What If You Don't Have to Earn Love? - A Processing Exercise (Episode 46)

Do you ever feel like you have to be better, get it right, or prove yourself in order to be loved?  In this follow-up episode of the Initiations in Love podcast, Britta explores the deeply rooted belief that love must be earned and how it shapes perfectionism, fear of abandonment, and the way we relate to ourselves and others.  Britta reads a passage from her spiritual memoir, "Initiations in Love," and offers journaling prompts to help you see where you might be overperforming in relationships, trying to prove your worthiness.  If you are ready to soften the grip of perfectionism and open to the possibility of unconditional love, this episode will support you.   - - - - - - - - - Want to know which initiation stage you're in? Take the quiz and learn how to meet it with greater awareness and courage. Click here. If you liked this episode of Initiations in Love, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.  Looking to buy Britta's book Initiations in Love? Click here. Want more? Visit our WEBSITE, connect with Britta on FACEBOOK, and follow her on Instagram: @brittaeskey or @cortrainings. Thanks for listening and joining the conversation! Resources and References: Take the Quiz - What Stage of Initiation are You In? Britta's Book - Initiations in Love Show Notes: 1:00 - Britta welcomes you to the podcast and reflects on the discussion, themes, and learnings from our previously released episode with Monica Tanner, a marriage coach 4:00 - Britta introduces today's reading from Chapter 22, "First Reconciliation," from her spiritual memoir, Initiations in Love. This passage takes place in the Transformation Cauldron, where Britta faced the long-held stories of her worthiness. 6:50 - Britta gives a reading of today's chosen excerpt "First Reconciliation" from her book, Initiations in Love 17:33 - Britta asks processing questions to sense how you've been affected by the passage she read 18:45 - Britta invites you to grab paper and a writing utensil for journaling prompts Where in my life do I still believe I have to earn love? What did I learn, as a child, about being "good" or "bad"? How does that still shape me? When I make a mistake, what story do I tell myself about my worth? What might shift in my relationships if I truly believed that love cannot be earned — and cannot be lost? 22:40 - Britta brings the episode to a close, with an invitation to remember and trust that you are loved just the way you are.   

What does it mean to take true responsibility for the quality of our relationships? In this episode of Initiations in Love, Britta speaks with relationship coach, podcast host, and author Monica Tanner about the power of agency in love. Rather than blaming our partner or waiting for them to change, real transformation begins when we are willing to face our own wounds, fears, and patterns. Monica shares her personal journey through anxious attachment, perfectionism, and fear of abandonment, and how healing those inner dynamics changed the way she shows up in her marriage. Together, Britta and Monica explore how couples can support one another through this kind of healing, learning to recognize their "losing strategies," communicate vulnerably, and build the skills that make love more resilient. This conversation is an invitation to move out of survival mode and into conscious partnership, where two people take responsibility for their own growth while supporting each other in becoming more loving, aware, and free. Monica Tanner, RLT trained, Relationship Coach and host of the Secrets of Happily Ever After podcast, transforms marriages with simple communication, connection, conflict resolution and commitment strategies. Her mission is to lower the divorce rate and improve marital satisfaction. Through her engaging podcast, new Amazon Best-Selling book, Bad Marriage Advice, vibrant social media community, and couple's coaching practice, Monica's expert guidance has impacted thousands of couples, by helping them ditch resentment and roommate syndrome and get back to living their happily ever after love story. - - - - - - - - - Want to know which initiation stage you're in? Take the quiz and learn how to meet it with greater awareness and courage. Click here. If you liked this episode of Initiations in Love, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.  Looking to buy Britta's book Initiations in Love? Click here. Want more? Visit our WEBSITE, connect with Britta on FACEBOOK, and follow her on Instagram: @brittaeskey or @cortrainings. Thanks for listening and joining the conversation! Resources and References  Take the Quiz - What Stage of Initiation are You In? Britta's Book - Initiations in Love Website: monicatanner.com Monica's Book - Bad Marriage Advice Show Notes [01:02] - Britta welcomes relationship coach, podcast host, and author Monica Tanner and introduces the theme of agency in relationship [02:50] - Monica shares how her parents' divorce sparked her lifelong curiosity about relationships and the search for "happily ever after" [04:38] - Monica describes her breaking point and the anxiety that forced her to confront her patterns [7:15] - Monica shares the role her mother played in helping her heal generational wounds, what she describes as her initiation into loving herself [12:15] - Britta and Monica explore Monica's "Calling" to do deeper work and the idea of agency in relationship [19:00] - Monica explains how learning to face her fears and release control transformed the way she showed up in her marriage, a process Britta notes happens in the 3rd stage of initiations, "The Transformation Cauldron" [26:40] - Britta and Monica discuss vulnerability in partnership and how sharing our inner experience can open the door to deeper understanding and connection [30:40] - Monica shares her insights from this initiation [36:26] - Britta and Monica explore the "relationship gym" metaphor – why love requires awareness, skill, and ongoing practice – and Monica introduces the concept of "losing strategies" to protect ourselves in relationship [47:24] - Britta invites listeners to "just get there," to get yourself to the couples gym. [48:21] - Monica shares her final encouragement for couples who feel stuck, reminding listeners that relationship challenges are part of the growth process [50:30] - Britta brings the episode to a close and says good-bye

Feeling underwhelmed by your own life? Holding tightly to something that no longer feels alive? In this follow-up episode of the Initiations in Love podcast, Britta reads a passage from her spiritual memoir, "Initiations in Love," that speaks to how the extraordinary lives inside the ordinary, a truth that was revealed in the previous episode "Stop Waiting – and Follow What's Alive for You! with Jen Aly." In that powerful interview, Jen shared how the sudden loss of a dear friend became a profound initiation, awakening her to the preciousness of being alive. A year later, she answered an even deeper call: releasing the identity, belongings, and home she had worked so hard to build in order to step into a nomadic life. If you sense you're being invited into something new, or are ready to loosen your grip and see your life with fresh eyes, this episode will meet you right where you are.   - - - - - - - - - If you liked this episode of Initiations in Love, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.  Looking to buy Britta's book Initiations in Love? Click here. Want more? Visit our WEBSITE, connect with Britta on FACEBOOK, and follow her on Instagram: @brittaeskey or @cortrainings. Thanks for listening and joining the conversation! Resources and References  Britta's Book- Initiations in Love Show Notes   1:10 - Britta welcomes you to the podcast and reflects on the discussion, themes, and learnings from our previously released episode 5:40 - Britta introduces today's reading from the very end of the book: the closing passage titled "Everything is a Miracle." This passage speaks to Jen's discovery that the extraordinary lives inside the ordinary 7:11 - Britta gives a reading of today's chosen excerpt "Everything is a Miracle" from her book, Initiations in Love 15:57 - Britta asks processing questions to sense how you've been affected by the passage she read 16:36 - Britta invites you to grab paper and a writing utensil for journaling prompts Where in your life are you holding on, possibly too tightly, to an old vision, identity, or dream - even though life may be nudging you in a different direction? What recent challenge or "problem" might actually be life inviting you into greater aliveness, clarity, or alignment? When you consider that the extraordinary lives inside the ordinary, what small, everyday moments could feel more miraculous to you today? If you fully trusted the current flow of your life - even the parts you don't yet understand - what small step might you take next? Where have you experienced Grace protecting you, redirecting you, or guiding you in ways you only recognized later? 21:15 - Britta brings the episode to a close, thanking you for taking time to turn inward, and inviting you to say YES - not someday, but NOW!  

Feeling stagnant? Looking to shift your mindset and bring light to the darkest of times? This episode of the Initiations in Love podcast is for you. In today's episode, Britta sits down with Jen Aly, business coach, TEDx speaker, and creator of the Freedom & Flow Framework™. Together, they discuss the force of trying to make something happen that is not in flow, finding grace in the worst of times, and letting go of ideas to make room for new. Jen also reveals an epiphany that led her to live a nomadic lifestyle. Tune in if you are ready to stop waiting and say yes to what's alive for you.   Jen Aly is a business coach and TEDx speaker who helps entrepreneurs design businesses—and lives—that truly support who they're becoming. Through her Freedom & Flow Framework™, she guides clients to rebuild their work and lifestyle around clarity, confidence, and freedom. After twelve years in Asheville, NC, Jen downsized her life and became nomadic—a journey that deepened her love for life itself. She supports others to navigate their own transitions, whether that's redesigning a business, exploring life abroad, or saying yes to a new chapter.   - - - - - - - - - If you liked this episode of Initiations in Love, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.  Looking to buy Britta's book Initiations in Love? Click here. Want more? Visit our WEBSITE, connect with Britta on FACEBOOK, and follow her on Instagram: @brittaeskey or @cortrainings. Thanks for listening and joining the conversation! Resources and References  Britta's Book- Initiations in Love Website: JenAlyCoaching.com Substack: JenAlyCoaching JenAlyCoaching.com/quiz   Show Notes   1:14 - Britta introduces special guest Jen Aly and shares the focus of this episode 2:32 - Jen recalls the epiphany she had while brushing her teeth that led her to pack up her stuff and live a nomadic lifestyle 7:02 - Jen and Britta discuss what Jen means when she says: "The worst thing had happened, and yet there was so much grace," and Britta mirrors it back to her in the Initiations in Love framework 15:12 - Jen shares her Calling to the nomadic lifestyle and the role of "trusting the flow" within that decision 24:51 - Jen recounts the grace she found in the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Helene on her community of Asheville, and what gifts emerged from the experience 33:22 - Jen addresses what it feels like not having one place where all of her belongings are 36:21 - Britta and Jen discuss Jen's recent experience with letting go of an idea she had, and the constant of accepting what is 39:03 - Jen divulges her best advice for those who are looking to downsize or become nomads 45:12 - Britta encourages listeners to reach out to Jen for support, as shebrings the episode to a close  

Today's episode of the Initiations in Love podcast is a follow-up to our previous episode: "Coming from Love: The Urgent Call of Our Times with Miranda Macpherson." In that conversation, Miranda shared some of her own initiations, and how each one became a gateway into greater trust, deeper compassion, and what she calls Boundless Love. In this follow-up episode, Britta reads a section from her spiritual memoir, Initiations in Love, called "The Examen Prayer," echoing Miranda's own evening review practice by sharing her own. Britta then guides listeners through a journaling exercise to help you process what you've heard and reflect on your own invitations to a greater Love.  This passage speaks directly to Miranda's evening review practice — that sacred moment at the end of the day when we turn toward all that has unfolded with loving awareness and humility 🎧If you've ever wondered how to identify opportunity and say "yes" to what calls you, this episode is for you.    - - - - - - - - - If you liked this episode of Initiations in Love, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.  Looking to buy Britta's book Initiations in Love? Click here. Want more? Visit our WEBSITE, connect with Britta on FACEBOOK, and follow her on Instagram: @brittaeskey or @cortrainings. Thanks for listening and joining the conversation! Resources and References  Britta's Book- Initiations in Love Show Notes   1:10 - Britta welcomes you to the podcast and reflects on the discussion, themes, and learnings from our previously released episode 4:05 - Britta introduces today's reading from the third stage: The Transformation Cauldron - a chapter entitled "The Examen Prayer." This passage speaks directly to Miranda's evening review practice — that sacred moment at the end of the day when we turn toward all that has unfolded with loving awareness and humility 5:20 - Britta gives a reading of today's chosen excerpt "The Examen Prayer" from her book, Initiations in Love 13:18 - Britta asks processing questions to sense how you've been affected by the passage she read 14:14 - Britta invites you to grab paper and a writing utensil for journaling prompts What situation in your life might be carrying a Divine invitation, even if it feels uncomfortable or unclear? Where do you notice resistance to saying "yes"? When you reflect on your day, what moment stands out as an opportunity to come from Love rather than fear? How might you practice "ego relaxation" the next time you feel tight, reactive, or defensive? What helps you remember that Grace is already here - even in the middle of your challenges? 21:13 - Britta brings the episode to a close, encouraging us to walk with tenderness and courage, knowing that grace meets us when we dare to say "yes"  

In today's episode of the Initiations in Love podcast, Britta sits down with Miranda Macpherson, author and contemporary spiritual teacher (as well as Britta's longtime teacher). Miranda begins the episode with a wonderful calling in for listeners, then recounts her strong experience with boundless love as a young person, and how it propelled her into spiritual life. Together, Britta and Miranda explore the ideas of boundless love, Divine Love, and non-dual love, saying YES to the invitations of life, and moving beyond self-awakening to community-awakening. 🎧 If you are feeling a call to courage in order to show up fully, show up in love, and say YES to the invitations of life, this episode is for you!   Miranda Macpherson is a contemporary spiritual teacher who has been guiding others into direct experience of the Sacred for over thirty years internationally. In her twenties she founded the OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation in London, where she trained and ordained over 600 ministers and counsellors. Today, Miranda leads the Living Grace Global Sangha, leads retreats internationally, broadcasts extensively and serves as core faculty at The Shift Network, and advisor to the Association for Spiritual Integrity.    Miranda's books include The Way of Grace: the Transforming Power of Ego Relaxation, Boundless Love, Meditations on Boundless Love, and the Cultivating Grace Card Deck. Miranda is also a kirtan musician and singer with 2 mantra albums – Streams of Grace and The Heart of Being. - - - - - - - - - If you liked this episode of Initiations in Love, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.  Looking to buy Britta's book Initiations in Love? Click here. Want more? Visit our WEBSITE, connect with Britta on FACEBOOK, and follow her on Instagram: @brittaeskey or @cortrainings. Thanks for listening and joining the conversation! Resources and References  Britta's Book- Initiations in Love www.mirandamacpherson.com Show Notes   1:14 - Britta introduces special guest Miranda Macpherson and shares the focus of this episode 3:28 - Miranda calls us in as an audience to begin the episode 6:22 - Miranda recounts her strong experience with boundless love as a young person, and how it propelled her into spiritual life 17:43 - Miranda divulges what contributed to her saying YES to this Initiation - which you can use, too, when asked to rise to an occasion  28:26 - Miranda recalls the coming apart of her first marriage, and how she handled it from Love, learning to be present with her emotions without getting stuck 38:32 - Miranda shares that never has there been a fierce passage, in her experience, where something really amazing hasn't been forged in the fire of that passage 44:40 - Miranda argues that there is no waking up or liberation that doesn't include the awakening and well-being of others and shares check-in questions she asks herself 51:23 - Britta and Miranda discuss the fact that Love isn't always sweet as honey, and we need to look at ourselves honestly, but without cutting ourselves down in the process 58:44 - Miranda and Britta address dropping the knife of judgment, especially in this time, to approach things without hatred 1:01:40 - Miranda shares some words of wisdom for when people feel powerless and hatred towards "the other side"1:05:47 - Britta brings the episode to a close

Have you ever wondered how to stay true to yourself and open to another? To behold a kind of Love that honors difference, deepens connection, and reminds us: we're not doing this alone. In this episode of the Initiations in Love podcast, Britta guides us to see that, in fact, there are always three of us: you, the other, and the presence of Grace that holds it all. Reading "The Two Become One," a section from her spiritual memoir, Initiations in Love, Britta details her wedding ceremony and the coinciding realization that true union isn't the loss of individuality, but the discovery of a deeper belonging within it. She leads a journaling exercise to help process what you've heard and reflect on your own invitations to a greater Love.  This is a follow-up to our previous episode: "Me, You, and God - Walking the Spiritual Path as a Couple with David Frenette and Donna Zerner." In that conversation, we explored what it means to walk a spiritual path as a couple, where two souls who came to relationship later in life, each deeply rooted in their own journey with God, and yet willing to learn how to love all over again, together.   - - - - - - - - - If you liked this episode of Initiations in Love, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.  Looking to buy Britta's book Initiations in Love? Click here. Want more? Visit our WEBSITE, connect with Britta on FACEBOOK, and follow her on Instagram: @brittaeskey or @cortrainings. Thanks for listening and joining the conversation! Resources and References  Britta's Book- Initiations in Love Show Notes   1:10 - Britta welcomes you to the podcast and reflects on the discussion, themes, and learnings from our previously released episode 6:58 - Britta introduces today's reading from the fourth stage: The Emerging - a chapter entitled "The Two Become One." This passage describes her wedding ceremony, and how she realized that marriage is a sacrament and not a loss of individuality, but the discovery of a deeper belonging within it 8:56 - Britta gives a reading of today's chosen excerpt "The Two Become One" from her book, Initiations in Love 17:36 - Britta asks processing questions to sense how you've been affected by the passage she read 18:30 - Britta invites you to grab paper and a writing utensil for journaling prompts How does your own relationship invite you to grow closer to the Divine? In what ways might you be looking to another person to give you what only your relationship with God can fulfill? How might your connection deepen if you began to see every interaction as an opportunity to open more fully to Love? If you're in partnership: what would it look like for the "third presence," the Divine, to have a seat at the table in your relationship? If you're single: how are you cultivating that sacred inner marriage within yourself? 23:23 - Britta brings the episode to a close, encouraging us to remember there are always three of us - me, the other, and the Love that holds us both   

In this soul-nourishing episode of the Initiations in Love podcast, Britta sits down with her longtime spiritual director, David Frenette, author of "The Path of Centering Prayer," and his wife Donna Zerner, a writer and storyteller whose wit and wonder add earthy joy to the sacred. Together, David and Donna share the grace and grit of walking the spiritual path as a couple — two seekers who found love later in life, each already deeply rooted in their relationship with God, and willing to learn how to love all over again, this time with and through one another. This is not your typical love story. It's a quiet revolution of surrender, sacred partnership, and the deep union that forms when two individuated souls join in devotion to something greater than themselves. From chronic illness to natural disaster, from Centering Prayer to shared silence, David and Donna offer a glimpse into what's possible when the space between two people becomes an altar for Grace. If you're curious what it means to let God be the third presence in your relationship — or longing for more steadiness, reverence, and spiritual depth in your partnerships — this conversation will stir something in your heart.   David Frenette is author of The Path of Centering Prayer: Deepening Your Experience of God, and a spiritual director and transpersonal counselor (now retired). He now teaches primarily online, and co-leads an annual retreat with Cynthia Bourgeault.  Donna Zerner is a former book editor, publishing consultant and writer, who performs storytelling and spiritual standup comedy. She is active in the Jewish Renewal movement, enjoys exploring the confluence of Judaism and psychedelics, and creates stealth flower mandalas in the local woods, where she is known as the forest fairy.  David and Donna have been together since they met at a spiritual conference 20 years ago in Boulder, Colorado, and have been married for 14 years. They live in Portland, Oregon.   - - - - - - - - - If you liked this episode of Initiations in Love, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.  Looking to buy Britta's book Initiations in Love? Click here. Want more? Visit our WEBSITE, connect with Britta on FACEBOOK, and follow her on Instagram: @brittaeskey or @cortrainings. Thanks for listening and joining the conversation! Resources and References  Britta's Book- Initiations in Love David and Donna's YouTube Channel Show Notes   1:14 - Britta introduces special guests David Frenette and Donna Zerner and shares the focus of this episode 4:44 - David and Donna recall where they were at in their respective lives when their love story began, and the surreality of their togetherness 7:47 - David explains what he means when he says "to meet Donna was an Awakening," and, with Donna, discusses how their interfaith relationship works 15:24 - Britta inquires about challenges their relationship has faced 20:18 - The discussion winds into their lack of conflict and surrender to God within their partnership 28:17 - David details how he experiences God in Donna and they talk gratitude 33:03 - Britta reframes their love story into the Initiation framework, and Donna and David expand on their intentional vow to put God ahead of their spouse 40:34 - Britta presses Donna and David to explain more in-depth how God is each of their first priority 50:47 - Britta requests Donna share her "flower story," depicting a gift that emerged for her 57:01 - Britta reflects together with David and Donna on the theme, "the little things" 59:44 - David and Donna divulge how each of them has incorporated their relationship to chronic illness into their individual spiritual paths 1:04:50 - David and Donna share their final thoughts (including the number one factor in the success and peace in their relationship) 1:08:16 - Britta pauses to emphasize the importance of separating yourself from technology and devices 1:09:50 - Britta brings the episode to a close

Today's episode of the Initiations in Love podcast is a follow-up to our previous episode: "The Always & Already Here of the Spiritual Journey with Neelama Eyres." In that heartfelt conversation, Neelama shared with such depth and authenticity about the evolution of her relationship with God, and how spiritual growth often moves through unseen stages of development, mystery, and grace.  In this follow-up episode, Britta reads from her spiritual memoir, Initiations in Love, a chapter titled "Communion of Saints." This passage speaks to the invisible work of Grace that continues within the soul, especially in times when we feel disconnected, disoriented, or alone. There always is a lineage of mystics behind us, cheering us on, guiding us, and whispering, "Keep going. Grace is working, even here." Britta then offers a guided journaling practice to help you reflect on your own spiritual path and listen more deeply to the quiet invitations of Love. 🎧 If you're walking through doubt, a dry spell, or a dark night of the soul, this episode is a compassionate companion on your journey. - - - - - - - - - If you liked this episode of Initiations in Love, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.  Looking to buy Britta's book Initiations in Love? Click here. Want more? Visit our WEBSITE, connect with Britta on FACEBOOK, and follow her on Instagram: @brittaeskey or @cortrainings. Thanks for listening and joining the conversation! Resources and References  Britta's Book- Initiations in Love Show Notes   1:10 - Britta welcomes you to the podcast and reflects on the discussion, themes, and learnings from our previously released episode 5:10 - Britta introduces today's reading from the third stage: The Transformation Cauldron - a chapter entitled "Communion of Saints." This passage speaks to the invisible work of Grace that is always unfolding within the soul, whether we feel it or not 6:58 - Britta gives a reading of today's chosen excerpt "Communion of Saints" from her book, Initiations in Love 19:15 - Britta asks processing questions to sense how you've been affected by the passage she read 19:51 - Britta invites you to grab paper and a writing utensil for journaling prompts When in your life have you felt like nothing was happening spiritually - only to realize later that something deeper was quietly transforming within you? What does "Grace" mean to you - not as a concept, but as an experience? Who are the "saints" or spiritual ancestors - living or long gone - who remind you of what's possible in Love? How does it feel to imagine that you are part of a great lineage of awakening souls, being guided and supported even when you can't see it? What helps you trust the process when you can't yet see the outcome? 24:04 - Britta brings the episode to a close - encouraging us to take a slow, conscious breath and feel the presence of all those who have walked this path before us

In today's episode of the Initiations in Love podcast, Britta sits down with Neelama Eyres — Director of Program Development at Stanford's CCARE, facilitator, author, and one of her closest friends — for a heartfelt conversation about the stages of her spiritual growth over the decades and her lifelong love story with the Divine. Neelama shares how her relationship with God began in childhood, the barriers she encountered along the way, and how her spiritual journey has deepened her understanding of Love itself.  Together, Britta and Neelama explore how our conditioning shapes the way we see "God," the projections we cast upon the Divine, and the mystery of why suffering exists if God is Love itself. They also reflect on the immediacy and vastness of compassion, and how this limitless force becomes medicine for both the individual heart and the world. 🎧 If you're on a spiritual path and seeking guidance or a sense of direction — feeling called toward deeper compassion for yourself, for others, or to receive it more fully — or if you're standing at the edge of a major life change, perhaps even a divine calling, this conversation will speak to your soul. Neelama Eyres is the Director of Program Development at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, (CCARE) at Stanford University. Through her work with CCARE Stanford, Neelama has mentored hundreds of people in expanding their access to compassion and bringing compassion to life in personal, professional, and community settings worldwide. For the past three decades Neelama has developed and facilitated transformational growth workshops, trainings, and mentored people personally and professionally. She is the co-founder of The Inner Journey Institute, an organization that delivers transformational seminars throughout the US and Canada. Neelama has been deeply immersed in the study and practice of the contemplative Christian mystical traditions as well as the non-dual traditions of the East. Since 2010, she's led retreats and workshops to help people access the forgotten teachings and practices of the contemplative Christian tradition. Find out more about her here: https://www.thevirtualsanctuary.live/   - - - - - - - - - If you liked this episode of Initiations in Love, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.  Looking to buy Britta's book Initiations in Love? Click here. Want more? Visit our WEBSITE, connect with Britta on FACEBOOK, and follow her on Instagram: @brittaeskey or @cortrainings. Thanks for listening and joining the conversation! Resources and References  Britta's Book- Initiations in Love Find out more about Neelama's work at Stanford https://www.thevirtualsanctuary.live/ Show Notes  1:16 - Britta introduces special guest Neelama Eyres and shares the focus of this episode 4:27 - Neelama recounts her spiritual awakening, and how it felt like "an undeniable feeling of unconditional Love" 12:17 - Britta requests that YOU the listener, pause and reflect on your own childhood spiritual experiences 14:41 - Neelama divulges what caused her to begin her love affair with God in her 20s and what barriers to that love she ran into 19:08 - Britta and Neelama discuss questions we wrestle with over and over, and how Neelama has brought more ease to those hard inquiries through an expanding understanding of God 25:49 - Neelama details her nuanced relationship with God through the years to now 28:04 - Britta slows Neelama down as she enters a part of her story that Britta describes as "one of the deepest Transformation Cauldrons" for Neelama  31:56 - Neelama and Britta discuss how sometimes a divine calling comes through as a command 34:27 - Britta presses Neelama to detail what happened that broadened Neelama's understanding of God and of Love  40:36 - Neelama and Britta discuss compassion at the core of religious and spiritual experience 44:04 - Neelama describes how she has encountered divine compassion and released the idea she needs to earn her worth - compassionate Love is available to us no matter what 49:56 - Neelama explains how Love can be both infinite and immediate 51:19 - Neelama shares advice for folks who can't access compassionate Love right now 57:09 - Britta brings the episode to a close