Spiritual Counseling with Billings Spiritual Philosophers

This group works in conjunction with “Billings Spiritual Philosophers”. Just another way to connect with people. I have no formal education as a “counselor”, but as far as the meaning of life goes, what qualifies a person as a spiritual counselor!? Well, what would you look for?

First, I think I gain as much from these conversations as the person I am talking to and believe this is how spiritual growth happens, but I want to qualify myself a little bit so as to attract some interest! :)

To me, it is a broad and solid background and experiences, so that is what I will share with you, resume style. :)

Author
-If you want to gain insight into my understanding of reality, I have written 7 books that I have published on Amazon, but have posted for free (link in “About Me” section).
-These books were written for my kids, and are titled “A Kids Book” but they are for every age.

Podcaster
-Although I have only posted two conversations so far, I have spent much of my life in conversation with others about meaning and spirituality.

Upbringing
-Born 1980
-Grew up on a farm in northern MN
-Avid outdoors person, hunter, athlete
-Grew up in the Lutheran Church - mother a Christian and father an atheist. Did a lot of questioning and decided that the purpose of life should be to understand its meaning
-3 siblings

US Army (99-01)
-Joined the Army just out of high school (13F) (must have experience and adventure to find meaning!)
-talk about a culture shock - met people from all over the US who had lived all over the world
-Air Assault Qualified (Helicopter Operations)
-SFAS (Passed Green Beret/Special Forces “tryouts” a month before ETS)
-took a philosophy course, and started reading spiritual literature, 'The Art of Happiness" by the Dalai Lama, along with some classic literature
-started meditating and writing my own thoughts on meaning
-Got out a month before 9-11.

Mind-Body
-Was in some form of sport or martial art from early years. Keeping your body/mind healthy through any sport/physical activity is important for holistic growth.

Formal Education Period
-BS Biology U of MN Twin Cities (2005) (Medical School reject)
-I tried hard in college and knew, after Med School rejection, I didn’t want to have to work even harder in Medical School, so I never applied again. I knew I would be a better person if I had more time to contemplate meaning and experience life.
-Studied Abroad at University of Karlstad, Sweden (2003-2004)
-Gained a more worldly or broad perspective towards the world
-Traveled to many European Countries
-Made friends with kids from all over the world
-Started questioning US wars and government intentions
-Read tons of literary classics and spiritual philosophy during this time. Huxley, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, J.D Salinger, Huston Smith, E.M. Forster…
-Continued to do a lot of writing on meaning and spirituality - during this time I had the epiphany that “Love was the nature of existence itself”. Have been trying to live according to this and put it into words ever since.
-Spent a summer in Kenya during college.

Work
-Had one “career” type job just after college, but felt pinned down and wanted more flexibility and life experience. Only got another "career" job just before getting married.

Lived and Travelled Around US
-Usually building houses in MN in summer and working in coffee shops in the winter. Continuous reading and writing and trying to live according to the truth that “love is the nature of existence”.
-Learned how to live extremely frugally and with less and less desire - I think this is a goal we should all move towards
-Increasing skepticism towards worldly powers and governments and this type of worldly civilization
-Understanding religions and religious arcs throughout time and civilization

Peace Corps 2009
-Knew I wanted to live in another culture, but needed to find a vehicle to make this happen. Almost went to a "spiritual school" in India, but chose Africa instead.
-Lived in rural Tanzania for just over 2 years
-Really understood what culture means and how different it can be. Started understanding better what Huxley was talking about with the “religion of inevitable progress” and Daniel Quinn was talking about with the taker/leaver civilizations.
-Learned Swahili - first language I have learned outside english
-Started seeing economic progress itself with increasing skepticism and thinking about what the enlightened have said about living without anxiety/birds of the air and their attitude towards worldly wealth and power
-Can’t understate the impact of living in and experiencing another culture and language for a substantial amount of time. I feel very fortunate for the experience and its impact on my growth. “Understanding brings love and love brings understanding.”

Palestine 2011-12
-The Israeli nation state is in many ways representative of global civilization as “one who struggles with god” (the meaning of the word Israel). It is representative of spiritual arcs and themes that have been recognized in many religious traditions throughout history.
-What should our attitude be towards worldly power and wealth and how the individual fits into this system. What type of civilization and way of life did the enlightened and religious founders want for us? Was it the civilization we are living in today? I don’t think so.
-I was a bit fearful before going here, but was reaffirmed in my faith that the world is not as scary as governments make it out to be. People are beautiful and loving all over the world.
-I enrolled in Birzeit University, learning Arabic, the history of the Israeli nation state, and meeting many friends from Palestine and all over the world.
-Experienced the “Holy Lands”, in the context of the religions, cultures and conflicts.

Family Life
-Married in 2014 to Tanzanian wife (met while in Peace Corps)
-3 kids
-Loving my wife and kids has been the most fulfilling experience of my life
-Living a mostly traditional American life, but trying to find a more spiritual way of life with less of the rat race.
-Continuing to write, read, learn and find spiritual community with others