Spiritual Reality Plainly Seen

Each end of year a great many people reflect on the year past, and look for signs about the year to come. Was 2022 a good year, or a bad one? Will 2023 be better? Or are we heading toward more difficult times? Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Transcription available here

On September 15, 2022, Dr. Frank Kaufmann, President of the Twelve Gates Foundation, offered brief thoughts on the future of the Metaverse at an online event sponsored by the Pew Research Center and Elon University. Dr. Kaufmann was one of six experts invited to speak at the Twitter Spaces audio program, “Hype, Hope or Hell?: The Metaverse in 2040”, hosted by Lee Rainie and Janna Anderson. Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Watch the video here Transcription available here

This is a brief speech offered by Frank Kaufmann of the Twelve Gates Foundation to the 33rd Annual Peace Festival of the World Yoga Community. Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Watch the speech here Transcription available here

Dr. Bruce Tallman is an author, spiritual director, and marriage coach. As a full-time spiritual director since 2002, Dr. Tallman has worked with laity and clergy from every Christian denomination. He has published two books for spiritual directors (one of them, Finding Seekers: How to Develop a Spiritual Direction Practice from Beginning to Full-Time Employment, is a bestseller in the field). He is passionate about his mission, which is to help people grow in wisdom and love. In this interview, we discuss his latest publication, God's Ecstatic Love. Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Podcast transcript available here

Dr. Frank Kaufmann, President of the Twelve Gates Foundation, offers a brief message and prayer at the closing ceremony of the World Yoga Festival. Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Transcript available here

How does political polarization affect friendship?  Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation  Transcript available here

This episode examines the relationship between physical prowess and growing experience and wisdom  Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation  Transcript available here 

Remarks on the Divine presence in women, offered during the Interfaith Prayer Service in Celebration of Women's History Month Please visit at Twelve Gates Foundation  Transcript available here

This episode describes positioning ourselves in time, and filling that time with ways that create ease of life Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Transcript available here

This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. This episode reflects related the social and political affirmation of human freedom and the God-given right to free speech, with the concept of "the Word," as found in various sacred Scripture Join us on the Twelve Gates Foundation  Transcript to follow soon

The Christians that lived around the Arabian Peninsula during Muhammad's lifetime are shrouded in mystery. Some of the stories of the Prophet's interactions with them are based on legends and myths, while others are more authentic and plausible. But who exactly were these Christians? Why did Muhammad interact with them as he reportedly did? And what lessons can today's Christians and Muslims learn from these encounters? Scholar Craig Considine, one of the most powerful global voices speaking in admiration of the prophet of Islam, provides answers to these questions. Through a careful study of works by historians and theologians, he highlights an idea central to Muhammad's vision: an inclusive Ummah, or Muslim nation, rooted in citizenship rights, interfaith dialogue, and freedom of conscience, religion and speech. In this unprecedented sociological analysis of one of history's most influential human beings, Considine offers groundbreaking insight that could redefine Christian and Muslim relations. Join us at Twelve Gates Foundation Transcript available here

Here are brief remarks from Twelve Gates President, Dr. Frank Kaufmann at the 37th Annual World Interfaith Month Celebration hosted by New York State Assemblyman, Nader Sayegh Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation. Transcript available here

Dr. Frank Kaufmann speaks at the opening ceremony for World Interfaith Harmony Week, (established at the United Nations in 2010) Visit us: Twelve Gates Foundation Transcript soon to follow

An interview with Congressman Mark Siljander about his international efforts to rescue vulnerable Afghanis from terror and extermination under Taliban rule. Full transcript available here

This episode looks into the nature of evil and temptation, how it is resisted and overcome, and how I should relate to others in society, including those who might be involved in harm and hurting others.

Professor Luonne Rouse offers thoughts and hope on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the US homeland. Read the full transcript here

This episode looks at better and more effective ways to improve ourselves and to help others. Ways that encourage and support, rather than force and demand. Read the full transcript here

This episode shows how Love and power are mutually exclusive, and how addiction to power is the ultimate self defeating paradox. Read the full transcript here

This episode looks at what happens to us when we die. How our lives are assessed. Read the transcript here

This episode explains important distinctions between two separate areas of self-improvement, skills, and goodness, with special emphasis on opportunities and even dangers if this is not considered in the arena of spiritual practice. Read transcript here

This episode looks at 3 life tasks, and our unique ways to succeed. Read transcript here

This episode looks at the challenging work of organizing our passions and talents as part of succeeding in life and realizing our dreams  Read transcript here

This episode walks through the reality that everything from our first breath to our last, and every last wonder in between are relationships. In the end Love is all. Podcast transcript is here

This episode looks at what elements are similar, and what elements are different when trying to accomplish our life goals in these two distinct arenas of our lives  Podcast transcript here

This episode responds to the questions raised in Voces 1 yesterday that asking about God's omnipotence. What are benefits from choosing good and sacrificial lives?

This episode looks into the question of if life really goes better for good or religious people. 

This episode looks at purpose, Being, and becoming. Can they exist harmoniously in our lives?  Or do they work against each other?

This episode introduces three things: 1. Love and Truth are not as separated as most people think, 2. Truth seeking (like love) requires action. It is not attained from afar, and 3. Truth carries Love, it is the face of Love. Read the full transcript here.

This episode examines the benefits and contributions unique to getting older. Read the full transcript here.

This episode examines efforts and challenges to balance family life and public, professional life. Click here to listen with the written, rough transcript.

This episode reflections on the contemporary fear of honest self reflection, and its impact of public, social life. 

This episode looks into timeless goodness. Can some of it be bred into the digital age? 

This episode examines ways to transcend important differences between tribes and cultures

This episode looks at the role of difference in making life exciting 

This episode examines the role of memory in creating better selves

This episode examines how to set the conditions and environments that help us realize the good and the change we hope to effect 

Managing the fine line between humility, confidence, and success

This episode offers thoughts on stepping out of a passive posture vis a vis the all important role that inspiration plays in our lives and pursuits 

This podcast looks at Love (and Marriage) from what I believe is a unique, and very helpful angle. The key lies in the concept of offering

This episode describes a unique concept that has potential to help us succeed at creating the good for all we naturally desire 

This episode introduces vying impulses in religion and spiritual life that has to do with teachings, and masters

This episode examines benefits from having towering life goals, and relating to them honorably

This episode looks at aspects of human relationships; time, direction, and seeing people more deeply 

This episode examines why striving to be good often is met by struggles and challenges 

This episode looks at what I call a temporal map, in relation to being grounded and invested in a reasonable and effective pursuit of our ideals

This episode looks at harmonizing oneself toward the Good

This podcast identifies three important boundary lines that require people of goodness to pay close attention to

This episode looks at the structure of good actions and the relationship between the object of your service, and the object of your devotions

This episode considers a starting point for goodness, and the advantages we inherit

This episode examines how religious life (the love of God) and earthly, loving relationships are related and similar 

This episode looks at ways to help dissolve the conflict and struggles that arise from class difference 

This episode discusses how elder and younger people can work more harmoniously to improve society

This episode introduces ways you can reliably increase your perception of spiritual reality, and increase your spiritual powers

This episode looks at the invisible dimensions of bearing and having children, augmenting our natural and more common sense of the physical dimensions. 

This episode that reflects on the loss of two key elements needed for true and rigorous spiritual growth, that happens with the decline of institutional religion

This episode describes structures of being human, and dimensions of our relationship with ourselves and the world that could provide paths toward diminishing vengeance, violence, and destruction

This episode looks at the different types of people who surround us, even in life and death situations

This short episode takes up a single point of major significance for matters related to prayer and spiritual growth

This interview with Safi Kaskas goes deeply into Christian - Muslim relations, with an especial focus on scripture, theology, and doctrine. The conversation is rich and constructive

This interview with Safi Kaskas goes deeply into Christian - Muslim relations, with an especial focus on scripture, theology, and doctrine. The conversation is rich and constructive

This episode examines inner gifts that make it possible for us to become better people, and better able to realize the good we hope to achieve

This episode looks at the basic sub-demographics in world affairs, issues of conflict and purpose, and our own responsibility in it all 

This episode examines what precisely distinguished being human from all other animals and sentient creatures

This episode looks at what makes love blossom, and weaves these things from "shoulds" to the natural flow of life

Thoughts on when and how to start big things, challenging projects. When it's scary to move ahead. How can we decide when to act? 

America faces severe challenges from violent insurgents claiming to act in relation to race inequities in America, This conversation sheds light on the use of violence to pursue justice from a Hindu perspective the preeminent Hindu scholar, Acharya Shrivatsa Goswami

This episode examines why problems remain despite remarkable advances in science 

This episode looks at questions like parental expectations, the professions we choose, and ultimately the preference for a meaningful life

This podcast looks at the basis, and the tough questions for living a loving life

This episode describes the path to attaining balance in life, balance through which we can discover divine light

This episode challenges the unexamined assumption that self improvement succeeds by adhering to rules for life

This episode examines the path to realizing a clear and constant identity and purpose

This continues the inquiry into our conflict within, the path and way out, and the unique place this achievement holds, even among many other blessed qualities 

This is the first of a two part comment that examines war and peace, internal struggle, the path to resolution, and how and why resolution is possible

What does it mean to be ready to die for what we believe in 

This episode introduces a secret inherent in spiritual systems that inhibit the arising of ego

What is the difference between conflict and competition? Does competitiveness lead to conflict?

What would the conscience teach us were it not opposed?

This episode looks at the relationship between ambition and desire, and love

Thoughts based on how appreciation can lead to self value

Our efforts to improve involve a three part relationship. Most people see improvement efforts as involving only two parts of ourselves

How to find peace among people set against you

An brief inquiry on knowing we are loved

Do all people have a conscience? Why are some people able to do bad things?

This episode looks into efforts to examine and explain the all important reality of love in more clear and specific ways 

A look at the question of Good and Evil

An examination of the pursuit of money, power, and knowledge

A brief pair of thoughts about structures of conflict, and ways toward harmony

Final thoughts for the get grounded workshop

This introduces a metaphor between self improvement, and religious and spiritual improvement

A brief word on what causes religious fanaticism, how to avoid it, and to respond to it

Not a binary, but a spectrum

Transcendence and Immanence. Within and without. 

Imam Aquil was in an elevator on Shabbat in Israel. What he learned there, led to him writing a book for Islam!

Thus episode looks to see if the classical Asian virtue of Filial Piety can be augmented to produce peace at levels larger than merely creating good families

On the morning after two shootings in the US, I published this call for Democrats and Republicans to mourn, pray, and serve together, offering NO analysis during the time of mourning

This post describes how better precautions could have prevented a dangerous clash that occurred at Masjid Al Aqua this morning

This first effort to experiment with creating a podcast, in ways has more to do with coming to terms with the tech, but hopefully has content valuable to the listener. I speak of paradoxical affirmations in a Biblical verse, thoughts on which could improve social relations in our current, tense, political environment