to be more connected to the world.

(Editors note: Jayanti is author of Cartwheels in a Sari, which you can see in our a-store below, and you can read more about her work at www.jayantitamm.com)

Christopher Pinckley, Interview #83

Name: Christopher Pinckley, cpt

Where you live: Lafayette, CA

What you do as a vocation or avocation? Author/Blogger/Spiritual Teacher

Your two favorite books: Nature of Personal Reality: Specific, Practical Techniques for Solving Everyday Problems and Enriching the Life You Know by Jane Roberts, Seth, with Robert F. Butts and How to Use the Laws of Mind by Joseph Murphy

Your two favorite songs: "In the air tonight"-Phil Collins, "1999"- Prince

Why you are interested in spirituality? It defines who I am

Your favorite quote: "You create your reality within the parameter of your beliefs"-Seth/Jane

Your favorite web sites: http://www.bradyates.net/

http://www.authorbeware.com/, http://www.bookmarket.com/

Your hero? Bruce Lee

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? Non-attachment

A place in the world where you feel spiritually 'connected?' Fairfield, IA

Learn more about Christopher at:
http://www.realitycreation101.com/,

http://www.holisticfitness4u.com/,

http://www.bodybeyondbelief.com/,

http://www.fitnowradio.com/

You can also find his blog on kindle under 'Holisticfitness4U'"

Alice Grist, Interview #82

Name: Alice Grist

Where you live: England, UK - in the Middle, but was born in the North, near Manchester.

What you do as a vocation or avocation? I'm an Author and professional Tarot Card reader.

Your two favorite books: I love so, so many books it is hard to whittle it down to two. But of recent ones I have read these intrigued me for different reasons.
The Island - Aldous Huxley - a classic! Fantastic vision of a Utopian spiritual society.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt - just a darned good thriller - perfect holiday reading.

Your two favorite songs:Hey Al by Superevolver - a song written by my husband for me - as such it has to be my number 1!
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley

Why you are interested in spirituality? When I was very young my father was a Vicar at a Church of England Church, I was the vicar's daughter and thought I was famous! Following my parent's divorce Dad lost his faith somewhat and toyed with a number of alternative spiritualities. He settled on Wicca. I was a young teenager at this time and Dad involved me with some of the 'fun' aspects of Wicca such as healing, tarot, meditation and pagan picnics. As I grew older I forgot about my spiritual inclinations and got on with university and eventually setting up home with my now husband. A few years ago I was going through a dark transitional time in my life and whilst feeling lost I went for Reiki healing. This led me to spiritual development classes and a renewed interest in all things spiritual. It was during this time that I started to write about spirituality, at first for a local magazine but this eventually this led to The High Heeled Guide to Enlightenment. I realized there were few spiritual books for a mainstream modern female audience, and that women were more likely to grab a 'chicklit' book. My book aims to bring spirituality to those readers. I remain interested in spirituality of all kinds and am now working on my second book.

Your favorite quote: A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge. Thomas Carlyle

Your favorite web sites: Fun and functional ones I'm afraid, You Tube, Myspace, Facebook, Google, Newspaper Websites. Also http://www.superevolver.com/

Your hero? My Mum. She doesn't realize how amazing she is. Bringing up three rowdy teenagers whilst attaining a first degree in Psychology and going on to grasp her dream career. She has also done this whilst battling against a disability caused by having polio as a child and now suffers the after effects of post-polio. Despite being tired a lot she is utterly fabulous, kind and generous. She's the best!

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? Wow, all the ones I keep failing at! It's hard to know what you aren't doing right until you fall into the same patterns time after time. I would like to clear the tendency to be critical of others when perhaps it is myself I should be being critical of. All negative thought patterns have got to go!

A place in the World where you feel spiritually connected - Kentucky USA - where all my family on Mum's side live. Also the Lake District and Wales in the UK - just beautiful. Anywhere in nature or by the sea.

Website, Amazon Link and Publisher's Website:
http://web.mac.com/alicegrist

http://www.o-books.com/product_info.php?products_id=611