In putting together this issue, I was recently sitting with my editorial team at the Four Seasons Santa Barbara (our go-to destination for a divine work day) and we got to talking. Delving into my deeper thoughts and ideas about spirituality, we realized we wanted to be able to let you in on the conversation, as it was so foundational to everything you’ll see in the coming weeks. So our Editor-in-Chief Sam Saboura put on his best reporter hat and wrangled an interview out of me! Read on for a candid discussion of my own spiritual experience, and thoughts on how you might begin or continue your own.
SAM: What does spirituality mean to you, personally, and in your profession as a transformational coach?
GINA: At this point, spirituality is so integrated into my everyday life and who I am that it’s hard for me to dissect it. Even when it comes to me as a coach or a business woman, spirituality is not a separate category in my life — it’s very much woven into everything that I do. It’s not like I do business during the week, then go to Church on the weekend, or coach clients during the day and then meditate at night. Spirituality for me is about allowing myself to always feel connected to the source, and being able at any moment to tap into that limitless abundance, power, and love.
SAM: Amazing. So what’s your take on spirituality vs. religion?
GINA: Religion to me is a specific set of beliefs and practices that can be great, or can be constrictive, depending on how they’re used. I have great reverence for religions globally, and I believe there is tremendous wisdom to be found, though sometimes it can be misused or twisted. It all comes down to interpretation. In Christianity for instance, there are all sorts of pastors who interpret the same scriptures, and the message can come out completely differently for each one. Spirituality has a different essence to it, where it’s more universal, less specific in terms of the details—who you pray to, what you worship, what you eat or don’t eat. It’s something that is a part of all of us, that is personal, and there is not a right or wrong way to do it. But truthfully, when you study any of the great religions, the basis of them is spirituality. In modern times, spirituality allows for a freer and broader interpretation for people to do life in a lot of different ways.
SAM: Tell us a bit about your personal experience with religion.
GINA: I happened to grow up Christian, and still identify as a Christian, though my Jewish friends have, since I was young, made me an honorary MOT (member of the tribe)! I’m very grateful to have developed a relationship with God from the moment I was born. I learned to pray and read the Bible from a young age, so I established direct access to the wisdoms and teachings of Christianity. In later years, when I heard different pastors preach, I could always stay grounded in my personal experience. Since I knew the original text, it didn’t trouble me if something seemed off, or more
I did however grow up going to a particular church that I now consider to have a higher level of what I call “rules, regulations, and rigidity” than what I personally subscribe to, but I’ve allowed all of that to be released. I’m able to go straight to the core teachings of Jesus and the Prophets in the Old Testament.
SAM: So let’s talk about you as an entrepreneur again. How has spirituality shaped your career path?
GINA: In my professional life and business, it’s where I get my direction. It really started with my first day as a psychotherapist. I was given my first client and I didn’t know how to handle the session, so I prayed to God, asking “What do I ask this person? What do I do with her?” and I heard, “Ask her how she’s doing! Ask her what she’d like to discuss in her therapy session!” And if you listen to my radio show,
have a problem being real
and hashing it out when I get
angry to the degree that I do. So I don’t doubt as much as I get frustrated, and need to throw my fists in the air for a moment.
SAM: For those who haven’t had the opportunity to develop so strong a relationship with God, how would you suggest they begin down a new spiritual path?
GINA: How someone finds their own spirituality starts with being curious, and simply asking Spirit to show you how to develop your path—one you will know is right for you. That’s when certain books or retreats or groups of people will literally start falling into your lap. So the important thing is just to be curious, to ask for help and guidance, ask for it to come to you. In my opinion you don’t necessarily have to go out on a big pilgrimage. You will know which particular practice or way of life is right for you, whether it’s a walk on the beach, a yoga class or a place of worship. And you will start collecting bits of knowledge and
SAM: Have there been moments where your spirituality left you, or where you doubted God?
GINA: Of all the trials and tribulations I’ve been through in my life, I personally never got to that place of doubting God, or feeling like God doesn’t exist. Do I get very angry at God? Absolutely! I’m Sicilian. But my God can take it. Because it’s a personal relationship to me, I go to God like I go to a person, and I say, “Listen, I am not having this, what’s the answer, what needs to happen?” Glenn will often joke with me when I get really frustrated, like, “Guess you’ve gotta get intothe ring with your big guy
SAM: What have been some of the more pivotal discovery moments along your own path?
GINA: In my early 20’s I found the teachings of A Course in Miracles through Marianne Williamson, and my perspective on spirituality was profoundly widened. As much as Christianity had served me in life to that point, and continues to do so till this day, it was inspiring and refreshing to be exposed to new ways of thinking about it. Those teachings opened me up to being less judgmental and I was able to become even more connected to God. Because of that, the next time I read the Book of Esther in the Bible (even though I had read it many times before), it leapt off the page in a whole new way. That’s how my first coaching program, the Esther Experience, was born, and it is the foundation of everything you see here at Divine Living.
This question really speaks to why this issue is so important to me. Just three issues into Divine Living Magazine, it’s amazing to be able to share some of the most important practices and teachings that have influenced me. I’ll always remember the people who were there for me when I was first getting started on my path, and I hope this issue can be a source of inspiration, and perhaps healing, for those who are just beginning.
SAM: What does spirituality mean to you, personally, and in your profession as a transformational coach?
GINA: At this point, spirituality is so integrated into my everyday life and who I am that it’s hard for me to dissect it. Even when it comes to me as a coach or a business woman, spirituality is not a separate category in my life — it’s very much woven into everything that I do. It’s not like I do business during the week, then go to Church on the weekend, or coach clients during the day and then meditate at night. Spirituality for me is about allowing myself to always feel connected to the source, and being able at any moment to tap into that limitless abundance, power, and love.
SAM: Amazing. So what’s your take on spirituality vs. religion?
GINA: Religion to me is a specific set of beliefs and practices that can be great, or can be constrictive, depending on how they’re used. I have great reverence for religions globally, and I believe there is tremendous wisdom to be found, though sometimes it can be misused or twisted. It all comes down to interpretation. In Christianity for instance, there are all sorts of pastors who interpret the same scriptures, and the message can come out completely differently for each one. Spirituality has a different essence to it, where it’s more universal, less specific in terms of the details—who you pray to, what you worship, what you eat or don’t eat. It’s something that is a part of all of us, that is personal, and there is not a right or wrong way to do it. But truthfully, when you study any of the great religions, the basis of them is spirituality. In modern times, spirituality allows for a freer and broader interpretation for people to do life in a lot of different ways.
SAM: Tell us a bit about your personal experience with religion.
GINA: I happened to grow up Christian, and still identify as a Christian, though my Jewish friends have, since I was young, made me an honorary MOT (member of the tribe)! I’m very grateful to have developed a relationship with God from the moment I was born. I learned to pray and read the Bible from a young age, so I established direct access to the wisdoms and teachings of Christianity. In later years, when I heard different pastors preach, I could always stay grounded in my personal experience. Since I knew the original text, it didn’t trouble me if something seemed off, or more rigid than my interpretation of it. So I never developed a wounding around religion, as I think many people do when they are exposed to overly strict takes on it.
I did however grow up going to a particular church that I now consider to have a higher level of what I call “rules, regulations, and rigidity” than what I personally subscribe to, but I’ve allowed all of that to be released. I’m able to go straight to the core teachings of Jesus and the Prophets in the Old Testament.
SAM: So let’s talk about you as an entrepreneur again. How has spirituality shaped your career path?
GINA: In my professional life and business, it’s where I get my direction. It really started with my first day as a psychotherapist. I was given my first client and I didn’t know how to handle the session, so I prayed to God, asking “What do I ask this person? What do I do with her?” and I heard, “Ask her how she’s doing! Ask her what she’d like to discuss in her therapy session!” And if you listen to my radio show, then you know I still do this to this day! I pray at the beginning of my shows, and all of my business courses with my clients because I don’t actually know what to say. I don’t have what it takes to deliver a miraculous message, but the message can easily come through me if I ask for it. Ask, and it is given!
SAM: Have there been moments where your spirituality left you, or where you doubted God?
GINA: Of all the trials and tribulations I’ve been through in my life, I personally never got to that place of doubting God, or feeling like God doesn’t exist. Do I get very angry at God? Absolutely! I’m Sicilian. But my God can take it. Because it’s a personal relationship to me, I go to God like I go to a person, and I say, “Listen, I am not having this, what’s the answer, what needs to happen?” Glenn will often joke with me when I get really frustrated, like, “Guess you’ve gotta get intothe ring with your big guy there!” He knows I don’t have a problem being real and hashing it out when I get angry to the degree that I do. So I don’t doubt as much as I get frustrated, and need to throw my fists in the air for a moment.
SAM: For those who haven’t had the opportunity to develop so strong a relationship with God, how would you suggest they begin down a new spiritual path?
GINA: How someone finds their own spirituality starts with being curious, and simply asking Spirit to show you how to develop your path—one you will know is right for you. That’s when certain books or retreats or groups of people will literally start falling into your lap. So the important thing is just to be curious, to ask for help and guidance, ask for it to come to you. In my opinion you don’t necessarily have to go out on a big pilgrimage. You will know which particular practice or way of life is right for you, whether it’s a walk on the beach, a yoga class or a place of worship. And you will start collecting bits of knowledge and information, and the more you integrate them into your life, the more it will become part of you in a very natural way.
SAM: What have been some of the more pivotal discovery moments along your own path?
GINA: In my early 20’s I found the teachings of A Course in Miracles through Marianne Williamson, and my perspective on spirituality was profoundly widened. As much as Christianity had served me in life to that point, and continues to do so till this day, it was inspiring and refreshing to be exposed to new ways of thinking about it. Those teachings opened me up to being less judgmental and I was able to become even more connected to God. Because of that, the next time I read the Book of Esther in the Bible (even though I had read it many times before), it leapt off the page in a whole new way. That’s how my first coaching program, the Esther Experience, was born, and it is the foundation of everything you see here at Divine Living.
This question really speaks to why this issue is so important to me. Just three issues into Divine Living Magazine, it’s amazing to be able to share some of the most important practices and teachings that have influenced me. I’ll always remember the people who were there for me when I was first getting started on my path, and I hope this issue can be a source of inspiration, and perhaps healing, for those who are just beginning.
