Carolyn Reinhart MA, Dprof, Author of A Fruit-Bearing Spirituality

Today we are interviewing Carolyn Reinhart MA, Dprof., author of A Fruit-Bearing Spirituality.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
 Carolyn Reinhart MA, DProf, LPRS
Doctor of Professional Studies (developing a spirituality praxis within a multidisciplinary organization.)

I graduated as an RN in 1962 and worked in that field until I moved to the UK in 1974. I completed an MA in Christian Spirituality from Heythrop College, University of London  in 1999 and then a Doctorate in Professional Studies with The National Centre for Work Based Learning, Middlesex University, UK. "Developing a Spirituality Praxis in a Multidisciplinary Organization."
After living in the UK for 33 years, helping to found and develop two Charities, I returned to Canada in 2005 and am enjoying the Arts and Environmental aspects of  Muskoka.
 

Author Carolyn Reinhart MA, Dprof.

Describe your book in a few sentences.
The book was published in Dec 2013 by John Hunt Publishing, Circle Books, UK.
A Fruit-Bearing Spirituality, is the fruit of years of formal study in the field of spirituality and is combined with 70 years of life experience

Are you ready for an adventure? Whether you are a new seeker or well on your spiritual path, pick up my book as a guide for your spiritual development. A Fruit-Bearing Spirituality explores the emerging spirituality of our time. Both the theoretical and the practical are covered, and there are lots of diagrams to help you to understand the content.

I look forward to your feedback on your reading. Join the conversation on my blog and email me if you have any questions. http://www.carolynreinhart.com/#sthash.mDSWRyWS.dpuf

An Authentic Spirituality for today Within the pages of A Fruit-Bearing Spirituality Dr Reinhart shares a Model for Understanding and Developing Spirituality Praxis (theory and practice combined) while enveloping the personal and social aspects. There is also a basic Model of Inclusivity referring to the Dominant paradigm of oppression and the need for a paradigm shift and new world view. It is not about Religion or Theology but about the Spirit, which no faith has ownership of, and includes perspectives on relationships, context for practice, language, religion/theology, transformation and quantum physics.

When did you first become interested in spirituality?
I have been “interested” in it all of my life. But as a separate and new academic subject, not until 1997 when I began my MA at Heythrop College, University of London. It was a new subject and field, although still under the Theology Department. Since that time the field and understanding of spirituality has grown in leaps and bounds, in every way, and almost every field laying claim to its own understanding of what “spirituality” is and means within their field eg psychology and spirituality, environment and spirituality. It is a greatly misunderstood word and like a slippery eel but also very elastic and inclusive of all.

One of the things you write about in your book is that spirituality is both personal and social. Can you elaborate on this a bit?
Some people seek and understand “spirituality” as a very private and personal aspect of their lives and they are trying to find an understanding and practice which enables them to find answers to life, death, suffering and meaning etc which will then bring them the peace which they seek. However, we don’t live in a vacuum, but are social beings, living in an inter-connected way, within our global home and universe. We are connected to all that is and so interface, interact and affect each other. Spirituality is therefore understood also as “social” – in that it is seen through the lens of where and how we live our lives within our contexts. If we “walk the talk”, practice what we preach, with all aspects of our lives integrated since they are part of a whole: body, mind and spirit within our relationships, families, groups, work places, countries, churches and our entire larger global context, then our spirituality is indeed social. We are not isolated from each other, there are no either/or’s, but both/and’s – without dualisms. We are one.

You write about on the link between science and spirituality. When did you first begin to research this link?
During the MA we read books by Danah Zohar on Quantum Physics – “The Quantum Self”. “Anyone not shocked by QuantumTheory has not understood it” (Neils Bohr) “The day will come when after we have mastered the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love. Then for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire" - Teilhard de Chardin.

These are the two quotes which I have on the very first page of the book. For me they are essential to embrace as part of our understanding of life.

She asks questions at the outset, such as:

•    Who am I?
•    Why am I here?
•    What is my place in the scheme of things?
•    Why is the world like it is?
•    What does it mean that one day I must die?

These are some of the key questions of urgency that many of us have, often with no real answers. Quantum science shows us that we cannot separate ourselves from our environment, helping us to understand our everyday life and our relationship to ourselves, others and the world at large. In this century we have particularly experienced a particular form of alienation so that we feel like strangers in this universe. Now as we get in touch with our consciousness we are less alienated from Nature and experience being more a meaningful part of the scheme of things.

What do you hope readers get from reading your book?
My intention was to make a book available which presents a well-researched, authentic theory of what “spirituality” means today, which is the fruit of Doctoral studies. By including the visual concepts, way markers and guidelines, as well as website reference pages as well as current news blogs, I intend it to offer a wide range of resources, which readers can use for further study.

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I don’t intend to “write” a book as such, but do continue to research on a daily basis, blogging frequently with current relevant global events and oversights.

Anything else you'd like to tell potential readers?
“Spirituality” as a field continues to be somewhat vague, wide ranging, misunderstood and confusing, since it is still linked in many peoples’ minds with church, religion, dogma, theology, rules and regulations with hierarchical oversight and control. There is also an attendant need for an authentic, sound and healthy understanding of the theory of spirituality. The difficulty is that so many people and professions assume an understanding and “market” that as valid and bone fide, like self-styled gurus. However, thankfully, we can often tell by the “fruits” of their lives and their practice if there is the necessary integration. Many people are seeking answers outside the “churches” and don’t find it easy to find appropriate and safe contexts to continue their searching.

More Information
www.carolynreinhart.com
https://www.facebook.com/AFruitBearingSpirituality
https://twitter.com/DrCReinhart
http://ca.linkedin.com/in/carolynreinhart
http://pinterest.com/carolynreinhart/
https://plus.google.com/u/0/114064131094844485321/posts

Where to Buy A Fruit-Bearing Spirituality
Buy the book on Amazon
Buy the Book on Barnes and Noble
Buy the book on Indigo

Interview with Christina Lockett, author of Love Lost, My Story

Today we are interviewing Christina Lockett, author of the inspirational book Love Lost, My Story: A Message of Hope.

Tell us a bit about your background.
I am the youngest and only girl of four children, born to two loving parents Conrell and Beatrice Lockett. I am a native Houstonian and a licensed cosmetologist since 1996. I am single mother of two teenage sons ages 15 and 13 years old. I am a licensed and ordained minister, choir director, and Sunday School Teacher of Holy Trinity Church.

I am recent college graduate of Texas Southern University with a Bachelors of Science in Curriculum and Instruction Interdisciplinary Studies. I am a certified school teacher currently teaching fifth grade Science.

Why did you write this book?
I wrote this book to inspire people not to give up. It is easy to give up and loose hope when you have unexpected turns in your life. Sometimes things just happen but we must keep moving forward.

Is it a topic that a lot of people can easily relate to?
Yes, the book is based on my experiences after two failed marriages. I think men and women can relate to disappointments and infidelity in relationships but I hope my readers will understand that my message of hope is beyond intimate relationships.

As the author, do you have a unique background different from most other authors?
My background is unique because I did not plan to be an author. I decided that I wanted to share my story and let people know that they can face their challenges in life with a positive mind and change it. My personal motto is a positive mind plus positive words will equal a positive outcome.

Who (age, gender, etc) do you think would most appreciate this book?
I believe women ages 25 and up would appreciate this book the most.

Did you learn anything about yourself while writing this book?
While writing this book I learned that I am able to forgive with a pure heart.

You’re currently a teacher. What inspired you to get into teaching?
I was inspired to teach after I started working as a substitute teacher to supplement my income. I wanted to impact children that I think are sometimes left behind by the educational system.

How do you think reading your book will impact people?
I know people who will read my book will be inspired to move forward past their challenges.

Have your family and friends been supportive of your writing?
My family and friends were shocked at what I shared in the book because they always saw me smiling, being positive, or encouraging others. They are extremely supportive and asking about the next book.

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I am not sure but I leaning toward a book of affirmations for single parents, recently divorced women, and burned out teachers.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I want potential readers to know that they will be able to relate to something in the book and after reading they are sure to have a smile of hope.

An excerpt from Love Lost, My Story, Chapter 6 - A New Beginning:

I go to church with hopes of having a spiritual encounter. My focus is on God and him alone. I did notice that we had a new member in our church but I truly did not pay any attention to him Again, it was not my focus. I found out that he was asking about me and wanted to know if I was single because he saw me with my son and he was not sure if I was married. I wish that the older lady from our church would have never told me because now I was nervous every time I saw him at church. You have to keep in mind that my first husband was my everything. I had not dated anybody else neither was I interested in dating. My first husband’s grandmother encouraged me and told me that I was a young woman and it was OK for me to move forward and go out on a date. It is imperative to keep people encouraged when you know they are going through a rough season. I cannot put into words how she inspired me and helped the healing process begin in my life.

The first Sunday of 1999 a few people from my church decided to play matchmaker. They decided the best way for me and the new guy to talk was if we all went to Sunday dinner. It was a large group that included our pastor with his wife and family, members of our church. I had my son and nephews as with me as well. I think it did take the pressure off because after dinner we met back at the church. Those who carpooled could retrieve their vehicles and I lived about 2 minutes away. The older couple from our church and their son came over to my house as if they were chaperones. That guy came as well. Their son, the guy, and my nephews played basketball for a little while at my house, then they all came inside. All of sudden the older couple had somewhere to be and they left. Set-Up! So we talk alone. We talked and we talked and we talked, so much that we did not realize the time. It seemed like we were old friends. We exchanged phone numbers and started dating.

More Information
Buy the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lost-My-Story-message/dp/1500605476