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Heart Sounds

Heart Sounds

By Steve Harper

"Heart Sounds" explores the spiritual life through the lenses of multiple faith traditions and from a variety of vantage points. It is for anyone who desires to live well.
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Jesus, the Water of Life

Heart SoundsAug 03, 2022

00:00
06:27
Jesus, the Water of Life

Jesus, the Water of Life

We end Season 2 of Heartsounds by connecting the metaphor of water to Christ, and finding our nourishment as the Risen Christ lives in us
Aug 03, 202206:27
The Incarnational Stream

The Incarnational Stream

In this episode we look at the final stream of Living Water that Richard Foster identifies in his book, 'Streams of Living Water.' It is the stream that incorporates all the others, giving rise to ordinary holiness--the spiritual life that we live daily through our accustomed routines and activities.
Jul 18, 202210:49
The Evangelical Stream

The Evangelical Stream

In this episode we explore the "good news" (Evangel) which flows into us through Christ so that grace triumphs and love wins.
Jul 01, 202208:54
The Social Justice Stream

The Social Justice Stream

The Water of Life flows into and out of us as social holiness. In this episode we show how the social justice stream is at the heart of Scripture and tradition within Christianity, and at the core of every other authentic religion as well.
Jun 03, 202208:05
The Charismatic Stream

The Charismatic Stream

We live "by the Spirit," inwardly and outwardly. This episode explores the Water of Life in relation to the Holy Spirit.
May 10, 202207:41
Interlude Update

Interlude Update

In this episode, I step back from the current subject to say thanks to new (and continuing) listeners, and to announce a new plan for uploading new episodes.
Apr 28, 202204:56
The Holiness Stream

The Holiness Stream

The Water of Life comes into us to nourish us so that we can nourish others. That's the essence of the Holiness Stream that we explore in this elisode.
Apr 21, 202206:41
"The Contemplative Stream"

"The Contemplative Stream"

God's living water nourishes us in love and moves us to love as we become more and more attentive and live from the heart. We explore aspects of the contemplative life in this episode.
Feb 03, 202208:03
"Streams of Living Water"

"Streams of Living Water"

God's life-giving Water comes to us from many streams. Today's episode provides an overview of them, helping us to drink deeply and broadly.
Jan 27, 202208:56
"Essence of Life"

"Essence of Life"

In this episode we use the metaphor of water to explore the essence (H2O) of the spiritual life as it's described in the Perennial Tradition
Jan 20, 202208:19
"Living Water'

"Living Water'

Water is a major metaphor for life in relation to spirituality. We begin our look at the water of life using Jesus' words in John 7:38
Jan 13, 202208:46
Intro to Season 2

Intro to Season 2

In this episode we begin a new season of "Heart Sounds" exploring the infrastructure of the spiritual life: the water, electrical, framing, and sewer components that give us nourishment, energy, strength, and cleansing for living well.
Jan 10, 202206:11
End of Season #1

End of Season #1

Looking back on the previous 30 episodes, this one draws together the various threads to show the overall tapestry that is the "Heart Sounds' vision.
Sep 18, 202109:39
How? Amplification

How? Amplification

We live the spiritual life by cultivating the parts of it that have the greatest potential. In this episode we look at ways for doing that.
Sep 07, 202108:23
How? Alignment

How? Alignment

The spiritual life is one of congruence, where our profession of faith and our expression of faith match. In this session we look at ways we make alignment a reality in our spirituality.
Aug 30, 202108:08
How? Abandonment

How? Abandonment

In the spiritual journey we inevitably come to the place where we have to let go of some things in order to make progress. In this episode we explore the idea of abandonment, and how it opens the way to further formation.
Aug 20, 202106:25
How? Appropriation

How? Appropriation

We appropriate the spiritual life by applying Jesus' words: ask, seek, and knock. In this episode we look at each of these practices to learn how they turn our discoveries into experiences.
Aug 07, 202107:56
How? Attention

How? Attention

We practice the spiritual life by paying attention, by being mindful. In this episode we look at nature, scripture, and our lives as doorways into attentiveness, and doing so naturally.
Jul 30, 202109:54
How? Awe

How? Awe

Awe is our response to awakening. In this episode we look at awe as the bridge that leads us into a wonder-full life.
Jul 23, 202107:50
How? Awakening

How? Awakening

The spiritual life begins to be lived in an experience of awakening. In this episode we explore aspects of this "waking up" to God and abundant living.
Jul 13, 202106:37
How Do We Live the Spiritual Life?

How Do We Live the Spiritual Life?

In this episode we begin looking at the sixth and final foundational question of the spiritual life, the "how" question. It's the application question, the one that moves theory into practice--the inevitable question that expresses our hunger for God in terms of behavior. Today's episode provides an overview of the "how" question, a look we will offer in more detail in upcoming episodes.
Jul 07, 202109:04
Conversations #2

Conversations #2

In this episode I offer the paradigm, the "big picture" that I am using to move the series along...and...I connect the series to the larger Oboedire ministry of spiritual formation that I launched in 2010.
Jul 02, 202108:06
When Do We Live the Spiritual Life?

When Do We Live the Spiritual Life?

The present moment is the only real time we have, so spirituality is reality. It is the time for cultivating faith, fullness, and formation.
Jun 29, 202108:16
Where Do We Live the Spiritual Life?

Where Do We Live the Spiritual Life?

In this episode we explore the connection between spirituality and location, focusing on six places that foster growth in the spiritual life.
Jun 22, 202110:37
Who is the Spiritual Life For?

Who is the Spiritual Life For?

Turning to the "Who" question, we discover the spiritual life is for everyone and everything. This episode explores both of those aspects, with the aim of showing the attractiveness and attainability of the spiritual life.
Jun 15, 202109:07
Why Important? Virtue

Why Important? Virtue

The spiritual life is important because it cultivates virtue: inward character, outward conduct, and healthy community. We thrive when these three qualities define and direct our lives.
Jun 04, 202109:18
Why Important? Vision

Why Important? Vision

The spiritual life is important because it gives us vision--the vision that we are God's beloved children, and that we have a place in God's plan. We look at these two things in this episode.
Jun 01, 202106:36
Why Important? Vitality

Why Important? Vitality

The spiritual life is important because it increases our sense of "aliveness." In this episode we look at vitality from the vantage points of expansion, wholeness, and hope.
May 28, 202107:27
Why is the Spiritual Life Important? Overview

Why is the Spiritual Life Important? Overview

This episode begins a new round of visits in which we will explore the significance of the spiritual life--looking at its importance in relation to intentionality and growth.
May 21, 202107:15
Conversations #1

Conversations #1

Periodically, I will step out of the thematic flow of the podcast and interact with you about things I am hearing from you. Today, I respond to inquiries about the vision which gives rise to "Heart Sounds," the brevity of the episodes, and the sharing of resources that give us a big-picture look at the spiritual life.
May 18, 202108:49
What? The Grand Story: Community

What? The Grand Story: Community

In this episode we look at one final aspect of the Grand Story: cosmic community, manifested in our interbeing, individuation, intercommunion, and interdependence. We have lost this aspect of the Grand Story, and in doing so we have descended into toxic life that is destroying us as a people and a planet. Our survival depends on recovering this sense of community.
May 14, 202109:08
What? The Grand Story: Joy

What? The Grand Story: Joy

Continuing our look at the Grand Story, we focus in this episode on joy, exploring its inward and outward dimensions in the spiritual life.
May 11, 202108:16
What? The Grand Story: Desirability

What? The Grand Story: Desirability

Continuing our look at the Grand Story, we explore desirability in this episode, learning that the spiritual life is not imposed upon us. It arises from us. Psalm 42:1 is the focal text for this episode.
May 07, 202108:21
What? The Grand Story: Mystery

What? The Grand Story: Mystery

In this episode we look at a second aspect of the Grand Story: mystery, and how it enriches the spiritual life.
May 04, 202108:52
What? The Grand Story: Singularity

What? The Grand Story: Singularity

Ultimate Reality (God) is one. In this episode we look at how singularity enriches our view of God and our understanding of ourselves. We show that a recovery of oneness is a crucial need in the world today.
Apr 30, 202106:56
What? The Grand Story: Overview

What? The Grand Story: Overview

Our longing to live a spiritual life is older than any of the world's religions. Before there were stories, there was the Grand Story. We look at it in this episode
Apr 27, 202107:36
What? Spiritual, But Not Religious

What? Spiritual, But Not Religious

Today we explore a phrase many are using to describe their hunger for God while being honest about their disillusionment with institutional religion. This episode offers some ways to live when we feel this way--things we can do to move ahead in our spiritual formation.
Apr 23, 202109:32
What? Spiritual Formation

What? Spiritual Formation

Spiritual formation is the way we enrich the spiritual life. In this episode we look at why it is necessary and how it occurs.
Apr 20, 202107:01
What? Spirituality

What? Spirituality

The word 'spirituality' is used to describe a variety of things in our spiritual life. This episode looks at four of them.
Apr 16, 202107:52
What? Life

What? Life

In this episode we look at "life," the energy of the spiritual life. We explore its two fundamental dimensions and our need to grow in both of them.
Apr 13, 202106:56
What? Spiritual

What? Spiritual

We will use the six basic questions (who, what, when, where, why and how) to lay the foundation for the spiritual life. We begin with "What?" This episode looks at what it means to say life is "spiritual."
Apr 09, 202107:36
Living from the Heart

Living from the Heart

We live well when we live from the core, from the essence of who we are: unique, sacred persons...and...universally connected to everyone snd everything.
Apr 07, 202107:28
"Heart Sounds" Introduction

"Heart Sounds" Introduction

"Heart Sounds" is an exploration of the spiritual life, aimed to help listeners live well. This episode is an overview of the vision that's given rise to the "Heart Sounds" series, a description of each episode's format, and an invitation to be on the journey. I hope you'll join me. Steve Harper, host.
Apr 03, 202104:52