Bravo for a fine interview with an intelligent woman who isn't afraid of pundits that have never cracked a book - especially one of hers - yet can't help cracking wise for something they know nothing about.

Do you realize how petty you sound? Are you envious?

She believes in freedom of speech, so should you.

Free your mind - the rest will follow.

As usual, most people are not aware of the way Shirley speaks her mind. She not only is a fine actress, but she has compassion, and cares about our Earth and its creatures.
I believe that anyone who thinks that we are the "tout etre" or the only beings in the universe is very self=absorbed.
This lady is well-educated and well=read.
The cracks made about her are a result of our self -deception that we are so great
Read her books and find a quiet corner. Breathe deeply and go into your inner self.
Thknk about what you find there!

What a great treat that Shirley was invited on the show. She has been around awhile and although I'm still finding my way spiritually, I do find her thoughts provoking, interesting and comfortable. The person before me was calling her a "name dropper" I hardly think she needs to name drop. I do think she was trying to give validity to her statements, by mentioning those people. I've had the pleasure meeting this great actress, writer, woman and performer.... and I have to say she is really delightful. Often times it seems as if some of the characteristics of the roles she plays are part of who she is. Thank you Leonard!

The idea of past lives fascinate me but now I have that "between lives" stuff to think about. A great interview with a lady who's not afraid to speak her beliefs.

She's a fine actress and a super-fine whacko. This interview should have been archived for airing on April Fools Day.

I was surprised to hear that level of drivel on NPR, thought the radio had been accidentally tuned to some fringe station. Star Beings? C'mon get real.

Ben Franklin and Charlemagne, I guess hanging with the Rat Pack, and everyone else who's name she dropped, isn't enough for her.
Even in a past life, she couldn't once have been a nobody. I hope the Star Beings eat her first when they see our ruined ionesphere. Who are you going to interview tommorrow, Flava Flav?

Perhaps WNYC should interview some other wingnuts next, like Deepak Chopra.

Ana:

I'm not sure what they call it, but at least in Buddhism, there is an explanation of this issue you raise.

What a pompous name-dropper! Nehru, etc. etc...

I always find it humorous and egotistical that these folks who believe in past lives were never a 'regular' person in a past life - She was a lover of Charlemagne, 'knew' Ben Franklin, Robert Morris... give me a break.

Alternative medicine was never mentioned. That part of the interview actually sounded interesting, unlike this crazy metaphysical stuff.

UFOs? Reincarnation? Star-beings?

This new age stuff is insane.

I'd like some of what Shirley is smoking....

I don't think they're supporting her claims. They're not here to slam an actress for her wacky beliefs.

I think her opinions are silly, but if you don't believe in them, at least you can have a good laugh about it. She's a very charming woman and a great actress, and I won't begrudge her this quirky worldview.

If there were about 2 billion peolple around 1900, about 6 billion now...are souls created at some point and not only recycled?

This makes me very, very happy.

Is this what NPR believes in? Star Beings? I'm worried this conversation will give non NPR believers even more fire.