I am really excited today to bring you the thinking of New York Times best-selling author Dr. Stephen Post, on issues that have driven his career. Stephen and I will be discussing a range of topics, such as whether we need to suffer to really heal, whether we plan our life or destiny controls it, and the difference between human and divine love.

His long career as a researcher, public speaker and professor has given him deep insights into these topics that you will want to hear and consider. I am particularly impressed with how consistently Stephen eschews easy answers to inherently complex questions.

The following is just a taste of Stephen's remarkable insights.

Q: Do we plan our life, or is it controlled by destiny? Stephen: We are co-creators of our destiny if we live with openness and responsiveness to surprises.

Q: Must all of us suffer and become broken in order to truly heal? Stephen: Some people who lack empathy and love are lucky to come to some kind of brokenness so their light can begin to shine through; others are naturally empathetic and do not need that.

Q: What's the difference between human and divine love? Stephen: Human love, no matter how deep, is limited and can turn into anger or hatred; sometimes, if we're open, we're invaded by a spirit of (divine) love that is shockingly beyond our usual repertoire.

Q: What's the difference between the right and the wrong kind of oneness? Stephen: We all desire oneness, but we often seek to achieve it by eliminating those who are different; the right kind of oneness includes everyone as having equal eternal value.

When asked if there's one last thing he'd like our listeners to hear, Stephen quotes Eleanor Roosevelt as saying, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Dr. Stephen Post's latest book, God and Love on Route 80: The Hidden Mystery of Human Connectedness, is a true story of the author's recurring dream as a teenager, and how he literally followed the dream west on Route 80 until he got to a ledge on the Golden Gate Bridge – actually, he's been following the dream for the rest of his life. It's a classic story about the hero being called on a spiritual journey.

About Dr. Stephen G. Post For over twenty years, Stephen has been spreading the science of giving and the commitment to the greater good. He has promoted the idea of "give and live better" across the globe. Funding over 50 scientific studies at the nation's top universities as well as conducting his own research, Stephen is considered the "go to" guy with his uplifting message that when we contribute to the lives of others, give meaningfully, and live by the Golden Rule, we are generally happier, healthier, more resilient, creative, hopeful and successful.

Find Stephen: Stephen's website: https://stephengpost.com The Institute for Research on Unlimited Love

Stephen's Books: God and Love on Route 80: The Hidden Mystery of Human Connectedness Why Good Things Happen to Good People: How to Live a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life by the Simple Act of Giving

Books Mentioned in the Interview: Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, by Richard Rohr Love Is Complicated: A True Story of Brokenness and Healing, by Marlena Fiol, to be released summer 2020

About Marlena Fiol, PhD Marlena Fiol, PhD, is a globally recognized author, scholar and speaker. She is a spiritual seeker whose work explores the depths of who we are and what's possible in our lives. Her significant body of publications on the topic, coupled with her own raw identity-changing experiences, makes her uniquely qualified to write about personal transformational change. She is also a certified tai chi instructor and freelance writer whose most recent work has appeared in numerous literary magazines and newsletters. You can find Marlena in the following places: https://marlenafiol.com Facebook Twitter: @marlenafiol