Godspeed Institute

Godspeed - 01/22/12

The Godspeed Institute

THOR’S HAMMER: THE BELIEFS OF THE OLD NORSE Dr. Terry Gunnell is professor of Folkloristics at the University of Iceland at Reykjavik, where he teaches Old Nordic religion and mythology, Scandinavian Folk Tales and Traditions; Icelandic Legends, Folk Beliefs and Society; Tolkien; and much more. He received his PhD in Icelandic Studies at the University of Leeds, is a prolific writer, and the editor of the books ‘Legends and Landscape’ and ‘Masks and Mumming in the Nordic Area.’ Topics in this engaging hour include: Gunnell’s favorite Old Norse deity; the Old Nordic worldview; their relationship with people, the earth, nature, the elements; the peoples who make up the Nordic or Scandinavian cultures; Odin, Thor, Loki, Freya and other gods; how women were much more central in the older traditions as the majority of priests; a spirituality based in the present; the landscape; the film The 13th Warrior; the role of human beings in Norse mythology; Icelandic developments and the impact of Irish slaves; the Vikings; dreams, omens and the dead; JRR Tolkien, The Hobbit, and Nazi Germany; the popular presence of fantasy including Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Narnia Chronicles; our yearning for mythology; and much more. For more information, visit godspeedinstitute.com

The Godspeed Institute 12/11/11

FINDING PEACE IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC THROUGH SUFI WISDOM

Dr. Stewart Bitkoff is an avid student of Sufi Mysticism and the Perennial

Philosophy. He is the author of 'A Commuter's Guide to Enlightenment' and

the new book 'Sufism for the Western Seeker' which he will discuss at

length with Caer Hallundbaek on Sunday's program.

Dr. Bitkoff is a frequent contributor to Sufism: An Inquiry and Sacred

Journey Magazine and writes for multiple online entities, including the

Philadelphia Spirituality Examiner, Wisdom Magazine, New Age Journal, and

more. Sunday, 2:00pm Eastern, live at prn.fm.

http://www.stewartbitkoff.com/

THE SUMMUM PATH OF SELF-LIBERATION

If you visit the organization SUMMUM in Salt Lake City, Utah, you can find

a modern day pyramid built as a sacred meditation sanctuary. You can also

enter the journey of the SUMMUM philosophy, and, if you like, make

arrangements for your mummification. SUMMUM is a spiritual center founded

on principles that guided the civilizations of ancient Egypt, among

others. They have been featured in educational television programs such as

National Geographic Explorer, the BBC's "The Face of Tutankhamun," and The

Quest on The Learning Channel. Su Menu is president of SUMMUM and talks to

Caer Hallundbaek today about its history, purpose and gifts.

Topics in this hour include: how SUMMUM came into being; what issues it

seeks to address; the Summum Philosophy and where it came from; why Su was

drawn to them; the Seven Summum Principles; The Divine Proportion; the

building of the pyramid in Utah and how is it utilized; the recent

discovery of many pyramids in China, and around the world; the rite of

mummification; death and the spirit in SUMMUM philosophy; how this

perspective of death related to other faiths; The Tibetan Book of the

Dead; the purpose of mummification; Caer’s reflection on death; and much

more.

For more information, visit www.godspeedinstitute.com or www.summum.us

The Godspeed Institute - 11/27/11

INTERVIEW WITH JEAN BELIVEAU, RETURNING FROM HIS 10-YEAR WALK FOR PEACE On August 18th, 2000, at 9:00 am, Jean Béliveau left Montreal, Canada. His goal was to walk around the planet to promote peace and non-violence for the children of the world. He traveled alone with a three-wheeled stroller that held his food, clothing, a First Aid kit, a small tent and a sleeping bag. Jean walked across the continents, from North America to South America, then across to South Africa, up to Europe, then the Middle East, South and Eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand and finally back to Canada. Known as "The Walker," he returned home on October 16, 2011, after meeting 1600 families around the world and walking more than 75,000 kilometers. Caer Hallundbaek speaks with him about his journey, which was made in support of the United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World. Topics in this hour include: what inspired him to go on this decade-long journey; where he was on 9-11 and how it affected his journey and thoughts; stories from the road, including the U.S., Peru, Africa, the Middle East, the Philippines, Europe; his encounters with poverty, children, joy; how these affected his spirituality; how joy is not found in material values and gadgets; how his life was changed by this journey; a reflection for your spiritual tool belt; and much more. For more information, visit godspeedinstitute.com and wwwalk.org

HYPNOSIS AND SPIRITUAL HEALING, WITH REV. JANET I. DECKER

Rev. Janet I. Decker is an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church in Modesto, CA, and is a dean of metaphysics at The International Metaphysical University.  She is also a certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and a certified Hypnoanesthesia therapist. A graduate of The Institute of Ethical and Clinical Hypnosis in Washington, D.C., she is creator and publisher of 10 hypnosis self-help and spiritual development resources. A qualified forensic hypnotist, Rev. Decker has worked with various law enforcement agencies, as well as persons in the private sector, to help witnesses and victims of crime or accidents to recover repressed or forgotten information. She is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, the American Association of Behavioral Therapists, and the United Metaphysical Churches. Topics in this hour include: The International Metaphysical University, and its development; the role world religions play in the curriculum at IMU; the mystical component of religious traditions; consciousness; how we are part of a greater consciousness, but often do not realize it; consciousness in relation to healing; Decker’s discovery of her interest in hypnosis; how she found it more helpful than psychology; how it affects consciousness; how hypnosis allows her to help heal clients; the spirituality of this work; her role as a minister; psychic and intuitive development; how any one can develop these faculties; Carole’s weekly tip for your spiritual toolbelt; and more.

The Godspeed Institute

THE IMPACT OF NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES, WITH LEE WITTING Carole Hallundbaek speaks with Reverend Dr. Leland Witting, Pastor of the Union Street Brick Church in Bangor, Maine and Staff Chaplain at Eastern Maine Medical Center. He holds a doctorate in Near Death Studies from Bangor Theological Seminary and is a board member of the International Association for Near-Death Studies. Founded in 1978, it was the first organization in the world devoted to the study of near-death and similar experiences and their relationship to human consciousness. Topics in this hour include: what a near death experience (NDE) is; Witting's own experience of an NDE at age 8; who coined the term near death experience in the 1970s and its prevalence in culture and films; the 4 phases of NDE - disassociation, naturalistic/supernatural perception, life review, return; distressing NDEs; some aftereffects of NDE; how his affects his service as a hospital chaplain; stories of NDEs – accounts that he has found particularly striking; why is it important to study NDEs; its unifying impact on religious communities; the material and the spiritual; how today's crises, including the Occupy Wall Street movement, is a result of a deep-seated desire for a change in values that are spiritual at their core; and more. For more information, visit www.godspeedinstitute.com

The Godspeed Institute

BUDDHA, CHRIST, AND INTERRELIGIOUS PEACE, WITH DR. LEO D. LEFEBURE “…mindfulness is very much like the Holy Spirit. Both of them help us touch the ultimate dimension of reality. Mindfulness helps us to touch nirvana, and the Holy Spirit offers us a door to the Trinity.” -from Living Buddha, Living Christ, by Thich Nhat Hanh In this program Carole Hallundbaek speaks with Dr. Leo D. Lefebure, Matteo Ricci, S.J. Professor of Theology at Georgetown University. A prolific writer and traveler of where religious paths cross, merge and support each other, he is the author of The Buddha and the Christ: Explorations in Buddhist-Christian Dialogue; Life Transformed: Meditations on the Christian Scriptures in Light of Buddhist Perspectives; The Path of Wisdom: A Christian Commentary on the Dhammapada; and Revelation, the Religions, and Violence, recipient of the Pax Christi U.S.A. 2001 Book Award. He has also served on the board of directors of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies; was a participant in the New York Buddhist-Catholic dialogue; an adviser to the Board of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue; and is currently on the Board of Trustees of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions. Topics in this hour include: Lefebure’s own background as a Roman Catholic with diverse Christians in his family;  how interfaith studies and dialogue become a central focus of his life’s work; his book Life Transformed: Meditations on the Christian Scriptures in Light of Buddhist Perspectives; a meditation from the book; why it is important to explore and make connections between Buddhism and Christianity (or other faiths); the relationships between Buddhism and Christianity; how we get through our adolescence around God and religion that tends to lead to arguments and fighting, including in-fighting; his book Revelation, the Religions, and Violence; the “scapegoat mechanism”; loving thy neighbor, listening and lunch; the violence around differing religious beliefs; his experiences in interreligious dialogue and memorable moments; bringing discussions on religious tolerance into the community;  the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions; Tip for your Spiritual Toolbelt; and more. For more information, visit godspeedinstitute.com

The Godspeed Institute

The Godspeed Institute

PAUL HARRISON, PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD PANTHEIST MOVEMENT

Have you felt awed by the power of the ocean, found yourself gazing at the

stars in wonder, or felt a sure sense of belonging while in nature? Do you

find it difficult to imagine a divinity or spirituality somehow set apart

from the power of nature and the universe? Then you may be a Pantheist.

Dr. Paul Harrison is the founder and president of the World Pantheist

Movement and the award-winning writer of six books on the environment,

population, development and agriculture. He is the author of ‘The Elements

of Pantheism,’ which we will discuss at length today, described by critics

as “one of the most extraordinary books written in recent years about the

subject of religion."

Topics in this hour include: Harrison's journey toward Pantheism as a teen

in England; what Pantheism is; the heart of Pantheism; the belief that God

is the universe; love for the beauty of nature; theism and atheism;

Christianity; sacred nature and reverence for the universe; mystery;

acceptance of science; respect for human and animal rights; asceticism;

unity; Pantheist ethics; controversies; beliefs around natural death,

natural funerals, and the afterlife; the week's tip for your spiritual

tool belt - St. Francis of Assisi and Steve Jobs; more.

For more information, visit www.godspeedinstitute.com