Spark My Muse

Neurosurgeon, Dr Eben Alexander was a staunch materialist until his seven day coma (with no brain activity) and a Near Death Experience (NDE). He was given only a 2% chance of survival and no serious chance of a full recovery. He wrote about this incredible period in his life in his best-selling book "Proof of Heaven".

Today, we talk about his NDE, but also about the themes in his fascinating newest book, co-written with his partner Karen Newell, "Living in a Mindful Universe: A Neurosurgeon's Journey Into the Heart of Consciousness”:

- Brain Filter Theory

- Conscious Awareness and Brain States

- Placebo Effect and Healing

- The Mental Universe

- The Measurement Paradox

- Prayer

- Memory and Consciousness and the Brain

- Acoustics such as binaural beats that create hypnogogic states and those benefits

- and much more.

Bonus Features with show notes, links, Reflection Questions, and plenty of extras for this episode are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Support NOW and access those here.. To find out when these show notes will be released FREE-TO-THE-PUBLIC go here.

Find the Official Spark My Muse Website is here. There is plenty to hear, watch, and read.

Plus, you can with or get more information about your host Lisa DeLay, visit the Spark Store (and find t-shirts, hats, socks, and more), get on the newsletter/update list (which gets you a coupon code for the Spark Store too). Besides archived articles, audio episodes, you can find more information about Lisa’s books here!

Enjoy the episode.

Neurosurgeon, Dr Eben Alexander was a staunch materialist until his seven day coma (with no brain activity) and a Near Death Experience (NDE). He was given only a 2% chance of survival and no serious chance of a full recovery. He wrote about this incredible period in his life in his best-selling book "Proof of Heaven".

Today, we talk about his NDE, but also about the themes in his fascinating newest book, co-written with his partner Karen Newell, "Living in a Mindful Universe: A Neurosurgeon's Journey Into the Heart of Consciousness”:

- Brain Filter Theory

- Conscious Awareness and Brain States

- Placebo Effect and Healing

- The Mental Universe

- The Measurement Paradox

- Prayer

- Memory and Consciousness and the Brain

- Acoustics such as binaural beats that create hypnogogic states and those benefits

- and much more.

Bonus Features with show notes, links, Reflection Questions, and plenty of extras for this episode are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Support NOW and access those here.. To find out when these show notes will be released FREE-TO-THE-PUBLIC go here.

Find the Official Spark My Muse Website is here. There is plenty to hear, watch, and read.

Plus, you can with or get more information about your host Lisa DeLay, visit the Spark Store (and find t-shirts, hats, socks, and more), get on the newsletter/update list (which gets you a coupon code for the Spark Store too). Besides archived articles, audio episodes, you can find more information about Lisa’s books here!

Enjoy the episode.

The darkest days lead to new light.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice marks the shortest time of daylight of the year, and then the sun begins to reveal more of itself in the days ahead. For ages this has been celebrated with feasting and the marking of a new year.

For Christians, who can pull back from the consumerism of the culture and era, these dark days of December are a time to reflect deeply on the themes of Advent that are also reflected in the season of darker days. A pregnant young women, Mary, depicted in the books of Luke and Matthew in the New Testament Bible, awaits the birth of the promised Savior, the Messiah of her people. Herein lies many conflicting emotions including faith and doubt, mystery and understanding, light and darkness, hope and fear, joy and sorrow and more.

Today, I share some of what the season's richness means to me as well as share three short and inspiring poems that speak to the obscurity of our inner world and the need to make preparations in the dark and persist nonetheless, for a time of new light in our hearts, that awaits us.

Show Notes and Bonus Features for this episode are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the show notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

The Official Spark My Muse Website is here.

There is plenty to hear, watch, and read. Plus, you can with or get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store (t-shirts, hats, socks, and more), get on my newsletter/update list (which gets you a $5 coupon for the Spark Store too), AND check out lots of my archived articles, audio episodes, and my books here!

Will you please share this episode with someone today?

The darkest days lead to new light.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice marks the shortest time of daylight of the year, and then the sun begins to reveal more of itself in the days ahead. For ages this has been celebrated with feasting and the marking of a new year.

For Christians, who can pull back from the consumerism of the culture and era, these dark days of December are a time to reflect deeply on the themes of Advent that are also reflected in the season of darker days. A pregnant young women, Mary, depicted in the books of Luke and Matthew in the New Testament Bible, awaits the birth of the promised Savior, the Messiah of her people. Herein lies many conflicting emotions including faith and doubt, mystery and understanding, light and darkness, hope and fear, joy and sorrow and more.

Today, I share some of what the season's richness means to me as well as share three short and inspiring poems that speak to the obscurity of our inner world and the need to make preparations in the dark and persist nonetheless, for a time of new light in our hearts, that awaits us.

Show Notes and Bonus Features for this episode are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the show notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

The Official Spark My Muse Website is here.

There is plenty to hear, watch, and read. Plus, you can with or get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store (t-shirts, hats, socks, and more), get on my newsletter/update list (which gets you a $5 coupon for the Spark Store too), AND check out lots of my archived articles, audio episodes, and my books here!

Will you please share this episode with someone today?

The darkest days lead to new light.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice marks the shortest time of daylight of the year, and then the sun begins to reveal more of itself in the days ahead. For ages this has been celebrated with feasting and the marking of a new year.

For Christians, who can pull back from the consumerism of the culture and era, these dark days of December are a time to reflect deeply on the themes of Advent that are also reflected in the season of darker days. A pregnant young women, Mary, depicted in the books of Luke and Matthew in the New Testament Bible, awaits the birth of the promised Savior, the Messiah of her people. Herein lies many conflicting emotions including faith and doubt, mystery and understanding, light and darkness, hope and fear, joy and sorrow and more.

Today, I share some of what the season's richness means to me as well as share three short and inspiring poems that speak to the obscurity of our inner world and the need to make preparations in the dark and persist nonetheless, for a time of new light in our hearts, that awaits us.

Show Notes and Bonus Features for this episode are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the show notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

The Official Spark My Muse Website is here.

There is plenty to hear, watch, and read. Plus, you can with or get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store (t-shirts, hats, socks, and more), get on my newsletter/update list (which gets you a $5 coupon for the Spark Store too), AND check out lots of my archived articles, audio episodes, and my books here!

Will you please share this episode with someone today?

The darkest days lead to new light.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice marks the shortest time of daylight of the year, and then the sun begins to reveal more of itself in the days ahead. For ages this has been celebrated with feasting and the marking of a new year.

For Christians, who can pull back from the consumerism of the culture and era, these dark days of December are a time to reflect deeply on the themes of Advent that are also reflected in the season of darker days. A pregnant young women, Mary, depicted in the books of Luke and Matthew in the New Testament Bible, awaits the birth of the promised Savior, the Messiah of her people. Herein lies many conflicting emotions including faith and doubt, mystery and understanding, light and darkness, hope and fear, joy and sorrow and more.

Today, I share some of what the season's richness means to me as well as share three short and inspiring poems that speak to the obscurity of our inner world and the need to make preparations in the dark and persist nonetheless, for a time of new light in our hearts, that awaits us.

Show Notes and Bonus Features for this episode are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the show notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

The Official Spark My Muse Website is here.

There is plenty to hear, watch, and read. Plus, you can with or get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store (t-shirts, hats, socks, and more), get on my newsletter/update list (which gets you a $5 coupon for the Spark Store too), AND check out lots of my archived articles, audio episodes, and my books here!

Will you please share this episode with someone today?

What happens if we ask our pain questions?

What occurs when we offer ourselves witness?

Teacher, coach and host of Best of Ourselves podcast, Marcia Hyatt joins me today to converse about something few of us do: hold our pain and learn from the discomfort and the questions we ask of it.

We cover topics I've enjoyed from her fantastic podcast and what they can mean for growth, increased compassion, and wholeness in our lives and toward others:

• Spiritual Hospitality with the kind of Listening (witness) that makes space for the other

• The steps to sitting with pain instead of numbing or "turning the channel"

• Noticing and subduing the Inner Critic

• Creating spaciousness when we need it most

• Habits and practices that keep us aware and improving

(and more...but you already knew that!)

The show notes are quite valuable this episode and contain all the authors and books and ways to the resources that Marcia mentions during our talk.

They are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the sow notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

And please enjoy a stop at the Official Spark My Muse Websitehere.

There you can get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store, get on the newsletter list (and get a $5 coupon for the store too), and check out lots of archived articles and audio episodes here!

Please share this episode with someone today.What happens if we ask our pain questions?

What occurs when we offer ourselves witness?

Teacher, coach and host of Best of Ourselves podcast, Marcia Hyatt joins me today to converse about something few of us do: hold our pain and learn from the discomfort and the questions we ask of it.

We cover topics I've enjoyed from her fantastic podcast and what they can mean for growth, increased compassion, and wholeness in our lives and toward others:

• Spiritual Hospitality with the kind of Listening (witness) that makes space for the other

• The steps to sitting with pain instead of numbing or "turning the channel"

• Noticing and subduing the Inner Critic

• Creating spaciousness when we need it most

• Habits and practices that keep us aware and improving

(and more...but you already knew that!)

The show notes are quite valuable this episode and contain all the authors and books and ways to the resources that Marcia mentions during our talk.

They are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the show notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

And please enjoy a stop at the Official Spark My Muse Websitehere.

There you can get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store, get on the newsletter list (and get a $5 coupon for the store too), and check out lots of archived articles and audio episodes here!

Please share this episode with someone today.

What happens if we ask our pain questions?

What occurs when we offer ourselves witness?

Teacher, coach and host of Best of Ourselves podcast, Marcia Hyatt joins me today to converse about something few of us do: hold our pain and learn from the discomfort and the questions we ask of it.

We cover topics I've enjoyed from her fantastic podcast and what they can mean for growth, increased compassion, and wholeness in our lives and toward others:

• Spiritual Hospitality with the kind of Listening (witness) that makes space for the other

• The steps to sitting with pain instead of numbing or "turning the channel"

• Noticing and subduing the Inner Critic

• Creating spaciousness when we need it most

• Habits and practices that keep us aware and improving

(and more...but you already knew that!)

The show notes are quite valuable this episode and contain all the authors and books and ways to the resources that Marcia mentions during our talk.

They are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the sow notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

And please enjoy a stop at the Official Spark My Muse Websitehere.

There you can get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store, get on the newsletter list (and get a $5 coupon for the store too), and check out lots of archived articles and audio episodes here!

Please share this episode with someone today.What happens if we ask our pain questions?

What occurs when we offer ourselves witness?

Teacher, coach and host of Best of Ourselves podcast, Marcia Hyatt joins me today to converse about something few of us do: hold our pain and learn from the discomfort and the questions we ask of it.

We cover topics I've enjoyed from her fantastic podcast and what they can mean for growth, increased compassion, and wholeness in our lives and toward others:

• Spiritual Hospitality with the kind of Listening (witness) that makes space for the other

• The steps to sitting with pain instead of numbing or "turning the channel"

• Noticing and subduing the Inner Critic

• Creating spaciousness when we need it most

• Habits and practices that keep us aware and improving

(and more...but you already knew that!)

The show notes are quite valuable this episode and contain all the authors and books and ways to the resources that Marcia mentions during our talk.

They are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the show notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

And please enjoy a stop at the Official Spark My Muse Websitehere.

There you can get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store, get on the newsletter list (and get a $5 coupon for the store too), and check out lots of archived articles and audio episodes here!

Please share this episode with someone today.

What happens if we ask our pain questions?

What occurs when we offer ourselves witness?

Teacher, coach and host of Best of Ourselves podcast, Marcia Hyatt joins me today to converse about something few of us do: hold our pain and learn from the discomfort and the questions we ask of it.

We cover topics I've enjoyed from her fantastic podcast and what they can mean for growth, increased compassion, and wholeness in our lives and toward others:

• Spiritual Hospitality with the kind of Listening (witness) that makes space for the other

• The steps to sitting with pain instead of numbing or "turning the channel"

• Noticing and subduing the Inner Critic

• Creating spaciousness when we need it most

• Habits and practices that keep us aware and improving

(and more...but you already knew that!)

The show notes are quite valuable this episode and contain all the authors and books and ways to the resources that Marcia mentions during our talk.

They are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the sow notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

And please enjoy a stop at the Official Spark My Muse Websitehere.

There you can get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store, get on the newsletter list (and get a $5 coupon for the store too), and check out lots of archived articles and audio episodes here!

Please share this episode with someone today.What happens if we ask our pain questions?

What occurs when we offer ourselves witness?

Teacher, coach and host of Best of Ourselves podcast, Marcia Hyatt joins me today to converse about something few of us do: hold our pain and learn from the discomfort and the questions we ask of it.

We cover topics I've enjoyed from her fantastic podcast and what they can mean for growth, increased compassion, and wholeness in our lives and toward others:

• Spiritual Hospitality with the kind of Listening (witness) that makes space for the other

• The steps to sitting with pain instead of numbing or "turning the channel"

• Noticing and subduing the Inner Critic

• Creating spaciousness when we need it most

• Habits and practices that keep us aware and improving

(and more...but you already knew that!)

The show notes are quite valuable this episode and contain all the authors and books and ways to the resources that Marcia mentions during our talk.

They are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the show notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

And please enjoy a stop at the Official Spark My Muse Websitehere.

There you can get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store, get on the newsletter list (and get a $5 coupon for the store too), and check out lots of archived articles and audio episodes here!

Please share this episode with someone today.

What happens if we ask our pain questions?

What occurs when we offer ourselves witness?

Teacher, coach and host of Best of Ourselves podcast, Marcia Hyatt joins me today to converse about something few of us do: hold our pain and learn from the discomfort and the questions we ask of it.

We cover topics I've enjoyed from her fantastic podcast and what they can mean for growth, increased compassion, and wholeness in our lives and toward others:

• Spiritual Hospitality with the kind of Listening (witness) that makes space for the other

• The steps to sitting with pain instead of numbing or "turning the channel"

• Noticing and subduing the Inner Critic

• Creating spaciousness when we need it most

• Habits and practices that keep us aware and improving

(and more...but you already knew that!)

The show notes are quite valuable this episode and contain all the authors and books and ways to the resources that Marcia mentions during our talk.

They are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the sow notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

And please enjoy a stop at the Official Spark My Muse Websitehere.

There you can get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store, get on the newsletter list (and get a $5 coupon for the store too), and check out lots of archived articles and audio episodes here!

Please share this episode with someone today.What happens if we ask our pain questions?

What occurs when we offer ourselves witness?

Teacher, coach and host of Best of Ourselves podcast, Marcia Hyatt joins me today to converse about something few of us do: hold our pain and learn from the discomfort and the questions we ask of it.

We cover topics I've enjoyed from her fantastic podcast and what they can mean for growth, increased compassion, and wholeness in our lives and toward others:

• Spiritual Hospitality with the kind of Listening (witness) that makes space for the other

• The steps to sitting with pain instead of numbing or "turning the channel"

• Noticing and subduing the Inner Critic

• Creating spaciousness when we need it most

• Habits and practices that keep us aware and improving

(and more...but you already knew that!)

The show notes are quite valuable this episode and contain all the authors and books and ways to the resources that Marcia mentions during our talk.

They are FREE to all patron supporters of the show. Access them here.. To find out when the show notes are being released FREE to the public go here.

And please enjoy a stop at the Official Spark My Muse Websitehere.

There you can get more information about Lisa DeLay, (that's me, your host,) visit the Spark Store, get on the newsletter list (and get a $5 coupon for the store too), and check out lots of archived articles and audio episodes here!

Please share this episode with someone today.