Conversations with Remarkable People

What is it like to be in continuous communion with God? Father Thomas Keating invites each of us to begin our own essential conversation with faith. A lecturer, author, and deeply spiritual elder, Father Thomas engages Chantal Westerman in a powerfully authentic conversation about prayer, humility, meditation, and the gift of faith.For more than half a century, this Trappist monk has followed a path of humility, service, and contemplative prayer in a life devoted to understanding and communing with God. At the sacred pastoral setting of St. Benedict’s monastery in Snowmass, Colorado, he lives for the most part in communal silence with the monks, cultivating the inner and outer silence that allows one to develop an intimate relationship with God.By example, Father Keating's deep realization awakens us to listen to the spiritual relationship already present in our unique lives and to extend our compassion to the world. Enjoy this chance to meet one of the most well respected and remarkable of spiritual explorers.

Dr. Robert Muller is a man of peace. He labored behind the scenes at the United Nations for four decades, where he met with world leaders, looking at humanity from a global perspective and working toward a world without borders. Eschewing retirement, he became chancellor of the University for Peace in Costa Rica. In 1996, he received a prestigious Albert Schweitzer award for his humanitarian efforts.A member of the French resistance in WWII, Robert Muller was captured and thrown into a Gestapo prison under unimaginably brutal circumstances. Yet, he discovered that even there he could connect to his happiness and transport his psyche beyond the reach of the Nazis. He has kept this lesson his whole life, always thinking optimistically and positively, and chasing his dreams.Because of his optimistic views of man’s ability to live in peace and take care of the earth, he was known as the prophet of hope. Watch this remarkable man in conversation with Chantal Westerman.

Why it is that men and women are still so angry with each other? Robert Bly and Chantal Westerman discuss how and why patriarchy has been damaging to both men and woman over the years, and its effect on family and society. Bly also talks about what he calls “the flattening of the culture,” and the problems that arise when there no longer exists a hierarchy or vertical line of respect for the important people in our immediate lives and society.

Chantal Westerman interviews Mother Dolores Hart. She was only 19 when she was cast in a role with Elvis Presley in a movie called Loving You, and from there her career took off. Mother Dolores discusses her brief life in Hollywood, her dear friendship with Elvis Presley, and leaving the man she loved to pursue a life with God. This remarkable woman reveals the courage it takes to follow your heart and to dedicate your life fully to the life you were meant to lead.

Chantal Westerman interviews Marion Woodman, author of Conscious Femininity. Marion discusses the conscious feminine. The theme revolves around how men and women can get in touch with their inner feminine voices and relate to their own essence.

Della Reese is a product of Detroit and God. God has guided her to do amazing things in her life. From near-death experiences and adversity to victory, she attributes every bit of her success to God. From an early age, Della Reese found it possible to spiritually move people through her creative talents, and she has built a fulfilling life around doing just that. Her beautiful spirit and determination have inspired millions of people to connect with God and to find joy and inspiration in their own lives.

Reverend Murray is a man of principle and a man of faith. He believes that when God is with you, you can do anything at anytime. Murray gives invaluable insight into common social issues, such as economic or racial struggles and offers keys that bring people together, regardless of class or character. He notices how the black church is about freedom and changing the way things are, while white church keeps things the way they are.Reverend Murray delivers a timely wake-up call to our society recognizing that it is impossible for an underclass to rise unless it is also empowered by the upper class. With the benefit of his vision we can see significant ways in which we need to come together to help one another rise to the opportunities before us as a people.

Is creating world peace possible? The answer is in the spirit of unity, a concept supported by science. At the Agape International Spiritual Center, Dr. John Hagelin discusses world peace and uniting science and spirit. Dr. Hagelin is a world renowned Harvard trained physicist, educator, and leading public policy expert. He explains that if the scientific process is meaningful, ancient sages were correct about the nature of unity and our peace-creating power of human consciousness. The human consciousness supports waves of vibration that travel out away into the universe. Because each individual supports these waves, they will resonate with each other creating power in numbers and creating oneness.

Chantal Westerman interviews Gloria Vanderbilt, author of A Mother's Story. The object of an infamous custody battle when she was only 10, Gloria has suffered many personal losses in her life, culminating in the suicide of her son before her eyes – the event which led her to write this book. She has dealt with this sense of loss all her life, and here she discusses the ways she perseveres through the pain and losses that, she feels, life almost continuously gives to us.