Running from mistakes of the past, a man finds a secret book with ancient powers – a tool that can give him the answers he seeks. But a Dark Force has been awoken… one that will stop at nothing to reclaim the sacred text. When the book is stolen, an age long battle resumes. But his teacher: a “Wayshower”, can only show him the path to victory, for he must win this epic battle on his own.

The Wayshower is a fascinating movie about a man who must learn how to overcome his personal demons in order to move forward in life. One of the most unique aspects of the film is that it uses images and cinematography to visually portray the inner conflict that can take place within us and how we can deal with the shadowy or dark aspects of our self.

I had a chance to interview the director and actor of the film, Jsu Garcia. In our conversation, Jsu talks about how he used his inner voice to make the film, what it was like working with co-star Eric Roberts and some of the technical challenges of making a movie that shows characters learning spiritual lessons and going through personal transformations.

You can listen to our interview by clicking the button below.

The Wayshower Premiere will be at the ArcLight Cinerama Dome on March 8th. For more information on how you can watch The Wayshower, please visit http://thewayshower.com/

Please find below a free downloadable MP3 recording of a Teleseminar with Chris Cades’s on Internet marketing strategies for conscious entrepreneurs.

On the Teleseminar, Chris explained:

• What type of text, images, and music to put in an online video to make it go viral and get thousands of views
• Internet marketing strategies he used to help his “Life is Like a Cup of Coffee” inspirational video gain over 2 MILLION views on YouTube
• Specific advice to get more traffic to your web site, build your email list, and monetize your online presence in a way that has integrity and authenticity

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

CLICK HERE to Download Chris Cade MP3

I spoke to Guy Finley about his new book, The Courage to Be Free: Discover Your Original Fearless Self. With over 400 television and radio shows over the past 25 years and 4,000 self-realization seminars, Guy has a unique and insightful perspective on what it takes to overcome your fears…

Our conversation really dives into the tough questions such as why people are motivated by fear, how we can overcome our fears (even if we are facing the prospect of foreclosure, financial difficulties or an unsatisfying career) and even his thoughts on the relationship between fear and beauty…

That was really an eye-opening part of the conversation for me. Guy told me that when we are in a state of fear, then we can never appreciate beauty in our life because we are living in a state of resistance. That really made me realize how much we miss out on in life when we let our self be guided by our fears. Alternatively, when we choose to let go of our fear then we become open to possibilities that would not exist by giving in to our fears.

You can listen to our who conversation by clicking the button below

Guy is also giving away a free self realization starter kit to anyone if you click here.

Linda Star Wolf has been a visionary teacher and shamanic guide to thousands of people over the last 35 years. Starting out as a therapist in the mental health and addictions fields in the 1980s, Star Wolf is a nationally certified alcohol and drug counselor who draws from her personal experience of recovery from addiction. Dedicating her life to helping others to release dysfunctional patterns of all kinds and to radically transform their lives, she teaches people how to awaken to the BIGGER picture, embody their own inner Visionary Shaman and step into a life of passionate purpose.

Linda and Anne Dillon are co-authors of “Visionary Shamanism: Activating the imaginal cells of the human energy field.”
Below is an interview with Linda Star Wolf…

1. Despite these volatile times, you want us to know there is hope. How does Shamanism figure in to this and how can it help our world?

The universe has existed for billions of years and the Earth has been around for somewhere between 3.5 and 7 billion years. There is a much a bigger story than one person, one nation or even one world. The Shamanic perspective understands that we are all inherently connected. Shamanism is a big enough concept that embraces humanity, all of the creatures and the cosmos. It teaches us that we can listen to our bodies, minds, spirits and emotions and gather wisdom from the spiritual realms, the natural world, the past, the present and the future in order to give birth to new ways of being. My hope is that we have reached a time within our human journey when evolution has sped up. It no longer takes generations to change something. Now we can make our life anew several times in one life time by letting go of what is not working (a job, a relationship, an addiction, a way of treating our planet) and creating something new in it’s place.

2. What is Shamanic Breathwork™ and why does it matter?

The Shamanic Breathwork™Process is a highly transformative and accelerated journey to be the best we can be. We reach this higher self by releasing past experiences that keep us stuck, dealing with our present selves, and by opening up to our future selves – our visions and dreams of who we are becoming. Shamanic Breathwork™ uses a combination of a cyclical breathing technique, evocative trance music, focused body work, art processes, group sharing and ceremony to release whatever is holding us back in life. It helps each person find their unique connection to the Divine and get clarity about next right actions for making real change. We need accelerated practices like this during these accelerated times. We must transform ourselves now, open ourselves up to a much bigger picture of what is possible and go about co-creating a new future for our lives and for our planet.

3. How has your own battle with addiction helped you to help others?

There’s been tons of research on recovery from addictions. The number one thing that people say helps them feel safe enough to talk about their deepest issues is when they feel met and understood. It is much easier to have that kind of empathy when you’ve had similar experiences. My own experience with addiction gives me a tremendous amount of compassion and respect for what people are going through. Part of my own inner belief system is that we are all addicted to something whether it is TV, caffeine, sugar, exercise, credit, and petroleum. If we can each think of one thing that we are having a hard time giving up, perhaps we can have more compassion and understanding for someone struggling with a more debilitating addiction.

4. You believe it’s important to learn not just from the past, but also to download information from the future. How can that be possible?

In breathwork, we travel to the past, to everything that has ever happened in this lifetime or other lifetimes because it is all contained in the cellular memory and DNA. We visit the past, release the energy that is stuck and then we are able to create a new energetic feeling so we have effectively changed the past. If we can revisit the past and change how we think and feel about it in the present then why do we think that we cannot also visit the future and use that vision to change the present?

5. What does Venus Rising mean and how does it deal with such psychological issues like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, and addiction?

Venus Rising was a name I heard in my head 16 years ago as I was coming out of a very difficult time of grief and loss in my own personal and professional life. The energy of Venus is about Higher Love and Wisdom, about rising above drama, trauma and old patterns. I created Venus Rising for my own rebirth so I could bring my sacred purpose forth more fully our own psyches and help others to heal their own psyches, we heal the world around us.

Venus Rising has helped thousands transform issues like PTSD, depression, anxiety and addiction. People in traditional mental health are often very concerned about the lack of real healing happening with these conditions. Through the breathwork we help people to touch into extreme states that need to be brought forth and healed. We understand that everything that has ever happened in our lives is held in the body, in the cellular memory. Whenever something traumatic happens to us, part of being human is that we have this really incredible skill of disassociation. Part of us disassociates from the experience because it seems too painful or scary at the time to really fully feel what is happening. This could be combat in a war, a car wreck or injury, losing a relationship or a loved one or not getting the kind of nurturing we needed as children. Whatever the traumatic experience was, it is still alive in our bodies until it can be felt and released. This release allows real healing to happen and it frees up our energy to get on with really living instead of working so hard to keep those feelings at bay all the time.

6. Shamanic Breathwork™ has conquered addictions and stress related diseases, without medications. How can it help us to heal our world?

Shamanic Breathwork works with the whole person – body, mind, spirit and emotions- and it is guided by the person’s own inner healer. Once this self-healing takes place, people are much more able to let go of their dysfunctional patterns and step up into lives of passionate service. Every person affects at least 100 people in their own lives. If 20 people heal themselves, 2,000 people are touched by their transformation. This can translate into global healing. The answer is to be the change we want to see.

7. How has Breathe America~Breathe the World helped to spread goodwill?

Breathe America~Breathe the World are free days of Shamanic Breathwork offered by Venus Rising Staff and by our congregations around the world. Breathwork has supported me for nearly three decades. It’s been good to me on every level – my own healing, the healing of many of my friends and family, healing for my clients. It is my sacred work in the world and my right livelihood. My staff and many facilitators around the world are now living their sacred purpose and their right livelihood with Shamanic Breathwork, too. Breathe America~Breathe the World is our way of giving back. I’d like to see doctors and lawyers and professionals of all kinds all over the world give away their skills at least one day every year . It would create an awful lot of good will in the world.

8. Where will our planet be in 50 years if we don’t take action now?

If we continue in the same path for the next 50 years, it is very probable that we will be in a much more extreme state of breakdown than we are currently experiencing. Having said that, I also believe that if we just look at the past 20 – 25 years, we can see that there has been massive awakening of consciousness. We can see it in spiritual movements, in the development of green technology, in the young people who are protesting corporate greed and repressive governments all over the world in massive numbers. The quicker we can raise consciousness, the quicker people can feel empowered and step into their sacred purpose, the quicker we can create an optimistic 2062.

9. Why is it in our enlightened self-interest to do good for mankind?

I’ve come to learn that if I am doing something that fills me up, brings love out of my heart, is passionate and brings a sense of well being into my life, it helps me to awaken and support others in finding their joy. It becomes a win-win-win situation. When I help another person to awaken and find joy, that person is served. Each person touches the lives of at least 100 other people – so all of those people are being served. I’m being served because it is supporting what I love to do and my right livelihood – and therefore it is serving my children and grandchildren. When we do good for mankind we create a better world for 7 generations.

10. How can we change the mindset of those who are resistant to change?

In terms of people whose minds are set, there are basically two sets of people: those who are so comfortable that they have no desire to change, and those who are numb and have given up hope that change is possible. The way to reach those people is to be the sort of person that attracts people to you. If we really change our own lives and then put ourselves out there as happier, more integrated people who are living more fully, people will notice that. They will say, “There is just something about you!” Then the people come to us. And when they come to us they are essentially saying, “Help me change my mind.” There are tons of ways that we can educate and transmit information, through books, classes, speeches and so on, but the most important way is by how we live.

11. If we’re not aware of what the blocks from our past are, how can we possibly heal them?

Sometimes it helps not to know. Sometimes people have done a ton of therapy when they come to us and they think they know what all their issues are. The best way to do this process is to create a blank slate of your expectations and be open to see what comes up. Shamanic Breathwork can really by-pass the mind and our pre-determined judgments and beliefs about ourselves. When we breathe, a new consciousness and awareness comes right up. Shamanic Breathwork by-passes the ego and shows us our patterns from a higher perspective, without judgment. It’s simply a new awareness that makes it clear what needs to change for our well being. And then we begin to make real changes in our lives.

12. A New Kind of Minister Is Helping People From all Walks of Life: What is the Shamanic Ministers Global Network and how can it help us to accelerate our spiritual evolution?

It is comprised of ministers ordained by Venus Rising to help awaken consciousness and accelerate transformation in the world. It is not limited by creed, religion, belief system or geography. It is global in it’s perspective and can be incorporated into any belief system that is life affirming. Shamanic Ministers share a common understanding that all healing starts from within, that we all possess our own direct connection to the Divine, and that as we heal ourselves, we can heal the world.

13. If there were one message you could impart what would it be?

It’s not too late! I see miracles happen every day. I watch people change all the time. There are so many people waking up. I look back at what I have been able to create in relatively hostile conditions in my own life and I imagine what people might be able to create now in a more advanced, awakened world. Right now, right here, we all have the chance to become visionaries, to let go of dysfunctional patterns and to create a new future. It is time for us to own our Divinity and do our part to inspire others. Humanity can awaken much more quickly- but it won’t happen unless I do it, unless you do it, unless we do it together…

Star Wolf has upcoming events in such cities as Portland – 2/22 – 2/25, Seattle – 2/17 & 2/18, and Asheville, North Carolina – 3/9 & 3/24. For more information you can visit her web site at http://shamanicbreathwork.org/

Rahi Chun is a working actor in Hollywood and producer of the Authentic Listening Series, an interview series with entertainment Leaders highlighting how their inner journeys of spiritual consciousness are affecting their outer journey as a Creative Executive. He as appeared in numerous movies and TV shows including Dumb and Dumber, House and Scrubs.

I recently had the chance to interview him and he spoke about:

1) Working as an Actor in mainstream “Hollywood” projects for the past 20 years

2) Working as a coach for Entertainment Executives (mostly writers) and their issues of consciousness that arise

3) The Authentic Listening Series and the issues explored by Entertainment leaders in regards to their journey of personal consciousness and how it has influenced their decision making.

Rahi also offered some practical advice on NOT taking rejection personally, honoring your inner Light and avoiding self-abandonment.

You can listen to our interview by clicking the play button below:

Please visit http://www.authenticlistening.com to watch Rahi’s Authentic Listening Series and visit http://www.beingtruelifecoaching.com for more information on Rahi’s coaching work.

Rick Stack, M.S. Ed., was a student of Seth & Jane Roberts and personally attended over 100 Seth sessions given in Jane Roberts’ classes in Elmira, NY. He is the President of New Awareness Network Inc., “The Seth Bookstore” and publisher/editor of The Seth Audio Collection, The Early Sessions (Books 1-9 of the Seth Material), The Personal Sessions, and other books by Jane Roberts. Author of “Out Of Body Adventures” (Contemporary Books 1988), he has been teaching workshops on the Seth material, Dreams, Out of Body Experiences and metaphysics throughout the United States and abroad for over 35 years. Below is an interview with him about his work…

1. What is your relationship to Jane Roberts and Seth?

I traveled 500 miles every week to study directly with Seth and Jane Roberts in the 1970’s, during which I witnessed over 100 Seth sessions. Later on I became one of the main publishers of the Seth books.

2. What kind of an impact did they have on you?

My study with Seth has led to a spiritual growth and understanding that has positively affected every corner of my life. In addition to creating fulfillment in my physical life, (successful businesses, love & family, friendships, health, happiness) it has led to inner exploration, out of body experiences, lucid dreams etc, which have vastly increased my comprehension of myself, our multi-dimensional universe and the greater purpose of human existence.

3. What kind of impact did they have on the world?

Many people feel that the Seth material literally launched the so called “New Age” philosophical movement and his teachings were incorporated by many New Age authors and teachers. Seth coined the now familiar phrase “you create your own reality”. Many of the 32 books dictated by Seth through Jane Roberts (plus 9 related books by Jane Roberts) have been translated into multiple languages and have rippled out to affect people throughout the globe. For example, sales of the Seth books in Mandarin are currently growing at a fast pace. The recently formed Seth Educational Foundation in Taiwan is headed up by a respected MD/Psychiatrist who runs a Seth Clinic for treating physical and mental disease. Seth’s work has withstood the test of time and is arguably still the most comprehensive and advanced body of work on human potential, spiritual growth and the now popular concept of “the law of attraction”.

4. Why do Seth and Jane Roberts still resonate with millions of readers even after she’s been gone for over 25 years?

Many Seth readers say that when they pick up their first Seth book, it strikes a tone of truth within them that they have never seen described in so clear a fashion, and yet they have sensed this knowledge all their lives. Seth is not a guru, his books teach that each person is an important part of the universe and has access to the same knowledge that he possesses. No one can hand you that knowledge, but Seth’s works help point the way.

5. Do people need to believe in psychic phenomena to benefit from Seth’s message?

I think an individual who doesn’t believe in psychic phenomena could benefit from reading Seth’s books. Yet, the existence of so called “psychic abilities” in human beings is now a matter of scientific record. Such things as ESP, precognition, DMIL (Direct Mental Influence of Living Systems) have been extensively demonstrated in laboratories throughout the world. Those that are not ready for this information may not be ready for Seth.

6. One of Seth’s most famous remarks is “We can change our reality.” How can we?

You get what you concentrate upon. You create your reality in accordance with your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, imagination and expectation. You change your reality by learning how to change these. Seth says “All you have to do is realize that you are free, that you form reality as you know it, through your most intimate desires and thoughts and fears. You change the exterior circumstances by changing your thoughts, and your desires, and by forgetting your fears. There is no other way. There has never been another way.”

7. You teach that Seth can help us break free from stubborn cultural limiting beliefs. How?

The how is in the 32 Seth books! Here is a nutshell explanation. You learn to recognize the limiting beliefs and how to replace them with (far) more constructive and life-giving beliefs. You learn how to “trigger” higher states of consciousness which allow you to step out of the old framework of stubborn cultural limiting beliefs, and into the new way of seeing through the old beliefs.

8. What is the greatest benefit in following the teachings of Seth?

I can’t choose which one’s the greatest, but here are some choices…exuberant health, spiritual illumination, deeper veins of love, abundance, fulfillment, and safety in all areas.

9. In addition to teaching about Seth, you are a dream and Out of Body Experience expert. Why do you believe dreams are the doorway to inner knowledge and power?

There are many examples of scientists, composers, inventors and authors, who received inspiration in the dream state. Many philosophies throughout history teach the value of the dream state. But aside from my studies, my belief in the value of dreams and out of body experiences is based on my experience of the direct comprehension and practical applications I received from working with my own dreams and inner reality.

10. You show students how to tune into “higher” states of consciousness and move to a more expansive and empowering way of life. Can you elaborate?

Throughout the body of the Seth material, he discusses a major step in our growth, which involves moving out of the “official line of consciousness”- the conventional framework of viewing reality. Seth encourages us to take steps that lead to a new birth of consciousness, a new far more effective and far more expansive mode of operation, that he has alternately described as the “higher intellect,” an “expansion of identity,” or “the spacious mind.” For those interested we have an introduction to Seth website with free audio at www.sethlearningcenter.org, an educational site at www.sethinstitute.org, and The Seth Bookstore and Audio collection at www.sethcenter.com. Contact Rick Stack at sumari@sethcenter.com

Stripped of everything he held dear – executive position, money, status and most importantly family – Don Mordasini realized life was over as he knew it … as a stockbroker. As vice president of Dean Witter and Co. he learned the brutal truth of the old adage, “There is no free lunch on Wall Street.” Don had earned success the hard way – long hours and hard work. He knew the challenges of holding a demanding job, while parenting and partnering during good and bad times. The reward for his efforts was over. The “good” life had been cut short.

As a successful stockbroker Don hit the wall, so at mid life he began a psycho-spiritual quest that led to becoming a psychotherapist. He trekked the Himalayas, studied ancient scriptures and spent hours in spiritual practices under the guidance of his teacher in India…

I recently had a chance to interview Don about his journey and new book, Princes & Ogres: Integration of Psyche and Soul. You can listen to our entire interview by clicking the play button or read a portion of the transcript of our conversation which is copied below….

Matthew Welsh (MW): How did you come up with the title of your book, Princes and Ogres?

Don Mordasini (DM): I took the title from a Joseph Campbell myth “Prince Five Weapons.” A young prince (very pride-full) enters a deep forest and encounters an enormous beastly ogre. He is nearly vanquished in battle using weapons of his ego. As he faces death he calls upon deep wisdom and masters the ogre which then becomes his aide in guiding others through the forest.

MW: Your writing is very reader friendly since you intersperse personal examples with ancient stories. Is this why you decided to share your wisdom through ancient heroes and heroines?

DM: …the book is reader friendly because I use case histories of those I work with as well as stories about myself that make the book more than a catalogue of interesting wisdom stories. I like to show that we are heroes when we stand into the face of job loss, relationship breakdown and the trials that come our way. Most of the stories are from ancient sources to show that man has been in heroic battle against the projection of the ego since ancient times.

MW: Can you give me a sample of a brief wisdom story, the imbedded psychological theme and how someone actually applied it to their lives so listeners can get an idea of your book and its practical application.

DM: Yes, “The Snake That Wouldn’t Hiss” will give you an example of how we can benefit from wisdom stories and show how practical they are today.

One day a holy man wandered into a village. Following a brief rest and light meal a group of villagers sat around him eager to hear his wise stories and receive his blessings. The next day as he was ready to depart, the villagers advised him not to leave by a certain road because there was a vicious snake on that road that would bite him.  Ignoring their pleas he followed the dangerous path out of the village. Before long a hugh snake appeared and asked the holy man for some spiritual advice. Feeling sorry for the snake he gave his blessing and a bit of sound spiritual wisdom then continued on his way.

Sometime later following the saint’s advice the snake allowed the bravest of the children to touch and play gently with it. Children being children – became emboldened and starting playing rough with the gentle snake. The snake put up with this behavior because it wanted to be ‘holy’. Eventually the children began to abuse the snake hurling it around and stomping on it. Eventually the snake was left by the roadside for dead.

Many years passed and the holy man returned to the village. As he approached he heard a faint voice crying out for help. He failed to recognize the snake in its battered condition. He asked the snake what happened and the snake recounted the years of punishment it endured because it was advised not to bite anyone less it might jeopardize the welfare of its soul. It told the wise man it just wanted to be a simple spiritual snake.

The holy man was puzzled by the snake’s answer and shook his head. Then he replied, “You didn’t have to bite and hurt the children but you certainly could have hissed”.

The psychological message I write in Princes and Ogres is that we must develop boundaries to protect ourselves because we live in a material world and we must take responsibility for our own protection. We cannot pray and ask God to take care of the things we have resources to take care of our selves.

In Princes and Ogres… I point out that our ego protects us in many ways and we are required to draw boundaries, set limits, speak up and assert to get our needs met so life doesn’t walk over us.

I then tell the story of Naomi, a gifted psychic who failed to ask for payment for her services and often took calls late at night when she was exhausted to please her clients. She thought that being ‘spiritual’ people would understand her needs. She was dead wrong. After several meetings it was clear she was afraid to assert. Like our saintly snake, I told her that she needed to take care of herself. This simply meant setting limits with her clients that infringed on her privacy and asking for payment at the time of her readings. I stayed in touch with Naomi and occasionally would ask her, “Did you hiss.” She laughed and said that she put up a sign asking for payment at the end of each visit and set a work schedule she abided to.

MW: You abandoned your career as a stockbroker to pursue a life with more meaning. Have you been successful?

DM: There are two measures of success – material and spiritual. At the material level I have been supported and guided by mentors and received the grace to help others as a therapist and that has made my work materially rewarding.

At the spiritual level I have been rewarded beyond my dreams because my earlier belief in the sacred has been a most profound experience of the inner sanctum. In other words God or what we might call God has been a Consciousness that is as real for me as talking with you now.

MW: Knowing the challenges of holding a demanding job, while parenting and partnering during good and bad times, what do you feel is the best way to deal with today’s crippling economy?

DM: I have learned through my experience and the experience of others that every challenge has the seeds of personal growth and spiritual awakening. I actually believe trials are opportunities to accelerate or actually supercharge our individual growth. Moreover challenges are an invitation to go within and find the source and purpose of our existence.

MW: If there was just one message you could impart to readers what would it be?

DM: Don’t get stuck in ogre mind that knows nothing of other states of consciousness. Go deep within. The peace you sometimes feel – the love you experience – the compassion and connection to others you sometimes feel are finite experiences that emanate from a source of infinite peace – love – brotherhood and light that form the substratum of your being. The finite cannot create the infinite. The infinite creates the finite. You are one hundred percent a material being and one hundred percent a spiritual being.

Princes & Ogres: Integration of Psyche and Soul is available at http://donmordasini.com/. That web site also contains a free download of a sample chapter from the book along with many other useful articles and resources on practical ways to integrate your spirituality into your psychological, professional and personal lives.

In his stunningly beautiful, non-fiction feature film Oh My God, filmmaker Peter Rodger sets out on a global quest to understand what the concept of God means to people of all walks of life.

Frustrated by religious turmoil and fanaticism he posits the age-old question, “What is God?” to religious leaders, zealots, spiritual luminaries, humanitarians, fundamentalists, and ordinary people, along with celebrities including: Hugh Jackman, Seal, Ringo Starr, Sir Bob Geldof, David Copperfield, John F. Demartini; all who share their unique perspectives and understandings of God. Peter’s journey to question a diverse group of humanity takes him around the globe from the 9th ward of New Orleans to the Guatemalan Jungle; from the Himalayan region of Ladakh to the Australian Outback.

Controversial, hopeful and heartwarming, in Oh My God, Rodger questions why we often blindly believe and explains, “I was fed up with the ‘My God is greater than your God’ syndrome…I made this film because I believe we all have a responsibility to live our lives with tolerance and understanding of our fellow man…If only we could open our hearts for tolerance and peace which is what every religion preaches, then we might have a chance. If I can touch one heart with this film, then I have succeeded.”

I had the chance to interview Peter about his film. He told me about his filmmaking journey, including some difficulties he initially encountered that almost caused him to give up. Additionally, Peter shared with me some encounters that put his life in danger while he was making the film, including an interview with extremist Muslims in Kashmir. Peter said that what the film doesn’t show is that he had the protection of commandos armed with submachine guns behind him during his interview with militants.

You can listen to our entire interview by clicking the button below. If you would like to watch Oh My God, it is available for purchase on DVD on Amazon if you Click Here.

Jeff Brown is the author of Soulshaping: A Journey of Self-Creation, the inspiring memoir of an archetypal “male warrior” – a trial lawyer- who struggled to find his heart and a more authentic, soulful path. Rivetingly personal and profoundly universal, this book is for anyone who has heard a whisper of something truer calling out to them amid the distractions of modern life.

In our interview, Jeff shares how he was able to follow his calling to write in spite of facing intense economic, spiritual and personal obstacles. He also gives advice on how you can follow your calling even if you have practical concerns such as not being able to make enough money. Throughout our conversation, Jeff reveals some of the lessons he learned along the way and goes into great detail about the inner work he did throughout his journey.

For more information on Soulshaping and Jeff Brown, you can visit http://www.soulshaping.com/ or press the play button below to listen to our interview. You can purchase Soulshaping on Amazon by Clicking Here

Rick Bognar is the author of “Wrestling with Consciousness,” a book contrasting and comparing the inside world of pro wrestling that he spent 10 years in to a spiritual awakening that he has been experiencing for the last 10 years. I had the pleasure of interviewing Rick about his experience as a professional wrestler, insights on how we can live a more meaningful and compassionate life style, and what prompted him to seek out a deeper spiritual path. You can listen to our entire 15 minute conversation by pressing the play button and also read some highlights from our interview below.

For more information on Rick and his book “Wrestling with Consciousness,”please visit his web site at http://www.razorricktitan.com

Matt: What is your book about?

Rick: An uplifting autobiographical story of a pro-wrestler forced to leave behind the only life I knew and adapt to “normal” life after the “Game”. This was achieved through the practice of Buddhism and other spiritual practice. Follow me on a liberating journey of compassion, finding self-love and love for others after walking a deep dark path. Much of my story is based on the emotional suffering as an athlete and entertainer and how I achieved a graceful transition after the fame and fortune had disappeared.

Matt: What is the message of your book?

Rick: How we, as humans, can move away from the dark side of life and spot the light at the end of the tunnel while still in despair. I suggest tools to use, which have assisted me with my mental strength and resolve as I attempted to climb my own “Inner Mountain™.” These tools will help my readers let go of old habits and thought patterns then rewire those thoughts through focusing on aspirations of who and how they want to be, setting very personal goals and working happily towards them.

Matt: What was it like being a professional wrestler who was also interested in spirituality?

Rick: At the time of wrestling, I blocked it. I felt that life could and should be different but my current life situation and environment at that time would not allow for it. I had to “play the role” in order to be a success. I let my family down and in turn myself by pushing to be a tough, uncaring stereotype. It was considered a sign of weakness to be caring and compassionate in the industry. I learned to be passive aggressive and not show my feelings, never opening up and never trusting anyone. I engulfed myself in solitude.

I had sensed there was a higher path and felt a gut pull toward reaching for deeper meaning but the competitive, superficial environment I was immersed in sidetracked me. I always had a natural gravitation towards compassion and peace in life but at this point, it was just a feeling I had not put into practice yet.

Matt: Did you find it difficult to move from a life of ego, aggression and being ‘things’ and task oriented to one of egolessness, compassion and deeper-meaning oriented as a professional wrestler?  How were you able to do that?

Rick: Yes, it was a slow process. Coming from a way of life where my value as a human being was judged by how physically powerful, aggressive and dominating I was, how many fans I drew or how much I made for others. I became an Automatron. I also became a nervous wreck. I knew I was only as good as my last match and this was my value as a human being. “What have you done for me lately?” made me strive to be bigger, better and more innovative than other competitors in the spotlight. I became very, very proud of being a top guy. A lot of Ego went along with that. I would look at myself at one point at 29 years of age and say “Is this really all there is to life? There’s got to be more.” Suddenly, my mind opened up to the possibility of the opposite. If all of this Ego stroking was making me miserable, then wouldn’t the opposite make me happy? It was something I knew but didn’t know why. I did not yet know how to practice it due to the mental gripping of “I am so important” and “People treat me like a King.” This was my daily thought routine which would steer me away from dropping Ego.

Compassion came when I realized how such a huge sense of self-inflated importance hurt others as well as myself. Currently, I know a millionaire who is deluded of the same affliction. Without money, without muscles, without being on TV would you or others think you were so important? No. No one would listen to you unless you cared about others.

During my last year of wrestling, I learned to get past myself and show interest in others. I read philosophy by Plato and The Book of Buddha afterwards and made it a practice to be interested in and show empathy toward others. This is hard to do when I was in the spotlight. It was always all about me. Not others. Age and maturity have helped progress the journey! I have also learned that getting angry is just a self-centred weapon of control. Most times it only hurts the person serving up the poison. We harbour anger within. It poisons only us. Others do not feel it. If we lash out, we time-release a toxin that eats us alive. We wallow in it for a long time. Guilt, self blame and regret follows. Damage control and endless apologies are the external side.

Matt:  How do you balance letting go of aggression, ego and being ‘things and task oriented’ with still following your passions and trying to achieve your goals, especially as a professional wrestler?

Rick: It is very hard to get a sense of letting go, while being pressured by the promoters and the fans to always out do myself. Both of these people fully expect a new improved caliber of workmanship each time I would perform. Being involved in Professional wrestling is an extremely tense and intense lifestyle. I did not have much time to relax because I was always “On” and when I did, I could not relax. I came to the conclusion “I need to get out of this business to be who I want to be.” I have seen my Yogachariya friend get pushed for quotas before and noticed how peacefully, step by step he handled these situations. I have learned how to step back but still take action in a detached manner which seems to work.

Passion is good, but anything to excess becomes unhealthy. One could become a workaholic or a sex addict for example. If passionately in love or passionately angry both are just one step across a very thin line. They are the opposite but yet so close.

Matt: How were you able to let go of your aggression and ego and still maintain the focus needed to be a professional wrestler?

Rick: It was very hard to stop wrestling and get out of that toxic environment. For every step forward, it became two steps backward.

Matt: What sparked you to try to find a more spiritual path or deeper meaning in life?

Rick: I had a deep yearning to escape the emotional suffering of loneliness, my fragile Ego and my strong ignorance. Buddhism had the right answers to my questions at the time. I felt I was on the right path and continued on it.

Matt: What advice do you have for other people who are aggressive, but would like to live a more compassionate life style?

Rick: First, practice awareness. Be aware of your inappropriate or hurtful anger. Be honest with yourself. This can be hard. Old patterns are hard to change. Pay attention to your gut. If it feels bad, it usually is bad.

Find the antidote. Try to turn negativity into something positive whether it be about a person or situation. For example, take a traffic jam. Instead of being angry and upset think of it as possibly saving you $160 on a speeding ticket!

Search, study, learn and practice. If you want to learn math, study math. If you want to learn compassion, study Jesus, Buddha, Mother Theresa, and the Dalai Lama.

Matt: How can we maintain our spiritual practice while in environments that don’t lend to keeping our emotional fitness?

Rick: My teacher had taught me years ago that spiritual practice isn’t going into a cave in the mountains, becoming a Hermit and meditating for the rest of our life until we reach enlightenment.

Spiritual Practice is using the tools we’ve learned in challenging life situations with our children, family and jobs to maintain a sense of compassion and love no matter what the exterior circumstances are. That is what it is all about. Bringing our meditation and lessons with us and maintaining our integrity wherever we go.

I was challenged recently to start training an old wrestling student again as a favour. I found myself then getting caught up in old patterns. Ego and aggression stepped in a bit and I had to step into being the ‘Observer’ and practice discrimination with myself. “Is this who I want to be, or how I want to represent myself now?” I asked myself. The answer was a resounding “No!” and I went in next time as the ‘Witness’ to myself and came out in the same state of mind after the training that I had went in with!I even used that state *during* teaching! It made for a much deeper experience in class.

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