SunstonePodcast #010–Mormon Mantras: A Journey of Spiritual Transformation
By John Dehlin on Jun 15, 2006
In this podcast, Sunstone editor Dan Wotherspoon interviews Phil McLemore, author of the cover article of the April 2006 issue, “Mormon Mantras: A Journey of Spiritual Transformation.” In it, Phil speaks about his experiences as a Mormon convert turned Church Education System employee turned Air Force chaplain who, after thirty years of struggle to attain the spirituality he desired, found the key to this transformation in a meditation practice he began initially simply to relieve pain from a serious injury.
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Great article and podcast! Very helpful. Thanks to Philip McLemore. One question: I have to know if that story about the counsel from the stake president about changing diapers is true. Can Philip verify this for me? The stake or president isn’t important, just if it’s true or how sure Philip is about it. Thanks!
Comment # 1 by Cody Clark | Jun 18, 2006 | Reply
I printed this off because I have a problem with podcasts. Well, Jackie, my computer, does, anyway. I’m going to study it out. Thanks.
Comment # 2 by annegb | Jun 19, 2006 | Reply
I sat in front of the sister who told the story in the Gospel Doctrine class I mentioned. The comment was reported to her by her sister who lived in the stake where the President made the comment. There other stories I told were so tragic I included this one just for the comic relief.
Comment # 3 by Phil McLemore | Jun 19, 2006 | Reply
Doh! “The other stories”…sorry for the typo.
Comment # 4 by Phil McLemore | Jun 19, 2006 | Reply
I had an opportunity recently to attend a weekly workshop where Phil taught some meditative techniques and principles. I became interested in Eastern meditative practices after studying Taoist and Zen Buddhist thought, and my interest only intensified after reading several articles on the studies that show brain function and brain structure are sometimes dramatically affected by meditative practice.
The thing I found most surprising was the approach Phil takes to meditative practices. His is not simply a spiritual point of view, but one that is both informed by and interwoven with Mormon and broader Christian perspectives.
One thing about the class with Phil that I will mention: he challenged me in a very profound yet oblique way. My motivation for meditation was for the empirically observed benefits – and yet during the course, as I struggled to find the experience desired, Phil’s simple question about my intent shook me. I was going through the motions. Little more. It was a comment not only on my experience in class, but also in a broader context descriptive of my spiritual life. I’m still reeling.
It was an excellent experience, and I’m glad to see his work receive this attention.
Comment # 5 by Rory | Jun 19, 2006 | Reply
I read this last night, as I suffered from insomnia, as I also perused Eat, Love, and Pray. I thought it had to be a God thing that they both covered the topic of meditation and yoga.
You guys, this was worth printing off and studying with a red pencil. I’m making copies. Besides the guidance to meditation, the wisdom is so profoundly tremendous. Or whatever superlative adjective you can imagine. Honestly, it takes re-reading.
Comment # 6 by annegb | Jun 20, 2006 | Reply