Ep. 186 (Part 2 of 2) | In this lively, mind and heart-opening conversation, Miranda Macpherson, contemporary spiritual teacher and author, shares the extraordinary wisdom she has gained from experience—both from the initial life-changing transmission of boundless love she received in Ramana Maharshi’s cave, and from the subsequent need for integration of the deeper truths that were revealed upon being called back “down the mountain,” back to the West to teach and serve. For her, the trick of navigating ordinary life without reconstructing an ego boiled down to three words: What’s needed now? 

Miranda discusses how to show up in the world of today and not let resistance to right action win. “Wake up and love,” she offers. “Take inventory, ask, is there anything in the way of me being openhearted and awake in this moment?” She explains a practice she developed called ego relaxation, emphasizes the power of devotion—the source of strength, love, courage, and motivation—and shares several of the key questions she asks herself in her own practice to keep her receptive to existential grace. Miranda’s inspiring teachings are infused with her foundational sense of divine benevolence; “Grace is alive!” she tells us. And being human, we can embody grace; we can become “grace delivery devices.” Recorded November 1, 2024.

“Being human is a grace delivery device.”

Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2

• After the ascent the descent; "coming down the mountain" (01:28)
• The power of devotion (04:12)
• A mantra carries with it the love, spiritual energy, and devotion of countless beings before us (06:28)
• The power of pilgrimages (08:58)
• Miranda’s practice now: Can I open my heart to all the suffering, let it be understood more completely, and be transformed? (12:22)
• Wake up and love: ask "Is there anything in the way of me being openhearted and awake in the now?" (15:44)
• Practicing with our blind spots (18:46)
• Multitasking is a disaster for spiritual practice (20:22)
• Ramana Maharshi’s transmission in the cave: Be nothing, do nothing, get nothing… be as you are. Rest in God. (22:24)
• Ego relaxation as a practice (23:40)
• Showing up and resting in God at the same time (26:50)
• The divine dance—here we are, learning how to be the best human beings we can be (30:41)
• The divine force always brings forth what is needed, but the gate is humility and surrender (34:24)
• What helps us into a posture of humility? (35:39)
• Appreciating Roger Walsh: do-er and be-er, curious and humble (38:15)
• Being human is a “grace delivery device;” embodying grace—grace is alive! (40:35)
• The importance of yes, of thank you (43:38)

Resources & References – Part 2

• Miranda’s website: MirandaMacpherson.com, The Living Grace Global Sangha
• Miranda Macpherson, The Way of Grace: The Transforming Power of Ego Relaxation
• A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of The Diamond Approach, see also Deep Transformation podcast’s A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series (also available on YouTube)
• Rupert Sheldrake, Science and Spiritual Practices: Transformative Experiences and Their Effects on Our Bodies, Brains, and Health
• Andrew Harvey, author & founder of the Institute for Sacred Activism, The Hope (free audiobook)
• Ramana Maharshi, Indian sage and liberated being, 1879-1950
• G. I. Gurdjieff, In Search of Being: The Fourth Way to Consciousness
• A Course in Miracles, Helen Schucman and the Foundation for Inner Peace
• Sri Aurobindo, The Life Divine
• Roger’s article looking at A Course of Miracles through a Hindu lens: The Perennial Wisdom of A Course in Miracles
• Roger Walsh & Frances Vaughan’s book of excerpts from A Course of Miracles, Accept this Gift 

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Miranda Macpherson is a contemporary spiritual teacher who has been guiding others into direct experience of the sacred for over thirty years internationally. In her twenties she founded the OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation in London, where she trained and ordained over 600 ministers and counsellors. Today Miranda leads the Living Grace Global Sangha, leads retreats internationally, broadcasts extensively, and serves as core faculty at The Shift Network. Unapologetically feminine, joyful, and down to earth in her way of being, Miranda is dedicated to loving people all the way back into the freedom and wholeness of our true nature.

Miranda’s books include The Way of Grace: the Transforming Power of Ego Relaxation (Sounds True), Boundless Love (Rider) and Meditations on Boundless Love (Sounds True), and the Cultivating Grace Card Deck. Miranda is also a kirtan musician and singer with two mantra albums: Streams of Grace and The Heart of Being. Find out more at www.mirandamacpherson.com.

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Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell