Ray Inspired

Ray Inspired

By Ray PennerReligion & SpiritualityEducationSelf-Improvement
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Ray Inspired episodes

  • E19 | Learning How to Slow Down, Focus Our Energy, and Keep it Simple

    Life can get complicated really fast if we let it!  It has been some time since I went for one of these walks, so if you happened on this episode I am glad you are here :)

    Lean back (or get outdoors!) and listen in to learn how to clear the noise and slow things down. Also, be inspired.

    Here are some of the things shared:

    • focused energy
    • divine guidance
    • what the mirrors show us
    • paying attention (14min)
    • passing the level, beating the boss (17:25)
    • the forest metaphor (23:30)
    • the destination as the path (26:10)
    • boundaries focus the path (29:02)
    • a day of nothing (31:05)
    • high vibration (38:31)
    • letting go of controlling the process (44:04)
    • what we can learn from the dark (46:11)
    • some paradox fun - light and dark (49:09)

      • If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.

      Questions? Interested in connecting? Please email [email protected] or reach out on Instagram.

      Thank you for listening, and for being here!

      52 min
    • The Kind of Things You Think About When You Have Finally Been Released from ICE Detention

      If you have ever wondered what it's like to be in ICE detention for, oh, say 2.5 months, and then finally be let out, then perhaps this is a good episode for you!

      The first half of this is me reflecting on the original recording, some 1.5 years after the event. I'll put some timestamps in here if you wish to jump around a bit. Enjoy!

      Recent reflection (two weeks ago):

      • reflection
      • creating affirmations (4.58)
      • coincidence?
      • identity and our thoughts and emotions (10:55)
      • what it's like to be back in Manitoba (14:26)
      • understanding who I am and who I am not
      • seeing the cycles (19:53)
      • no longer a victim

        • From Nov, 2023 (23:03):

        • what it sounds like to feel free
        • dying to the false self and the ego
        • the micro and the macro in terms of how we act (28:05)
        • how to say no
        • "Free in here, free out there" (37:46)
        • our reality begins within
        • more on affirmations

          • If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.

          Questions? Interested in connecting? Please email [email protected] or reach out on Instagram.

          Thank you for listening, and for being you!

          41 min
        • E17 | Be Intentional (With Who and What You Surround Yourself With)

          In this episode I ponder the nuances of identity, expectations, perfectionism, triggers, and being intentional about who and what we allow into our lives. Of all the wisdom I have gained along the way, this is perhaps one of the most important things to fully realize and understand.

          While I recorded this six months ago, I find it is still very relevant to my life and to what I see happening in the world today, and I do pray that it inspires you in some way.

          Listen in as I draw from my experiences and reflect on:

          • acceptance, self-love and self-respect
          • expectations...perhaps we expect more from ourselves than we realize
          • The earlier episode with Marshall that I refer to can be found here.
          • Bending to fit into the mold of others
          • Projecting our discomfort on others
          • Who is the “I”, really?
          • The inner child
          • Where are we getting our identity from?
          • Who am I and who am I not?
          • Pondering union and partnership with God
          • Are we becoming or remembering?
          • Looking out the windows of the ego room we’ve been trapped in, getting out of the comfort zone and going outside
          • Being mindful of what we listen to, what we allow to enter
          • Garden of the heart (will upload episode later). Intention toward the seeds that are thrown our way.
          • How our experiences serve a purpose 
          • Triggers show us where we need to heal
          • When is it okay to allow ourselves to be exposed again to trauma triggers?
          • Be intentional when it comes to your healing journey from trauma – certain people or situations may enter your life to hinder or stall your journey

            • If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.

            Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email [email protected] or reach out on Instagram.

            Thank you for listening!

            35 min
          • From Fake to Real with Ben – How the World Reflects Back to Us What We Really Are

            Are you tired of fakeness? Do we have an influence in the amount of real-ness or fake-ness we experience around ourselves? Is it possible to live authentically and suddenly begin to experience authenticity all around us?

            Listen in as I explore (listed here for search-ability):

            • the struggle with application, self-righteousness, saying vs doing
            • a bit about grace, to conviction not condemnation
            • attraction to Christianity vs authenticity
            • fakeness in the world
            • judging others
            • who are we seeing when we look in the mirror, saying I love you
            • being real vs fake, it starts with us
            • as we change things around us change, change is reflected back, we've been waiting for me
            • things happening to vs for, taking accountability
            • don't like the word "blame", radical ownership
            • listening to things that aren't Christian
            • how are you practicing being more real, we need to be real with ourselves, loving yourself (why be someone else).
            • loving yourself (why be someone else), what I did to get to this place (people-pleasing).
            • unhealthy teaching, being people pleasing is good, letting go of false self and people pleasing.
            • get real with ourselves, then with others, being okay with our own company.
            • judging others indicates something about ourselves.
            • maintaining the stereotype of being good Christians.
            • the necessity of hitting rock bottom, do we all need to hit it?
            • do we all need to hit rock bottom? Questioning reality.
            • being okay with where we're at (why want to be married so soon?).
            • forcing a reality check (doing something out of ordinary).
            • do I feel God brought me back (to MB)? Is God in this?
            • how can you tell you're being guided by the spirit? Need to quiet minds (the noise).
            • how can we help ourself be led by spirit? Disciplining flesh.
            • intimacy with romantic partner vs God.
            • when non-Christians meet God.
            • full circle - being real.
            • fake living = fake reflection, change and same people change.
            • the world reflects back to us how we're doing.
            • detaching, renewing the mind
            • living heaven on earth now, abundant life, what can I do today?

              • If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.

              Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email [email protected] or reach out on Instagram.

              Thank you for listening!

              1 hr 8 min
            • The Path of the Mystic

              As I continue on this path, I can't help but become more aware of what many have come to understand as mystics.

              They seem to keep being pulled into my life, largely into the books I find. The real question is this: am I discovering them, or are they finding me? (Or both!)

              As I reflect on such things, I can't help but consider how I am being invited to add my voice to those of the many mystics that have gone before.

              And it is with great gratitude and humility that I do so.

              In this episode I am taking a walk on a trail near Nutimik, MB (Canada). Walks like this are sure to inspire me, and you get to listen to what came of it!

              Listen in as I explore these topics below: 

              • the diamond willow (yes, I will find it...or it will find me!)
              • the spiritual journey I’ve been on
              • "as you keep walking the next corner will be rounded"
              • another video game reference
              • pause for bridge photo – incoming allegory
              • (a little windy for a minute!)
              • current book: Simplicity, the Freedom of Letting Go by Richard Rohr. Wow, have I marked it up! It has become a treasure along my journey.
              • the path of the mystic – what does that mean?
              • creative tension between polarities, the bridge
              • a challenge to be a bridge for others

                • If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.

                Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email [email protected] or reach out on Instagram.

                Thank you for listening!

                27 min
              • From Light We Came

                Ever get overwhelmed with distraction, stressed with the chaos, feel like you're playing an instrument that's out of tune?

                As I drive home, I am inspired as I reflect on an earlier experience at a choir rehearsal and a chat afterward over burgers with the guys. 

                Listen in as I explore these topics below: 

                • Being present, showing up
                • Life is like those inflatable battle games
                • What is our base (amidst the chaos)?
                • The noise of today, signal jamming
                • The rooms may be dark, but it's light outside
                • The story: arrival to choir, shift in perspective, repetition, removing distraction
                • Purpose in all things
                • (From guy chat) How God inspires us through one another
                • Keeping God #1 and what that looks like
                • Putting gas in before you drive
                • Letting go, surrender, trust
                • Alignment with God as our partner
                • skiing and ripping the groin
                • The importance of having a shared mission
                • Tuning an instrument before it is played
                • Being who we are - but who are we?
                • Remembering
                • Heaven on earth
                • From light we came, to light we are returning

                  • If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.

                  Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email [email protected] or reach out on Instagram.

                  Thank you for listening!

                  1 hr 1 min
                • When You Have Eyes to See and Ears to Hear

                  Ever wonder what it would be like to live in two different worlds?

                  As I go for a short walk, I am inspired by the Narnia Chronicles as I have recently begun to read them for the first time (I know!). While the focus of my conversation is largely abstract, consider how it can be applied to daily life.

                  Listen in as I explore these topics below: 

                  • heaven
                  • eyes to see and ears to hear
                  • being present in two worlds
                  • can we experience heaven now?
                  • what if there is more now than the eyes can see?
                  • forgetting and remembering
                  • considering the rings
                  • as within so without
                  • sensing in the spiritual realm
                  • uncertainty and the unknown
                  • some Matrix thoughts (of course)

                    • If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.

                    Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email [email protected] or reach out on Instagram.

                    Thank you for listening!

                    34 min
                  • The Art of Repetition in the Puzzle of Life

                    Ever have wonderful clarity one day and the next it feels like starting all over again?

                    Let's explore the nuances of puzzles, and then go further with complete puzzles being used as pieces in an even larger puzzle. Though not particularly referenced in this episode, there are other helpful aspects of puzzle-building that are useful to consider, such as how when building a puzzle you typically begin with where you left off the day before, with an idea of the pieces you're looking for; but if you wait too long to get back to the puzzle, you may lose the momentum you initially had at the start.

                    Listen in as I explore these topics below: 

                    • capturing inspiration
                    • moving through "pockets" of inspiration
                    • the importance of consistency (the idea is there, though the word isn't used)
                    • the big picture, and then the bigger picture
                    • putting the pieces together
                    • how we all help one another as we move toward unity and collaboration

                      • If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.

                      Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email [email protected] or reach out on Instagram.

                      Thank you for listening!

                      47 min
                    • Self-sabotage, Patterns, Boundaries, and Letting Go

                      Listen in as I begin with some recent thoughts. Keep listening to hear a recording I did last July as I was walking the countryside, wondering how I was to get my belongings back to Canada from the US (when I'm not allowed to travel there).

                      Thoughts in the first part:

                      • introducing the episode
                      • victim mentality
                      • reflections from today (around 7 mins in): 
                        • self-sabotage, enjoying life, do I deserve good things?
                        • boundaries, and the time and energy we have been given
                        • serving from a place of abundance
                        • how can one who is drowning help another who is also drowning?

                          • From the walk recorded in July, 2024:

                          • when my belongings were stuck in the US (post-deportation)
                          • looking outside for someone or something to come to my rescue (vs extreme ownership)
                          • conscious pattern-breaking wisdom
                          • pondering Jesus as "the way"
                          • the "shoulds", following the rules, doing what's normal
                          • more on boundaries!
                          • when chaos comes
                          • humility vs the ego
                          • to save or be saved...or both?
                          • trust and letting go vs the paralysis of analysis

                            • If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you leave a comment, send me a message, or share it with someone who needs to hear this today.

                            Questions? Interested in having a good chat over coffee (or tea)? Please email [email protected] or reach out on Instagram.

                            Thank you for listening!

                            1 hr 16 min
                          • Jesus and the Matrix

                            Let's explore the nuances of the matrix and Jesus. I love movies like The Matrix as it is so much fun to consider their deeper meanings. Though the main part of this episode was recorded in mid-2024, it seems relevant to share during this time of the year when Jesus is on the top of many of our minds and hearts. 

                            Listen in as I explore these topics below: 

                            • Jesus enters, defies, and transcends the matrix
                            • Picking sides
                            • Duality
                            • Jesus meets us in the middle
                            • Jesus as the ultimate saver
                            • What is worship
                            • Jesus showing us the way
                            • Receiving purpose while reflecting on what Jesus did
                            • The matrix grid, signal jamming, disrupting the control system
                            • The inner matrix
                            • Releasing judgment, letting go, unconditional love, heaven on earth

                              • If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.

                              Questions? Interested in being a guest? Please email [email protected] or reach out on Instagram.

                              Thank you for listening!

                              1 hr 18 min

                            About Ray Inspired

                            From the publisher's feed

                            Welcome to Ray...Inspired! I’m glad you’re here.