When life throws us into the depths of adversity, some stories emerge as powerful testaments to the resilience of the human spirit. I found such inspiration in Bill Murtha, a man whose journey from the heights of semi-pro football to the tumult of a life-or-death struggle reveals the profound capacity for transformation within us all. My conversation with Bill peels back the layers of a life that, while seemingly ideal, concealed battles with inner turmoil and feelings of inadequacy, leading up to a cycling accident that nearly claimed his life.
The dance with death is a poignant one, and in our latest episode, it takes center stage. Facing the end can unleash a torrent of past traumas, but it can also offer a glimpse into the profound understanding of our place in the cosmos. Bill’s near-death experience and the extraordinary cosmic awareness that accompanied it challenge our conventional perspectives. It’s a tale of survival, yes, but also one of awakening—where the boundaries between self and universe blur and reveal the interconnectedness that binds us.
In the wake of such an encounter, life is seldom the same. Bill’s story doesn’t end with his miraculous rescue; it’s merely the beginning of a deeper exploration into the essence of being and the power of authenticity. My own transformation from materialistic pursuits to a life of meaning echoes the universal journey toward authenticity that we discuss. Join us as we reflect on the collective hardships we face, like a global pandemic, and how they serve as microcosms of our individual paths to growth. It’s a conversation that honors our shared struggles and the quest for an authentic, resilient life.
Course Content
Organisation
Presenter
Malcolm Stern has worked as a group and individual psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He was a co-founder of Alternatives at St James’s Church in London and runs groups internationally.
He is the author of Falling in Love / Staying in Love (Piatkus 2004) and Slay Your Dragons with Compassion ( Watkins 2020). He co-presented Channel 4’s relationship series, ‘Made for Each Other’ in 2003 and 2004 and sailed on the ‘Rainbow Warrior’ with Greenpeace in the 1980s. The book he is currently writing is an exploration of the shadow and its necessity in our evolutionary development.
Malcolm Stern in conversation with guests overcoming & thriving through adversity.
