Becoming A Spiritual Warrior | Rev. Bill McDonald

#137 My awesome guest this week is Reverend Bill Mcdonald, a director of hearts and a tool-man of the soul. Our conversation revolves around one seemingly basic concept: "love" and how centring our lives around it can change us for the better. Rev. Bill, as his friends call him, is an author, award-winning poet, motivational speaker, and a Vietnam War veteran and in this episode, he tells us what he thinks will bring us joy. What is the effect of gratitude on our worldview and life? What does Bill think we need to dedicate our lives to? What really matters in life and how can we use it to change ourselves for the better? What is God? I know, we're answering some really deep and personal questions. But whatever your thoughts on these questions might be, I guarantee you will not regret hearing what Bill has to add. About Bill: Rev. Bill McDonald has been on a continuous spiritual journey, spanning over 7 decades. His whole life has been a long mystical trip in search of gurus, the paranormal, self-discovery and self-realization. He has written many books about his spiritually transformative experiences and "near-death-experiences" including supernatural events during his combat tour of duty in the Vietnam War. His autobiography "Warrior A Spiritual Odyssey" takes us on a life quest for love, understanding, forgiveness and enlightenment.  His follow-up book "Alchemy of a Warrior's Heart "continues that mystical journey including four trips to India for even more profound experiences with holy men, miracles and his personal relationship with the Divine.  He has spoken around the world including Germany, England, Wales, Bolivia, Vietnam and India. He has been involved with a dozen films and documentaries. He was a Keynote Speaker at last year's (The International Association of Near-Death Studies) IANDS 2019 Conference. He has been interviewed or talked on over 12000 radio & TV shows, Podcasts, newspaper and magazines since 1998. Some call him a mystic, a healer, a teacher, and even a psychic but he just calls himself a friend to those in need. He freely helps military veterans and their families worldwide through his Spiritual Warrior Ministries. He is also a yoga meditation teacher, an artist, a poet, a writer, actor, film consultant, SCUBA Instructor, and an international motivational speaker.  He has had 3 near-death experiences and many spiritually transformative experiences which he talks about and share with audiences. His main focus is on motivating people to love and serve others and to forgive. www.revbillmcdonald.com Email: [email protected] Facebook - Rev. Bill McDonald https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=735455761 YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCXUVf8UOT237rw2RfsB9haA Documentary on Rev. Bill's Life. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xrtyOqwr9E&list=PLQtoEMQ3knpjuNrsnQZxSIj0Xmy9jJWWs&index=13&t=0s Books:  "Warrior A Spiritual Odyssey"  "Alchemy of a Warrior's Heart"   "Sacred Eye - Poetry in Search of the Divine"   "Purple Hearts: Poetry of the Vietnam War" Key points with time stamp: Bill's work in his own words (5:19) What is the essence of life? (9:51) What can gratitude do for us? (12:37) How can we connect to our hearts and simply surrender? (16:41) Bill's opinion on manifestation (18:01) Focusing on the Now and not having a victim mindset (21:44) Why is it so hard to forgive? (34:10) In the end, it all comes down to Love (40:05) The tipping point for Bill (40:38) How can we achieve deeper connections to spiritualty? (48:09) How does Bill define God? (52:11) Bill's morning routine (1:01:21) Bill's choice of a dinner guest, dead or alive (1:05:24) What Bill leaves us with (1:07:39) Mentioned in this episode: Wayne Dyer Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder The Rainbow Body Experience The CIA Kriya Yoga Stanford University The Bible Genesis Kundalini President Jimmy Carter Ignatius of Layola Francis of Assisi Bill Gates  About me: My Instagram: www.instagram.com/guyhlawrence/?hl=en My website: www.guylawrence.com.au www.liveinflow.co