This is a continuation of a conversation I had with the lovely human being and great shaman Sandra Ingerman.

Interview with Sandra Ingerman, Part 2 by global_spirit

In this podcast we talk about:

How joy and love are our responsibility to the future.
How can an really listen to what the earth needs from us.
Sandra’s work with Fundamentalist Christians.
Shamanism and the the Bible.
What is the difference between Shamanism and Mysticism?
Integrating mystical experience.

Again, we would love to hear your comments here or on Facebook.
Much Gratitude.

Megan

I just read this book called Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. Very moving and in my opinion relevant to the current ecological situation. She was raised Christian, but found that this tradition could not honor or help her connect to what she calls her “feminine soul” which she defines as a woman’s “deep resource, her natural instinct, guiding wisdom and power.”

For me it was really about the internal journey one takes that delivers you to a sacred place inside. Reintroduces you to you. This journey changes you fundamentally. It can take you closer to your natural way of being…to your essence.   You start to relate to others and yourself in a more unencumbered way…less shoulds, fears and ways to stop yourself.  It was so hopeful to read about a woman who allowed this journey to unfold inside her even though the thought of changing her life, losing what she had built and living in the moment terrified her. It takes terrific courage to let go of what we know and she writes about her vulnerability and personal challenges with such grace and elegance. This book is another example of what this series is about and it really shows me once again we are on to something… thanks to all of you who are taking these steps to find your real self and be a light shining in the world.

Anyone who watched to Pope and the mixed reactions he recieved from Jews and Muslims, is probably wondering how many Christians are left in Palestine. What is the future of Christians in the Middle East?

The influence of national poltical parties is shrinking, and movements like the Muslim brotherhood and others are gaining power. As the Middle East has turned against the influence of Western-based culture and politics, more and more Christians have turned to immigration as a solution. Christians have left Palestine, out and away from the Israeli occupation, but also in other countries they feel diminished, and are struggling with their identity, which was a National-Patriot based identity and not religion based. The green flag waving over many demonstrations and meetings in the Middle East begs the question if, as a minority, are they really welcome? See the mass slaughter of Pigs in Egypt which followed the Swine Flu. The Copts in Egypt are a tiny minority tolerated as garbage collectors. The slaughter of the pigs cleary did not happen for medical reasons.

For me, the question is what do Muslims in the Arab world know about Christianity? What are the similarites between Christian ignorance about Islam in the West and ignorance about other religions in the Middle East?