Phil Cousineau

PHIL COUSINEAU is an award-winning writer and filmmaker, teacher and editor, lecturer and travel leader, storyteller and TV host. His fascination with the art, literature, and history of culture has taken him from Michigan to Marrakesh, Iceland to the Amazon, in a worldwide search for what the ancients called the “soul of the world.” He has more than 25 books and 15 scriptwriting credits to his name; the “omnipresent influence of myth in modern life” is a thread that runs through all of his work. His books include Stoking the Creative Fires, Once and Future Myths, The Art of Pilgrimage, The Olympic Odyssey, The Hero's Journey, and forthcoming in 2010, Wordcatcher.

Who knew that the great country of Canada is named for a mistake?

How about "bedswerver," the best Elizabethan insult to hurl at a cheating lover?

By exploring the delightful back stories of the 250 words in WORDCATCHER: An Odyssey into the World of Weird and Wonderful Words, readers are lured by language and entangled in etymologies.

In his fascinating new book, Phil Cousineau takes us on a tour of intriguing word origins with great erudition and endearing curiosity. Every reader will relish the stories that Cousineau has discovered. Beautifully illustrated with line drawings by Gregg Chadwick, WORDCATCHER is the perfect gift for every book lover in your life.

Based on twenty years of teaching, Phil Cousineau's STOKING THE CREATIVE FIRES will guide you on your creative journey.

~ What are you on fire about now?

~ Where does your fiery urge to create come from?

~ What do you do to rekindle the inner flame of creativity when it is nearly extinguished by despair or fear?

~ And what are you doing to pass on the torch of your inspiration?

These questions are at the heart of one of the greatest human mysteries of all – creativity.

"Creativity is as natural as breathing," writes Phil Cousineau, "To create is to grow, which in turn makes us feel vitally alive."

In this book, Cousineau explores many different types of creativity, from painting and writing to photography and movies, its use in psychological practice, its role in community life, the cultivation of work habits, the use of dreams and role of mentors, the dreaded creative block, the myth of genius, and the spiritual side of art. His goal is to demystify the creative process by revealing how every project is a creative journey that can be completed--if we keep moving with tenacity, humility, and heart.

"Inspiration is a flash of fire in the human soul," writes Cousineau. "There is a force within you that breathes divine fire and brings your work to life. Honor it at all costs."

STOKING THE CREATIVE FIRES offers a multitude of stories, ideas, and exercises drawn from historical and contemporary figures, artists of all kinds, and lessons from Cousineau's own experience--giving people the tools they need to rekindle passion in all areas of their lives and the inspiration they need to live passionately and creatively.

Enjoy Global Spirit, the inspiring Link TV series hosted by writer and lecturer Phil Cousineau. Full shows can be viewed online; click through the links below.

Global Spirit premiered April 12, 2009 with weekly episodes on topics such as The Spiritual Quest, In Search of Ecstasy, The Journey Towards Oneness, Art and the Creative Spirit, Earth Wisdom and more. Each show features in-depth discussions with knowledgeable guests from around the world, together with compelling film segments or live performances. On alternate weeks, the series presents a full-length documentary or feature film, followed by a conversation with the filmmaker or a related guest.

Global Spirit offers insights into some of humankind’s deepest eternal questions, tracing our collective journey in the timeless quest for truth, wisdom and understanding. Each program highlights the trans-cultural, transcendent dimensions of human inquiry, from the ancient or indigenous wisdom traditions to the latest advances in science. Global Spirit offers a glimmer of what's possible.

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You can watch Global Spirit on Link TV via your DIRECT TV (Channel 375) or DISH NETWORK (Channel 9410) satellite service, as well through various cable and other local networks. Global Spirit programs will also appear streaming online at linktv.org/globalspirit after they broadcast.
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THE MEANING OF TEA, a new book edited and with commentary by Phil Cousineau, explores the calm and purposeful nature of tea through the words of tea growers, tasters, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, scholars and experts from eight countries. Through more than 50 interviews, these engaging characters reveal a remarkable reverence for the plant, the ceremony, the manufacturing, the distribution of tea, as well as its ability to bring peace, calm, health, friendship, and often wisdom into their lives.

Inspired by Scott Chamberlin Hoyt's documentary film of the same name, The Meaning of Tea is at its heart a journey to connect with the vital forces that infuse tea with meaning around the modern world. This rich brew of wisdom and ideas is articulated by many of the tea world’s most inspiring members from Taiwan to India, Ireland to Tea, South Dakota. Through ruminations of the culture, ritual, history, agriculture, health and spirituality of tea, the reader / viewer is invited to explore and embrace the notion that tea, though more popular than ever, is still an underutilized source of health, solace, and friendship for the modern world. The book is beautifully designed and illustrated with more than 150 photographs. The DVD and the book are ideal gifts for every tea drinker!