Holy Rebels Podcast

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 What is the Holy Spirit? How do the Divine Mind and our own human intellect intertwine? Join us as we decipher the metaphysics of the Trinity, gain insight into mystical prayer, and uncover the power of forging a direct connection with God. 

All this and more awaits you in this podcast episode decoding the spiritual nature of reality. We discuss how metaphysics is not only a philosophical concept, but an experiential one as well. 

By attuning to the rhythms and patterns of creation, you'll be awe-struck by the sheer grandeur and beauty of our universe. Additionally, we delve into how mystics view metaphysics through prayer—Mystical Prayer—as a way to connect with the Holy Spirit and create an unyielding foundation of inner fortitude. 

We also discover the temple of our souls and what it means to listen with the ears of your heart. Through meditation and silence, we come to understand that there is a power within us, beckoning us inwardly. 

As we tap into this insight, we uncover the truth of our Indwelling Spirit—an unconditional love that constantly guides and supports us, no matter what. 

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Have you ever heard the saying, "There are no atheists in foxholes?" Most of us have found ourselves in situations so dire that—religious or not—we have tried to bargain with God. But bargaining is not the same as praying.

In this episode, we’re exploring the tricky and sometimes uncomfortable questions that come up when we pray for help. From cancer to heartbreak, divorce, rejection, or any kind of suffering, sometimes we're in situations where prayer feels like our only recourse.

But when faced with such questions as “what does it say about God if he doesn’t answer my prayers?” or “is it selfish to pray for healing?” we need to pause and reflect on the nature of prayer and what it means to ask for help from a divine being.

What happens when God does not answer those cries? Nina tells her personal story of suffering that led her to ask complex and difficult questions about faith, our own mortality, and the true nature of God.

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What actually happens during prayer? Prayer is not about trying to manipulate the Divine for personal gain. It's a sacred practice that can offer insight into our deepest desires and needs. 

Let us take an unprecedented approach—when we lift up our hearts in prayer, it will open doors of awareness that allow us to accept life with grace and courage. Prayer does not change God; rather, it changes US! 

In this episode, we explore the essential attitude you need to cultivate a meaningful relationship with God. 

If you’re curious about mysticism, or you’re a mystic-in-the-making, this episode will give you a foundational understanding of the metaphysics of prayer. Listen closely now as we explain how prayer can enrich your soul.

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Mystical experiences are utterly mysterious and difficult to articulate, but it’s common enough that we have reports of mystical experiences across time and cultures. It’s a state of consciousness, a phenomenon that simply happens to us and we don't know why. It’s impossible to achieve through your own efforts alone, because it’s given to you—by grace. 

When this happens to you, there’s no doubt because it's not a rationalization. A mystical experience is not a theory that someone has convinced you of to make life seem more tolerable. This state is real and deep and undeniable.

In this episode of Holy Rebels, we explore the 3 telltale signs of mystical consciousness. Have you ever had a mystical experience? Not sure? Listen now to find out! 

Mentioned in the show:
Teresa of Avila on The Prayer of Quiet:
St Hildegard of Bingen, Selected writings

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What makes a mystic?  —How did Rumi or Thich Nhat Hanh or Jesus feel when they sat down to pray? How can we nurture that same deep intimacy with the Universe?

This is why the Holy Rebels Podcast exists—because mysticism is not a frequently discussed topic. It’s often described in an esoteric way that makes it seem like mystical intimacy is reserved for the spiritual elite. 

The Number One Reason WHY mysticism is vague and hard to understand is because it happens in the deepest part of your soul, a part of yourself that is hidden from your own awareness. 

In this episode we discuss what it takes to form a mystical bond with God. With practice and the right set of skills, you can have what Teresa of Avila describes as, “a state in which the soul experiences an extraordinary peace and rest, accompanied by delight or pleasure in contemplating God as present.”

Mentions:
John of the Cross, The Spiritual Canticle of The Soul
Cosmic Eye to Universe: youtube video
Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander

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Holy Rebels is the podcast for modern mystics who seek the sacred in all things. It’s for contemplatives and spiritual activists who hunger to make sense of a fractured world and to anchor their learning in compassionate action.

Each week, we take a fresh look at the Western mystical tradition—from European shamanism and Celtic Christianity to the Desert Fathers and Black Madonnas. (Intrigued yet?) 

You’ll meet real-life sages who forged a path that will illuminate your own. We discover luminaries such as Francis of Assisi and Teresa of Avila, and find inspiration in the practical spirituality of trailblazers like Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton.

Along the way, we journey to the world’s sacred sites (think Chartres Cathedral, the Isle of Iona, and the Camino de Santiago), and unearth the secrets of cultural treasures like the Book of Kells and the Song of Songs.

Host Nina Hirlaender is a spiritual director and founder of Dancing Spirit Tours. Known for her one-of-a-kind, immersive storytelling, Nina reveals why spirituality isn’t esoteric ‘woo-woo’ from an archaic past, but a powerful well of wisdom for navigating the modern moment. Are you a holy rebel?

Support the show

Rate, Review & Follow

If Holy Rebels has helped you practise your spirituality in real life, would you take 30 seconds to leave a quick rating and review? Your review helps new listeners decide to press play.

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Show Notes: holyrebelspodcast.com
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