Although I was raised with the basics of Christianity, I would not consider myself religious. However, in recent yeas, I’ve definitely started to call myself ‘spiritual’. 

I already have incorporated things like meditation and yoga into my life (see my posts about Setting up a Yoga and Meditation Space, and Starting a Meditation Practice), but I think the missing piece for me was the absence of spiritual guidance.

I had the most interesting thing happen unexpectedly, that opened up my eyes to the spiritual world more. I was looking for a podcast to listen to while walking on the treadmill. I wanted something that I knew would keep my attention, and decided to check out Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations.

I had heard of this before, when it was called, “Super Soul Sundays’. Oprah had, I believe, a tv show on her network whereby she would have various guests who would talk more or less about religion and religious topics. I wasn’t interested in that, but the fact hat this was now titled, ‘conversations’ intrigued me. Like many people, I have always had deep respect for Oprah, who worked her way up in television, and had tremendous guts and ambition. Just her voice and the way she listens and speaks to people has been something I’ve admired. So I gave it a try, and was not disappointed.

This is how she starts each show.

“I believe that one of the most valuable gifts you ca give yourself… is TIME. Taking time to be more fully present. Your journey to become more inspired and connected to the deeper world around us starts right now.”

I love this podcast, because she does her own shows on things like ego, mindfulness, and relationships, but also brings in some fascinating guests. Authors, spiritual leaders, monks, actors…they run the gamut and some are so insightful.

If you prefer to listen to a podcast (while on the treadmill maybe?), there are other great ones that also cover spiritual topics.

Podcasts

• Deepak Chopra’s Infinite Potential
• The One you Feed- Eric Zimmer
• Tara Brach
• Spiritual Journey: Path to Awakening- Nimesh Radia
• Michael Singer Podcast
• Innerwork: A Spiritual Growth Podcast by Dr. Josephine Hardman

Listening to podcasts like these have lead me to purchase some books that explore topics further. You can keep the listening going and get audiobooks, but I love a physical book, especially now that the weather is warming up and I can read outside!

Here are some of my favorites to check out, that have really helped me in my quest to be more mindful and less afraid of aging and life (see my post about Dealing with Aging Fears). 

Recommended Books!

The Power of Now. By Eckhart Tolle. I will admit it’s a concept that takes some real thought and understanding, but the idea that we are fully conscious when we are experiencing and living in the present moment, is so mind blowing once you get it. The book is a manual of sorts, that answers questions directed from those who are complete novices to mindfulness. So it’s honestly perfect for most people just starting this journey.

The Essential Rumi. Translated by Coleman Barks. So many of Oprah’s guests quote Rumi, so I knew I had to get an anthology of his poems. I am amazed that someone who lived in the 13th century was able to explore emotions and life, covering subjects totally relevant today. Here’s an excerpt from his poem, Community of the Spirit, that I love.

There is a community of the spirit.

Join it, and feel the delight of walking in a noisy street, and being the noise.

Be empty of worrying. Think of who created thought!

Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking.

Live in silence.

A Course in Miracles. By Dr. Helen Schucman and Dr. William Thetford. I love the premise of this series (book, workbook and training manual for students) which focuses on love and forgiveness as the center of all. The message is positive and there is certainly much to learn. The book is a great resource to review now and again, but warning, it’s 600+ pages! So it is some pretty serious stuff.

Although I’ve noted the work of Rumi is in my mind, timeless, this information (from 1965) is somewhat dated and is more an instructional manual than light reading. Instead, I’ve found a book that translates the teachings of A Course in Miracles into a more digestible framework.

A Return to Love. By Marianne Williamson. Ms Williamson, an internationally acclaimed author and lecturer, takes the core topics in A Course in Miracles and boils them down to one thing-LOVE. Love as it relates to relationships and forgiveness, but also more basic things like our careers and skills. If we live in congruence with love and all our actions are based in it, we live in true consciousness.

I love that this woman used these practices to transform her life from one of depression to pure happiness. Look past some of the religious jargon, and there’s some powerful messaging about self-love in particular, underneath.

The Power of Myth. By Joseph Campbell.

Campbell has become the rarest of intellectuals in American life: a serious thinker who has been embraced by the popular culture”. – Newsweek

This is so true. Guests on Oprah’s show, young and old, talk about his wisdom ALL the time. He was a scholar, writer and teacher, and in this book, Bill Moyers, one of America’s prominent journalists, interviews him. Similar to The Power of Now, this book is more or less an interview between Campbell and Moyers, which explores both modern and ancient spiritual topics of relevance to many.

The Untethered Soul:The Journey Beyond Yourself. By Michael A. Singer. I mention Mr. Singer’s podcast above as well. I like his personal story of having a profound awakening while working on his doctorate in Economics! He spent years studying yoga and spirituality, and opened a yoga and meditation center to offer this knowledge to others. The book takes you through your personal relationship with thoughts and feelings, helping you free yourself from habits and energy patterns that limit your consciousness. Of all the books I list here, this is the best for giving you hand-on, practical exercises that are so interesting and helpful.

I hope you enjoyed hearing about some amazing spiritual resources! Pick up a book, listen to a podcast, and open your mind and heart to new perspectives!

Namaste!