In this second conversation with John Philip Newell, we explore how Celtic spirituality informs a movement back to the soul and to the earth. By framing our core human essence as well as the material world as good (contra much of the dualistic philosophy and theology that has guided Western history), we can discover deeper ways to be human beings. Guided by thoughts from Newell’s newest book, The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Quest for Healing and Home, we explore big concepts as well as daily practices for grounding and centering our lives.

In this short, we explore the power of immersing one’s self in a simple four-word phrase:
“It’s not about me.” It’s a mantra that has the power to reorient our thinking and our entire neurobiology, as we learn to see ourselves as a small part of something much bigger, removing the pressure that can build up when we take our ego, our emotions, or our sense of self too seriously. In the second half of the short, we explore different ways of engaging “It’s not about me” on a most practical level in order to cultivate a fully flourishing life.

We live in a left brain world. The brain’s left hemisphere is generally concerned with being explicit, certain, and in control. The right hemisphere, in contrast, is focused on story, metaphor, space, and connection. Shifting to the right brain can open up a world of possibility, as we become more concerned with what we experience and how we’re connected and less concerned with being right. In this episode, we explore how to shift from left brain to right brain, with a specific meditation practice designed to help you engage this shift.