Living Compass Spirituality & Wellness

In this episode, Scott shares a Christmas Eve story that touched his heart many years ago, a story that reminds him of the peace that comes when we are able to soften our hearts.  

In this episode, Scott discusses a beautiful thing about sowing light, love, joy, and peace: giving away as much of these things as possible never diminishes what we have ourselves. I can light countless candles from a candle I am holding, and the flame of my candle is never diminished.    

In this episode, Scott reflects on the well-known scripture, Philippians 4:5-7, daring to try to understand the peace which passes understanding:  " Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."   

There is a deep connection between being still and being at peace.  This episode explores this connection and also explores the idea of "Be still and 'no!'"

In this episode, Scott talks about how the wisdom of the Twelve Steps can help guide us as we focus on making peace with ourselves. Here are the Twelve Steps: 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable. 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of...

During Advent, we will release two weekly episodes focusing on our Advent theme of "Practicing Peace with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind." The booklets are all gone, but you can receive the daily reflections by email.  Visit  www.livingcompass.org/advent-signup In this episode, Scott Stoner helps us gain a deeper understanding of peace by discussing how the Peace of Christ is not depende...

During Advent, we will release two weekly episodes focusing on our Advent theme of "Practicing Peace with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind." The booklets are all gone, but you can receive the daily reflections by email.  Visit  www.livingcompass.org/advent-signup In this episode, Scott Stoner helps us gain a deeper understanding of peace by discussing how peace is not just about calmness a...

As we pause to focus on gratitude, we see a deep connection between gratitude and peace. In this new podcast episode, Scott talks about this and invites everyone to join Living Compass as we focus on Practicing Peace this Advent. 

What if we could share our gratitude as easily as we are able to share those things we are worried about? Looking at life through gratitude changes so much as opposed to looking at life through those things we don't have or can't control.

Scott reflections on the quote from Amanda Gorman, "There is always light. If only we are brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to be it." Here is the entire poem, "The Hill We Climb," from which this quote comes:   The Hill We Climb When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry, a sea we must wade We've braved the belly of the...

  Scott talks about how the overwhelming response to being able to see both the northern lights and the ATLAS comet speaks to our longing for a higher, spiritual perspective on life. We all need to be on the lookout for moments of awe and wonder because they are always to be found if only we have the eyes to see. 

We can't pour from an empty cup. Self-compassion is an essential practice for avoiding burnout and exhaustaion. This simple 5 minute practice, done on a regular basis, can help refill our spiritul and emotional cups.  

Listening is the most caring, the most healing gift we can give to another person, especially when that person is suffering in some way.  

Loving speech is a core practice that both flows from a place of peace and centeredness and also creates such a place for ourselves and others. When it comes to loving speech, as with so many spiritual practices, it is a matter of progress, not perfection.

In this episode, Scott talks about the difference between listening and hearing. He expresses his concern that he sees an increase in "loss of listening," which is the root of many conflicts in our relationships and our larger community.  

As children across the world head back to school, it's an excellent opportunity to reflect that we are all lifelong learners when it comes to the school of spiritual growth. Who are your favorite teachers? What lessons are you learning right now?  

  In this episode, Scott discusses how the illusion of separateness fosters an attitude of 'othering,' leading to actions that undermine both our wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. He explains that awakening from this illusion provides the spiritual foundation necessary to love ourselves and others, including those we find difficult to love.

Loving what is, is a practice, a spiritual discipline.  As with any spiritual discipline, when practiced regularly, it can profoundly affect our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our relationships.  

Scott discusses the power and practice of prayer and reflects on how what we witness in the Olympics can help us deepen our understanding of prayer.  

The Olympics remind us of the power of ceremonies and rituals. In this episode, Scott discusses how ceremonies and rituals are equally important in our personal lives and in our families, friendships, and communities. 

Walking meditation is a contemplative prayer practice that many people find works for them better than sitting meditation. Scott witnessed thousands of people doing walking meditation on his recent trip to Dharamsala, India, and shares how this practice has become important to his spiritual life.  

Loving Kindness is both a form of prayer and a way of being. It is a practice that can be done as part of sitting prayer/meditation and/or walking prayer/meditation.  Scott recently experienced the power of this, both as prayer and action, from the Tibetan people he recently spent time with in Dharmsala, India.  

Scott recently learned about the Tibetan Buddhist concept of Spacious Minds (seems pa chen po) on his trip to Dharamsala, India. This concept has a profound positive effect on our mental and spiritual wellbeing.  

Scott has just returned from almost three weeks in India, including a "Mindful Medicine Conference" that he and his wife Holly were part of in Dharamsala, India, home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In this first of several episodes, he talks about what he learned from the Tibetan people that were his hosts, and how that learning can help all of us.  

Continuing the series on "Holy Listening," this week  Scott talks about "Wholly Listening." This involves listening to God not just through prayer and meditation but also through our bodies, emotions, and relationships. It is a whole-person approach to listening, one where we listen with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind.