Spiritual Fortitude for Chaotic TImes. Rabbi Brian at West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. 30-minutes....

Rabbi Brian talks about the tooth fairy. And, paradigm shifts.

Rabbi Brian was interviewed on KBOO Progressive Spirit by John Shuck. It's a delightful 30 minutes.

Rabbi Brian talks directly to you. It is conversational. Not much said.

Rabbi Brian talks about how we sometimes get upset about the wrong things.

Rabbi Brian talks about how we ought to be cautious not to overly manage our expectations.

Rabbi Brian talks about the importance of controlling the message

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

In 2017, I vow to fix the audio problems with these podcasts. This is the last batch to have audio problems.

Rabbi Brian teaches you how to get the best stuff being sold, free!

Rabbi Brian talks about the difference between NOTICING SOMETHING and making an OPINION ABOUT IT.

Rabbi Brian talks about how it is EASIER on authority figures when we do what we are asked to do when they ask NICELY. And, to make no mistake about it, they can MAKE us.

Rabbi Brian talks about ants. And how busy they are. (Strike a chord?)

Rabbi Brian talks about the amount of buIIsh.t we have to (get to) deal with in our lives and how to deal with it better.

Rabbi Brian talks about what happens when we sublimate anger.

Rabbi Brian talks about how he is comfortable with his religious practice.

Rabbi Brian talks about how EXTERNAL things ought not overly influence INTERNAL things.

Rabbi Brian muses that anxiety might be brought upon the self! Wow. ()

Rabbi Brian challenges you to go 21 days without complaining.

Rabbi Brian discusses the 7 qualities that make up a mystical experience.

Rabbi Brian suggests that we know less than we think that we do.

Rabbi Brian's son grabs the mic and talks with rB about wisdom and knowledge.

Rabbi Brian did two presentation on finding and being with (the) God (of your understanding) at the West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Portland, Oregon. This is the second of the two presentations.

Rabbi Brian admits that he is mainly preaching to himself.

Rabbi Brian delves into how we might just measure badly, a lot.

Rabbi Brian talks about how his students are often more alive than he is.

Rabbi Brian urges you to stop oversteering reality.

Rabbi Brian explains how "If you dislike someone the way they hold their spoon with offend you, if you like them they could drop a plate of food on your lap and you won't mind" has to do with God.

Rabbi Brian asks "How long does it take for you to go from annoyed to amused?"

Rabbi Brian ponders what if God didn't understand our language.

Rabbi Brian talks about how CHANGE is important in spiritual-religious growth.

Rabbi Brian encourages you to have a mind so open your brain falls out.

Rabbi Brian talks about the IRONY of trying to SAVE time... yikes!

Rabbi Brian exhorts us to NOT tell ourselves stories to justify our emotional state.

Rabbi Brian asks you to contemplate if you have done enough...

Rabbi Brian speaks again about the spiritual-religious notion of SURRENDER and how we might be better off enjoying the ride than trying to control it.

Rabbi Brian was interviewed on Tapestry with Mary Hynes on Canadian Public Radio. He might have cursed at God. OK, he did. It's pretty awesome.

Rabbi Brian talks about LOVE and how we need to meet people where they are and love them.

The proper response to the inevitable is love. Period.

Rabbi Brian laments that school (and our lives) are measured on time, not proficiency.

Rabbi Brian wishes you lots of annoyances.

Rabbi Brian talks 20 seconds longer than usual to explain the proper elements of love. Listen and do this!

Rabbi Brian four year old, Annie shares her four year old wisdom, some shouting, and a joke.

Rabbi Brian explains that many ROTB articles sound like.

Rabbi Brian talks about our sense of self and the poop that gets in our lives.

Rabbi Brian asks you to take a breath of air, a deep breath, before you need it.

Rabbi Brian uses the analogy of a dam to understand being frustrated.

Rabbi Brian tackles the notion that joy and sadness are opposite sides of the same coin.

Rabbi Brian tires to keep track of three balls in a pool and realizes he is dealing with life.

Rabbi Brian, stereotypes, God, and more.

Rabbi Brian lauds perspective and how it can keep one from getting upset when you fall into the toilet.

Rabbi Brian talks about how all loss is psychological.

Rabbi Brian talks about how THEIR opinions can get US into big trouble. (This is very similar to a previously recorded notion published as issue 20 in 2013.)

Rabbi Brian talks about how addicted he is to the iphone. Not very profound.

Rabbi Brian talks about how "no one does wrong willingly" and how we are more likely to forgive ourselves for our anger and errors than we do others.

Rabbi Brian talks his attempt to "teach" his children a lesson and how his son "learned" something else.

Why we don't have time to relax, explained.

Door-to-door religious salesfolk. (A fresh interpretation.)

Rabbi Brian tries to not make any interesting comments to prove a point about conversation.

Rabbi Brian takes on two spurious spiritual-religious notions, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" and "I'm as happy as I make my mind up to be."

Rabbi Brian give you permission to not be you... the thinking is that we spend so much time and thought trying to be "good" that we forget that we don't need to try so hard.

Rabbi Brian talks about how he was accidently kind to a student, and how that made him wonder about being that kind all the time.

Rabbi Brian discusses the very light rock, vermiculiute. You'll understand...

Rabbi Brian re-addresses the quote "The lesser the temptation, the greater the sin" which was part of 2011's 77% Weekly 25/40. Winds up, Aristotle had something to say about this.

Rabbi Brian relates how his 2 and 4-year-olds were upset about beads, how he thought they were upset about other things, but hey, they ought to know, no?

Rabbi Brian talks about the quote, "There is nothing that is not made lighter through habit and familiarity." He explores the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual-religious realms.

Rabbi Brian apologizes if you got duplicates of podcasts. I goofed with the format and had to re-post them!

Rabbi Brian waxes about how we constantly seem to want to improve our world... and that this might not be such a good idea.

Rabbi Brian talks a little about Channukah, but really about the pre-modern sense of time.

Rabbi Brian discusses Kathryn Schultz's work on mistakes. How we tend to see people who disagree with us as ignorant, stupid, or evil.

Rabbi Brian revisits the spiritual-religious topic of surrender.

Rabbi Brian talks about placebo -- the latin word that means "I WILL PLEASE" and how pleasing others can be a problem.

Rabbi Brian tells about watching his daughter learn to take the pits out of cherries and how we all push ourselves to improve.

Rabbi Brian talks about how real religion has NOTHING to do with God, how we need to get that in our heads, and how to live a true religious life.

Rabbi Brian discusses the difference between pleasure and happiness. How the former is temporary, based on circumstances and the later is an inside job.

Rabbi Brian talks about how a spiritual-religious life isn't that complicated.

Rabbi Brian shares home-grown observations after growing radishes.

Rabbi Brian reflects back on the terrible lesson he took from the "what's wrong with this picture" activity in Highlights Magazine.

Rabbi Brian tells you the hygienic and NOW SPIRITUAL idea of washing your hands. Sounds crazy, but it's scientific.

Rabbi Brian talks about "Gossip" -- the history of the word and then the basic premise: to shame. Don't do it.

Rabbi Brian guides you through the process of creating your own spiritual-religious podcast.

Rabbi Brian talks about the phrase in the Passover service, "It would have been enough." He muses on it and then asks you to muse upon it as well. It would have been enough. Amen.

Rabbi Brian discussed the philosophical notion of JEALOUSY and some spiritual-religious notions tied to it. Good topic. Worth the listen.

Rabbi Brian discussed the curious notion that "The greater the temptation, the lesser the sin."

Rabbi Brian talks about the difference between family and relatives... it's a bit of etymology -- simple, but poignant if I have to say so myself...

Rabbi Brian tells himself that he needs to take some time off. This podcast is really a podcast for him to listen to. If you listen to it, that's ok. But, it's really for him.

Rabbi Brian brings up the possibly crazy notion that we make friends with our suffering! Crazy, right? Perhaps. But, maybe, just maybe, it's not crazy. Maybe it's a way to ease some of our discontent...

Rabbi Brian asks, "If you had magic pills, what would they do?"

Rabbi Brian talks about the spiritual-religious truth of suffering and how our attempting to avoid it might not be the best way of dealing with it. (Shout out this week to my dad who is having optic-surgery.)

Rabbi Brian discusses the notion of a spiritual barometer — what it is and how knowing about yours can help you and your loved ones. (Yes, again.)

Rabbi Brian talks about the "baggage" we have from our childhoods. And, muses about how we might lessen our burden. (Special shout-outs this week to PS, L, and VK who are all in need of some extra prayers.)

Rabbi Brian talks about life being a rollercoaster. Let's face it, every rabbi has a good analogy that "life is like..." This is my take on that. (A shout out this week to CP whose beloved wife died tragically.)

Rabbi Brian talks about how his son doesn't draw well and its implications for your spiritual-religious life. (It has them, really.)

Rabbi Brian talks about the Chinese aphorism, "You have to stand on a hillside with your mouth open for a long time before a roast duck will fly in." That's about it. It's that good?

Rabbi Brian talks about how there is NO ONE path to God and he tells a little about "THOSE" people who think there is. With love to all this week. All of them. Even the *ssh*oles deserve love.

Rabbi Brian talks about "how to talk with your children about religion." He acknowledges that he is not the authority on the subject but that you (or their parent) is. Nonetheless, he shares some ideas. Shout out this week to Ernie whose mother died.

Rabbi Brian talks about the notion of a "spiritual barometer," what it is, how it can help, and more... hey, does anyone read these notes anyway? Shout out this week to all of those who try so hard and don't feel like their efforts are met with success.

Rabbi Brian talks a bit about the educator and psychologist Vygotsky and his notion of the Zone of Proximal Development. (Alright, in simple words, it will explain why when you are stressed out you tend to talk to yourself more.)

Rabbi Brian retells a conversation he had with a high school student and ponders if we all don't have a bit of "wanting to mow" but not really knowing why. (A shout out this week to my Grandma who died last week, Lois, Don, and Jesse.)

Rabbi Brian talks about this notion that we are only as good as our last performance... YIKES! This idea came about as he didn't know what to talk about today... (Shout out today to SM.)

Rabbi Brian asks you to pick between "Compassion, Wisdom, Cleverness, Kindness, and Being Smart." Which one do you think typifies you? Which do you wish did? And, how can you foster more of it in the world? (A shout out this week to JB whose growing a lot.)

THIS IS NOT A PODCAST. In late 2007, Rabbi Brian was the guest of the reverend Richie Assad's radio show, THE GOLDEN RULE. It's long, but interesting...

THIS IS NOT A PODCAST. This is the audio of the first sermon Rabbi Brian gave in a church in 2000. The man introducing him is Larry Keene the minister of Church of the Valley. The sermon was entitled, "Met God." It's one the of the best.

Rabbi Brian muses a little about a Paul Tillich quote: "There is nothing more frightening to a human being than the notion of their own non-existence." Wow. (Shout out to Tony S. & Jon W. — but for very different reasons.)

Rabbi Brian talks some about "defense of God's goodness in the face of evil." The big word for this is THEODICY. (I don't have an answer as to why bad things happen to good people, but I have some things to say about it.) Shout out this week to NM who has plenty of...

Rabbi Brian talks about mistakes... we all make them... but how willing are we to acknowledge them? (This week's shout out to NM... My heart and Jane's are broken.)

THIS ISN'T A PODCAST. This is an interview of Rabbi Brian on KPFK (Pacifica Radio) by Lisa Garr on May 22, 2008. It's about 30 minutes long. (That about 10 three minute podcasts!) At the 15 minute mark there's a series of simple, spiritual-religious exercises. I'm...

Rabbi Brian talks about how our ideas of how things ought to be are "helpful suggestions" and other people's "helpful suggestions" are "judgments." (This week's shout-out to ECR&DR.)

Rabbi Brian talks about the artistic process... how the Muses are going to just show up to do your work for you, but how the process needs to unfold on it's own timetable... (A shout-out this week to my Magic Camp buddies.)

Have you ever noticed that we as human being want so badly to believe that things are a certain way that we don't both to analyze whether or not they are? Listen in... (A shout out this week to Russ and Emma who have losses to mourn.) --IF YOU WANT A SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT...

Rabbi Brian tries in just over three minutes to explain that Passover and Easter are really the same holiday, just celebrated differently and that it is the POINT of them that is important, not the details. (A shout out to John Shelby Spong whose books have taught me...

Rabbi Brian returns to the notion of what RELIGION OUTSIDE THE BOX is. (This week's shout outs goes to Mike L, who I hope forgives me for forgetting to e-mail him in a timely manner.)

Rabbi Brian talks from his heart about how he likes to be with his head in the clouds, thinking esoteric thoughts, flying... not being grounded in reality...

Rabbi Brian talks about the fact that life is pass-fail, not graded and that perhaps we all need to take is a little easier on ourselves... A shout out to my dear neighbors who are having a rough time...

Rabbi Brian discussed "the rule of three" — how after telling someone to do something three times, we need to stop telling them. A shout out to the wise women I quoted in this episode. May God continue to bless you with clarity, wisdom, and peace.

Rabbi Brian re-creates a prayer about the 23rd Psalm. (The Lord is my shepherd.) A special shout out this week to Ellen whose beloved died last week, another to Dave whose son is facing some trouble in Africa, and one to Rebecca and family who have faced medical...

Rabbi Brian talks about Channukah, the festival of lights... and what he doesn't like about it. (And, a shout out to SJTL, who knows why.)

Rabbi Brian talks about gift-giving... what are the factors that go into a well received gift.

Rabbi Brian talks about what he learned pretending to not be him at the "shadow dinner" he attended.

Rabbi Brian talks about this crazy thing that he and all of us do... we think that the things we can't or didn't do are impressive while the things that we can or did do aren't. (A special shout-out this week to my nieces who are adorable.)

Rabbi Brian talks about what the Days of Awe Holy Days are all about... How the word "AWE" isn't as in AWESOME, but in AWE-STRUCK and AWEFUL.

Rabbi Brian takes you on a journey... into a couple's therapy session with you, Rabbi Brian, and God. (Again, it doesn't matter what you believe, this exercise will help you to figure out what you do and don't believe.) This week's shout-out is to Jason Crigler whose...

Rabbi Brian talks about what it really, truly just doesn't matter what you believe with regard to God. (It's pretty liberating to find this out.) This week's shout out goes to my son who is 9 MONTHS OLD. Yeah, Emmett. I love you.

Rabbi Brian discusses how really simple things are less fulfilling than those things that challenge us... and he challenges you to think that perhaps the complications in your life are self-imposed to make things more exciting... This week I want to make a special...

Rabbi Brian talks about the problems we all face when we know too much and needing to unlearn. This is part 2 of a 3 part series. (It might have been posted early as I will be at Magic Camp the week of the 18th — and, hello to Deanna.)

Rabbi Brian questions is there no force as powerful as an idea whose time has come.

Rabbi Brian tells about the problem of having 3 pair of sunglasses.

Rabbi Brian talks AGAIN about faith... (It's a big topic.)

Rabbi Brian talks about the crappy day he is having... (It's a big topic.)

Rabbi Brian concludes his discussion of the Bible.

Rabbi Brian talks about the three types of prayer: petition, praise, and presence.

Rabbi Brian concludes his discussion of the Bible.

Rabbi Brian explores what it means to believe the Bible is the word of God.

Rabbi Brian explores what it means to not believe the Bible is the word of God.

Rabbi Brian explains the relationship between God, the Bible, and the laws in the Bible.

Rabbi Brian begins talking about the Bible. What the heck is it, anyway?

Rabbi Brian talks about the origins of the devil . . . .

Rabbi Brian give a number of short little spirtual exercises that you can do.

Rabbi Brian talks about faith (yes, again, but this time it's different).

Rabbi Brian realizes that he has no idea what he's talking about in this one.

Rabbi Brian gives some thought to the notion of "What is my job here on earth?"

Rabbi Brian tells a truth -- the two words spiritual and religious are SYNONYMS!.

Rabbi Brian gives some longer answers as to what it might be that God wants from him.

God wants something from us? How do you know?

A little more on surrender.

Faith is having confidence in . . . well, whatever we choose.

Some folks try to avoid life through "spiritual escapism." I think that's a pretty crappy plan for living.

"The most frightening thought we have is the thought of our own non-existence." -- Paul Tillich said that . . . let's discuss.

Some things just happen when they are supposed to. Right?

I'm not what I think, what I do, or what I have, yet I define myself by all of those. What if I was more spirit than that?

Rabbi Brian discusses vacation -- freeing ourselves from ourselves.

What if, while you thought you were driving, you really weren't? It's not a comfortable idea to get behind.

It's something we all do all of the time . . . Sure, it might seem silly to listen to someone talk about breathing for 3 minutes, but hey, you're probably going to agree with it all anyway.

There is a very human desire, and surprisingly repulsion, to being seen. Being seen fully. Allowing ourselves to fully see others. And how about God?

Rabbi Brian asks quite a number of questions which will leave you wondering and possibly a bit calmer.

Rabbi Brian Talks about Leonard M. Knight of Salvation Mountain, CA who flew in a hot air balloon from New England to the middle of the desert spreading the one truth that he knew in his heart: God is love.

(This is Rabbi Brian's first podcast, and still one of the best.)