I first met Brian Pearson of The Mystic Cave many years ago when I attended a concert in the church where he was once pastor. A talented orator, humble leader, gifted musician and writer, Brian’s ability to transcend Christian doctrine to reveal the ephemeral nature of our human condition wowed me. A devout, ‘I’m not into organized religion’ advocate, he didn’t convince me to sit in a pew every Sunday morning going through the rituals. He did however, awaken and inspire me, so much so that when he asked me to be a moderator on The Mystic Cave private FB group, I said yes. Spending time with Brian is always a gift.
Recently, I had the gift of spending time with him when he interviewed me for The Mystic Cave podcast (available wherever you listen to podcasts). Brian is an exceptional interviewer. Beyond asking great questions, which he does, he does his research, listens deeply and dives into not just the who, what, why, but the impact and import of everything.
He’s also just a very warm and welcoming host which makes it easy to relax when in his presence.
I hope you take the time to visit Brian’s website and… if you’re so inclined, listen to our chat.
It is indeed a gift to get to spend time with people we admire, and be of any service alongside them. Thank you for sharing and I will be saving the podcast link to listen at a later time.
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Thank you Pragalbha. ❤
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I just finished listening to The Mystic Cave by Bryan Pearson and yourself. It was so well done, You have experienced a lot in your life and made the necessary changes to put the past behind you. I admire your courage & strength and how love won out in the end. I enjoyed the part about the eggs, “stop walking on eggshells” – great analogy. I’m sure this conversation will help a lot of women who have been in a similar situation. Bless you for opening up and sharing your incredible story.💕
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Thank you Val. for listening and for your beautiful words of support — the egg smashing is always a great release! 🙂 ❤
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Former-pastor Brian Pearson sounds quite refreshing.
He sounds like the type of person who (as do I) feels comfortable musing over whether the Almighty really needs or desires to be worshipped. And whether “houses of worship” actually have been meant for the parishioners, divinely intended to be for the soul what health clinics/spas, even hospitals, are for the body and mind. And that perhaps the Ten Commandments were/are not meant to obey in order to appease/please God but rather intended for His human creation’s benefit, to keep people safe and healthy. …
And while one doesn’t believe that God required blood and pain ‘payment’ from Jesus or anyone else, we all factually know that the Creator’s animals have had their blood literally shed and bodies eaten in mindboggling quantities by Man. And maybe the figurative forbidden fruit of Eden eaten by Adam and Eve was actually God’s four-legged creation. Personally, I can see that really angering the Almighty, and a lot more than the couple’s eating non-sentient, non-living, non-bloodied fruit. Mainstream Christianity doesn’t speak up much at all about what we, collectively, have done to animals for so long. (FYI: I’m not vegetarian; though I seldom eat mammal meat, I do enjoy eating prawns or shrimp pretty much on a weekly basis.)
I, a believer in Christ’s miracles and fundamental message, don’t give much credence to the Biblical books’ writers’ perceptions of the Divine’s nature nor of the afterlife. All scripture was written by human beings who, I believe, unwittingly created God’s nature in their own fallible and often-enough angry, vengeful image. (This may also help explain why those authors’ Maker has to be male.) Too many of today’s institutional Christians believe and/or vocally behave likewise. …
Sadly, I feel Jesus must be spinning in heaven knowing what un-Christ-like conduct is erroneously connected to his teachings. Also sadly, some of the best humanitarians were/are atheists or agnostics who’d make better examples of many of Christ’s teachings than too many institutional Christians (i.e. those most resistant to Christ’s fundamental teachings of non-violence, compassion and non-wealth); and, conversely, some of the worst human(e) beings are the most devout preachers/practitioners of institutional Christian theology.
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I am taken away by your beautiful words and sentiments. Thank you for sharing such an expansive and inclusive view of what Christ’s fundamental teachings are all about. Much gratitude.
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This is all so fascinating. Brian Pearson sounds like a person I could listen to, a person who is not afraid to ask deep questions, to have faith, and yet to reach out to other religions/expressions of the Spirit. Many years ago I was seeking a church to raise my children in (I grew up Episcopalian). I became great friends with the minister I found for me and my children. He was just as much Buddhist and Jewish as Christian, which I loved. He’s retired now and still one of my best friends.
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He is, Pam! And, I love your story about the pastor — when my daughters met Brian at a concert — again at his church — where he was playing and singing, they too felt he was the kind of person who they would have influenced their beliefs if they’d met him when they were younger. He is a delightful soul. ❤
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Interesting how people walk through our lives and what impact they can have. Both extremes as your life highlights. Will try to give this a listen one of these days. Bernie
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So true Bernie — Brian is one of those and interestingly enough… I hold you in that same light.
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