The Vespers Project - Episode 1 : Love
Host Ben Pruitt introduces You to The Power of Vespers…
Show Notes:
Songs -
Love Is a Verb, John Mayer: Born and Raised, John Mayer
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Verb-Album-Version/dp/B0083EWAI0
While My Guitar Gently Weeps, The Beatles: Across the Universe, Martin Luther McCoy
https://www.amazon.com/While-My-Guitar-Gently-Weeps/dp/B075FXS2LK
Lovable, Jonathan Reid Gealt: Thirteen Stories Down, Alysha Umphress
https://www.amazon.com/Lovable/dp/B076YJ46MM
Can You Feel the Love Tonight?, Elton John (Instrumental)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NyGa0Tiy9hU
https://www.amazon.com/Can-You-Feel-Love-Tonight/dp/B000VWPY4O
Quotes & Inspiration -
Bell Hooks, All About Love: New Visions
“Individuals who want to believe that there is no fulfillment in love, that true love does not exist, cling to these assumptions because this despair is actually easier to face than the reality that love is a real fact of life but is absent from their lives.”
“The practice of love offers no place of safety. We risk loss, hurt, pain. We risk being acted upon by forces outside our control.”
“If you do not know what you feel, then it is difficult to choose love; it is better to fall. Then you do not have to be responsible for your actions.”
“To begin by always thinking of love as an action rather than a feeling is one way in which anyone using the word in this manner automatically assumes accountability and responsibility.”
https://www.amazon.com/All-About-Love-Visions-Paperback-ebook/dp/B078GL796R
Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles
“Love is the essential existential fact. It is our ultimate reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life.”
“Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we have learned here. The spiritual journey is the relinquishment—or unlearning—of fear and the acceptance of love back into our hearts. Love is the essential existential fact. It is our ultimate reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life.”
https://www.amazon.com/Return-Love-Reflections-Principles-Miracles/dp/0060927488
Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
“We accept the love we think we deserve.”
Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.
Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them – we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.
Shame, blame, disrespect, betrayal, and the withholding of affection damage the roots from which love grows. Love can only survive these injuries if they are acknowledged, healed and rare.” https://brenebrown.com
Acknowledgments -
As always - a huge thank you to Blue Ridge Leaders School for inspiring this podcast. I want to thank Ben Gant for his creativity and graphic design. A huge thank you to everyone for submitting a Vespers to the project, and especially to Jason Wykoff for being a friend and for allowing me to learn and grow through his friendship. Lastly - thanks to the Ark of E for hosting our Podcast and giving us a platform to allow others to enjoy this art.