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In this episode of Science and Spirituality for the Curious, I explore an important question: What happens when we integrate our spiritual lives with our physical lives, rather than treating them as separate dimensions of human existence?

My guest is Rev. Dr. Shelly Petz, author of Meet You at Nine, which is available for purchase at Amazon.com. Shelly’s new book chronicles her journey into embodied spirituality. Through years of prayer, ministry, and personal reflection, Shelly has discovered a specific prayer practice that engages not only the mind and spirit, but also the body.

Our conversation begins with Shelly's own spiritual journey. Although she originally expected to pursue a career in medicine like her father and grandfather, a profound experience while hiking led her in a different direction. Ultimately this new direction led into ordained ministry. Along the way, Shelly developed a deeper understanding of prayer—not as a way of informing God about our needs, but as an invitation to align ourselves with God's presence and purposes.

A turning point in Shelly's spiritual life came when she sensed an invitation from God to meet each day at 9:00 a.m. What began as a daily commitment to prayer, gradually evolved into a practice she calls circle prayer. Inspired in part by Mark Batterson's book The Circle Maker and the ancient story of Honi the Circle Maker, Shelly began walking and driving in intentional circles while praying for her family, congregation, community, and others.

As Shelly explains in our conversation, this practice transformed the way she sees the world. Circle prayer helped her slow down, become more attentive to the people and places around her, and recognize opportunities for human connection that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

One of the most intriguing aspects of our discussion is Shelly's conviction that God is always ready to meet us. The barriers that prevent us from experiencing God's presence are not God's barriers, but our own. Through her practice of circle prayer, Shelly has learned to become more attentive to that ever-present invitation from God.

During our conversation, Shelly also shared practical examples of how circle prayer can deepen one's spiritual life, and she demonstrated the practice of circle prayer for listeners of this episode.

Whether you are curious about prayer, interested in spiritual practices, or simply looking for new ways to integrate the physical and spiritual dimensions of life, I think you'll find this conversation both thought-provoking and inspiring.

To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support

To access Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com

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This episode features a panel discussion and review of the controversial new film, The Story of Everything. Philosopher of science Stephen Meyer is the screenwriter, and he draws heavily from his book, Return of the God Hypothesis. The film was directed by Eric Esau. It has had a limited release in U.S. theaters through Fathom Entertainment.

Panelists explored these questions:

1. Were there moments in the film that created a sense of wonder and awe for you?
2. Does the film raise new questions for you?
3. What were the film’s strengths and weaknesses?
4. Would you recommend this film to your friends and acquaintances?

Important Links:

• Science and Spirituality website: www.scienceandspirituality.org
• Richard Randolph’s Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com
• The Story of Everything trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwL3ZKlwEoc
• Stephen Meyer, Return of the God Hypothesis, HarperOne, 2021

To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support

To access Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com

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Richard Randolph has a fascinating discussion with John Grim, a historian of religions focusing on Indigenous Traditions. During their conversation, John shares his experiences learning from indigenous peoples, including being adopted by Crow people from Montana and invited to participate in their Sun Dance ceremonials. He reflects on what people from other faiths and spiritualities can learn from Indigenous knowledge and wisdom.
Links:

• To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support
• Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com
• John Grim is Co-Director of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, for more information go to https://fore.yale.edu/; the Yale Forum current “Living Earth Community” can be found here, https://livingearthcommunity.com/

Suggestions for Further Reading
John Grim, The Shaman: Patterns of Religious Healing Among the Ojibway Indians, University of Oklahoma Press, 1988.
John Grim, editor, Indigenous Traditions and Ecology: The Interbeing of Cosmology and Community, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard Divinity School Center for the Study of World Religions, 2001.
Robin Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass, Minneapolis, MN: Milkweed, 2013.
N Scott Momaday, House Made of Dawn
Louise Erdrich, Love Medicine
Leslie Harmon Silko, Ceremony
James Welch, Winter in the Blood
Janet Campbell Hale, The Jailing of Cecilia Capture
Susan Power, The Grass Dancer
Eddie Chocolate, Cheyenne Madonna
Gerald Vizenor, Bearheart
Rebecca Roanhorse, Black Sun
Joy Harjo (poet), An American Sunrise
Linda Hogan (poet and novelist), A History of Kindness
Simon Ortiz (poet), From Sand Creek
John G. Neihardt, Black Elk Speaks

To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support

To access Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com