Godspeed Institute

Godspeed Institute - 07/15/12

CAER HALLUNDBAEK ON RELIGION AND SCIENCE In a rare, new one-hour interview, Godspeed Institute founder Caer Hallundbaek shares her own vision and spiritual insights on the roles of faith and science in the modern world -- as the featured guest on Philip Mereton’s program Conversations Beyond Religion and Science. An award-winning author and graduate of New York University, Maryknoll School of Theology and Fordham University, Caer studied cosmology and astronomy as part of her religious education and finds that science informs her faith rather than challenges it. Topics in this lively and engaging conversation include: Caer’s experience of religion in early life; how the event of Supernova 1987A sparked her fascination with the space sciences; what the death of a star tells us about the nature of life; how the stars are mortal and have created the elements that sustain life through their surrender;  her radical view that death and resurrection (or, surrender to new life) are ‘built in’ to the fabric of this universe; dust to dust; dark matter and energy; the film Contact; how science and scripture can be reconciled; science fiction; how the nature of love requires similar surrender to new life; how resisting this natural flow of change leads to pain and suffering in our world, on an individual and corporate level; and much more. For more information, visit www.godspeedinstitute.com

Godspeed Institute - 07/08/12

DO YOU QUANTUM THINK? WITH AUTHOR DIANNE COLLINS Caer Hallundbaek speaks with Dianne Collins – author of the new book 'Do You Quantum Think? New Thinking That Will Rock Your World.' Do You Quantum Think? is an excellent example of how more and more people are beginning the process of reevaluating the value system of self centered material greed and suggests making a quantum leap from the archaic industrial age thinking that limits us to a new era of quantum age thinking that is holistically attuned to modern developments in quantum physics, technology and spirituality. Topics in this hour include: what led Collins to write her book; her childhood experience of Judaism and spiritual seeking; the separation of science of faith; the 'myth of choice' around our free thinking; the system of thinking that Collins developed into 21 principles; her work as a consultant to major corporations and banks; greed; compassion; how one manager's actions are directly related to a hungry child in this interconnected world; an inadequate application of spiritual principles; how corporate vision is not enough -- that action is required for authentic change in the corporate arena, including sacrifice (i.e. of archaic values such as "profitability first"); the challenge of evolving past the era of greed and its corporate manifestation; that all spiritual growth requires surrender; and more. For more information visit www.godspeedinstitute.com

Godspeed Institute - 07/01/12

Dr. Stewart Bitkoff holds a doctorate in education and is an avid student of Sufi Mysticism and the Perennial Philosophy. He is the author of 'The Commuter's Guide to Enlightenment,' 'Sufism for the Western Seeker,' and now 'The Ferryman's Dream,' which he explores at length with Caer Hallundbaek. He 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. Topics in this hour include: 'The Ferryman's Dream’ and the journey into spiritual awakening; what inspired him to write the book; the traditional format of combining non-fiction, story and poetry; Vasudeva, from Siddhartha by Herman Hesse; spiritual destiny, or life plan; the Teacher; consciousness has many layers; the energy at the center of the onion; energy and communication; God as Light and Energy; Stars Wars and The Force; Choice and Love; The Treasure; how this philosophy works across religious traditions; and more. For more information visit www.godspeedinstitute.com.

Godspeed Institute - 06/24/12

‘MUSIC IS MY PRAYER’ – AWARD-WINNING SINGER/SONGWRITER MEHUMAN JONSON An East Coast native, Mehuman Jonson is an award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist. She is also a woman of faith with a lot on her mind… She cut her teeth on old time gospel spirituals, straight ahead jazz, country blues, and classic rock and roll. Establishing herself in the Detroit, Manhattan, Dublin, Cannes, Nashville, and Los Angeles music scenes, Mehuman has toured in the U.S. and Europe delivering a powerful and punchy mix of what she calls “folk hop for hip folk."  She has performed and toured with artists from Nora Jones to Nona Hendrix; from Sheila E. to Rufus Wainwright. CNN Music has touted Mehuman to be “one of the top 10 burgeoning songwriters to watch." Topics in this interview include: the role of Christian faith in her life, beginning in her childhood household; community; covenant; coming to faith in adulthood; faith as part of  her musical journey; her musical influences; songwriting; music as prayer; lost in a desert of grief; getting a contract with a major label and losing it all; her journey of healing; healing through art; her upcoming project at kickstarter.com; ‘Love Colored Glasses’; love and relationships; God, the perfecter of love; forgiveness; death and resurrection in relationships; Caer’s reflection on music and the divine from Saints in Love; and much more.

Godspeed Institute - 06/17/12

HUMAN NATURES, ANIMAL AND SPIRITUAL - WITH CARROLL BLAIR “The most menacing ailment of the human species is not cancer, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or heart disease, or a multitude of other conditions that endanger its life, but ego, doing the bidding of the lower nature.” - Carroll Blair Carroll Blair is the author of more than twenty books, including five volumes of poetry. His latest book is Human Natures, of Animal and Spiritual, which champions a philosophy of human evolution through spiritual growth. The Sixth Annual National Indie Excellence Awards has recognized Human Natures as a finalist in the category of Philosophy. Written in poetic vignettes, the book offers thought-provoking insights into challenges that continue to plague humankind – and sheds light on the principles that would enable humanity to move forward. Topics in this program include: Why we do not progress; animal and spiritual nature; THE ego; free will; those in history who have transcended; spirituality defined; excerpts from Blair’s book; greed and stagnation; getting unstuck – as individuals and as corporate bodies; true spirituality; integrity; humility; Caer’s Tip for Your Spiritual Toolbelt; The Saints’ Guide to Relationships series; and more. For more information, visit www.godspeedinstitute.com

Godspeed Institute - 06/10/12

MOTHER TERESA, PRAYER, AND PSYCHOLOGY - WITH ANTHONY STERN MD Join Caer in this inspiring conversation with psychiatrist Anthony Stern MD, author of "Everything Starts from Prayer: Mother Teresa's Meditations on Spiritual Life for People of All Faiths." Dr. Stern attended Harvard College and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He has worked in a variety of settings as a community psychiatrist, currently at a Montefiore primary care clinic in the Bronx near Yankee Stadium. He has written and given talks about the interface between religion and psychology over the last twenty years. Topics in this hour include: Stern's experience of spirituality at age 8; how he was drawn to prayer as an adult; the external and internal effects of prayer; his book on Mother Teresa and her guidance on prayer; Teresa's experiences of doubt; the value and role of doubt; silence; the role of faith in his work as a psychiatrist; hope; spiritual poverty in the West; materialism; Mother Teresa's interfaith, or universal, approach to prayer; Caer's Tip for Your Spiritual Toolbelt; and more. For more information, visit www.godspeedinstitute.com

Godspeed Institute - 05/20/12

THE HEAVEN AT THE END OF SCIENCE – WITH PHILIP MERETON Did creation arise in a distant Big Bang and come toward us? Or did creation instead arise from the One Mind and come from us? Philip Mereton is the host of the internet radio show, Conversations Beyond Science and Religion – a program about breaking through the common beliefs and perceptions that control how we think about the world. He is also the author of ‘The Heaven at the End of Science’ – a book about the need to change our materialistic worldview of modern science to create a world of science and of spirit. Topics in the hour include:  Science’s Great Assumption; how science focuses on matter, or ‘stuff’; how the worldview of the Big Bang, Darwinian evolution, the God delusion, and the heat death of the universe affect us; what happens when we turn our focus away from the ‘stuff’ toward the state of mind of the dreamers; how spirit is built within the framework of creation, not outside it; the role of religion in relation to science; materialism; compassion as a law of nature; hope; and much more.

Godspeed Institute - 05/13/12

Sufi Talks: Teachings of an American Sufi Sheikh, with Robert Frager Ph.D. Caer Hallundbaek welcomes Robert Frager, Ph.D., founder of the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, CA, where he is currently Professor of Psychology and Director of the Spiritual Guidance Masters Program. Dr. Frager is a Sufi teacher in the Halveti-Jerrahi Sufi Order, an international order based in Istanbul, Turkey. He is president of the Jerrahi Order of California and has been a Sufi spiritual guide for over 25 years. Additionally he received a 7th degree black belt in Aikido and has been an instructor for over 45 years. His latest book is Sufi Talks: Teachings of an American Sufi Sheikh. Topics in this engaging hour include: an event that touched Robert’s heart and changed his life; Sufi Talks – a collection of conversations about spiritual topics, drawn from his weekly teachings; the Sufi order as an unbroken chain; apostolic succession; saints;  the opening of the heart; the heart as a temple and a mediator; the practice of chanting and energizing the heart; surrender to God; more about his upcoming book; restoring character; ‘waking before we die’; Aikido; and more. For more information, visit www.godspeedinstitute.com

Godspeed Institute - 04/29/12

A New Way to Be Human, with Robert V. Taylor Born and raised in South Africa, Rev. Robert V. Taylor saw firsthand the difference that could be made when oppressed people are given the freedom to discover their voices, trust their imaginations, and find the courage to be who they are. In 1980 Taylor was sent to the United States by his mentor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, to avoid imprisonment for his anti-apartheid activity. Along the way, Taylor found his own voice — and in his book ‘A New Way to Be Human,’ continues to explore integrating personal spirituality and values - driven strategies with the question of how we each leave a footprint of compassion in the world. Topics in this hour include: the importance of sharing our story and connecting it to others'; his experience of spinal surgery as a teen that led to spiritual breakthrough; the cultural environment in South Africa; becoming a protégé of Desmond Tutu; finding one’s voice; the barriers to our authentic selves; his new book, A New Way to Be Human: 7 Spiritual Pathways to Becoming Fully Alive; breaking through enclosures; risky invitations; holy surprises; the 'Thin Places' or holiness disguised; the need and importance of tolerance – including religious tolerance; and more. For more information, visit www.godspeedinstitute.com

Godspeed Institute - 04/22/12

"The Suffering is Big." Grace Street Ministry, with Mair Honan Today on the Godspeed Institute we welcome Mair Honan, UCC minister and co-founder of Grace Street Ministry - a compassionate outreach ministry to the homeless and marginalized in Portland, Maine, offering support through presence, prayer and advocacy. Topics in the hour include: Caer's reflection on the homeless from The Saints' Guide to Relationships, Volume 3; a walking ministry; history of Grace Street Ministry; remembering the sacred in the midst of it all; the imagined and real boundaries between those who have little materially and those who have much; how ministry can be as simple as sharing a cup of coffee in Dunkin Donuts... to being with people "who have been beaten and discarded and are sure that God does not exist in the reality of their suffering"; hope; fear; overflowing shelters; being authentic; greed; her personal journey to this ministry; Caer's Tip for Your Spiritual Toolbelt; and more.