Many thanks to our funders
and partners:
Kalliopeia Foundation, Fetzer Institute, Compton Foundation, ONE Foundation, Anonymous Donor, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation
"Fascinating program. This is exactly what this country needs at this time. A spiritual quest that is selfless and about gaining knowledge."
"Yes John Cleese, Global Spirit has changed my life. Thank you for the best answers to most of my life questions. " - Jimmy Tucker; Pensacola, FL
"Absolutely inspiring and full of wisdom. Something to revisit over and over again. Thank you Phil for an amazing series." - Joanne
"Watching now... I thought my journey was over, now I see it happily goes on. Thank you for this beautiful, beautiful program!"
"Very moving and healing. Thankful to have learned about this show. Thank you to both teachers for their lessons."
"One of the best and most needed discussions on TV. This should be on prime time every day. I will tell everyone I know about it and will look forward to the next time I can be part of this timely wonder. This is what TV should be about. Thank you so much." - Violet Rose Gold; Chesapeake, VA
"I just watched this show on PBS in Vermont. It is really awesome! I'm so glad to see a program like this on TV!"
"What a wonderful breath of fresh air this show is for TV. Thank you to all who take part in it."
With New Programs and Introductions by John Cleese
On Sundays, beginning May 12, 2013
at 9pm PT & 9pm ET
![]() | "Hello, I'm John Cleese, and welcome to GLOBAL SPIRIT -- the first 'internal travel' series that investigates the most urgent existential, philosophical and spiritual issues of the 21st century. Warning: This series may change your life!"
-- John Cleese | ![]() |
GLOBAL SPIRIT takes a global approach to the exploration of human consciousness, bringing viewers the most compelling ideas, practices and distilled wisdom from different cultures throughout the world.
Presented by John Cleese and hosted by author Phil Cousineau, each GLOBAL SPIRIT program offers insight into some of mankind's oldest existential questions, tracing our collective human journey in the timeless quest for truth, wisdom and understanding.
"The discussions on the 'Global Spirit' series are sorely needed in this dispirited and disenchanted world. In many ways it is more important than journalism today." - Bill Moyers
"Each week [Global Spirit] brings together scholars and other experts from different religious and philosophical backgrounds, not to sell a faith or argue hot-button issues, but to discuss universal themes like forgiveness or the nature of the spiritual journey." - New York Times
![]() | Rumi and the Sufi Path of LoveMay 12 & June 23, 9pm PT & 9pm ET This program transports viewers into the poetry and teachings of the renowned 13th century Sufi philosopher and poet Jalaluddin Rumi with Sufi sheikh Kabir Helminski, and Rumi filmmaker Parisa Soultani, featuring video sequences and Rumi recitations from Coleman Barks, Andrew Harvey, John Cleese and others. |
![]() | Earth Wisdom for a World in CrisisMay 19 & June 30, 9pm PT & 9pm ET This program focuses on the wisdom of indigenous peoples, and the native values and practices that have promoted heightened consciousness, spiritual harmony and a life in balance with nature. Filmed in NYC at a unique gathering of indigenous peoples from around the world at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. |
![]() | Sound of the SoulMay 26 & July 7, 9pm PT & 9pm ET This program is a compelling portrait of an Arab country where Muslims, Christians, and Jews have lived together in peace for centuries. Beautifully photographed during the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, 'Sound of the Soul' presents unforgettable performances from groups from Morocco, Ireland, Afghanistan, Mauritania, the USA, and Portugal, illustrating how music unifies and provides a powerful starting point for reducing conflict and crossing religious divides. |
![]() | In Search of EcstasyJune 2 & July 14, 9pm PT & 9pm ET This program explores the ecstatic state - a global phenomenon found in many spiritual, religious, and wisdom traditions. Studio guests Sobonfu Somé and Andrew Harvey create a lively discussion, interwoven with video segments that transport the audience on a journey inside different cultural expressions of "divine ecstasy," from the Orisha priestesses of Nigeria to the whirling dervishes of Turkey. |
![]() | The Art of Living and DyingJune 9 & July 21, 9pm PT & 9pm ET NOTE: Internet Simulcast June 9, 6pm PT/9pm ET at GlobalSpirit.tv Our most basic understanding of life is in many ways determined by our understanding of death. This program presents a powerful conversation between two dedicated spiritual leaders in the end-of-life movement. Harpist, singer and lay Benedictine Therese Schroeder-Sheker, who founded the Chalice of Repose Project, joins Frank Ostaseski, the Zen Hospice Project co-founder and director of the Metta Institute, to explore how a more conscious relationship to death can radically shift our experience of life. |
![]() | The Interspiritual Dialogue with Father Thomas KeatingJune 16 & July 28, 9pm PT & 9pm ET NOTE: Internet Simulcast June 16, 6pm PT/9pm ET at GlobalSpirit.tv This documentary illustrates a new era of spiritual consciousness and level of communication among many of the world’s spiritual and contemplative traditions. Filmed at the Snowmass Interspiritual gathering, committed spiritual seekers from many faiths come together to uncover and identify the core truths that lie at the heart of all world religions, with Father Keating providing an inspiring combination of reflection and mentorship to all present. |
