Dale is joined by Chris Britt for a conversation around what inspiration is to them and how we can best transform our inspiration into an expression of our truest selves.
Chris Britt combines stories, humor, magic, mindfulness and embodiment techniques to help us navigate through these difficult times. He produced a documentary about the spiritual philosopher Alan Watts(“In the Way with Alan Watts”) and was a joke a screenwriter for Mort Sahl and Robin Williams. Chris has shared his work with community organizations and companies such as Google and Hitachi Ventara. You can learn more at chrisbritt.com.
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Show Notes
What Inspires You? (Opening) – Chris speaks about the role that inspiration plays in his creative endeavors. He and Dale discuss the importance of staying in the moment and how that quality of presence influences our inspiration and ability to create with it.
“I have had a funny relationship with the idea of inspiration. It is something that is important to me, because I feel like, as a writer and a performer, my best work comes THROUGH me, not as a direct result of my logical thinking and my craft. I do study craft – how to write, how to perform magic, how to act – those things seem to capture what I consider to be inspiration.” – Chris Britt
Motivations to Practice (7:45) – Dale discusses teachings from Buddhism around motivation, which is seen in the same light as inspiration in Buddhist philosophy. He shares the inspirational force that Maharaj-ji (Neem Karoli Baba) plays in his own life.
“In a way, what Maharaj-ji did, who he was and what he said were of one claw. He was not a teacher – he was a Guru. At the same time he was an approachable oridanary guy.” – RamDev RamDev
The Miracle of Love (30:45) – Chris and Dale talk about what Ram Dass meant when he said that Maharaj-ji’s greatest miracle was the miracle of love. Chris speaks about the moments of inspiration in his own life that have been as powerful for him as Maharaj-ji’s love is for Dale.
Listen to stories from Ram Dass that reflect Maharaj-ji’s miracle of love and inspiration on Ep. 04 of the Here and Now Podcast
The Drama of the Gifted Child (42:20) – We close with a conversation about the way we relate to our difficult experiences in childhood and how we can move beyond the trappings of those experiences.
The first time I met Ram Dass in April, I said “I’d like to share magic with you as a thank you for all you’ve given me through your work.” I tore-up pieces of red and black tissue paper and asked before magically restoring them, “Ram Dass, do you have a magic word?” Without missing a beat, he said “Maharaj-ji.” Everyone laughed including Ram Dass. I looked at Ram Dass and said jokingly, “Oh, boy, this better work then!” Ram Dass keep his eye contact, extended his index finger and said Ah Ha! with a big laugh,as if to say “Good one!” It was a delight to make him laugh as he had to me many times through his books and lectures. It was my small way of giving a gift back to him. – Chris Britt