Spirit Matters

When the world gets chaotic and uncertain, we need spiritual practice more than ever—not just to sustain our souls and restore our inner peace, but to recharge and prepare ourselves to take on challenges with effective action. A few years ago, Philip Goldberg, the author of “Spiritual

Practice in Crazy Times” and host of the Spirit Matters podcast. interviewed twelve spiritual leaders to help us get through the pandemic. We’re now re-releasing the interviews as an encore series, because the messages are as relevant today as when they first aired.

Mirabai Starr is a celebrated author and expert on mysticism who teaches and speaks in various venues on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialog. Her earlier books taught readers about Christian mystics such as John of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of

Avila. Her more recent books include Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation, and her latest, Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground. In this conversation, she shares the blessings of the Sabbath, the deep meaning of the dark night of the soul, the wisdom of the divine feminine and turning loss into transformation.

When the world gets chaotic and uncertain, we need spiritual practice more than ever—not just to sustain our souls and restore our inner peace, but to recharge and prepare ourselves to take on challenges with effective action. A few years ago, Philip Goldberg, the author of “Spiritual

Practice in Crazy Times” and host of the Spirit Matters podcast. interviewed twelve spiritual leaders to help us get through the pandemic. We’re now re-releasing the interviews as an encore series, because the messages are as relevant today as when they first aired.

The late Sally Kempton was a renowned spiritual teacher and author of books such as Meditation for the Love of It and Awakening Shakti: The Transformative Power of the Goddesses of Yoga.

As Swami Durgananda, she was a monastic in the Siddha Yoga tradition for 20 years,

teaching, editing, and leading workshops.  After setting aside monastic life in 2002 she taught

students around the world until her passing in 2023. In this interview, she shared

yogic wisdom for building resilience, finding meaning in upsets, developing the

inner witness, and integrating the energy centers of the mind, heart, and belly.

When the world gets chaotic and uncertain, we need spiritual practice more than ever—not just to sustain our souls and restore our inner peace, but to recharge and prepare ourselves to take on challenges with effective action. A few years ago, Philip Goldberg, the author of “Spiritual

Practice in Crazy Times” and host of the Spirit Matters podcast. interviewed twelve spiritual leaders to help us get through the pandemic. We’re now re-releasing the interviews as an encore series, because the messages are as relevant today as when they first aired.

Swami Sarvapriyananda is a Hindu monk belonging to the Ramakrishna Order. The current

resident swami and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of New York, he is a renowned expert on Vedanta, the culmination of the ancient Vedic tradition, whose online videos are known for making this practical wisdom easily understandable and accessible. Here he shares traditional teachings on topics such as impermanence, detachment, the true nature of the Self, and the four keys to managing life’s challenges.



When the world gets chaotic and uncertain, we need spiritual practice more than ever—not just to sustain our souls and restore our inner peace, but to recharge and prepare ourselves to take on challenges with effective action. A few years ago, Philip Goldberg, the author of “Spiritual

Practice in Crazy Times” and host of the Spirit Matters podcast. interviewed twelve spiritual leaders to help us get through the pandemic. We’re now re-releasing the interviews as an encore series, because the messages are as relevant today as when they first aired.

Rabbi Rami Shapiro is a self-proclaimed “Jewish practitioner of perennial wisdom,” who was

ordained by Hebrew Union College and earned a Ph.D. in religion from Union Graduate School. He writes the Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler column for Spirituality

and Health magazine and has written more than thirty books, including Holy Rascals – Advice for Spiritual Revolutionaries; The Tao of Solomon: Unlocking the Perennial Wisdom of Ecclesiastes; Judaism Without Tribalism; and his latest, Zen Mind, Jewish Mind: Koan, Midrash, & The Living Word. In this interview, he shares perennial wisdom about grieving for the dead and the dying, addiction and recovery, the profound concept of being surrendered, and what it means to be a holy rascal.



Everyone has heard of Dante Alighieri, the great Italian poet whose Divine Comedy is a staple of Western literature and religion. Some of us have read the monumental poem, or parts of it, while others have a vague idea of Dante's conception of sin and the afterlife. Frank Ambrosio, an associate professor of philosophy, emeritus, at Georgetown University, contends that Dante's great work of art is a guidepost for spiritual development and portrays spiritual transformation through metaphor and imagery. Dr. Ambrosio taught at Georgetown for 40 years after receiving his doctorate from Fordham University. During his professorial tenure, he received five distinct awards for excellence in teaching. He is also the author of Dante and Derrida: Face to Face and the founding director of Georgetown's online platform “My Dante Project,” which takes readers on a unique experience of The Divine Comedy. It has so far been utilized by over 20,000 students worldwide.

When the world gets chaotic and uncertain, we need spiritual practice more than ever—not just to sustain our souls and restore our inner peace, but to recharge and prepare ourselves to take on challenges with effective action. A few years ago, Philip Goldberg, the author of “Spiritual

Practice in Crazy Times” and host of the Spirit Matters podcast. interviewed twelve spiritual leaders to help us get through the pandemic. We’re now re-releasing the interviews as an encore series, because the messages are as relevant today as when they first aired.

Imam Jamal Rahman is the co-founder and Muslim Sufi minister at Interfaith Community

Sanctuary in Seattle. He also teaches at Seattle University and Pacific Lutheran University. A popular speaker on subjects related to Islam, Sufism, and interfaith relations, he has, since 9/11, collaborated with a rabbi and a Christian minister as part of The Interfaith Amigos. The three have toured the country sharing the message of spiritual inclusivity. He is also the author of several books, including Sacred Laughter of the Sufis; Spiritual Gems of Islam: and The Fragrance of Faith: The Enlightened Heart of Islam. He is also coauthor of  Religion Gone Astray; Out of Darkness into Light; and Finding Peace Through Spiritual Practice: The Interfaith Amigos Guide to Personal, Social, and Environmental Healing. Learn more about Jamal here.

Get the book Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times by Philip Goldberg

When the world gets chaotic and uncertain, we need spiritual practice more than ever—not just to sustain our souls and restore our inner peace, but to recharge and prepare ourselves to take on challenges with effective action. A few years ago, Philip Goldberg, the author of “Spiritual

Practice in Crazy Times” and host of the Spirit Matters podcast. interviewed twelve spiritual leaders to help us get through the pandemic. We’re now re-releasing the interviews as an encore series, because the messages are as relevant today as when they first aired.

Father Adam Bucko is an Episcopal priest, an interfaith activist, and a leading voice in

the renewal of contemplative spirituality. Born and raised in Poland under a totalitarian regime, his early exposure to spiritual activism greatly influenced his life trajectory. He is actively involved in social and ecological justice efforts and is leading voice in the movement for engaged spirituality. He is the author of Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision

for a New Generation; The New Monasticism: An Interspiritual Manifesto for

Contemplative Living, and his newest book, Let Your Heartbreak be Your Guide:

Lessons in Engaged Contemplation. and programs that combine contemplative practice with

activism. Adam is currently the director of the Center for Spiritual Imagination, which is located at the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, New York. He lives in New York

with his wife, Kaira Jewel Lingo, a Buddhist teacher and former nun in the community of Thich Nhat Hanh. Together they lead The Buddhist-Christian Community for Meditation and Action. Learn more about Adam here.

Get the book- Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times by Philip Goldberg

When the world gets chaotic and uncertain, we need spiritual practice more than ever—not just to sustain our souls and restore our inner peace, but to recharge and prepare ourselves to take on challenges with effective action. A few years ago, Philip Goldberg, the author of “Spiritual

Practice in Crazy Times” and host of the Spirit Matters podcast. interviewed twelve spiritual leaders to help us get through the pandemic. We’re now re-releasing the interviews as an encore series, because the messages are as relevant today as when they first aired.

Michael Bernard Beckwith is the founder and spiritual director of the Agape International Spiritual Center, a trans-denominational community in Los Angeles. Founded by Rev. Beckwith in 1986 to bring a practical approach to spirituality through meditation, affirmative prayer, and Life Visioning, (his proprietary method for inner transformation and peace), Agape became a hugely popular LA spiritual destination and has since transcended its humble origins to become a global community that welcomes thousands of local members and global live streamers every Sunday. Rev. Michael is the host of the podcast Take Back Your Mind and the bestselling author of books that bridge science and spirituality. They include Life Visioning, The Answer is You, and Spiritual Liberation. He is also co-founder of the Association for Global New Thought and co-chair of the Season for Nonviolence. Learn more about Michael here.

Get the book Spiritual Practice for Crazy Time by Philip Goldberg

When the world gets chaotic and uncertain, we need spiritual practice more than ever—not just to sustain our souls and restore our inner peace, but to recharge and prepare ourselves to take on challenges with effective action. A few years ago, Philip Goldberg, the author of “Spiritual

Practice in Crazy Times” and host of the Spirit Matters podcast. interviewed

twelve spiritual leaders to help us get through the pandemic. We’re now re-releasing

the interviews as an encore series, because the messages are as relevant today

as when they first aired.  

James Finley is a clinical psychologist and a spiritual director, who, early in life, was a cloistered monk in a Trappist monastery and a novice under the tutelage of the renowned ystic and author Thomas Merton. After leaving the monastery, Dr. Finley became a clinical psychologist, a popular leader of retreats and workshops, and a recognized authority on contemplative Christianity and mysticism. He is currently a faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation and a core teacher with The Living School, both organizations founded by Father Richard Rohr. Dr. Finley is also the author of several books and audio sets, including Merton’s Palace of Nowhere; The Contemplative Heart; Christian Meditation: Experiencing

the Presence of God; and his latest, The Healing Path: A Memoir and an

Invitation. Learn more about Jim here.

Get the book Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times by Philip Goldberg

Rabbi Rami Shapiro is a self-proclaimed “Jewish practitioner of perennial wisdom,” who was ordained by Hebrew Union College and earned a Ph.D. in religion from Union Graduate School. He is the codirector of the One River Foundation, writes the Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler column for Spirituality and Health magazine and has written more than thirty books on religion and spirituality. His books include Holy Rascals – Advice for Spiritual

Revolutionaries; The Tao of Solomon: Unlocking the Perennial Wisdom of Ecclesiastes; Judaism Without Tribalism; and his latest, Zen Mind, Jewish Mind: Koan, Midrash, & The Living Word. As I wrote in my endorsement of the last book, “Not into Zen? Not a Jew? Not a problem.

Anyone on any path will benefit enormously from this profoundly illuminating book.” The same is true of this deep and wide-ranging conversation.