Judith Fein, Interview #112

 Name: Judith Fein
 
Where you live: Santa Fe, New Mexico
 
What you do as a vocation or avocation? I am a travel journalist, which means I travel around the world and then write and speak about the places I have been. Actually, I focus on the people and the cultures I encounter around the world. I think that learning from and connecting to others is good for the soul and good for world peace. 
 
Your two favorite books:  I am very picky about what I read.  I want to learn, expand my universe, challenge ideas I have. I read non-fiction, and my two favorite books are almost always the last two I have read. 
 
Your two favorite songs:  Again, I don't have two favorites that come to mind. I like world music. Opera. Reggae. Classic rock. I learned from indigenous people that it is not good to count. So I try not to count--how many of this or that I have, which are my two or ten favorite songs or books or people. I like anything that makes me feel connected, alive, happy, thoughtful, moved. 
 
Why you are interested in spirituality?  I am not sure that I am "interested" in spirituality. It is part of my life. I am attracted to things that stir my soul, and try to interact with people in a way that lightens their load, makes them laugh, responds to the core of who they are, or stirs their souls. 
     I am the travel editor of Spirituality and Health magazine and the San Diego Jewish Journal. Sometimes, my husband Paul and I take people to destinations we love. We want them to see the sites, to be sure, but we want them to have a deep, moving, transformative experience. We take them to different spiritual and religious ceremonies. 
     But, beyond all of this, if you ask me what "spiritual "means,  I would, quite honestly, have to answer this: "Spiritual is how you behave with other humans on a minute by minute basis. Do they feel better for having met you? Or do they feel criticized and diminished? You can follow important spiritual practices, but, ultimately, it's not just about your own connection to Source. It is about how you are with humans, in our human world. "
 
Your favorite quote: Whoops. Here we go again. I don't have favorites. 
 
Your favorite web sites: Double whoops. I like so many people, places, sites, songs, quotes, books, that it is hard to choose. 
 
Your hero? There are so many---Nelson Mandela, The Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, Bishop Tutu, John Lewis.......they all rise above divisiveness and teach brotherhood and connection. They also fight for what they believe in--the common good, and against racism, despotism and other isms. 
 
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn?  I am always learning how NOT to get embroiled,  reactive, but, rather, how to take a deep breath and try to see the whole picture. I try to be respectful, even if I am angry. I try not to be led by my emotions. I practice a lot.......
 
A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?"  When I am comfortable, relaxed and l00 per cent in my own skin. When I am not in the past or the future, but fully present to what is going on around me. Then I am most certainly connected. 
 
My website is: http://www.GlobalAdventure.us

I am also the editor of http://www.YourLifeisaTrip.com. I have many articles on the site. I would especially like to share with readers my Pledge of Peace: http://www.yourlifeisatrip.com/home/pledge-of-peace.html

Tracy Lee Nash, Interview #111

Name: Tracy Lee Nash


Where you live: Menifee, California


What you do as a vocation or avocation? I am an Energy Health Practitioner


Your two favorite books:  The Spontaneous Healing of Belief and 

Small Miracles-Extraordinary Coincidences from Everyday Life



Your two favorite songs: Mary's Song (By Tony Sadante) and Penny Whistle Song (By Hans Zimmer)


Why you are interested in spirituality? It reminds me that I am both connected to and a child of God, and encourages authentic living through honoring that deep organic connection to something much bigger than just myself

   

Your favorite quote:

 "If not by faith how shall you live

  If not by love how shall you give
  If not by strength how shall you grow

  If not by God how shall you go?"

Your favorite web sites:

 www.withinthelight.com  
www.astrologyzone.com 
www.tonic.com 
www.drweil.com 

Your hero? Jesus

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? True release from all things unproductive

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

David Sokal, Interview #110

Name:  David Sokal     
 
Where you live:  Seattle, Washington, USA 
 
What you do as a vocation or avocation?  Sell Palestinian Olive Oil (see www.peaceoil.net)
 
Your two favorite books: One of the most important books I read in my youth was Last of the Just about the holocaust.   
 
Your two favorite songs:  I still know all the lyrics to Neil Young's "After the Goldrush" by heart, so I guess I must like that one a lot. 
 
Why you are interested in spirituality?  I'm not really. I find the term is over-used and abused. What I'm interested in is life and death. I do belong to a Jewish Renewal Congregation which many might label as "spiritual". My wife and a good friend of mine refer to my congregation (Eitz Or -- Tree of Light) as being too "woo woo" for them. I can certainly understand their sentiment, but I've been involved for so many years that it has become my home, "woo woo" or not. We also have a wonderful rabbi, unique and warm membership, and we sing and pray from the heart. See www.eitzor.org 
 
Your favorite quote:  "Must be de ja vu all over again." (Yogi Berra - NY Yankees) I also like, "I don't a believe in a Sanity Clause" (Chico Marx in the Marx Brothers film, Horse Feathers). 
 
Your favorite web sites:  I use Google Checkout and Ad Words a lot. Part of my effort to sell Palestinian Olive Oil. 
 
Your hero? Frank Robinson, Baltimore Orioles in the 60s. Also, I've always admired Abraham Lincoln since reading about him as a kid. I think Obama is doing a pretty good job. I guess I'm not much into heros. There are literally millions of people living and dead that I can find admirable qualities in. 
 
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn?  To accept death. 
 
A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?"  See Congregation Eitz Or above. 

Salomeh Dastyari, Interview #109

Name: Salomeh Dastyari

Where you live: Sydney, Australia

What you do as a vocation or avocation?
Founder of Salomeh Co. (Transforming leadership presence and performance for sustainable outcomes).

A curious learner and lover of life, my work consist of two main avenues:
A) Helping individuals explore, experience and expand through coaching, mentoring, consulting and facilitating, I work globally with senior executives, emerging and existing leaders & leadership teams in organisations and communities (ie. corporations, education, government, non-profit, health) across a variety of industries. Specialities are organisational culture, leadership and communication development which includes areas of authentic leadership, visioning and strategy, high stakes and powerful communication, conscious business, crucial conversations, peak performance and embodiment.

B) Improvised movement education and tapping into the deep source of bodily wisdom through creative art expression, movement and dance.

Passionate about the concept, process & experience of authentic shift and change, both aspects of my working life share the common thread of harnessing human potential through ‘unlocking body and somatic wisdom’; leading to our highest authentic expression, compassion and flow. In addition I am actively involved and sit on the board of a couple of non-profit organisations.

My inspiration & personal transformation body of work includes meditation, yoga, improvised movement education and embodied creativity, shamanic wisdom, chakra dance & education, mindfulness based psychotherapy, spiritual intelligence, neuro-leadership, intuitive healing & Presence based coaching

Your two favorite books:

I have many. They include:

Presence; Human purpose and the field of the future (P.Senge, c. Otto Scharmer, J. Jaworski, B.Flower

Sacred Contracts (Caroline Myss) + Anything by Eckhard Tolle and more of Caroline Myss


Your two favorite songs:

As a mover, I love both music and silence. Couple of my favourites are:

"Spirit Wind" by Bill Miller & "Shaman’s vision journey" by David and Steve Gordon

"The richest man in Babylon," by Thievery corporation

Instruments that instantly connect me to multiple dimensions include the Japanese Shakuhachi flute and indigenous drums.

Why you are interested in spirituality?
In this incredible time of the great turning, based on my own on-going personal journey and learning from so many incredible souls on this path, I believe that it is both our personal and moral obligation to reflect deeply on how we are contributing and WHO we are being with ourselves, each other and our world, whilst experiencing the re-birthing of our ways of doing.

Through embodying our spirituality no matter where we live (from a remote village to a sacred town to a bustling city), this is our time to activate ‘soulutions’ that are self-sustaining and reflect our highest potential, whilst we embrace various roles with fellow human beings such as partner, mother, father, daughter, son, sister, brother, friend and colleague.

Highlights include: Shadow integration, celebrating success stories, taping into heart wisdom, being vulnerable, connecting with nature and sacred rituals, regular practice and last but not least managing the art of living and balancing the parallel experience of earth practicality/reality and spirituality. The last one is continuously fun, challenging and top of the mind!

Your favorite quote:

One of them is:

“We are spritual beings having a human experience.” Teilhard de Chardin

Your favorite web sites: anything creative, out of the box, simple and to the point that works for the betterment of humanity and raising consciousness.

Your hero? Anyone breaking through pain and experiencing shift.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? Patience with the unfolding details/‘HOW’ of the manifestation.

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?"
Byrong Bay & Uluru Australia, Sedona USA, Pacific west coast of USA, Big Island Hawaii.

My work websites:
http://www.salomehco.com/ (coming soon)

http://www.bethechange.org.au/

Brenda Shoshanna, Interview #108

Name: Brenda Shoshanna, Ph.d.

Where you live: Manhattan, NY

What you do as a vocation or avocation? I'm a psychologist and speaker. Founder of Compassionate Care During Illness and Loss (Psychological, Emotional and Spiritual Guidance). As an avocation- playwright.

Your two favorite books: The Stranger, by Camus. Teachings of Huang Po

Your two favorite songs: What I did for love...

Why you are interested in spirituality? I've been a Zen practitioner for over thirty years. It's my very life itself, and allows me to see no difference between spirituality and each moment or person I meet.

Your favorite quote: "There is no wisdom or holiness that is ever an excuse for the failure to love in ourselves or others."

Your favorite web sites:
http://www.becomefearless.org/
http://oneorchard.net/

Your hero? My brother, Daniel who live and loves unconditionally.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? To become a true woman of no rank, and to know that "wherever I go is my home, in the universe."

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

Enuma Okoro, Interview #107

 Name: Enuma Okoro


Where you live: Raleigh/Durham, NC

What you do as a vocation or avocation? I am a writer, retreat / workshop leader.

Your two favorite books: The Road to Daybreak by Henri Nouwen, and the other book is constantly changing depending on what I am reading at the time!

Your two favorite songs: "A Little Sugar in My Bowl" by Nina Simone and most anything by Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, or Ben Harper.

Why you are interested in spirituality?- Because it is the very fabric of which I am made. I believe we were all created in the image of God. So by nature are very beings hunger to embrace the spiritual life.


Your favorite quote: "I believe the world is beautiful and that poetry, like bread, is for everyone." (from a poem, "Like You" by Roque Dalton

Your favorite web sites: hmmm, I have to think about that one.

Your hero? -Anyone who does something for the greater good of others.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? -How to trust God more readily with the desires of my heart, while also learning that our desires might differ.

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" - I always strive to make that place where ever I happen to find myself....

Websites about Enuma's work:

Recent NPR interview: http://wunc.org/tsot/archive/Reluctant_Pilgrim.mp3/view

http://www.enumaokoro.com/

http://reluctantpilgrim.wordpress.com/

Cathy Rosewell Jonas, Interview #106

Name: Cathy Rosewell Jonas

Where you live: Eugene, Oregon

What you do as a vocation or avocation? Besides my relatively new path as an author, I’ve been a counselor and social worker for the past twenty years. I likely get as much out of these interactions as those I serve, as I get to view life from a variety of perspectives and witness a colorful array of human emotions—tender, serious, sad, humorous, and inspirational. When clients connect to the strengths they already have, or are motivated to make positive changes I am reminded of why I do this work. I also offer some spiritual exploration/meditation groups, and especially enjoy helping serious seekers individually.

Your two favorite books: I will choose one that inspired me on my spiritual path, and one that simply touched my elephant-loving heart: Eckhart Tolle’s “The Power of Now,” and Ralph Helfer’s “Modoc: The true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived.”

Your two favorite songs: Hard question. I listen to a lot of new age and chanting inspired by India’s classical music. But, if I had to choose two of my favorites, I’ll go with “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd, and “Drifting” and “Water Shows the Hidden Heart” by Enya.

Why you are interested in spirituality? Spirituality is an area that I both struggled with and eventually found peace of mind through its mysterious practices. It is my highest desire to be of service and help others find their way home to their own hearts, otherwise known as the Heart of Awareness. I love that spirituality is so diverse. One does not need to follow a certain path, or even call themselves “spiritual” in order to reap the benefits of living life with greater mindfulness and compassion. Because of my own struggles and eventual path to clarity I was inspired to write my book, “Bringing Home the Mountain-Finding the Teacher Within.” I share from the heart what helped me, and the specific teachings and insights that finally ended my intense journey of seeking. At the peak of my seeking one of my teachers told me, “Cathy, its just not that serious!” It’s true. I now try to help others lighten up on their path, as what we are looking for is ever present and is never separate from us. In fact, I’m now sure that God (Consciousness) has a sense of humor!

Your favorite quote: (Oh, I will need to choose two). “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” ~Helen Keller.

And,

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual being having a human experience.” ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Your favorite web sites:
http://www.centerforsacredsciences.org/
http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/
http://www.bestspirituality.com/quotes.htm

Your hero? Mother Teresa, but there are so many others who likely will never be recognized. A hero to me is someone who follows their dreams with unwavering devotion, follows the mysterious calling of the heart, and/or soars to a higher purpose to be of service.

A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? 
Okay I’ve got to admit this one. A little more patience with the divine movement of the Universe. An energetic fire burns within me when a new life adventure is beginning. I used to get this feeling only once a year, but now it is happening more often. So far this fire has led me to write, publish my book, travel to India three times, and even a new job opportunity. I know we are all guided to the experiences we have and to the people we are to meet, but I must admit to some impatience creeping in now and again as I sit in the fire of unknowing waiting for the specific details to manifest.

A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?"
 I would change the question to “especially” connected as I always feel spiritually connected to life when I am in nature. My top two heart-opening places of all time are the sacred water fountains in Muktinath, Nepal, and the holy mountain Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, India.

For more about Cathy:
http://www.cathyrosewelljonas.com/

http://www.freeheartpress.com/

http://bringinghomethemountain.blogspot.com/

http://www.mytb.org/Elephant-Dreamer