What happens when we confront life’s greatest challenges with compassion instead of despair? Join us as we welcome William Bloom, a dear friend, and colleague, to our enlightening discussion on adversity and human resilience. William shares his unique perspective drawn from his parents’ harrowing experiences as survivors of Japanese prisoner of war camps, shedding light on the intricate web of intergenerational trauma. We navigate through the complex landscape of human suffering, examining how minor grievances can sometimes overshadow genuine hardships. Through personal stories of loss and courage, including my own story of losing a daughter, we highlight the importance of differentiating between significant traumas and life’s inevitable challenges.
In our exploration of consciousness and human growth, William and I ponder the role of therapists and careers as ambassadors of a benevolent universe, guiding us to find meaning amidst pain. We tackle the commercialization of the New Age movement and the perils of spiritual bypassing, underscoring that true growth is a journey without shortcuts. Personal anecdotes reveal how moments of near-death can open doors to profound bliss, provoking a choice between embracing these wake-up calls or letting them slip by unnoticed. We invite listeners to consider the universe’s subtle nudges towards the bigger picture and to engage with the human spirit’s capacity for awakening.
Our conversation takes a mystical turn as we reflect on the evolution of personality traits with age, leading to greater maturity and wisdom. I share mystical experiences like out-of-body adventures, discussing their personal significance despite a lack of empirical evidence. We touch on insights from spiritual traditions such as Sufism and the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing the role of daily meditation in nurturing curiosity and balance. Concluding with a discussion on balancing intelligence and insecurity, we explore how meditation, kindness, and gratitude can transform intellectual struggles into meaningful connections with others. This episode offers a rich tapestry of insights, encouraging listeners to stay curious and connected as they navigate the complexities of life.
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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.
