About Melissa
Melissa Harris, MS, MDiv, is an ordained Interfaith Minister, speaker, poet, and a newly published author!
As a young adult, Melissa studied psychology in order to understand herself and humanity. As she aged, this study transitioned to a fascination with the world’s religions. Melissa recognizes that, for better or for worse, humanity in every culture has evolved through ~and been shaped by~ religion and spiritual teachings.
What she found was that looking back at the mystical origins of the world’s religions brings us to a new way of seeing what is sacred. A more holistic and unified way, with wisdom found within us, rather than sourced from outside of us.
When Melissa is not contemplating the deep mysteries of our existence, she and her husband, Tim, can be found screaming like maniacs at Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum, cheering on their Iowa State Cyclones. She is a dog lover, having shared her entire adult life with Boxers, connecting with their silly, sensitive, and athletic nature. She also enjoys swimming, hiking, and yoga, all of which she considers to be forms of meditation in addition to physical activity.
- Invite Melissa as a guest on your podcast
- Request appearance at a book study.
- Request speaking engagement / zoom event.
Listen In
Podcasts on Our Humanness and Holiness
GUIDED MEDITATION
Guided meditation involves listening to a guide either live or through audio recording to lead the listener through a specific meditation practice. The guide’s voice provides a soothing narration that encourages the listener to focus their attention on breath or body or a visualization. Guided meditation can help the listener relax, reduce stress and anxiety, and cultivate a sense of calm and inner peace.
Research shows that guided meditation can have a positive impact on both physical and mental health, including reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving sleep quality, and boosting mood.
I have been practicing Heart Rhythm Meditation for almost six years and have shared it with others through live calls and during public talks.
I decided to obtain a certification program to broaden my scope. I am enrolled in an accredited Meditation Teacher Diploma program through Soul Awakening Academy, with plans to complete the training and certification by the end of October 2024.
Soul Awakening Academy is accredited by the International Authority for Professional Coaching & Mentoring and International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine.
LIVE MORNING MEDITATION CALLS
Beginning in Spring/Summer 2025, I will resume live morning meditations via a conference call.
Perfect for beginners, or if you have a dedicated practice but would like a boost to your day.
15 minutes max
Call (775) 799-9086
No code to enter
You’ll automatically be connected and muted.
Just call in, listen, and breathe.
These calls are recorded and can be accessed at any time.
Coming Soon – To access previously recorded meditations, click here.
Coming Soon – If you’d like to be notified when I’ll be starting up, please “subscribe here”
PERSONALIZED MEDITATIONS
You choose the theme and I record a meditation written exclusively for you.
We’ll start with a brief phone consultation. I want to learn about you. Your previous experience with meditation. Any specific wishes for your meditation. What you’re hoping to receive.
I’ll then spend some time in meditation myself, and write a meditation specially for you. I’ll record it and send you the audio file. This will be yours to keep and listen to anytime you’d like.
This will be a fee-based offering, but to kick it off, I am offering a personalized meditation FREE to the first 3 people to sign up.
BREATHWORK
Breathwork involves breathing techniques that intentionally channel and focus on the breath. For thousands of years, practitioners have employed breathing techniques to calm the body and the mind.
Breathwork is a way to activate your body’s parasympathetic nervous system and help you de-escalate and de-stress.
Breathing is the way to release the motherload of toxins from your system, and it is the key to waking up to your own healing and creative energies.
Breathwork helps with focus and energy, and can lead to a better quality of life.
Breathwork is one of the most accessible wellness practices available. Anyone can do it. Anywhere, in any situation.
I use Breathwork for:
- Sustaining focus during busy deadlines
- Keeping calm in crowds of people
- Managing nerves before public speaking
- Maintaining clarity and presence during difficult or confrontational conversations
- Centering myself when in nature, so I remain present and aware of all that is around me
- As part of my daily meditation practice
I am enrolled in a Breathwork Fundamentals program through O2 COLLECTIVE, with plans to complete the training and certification by the end of October 2024.
Breathing is the source of life. How you breathe is how you live.
Coming Soon – Spring 2025
FOREST THERAPY
Forest Therapy also known as Sylvotherapy, from the Latin “sylva” meaning “forest,” is a traditional, non-medicinal approach to healing through interaction with the forest. It’s the art of connecting with the plant world, where trees are the great masters.
This practice, also known as shinrin yoku in Japanese, meaning “forest bathing,” has risen in popularity in recent years. However, sylvotherapy is not limited to forest bathing alone. While hugging trees or hiking in the forest are a part of it, there is much more to experience beyond these.
Numerous scientific studies support the positive effects of Forest Therapy on cardiovascular, immune, and mental health. Forest Therapy engages the senses and cognitive abilities, helping participants to sleep better, feel fitter, and listen to their intuition. Forest Therapy combines scientific and energetic approaches for a holistic approach to wellness.
Without knowing there was a name for it, I feel like I’ve been training for this my entire life. I have intuitively understood that I am transformed when I am outside, in nature, breathing with the trees.
When I found the globally accredited FOREST THERAPY PRACTITIONER program through Alma Oasis, I jumped at the chance to enroll.
Alma Oasis is accredited by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM) and the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)
Coming Soon – Summer 2025
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science in Psychology – Iowa State University
Master of Science in Counseling – Wayne State College
Ordained Interfaith Minister – All Faiths Seminary International
Master of Divinity – All Faiths Seminary International
For both my ordination training and my Master of Divinity, I chose a Comparative World Religions tract. In those studies, I explored:
- Christianity
- Judaism
- Islam with an emphasis in Sufism
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Baha’i
- Taoism
- Shamanism
Morgan Rivers, Dances of Universal Peace Leader and Aramaic Groups Facilitator
Sue MillerBorn, Senior Minister Center for Spiritual Living, Redding
Leah Schaffer, Meditation Mentor and Alternative & Holistic health provider
Jon Mundy, Ph.D. Director of Miracles Studies, All Faith’s Seminary
Other Spiritual Teachers I follow:
Neil Douglas-Klotz
Pema Chodron
Adyashanti
Richard Rohr
Cynthia Bourgeault
James Finley
Mirabai Starr
Meggan Watterson