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Roger Walsh MD, Ph.D. DHL, is professor of psychiatry, philosophy, and anthropology at the University of California. His research focuses on topics such as meditation, psychological wellbeing, wisdom, and our global crises. An early pioneer in the field of Transpersonal Psychology, he is a student, researcher, and teacher of contemplative traditions, and an authorized lama in Tibetan Buddhism. His research and writings have received over twenty national and international awards, and his books include Essential Spirituality: The Seven Central Practices; The World of Shamanism; and The World's Great Wisdom. With John Dupuy, he cohosts the podcast Deep Transformation: Self-Society-Spirit, which is among the top 5% of English language podcasts and has listeners in over 100 countries. Among his more curious careers have been circus acrobat and “an extremely brief and unsuccessful career as a standup comedian.” In this, his second interview on Spirit Matters, we spoke about his podcast, the status of research on spirituality and consciousness, and the relevance of contemplative practice for today’s collective challenges. Learn more about Roger Walsh here: www.drrogerwalsh.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Roger Walsh Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Arthur Aghajanian is a Christian contemplative, essayist, and educator whose work explores visual culture through a spiritual lens. After many years of study and practice in Eastern traditions, he found his way back to Christianity with his discovery of the mystical tradition. His work, which combines a passion for art history and ongoing study of the great religious traditions, is committed to the idea that the study of images in both popular culture and art history through a contemplative lens provides support for those on the spiritual path. He holds multiple teaching credentials and has applied innovative pedagogy as an art educator for over twenty years, designing and implementing visual arts courses and teaching mindfulness to high school students. His essays have appeared in a variety of publications, including Ekstasis, Tiferet Journal, Saint Austin Review, The Curator, and many others. We spoke about the spiritually transformative qualities of visual art for both artists and viewer. Learn more about Arthur Aghajanian here: https://www.imageandfaith.com/

Arthur Aghajanian Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Stephen Cope is a best-selling author and scholar who specializes in the relationship between the Eastern contemplative traditions and Western depth psychology. Among his seminal works in this area are: Yoga and the Quest for the True Self, The Wisdom of Yoga, The Great Work of Your Life. Deep Human Connection, and his most recent book, The Dharma in Difficult Times: Finding Your Calling in Times of Loss, Change, Struggle, and Doubt. For almost thirty years, Stephen has been Scholar-in-Residence at the renowned Kripalu Center—the largest center for the study and practice of yoga in the Western world in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Formerly, he was director of the Kripalu Institute for Extraordinary Living, one of the world’s most influential research institutes examining the effects and mechanisms of yoga and meditation, in collaboration with researchers from Harvard Medical School and other institutions. In its twenty-fifth anniversary edition, “Yoga Journal” named Stephen one of the most influential thinkers, writers, and teachers on the current American yoga scene. We spoke about his personal path, his engagement with Kripalu, and mainly his new book, The Dharma in Difficult Times. Learn more about Stephen Cope here: https://www.stephencope.com/

Stephen Cope Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Paul Muller-Ortega, Ph.D. is an internationally recognized meditation teacher, and a highly respected academic scholar in the field of Indian Religion and Hindu Tantra. A long-time student of the Kashmir Shaiva tradition with a PhD from the University of California, Paul is the founder of Blue Throat Yoga. He is devoted to teaching students how to access their truest Self, and to offering the knowledge base to understand and support that experience. He has led hundreds of meditation retreats, offered a vast array of study courses, translated and provided commentary on many of the most inspired sacred texts of the Śaiva-Śākta tradition, and has personally trained over 40 ācāryas as Authorized Teachers of Neelakantha Meditation. After teaching for 25 years at Michigan State and the University of Rochester, Paul left academia in 2009 to teach about the Shaiva tradition to a wider audience. We spoke about the origins, precepts, practices, and under appreciated influence of Kashmir Shaivism. Learn more about Paul Muller-Ortega here. http://www.bluethroatyoga.com/about/about-paul/

Paul Muller 2 - Ortega Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Paul John Roach is a longtime Unity minister and host of the weekly show World Spirituality on Unity Online Radio. A native of Wales and a graduate of Jesus College, Oxford University, he has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and a postgraduate degree in education from the University of Wales. Paul was ordained by Unity in 1988 and served as the senior minister at Unity of Fort Worth, Texas, from 1988 to 2018. He has served the Unity movement on several boards and teams, including the board of Unity World Headquarters, and has written for Unity Magazine and other publications. Paul has traveled extensively throughout the world, including a journey to India in 1976, about which he is currently writing a book. In this, his second visit to Spirit Matters, we focused on his new book, Unity and World Religions. We spoke about what Paul calls “the golden thread” that runs through all religious traditions—what scholars call the Perennial Philosophy. Learn more about Paul John Roach here: https://www.pauljohnroach.com/about/

Paul Roach 2 Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Dean Sluyter is the award-winning author of several books, including Natural Meditation, Cinema Nirvana: Enlightenment Lessons from the Movies, Fear Less, and his latest, The Dharma Bum’s Guide to Western Literature: Finding Nirvana in the Classics. A grateful student of Eastern and Western sages in several traditions, Dean has taught natural approaches to meditation and awakening since 1970. He gives talks, workshops, and retreats throughout the United States and beyond, from Ivy League colleges to maximum-security prisons. His media appearances have included National Public Radio, The New York Times, Coast to Coast AM, The Dr. Oz Show, and O, The Oprah Magazine. He is known for conveying authentic teachings in forms that are relaxed, accessible, and down-to-earth. In this, his fourth appearance on Spirit Matters, we spoke about his latest book, and his knack of finding deep spiritual lessons in unlikely places, like certain pages in the books we were assigned in high school and college. Learn more about Dean Sluyter here: https://deansluyter.com/about-dean/

Dean Sluyter Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil