Rev. Dr. Ray Silverman very recently retired as Professor of Religion and English at Bryn Athyn College after 27 years of teaching. Ray is the editor/revisor of Helen Keller’s Light in My Darkness (1994, 2000) and author of How I Would Help the World (2011) and The Core of Johnny Appleseed (2012). Together with his wife, Star, he co-authored Rise Above It: Spiritual Development Through the Ten Commandments, later expanded into Rise Above It: Spiritual Development for College Students, which serves as a textbook for several courses at Bryn Athyn. In July 2024, Ray and Star completed A Seamless Garment: A Study of the Four Gospels as a Divinely Arranged Narrative, a four-volume, 2,000-page study available at www.newchristianbiblestudy.org.
Ordained as a New Church priest in 1984, Ray previously served as pastor in Pittsburgh and Atlanta. He and Star, married for 48 years with seven children and 13 grandchildren, have taught spiritual development courses across the U.S., Africa, and in prisons. Their work emphasizes the Ten Commandments as a divine framework for growth and continues to share New Church truths worldwide.
See below for links to Ray’s presentations on YouTube
keywords love, faith, marriage, teaching, creativity, partnership, truth, spirituality, personal growth, Swedenborg, Helen Keller, ego, community, safe spaces, inner adventure, spiritual teachings, love, wisdom, personal development
summary In this conversation, Ray Silverman shares his journey of love, faith, and teaching. He reflects on his early life in a non-religious household, the development of his faith, and how it influenced his marriage and career. Ray emphasizes the importance of love and truth in relationships and discusses the collaborative creative process he shares with his wife. Their partnership in writing and teaching has deepened their bond and understanding of love, showcasing the transformative power of faith and connection. In this conversation, Ray and Sage explore the profound themes of spiritual growth, the role of community, and the importance of overcoming the ego. They discuss the teachings of Helen Keller and Swedenborg, emphasizing the need for love, wisdom, and the creation of safe spaces for sharing personal experiences. The dialogue highlights the inner adventure of spiritual life and the practical applications of spiritual teachings in everyday relationships.
takeaways
Ray's early experiences shaped his understanding of love and faith.
He learned the importance of prayer and its impact on his life.
Marriage can be a beautiful journey when nurtured with love.
Teaching with love can transform students' lives.
Creating safe spaces fosters trust and growth in relationships.
The adventure of spiritual growth is profound and ongoing.
Ego can hinder personal and relational development.
Love and truth must coexist for healthy relationships.
Community support is vital for spiritual development.
Life is a daring adventure that requires courage.
Sound Bites
"Love needs to be guided by truth."
"The Helen Keller effect is grandeur."
"Living our faith is so important."
"The biggest false god is ourself."
"Rise above your ego."
"Stories are real; this is our life."
"Trust is fundamental in sharing."
"Ego can burn us out."
Chapters
00:00 The Journey of Love Begins
06:40 Finding Faith and Family
12:21 The Power of Marriage and Partnership
16:30 Balancing Love and Truth
21:08 The Creative Process in Love and Writing
26:03 The Helen Keller Effect and Living Faith
27:38 Understanding the Ego and Spiritual Growth
31:15 The Role of Community in Spiritual Development
36:53 Creating Safe Spaces for Sharing
41:42 The Inner Adventure of Spiritual Life
45:11 Practical Applications of Spiritual Teachings
Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com
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