MindThatEgo Podcast

Fariba Bogzaran is an artist, scientist and pioneer of dream studies. Between 1986 and 1989 she conducted scientific studies on lucid dreams at the Lucidity Institute at the Stanford Sleep Laboratory.Fariba mixes psychology, art, contemplative practices, shamanism, Taoism, and more. Her artwork is inspired by her deep connection with nature and her collaboration with the hypnagogic and lucid dreaming states of consciousness. She coined the term Lucid Art, which views art as an epistemology, or a way of knowing.Fariba is co-author of Integral Dreaming and Extraordinary Dreams and How to Work with Them. Our far reaching conversation explores themes in those books, including precognitive dreams, telepathic dreams, and mutual dreams. We dive deep into lucid dreams, including their multi-dimensionality and what Fariba calls hyperspace lucidity.We also look at how dreams inform déja vú, why physicists resonate with lucid art, experiences of light, voidness, and the non-dual, and why knowledge and realisations from dreams must translate to lucid waking.

Claudia Barfoot is a psychotherapist, Ancestral Healing Practitioner, and founder of the Land of Possible, which merges western theories of the psyche with indigenous systems of knowledge to facilitate growth and healing.Claudia's cross-cultural approach combines psychology, psychoanalysis, dreamwork, sacred plant medicines, and ancestral traditions. She is informed by perspectives from the Toltec and Maya peoples of Mexico, as well as the teachings of the Mamos and Sagas from la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Her expansive wisdom provides an insightful perspective on dreams. We discuss: visitations from ancestors, emotional landscapes, the dream body, astral travel, visiting different realms,' what colours represent, prophetic dreams, why certain traditions see dreams as shared experiences, how dreams prepare us for death, nightmares and encountering ‘dark beings,' spiritual protection, dreams' sacred communication, and much more.

Daniel Ingram returns to the show following our first conversation, Awakening and the Search for Meaning. Daniel is best known for his cult classic Mastering The Core Teachings of the Buddha, within which he maps the stages of insight. He is also an emergency medicine physician and part of The Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC) which aims to integrate spiritual, mystical or energetic experiences into healthcare systems.Continuing the dream series, our conversation explores how Daniel integrates dreams into the stages of insight. He shares his definition of standard, symbolic, lucid, and hyper-lucid dreams. We look at a host of intriguing spiritual experiences within dreams, including: vivid sense perception, out of body experiences, guru transmission, kundalini awakenings, meditating in dreams, ego-transcendence, no-self dreams, and the continuum between dreams, imagination, and the dreamlike nature of “waking” reality.

I'm joined by Lisa Marchiano, an award-winning author and certified Jungian analyst with a private practice in Philadelphia.Lisa is the author of Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself and The Vital Spark: Reclaim Your Outlaw Energies and Find Your Feminine Fire. Her latest book, Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams, is written with Deborah Stewart and Joseph Lee, her fellow co-hosts of the popular depth psychology podcast, This Jungian Life.Our conversation focuses on making sense of dreams. Topics include: understanding imagery and symbols, unlocking meaning, working with setting, characters, and unfolding storylines, the dream ego's perspective, “dreaming on” through active imagination, learning from emotions, encounters with the Self and the “God within,” dreams as life-changing religious experiences, and practical tips for dream recall.We join the conversation with Lisa and I discussing the application of the “keys” identified in Dreamwise…Lisa's Website.Dreamwise Book.This Jungian Life Podcast.

Welcome to episode 57 of the MindThatEgo Podcast and the first of a new series on dreams. I'm joined by David Bedrick, the founder of the Santa Fe Institute for Shame-based Studies, where he trains therapists, coaches and healers, and offers workshops for individuals.David graduated from the Process Work Institute and has been adjunct faculty for over 15 years. He studied under Arny Mindell, the founder of process-oriented psychology. Mindell was a student of Carl Jung, who integrated physics and the body into Jung's work. David also taught psychology and philosophy courses at the University of Phoenix.His latest book, The Unshaming Way, is the focus of today's conversation. Topics include: common misconceptions of shame, trauma-based and cultural origins of shame, the healing power of an unshaming witness, the intelligence of bodily experience, unshamed views of madness, depression and mental illness, expressing and learning from big emotions, the “dreambody” as a metaphor for inner processes, and why dreams naturally provide an unshamed view. Enjoy.---David's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david.bedrick/?hl=enDavid's YouTube: https://youtube.com/@davidbedrick3872?si=o1WhsyD64qPnh4KT---

Episode 56 of the MindThatEgo Podcast features a panel discussion on synchronicity with Bernie Beitman, Joanna Bauer-Savage, and myself, which took place in early November in Berlin. To evoke meaningful coincidences, we asked the audience to contribute questions to a lucky dip. The resulting conversation is nuanced and diverse, including practical guidance and philosophical frameworks. We discuss the relationship between intuition and coincidence, feeling the pain of a loved one at a distance, the nature of the higher Self revealed in dreams and synchronicities, discerning when to follow signs and when to step back, magical thinking and confirmation bias vs. true synchronicity, and contemplations of the “higher order” of meaning. And just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy!

Paul Levy is a creative artist, a pioneer in the field of spiritual emergence, and a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner for more than 35 years. He is the founder of the Awaken in the Dream Community and the author of several books, including The Quantum Revelation and Undreaming Wetiko. Our conversation dives into the murky depths of the so-called mind virus popularized by Indigenous author Jack Forbes, who in his book Columbus and Other Cannibals, refers to wetiko as “the sickness of exploitation.” Paul is a gifted oracle whose description of subtle and hidden forces of wetiko illuminates how the mind virus influences our world, relationships, and inner processes. Together, we explore how our quantum reality mirrors a waking dream, and how the universe communicates through symbols. We discuss synchronicity, shadow projection, archetypal patterns, and four-valued logic or paradoxical thinking. Paul also shares profound insights on awakening from mass hypnosis, the dangers of totalitarian psychosis, and the weaponization of technology. Plus, why critical thinking and our creative spirit is the ultimate superpower in undreaming wetiko and navigating these turbulent times. And just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy! Resources: Awakening in the Dream.

Welcome to episode 54 of the MindThatEgo Podcast. This episode features my presentation, Quantum Self-Compassion, for the Mystics and Scientists Conference in April 2024. The theme was Love, Forgiveness, and Compassion: Where Spirituality Meets Science. The first half of the talk introduces self-compassion as a thread across past, present, and future. I share common barriers to self-compassion, uncover misconceptions, and look at the damage of self-dis-compassion, which includes self-rejection, self-judgment, and self-criticism. I introduce the notion of the True Self as outside of time and the Source of compassion, love, forgiveness, and higher qualities we can extend toward the small self or Ego. To bring these insights to life, this is followed by a guided meditation, through which you will, hopefully, get an embodied sense of the nature of self-compassion. Just a reminder to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy!

Welcome to episode 53 of the MindThatEgo Podcast. Roderick Main is Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director in the Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies at the University of Essex, with a focus on religion, mythology, literature, and, of course, synchronicity. His books include Jung on Synchronicity and the Paranormal, The Rupture of Time, Breaking the Spell of Disenchantment, and Revelations of Chance. He is also a fellow co-author on the Playful Universe. To honor the purpose of that book, I was keen to approach synchronicity firstly from Roderick's personal experience, understanding how he interprets and unpacks their meaning, before moving into theoretical explanations. The result is a dialogue that provides practical ways to participate with synchronistic events, such as deciphering symbols and intuitively linking relevant associations. We look at different forms of synchronicity, including the personal, archetypal, and collective, and the nuances of discernment. How do you tell genuine synchronicity from delusions or magical thinking? What are pathologies of meaning or dark synchronicities? What are the religious and philosophical implications? And what truly is the power of myth?  All that, and more, coming up. And just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy! Roderick's Bio The Playful Universe: Synchronicity and the Nature of Consciousness (Amazon).

Welcome to episode 52 of the MindThatEgo Podcast. Jane Clapp returns to the show to explore depression in the context of the alchemical stages of psychological development or individuation. Jane is a distinguished Jungian analyst who formed Jungian somatics from over 20 years of clinical experience. Exploring the interplay of body and psyche, she specializes in developmental and complex trauma through a mythological and embodied lens. Our dialogue covers how developmental trauma blocks the psyche's self-regulating function, anti-life energy and the collective shadow, the spiritual battle of becoming, self-deceit and identification with suffering, the need for support, anchoring into glimmers of hope, finding positive symbols in dreams and synchronicities, and prayer and surrender as powerful allies in humility, faith, and relationship to a higher power. And just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy! Resources: Jane's Website. Jane's Instagram.

Welcome to Episode 51 of the MindThatEgo Podcast. I'm joined by Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri, Sufi mystic, visionary, and an enlightened master who views spirituality as a science and an art, vitally relevant to our times. Religious scholars and Sufis were part of Shaykh's formative experiences. His love and understanding of the universality of the Quranic message has imbued him with respect for other religions, spiritual paths and the ability to discern the common elements in our collective journey towards awakening. Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri lectures and writes books and commentaries on the Holy Qur'an and related subjects, with particular emphasis on ethics, self-development and gnosis ('irfan). We discuss misconceptions about Islam, insights from Sufism, the shared essence of all religions, acceptance as a spiritual practice, the power of silence in connecting to God, embracing and transcending the duality of heaven and hell, pleasure and pain, and why we must always respect our human nature, without being limited by it. Resources Shaykh Fadhlalla's Website

To honour the milestone 50th episode, I'm joined by Richard Tarnas, a renowned historian and archetypal cosmologist. August 8th is the peak of the astrological event known as the Lion's Gate Portal. The Sun (in Leo) aligns with Sirius, Orion's Belt, and Earth. Simultaneously, Orion's Belt aligns with the Pyramids of Giza. Ancient Egyptians revered Sirius, the “spiritual star,” and associated it with gods Osiris and Sopdet. Each year the rising of Sirius marked the flooding of the Nile. As author of The Passion of the Western Mind and Cosmos and Psyche, Richard is the ideal guest to mark the occasion. He is the founding director of the graduate program in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies. He teaches courses in the history of ideas, archetypal studies, depth psychology, and religious evolution. For ten years he lived and worked at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, studying with the likes of Stanislav Grof, Joseph Campbell, and James Hillman, later serving as Esalen's director of programs and education. In re-enchanting the Western worldview, Richard traces the historical and cultural roots of the modern mind. Although much was gained, much was lost, including the ensoulment of the cosmos, and a sense of participation with higher forms of intelligence. Is civilisation experiencing a mythological fall from grace due to human hubris? Is global chaos a symbolic manifestation of humanity's descent into the underworld? How can a new worldview support spiritual transformation, sense-making, and flourishing on a global scale? Before we begin, one more special announcement: Richard is one of a number of contributing authors, including myself, for the new volume by the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences: The Playful Universe: Synchronicity and the Nature of Consciousness. The book is released late August, with an online symposium scheduled for the 26th or 27th September. Resources Richard's Website. Article: Introduction to The Playful Universe: Synchronicity and the Nature of Consciousness. Article: Is The Modern Psyche Undergoing a Rite of Passage? Epilogue of Passion of the Western Mind.

I'm joined by Sanya Manzoor, a spiritual emergence coach and lead steward for the Church of Interbeing, Berlin, a grassroots initiative of community gatherings devoted to reconnection through ritual and holistic enquiry. Sanya supports clients in their mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. She also offers sound journeys, communal ceremonies, talks, meditation practices, and rituals, all to expand the capacity for depth, devotion, and revelation. In this dialogue Sanya shares her experience of ego death, the grief of lost identity, the painful conditioning of cultural worldviews, and the value of faith and surrender. We look at the challenges and gifts of spiritual emergency, from fears of insanity, confusion and disorientation, to the rewards of self-connection, re-enchantment, and an inclusive way of relating to others, and the world. Just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy! Resources Sanya's Instagram

Marjorie Woollacott is an Emeritus Professor of Human Physiology and member of the Institute of Neuroscience at the University of Oregon. She is Research Director for the International Association of Near-Death Studies (IANDS) and President of the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences (AAPS). Marjorie has published more than 200 scientific articles and written or co-edited eight books. Our conversation centres around her paper, co-authored with scholar Ben Williams, Conceptual Cognition and Awakening: Insights From Non-dual S ́Aivism and Neuroscience. In this lucid synthesis, the pair explore the neural correlations between language, the sense of self, and expanded states of awareness — and how that relates to 10th century Kashmir philosopher Utpaladeva's Stanzas on the Recognition of Shiva. Marjorie shares how the brain's filtering system limits awareness, citing fascinating studies from near death experiences, meditation, and psychedelic research. Other topics include Extra-Sensory Perception and quantum entanglement, free will, and how brain activity supports a post-material worldview, where consciousness, not matter, is primary. Just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy! Resources Marjorie's website. Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences

I'm joined by Nick Kettles, who returns to the show having previously discussed the Stages of the Spiritual Journey. Nick is also my co-creator for the YouTube series, Archetypes of Awakening. He is a Master Certified Coach and healer with 25 years experience in the human potential movement. He has pursued a meditation practice in the Advaita Vedanta tradition for over 20 years and has worked as a meditation teacher for the last 10 years. I've known Nick for some time and I've been fortunate to witness his natural gift as a guide. This conversation explores Nick's coaching model, Threshold of the Soul, which draws from Nick's wealth of wisdom, including coaching, depth psychology, and spirituality. What are thresholds? How do we embrace our core wounds? What role do rituals and rites of passage play in our becoming? How does the labyrinth symbolize the true self and the chakra system? We cover the full spectrum of personal development, from the mythological to the cognitive, from immersion in introspection to the power of meaningful action, from the root to the crown, and everything between. Just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy! Resources: Thresholds of the Soul Coaching Nick's website

This episode features my presentation for the International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis (ISPS-US) annual conference in October, 2023. The original title was Metanoia: How Psychosis and Paranoia Ignited My Spiritual Awakening. I completely rewrote the talk a few days before, following a lightning bolt of creative energy that surfaced a structure I'd not previously made conscious. I called this the Psychotics Twofold Call to Adventure. It's my attempt to contextualize and integrate experiences of paranoia and psychosis across a 12 year period. I suggest the twofold path of cultivating awareness and creating coherence, to re-relate to psychological content, and to understand the language of the soul. Metanoia means spiritual conversion, or the change of mind and heart. I suggest that psychosis, as a process of metanoia, has the potential to be a pathway to what R.D Laing calls “true sanity,” whereby the ego is “in service to the divine and no longer its betrayer.” The stages cover the unconscious tsunami and collapse into chaos, answering the inward call and the ego's surrender, finding the inner sanctum, the world as meditation, divine emergence, initiation, and individuation, before closing with a note on how this relates to humanity's current crises.  And just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy!

I'm joined by one of the world's leading experts in the field of forgiveness research, Everett Worthington. Everett is a Commonwealth Professor Emeritus working from the Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a licensed clinical psychologist. He has published over 38 books and over 440 articles and scholarly chapters, mostly on forgiveness, humility, positive psychology, marriage, family, and religion and spirituality. He has also developed the REACH Forgiveness model, which is supported by more than 25 randomized trials. Everett generously gives away free self-help workbooks on practices including forgiveness, humility, and patience, which are linked in the show notes. Our conversation explores the overlap of spiritual and scientific approaches to forgiveness, dealing with injustice, overcoming grudges, ruminations and emotional unforgiveness, empathy and cognitive biases, self-forgiveness, discerning genuine forgiveness from self-deceit, plus a Everett's moving account of applying the wisdom of forgiveness following his mother's murder. And just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy! Resources Website: https://www.evworthington-forgiveness.com/ Free Workbooks: https://www.evworthington-forgiveness.com/diy-workbooks

I'm joined by Nikunja, a musician and yoga teacher who bridges the creative arts with ancient philosophy. Following a path of devotion — known as Bhakti yoga — Nikunja teaches the embodiment of the Bhagavad Gita as a way of life. Nikunja has reimagined chapters from the Gita as part of a project to illuminate yoga's sacred nature, which extends far beyond physical postures. In exploring the Gita's ancient wisdom, we discuss the divine intellect, reading sacred scripture as a spiritual practice, the art of listening, the nuances of yoga philosophy across traditions, single-pointed devotion as a pathway to union with God, the nature of the soul and the supreme self, the overlooked value of the teacher / student dynamic, and much more. In September, Nikunja will be performing at the Bhakti Fest in California. She will be sharing music on the main stage and conducting a workshop. Discounted tickets for the festival can be found at https://www.bhaktifest.com/tickets by entering the code NIKUNJA. And just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy! Nikunja's Resources: Website: https://www.nikunjartistry.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikunja YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44NFKxo4399zT6byAVOZkA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/11SfT4EjJa4ObpX8nZJQ7M?si=_Sp4fdglQ4qKGf82Fvv9QA

Ellen Emmet returns to the show. Ellen is a psychotherapist and facilitator of Authentic Movement. Our first conversation in episode 29, Nonduality and the Shadow, covered psychological aspects of the awakening. This time we focus on Ellen's teaching of the Awakening Body and yoga meditations in the tradition of nonduality and Kashmir Shaivism. This is an exploration of our true nature at the level of tactility and feeling. We discuss gentle practices to relax the somatic sensation of separation and re-enliven the senses, the undefinable nature of tantra, how listening to sensation differs from hedonism and sensory indulgence, embodying vs. intellectualizing, method vs. devotional practice, the pros and cons of self-trust, valuing intuition, embracing not knowing, plus much more. And just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy! Resources Ellen Emmet's website: https://www.ellenemmet.com/ Ellen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theawakeningbody/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ellenemmet

This episode will answer the ultimate question to life, the universe and everything. Or maybe not quite everything, but I couldn't miss the only chance to reference the number 42 from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. That being said, Jane Clapp does answer many questions I had about the inner universe. Jane is a distinguished Jungian analyst who formed Jungian somatics from over 20 years of clinical experience. Exploring the interplay of body and psyche, she specializes in developmental and complex trauma through a mythological and embodied lens.  Our conversation includes somatic symptoms as symbols from the unconscious, developing ego strength, misconceptions about ‘shadow work,' how skilled guidance can highlight blind spots, dreams as compensating for psychic imbalances, individual and cultural complexes, the tension of opposites and the transcendent function, and the risk, reward and necessity of differentiating from group mentality on the journey of growth. And just a reminder before we jump into the conversation to please like, rate, subscribe and share to help more people access the podcast. Enjoy! Resources: Jane's website: https://www.janeclapp.com/ Jane's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jungiansomatics/

Har-Prakash Khalsa started as a student of Zen meditation in 1984 and went on to become a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor and teacher of Mindfulness meditation in the systematic style of Shinzen Young (whom Har-Prakash has studied intensively with since 1999). He has written Cultivating the Jewel of Mindfulness, a comprehensive practitioner curriculum, offers private online mindfulness coaching, and supervises solo retreatants at his off-grid farm near Owen Sound, Ontario. Our conversation covers the spectrum from suffering to enlightenment, from core wounds to Buddha nature, in an approach that will resonate with seasoned practitioners and those looking to relate better to themselves and others. Topics include the value of introspection, the scale of meaning, cultivating wholesome states, embracing the full human experience, and the key markers of balanced awakening. Resources Har-Prakash's website. Shinzen Young's Expand Contract YouTube channel.

I'm joined by Judith Blackstone. Judith has 35 years experience as a psychotherapist and teacher of the realization process, a direct path for realizing fundamental consciousness, as well as the application of nondual realization for psychological, relational and physical healing. She currently has seven books in publication, including her latest, The Fullness of the Ground: A Guide to Embodied Spiritual Awakening. Judith explains the importance of inhabiting the body and developing a strong connection to the core, to integrate the fullness of the self, cultivate wholeness, and connect deeply to life, rather than dissociate or numb through misguided attempts at transcendence. We discuss the value of modalities such as talking therapy, somatic work, and meditation, the risks of catharsis, maintaining boundaries as consciousness expands, as well as subtle distinctions between non-dual awareness and energetic dimensions. Resources The Realization Process website. Judith's writing and media.

I'm joined by Dr. Harald Atmanspacher, a theoretical physicist with more than three decades of experience in interdisciplinary research. He is known for his work on complex systems, the philosophy of science, mind-matter relations, consciousness, and quantum theory. Harald co-authored Dual-Aspect Monism and the Deep Structure of Meaning with Dean Rickles, which forms the basis of our conversation. We look at the differences in philosophical frameworks, including dualism, materialism, idealism, and how dual-aspect monism links to synchronicity, where events transcend the mind-matter boundary, connected through meaningful coincidence. I ask Harald how this model fits with non-dual approaches, such as Advaita Vedanta, and how practices such as meditation could open the door to dimensions beyond mind and matter, into what Carl Jung referred to as the psychoid.

Dr. Michele DeMarco, an award-winning writer and author of Holding Onto Air: The Art and Science of Building a Resilient Spirit. Michele is a trained therapist, clinical ethicist, and researcher. Her research includes moral injury, psychology, trauma, neuroscience, and somatic and creative art therapies, world wisdom and spirituality. She has taught Creative Nonfiction and Conflict Transformation at California Institute of Integral Studies. We focus on the subject of Michele's series: How to Tend and Befriend Conflict. If we accept conflict is natural and necessary, what transformation becomes possible? We explore the errors of conventional conflict resolution, how to connect to the body's wisdom, detecting underlying issues, defense mechanisms, and the five conflict styles. We then go deeper into the nuances, such as accommodating other points of view without losing integrity, opening to feedback, and giving and receiving grace. I found our conversation immensely invaluable and I'm sure, if you're also human and struggle with other humans, you will too. Enjoy! Resources and References: Michele's website: https://micheledemarco.com/ Psychology Today blog ‘Soul Console': https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/soul-console Medium blog: https://michelejdemarco.medium.com/ Book: Holding Onto Air: The Art and Science of Building a Resilience Spirit Conflict Styles Assessment Tool: https://www.usip.org/public-education-new/conflict-styles-assessment

Tori Franklin is an Olympic triple jumper, a public speaker, the author of You Anthem: Stories and Reflections of Celebration, and the founder of the non-profit Live Happi retreats, which empowers youth through travel, mental wellness, and movement. In 2022, Tori became the first American woman to medal at the World Championships, winning bronze in the Triple Jump. Her success came a year after performing below her usual standard at the Tokyo Olympics. I was inspired by an article Tori wrote, describing how she turned her career around by trusting guidance from the universe, and taking a huge leap of faith by moving to Athens, Greece. As you will hear, the spiritual athlete's path to success isn't conventional. Tori shares her path of resilience, overcoming setbacks, sacrifice, and the conviction required to make success a living reality. In less conventional terms, Tori explains how she manages subtle energetics to harmonize mind, body, and spirit, in order to perform at peak level from a space of playfulness and joy. Resources and References: Tori's Medium profile: https://medium.com/@torifranklin Tori's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livehappii/ You Anthem (Book): https://store.bookbaby.com/book/you-anthem Live Happii Retreats: https://livehappiiretreats.org/

Bethany Butzer is a Lecturer for the Alef Trust MSc programme in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology and the Assistant Director of the Alef Trust PhD programme in Applied Transpersonal Psychology. She has an MA in clinical psychology and PhD in social psychology, spent two years as a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School, and was a Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of New York, in Prague, where she lives.  Her research includes yoga and mindfulness for youth, transpersonal psychology, synchronicity, parapsychology, and the subject of today's talk, ecopsychology. Our conversation gravitates around Bethany's paradigm-challenging paper, Humans as Midwives for the Earth's Dark Night of the Soul, a Transpersonal Ecopsychology Perspective. The premise that global crises and destruction could be part of the Earth's evolution toward harmony is provocative, and leads us to cover topics from animism, cosmic and planetary consciousness, the underlying symbolic and imaginal world, ecstatic re-enchantment with nature, the masculine-feminine re-balance, and much more. Resources and References: Bethany's website: ⁠https://www.bethanybutzer.com⁠ Bethany's Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bethanybutzer/⁠

Arabella Thaïs is a writer, speaker, philosopher, and artist, studying for a PhD in cosmology and consciousness. Committed to the evolution of humanity, her work explores the intersection of poetry, mathematics, beauty, and time, which she teaches at her online school of consciousness, The Temple of Truth. She uses various aesthetic mediums – such as music, film, and experience design – in order to communicate ideas and propel human transformation. Our conversation is thought-provoking, inspirational, and at times mind-blowing. We dance around existential topics, such as free will, and explore her theory of non-linear time, and its relationship to the cosmic mind and complex, higher dimensions of consciousness. Could it be that past, present, and future all exist in a single moment, that the Now contains all that ever was, and all that ever will be? Join us for this fun and thought-provoking philosophical journey. Resources and References: Arabella's website: https://www.arabellathais.com Depth Cosmology (article): https://www.kosmosjournal.org/kj_article/depth-cosmology-new-paradigm-physics/ Remembering the Future: Wild Time and the Cosmic Imagination (Journal): https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/cejournal/vol19/iss19/8/ Sacred Wisdom (podcast): https://www.arabellathais.com/podcast Kastrup's article on DID: https://www.bernardokastrup.com/2019/10/the-many-in-our-dreams.html

Jesse Gittler came to my attention through an Instagram reel where he talked about synchronicity and using the quantum dimension as a mode of self-healing. I was having a tough time, and as I watched more of his videos, his voice stoked a dormant part of my psyche. Jesse's mission is to guide through his spiritual awakening, which he does with no pretense and an abundance of heartfelt passion. His content is refreshing and true. Awakening is full of paradox, with bliss and beauty counterbalanced by spells of confusion, fear, and suffering. Intense feelings of connection can be contrasted by isolation. Jesse talks to all of this with respect and humility, and I thoroughly enjoyed our spontaneous conversation. Jesse shares his awakening story, including his initial suffering and experience of being “pushed by the universe” into embodying his soul, and aligning with the flow of the cosmos. Our conversation explores the way of reading signs from the universe, spiritual reading, the paradox of beauty and sadness, why preparing the body is essential to handle the energy of light, the metaphysics of quantum travel, the nature of partial truth and eternal truth, different types of suffering, and how the experience of pure beauty can inspire a permanent change in perspective. Resources and References: Jesse's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jgitty32

I'm joined by Dr. Daniel Ingram. Daniel's book, Mastering The Core Teachings of the Buddha, is well-known in spiritual circles due, in part, to a mixture of practical instruction, lucid insight, useful maps, and common sense. His teachings are controversial to some, compelling for many, mostly due his bold declaration that “enlightenment is an attainable goal, once our fanciful notions of it are stripped away.” My interest in Daniel's work is that he's clearly one of the most advanced meditation experts alive today, with profound insight matched by a down-to-Earth approach that has consideration for common misconceptions, false promises, ego traps, and the “dark side” of awakening. Our illuminating conversation is inspired by the relationship between awakening and meaning. We cover mental health, the value of Western psychology and blind spots of Eastern traditions, perfectionist models, why not all meditative skills are transferable, synchronicity and the nature of the Now, the World of Experience vs. the World of Meaning, the dark side of wizardry, and the usefulness of philosophy and concepts, plus much more. Resources and References: Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha: https://www.mctb.org The Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium: https://theeprc.org

Reverend Doctor John Freese returns to the show to share his synthesis of Buddhism and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. John is a Buddhist minister and spent 12 years as a monk with Thich Nhat Hanh. He has PhDs in practical theology and a Master of Divinity. In addition to his Buddhist counselling practice, he teaches contemplative studies at University of the West and Naropa University. As John guides me through his model we stop along the way to discuss practical matters, from discerning genuine values, taking meaningful action, handling difficult emotions, being aware of thought, and how to cultivate wholesome states of mind. This is a comprehensive and useful overview of a pragmatic system that will benefit those just beginning, and those in advanced stages of their spiritual journey. Resources and References: The Virtual Buddhist Temple of the Dhamma Vinaya Order: https://muktivihara.org/ John Freese Academia profile: https://uwest.academia.edu/JohnFreese

In this episode I'm joined by Isabel Clarke, a consultant clinical psychologist with 25 years experience in both inpatient and outpatient care for the NHS. In addition to her clinical work, she supports people experiencing spiritual emergency and extreme states through the Spiritual Crisis Network. Her books include Meeting Mental Breakdown Mindfully, Madness, Mystery and the Survival of God, and, the main talking point, Psychosis and Spirituality. We explore the similarities between mystical experience and mental breakdown, how the brain filter's reality, the fluidity of the self, the mythical nature of transliminal dimensions, the transformative potential of psychosis, why boundaries are essential when accessing non-dual states, and what supports people in crisis, on a personal and institutional level. MindThatEgo's ethos is an expansive approach to mental illness, and it was inspiring to talk to Isabel, who not only honours this paradigm, but is having a huge influence on translating that insight into therapeutic care, challenging restrictive models, and placing emphasis on the human experience. Resources and References: IsabelClarke.org Article: ‘Psychosis and Spirituality: the journey of an idea' Books

In this episode I'm joined by Jungian analyst and acclaimed author, Dr. Murray Stein, to discuss Jung's Map of the Soul. Dr. Stein is a graduate of Yale University, the University of Chicago, and the C.G. Jung Institut-Zurich. He is a founding member of the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts and of the Chicago Society of Jungian Analysts. He has been the president of the International Association for Analytical Psychology (2001-4), and the President of The International School of Analytical Psychology-Zurich (2008-2012). He is a training analyst at the International School for Analytical Psychology in Zurich, Switzerland. His most recent publications include The Principle of Individuation, Jung's Map of the Soul and Analytical Psychology and Religion. He lectures internationally on topics related to Analytical Psychology and its applications in the contemporary world. It was a pleasure to talk to Dr. Stein, whose expertise and insight provided a reliable base to journey into the richness of Jung's body of work. Our dialogue includes discussion on the “numinous,” the nature of the shadow, the ego's role in transformation, how dreams guide us to wholeness, and the life-affirming experience of synchronicity. MurrayStein.com Murray Stein | On the Importance of Numinous Experience in the Alchemy of Individuation

Ellen Emmet is a psychotherapist, facilitator of Authentic Movement, and offers meetings in The Awakening Body: Yoga meditations in the tradition of non-duality and Kashmir Shivaism that she learnt from her teachers Francis Lucille and Eric Baret. She offers webinars and residential retreats. Her offering is an exploration of our true nature at the level of tactility and feelings, but also an inquiry into the hidden corners of the psyche to invite more wholeness into our lives. More specifically, The Awakening Body meetings focus on the body, “allowing it to be our mirror and our pathway, our prayer and our altar, and ultimately the shining expression of this shared identity.” Our conversation explores the complex topic of nonduality and the shadow. Ellen's growing intuition matched my own, that nondual teachings can often be used as a way to escape difficult emotions or feelings, or even disown the body, and overlook or avoid the shadow. With training in Jungian philosophy, including working directly with Jungian analyst Marion Woodman, Ellen brings wisdom and openness to exploring this oversight. Topics include connecting to the wisdom of the body, relational alchemy, the pain of separation, nonduality as a hiding place, ever-present nature of peace, the path of devotion, the role of the divine feminine, and ways to avoid ego inflation. EllenEmmet.com

Reverend Doctor John Freese is a Buddhist minister in the Dhamma Vinaya Order. He was a monk for 12 years (1998-2010) with Thich Nhat Hanh at Plum Village and Deer Park monasteries in France and California, and was with two gurus in the Ramana Maharshi lineage in Tiruvannamalai India. He has just completed his PhD in practical theology from the Claremont School of Theology, where his dissertation compared Buddhist meditation with somatic trauma therapy.  Prior to his PhD he completed a Master of Divinity in Buddhist chaplaincy at University of the West. He has a private Buddhist counseling practice and teaches classes in contemplative studies at University of the West and Naropa University. My conversation with John was inspired by his comparison of Goenka's Vipassana and Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing. I discovered his paper while researching The Yoga of Mental Illness and was inspired by the detailed comparison of these two modes of healing and their striking similarities, despite forming in distinct cultures and different eras. As we dance around this structural comparison, we cover pertinent questions from the nature of emotions, the relationship between sensation and thought, implicit and explicit memory, Buddhist psychology, principles of somatic experiencing, Taoist cosmology, maps of the self, expanding awareness, and the nature of trauma from these distinct perspectives. This is a philosophical and practical dialogue with an uplifting message about the ability to get to the root of trauma, heal, and return home to the body. Resources and References: Down with the Dharma Podcast Two Maps of the Same Territory? Functional Correlations Between Vipassana Meditation as Taught by S.N. Goenka and Somatic Experiencing SomaticExperiencing.com

Emma Varvaloucas is the Executive Director of the Progress Network, an idea's movement that connects and amplifies voices that are pointing our world in a more positive direction. She is also the co-host of the What Could Go Right? Podcast, and was previously the Executive Editor at Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. Her unique perspective is shaped by her double-major in journalism and religious studies. Our conversation follows the arc of first introducing Emma's background in Buddhism, exploring various tenets and foundations of the philosophy, from ethics, guruism, to the benefits of community. Emma shares the way in which Buddhism offers a more skillful lens to view the world, as well as tools to engage with global affairs from a responsible, not reactive, space. We then focus on the role of the media in shaping reality, where Emma shares guidance around how to deal with the never-ending news cycle, as well as various practices, from sourcing information to understanding the way news is made, to empower the process, and help create a brighter image of the future. Links to Emma's work: Website: https://www.emmavarv.com/ The Progress Network: https://theprogressnetwork.org/ What Could Go Right? Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5wtSK9WyigHxU8AOLl86cY Resources and References: How to Read the News Without Losing Your Mind – Emma Varvaloucas

Dr. Steven C. Hayes is the originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), identified as part of the “third wave of cognitive behavioral therapy.” He's a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nevada, the author of 47 books, including Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life and A Liberated Mind. Ranked in the top 1,000 most cited scholars in the world, Steven has been referred to as “one of the greatest thinkers, psychological theorists, and clinicians alive.” With close to 1,000 clinical trials showing its efficacy, ACT synthesizes many approaches, including Western psychology and Eastern philosophy. My interest started when reading Russ Harris' The Happiness Trap, and finding an approach that mirrored my personal journey. Building upon cognitive therapy, ACT includes awareness, mindfulness, the “observer,” and other Buddhist-like techniques. Factor in its emphasis on living a life aligned with values, and you have a system designed to lead to greater fulfillment. What I most admire about Steven's work is the practicality of his research, or in his words, “digging down to the processes that empower or entrap” and trying to find the skill sets that are most effective. Our conversation looks at those processes, but also expands to the wider philosophy of the mental health paradigm. What are the issues with how we treat mental illness? And what does an empowered, spiritually-inclusive model look like? Links to Steven's work: Website: https://stevenchayes.com Medium: https://medium.com/@stevenchayes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/therapy-types/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy Resources and References: A Liberated Mind – Steven C. Hayes. Get Out Of Your Mind and Into Your Life — Steven C. Hayes. The Myth of Mental Illness & Ideology and Insanity — Thomas Szasz. A Beautiful Mind (2001). The Happiness Trap — Russ Harris.

Time for something a little different! This is a reading of my latest MindThatEgo article, The Lighthouse: A Synchronistic Symbol of Intimacy and Isolation. I share a process of working with my unconscious mind to decipher the meaning of this inner voyage at various milestones. The lighthouse is a central symbol, which guided me to understand the significance of the conflict between intimacy and isolation. The woods, and the sea, are accompanying metaphors. As you will hear, the way events unfold defies conventional understanding. In what Carl Jung defined as synchronicity, events are linked by meaning, and require a different paradigm of reality to fully comprehend. Article link: https://www.mindthatego.com/the-lighthouse-symbol

Connecting to the soul is simple and complex. It's simple because the soul is the essence of who you are. It's the core of your being. Nothing has to be learned, only remembered. The complexity comes from living in an age and a culture of disconnect, with barriers created by the mind, and intellectual superiority placed ahead of other forms of intelligence, such as intuition, instinct, and heartfelt wisdom. In this conversation I'm joined by the perfect guide, Natalie Zeituny. I met Natalie three years ago at the Science and Nonduality Conference in Italy. She is a mystic, cosmologist, and the author of Ensoulment, where she presents a model of reality which “explores the cosmology and psychology of reality.” I was engrossed by her book, especially the way she maps consciousness scientifically, as well as sharing her inner experience of the ensoulment process vividly. What I love most about our conversation is the grounded nature in which ensoulment is approached. Natalie talks about entering the underworld in order to confront the shadow, and integrate the soul through deep reflection. This isn't about bypassing difficulty, or cultivating love and light. It's about having the courage to be the hero of your journey, to trust your inner resourcefulness above all else. We talk about the relationship between difficult experiences, such as depression, anxiety, and paranoia, and how they relate to ensoulment. We discuss the signs of being aligned with the soul, how to identify your essence, and the uniqueness of your soul's song. I'm sure by the end, the fruits of ensoulment will be clear. Connecting to the soul is the return to being, the path to living the fullest life on offer; the path truest to you.

Hayden Thorpe is a solo artist and former frontman of Wild Beasts. His two solo albums — Moondust for my Diamond (2021) and Diviner (2019) — follow five albums with the band between 2008 and 2016, for which Two Dancers was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Since discovering Wild Beasts through their album Smother in 2011, they've remained my favourite band, one I've returned to time and time again, the soundtrack struggle, triumph, and everything between. Hayden's music continues the theme. Songs such as Diviner, Golden Ratio, The Universe is Alright Right, translate the ineffable with poetic melodies and spiritually-infused lyricism. Sharing such an in-depth exploration of Hayden's creative process was a joy. Topics include the transcendence of writing, the sacred nature of music, the energetics of stage performance, the merging of self and the source, the mystery of how certain songs find you at the right place, right time, shaping your life direction. In tribute to Hayden's approach to the divine and the earthly, we discuss the vulnerability of crises of confidence, risk-taking, the desire for validation, and how to honour ideas. Plus, we consider what immersion in the creative dimension teaches about the nature of reality, and the cosmic link between Newcastle United and Bristol Rovers.

According to conflict resolution expert Guy Burgess, the inability to resolve conflict is the greatest threat to humanity. Conflict is the root of interpersonal disharmony, political polarization, us vs. them mentalities, violence, and all-out war. Our future relies on a workable solution. Yet the current tools we have don't adequately scale to the ever-growing complexity and interconnection of the world. Three decades ago Guy was introduced to systems theory by a nuclear physicist at a multidisciplinary conference he hosted on conflict resolution. Seeing conflict as a complex adaptive system moves away from the prominent worldview of mechanical thinking, aligning with the systems of nature, the ecological as opposed to the engineered. This holistic view is a radical shift. Viewing society as a complex system attempts to answer the question of how we can get along, and create a more peaceful world, despite having many differences in belief, ideology, wants, and needs. It works on principles and rules, not fixed on identifying problems and finding specific solutions. It understands conflict as ever-evolving, dynamic, and often unpredictable. Our conversation applies complex thinking to many societal issues. Guy explains the difference between a complicated and complex system, and how conflict is viewed through these perspectives. Guy explains the need for “massive-parallel peace building,” across many disciplines, using big picture thinking to bring together our collective skills and insights. He also explains the underlying psychology behind conflict, on an individual and societal level, and how vulnerabilities are exploited. We discuss the pandemic through this lens. Why do the media present oversimplified models of the world? Why do governments use “divide and conquer” techniques to stoke polarization, such as vaccinated vs unvaccinated? What are the hazards of not having access to free-flowing information, and the damage of censorship? We turn our attention to the future of society. That includes the necessity of moving towards a “power-with” and not “power-over” approach, finding the sweet spot of solidarity and innovators who find novel solutions, and why complex thinking moves us into the quantum era. By the end, we consider how this all factors into a wider collective awakening, and the evolution of consciousness across humanity as a whole. This is a useful and practical approach to what can often seem like an intangible, and impossible goal. Guy acknowledges that there has been no “golden age” of harmony or resolution, and the work on this will continue for decades to come. But, for someone who has dedicated his life to moving beyond the intractable, Guy makes global peace feel more attainable. God knows, we need it. Resources: Website: Beyond Intractability The Best of Both Worldviews: Can Systems Theory Unite Spirituality and Science? Title music: Monday Morning Wake Up Call by David Birch

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanyasa.sai.ra Website: www.SanyaManzoor.com Sanya Manzoor is a Holistic Expansion Coach, a poet, a philosopher, a meditation teacher, an artist, and much more. Sanya's creativity and endless wisdom is a huge inspiration. She's my lover, my friend, and someone I'm incredibly fortunate to explore the journey of heartfulness with. After three years of discussing the possibility of recording a podcast, we finally did it, and it's worth the wait. The metaphor of music and sound extends throughout our talk, from learning the ability to harmonise your energy with others, listening to the whisper of the heart, or silencing the noise of cultural conditioning and media messaging. This is a vast conversation that explores the journey of becoming through all areas of consciousness — live music, suffering, overcoming fear, expanding with courage. Sanya eloquently composes understanding around the symphony of being — the song of the heart — that inspires us to live truly and deeply, to play our unique instrument, to risk disrupting others, in order to live our truth. From teenage years spent listening to live music, to performing her own melodies and supporting others' transformation with intuitive sound healing, this is a soundtrack for the soul, and a playlist for personal growth. It's a vibrant, varied, and inspired conversation that mixes all genres and styles, from jazz to punk rock, offering a rich insight into what a dynamic, beautiful soul that Sanya is.

Ancient Greek philosopher Plato's Theory of Forms captures the idea that, beyond the physical reality of the senses, there resides a non-physical World of Ideas. Within this world there are pure forms, or essences, that are perfect in nature. There are many types of form, from phenomena, objects (such as trees), to concepts and abstract ideas, including virtues. Plato considered that the role of a Philosopher King or Queen was to integrate these perfect ideas into the physical world. For example, the pure essence of wisdom resides in the World of Ideas, and a wise person is able to integrate this perfect form, increasingly so, by conscious direction. In his dialogue, Memo, Plato explains how we inherently respond to the discovery of knowledge of this dimension, in a recollection process. That's because the deepest essence of our being — the soul — resided in the World of Ideas before being manifest into the physical reality. For Plato, the World of Ideas is the true reality. The physical reality we perceive is just a shadow of this reality. Plato uses the Allegory of the Cave, in which prisons, chained and stationary, mistake shadow's projected on the cave's as reality, when it is only a tiny fragment of reality. Bethany Butzer returns to the podcast to explore this theory, its relevance to modern thinking, and its practical benefits. Our discussion looks at Carl Jung's theory of Archetypes, psychic patterns that were inspired by Plato's work, synchronicity, the relationship between mind and matter, and the quantum potentials of order from chaos. Are humans the bridge between the imaginal, and the manifest? What is our special relationship to integrating these essential forms? What is the role of metaphor and myth in the unfolding of reality and the subjective experience? And is sacred geometry and patterns that repeat to scale, from the atomic to the cosmic, evidence of an underlying, fundamental reality, in the way Plato suggested? Resources: BethanyButzer.com. Bethany's Instagram. MTE Podcast: Synchronicity And The Nature of Reality. Title music: Monday Morning Wake Up Call by David Birch

This is an exploration of faith, uncertainty, and facing the unknown. In moments of challenge, it's tempting to try and find certainty, to think our way through, to come up with solutions. But some of life's biggest moments don't have quick solutions. They're questions, not answers. They're a process, and usually, there has to be time spent tolerating the discomfort of uncertainty. When we choose to try and control, we cause more suffering. What what if we let go, and embrace life's mystery? Faith is a reminder that, even if unseen, even if lost, we are still on track in the grand scheme of things. Faith is having the humility to be guided, without knowing the final destination. Faith is having confidence that, at some point in the future, the process and the path will make sense, with a deeper purpose slowly coming into view.

My friend and mentor Nick Kettles joins me to discuss the stages of the spiritual journey. I've worked closely with Nick for a few years now. Nick is an incredible guide and teacher, who draws upon his wealth of experience and knowledge across multiple fields of development — from Advaita Vedanta, coaching, breathwork, and Jungian psychology. Having worked with 1000s to support their awakening and integration, Nick noticed a trend in the different stages that appear to be consistent. What I find most valuable about our talk is that it offers guidance for those who are, in a sense, spiritual rebels. Without choosing any set discipline of philosophy, the amount of choice can feel overwhelming. Here, we share a map that will help find direction and guidance on the path of personal growth. The stages are: Window Shopping: an early stage of exploring portals to new realities and different types of energy. Narrowing of the Path: the choice to focus on one practice in order to make progress. There may be a separation from other life experiences in order to cultivate a deeper connection. Disenchantment: when life circumstances start to get in the way, and the initial inspiration to practice can lead to a sense of disillusionment with the practice itself. However, this is a great opportunity for the reality within to flourish. Integration: this is the point of “non-doing” where life operates through you, and the practice itself becomes more spontaneous, as you become more grounded and connected. No Discernable Practice: this is the stage where life itself is the practice. Links: Thresholds of the Soul Coaching – https://thresholdsofthesoul.com Title music: Monday Morning Wake Up Call by David Birch

I'm joined by Steve Taylor to discuss the micro and macro qualities of awakening, and what Steve calls the panspirits worldview. Steve is a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University, and the author of several best-selling books on psychology and spirituality. These include Back to Sanity, The Leap, Spiritual Science, and his new book, Extraordinary Awakenings: When Trauma Leads to Transformation. Eckhart Tolle has described his work as ‘an important contribution to the shift in consciousness which is happening on our planet at present.' It's clear to why — the world desperately needs a different approach to nature, the self, and spirituality, in a way grounded in science. I found Steve's work early on in my awakening process and was inspired and relieved by the discoveries in science and psychology that support awakening. I've wanted to talk with him for years, and I was delighted to get the opportunity. The discussion covers the signs of awakening, including guidance for those on the path, as well as the research and discoveries of science that support these non-ordinary states, from NDEs to psi and beyond. Key talking points: What is transpersonal psychology? Steve explains his personal journey of awakening and how he thought he was crazy before discovering this new field of psychology. The definition of an awakening experience and the transcendence of separation. Connection as a fundamental reality. How trauma can lead to the dissolution of ego and transformation into a "higher self". Why the material worldview is a belief system based on unfounded assumptions. How this worldview impacts the environment and cultural nihilism. How scientism leads to cognitive bias and dismissal of evidence of findings outside of that worldview. The link between consciousness, quantum physics, and spirituality. How connection can help shift depression. Reassurance that spiritual experiences are not pathological, but normal. A few thoughts on the evolution of consciousness and how its manifesting in the world today. Links: Website: https://www.stevenmtaylor.com/ Extraordinary Awakenings (book): https://www.stevenmtaylor.com/books/extraordinary-awakenings/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevetaylorauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevetaylorauthor/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SMTaylorauthor Title music: Monday Morning Wake Up Call by David Birch

Dr. Leanne Whitney joins the show to explain the nuances of Jungian depth psychology and Patanjali's yoga sutras. How do these two systems of the psyche fit together? Where are their similarities and their differences? Is there a way of synthesising the wisdom of both, to create a union of West and East? Leanne is an independent scholar in the fields of depth psychology and consciousness studies. She works as a transformational coach, yoga teacher, and documentary filmmaker, and for over twenty-five years has researched the mind body connection and their interrelation with pure consciousness. Leanne is well positioned to provide an expert view, as she specializes in the intersection of Western psychology and Eastern wisdom. She is the author of numerous published papers, as well the book, Consciousness in Jung and Patanjali, which is an eloquent and ambitious comparison of both approaches. Highlights of this rich and heartfelt discussion include: The relationship between yoga's pure consciousness and Jung's theory of the conscious (ego) and unconscious. Why Jung's view on healing and wholeness was never fully complete due to his perception of consciousness. How Patanjali separates knowledge from reality, whilst Jung remained grappling with contents of the psyche. The respective approaches to God: all there is vs. what humans make conscious. The different orientations of awareness, and the ability to objectively witness contents of mind. Synchronicity as a bridge between the two bodies of work. Getting to the root of suffering and detecting patterns. The ego in yoga and Jungian philosophy. How shadow work fits in both systems. The material, scientific paradigm of the west, and the need to find a system that uses the best of both. Standout quotes: “You'll never get to the bottom of the collective unconscious, because for Jung, it's all phenomenological. Whether you look with a microscope or telescope, depending on the lens, the phenomena is going to get smaller or bigger, then you have to grapple with how to place yourself.” “For Jung, people are making God conscious, and that's an enormous task, we're bringing light into the darkness. He left us with an enormous task. For Patanjali, that is too egoic. Jung's consciousness only relates to ego, that human beings have consciousness. Patanjali would say the whole thing is conscious, all the world is conscious.” “The symbols aren't just in the mythologies, but the very thing we're living in front of our eyes. The thing thats happening in the body and in front of our eyes is 100% in sync with the thought forms and the binds that are also in the psyche.” “For Jung, consciousness relates to an ego. I feel that's one of the fundamental errors or points of concern for Jungian depth psychology. In the end, Jung's idea of consciousness is very conceptual and linguistic. For Patanjali, consciousness is everything, yes it's conceptual, but it's not conceptual, it's linguistic and non-linguistic, because it's everything.” Links: Leanne's website: https://leannewhitney.com/ Leanne's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drleannewhitney Consciousness in Patanjali and Jung: https://www.routledge.com/Consciousness-in-Jung-and-Patanjali/Whitney/p/book/9780367198725 Title music: Monday Morning Wake Up Call by David Birch

I'm joined by Stephan Bodian to discuss the difference between authentic awakening and spiritual ego. Stephan is a licensed therapist and spiritual teacher who has pioneered the integration of Western psychology and Eastern wisdom. He is the author of numerous books, including Wake Up Now, Beyond Mindfulness and Meditation for Dummies, which has sold half a million copies since its launch in 1998. Stephan has practiced for many years with masters in the non-dual wisdom traditions of Zen, Dzochen and Advaita Vedanta, and received Dharma transmission from Adyashanti in 2001. Since 2007 he has led an intensive program in spiritual transformation, known as the School for Awakening, and dawns on decades of experience as a therapist and teacher to offer specialised guidance for those on the path of awakening. Stephan explains the skill of spiritual discernment. When do you trust spiritual teachers? What are the red flags of spiritual narcissism? This discussion delves into the nuances, from psychological projection, the trouble with gurus and positions of power, the freedom of authentic teaching, and the value of knowing your shadow. How do you trust you're on the right path? This conversation shines a light on the ego traps and attachments to concepts that can lead to unhealthy relationships or self-denial. Stephan's heart-felt understanding of psychology and ancient wisdom acts as a shining light on how to “wake up” authentically. Stephan dispels a few myths around the mainstream teaching of “McMindfulness,” the role of emotions throughout awakening, the genuine practice of meditation, and how to expand awareness whilst embracing humanity. This is a valuable discussion for anyone at any stage of the journey of spiritual growth. Links: Stephan's website: https://www.stephanbodian.org/ Article: Reflections on the Integrity of Spiritual Teachers Article: How Do Narcissists Become Spiritual Teachers? Talk: Entering The Gateless Gate (SAND 2019)

When the mind is scattered, and we become easily distracted, what's the solution? Here I break down the difference between impulse and action, and offer a few techniques in refining focus and not becoming caught up in "chasing" thoughts as they arise. There's some influence from meditative practices along with "urge surfing" from Russ Harris' Happiness Trap, based in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

In this enthralling episode I'm joined by Bethany Butzer, PhD, to discuss her upcoming paper in the Journal of Consciousness Studies: Does Synchronicity Point Us Toward The Fundamental Nature of Consciousness? Our discussion is as personal as it is scientific, and Bethany's knowledge and wisdom is matched by her enthusiasm and heart. The more I understand synchronicity, the more I see it as a communication between mind and matter. I could write a thousand words on this, but the universe decided to speak on my behalf. Immediately following the talk I received an astounding synchronicity linked to Michelangelo's painting of Adam and God, which we discuss in the show. I don't wish to share spoilers, so I encourage you to tune in to find out. Then re-visit this page to see the screenshot in question. The video, which you can watch here, was published on the BBC website the same day as our discussion and contains information which is relevant to our talk. I was blown away and needed to walk around the block to ground myself! Later in the day, I saw another article linked to the show's discussion: Can physics prove if God exists? This was also published on March 2nd. As you'll hear in the show, "re-search" and synchronicity around matching dates is relevant. This is pure evidence of synchronicity's life-affirming potential. Aside from the universe's approval of the show (can you get a better endorsement?) we discuss: The difference between confirmation bias and synchronicity. Adaptive vs. maladaptive pattern detection. How synchronicity provides "breadcrumbs" to follow your path. The link between synchronicity and mystical experiences, such as oneness and transcendence. How contemplative practices such as meditation and yoga invoke synchronicity. What synchronicity teaches about fundamental nature of consciousness. The spiritual vs. the scientific approach to wisdom and knowledge. The re-enchantment of matter and reverence for the Earthly. How synchronicity boosts well-being, meaning, and general happiness. The link with Jung's unus mundus, collective unconscious and archetypes. The nature of knowledge, re-search, and how the inner "Daimon" uses synchronicity. Resources: For more on Bethany's work, visit her website or follow her on Instagram or Facebook. Watch Bethany's popular TED Talk, Stop Trying So Hard. Achieve More By Doing Less. Bethany's book, The Antidepressant Antidote: Five Steps to Get Off Antidepressants Safely & Effectively, is available on Amazon. Bethany is also a lecturer for the Alef Trust MSc program in Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology. Title music: Monday Morning Wake Up Call by David Birch

(This talk is from an event hosted at osmos, Berlin, on 22 January 2020. The same topic which I presented at SAND 2019.) The signs are there. They've been there for thousands of years. In this talk I'll take you through a personal journey of my "Hero's Return" from the darkness of depression and psychosis, to a world of magic and mysticism. As above, so below; as the Hermetics proposed, I'll argue why this individual awakening process is being mirrored on the global scale. I'll illustrate how the process of alchemising existential despair, or spiritual awakening, is unfolding across the world. From the Mayans, to Carl Jung, Vedanta, Astrology, predictions from some of the world's greatest thinkers are leading us to what Teilhard de Chardin referred to as the Omega Point, the divine harmony of the metaphysical and the material, and how quantum physics is catalysing our global understanding on our non-dual nature. In the early 1900s, sociologist Max Weber bemoaned the age of disenchantment, the de-magic-ation of our world and the mysterious within and without. We killed God, according to Nietzsche, but thanks to advances in science and the crumbling of institutionalised religion, and increase is esoteric practice, we're on the cusp of an unfathomable shift in consciousness. The sacred union of spirit and the physical is happening. Our relationship with the world, with ourselves, and with each other, will be enriched beyond comprehension. It's written in the stars. Welcome to the return of magic. Welcome to the age of Re-Enchantment. Title music: Monday Morning Wake Up Call by David Birch