Book Genre: Spirituality
Publisher: PuddleDancer Press
Release Date: September 1, 2014
Buy Link
Book Description:
Interviewed by God is an account of Beth Banning’s journey of spiritual awakening—her conscious connection with God and the lessons she’s learned along the way. From a very young age, Banning experienced phenomena that could only be called extraordinary: she’s received messages from spirit animals, felt kundalini energy awaken in her, and experienced dimensional shifts in her awareness that have allowed her to witness what only a few have seen. She was visited by totem animals, took ritualistic baths, and visited shamans and healers; she experienced ecstatic states and received messages; her ego mind began to battle against her higher mind. As she experienced her spiritual journey, a small voice within guided her. With doubt as her constant companion she continued to follow her inner promptings, which led her to higher levels of truth about her connection to herself and the world and reality as we know it. Written in a format in which the author is “interviewed by God,” the book is meant to be a mirror for the reader to reflect their own experiences back to them, and a gentle guide for those who are at the precipice of an extraordinary adventure and are either scared to jump or who hunger for answers and understanding.
INTERVIEW
Defining Ways interview
- Your path through spirituality is unique and diverse, were you raised in a particular philosophy/religion or with an open forum to all?
I was brought up Jewish, but with little understanding of the religion itself. My mother came from an English-Jewish background and mixed various holiday traditions, so she first celebrated Christmas by putting presents under the bed instead of a tree. However, my brother became so overexcited about all the presents that we changed to a more traditional Hanukkah. But aside from that holiday, religion wasn’t part of our daily lives. My father came from an Eastern-European Jewish family who kept kosher, but he was a rebel of sorts, so I didn’t get any clear religious understanding from him either.
What I did get from my mother was that there was something more to this world, something bigger than we could understand with our mind alone. She always had an unspoken sense of spirituality about her.
When I was young I asked her what religion we were, and she said, with much conviction, “The only real religion, is to be a decent human being.” And that’s what I’ve always tried to be. I think because I was raised in more of an open forum I didn’t have to rebel against anything and was more open to what called me.
- Spiritually can unite us to those with common beliefs as well as pull us away from people who are not open to our philosophies. Can you give personal examples of each?
The example that pops to mind is actually in relation to my book and happens in both directions. Drawn closer and pushed away. The example I’m talking about relates to my book title – Interviewed by God. When people are more religious, they’re draw to the word ‘God’ in the title. They’re very excited and assume we have much in common – which we actually do at a spiritual essence level. But when I explain that the book really isn’t “religious” at all and that it leans more towards spirituality in the New Age sense they seem quite disappointed and turned off.
Like I said, this happens in the opposite direction as well. Because of the word ‘God’ in the title more “spiritual” New Age individuals seem to be turned off from the get-go. Then when they get to know me and what the book is about – if they are willing to – they get very excited and those kinds of common beliefs bring us closer together.
It’s quite an interesting phenomenon to experience in real time and in both directions about the same title. Because of this and other experiences I’ve had in my life I pay very close attention to what personally draws me and pulls me away from people. My intention now is to always go a little deeper and make sure my preferences aren’t just unconscious beliefs keeping me separate from others.
- What is the greatest tool to Spirituality in your experience?
This is one of my favorite subjects. In my experience the greatest spiritual “tool” is our Inner Guidance. From a very young age we’re taught that all our answers, our reassurance and our acknowledgment comes from other people. We cannot be loved unless someone loves us, we do not feel successful or truly happy unless we are being acknowledged by others. We are taught to go for the gold star, for the good job, the big house, the perfect relationship, etc. If we can achieve all these things, then we’ll be happy. And look where it gets most of us. The level of stress and dissatisfaction in most cultures is appalling.
When we learn to reconnect fully to the guidance of grace and wisdom within us, our experience of life transforms. We are no longer confused, lonely, or fearful in the same way ever again. We learn that we are never alone, we are completely capable, and always cared for. What could be better than that!
Author Bio:
Beth Banning is a best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and spiritual catalyst who lives in California with her husband, their cat, and their six pound poodle. She was born in New York City and from a very young age could sense the feelings of people around her, felt kundalini energy running through her body, and experienced other unusual events that she didn’t understand. The well-meaning adults in her life told her she was depressed and that these experiences were just her imagination. Growing up in this cloud of ignorance and disbelief, these gifts were buried and unable to flourish and so she was left confused and lonely.
As a young adult she recognized the same sense of confusion and loneliness in others and became passionate about helping people better understand themselves and those around them. Later in life she took this passion into her work with her husband Neill and co-founded Focused Attention, Inc. She has written numerous books, co-created the Pathway to Personal Freedom, and the Art of Conscious Connection Seminar Series.
After many years of integrating this consciousness shifting work into her own life and teaching it to others, she experienced a profound reconnection with God that turned her life upside down. This radically changed the way she perceives the world and functions in it. Beth now lives her life guided by her inner source of divine wisdom. She is committed to helping others discover this for themselves and fully experience the essence of who they truly are.
Author Links –
Website: www.BethBanning.com
Blog: bethbanning.com/blog
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethBanning
Twitter: @BethBanning
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/bethbbanning
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/BethBanning
GoodReads: Interviewed by God
Amazon: HERE
❧Defining Ways❧ 