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Can you truly understand the essence of compassion and how to seamlessly incorporate it into your everyday life? Join us as we explore the profound depths of compassion, distinguishing it from emotions that often masquerade as its kin.

Have you ever considered the question, "Who told you that?" as a compassionate invitation rather than a critique? Together, we challenge traditional interpretations of biblical stories that focus on judgment and guilt. By reflecting on the compassionate actions of figures like Jesus and Mary Magdalene, we'll uncover how curiosity and kindness towards oneself can lead to profound personal growth and deeper divine connections. Moving from self-judgment to self-love, you'll discover the freedom and flourishing that comes from embracing a compassionate approach to self-reflection.

Dive into the multifaceted nature of compassion with us, as we explore its twin roles in alleviating suffering and promoting flourishing. We’ll share practical tools like the PULSE acronym from Frank Rogers’ book on compassionate practices and discuss how understanding our emotional reactions can foster a compassionate mindset. Plus, learn about Lori Beth Jones' Path Elements framework to better comprehend your elemental makeup and how it can ground you in your inherent worthiness. Don't miss the chance to take the free Path Elements assessment and embark on a journey towards greater self-compassion and belonging.

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This stirring episode join a continuing conversation exploring longings and how they shape, our human experience and our divine connections, and have the potential to illuminate our life's true calling.

Personal narratives that resonate with anyone who's ever sought something just out of reach, Heather Drake shares how a childhood longing for paternal presence bloomed into a broader understanding of family and community. Journey with us as we contemplate the ways in which these deeply ingrained desires shape our identities, relationships, and spiritual quests for belonging. We unearth the significance of mirroring and engaging dialogues in the pursuit of recognizing our truest desires, fostering a sense of belonging within an inclusive congregation, and the spiritual nourishment found in acknowledging our yearnings.

As we draw this episode to a close, we rest in the transformative power of our longings, invoking the poetic wisdom of John O'Donohue to guide us. We ponder how the courage to traverse the unknown, propelled by the whispers of our hearts, can yield a life rich with love, creativity, and friendships that echo the depths of our souls. So, we invite you to embrace this exploration as more than a conversation; it's an opportunity to honor the profound longings that are calling us toward our divine destinies.

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Have you ever felt the echo of ancient patriarchal structures within your faith experience? Liz Cooledge Jenkins joins us with a treasure trove of insights from her book "Nice Churchy, Patriarchy," guiding us through the labyrinth of tradition to spotlight the Divine Feminine.

The conversation takes an enlightening turn as we explore the significance of diverse voices in theological discourse. We acknowledge the richness that women and people of color bring to our understanding of the divine, and share a pivotal moment of clarity that came from referring to the Holy Spirit with feminine pronouns. This episode is a journey through history and current impacts of patriarchal structures on spiritual narratives, highlighting the healing power found in embracing both masculine and feminine qualities within our divine explorations. Liz's insights dare us to envision a faith experience that is not just equalitarian but vibrantly holistic.

We wrap our minds and hearts around the multifaceted identity of God, challenging the traditional gender binaries that have long dictated our perceptions. Engaging with the wisdom of womanist theology and figures like Julian of Norwich, our discussion celebrates the fluid and healing vision of God's identity that is both mother and father, neither and both. The transformative power of love is our chorus, humming through the conversation, as we emphasize the importance of the female voice and the divine feminine in shaping a spirituality that is liberating and life-giving. This episode is more than an exchange of ideas; it is an invitation to connect with the profound work of Liz Cooledge Jenkins and to embrace a spirituality that flourishes in the rich soil of love and femininity.

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Have you ever wondered if there's more to spirituality than traditional practices? Join Shelly Shepherd and Heather Drake on a personal and historical journey, where we unearth the divine in the unexpected — from the beauty of a desert drive to the peak of a mountain hike. We weave tales of Joan of Arc, Jesus, and childhood mysticism, inviting you to rediscover the sacred voices that have called to you throughout your life. Heather shares her revelation of Jesus in a modern context, offering fresh spiritual exercises that stir the soul and encourage co-creation with the Spirit.

The hustle of life often drowns out the sacred 'voice' we long to hear, leaving us adrift in a sea of 'noise.' Through the lens of Mary and Martha's story, we illuminate the struggle between being productive and being present. This episode challenges you to embrace the transformative power of sitting in love's presence, a state that can lead us back to our true source, sparking creativity and bringing harmony to our inner chaos. It's an invitation to slow down and savor the divine connections that flourish in stillness, rather than the ceaseless buzz of busyness.

Lastly, we delve into the art of spiritual attunement, comparing the heart's tuning to the delicate process musicians undergo with their instruments. The wisdom of mystics like Hadewijch of Brabant and Thomas Keating guide our discussion on the simplicity of encountering God in the mundane and the profound healing offered through practices like centering prayer. As you join us, you'll find encouragement to trust in goodness, embrace renewal, and deepen your awareness of the divine that gracefully orchestrates the world around you. Continue this exploration of infinite spiritual landscapes by visiting expansionisttheology.com, where the journey toward boundless love and wisdom awaits.

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Embark on a transformative exploration of spirituality with us, as we uncover the untold stories of women mystics who defied the confines of patriarchal traditions to connect with the divine. Shelly Shepherd and Heather Drake delve into the teachings of Mary Magdalene's gospel, revealing the presence of the divine within each of us. This narrative is not just a tale from the past; it's the heartbeat of our spiritual pursuits, guiding us to trust the wisdom and love that forms the foundation of our faith.

The whispers of stillness and the power of silence await you in our conversation about how these practices have shaped the spiritual insight of revered figures like Jesus, Elijah, and Mary. We examine the elemental language of wisdom, the role of fire, earth, water, and wind, and discuss how Hindu teachings on conserving vital energy through silence can lead to profound mental clarity and spiritual expansion. Through this episode, we invite you to embrace the quiet, meditative space that can reorder your thoughts and connect you more deeply with the spiritual.

As we delve into the mystical practice of Christian meditation, we consider the paradox of stillness as a dynamic state of being loved and connected. By reflecting on the anticipation of the Holy Spirit in the story of Pentecost, we understand waiting and listening as gateways to personal encounters with the divine. Let your heart's unique language guide you to experiences that transcend ordinary understanding. We invite you to join our reverent quest for spiritual depth at expansionistheology.com, where you can explore more content that illuminates the path to an enriched, joyous faith journey.

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Awakening to a vast inner realm, we invite you to listen to our conversation where we discuss the interplay of wisdom, spirit, and love as the bedrock of our faith journey. Throughout our dialogue, we reflect on how the spirit has been accessible to us in every season of life, emphasizing the vital role of hope in rekindling a connection with the divine, especially when our spirituality feels dormant.

This episode is a heartfelt invitation to experience the Spirit beyond the rigid confines of religious dogma. We delve into the transformative nature of the spirit of love, a force that can awaken us to a deeper understanding of our purpose in life. We highlight the importance of community and storytelling in deepening our connection to the Spirit, proposing a broader conversation on the often-misunderstood aspects of our spiritual existence.

Step into a sensory-rich exploration with us as we liken the encounter with the Spirit to a taste that ignites a relentless pursuit. We draw on biblical narratives and personal experiences to illustrate how the Spirit compels us to move beyond conventional boundaries and embrace a more expansive, inclusive spirituality. Through the lens of Mary Magdalene's story and beyond, we examine the omnipresence of the Spirit and challenge the notion that the divine is distant, instead celebrating its integral presence within us. Together, Shelly and I seek to understand and honor the diverse ways the Spirit moves and manifests in all facets of life, inviting you to join us on this transformative journey.

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Have you ever wondered about the power of the stories you tell yourself? Our latest episode guides you through a tapestry of narratives, love, and the spiritual journey of rewriting our life stories. Bathed in the themes of belovedness and innocence, we tap into the wellspring of love and worthiness that can transform our personal tales into beacons of hope and redemption. We draw from the wisdom of Mary Magdalene's journey of grief and resurrection to illustrate the profound impact of the feminine voice in storytelling, and how it can shape our understanding of both the divine and ourselves.

This heart-to-heart conversation embraces the transformative process of death and resurrection within our own experiences. Through the embrace of our inherent belovedness and the power of divine love, we discuss how we can author new chapters in the story of our lives, especially for women and leaders in faith communities seeking guidance. With the biblical tenets of love, justice, mercy, and humility as our compass, we traverse the landscape of storytelling to uncover more inclusive and loving narratives.

In our closing segment, the spirit beckons, inviting each of us to recognize our creation in the divine image and to ignite the creator within. By sharing the divine manifesto of spirit, drawn from the wisdom of ancient texts, we illuminate how the spirit shapes us into friends and prophets of God. Together, let's step into this welcoming space where every Wednesday, stories are shared, spirits are nurtured, and the guiding force of love presides over all. Join us, and let's co-author the transformative stories that define our existence.

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