Show Notes
Tessa Bielecki is a hermit with a crackling vitality. She prays the Jesus prayer while she’s swimming her daily laps and says that sometimes she talks too much (with a sparkle in her eye). She didn’t set out to be a hermit–but when she met the Carmelite William McNamara, she said she had never met anyone more ALIVE.
Together they would begin several communities of hermits in the desert, mountains, and forest. Steeped in the contemplative tradition, they would blend together the spirituality of the Celtics, Carmelites, and Desert Mothers and Fathers.
What does a hermit’s life look like? Why would they choose that lifestyle? And what might they teach the rest of us living in the world?
Join us on the Spiritual Wanderlust podcast to find out!
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Tessa Bielecki is the co-founder of the Desert Foundation (www.sandandsky.org). She calls Teresa of Avila her best friend, and has written several books on the mystic (including Teresa of Avila: Mystical Writings, Holy Daring, Ecstasy and Common Sense). They share much in common: they were both mother foundresses, they are both known for their earthy mysticism, and have a particular wild streak.
A popular retreat leader, Tessa now lives as an urban hermit in Tuscon, Arizona. _______________________ WELCOME TO SPIRITUAL WANDERLUST. Contemplation. Embodiment. Mysticism. Mischief. Join former nun and neuroscience aficionado Kelly Deutsch as she interviews contemplative teachers, embodiment experts, psychologists, and mystics about the untamed frontiers of interior life. Each episode is jam packed with life-changing stories, spiritual practices, and powerful insight to support your journey toward wholeness and divine intimacy.
For FREE resources for your own spiritual journey (like the Psycho-Spritual Maturity Assessment!) - check out www.spiritualwanderlust.org. Leave us a voicemail at https://www.spiritualwanderlust.org/ask for the chance to have your spiritual question answered live!
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Have you ever been struck by someone’s depth of presence? Like when you meet a wise, holy person. The depth of their presence overwhelms us, floods our body with their peace. Have you ever wondered what's going on on a biological level when this happens? Or, wondered why it's so much easier to feel grounded when we meditate with others vs. on our own? Or maybe been curious about how life's traumas impact the contemplative life? Get ready, everyone - this is one of my FAVORITE intersections. 🤩🤩 Neuroscience and the contemplative life. Embodiment and spirituality. The mystical and the muscles, minerals, and membranes. In today’s episode I speak with Dr. Bonnie Badenoch, who specializes in precisely this intersection. Bonnie is an interpersonal neurobiologist *and* a contemplative! She has spent decades researching how that connection, and most importantly, presence, impacts our bodies. You might think of her as the Brene Brown of presence-- combining lots of heart with accessible research.