There were several who kindly shared, guided or even supported and inspired my path and for whom i am deeply grateful. They all shared as well as still share their heart, a gift of sorts which touches me deeply that they are or heve been in the world. Some of those have been named already like Eckehart Tolle, books/ audios of Jack Kornfield have been insipiring or many years ago a course in wonder, and even before, my teacher in religion at school as well as a very special meeting with a very kind Columbian shaman guiding us friends in heart, Ralph as well as John who cleans the path for us in order not to slip and fall. Nature does, being touched by the light, the early morning singing birds, and a very touching meeting a mouse who stopped right in front of me, no sign of fear or feeling disturbed by my presence about 1 m away observing it wavering on a blade of grass while obviously listening touched to my friend´s soft playing the piano (as far as i remember, it was “Claire de lune”), or being silenced by the early morning fog slowly transforming to stillness by perceiving the mist between the trees being dissolved by the slowly rising sun, like this morning. With a bow and thank you from my heart, I am deeply grateful to all.
Thich Nhat Hanh has certainly significantly been an influential teacher as well as Woo Myung. There are many examples of teachers, but everyone is my teacher. I’m so grateful to have teachers who have really shown me how much meditation changes my mind. I would have never imagined how much meditation has helped me grow and become so much happier, healthier and grateful.
I’d say I chose to be on the journey, then found the writers, rather than the other way around. Too many to list everyone! The journey really began in all the reading I did as a child, particular science fiction with the worlds in which people were far more open to differences than the American culture I grew up in. Writers like Ursula K. LeGuin shaped me from the beginning.
In adulthood, The Four Agreements, Pema Chödrön, Joanna Macy, Thich Nhat Hanh, Radical Dharma by Rev. angel Kyodo Williams, Lama Rod Owen, and Jasmine Syedullah, Sylvia Boorstein’s It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness, and Charlotte Joko Beck’s Nothing Special: Living Zen are on my shelves. Reading poetry every day supports me on my journey, as does reading books about race, disability, privilege, and social justice.
I’m currently reading Krista Tippett’s wonderful book Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living. She draws on many of the wonderful interviews she’s done for her podcast On Being. Highly recommended.
I enjoyed reading all of your posts and being reminded of some of the great spiritual teachers of our times.
I loved The Four Agreements as well, and will review that today. Thank you for all your reminders today.
One of them is certainly Pema Chödrön.
There have been others. Bits and pieces.
And there have been random people at
the right time saying something that sticks
with me.
I have had many spiritual teachers on my path & I continue to find new ones as I journey on this road of life.
The teachings of Jesus Christ & Scripture guide & inspire me daily.
Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Ram Dass, Thich Nhat Hanh, Abraham Hicks, Rumi, Osho, Pema all continue to inspire me.
The book Four Agreements spoke to me deeply & still does.
I am learning from all of you here as well. Thank you for sharing.❤️🕊️🙏🏻
Many books mentioned here that I have read, Kristy Nelson, The Four Agreements come to mind.
In my past I enjoyed reading books on Karma – Gina Cerminara – Many Mansions, The World Within, Many Lives Many Loves; Wiccan books-Raymond Buckland
There are several, Sr. Joan Chittister (social justice), Sr. Joyce Rupp (very nature oriented), Richard Rohr, Thomas Marton, Pema, Desmond Tutu, you here, a spiritual director, and many everyday folks.
I feel like I am at the beginning of this journey. I have always prayed and sat with God but in the past two years I have started learning, reading, contemplating and processing spirituality.
I have to say all of you have been my biggest guides. I have also found some podcasts that help open my mind and heart. The poems, writers, songs etc people mention here lead me to search them out. For example Eckhart Tolle is currently sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. I have read the 4 agreements because someone mentioned long ago. I have listened to a podcast with Richard Rohr and Oprah. I also found some meditation playlists and have been learning and practicing. I am now have Phil Jackson in my books to be bought.
Everyone has struggles and many share a little here. I just want to say thank you for being the ones to lead me on my journey. You make a difference..
When I was younger and a believer, I had met a number of priests and brothers (Catholic), and others that could have been spiritual leaders or teachers, but none hads come to mind to help me answer this question.Even as my faith was waning, there were none.
I did learn about some science oriented writers who ultimately helped me, though I have never met them: Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris come right to mind. I’d have to look at my readings to expand my list.
It does seem like the question is a difficult one to answer for those of us on the path of non belief. I am sure it can be answered, but it isn’t easy.
Have you read Wonderful Life by Stephen Jay Gould? It’s about the Burgess Shale. He’s the science writer I think of first in considering who has shaped my understanding of the world around us.
This is a very difficult question for me. I don’t think that I have had spiritual teachers…but perhaps I am reading too much into that of “teacher”. I was raised in the Catholic Church and it is still my belief system….I have had 3 priests I remember as good teachers…two in Africa and then one at home in WV. They were not people that touched my life every day or week…one was just one chance encounter. I have searched for a meaningful life- and the readings and teachings of others has come my way and added much to my soul, In my everyday life I find spirituality in nature…the trees and the water…the sun rising, the moon and the stars. And not least of all the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for this question today….I will be exploring it throughout my day…and future days.
Well- said, Nanette.
Without a doubt, Jesus has been and continues to be my spiritual teacher. I find his living presence in so many and so much around me.
It was Richard Rohr who taught me the importance of metaphor when reading scripture. It was Ram Dass and Alan Watts who made me aware of the NOW. Eckhard Tolle introduced me to the “pain body.” And Buddhist teachers Pema Chodron, Jack Kornfield and Thich Nhat Hanh who helped me learn the importance of forgiveness and bringing my head (mind) into my heart.
I have had many, as I have been seeking connection since my 30s. Ram Dass, Wayne Dyer, Abraham Hicks, Louise Hay, Neale Donald Walsh, Marianne Williamson, Dan Millman… they have all played a part in my journey, helping me find faith in the path and myself and in God.
Sunnypatti, Dan Millman rings a bell. He’s from “The Peaceful Warrior” movie. I remember him learning from a spiritual teacher in Socrates. At the beginning, Dan was much more reactive. I remember Socrates’s mentorship helped him become more peaceful later on.
I have Shunryu Suzuki and Phil Jackson. A couple Suzuki quotes that resignate with me the most are “In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few” and “Form is form, emptiness is emptiness.”
Expecting the unexpected is the same as Phil’s principle of preparing for chaos. I remember from “11 Rings, the Soul of Success” on how he threw many different types of practices at random times to keep the players minds guessing so that they’re well-prepared for the inevitable chaos as they step on to the basketball court. Preparing my mindset from the beginning makes it easier to enjoy every moment. I’m detached from myself, and there’s no unpleasant emotions.
Yes Loc, I read Sacred Hoops many
years ago and I really got a lot out
of it. I think I will re read it, as I am
in a very different state of mind these
days. As someone who struggles to
relinquish control, it was a real help,
and I’m just realizing how much I
learned about making a plan and then
being ready to work with whatever
I am presented with.
Charlie, the last part of your comment reminds me of Phil’s 11th principle in “Forget the ring” when he talked about having a plan, a vision on how to get there, letting go, and just focusing on the process from the “11 Rings, the Soul of Success.” “Sacred Hoops” is a good one too. I remember listening to that one. Those 90s Bulls were quite the dynasty. We can never forget about Dennis Rodman. He’s quite an interesting character for sure.
Loc, last night as we sat down to the Detroit Lions vs the LA Rams pre-game show, there were questions regarding the Lions going to the Super Bowl this year. I turned to my husband and said, « forget the ring ».! That came from you! I apply that quote often these days. Thank you.
No problem, Mary. I follow the NFL as well. I saw the game. What a great one. It went into overtime. The Lions final touch down was epic. Jerryd Goth is a bright young quarter back. Mathew Stafford is a popular one.
1
Joseph McCann
3 months ago
Loc, Dennis Rodman is most certainly a character……..I have heard be interviewed several times.
I appreciate the word « inspired » in todays’s question. After years of schooling in a conservative Catholic School, and memorizing the Baltimore Catechism, I found very little, maybe zero, inspiration in spirituality. Over the years, I have sought inspiration, as opposed to dogma.
The voices that come to mind easily as having inspired my spiritual journey are Pema Chodron, Lynne Twist, my past beautiful spiritual coach, Carolyn. And others who may have been a chance meeting.
The voice of our natural world inspires me daily, from the River Birch in my front yard to the powers of Lake Superior. Spirit is everywhere when I am paying attention.🙏
Mary, I also was schooled in the Baltimore Catechism for the first 9 years of Catholic School. Then I went to Public High and missed – yes actually missed my religious training. But as I got and get older the Catechism seems to be a rigid rule book…However; it seems that it is ingrained in me…and although I read and explore my teachings always come back to it–even when there is some I totally disagree with.
I agree that the voice of our natural world inspires and helps me see things in a new light. Thank you for your thought provoking post.
Nanette, thank you for sharing your experience. The wonderful thing about all our experiences is that they present choices to us. And each of us choose what is helpful to us. Your foundational experiences were rich and meaningful to you. May they continue to support you on your journey.
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There were several who kindly shared, guided or even supported and inspired my path and for whom i am deeply grateful. They all shared as well as still share their heart, a gift of sorts which touches me deeply that they are or heve been in the world. Some of those have been named already like Eckehart Tolle, books/ audios of Jack Kornfield have been insipiring or many years ago a course in wonder, and even before, my teacher in religion at school as well as a very special meeting with a very kind Columbian shaman guiding us friends in heart, Ralph as well as John who cleans the path for us in order not to slip and fall. Nature does, being touched by the light, the early morning singing birds, and a very touching meeting a mouse who stopped right in front of me, no sign of fear or feeling disturbed by my presence about 1 m away observing it wavering on a blade of grass while obviously listening touched to my friend´s soft playing the piano (as far as i remember, it was “Claire de lune”), or being silenced by the early morning fog slowly transforming to stillness by perceiving the mist between the trees being dissolved by the slowly rising sun, like this morning. With a bow and thank you from my heart, I am deeply grateful to all.
So lovely to picture, Ose, thank you.
Thich Nhat Hanh has certainly significantly been an influential teacher as well as Woo Myung. There are many examples of teachers, but everyone is my teacher. I’m so grateful to have teachers who have really shown me how much meditation changes my mind. I would have never imagined how much meditation has helped me grow and become so much happier, healthier and grateful.
I’d say I chose to be on the journey, then found the writers, rather than the other way around. Too many to list everyone! The journey really began in all the reading I did as a child, particular science fiction with the worlds in which people were far more open to differences than the American culture I grew up in. Writers like Ursula K. LeGuin shaped me from the beginning.
In adulthood, The Four Agreements, Pema Chödrön, Joanna Macy, Thich Nhat Hanh, Radical Dharma by Rev. angel Kyodo Williams, Lama Rod Owen, and Jasmine Syedullah, Sylvia Boorstein’s It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness, and Charlotte Joko Beck’s Nothing Special: Living Zen are on my shelves. Reading poetry every day supports me on my journey, as does reading books about race, disability, privilege, and social justice.
I’m currently reading Krista Tippett’s wonderful book Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living. She draws on many of the wonderful interviews she’s done for her podcast On Being. Highly recommended.
I enjoyed reading all of your posts and being reminded of some of the great spiritual teachers of our times.
I loved The Four Agreements as well, and will review that today. Thank you for all your reminders today.
One of them is certainly Pema Chödrön.
There have been others. Bits and pieces.
And there have been random people at
the right time saying something that sticks
with me.
I have had many spiritual teachers on my path & I continue to find new ones as I journey on this road of life.
The teachings of Jesus Christ & Scripture guide & inspire me daily.
Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Ram Dass, Thich Nhat Hanh, Abraham Hicks, Rumi, Osho, Pema all continue to inspire me.
The book Four Agreements spoke to me deeply & still does.
I am learning from all of you here as well. Thank you for sharing.❤️🕊️🙏🏻
Many books mentioned here that I have read, Kristy Nelson, The Four Agreements come to mind.
In my past I enjoyed reading books on Karma – Gina Cerminara – Many Mansions, The World Within, Many Lives Many Loves; Wiccan books-Raymond Buckland
There are several, Sr. Joan Chittister (social justice), Sr. Joyce Rupp (very nature oriented), Richard Rohr, Thomas Marton, Pema, Desmond Tutu, you here, a spiritual director, and many everyday folks.
I feel like I am at the beginning of this journey. I have always prayed and sat with God but in the past two years I have started learning, reading, contemplating and processing spirituality.
I have to say all of you have been my biggest guides. I have also found some podcasts that help open my mind and heart. The poems, writers, songs etc people mention here lead me to search them out. For example Eckhart Tolle is currently sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. I have read the 4 agreements because someone mentioned long ago. I have listened to a podcast with Richard Rohr and Oprah. I also found some meditation playlists and have been learning and practicing. I am now have Phil Jackson in my books to be bought.
Everyone has struggles and many share a little here. I just want to say thank you for being the ones to lead me on my journey. You make a difference..
It is quite a circle of support that has been established and continues to grow here. Thank you, Deann.
I return a thank you Deann and one to all who share here, with honesty, compassion, peace and love.
I feel the same way. 🙏
Amen and agree!
When I was younger and a believer, I had met a number of priests and brothers (Catholic), and others that could have been spiritual leaders or teachers, but none hads come to mind to help me answer this question.Even as my faith was waning, there were none.
I did learn about some science oriented writers who ultimately helped me, though I have never met them: Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris come right to mind. I’d have to look at my readings to expand my list.
It does seem like the question is a difficult one to answer for those of us on the path of non belief. I am sure it can be answered, but it isn’t easy.
Have you read Wonderful Life by Stephen Jay Gould? It’s about the Burgess Shale. He’s the science writer I think of first in considering who has shaped my understanding of the world around us.
John, I’ve heard and seen a bit of the Richard Dawkins vs George Pell Atheism Christianity debate. It’s a popular and interesting one.
This is a very difficult question for me. I don’t think that I have had spiritual teachers…but perhaps I am reading too much into that of “teacher”. I was raised in the Catholic Church and it is still my belief system….I have had 3 priests I remember as good teachers…two in Africa and then one at home in WV. They were not people that touched my life every day or week…one was just one chance encounter. I have searched for a meaningful life- and the readings and teachings of others has come my way and added much to my soul, In my everyday life I find spirituality in nature…the trees and the water…the sun rising, the moon and the stars. And not least of all the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for this question today….I will be exploring it throughout my day…and future days.
Well- said, Nanette.
Without a doubt, Jesus has been and continues to be my spiritual teacher. I find his living presence in so many and so much around me.
It was Richard Rohr who taught me the importance of metaphor when reading scripture. It was Ram Dass and Alan Watts who made me aware of the NOW. Eckhard Tolle introduced me to the “pain body.” And Buddhist teachers Pema Chodron, Jack Kornfield and Thich Nhat Hanh who helped me learn the importance of forgiveness and bringing my head (mind) into my heart.
I’m so glad that you introduced me
to Richard Rohr. I have been getting
so much from his daily contemplation.
Thank you for this 🙏
I have had many, as I have been seeking connection since my 30s. Ram Dass, Wayne Dyer, Abraham Hicks, Louise Hay, Neale Donald Walsh, Marianne Williamson, Dan Millman… they have all played a part in my journey, helping me find faith in the path and myself and in God.
Sunnypatti, Dan Millman rings a bell. He’s from “The Peaceful Warrior” movie. I remember him learning from a spiritual teacher in Socrates. At the beginning, Dan was much more reactive. I remember Socrates’s mentorship helped him become more peaceful later on.
Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior is a great book! I have another he wrote, Peaceful Heart, Warrior Spirit, but I haven’t read it… yet!
I have Shunryu Suzuki and Phil Jackson. A couple Suzuki quotes that resignate with me the most are “In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few” and “Form is form, emptiness is emptiness.”
Expecting the unexpected is the same as Phil’s principle of preparing for chaos. I remember from “11 Rings, the Soul of Success” on how he threw many different types of practices at random times to keep the players minds guessing so that they’re well-prepared for the inevitable chaos as they step on to the basketball court. Preparing my mindset from the beginning makes it easier to enjoy every moment. I’m detached from myself, and there’s no unpleasant emotions.
Yes Loc, I read Sacred Hoops many
years ago and I really got a lot out
of it. I think I will re read it, as I am
in a very different state of mind these
days. As someone who struggles to
relinquish control, it was a real help,
and I’m just realizing how much I
learned about making a plan and then
being ready to work with whatever
I am presented with.
Charlie, the last part of your comment reminds me of Phil’s 11th principle in “Forget the ring” when he talked about having a plan, a vision on how to get there, letting go, and just focusing on the process from the “11 Rings, the Soul of Success.” “Sacred Hoops” is a good one too. I remember listening to that one. Those 90s Bulls were quite the dynasty. We can never forget about Dennis Rodman. He’s quite an interesting character for sure.
Loc, last night as we sat down to the Detroit Lions vs the LA Rams pre-game show, there were questions regarding the Lions going to the Super Bowl this year. I turned to my husband and said, « forget the ring ».! That came from you! I apply that quote often these days. Thank you.
No problem, Mary. I follow the NFL as well. I saw the game. What a great one. It went into overtime. The Lions final touch down was epic. Jerryd Goth is a bright young quarter back. Mathew Stafford is a popular one.
Loc, Dennis Rodman is most certainly a character……..I have heard be interviewed several times.
Love the quotes!
Thanks Carol.
I appreciate the word « inspired » in todays’s question. After years of schooling in a conservative Catholic School, and memorizing the Baltimore Catechism, I found very little, maybe zero, inspiration in spirituality. Over the years, I have sought inspiration, as opposed to dogma.
The voices that come to mind easily as having inspired my spiritual journey are Pema Chodron, Lynne Twist, my past beautiful spiritual coach, Carolyn. And others who may have been a chance meeting.
The voice of our natural world inspires me daily, from the River Birch in my front yard to the powers of Lake Superior. Spirit is everywhere when I am paying attention.🙏
Mary, I also was schooled in the Baltimore Catechism for the first 9 years of Catholic School. Then I went to Public High and missed – yes actually missed my religious training. But as I got and get older the Catechism seems to be a rigid rule book…However; it seems that it is ingrained in me…and although I read and explore my teachings always come back to it–even when there is some I totally disagree with.
I agree that the voice of our natural world inspires and helps me see things in a new light. Thank you for your thought provoking post.
Nanette, thank you for sharing your experience. The wonderful thing about all our experiences is that they present choices to us. And each of us choose what is helpful to us. Your foundational experiences were rich and meaningful to you. May they continue to support you on your journey.