If we're not our emotions, what do we do with them? In this episode, we discuss how to handle emotions and what to do with the especially difficult ones. Dave shares the acronymn phrase R.A.I.D. on A.N.T.S, as one approach to dealing with our feelings. We dive deep into the idea of compassion and the role it plays for ourselves and others, and look at how being detached or disidentified with our emotions eventually enables us to be more loving and understanding people.  Resources mentioned:  Mindfulness with Tara Brach  "Being aware of being aware" by Rupert Spira "10% happier ..read more

We’re putting a spin on what it means to “surrender,” the role it plays in spirituality, and how our views and experiences of “surrendering” have changed over the last 6 months. There are practical tips on how to identify resistance inside yourself, what to do when it comes up, and how it frees you to grow in awareness. Resources Mentioned From Believing to Being podcast - episode 7 Karen's Blog post: https://www.inspiredtofaith.com/2019/03/15/be-still-doesnt-mean-what-you-think-it-does/ "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle "Resurrecting Jesus" by Adyashanti "Stillness Speaks" by Eckhart Tolle ..read more

In this episode, we follow up on our last one by asking the question, "How can we know what to do with events outside of our direct experience, if we are not actually investigating the experience we ARE having?" We discuss the maturation process that is necessary to embrace the mystery of this life and how to lean into the uncertainty that is part of being human. Doing this intense self-investigation takes time and courage in this world of distraction, but we offer that the deep peace on the other side is worth it.  Resources mentioned:  "Dark Night of the Soul" experience, as descr ..read more

This week Karen & Dave touch on the current abortion debate and the Ukraine/Russia conflict, ultimately asking the question, "What do we do with events that are outside of our current experience?" We consider the concepts of neutrality vs. apathy vs. observing as we wrestle with some of the non-dual teachings and look at how our perspectives on social justice matters have shifted as we deepen into embracing the present moment.  Resources Mentioned  Justice Alito's leaked draft opinion of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Rupert Spira's conversation with woman in Ukraine Sam Harris ..read more

Do you think too much? Do you consider yourself an "over-thinker"? In this episode, we think and talk about our thoughts. Where do they come from? Do we have to have so many? Is thinking a cause of suffering and can we control what we think about? We offer up some practical exercises we've used to help separate ourselves from our thoughts, and touch on whether positive and negative thoughts should be handled the same. This episode will make you look at your mind differently and get you thinking more deeply and critically about all the things you think about!  Sources Mentioned Sam Harri ..read more

Join us as we discuss what mindfulness is, how it can help us with "triggers," what it means to pay attention, and the wisdom of Harry Potter! We parse out this definition offered by scientist, author, and mindfulness teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn: "Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally... And then I sometimes add, in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.”  Resources Mentioned Jon Kabat Zinn Mindfulness with Jon Kabat Zinn Your True Home: Everyday wisdom of Thich Nhat Hahn ("365 days of practical, powerful teac ..read more

This episode may strike a nerve. We discuss law of attraction and manifestation, and whether they are "pitfalls" that just seek to satisfy the ego. Do these pseudo-spiritual pursuits have a role to play in the spiritual journey? These concepts are so prevalent in today's spiritual circles, yet are they truly the way to find peace and joy? And, how does law of attraction fit in with the non-dual teachings that we are not our thoughts or our feelings? Finally, we consider how we un-enlighten ourselves by getting hooked into these ideas of abundance, and how LOA and similar ideas conflict with th ..read more

We all know what it is to hope, to experience that magical mix of positive expectation and deep desire. And hope can often feel necessary to get us through times of difficult suffering, but can it also prevent us from maturing into a deeper spirituality? Do we need hope? Can you cling to hope and be "awakened" at the same time? Is hope intoxicating, but detrimental, like a drug? And if we don't lean into hope, then what is the alternative? These are just a few of the ideas and questions we explore in this week's episode.  Resources Mentioned Sam Harris on mindfulness Adyashanti - "The En ..read more

In this episode, we talk about the buzz words "enlightenment" and "awakening". What are they? Are they the same thing? Do they make you superior to others? Do they mean you've found some secret to life that makes you special? We don't really have any answers, but we raise all these questions and more and talk about what our experience has been and how we are understanding these ideas right now. Karen shares a helpful cookie dough analogy and discusses how difficult these non-dual teachings can be to actually live out in the real world. Dave gets weird by asking the question "Am I even a person ..read more

In this week's episode, we essentially admit that, when it comes to "God" {or whatever it is that has brought this life experience into being}, we're like dogs trying to understand the internet. Ha! We talk about how we understand "God" today, whether modern humanity is God pretending it's not God, and how the search for certainty and truth about God can lead us to embrace its mystery. We address the idea that we can't really know exactly WHAT we are - or what God is - due to our inherent human limitations, and ask the question "Do we even NEED to understand God?"  Towards the end, we ven ..read more