Rabbi Brian discusses the spiritual-religious notion of surrender... and how if you don't let go, you just might get dragged. Shout outs this week to N.A. and D.S.M.

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 asks you to image that you are having Tea with God and then, at the end of a lovely time, God does something unforgivable. He asks you to ... ah, shucks, just listen to the podcast and you'll find out. Hey, does anyone read these description

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 posits that you might be better off if you could figure out how to not desire so much... but how?

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 discussed the notion that we all have so much to do and how it seems that we'll never get it done, and how he takes some comfort in that. Special shout out to my dad who is undergoing a lot. A lot, a lot. He could use your prayers.

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

Rabbi Brian talks about some sage advice he received about he got word of his father's grave illness.

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 talks about his son trying to put a straight piece of train track where a round piece fit. And, how that applies to our lives. (Special shout out to my dad whose pituitary gland seems to be the cause of a lot of problems and will need 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 tells a story about a "special, special gift" that he heard from Fr. Tony De Mello. You'll like the story. It's a good one. (Shout out to VK and everyone suffering from uncertainty.)

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 what it takes (little) to get us to just do the right thing. (This weeks shout-out to everyone who the chasing things to fill them that never fill.)

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 these four little, all pervasive words -- more, fast, easy, and fun -- that run counter to our spiritual-religious health. (A shout out this week to my daughter, Johanna who was just born and to PR who just lost her better half.)

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 idea of adding an ass kicking on top of our problems. Not a good idea. Special love to LK who, unfortunately, inspired this.

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 a quote from the Tao Te Ching... unawareness of right and wrong are the sign of a mind at ease. Lots of love today for lots of people. We all need it.

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 an universal experience he had called "a side of the road" experience — where it's only after we feel safe that we feel ok falling apart.

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.

THIS ISN'T A PODCAST. This is an interview of Rabbi Brian on Mary Hynes's program(me) Tapestry broadcast on 11/2/08. http://cbc.ca/podcasting

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 explains conditioning... why we do those things that we do... somewhat...

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 talks about the idea that "certainty means that you are certain, not that you are right or wrong." (gulp!) (And, I'm talking to you... not to anyone else. On this topic we often think this is something someone else needs to learn, but not us.)

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 recorded this podcast from seat 22J on an American Airline flight from JFK to LAX... oh, yeah, I was sitting next to man who promotes GOGO -- a wifi in the sky. NO THEME no BACKGROUND MUSIC THIS WEEK Oh, I was also doing this podcast as a way to avoid my...

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 talks about the "HYPE" around the latest bat man movie — The Dark Night — and why Americans are going gaga over this troubling movie. (A shout out this week to H&P and D&C for making history.)

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.)

Rabbi Brian tells about an insight (an ironic one to be telling you about) he had while meditating. (Shout out this week to FTJC, who might need a bigger plate.)

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 a sermon that Rabbi Brian gave to a church in 2000. (I don't know what church.) The audio quality isn't the best. But, the topic, "STRUGGLING WITH GOD" is a timeless one.

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 talks about what religion-outside-the-box is, what it means... it's a heartfelt, not perfect 3 minutes. (Shout out this week to BB and TS.)

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.)

THIS ISN'T A PODCAST. (26 minutes) This is an interview of Rabbi Brian on Inside Personal Growth by Greg Voisen on Feb 1, 2008. (It just got published to the web late June 2008.)

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 discusses Plato's allegory of the caves. It's one of the best allegories, EVER. Really. (A shout-out this week to ME for seeing the sun as the sun and not insisting that the shadows on the walls of the caves are or were ever real.)

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.)

Rabbi Brian talks about how we commit spiritual-religious self-violence when we try to not be where we are... like when we are angry or sad and try to not be angry or sad... Shout out this week to NB <"keep on keeping on"> and Richard A <"thanks for the new...

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 "Spiritual Barometers" and how to use them to figure out how you are doing... (Special shout out this week to MK whose still slogging through hell.)

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 discusses "teasing" and how "the meaning of communication is in the response illicited, regardless of intention." (This week's shout out to R.A.'s mom who is struggling with her disease.)

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.)

Rabbi Brian gives a simple spiritual exercise that will help you to get towards Godliness -- BEING HUMAN! (A special shout out to me this week. Why? Because I felt like being kind to me.)

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 presents the story of Passover from his point of view... his chronicle of he journey from being a slave in Egypt to following Moses to freedom... (A shout out to Terry whose quiet curiosity inspires me.)

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 talks candidly about how he often self-medicated with thought, hope, faith, and love to keep from feeling the pain in his heart. A shout out this week to the 2 families, the couple, and the man who are all having a real hard time.

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 on this, the 101st podcast, talks about milestones and touchstones... and explains a little about what they are. A shout out this week to the S & J families.

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 Wu-wei — the notion of NOT-STRIVING. How often we get in the way — striving — when we would be better served not doing so. (This week's shout out goes to me. I've been having a hard time.)

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 talks about how sometimes we make things more complicated than they need to be to make our lives more challenging... obviously, this is a bad idea. A shout out this week to Evan who is having yet more health issues.

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 talks about a Rumi quote, "Sell your cleverness and purchase bewilderment." And, hey, I'm one of the most clever people I know. A shout out this week to me, I turned 38! 🙂

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 what Christmas might really be about -- allowing more of God into the world! With shout outs to Rabbi AR for his inspiring story and Pastor Dan for his Street Prophets article.

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 the fact that he's a little stressed and ponders the fact that it might not be the circumstances in his life that are stressing him out.

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

Rabbi Brian talks about an almost MAGIC way of looking at things that we aren't grateful for that can really take the bite out of them. (With thanks to John Stellar.)

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

Rabbi Brian talks about "the shadow" side we all have in our lives... the parts of our selves that we just don't like... and suggests that we get comfortable with those things.

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 discusses comfort, what it is, what it isn't and why we all need to learn to get a little more comfortable with discomfort. (A little shout-out to Ali and Shannon who are each having a bit of a hard time these days.)

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 talks about Joel Osteen and others who seem to tell folk that you can tell how blessed people are by how well they are doing. [A shout out this week goes to my friend Gregg who invited me to hear Joel Osteen.]

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 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.) Part 1/2

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 talks for just over 3 minutes about what it might mean to believe in God. (He's not trying to convince you of anything... just trying to help you to define the terms "belief" and "God.") This week's shout-out is to Dave "Id" Cohen — the man with the most...

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. Also... I want to make a special shout out this week to Richard Adams for the AWESOME introduction music that he sent me. If anyone out...

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 talks about the problems we all face when we know too much and needing to unlearn. This is part 1 of a 3 part series. (Also, I wanted to say congratulations to Wyatt & Jo as well as Eli & Tina who just got married.)

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

Rabbi Brian tells lessons he learned from Lynn Twist's book THE SOUL OF MONEY.

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

Rabbi Brian discusses a Paul Tillich quote about non existence.

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

Rabbi Brian talks about the SELF and what makes it up.

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

Discernment vs. Judgment.

Rabbi Brian concludes his discussion of the Bible.

Rabbi Brian concludes his discussion of the Bible.

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

Jonah was swallowed by a whale... what a wonderful metaphor.

Rabbi Brian concludes his discussion of the Bible.

Rabbi Brian tells what part of the Bible he knows to be true, definitely true.

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

Rabbi Brian (re)explores what it means to not believe the Bible is the word of God. (The first time the podcast was posted had two tracks of me at the same time.)

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

Rabbi Brian explains that there are two camps when it comes to the Bible: believers and non-believers.

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

Rabbi Brian explores the Biblical notion of spilling seed... and tells you that according to the Bible it's ok to masturbate.

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

Rabbi Brian talks spontaneously about the exercise of doing three minute podcasts.

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

Rabbi Brian give a brief primer on the topic of paradoxicality.

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

Rabbi Brian talks about the mythical towns of Upstream and Downstream.

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

Rabbi Brian talks about placebos.

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

Rabbi Brian encourages you to take your religious life into your own hands.

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

Rabbi Brian weighs in that some things are just "fated" or "b'shert".

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

Rabbi Brian give a lengthy number of answers to the question: "how would you describe God?"

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

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

God wants something from us? How do you know?

Rabbi Brian talks about what how all the things you have to do might be a good thing.

A little more on surrender.

Four easy steps towards creativity.

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

A story about a little girl interuprting my prayer leads to a confession about God.

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

"The absense of limitations is the enemy of art." -- Orson Wells said that . . . let's discuss.

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

Safety is the lack of apparent fears. Not that there aren't things to be scared of, but that you don't care. Yikes!

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

The answer received depends on the question asked. . . Isn't that true?

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?

I can't beleive I have a podcast reminding people of something as apparently obvious as BREATHING!

Rabbi Brian discusses vacation -- freeing ourselves from ourselves.

Rabbi Brian discusses the notion of predicate theology -- that God is a verb, something we must do.

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

Rabbi Brian talks about the importance of taking some time off. Resting. Recharging. Not-doing.

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.

We are defined by those things we are unwilling to let go of. That's true. And deep. Let's dive in and explore this. . .

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?

This is one of Rabbi Brian's favorite podcasts.

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

If you are only going to listen to two of these podcasts, this is the second one you should listen to.

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.

Could it be true? What would it change? Does God really love you? Possibly. . .

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