Global Spirit will offer insights into some of mankind’s deepest existential questions, tracing our collective human journey in the timeless quest for truth, wisdom and understanding. http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog en-us Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:55:43 -0800 http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog/post/294/behindthescenes-two-new-shows-in-postproduction 6883966fd8f918a4aa29be29d2c386fb In early September we filmed two shows on the same day: ONE The Movie, featuring a lively discussion between Deepak Chopra and Riane Eisler, and Sound of the Soul, featuring Jewish, Muslim, and Christian guests discussing spiritual music as a vehicle for uniting people of different faiths. The ONE The Movie discussion proved to be unlike any other show taped thus far, as the guests approached the concept of Oneness from very different angles. Deepak described the importance of consciousness, as it connects everything in the universe, and how a scientific understanding of this influences and inspires personal transfomation. Riane came from a more sociological perspective, stating that it's not the transcendent, which will forever be a mystery, but the imminent, and the change we can affect here and now, that fuels her personal spirituality. She seemed to ask, how can we even talk about Oneness, and being united, if we are not first equal?It was a meeting that seemed, to me, challenging and exciting for both the guests and for our production team, and we look forward to presenting Deepak and Riane in a setting and conversation unlike any they've appeared in before.  ***The Sound of the Soul program centers around a documentary of the same title, which explores Morocco's annual Fez Festival of World Sacred Music. The festival brings together incredible musicians of many different faiths, as they celebrate a passion for music as a way of communicating with and connecting to the Divine. The guests for this show include Sarah Talcott, the Youth Programs Director at United Religions Initiative, Marla Kolman Antebi, a community organizer and activist who works with Jewish and interfaith youth groups, and Kabir Helminski, a musician and Sufi sheikh who travels and teaches widely. Also, Sound of the Soul was directed and produced by Stephen Olsson, the Producer of Global Spirit. Learn more about the film here: <a href="http://www.soundofsoul.org/show.asp?content_id=14402" target="_blank">www.soundofsoul.org</a>. And for more info about ONE The Movie, visit: <a href="http://www.onetheproject.com/" target="_blank">www.onetheproject.com</a> Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:48:24 -0700 Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog/post/267/behindthescenes-new-global-spirit-taping-next-week eda80a3d5b344bc40f3bc04f65b7a357 Next Tuesday, best-selling authors Deepak Chopra and Riane Eisler will travel to our San Francisco studio for the taping of a new Global Spirit program.   This episode will feature a discussion of <a href="http://www.onetheproject.com/" target="_blank">ONE The Movie</a>, and will include around 40 minutes of the original film. When considering guests for a discussion of "Oneness," we were working from a list of about ten people who are well versed in &ldquo;Unity Consciousness&rdquo; and we would likely enjoy on the program. But when thinking of how to give the discussion a unique depth, Stephen (the Director/Producer of Global Spirit) realized, "Why don't we bring in two people from the film?" This idea immediately clicked, because the nature of ONE The Movie is to jump quickly from fascinating interview to interview. This is a powerful and entertaining way for the film to raise a variety of issues and allow the audience to hear a variety of perspectives, but Stephen's idea allows for the perfect complement: offering the same guests we heard only briefly to now delve deeper into thoughtful conversation, not only with host Phil Cousineau, but finally, with each other.This is only the first in the next round of new Global Spirit programming! Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:19:31 -0700 Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog/post/251/personal-journeys-how-to-live-what-we-know 19f3cd308f1455b3fa09a282e0d496f4   I really keep coming back to this idea of embodiment. It seems to me that for hundreds of years the spiritual quest has been done in a cave, in the cloisters...in the forest away from humanity and the influences of secular life. Deep practitioners sat on a cushion. They sat on a cushion and went somewhere...to a place of Oneness, to an emptiness, to the simple watching of a chattering mind, but it was not really done IN life. This might just be my impression, but it seems to me that one was supposed to transcend this world in order to be with God. One had to deny the body and the mundane in order to be with God.Maybe that is what we are missing at this time on planet earth. Maybe we are supposed to bring our connection to God into life and somehow live this connection. Maybe that is the richness and juice of life. My sense is that it is...and as I TRY (big sigh) to live this remembrance it seems impossible because of my worries, desires and complete fallibility. But of course this is the practice...when I remember I just bring myself back to trying to love what I am doing...trying to be present in my heart (again, another sigh), especially in traffic (I love to go fast). I am really curious if you think this is important? And how you live this remembrance in your life...what does it look like? How do you live it? Is it possible? Please tell me!!   Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:10:35 -0700 Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog/post/240/behindthescenes-creating-the-next-global-spirit-shows 335f5352088d7d9bf74191e006d8e24c I'm excited about what the Global Spirit team is up to now--creating the next round of new programs for the series. Some of the upcoming topics will include Meditation and the Mind (including cutting-edge scientific research), Dreams, and Spiritual Ecology.It's interesting to me that, in examining such themes, with immense breadth and depth, it becomes somewhat difficult to focus. We want to explore the richness of perspectives and experiences on any given topic, but at the same time, we hope to tighten the range of discussion and themes so that guests can really delve into conversation on a level that is not usually found on television.In this time of brainstorming, we are looking for specific themes and potential guests for upcoming shows, and would be very interested to know your ideas. Please share your comments here and they will be passed onto the whole team of GS producers and discussed in the next meeting. Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:25:26 -0700 Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog/post/232/personal-journeys-dance-of-the-dissident-daughter be83ab3ecd0db773eb2dc1b0a17836a1 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 &ldquo;feminine soul&rdquo; which she defines as a woman&rsquo;s &ldquo;deep resource, her natural instinct, guiding wisdom and power.&rdquo;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&hellip;to your essence.   You start to relate to others and yourself in a more unencumbered way&hellip;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&hellip; thanks to all of you who are taking these steps to find your real self and be a light shining in the world. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:07:45 -0700 Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog/post/194/personal-journeys-remembering-thomas-berry a597e50502f5ff68e3e25b9114205d4a   Two days ago Thomas Berry died. Many of you probably do not know him&hellip; I barely knew him.  I do know that two friends of mine, Drew Dellinger and Brian Swimme, had deep respect for and long term relationships with him.I also know that he was a pioneer. He was a Catholic priest that understood that we cannot survive without each Being playing their part in the great symphony. In his own words -- "In reality there is a single integral community of the Earth... In this community every being has its own role to fulfill, its own dignity, its inner spontaneity. Every being has its own voice..."I had a brief experience with him. He made me feel like I mattered. He was gentle and playful and full of humility.  Here is an excerpt from a poem about him by Drew Dellinger called Carolina Prophet. (<a href="http://www.drewdellinger.org" target="_blank">www.drewdellinger.org</a>)   we were dreamed in the depthsof the undulating ocean.like the waves,we were meant to unfold       like bursting supernovas, birthing elements,    which crucibles give rise to creativity?      the world makes usits instrument. Father Thomas,speaking for stars, in a voiceold as wind: &lsquo;origin momentsare supremely important&rsquo; what are the originsof a prophet?   To learn more about Thomas, you can <a href="http://www.thomasberry.org/" target="_blank">visit his website</a>. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:18:30 -0700 Link Media, Inc. North America http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog/post/192/behind-the-scenes-update-from-the-director-of-from-the-heart-of-the-world 58a2fc6ed39fd083f55d4182bf88826d For all of you who have seen the Global Spirit program "<a href="/globalspirit/kogi">From the Heart of the World</a>," you might find interesting this recent update from the director, Alan Ereira:"I thought you might like to know that have just returned from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, where I was suddenly summoned at the end of April.  I was called to attend a large gathering of Mamas at one of the highest sacred places - a place where I had never been, and where outsiders are not normally welcome.  There was a most remarkable speech, spoken by a very senior male Mama and echoed almost simuItaneously by four female Mamas ("Sagas").  They were, in effect, the voice of the Mother behind his words.  I was allowed to film this on a mini-HD camera. The speech was a statement of their present situation, which they regard as critical ("as serious as the Conquest itself").  They high sacred places are being fatally damaged by soldiers and guerillas, and as a result the life-essence of the planet is failing.  In order to make what is in effect a last-ditch effort to save themselves and the world, they are undertaking a fundamental re-organisation of their way of communicating with the outside world.  They believe that it is still possible to turn things around, and intend to do that over the next four years. I was asked to give a full description of what has taken place with the film and my assessment of it.  I was then told that it is a high priority that I should make a new film with them, to bring Younger Brother to a fuller understanding of their own vision of reality.  They have been preparing for this work for some years, and have trained their own media unit(!) to work with me. The plan they have been discussing is quite astonishing, and I am now waiting to hear exactly how they want to proceed."If you'd like to respond to Alan's message, please leave a comment below! Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0700 Link Media, Inc. South America http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog/post/189/calling-all-global-spirits a2557a7b2e94197ff767970b67041697 After being in production for over 3 years, Global Spirit has launched! It is showing on national television and streaming for free to a world-wide audience online.  We created this blog to accompany the series, with the hope of keeping in touch with the wonderful new people and communities to which this show is appealing. We will approach our blog entries from two different perspectives: 1) Personal Journeys: the real, personal stories and experiences of people who are on spiritual journeys. People who are seeking truth, exploring what it means to be human, and connecting with life in a deeply personal and meaningful way; and 2) Behind-the-Scenes: a look at Global Spirit as a web & television series. We will include updates from the producers and program guests, interviews, book and film recommendations, basically anything related to this world of creating innovative programming on culture, philosophy, spirituality and science. We hope you will help us build a unique and inspiring web community around this blog, by sending comments and impressions our way. We want to know what's interesting, insightful, curious, and exciting about the series and guests, and in your life, so that we can continue to create programs that resonate with you...  Check back soon when we give you Behind the Scenes: Update from Alan Ereira, Director of "From the Heart of the World." In April, he went back to visit the Mamas in Columbia and has some exciting news.Megan McFeely, Director of OutreachAdrianne Anderson, Co-Producer Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700 Link Media, Inc. North Africa Europe Oceania Sub-Saharan Africa Middle East South Asia Asia South America North America Central America http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog/post/167/reconciliation-and-forgiveness 5878a7ab84fb43402106c575658472fa I would like to introduce myself. I am Megan McFeely, the outreach director for Link TV&rsquo;s Global Spirit.  I am also a fellow traveler on the path of personal exploration. I feel it is my individual responsibility to the whole of life to become who I really am&hellip;free of anxieties, fears and beliefs that are outdated &ndash; those things that keep me stuck  -- so that I can be an living example of what it means to be free (I am not there by any means just my lofty goal!)   My posts to this blog will be about my life experiences that relate directly to  the topic of discussion for each show and I would like to encourage you to engage with me by sharing your insights and experiences.I am thinking about reconciliation and it clear to me that it is inextricably linked to forgiveness. One cannot reconcile with out forgiving. I have had several experiences of this in my life from the simple apology that comes after an argument to a long separation from a family member or friend that takes a little more effort.  What I know from this experience is that I have to take responsibility for the hurt I may have caused others. I must recognize what I have done &ndash; see where I may have been out of integrity or where I may have been wrong and own it.  AND I must come from my heart -- it has to be authentic or it has no meaning and will have no impact. To do this it seems that I must feel the pain of having wronged someone and acknowledge their pain &hellip;even feel it, or no true reconciliation can occur.  And from this place  forgiveness seems to just happen. The heart opens and you feel love for the other person.  This is my experience but I would love to hear yours. Thanks for taking this journey with me. Fri, 08 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700 Link Media, Inc. North Africa Europe Oceania Sub-Saharan Africa Middle East South Asia Asia South America North America Central America http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog/post/83/welcome-to-the-global-spirit-blog fe9fc289c3ff0af142b6d3bead98a923 Starting in April 2009, Global Spirit is airing with weekly episodes on topics such as The Spiritual Quest, The Journey Towards Oneness, Art and the Creative Spirit, Earth Wisdom and more. Each program features in-depth discussions with knowledgeable guests from around the world, together with compelling film segments or live performances. Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:17:38 -0700 Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/rss/linktv_rss.gif http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/blog