99.32 What Life Story Are You Writing?

Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual guide for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning.   Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives.  ************* From this episode: "...even in the midst of despair, with this key, we can awaken to love and ecstasy. What's that about? Love and ecstasy? I gotta admit that those aren't words I use very often... and in the midst of despair? Come on. But what if that really is what it's all about? Being able to expand ourselves - to stretch our own beings enough to be able to hold those two extremes at the same time. Love - even the ecstasy kind of love, right their with despair. At.The.Same.Time." ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram @Prolificate or send me an email at [email protected]

Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning.   Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives.  ************* I’m a minister and - One of the things I hate most about religions is how they get used to justify hurtful actions and words. An example: “Why did this bad thing happen to me?” or “why is this innocent person suffering so much?” You might hear “oh they didn’t lead a good enough life – or they’re being punished for this or that.” I think that’s just plain wrongheaded. Even more, I think it’s a lazy or cowardly way to hide from the difficult truths that find us – all of us – at one time or another as human beings. Let's explore this a little, shall we? ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram @Prolificate or send me an email at [email protected]

Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning.   Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from this and ALL the world’s traditions to help us make sense of our lives. ************* This week, we explore what it would be like if we each had a guardian to keep us safe through life's bumps and bruises - and then we discover that we actually DO have access to this kind of protection. Learn how to say WTF? (Wasn't That Fascinating?) as a tool to tap in to this inner guidance. ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram @Prolificate or send me an email at [email protected]

Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning.   Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives.  ************* This episode, we're talking about the divine name, Ya Mumit which means literally "the one who brings death." Now before you click skip on the audio recording, or head over to Netflix because death is off limits, I want you to know that I'm a happy guy! I'm actually full of joy right now as I share this. And part of that reason is because of what I learned (from dying people) in that hospital. ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram @Prolificate or send me an email at [email protected]

Welcome to another special Interview Episode of Prolificate where we get to hear from Ann Marie Coletta, the fierce and authentic founder of Raising Sparks Interfaith Ministry in one of San Francisco’s toughest neighborhoods, The Tenderloin.  Ann Marie is one of the most moving interviews I’ve done, and for good reason. She has a way of sharing her experiences – which are incredible and can be a little scary – with a gentleness and care that’s unlike anyone you’ll ever meet.  If you want to connect with Raising Sparks, you can find their website (coming soon at the time I’m writing this) at raisingsparksinthestreets.com. Their phone number is (415) 933 5955 or email [email protected]

Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning.   Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives.  ************* What if instead of looking to someone or someTHING else to complete you, you started to assume that you were actually amazing? What if you just don't know it yet? What if you discover that everyone has some parts of themselves that aren't welcome? ... And what if you started to invite ALL of you to participate in life? ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram @Prolificate or send me an email at [email protected]

Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning.   Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives.  ************* A Sufi Holy man was asked what forgiveness is. He said, "It is the fragrance that flowers give when they are crushed." This episode, our topic is forgiveness. Specifically, At Tawwab...the forgiveness that enables you to let go of grudges. The forgiveness that isn't about endorsing bad behavior of others, but rather, it's about releasing yourself from being bound up in those actions. I have worked with people who are dying and one of the things that comes up most is forgiveness. People wish they'd asked for it from those they hurt sooner. They wish they'd forgiven others sooner. What are you carrying that weighs you down? What if you released it right now? Let's explore... ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram @Prolificate or send me an email at [email protected]

Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning.   Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives.  ************* If "today you" would reassure "younger you" that (even though life would be hard, and things would hurt,) it’d be okay anyway…. THAT is Ya Latif. I bring you the words of the prophet Lionel. Why in the world would anybody put chains on me. I've paid my dues to make it. Everybody wants me to be what they want me to be I'm not happy when I try to fake it.   That's why I'm easy...like Sunday morning. ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Please support us at Patreon.com/prolificate. Find me on Twitter or Instagram @Prolificate or send me an email at [email protected]

Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning.   Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives.  ************* This week, the name is one of the most famous ones – Ar Rahman. It means endless love. (I know… great song by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross). No matter what you’ve been through, no matter what the story that your life has written so far. Part of that story has always been love – and will always be love. ************** What do you think? I'd love to hear from you with questions, or story ideas. You can find all my links at Prolificate.com/contact or just send me an email: [email protected]

Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning.   Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives.  ************* Do you have one of those people in your life who will sit you down when you need it? I didn't think I did until one day, he sat me down and said, "Andy, in Spanish, we have this saying called Cura da Alma.... care of the soul. How are you caring for your soul?" Physically, our bodies need nourishment with decent sustenance. Sure, a trip to the donut shop is tasty (and I'm a big fan of donut shops), but we both know that isn't sustenance. You eat like that regularly, you begin to live with a body that is perpetually unwell. What my mentor was saying was akin to that. If you live your life habitually feeding your soul with junk, you will get soul-sick. ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram @Prolificate or send me an email at [email protected]