Podcasts about spiritual counseling

Greetings Friends,We are moving through this wonderful collection of encounters with Buddhist Women found in the book The Hidden Lamp for our Summer Read. This week we met Keizan Zenji and Mokufu Sonin engaged in the dialogue below:Hidden Lamp Case 20: Sonin's Shadeless TreeMaster Keizan Jokin asked the nun Mokufu Sonin, “The winter is coming to an end and the springtime is arriving. There is an order to this. What is your understanding?” Sonin replied, “In the braches of a tree without shade, how could there be any seasons?”These two people are very important figures in the history of Zen Buddhism. They are direct Ancestors in our Soto Zen lineage tree. So, they are our Ancestors. What is an Ancestor? One way we understand Ancestor in Buddhism is someone who aligns their heart and mind with the aspiration to awaken and liberate all beings from suffering. So, someone who wants to help us wake up! But one Zen teacher says in actuality —all beings are your ancestor.What would it be like to truly see the world this way?Are all beings trying to awaken us?Is everyone we meet helping us on this path of liberation from suffering?Are they, through their words, thoughts and actions aiding us in opening our own hearts and minds to the love, compassion and wisdom of this universe?It may not always feel that way. But we can aspire to practice as if it were true, this is taking the view of bodhicitta— the great compassion unfolding this life.Connecting to the Zen Ancestors can remind us that humans have been walking this path of awakening for a long time. They were shaped by the path and they also shaped or opened new dimensions of the path through their embodied walking. I find that hearing the ancestor's stories is a lot like pulling a tarot card, or reading a myth or fairytale. Their life stories usually contain dharma teachings, universal themes about the path, but also personal dimensions that may resonate with our own struggles, questions, doubts, curiosities or lived experience.Keizan's PathKeizan Zenji is a great example of this. Considered the “mother of Soto Zen”, he was born in the early years of Soto Zen in Japan, just eleven years after Dogen Zenji (the founder) died. His mother and his grandmother were both Zen practitioners, but also embodied and practiced a more ancient form of spirituality that was common amongst women at the time—a form of spirituality we might call “folk” or “shamanistic” or “animist”. (In her recent books, Bringing Zen Home and The Little Book of Zen Healing Paula Arai explores how the blend of Zen and shamanism is still alive in how many lay women engage in dharma practice).Below is an excerpt from Sallie Tisdale's book Women of the Way, here she shares the story of Keizan's birth. This short selection introduces us to some of the people and practices that influenced Keizan throughout his life.Many years later, when Ekan Daishi was thirty-seven years old, she had a dream. She swallowed the morning light, warm and as soft as silk, and it filled her entire body. A few days later she realized she was pregnant. Then she prayed, as she had often prayed, to the beloved statue of Kannon: “May this child be a spiritual leader, a benefit to all, and please, may the delivery be easy.” For the next seven months, she bowed 1,333 times each day and recited the Kannon Sutra. The baby was born on the property of the Kannon Temple in the province of Echizen, without pain. A short while later Daishi took vows as a nun, and the baby's grandmother, Myōchi, helped raise him.So Keizan was raised with a deep connection to both his mother and grandmother and to the Bodhisattva Kannon (who is the bodhisattva of compassion). He was brought up in an enchanted world, where kami (spirits) filled the natural world, where Buddha's and Bodhisattva's appeared in dreams, where even the mundane aspects of life were part of the art, the ritual of living in an interconnected world of mutual reciprocity. A world emerging from the great compassion of Kannon. Keizan also listened to the wisdom of his dreams, practiced Buddhist astrology and geomancy. He was instrumental in creating and recording the ceremonies we have throughout the Buddhist liturgical year. His love for the ancestors, led him to gather the stories of the Zen Buddhist lineage dating back to Shakyamuni Buddha. Creating a mythological retelling of their lives, and giving teachings inspired by their stories. This collection of his dharma talks on the ancestors, is called the Denkuroku, the Transmission of the Light.Here's another selection from Women of the Way revealing some of the ways he practiced and saw the world, and how he carried his mother's vow forward after she died.His dreams about Yōkōji were strong and good, filled with spirits and buddhas. Even the stars overhead, streaming slowly between the black branches of the pines, were correctly aligned. The hills were no more beautiful than other nearby hills, but he could see through these particular hills to the hidden hills beneath. He believed that he could see the true monastery already there, the one belonging to the other world—the world of protectors and guides. In this place, where the boundary between worlds was very thin, he would build the Monastery of the Eternal Light. A year later Daishi died. Almost at the moment of her death she reached for her son's hand. “I made a vow to Kannon,” she said. “You must continue it. You must help all beings come to the Dharma. Especially, most especially, because you can, you must help all women of the three worlds and the ten directions. “Take the little statue,” she added, nodding toward the Kannon she had found all those years ago in the mud. “Take care of it forever.” In her memory, Keizan ordered that a Sōtō women's temple, Hōō-ji, be built in the province of Kaga.Keizan and Sonin's Dharma FriendshipOne of the most remarkable aspects of Keizan, is that he really took this vow to heart. Sonin was a patron, she donated the mountain where Keizan built Yokoji, one of the many monasteries he helped found, and the one where he spent most of his time. After Sonin's husband died, she went to Keizan to ask for ordination. The night before Keizan had a dream that his beloved deceased grandmother came to him and asked for ordination. From this point on he regarded Sonin as a reincarnation of his grandmother, and the two were very close as teacher and student, and then as friends and collaborators. Keizan wrote that the two of them were like, “magnet and iron.”Keizan wrote that Sonin's aspiration for awakening “clarifies each day”, that “she radiates kindness” and that her “insight is ripening”, shortly before the dialogue above took place. He had asked her about, “temporal existence” and she was unable to answer. She let this question work on her. And sometime later asked Keizan to engage in dharma combat. That is when he asked her about the seasons changing from winter to spring. Sonin's understanding was clear, and she was able to meet Keizan in the place with neither light or shadow.Sonin is the first woman in the Soto Zen lineage of Japan to receive full dharma transmission. Keizan gave transmission to two other women, Konto Ekyu and Myosho Ekan, before he died. (Keizan's mother Ekan Daishi, Mokufu Sonin, Konto Ekyu and Myosho Ekan are all part of the Women's Lineage found in the ZCO chant book, at the monastery we would chant their names as part of morning service twice a week.)In closing, this short snapshot into the lives of Keizan and Sonin, I want to share another excerpt from the Women of the Way.In 1322 Keizan and the nuns founded Enzūin, the Temple of All Pervading Perfection, across the stream from the mountain gate, hidden in the trees. Enzūin was dedicated to the well-being of women forever, and it was most especially meant as an honor to his grandmother and in keeping the promise he made to his mother Ekan Daishi when she died.At the dedication, the statue of Kanzeon, with its eleven serene faces, was installed as the main image. It had come to seem like an animate thing, hearing and acting on the prayers of its bearers. In its base Keizan placed a lock of his own baby hair and his umbilical cord, which his mother had preserved. In this way, he gave his own life to this women's hermitage in the trees. Sonin was the first living abbot there, although Ekan Daishi was considered the first ancestoral abbot. There is still a portrait of Ekan Daishi, Keizan's mother and Sonin as the first abbots on the Yokoji temple property.So, here is a story of the legacy of two Zen Ancestors. If you want to learn more, listen to the podcast where I also explore this short koan exchange and how we too are shadeless trees, in the midst of the changing seasons of our lives. If you are curious to learn more about Keizan and Sonin, there is this great resource here.Is there are any aspects of Keizan and Sonin's story that piqued your interest or felt resonate with your own life and practice? Hope to see you for one of our live online gatherings or in person for a retreat this summer!Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring the Hidden Lamp: Teaching from the Buddhist Women AncestorsFeel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth Sesshin— August 10 - 16 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Upcoming Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaInterdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5 (Registration is now open!)I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I had a pre-conversation with Stephen Edwards about the Venus Fly Trap: Sex, Lies, and Repercussions.book that he wrote. We talked about how we end up in the Venus fly trap in the first place when it comes to negative situations.We also talked about the pitfalls that we will face that will keep you stagnet, in fear, doubt, and keep you still and from reaching your goals. We talk about the lies and misconceptions when comes to sex, love, and relatiohsips. The misconceptions when come to how people look at sex and relationships. We talked about pain and how we run fun what we are afraid of, suffering and trauma in stead of facing it. We talked about the difference between pshyical and mental healing. How many opportunities that we miss due to fear, doubt, past trauma, failure, and rejection? The importance of the connections between the mind and body when it comes to healing and recovery. We taked about the consciousness and subconsciousness when it comes to healing and recovery.  We also talked about Post Tramic Slave Disorder, and choices as far as not have any choices due to doing what is expected. A little about Stephen, he is an international speaker and author with a PhD in Spiritual Counseling.he's spent a lifetime exploring love, transformation, and the mind-body-spirit connection. His book The Venus Fly Trap is a raw, fearless, and often hilarious journey through passion, chaos, and selfdiscovery—inviting audiences to embrace their flaws, release shame, and lean into the beautiful madness of being human. it was a great conversation that I wanted you to hear. The post conversation is coming soon. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-happier-you-leads-to-a-healthier-you--5161886/support.

Greetings and Happy Early Summer!We are continuing our Summer Read of the Hidden Lamp again this year. Every week we will explore a different koan story from the collection. If you would like to follow along, check out the calendar page for up to date information on the koan selections. On Monday night during the live online meditation event, I will give a dharma talk themed around the reading for the week and then we will have time for discussion. I will post the talk here too.This past Monday we started the Summer Read with Case 19 from the Hidden Lamp: The Flower Hall on the Buddha's Birthday.The nuns of Tokeiji were famous for their beautiful and elaborate flower decorations on the Buddha's birthday. Master Yodo, the abbess of Tokeiji wrote a verse for this occasion:Decorate the heart of the beholder, for the Buddha of the flower hallis no where else.The Buddha's birthday, also called Hanna Matsuri or the flower festival, usually takes place when the flowers of Spring are in full bloom. In the ceremony we decorate a flower bower with fresh flowers (in Oregon we would do this on Mother's Day and the rhododendron's were often a main feature). The baby buddha is placed in the center of the flower bower, in a bowl of sweet tea. During the ceremony each participant is invited up to the altar to bathe the baby buddha, while we chant a simple mantra together.To me this ceremony feels ancient. I imagine it is an evolution of a much older ceremony celebrating mid-spring, the abundance of new life, flowers and perhaps the Great Mother. For the story of the Buddha's birth starts with Maha Maya, the Buddha's mother. It starts with Maha Maya's great dream, reminding us that this very life, this very moment is sourced from the great mystery and is dream-like in its nature.As many of you know, I could dwell on this theme of dream and the Great Mother for a long time. But today, I want to highlight another aspect of this koan—the quality of care.We meet Yodo and the nuns of Tokeiji decorating the buddha hall. Taking great care to make a beautiful and elaborate offering of flowers. Flowers which will start to whither and die as the ceremony ends. Flowers that speak the language of beauty and innocence, of desire and abundance, of the purity of our buddha-nature.The activity that the nuns are engaged in is the activity of their life.We often wonder how to bring our meditation practice off of the cushion into our daily lives.Here the nuns demonstrate this—with care—they say through their actions.Care is how love is expressed.Care involves attending, meeting the moment. Care awakens appreciation.Through our care, our life becomes an offering, a gift. And we are the recipients as well as the ones making the offering.In monastic life we have ceremonies and activities that give form to the expression of care. From the way we place our shoes on the shoe rack, to choosing the serving dishes for a meal to making flower arrangements for the altars, we have these opportunities to express love through our actions.I was never formally trained in the art of Ikebana, flower arranging. But I did learn some basics over the years, two of which stick with me and can be applied to so many areas of life in exploring care and beauty.The first is that space is just as important as the physical elements of the flower arrangement. So as you choose your vessel, and begin to arrange the flowers you also consider the space between the flowers, leaves and branches. In flower arranging the space is alive.The second principle is that you appreciate how the different elements grow in nature and accentuate them. You recognize that you are also an active participant in creation, so you listen to how the elements are in relationship to each other and respond.I find these two principles invite care, attention, love, appreciation and open me up to seeing the beauty in life itself. What if we moved through our days with an awareness of the space that surrounds us, with an appreciation that we are in relationship with everything we encounter. That it is our life.Listen to the dharma talk for more explorations of this koan in relationship to care, nurturing the heart and seeing our buddha nature. And as always you are invited to take this story and practice into your life. This week notice beauty, practice appreciating your life, see your life as an offering, a gift. What happens when you do?Awakening happens in relationship. Hope to see you in-person or on zoom sometime soon. Starting this coming Monday, we will return to studying the teaching stories of the women ancestors found in The Hidden Lamp.Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring the Hidden Lamp: Teaching from the Buddhist Women AncestorsFeel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth Sesshin— August 10 - 16 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Upcoming Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaInterdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5 (Registration is now open!)I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

Lisa Rusczyk and Dona Murphy interview Dr. Stephen about his memoir of his fourth marriage and how it changed him to realizing an important thing - why bad things might happen.Want to know more about Dr. Stephen?Dr. Stephen Paul Edwards is an international speaker and author holding a PhD in Spiritual Counseling. Born in Blackpool, UK, and currently based in Florida, he focuses his work on love, transformation, and the mind-body-spirit connection.About the Book:The Venus Fly Trap is a non-fiction work based on the true story of a high-stakes, intense relationship between a wealthy English businessman and a former international supermodel heiress.Themes: The narrative explores the intersection of pleasure, power, and pain, detailing how a relationship can spiral from luxury settings into obsession, betrayal, and chaos.Style: The book is described as a raw, fearless, and unfiltered exploration of human nature, intended to help readers embrace flaws and release shame.Reception: Early readers have compared the book to works like Fifty Shades and Gone Girl, noting its intense emotional ride and focus on the psychology of addictive relationships.Relationships: Why people remain in unhealthy partnerships, how to distinguish real love from emotional dependency, and how to rebuild self-worth after toxic experiences.Mental Health: Insights into the "spectrum of insanity," breaking free from shame, and the importance of vulnerability.Societal Issues: Exploring the new sexual revolution and the lessons learned from love, chaos, and personal transformation.Thank you for watching and listening.

In this episode, I had a pre-conversation with Stephen Edwards about the Venus Fly Trap: Sex, Lies, and Repercussions.book that he wrote. We talked about how we end up in the Venus fly trap in the first place when it comes to negative situations.We also talked about the pitfalls that we will face that will keep you stagnet, in fear, doubt, and keep you still and from reaching your goals. We talk about the lies and misconceptions when comes to sex, love, and relatiohsips. The misconceptions when come to how people look at sex and relationships. We talked about pain and how we run fun what we are afraid of, suffering and trauma in stead of facing it. We talked about the difference between pshyical and mental healing. How many opportunities that we miss due to fear, doubt, past trauma, failure, and rejection? The importance of the connections between the mind and body when it comes to healing and recovery. We taked about the consciousness and subconsciousness when it comes to healing and recovery.  We also talked about Post Tramic Slave Disorder, and choices as far as not have any choices due to doing what is expected. A little about Stephen, he is an international speaker and author with a PhD in Spiritual Counseling.he's spent a lifetime exploring love, transformation, and the mind-body-spirit connection. His book The Venus Fly Trap is a raw, fearless, and often hilarious journey through passion, chaos, and selfdiscovery—inviting audiences to embrace their flaws, release shame, and lean into the beautiful madness of being human. it was a great conversation that I wanted you to hear. The post conversation is coming soon. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/you-are-what-you-consume-podcast--5314327/support.

In this episode, I had a pre-conversation with Stephen Edwards about the Venus Fly Trap: Sex, Lies, and Repercussions.book that he wrote. We talked about how we end up in the Venus fly trap in the first place when it comes to negative situations.We also talked about the pitfalls that we will face that will keep you stagnet, in fear, doubt, and keep you still and from reaching your goals. We talk about the lies and misconceptions when comes to sex, love, and relatiohsips. The misconceptions when come to how people look at sex and relationships. We talked about pain and how we run fun what we are afraid of, suffering and trauma in stead of facing it. We talked about the difference between pshyical and mental healing. How many opportunities that we miss due to fear, doubt, past trauma, failure, and rejection? The importance of the connections between the mind and body when it comes to healing and recovery. We taked about the consciousness and subconsciousness when it comes to healing and recovery.  We also talked about Post Tramic Slave Disorder, and choices as far as not have any choices due to doing what is expected. A little about Stephen, he is an international speaker and author with a PhD in Spiritual Counseling.he's spent a lifetime exploring love, transformation, and the mind-body-spirit connection. His book The Venus Fly Trap is a raw, fearless, and often hilarious journey through passion, chaos, and selfdiscovery—inviting audiences to embrace their flaws, release shame, and lean into the beautiful madness of being human. it was a great conversation that I wanted you to hear. The post conversation is coming soon. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/with-self-respect-comes-self-love--5161847/support.

Greetings Friends,I am returning from the Light of the Ancestors Sesshin at Great Vow Zen Monastery and feeling deep gratitude for this path of practice and all the people who have walked this path— discovering freedom and love in their own lives.Over the past few months the Monday night online Sangha through ZCO has been exploring The Mountains and Rivers Sutra by Dogen Zenji. In wrapping up our study of the sutra, we explored the last two stanzas from the version of the sutra that is often chanted in ZCO.Mountains have been the abode of great sages from the limitless past to the limitless present. Wise people and sages all have mountains in their inner chamber, as their body and mind. You may think that in mountains many wise people and great sages are assembled, but after entering the mountains, not a single person meets another. There is just the activity of mountains. There is no trace of anyone having entered the mountains.Although mountains belong to the nation, mountains belong to people who love them. You should know that mountains are fond of wise people and sages.From ancient times people and sages have often lived near water. When they live near water they catch fish, catch human beings, and catch the Way. Therefore, thoroughly investigate mountains, thoroughly investigate water. When you investigate thoroughly, it is the work of mountains and water. Then mountains and waters of themselves become wise persons and sages.When Dogen Zenji refers to mountains, he is inviting us to observe and contemplate actual mountains, to recognize and reflect on the constancy, stillness, presence and teachings of the mountains in the natural world and he is also inviting us to observe and contemplate our true nature. You can try reading the above paragraph substituting the words “true nature”, “the Way”, “awakening/enlightenment” or “practice-realization” for mountains. What opens up as you reflect on these different readings of the teaching of this sutra?How does the Way or practice-realization belong to those who love it?What is your experience of your life being the great activity of awakening?During the Light of the Ancestors sesshin, my co-teacher Bansho, Sensei referenced a koan from the Zen school, where a person is taking leave of the monastery and is asked by the teacher, “Where are you going?” The student replies, “around on pilgrimage.” The teacher then asks, “what is the purpose of pilgrimage?” The student replies, “I don't know.” The teacher responds, “Not-knowing is nearness.”We might also say, “not-knowing is love.”In a world where we are taught to fear the unknown, to always have a plan or purpose—what would it be like, instead, to see not-knowing as an invitation to love? To meet the unknown with curiosity? To be intimate with the mystery?Can not-knowing invite us in to the embrace of this life?Can the practice of not-knowing create space for love to arise?Is not-knowing an expression of love?On this path of practice-awakening we are constantly being invited to love. To recognize that we are loved, to recognize that we belong to this life.Another time a student asked, “what is the essence of the path?”A teacher replied, “whatever arises, love that.”Not-knowing makes us fetch-able, the way rises up and meets us, catches us in the openness of our curiosity. We become mountain, we become river just as mountains and rivers become us.Listen to the Dharma Talk for a more in-depth exploration of these last paragraphs from the Mountains and Rivers Sutra, and for reflections on coming home to ourselves, not-knowing, love and belonging on the path.Awakening happens in relationship. Hope to see you in-person or on zoom sometime soon. Starting this coming Monday, we will return to studying the teaching stories of the women ancestors found in The Hidden Lamp.Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring the Hidden Lamp: Teaching from the Buddhist Women AncestorsFeel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth Sesshin— August 10 - 16 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Upcoming Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaInterdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5 (Registration is now open!)I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of The Rewrite, I'm joined by Dr. Stephen Paul Edwards—author, speaker, and PhD in Spiritual Counseling. Stephen's work dives deep into the unconscious patterns that shape our relationships, our choices, and ultimately, our lives. But what makes this conversation so powerful is that it's not just theory—it's lived experience. We talk about what happens when you can no longer ignore the gap between who you think you are… and how you're actually showing up. From cycles of desire, secrecy, and emotional avoidance—to radical self-honesty and accountability—Stephen shares what it really takes to confront yourself and choose a different path forward. This episode explores:• Why we stay stuck in patterns that hurt us• The role of accountability in true healing• Understanding desire, attachment, and emotional dependency• What it means to rewrite your identity—not just your behavior Stephen also shares insights from his book, The Venus Fly Trap: Sex, Lies, and Repercussions—a raw and revealing look at the consequences of unconscious living and the power of choosing differently. If you've ever found yourself repeating patterns you don't fully understand… This conversation is for you.Follow Stephen: https://www.instagram.com/vft23_official/https://x.com/Stephen_Edwardzhttps://www.facebook.com/people/VFT23/61575468609762/https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemiracleshttps://www.tiktok.com/@vft23_official?lang=enhttps://vft23.com/

Why do we ignore red flags… even when we know better?In this raw, revealing, and wildly relatable episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, Anne Bonney sits down with Dr. Stephen Paul Edwards—speaker, spiritual counselor, and author of The Venus Flytrap (https://vft23.com/)—to unpack the messy, magnetic, and sometimes destructive reality of toxic relationships.Stephen shares the true story behind his book.  It's about a passionate, chaotic relationship that had everything: intense chemistry, emotional highs, devastating lows… and a whole lot of red flags he chose to ignore. So why do we do that?This conversation dives deep into: 

Greetings Friends,I'm a lover of poetry. A sometimes writer of poems. A sometimes reader. Poetry for me is more of a way of being, a willingness to be carried across by metaphor, to be turned inside out by image, to sit in the silence, to not know and to be transformed through the art of attention.The best poetry is wordless attention.And, also. Some poems really act as an arrow, straight to the heart of it and allow what is often inexpressible—a moment of shared recognition. April was national poetry month, and one of the ways I celebrated was to reflect on poetry in the buddhist and zen tradition. I looked at the different kinds of poetry and its function. In doing so, I recognized four functions of poetry: enlightenment poems, death poems, capping phrases and poems of intimacy with what is.Listen to the talk for more exploration of these four functions, with examples from some of my favorite poems from the tradition. Below are a few favorites for your reading pleasure.Dongshan's Enlightenment Poem Long seeking it from others, I was far from reaching it. Now I go by myself, and I find it everywhere. It is just I myself, but I am not itself. Understanding in this way, I can be as I am.Ikkyu's Death Poem I won't die. I won't go anywhere. I'll be here. But don't ask me anything. I won't answer.Mitta's Enlightenment Poem (From the translation/interpretation the first free women) Full of trust you left home, and soon learned to walk the Path— making yourself a friend to everyone and making everyone a friend. When the whole world is your friend, fear will find no place to call home. And when you make the mind your friend, you'll know what trust really means. Listen. I have followed this Path of friendship to its end. And I can say with absolute certainty— it will lead you home.On this spiritual path, poetry has been an inspiration for me. Not just the poetry of the ancestors, but so many other poems have graced me with their invitations to wonder and open to a world that is alive, and inviting. Do you have a poem that has inspired or transformed you? Do you have a poem you keep coming back to? Feel free to share it here. Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring the Mountains and Waters Sutra by Dogen Zenji.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth Sesshin— August 10 - 16 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Upcoming Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaInterdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5 (Registration is now open!)I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode #248 of World Awakenings: The Fast Track to Enlightenment, we welcome Dr. Stephen Paul Edwards, international speaker, author, and expert in spiritual transformation, consciousness, and Quantum Wealth.In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Edwards shares his extraordinary life journey as a spiritual being navigating the full human experience—exploring love, chaos, healing, and self-discovery. With a PhD in Spiritual Counseling and decades of insight into the mind-body-spirit connection, Stephen reveals how embracing our flaws and releasing shame can unlock true personal freedom and spiritual awakening.Originally from Blackpool, UK, and now based in Florida, Dr. Edwards has become a leading voice in the world of Quantum Wealth and conscious living. His new book, “The Venus Fly Trap,” is a raw, fearless, and often humorous true story that invites readers to embrace the beauty, madness, and transformation of being fully human.✨ If you're seeking spiritual growth, enlightenment, self-healing, and deeper meaning in life, this episode is a must-listen.To find out more about Dr. Stephen paul Edwards, and to get a copy of his book, head over to this website https://vft23.com/What part of Dr. Stephen Paul Edwards' journey resonated with you the most?

One of the figures that we encounter in the Zen literature is the stone woman. In the Precious Mirror Samadhi we find her dancing, in another story she calls us back from our dream of the world.In the study of the Mountains and Rivers Sutra, she shows up early on when Dogen quotes Furong Daokai. “The green mountains are always moving, a stone woman gives birth to a child at night.” He then comments on the stone woman, saying:“A stone woman gives birth to a child at night” means that the moment when a barren woman gives birth to a child is called “night.” There are male stones, female stones, and nonmale, nonfemale stones. (13) They are placed in the sky and in the earth and are called heavenly stones and earthly stones. These are explained in the ordinary world, but not many people actually know about it. You should understand the meaning of giving birth to a child. At the moment of giving birth to a child, is the mother separate from the child? You should study not only that you become a mother when your child is born, but also that you become a child. (14) This is the actualization of giving birth in practice-realization. You should study and investigate this thoroughly.So, who is this stone woman? Have you met her? Have you taken the time to hear the stories of the mountains, the stars, the river rocks, the stones you encounter on your walk? What is their experience of night? Of birth? Of silence, life, time and human?The Stone Woman SpeaksThere are stories told throughout the world, throughout time about the lives of mountains, stones, trees and the natural world. Stories of how the mountains were made. How the world was made, stories of creation. There are even stories of women being turned to stone. When I was living in the Pacific Northwest, I learned some of the creation myths of the indigenous people who live in the region. In the telling, the local mountains have a prominent role. The Chinook tell of Thunderbird laying eggs on top of Saddle Mountain, which an ogress will then throw down the Mountain, peopling the area.The Klickitat story involves the formation of Wy'east (Mt. Hood), Pahto (Mt. Adams) and Loo-wit (Mt. St. Helen's). In this story Loo-wit is a beautiful woman, who once guarded the first fire for the Great Spirit. Wy'east and Pahto were brother warriors who both fell in love with Loo-wit, and started fighting over her by spitting fireballs over the land. Eventually Great Spirit turned them into stone, mountain-volcanoes—banishing the Stone Woman Loo-wit up to the northern regions.Do you know some of the stories about the mountains, rivers or landforms in your area? Or ones you have visited? Have you ever listened to or heard the story of a tree, rock, flower, river or some other being in the natural world?During the Grasses and Trees Sesshin at Great Vow Zen Monastery on the fourth full-day of the retreat we often invite participants to have sanzen with a being in the natural world. Sanzen, which means sitting zen together, is what we call the 1:1 practice meetings in Zen. We are invited to meet a blade of grass, a pond, a noble fire, sky with an open mind, a question, a willingness to listen and learn from. Often people come back with a story of transmission. Something happened in the encounter, often part of the practice involves a willingness to listen to the silence—for the natural world often doesn't speak in human language.Mysterious TransmissionsThis image of the stone woman is also pointing to prajna paramita, the mother of all buddhas, wisdom beyond wisdom. To encounter the stone woman, is to meet the night, the darkness of not-knowing, the pure potential energy that we are—the great mystery. We are invited into the dark-unknowing, the womb of pure potential—where we become one with the wisdom of the ancestors, where we are born anew.From this place our life emerges, from this place it is fulfilled. —HongzhiFor more explorations of the stone woman giving birth at night, listen to the dharma talk. I would love to hear any reflections that you have. It's poetry month, and I am also exploring encounters with the stone woman through poetry.The Stone Woman Speaks(a poem) the stone woman lives in the foundation of my house but also, in the potholed alley the river bed & on the rock face of the glen. she who was —before— people, animal, name. she who will be here —after— we are no longer. she speaks in cool, smooth ancient sounds the kind that turn you around and let you hear the voice of your own —inner silence.Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring the Mountains and Waters Sutra by Dogen Zenji.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth Sesshin— August 10 - 16 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Upcoming Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaInterdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5 (Registration is now open!)I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

Greetings Friends,Happy April Fool's Day! Last week I had the opportunity to co-facilitate a Zen sesshin in the mountains of West Virginia at Saranam Retreat Center.Sesshin, a zen-style silent meditation retreat which translates as touching the heart-mind, has been a huge part of my adult life. While living at Great Vow Zen Monastery, I practiced sesshin together in sangha for a week every month. Such is the rhythm of monastic life we enter this cauldron of awakening together and let our hearts and minds simplify to reveal their true nature.Preparing for sesshin has a feeling of preparing for death— for opening to oneness is not the ego's domain. Sesshin is grounded in the aspiration to awaken with all beings. An impossible vow that truly we are entangled in, this springing forth of great love is actualized through our practice—realized in this heart.For the dharma teachings are not just “good ideas” but insights we can come to know in our bones, as our body-mind.There is something utterly incomprehensible about sitting together in silence and allowing ourselves to be touched by the great mystery.To return from sesshin is impossible, and yet—here we are. Back from the dead, changed, transformed. Heart's silent presence alive in our inter-relations. Vow awakened and lived into here-and-now.This is compassion!During sesshin we practiced with Dogen Zenji's Mountains and Waters Sutra. Which I have been giving dharma talks on over the last few weeks, during the online Monday Night Dharma. This week we explored the practice of circling back to study ourselves. In the Mountains and Waters Sutra, Dogen says:The blue mountains devote themselves to the investigation of walking; the East Mountain studies “moving over the water.” Hence, this study is the mountain's own study. The mountains, without altering their own body and mind, with their own mountain countenance, have always been circling back to study themselves.We encounter circles throughout this path of practice. As I said above, I circle back to sesshin regularly. Many of you have the experience of circling back to this practice of zazen-meditation. The study of the mountains and rivers sutra is a circling back to a teaching I have practiced with for over a decade. What do you find yourself circling back to in your practice-life? As we enter the season of Spring, what is beginning again for you? How are you circling back to yourself? This circling back to study ourselves is one of the core instructions for zazen practice—to recognize our original self, the unborn buddha mind. Listen to the Dharma talk for more explorations of this teaching in the Mountains and Rivers Sutra. I reference the chant-able version of the Mountains and Waters Sutra which you can find here.Below is a poem inspired by the practice of circling.Mountains Circling Back to Realize Themselves Circle back study yourself Who are you? What hears? Who is breathing this breath? What feels the heart beating, the touch of clothing, longing, aspiration? Circle back and listen to yourself What is your heart's song? Do you know the compassion that you are? Are you in touch with this aspiration to awaken, to liberate all beings? What is the shape of your vow? What is the size of your heart? Can you see that it truly includes the entire world? Circle back and be yourself See that you too are mountain, and flowing You were never born, you will not die Circle back and love yourself For you are dying, too Wonder at this Self This miracle that you are Let yourself be amazed By this life you live Appreciate the challenges, the joys, all the happenings That make you — you Circle back, greet yourself For you are ancestor Parent, protector, caregiver, teacher, friend, guide To this earth, your family, community, all beings And you are also child A student of life, learning, being guided, protected Cared for by this earth, and all your inter-relations Circle back and meet yourself As you are born, from the stone woman From the dark Even as you age You are new Like spring Like a flower budding Circle back home to yourself Rest In the vast openness Of your original Heart-mind Always right hereBecoming Circle What must relax in you To become a circle? What assumptions made about who we are and why we are here Must dissolve So that feet can walk back towards head as ground rises up To meet the sky We who once stood erect in the middle Like pillar or tree Like mountain Now find ourselves Turning inside-out Walking backward as we move forward Being planet Or globe Flower Or mandala Or something else entirely Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring the Mountains and Waters Sutra by Dogen Zenji.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth Sesshin— August 10 - 16 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Upcoming Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaInterdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5 (Registration is now open!)I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

There's a trite piece of advice that every man has heard a thousand times, and is bored of hearing: Choose a woman for her character, NOT her beauty.And I won't repeat that advice; I contend that the savvy seducer can get both virtue and beauty in one package. That's what I did, and I wrote a 500-page book about how to make that magic happen. Recently, I finished a book that makes an almost comically perfect companion to mine: "Venus Fly Trap" — the memoir of a man who seduced the enduring affections of a succubus from the ninth circle of hell. I'm speaking metaphorically. Just barely.I'm joined by Stephen Paul Edwards, who has a PhD in Spiritual Counseling and 20+ years working alongside leaders like Anthony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki, and Dean Graziosi. Stephen brings an experiential lens to personal growth, and he's the author of "Venus Fly Trap."3:52 Why do elite men have "low standards?"8:25 Geographic deregulation of the sexual marketplace10:55 Mental health & self-sabotage12:47 Master teachers21:30 Where boundaries and compromise fail28:00 Tactical and practical: Seduction, good game, and boundaries result in tranquility 35:35 About Venus Fly Trap39:20 Character is revealed early in a relationship45:48 Toxic relationships52:51 Abundance mindset: what it costs you and how to hack it58:23 Timeline therapy1:00:00 How successful men waste their sexual market value01:06:57 Age differences in relationships01:15:41 Tough love: This was a regrettable relationship01:21:51 Venus Fly Trap - NOT relationship adviceRead

I will be joining the Mud Lotus Sangha in West Virginia for our first sesshin of the year. Sesshin is now often translated as a Zen-style meditation retreat. But the words meditation and retreat are mis-leading. It is in its truest sense a practice of recognizing our true nature, of touching, encountering the heart-mind that abides everywhere.We are going to the mountains of West Virginia to practice. Stepping back into Mountain time to learn from the mountains, waters and great earth. To be students to the world before thought, which continues to blossom in the midst of all our human-made problems.Preparing for sesshin is like preparing for death.It is preparing for the unknown, for encountering the mystery. It is a practice and path of discovering who and what we are when we aren't engaging constantly in the impulses and desires of modern life—with its near endless supply of surface level distractions and pleasures—that often keep us from encountering the deep questions and true satisfaction of our being.During sesshin we will be exploring the Mountains and Waters Sutra by Dogen Zenji. And we are also taking up this sutra on Monday nights, as part of the Monday Night Dharma teaching offered weekly on zoom (more info below).It is a beautiful teaching that scholars, ecologists, practitioners, artists, mystics, activists, poets have turned to over the centuries for inspiration on this path of being human, of living awake to our deep interconnection with all beings.So for the next couple months, we will be walking in the mountains together. We will be journeying in Mountain Time, studying the teachings of mountains and waters and how they are relevant in our own lives as modern, urban, technological beings. One of my questions is, can the teachings of mountains and waters, the teachings in this sutra and other teachings we find throughout buddhism about mountains—can they meet us in this current moment? Can they meet us here in what feels apocalyptic? What do the mountains and waters have to teach us about hope/fear, gain/loss, life/death, awakening/delusion, joy, compassion, equanimity, freedom and how to live together on this earth or even in this cosmos?The first line of the sutra says:These mountains and rivers right now are an actualization of the ancient buddha way.Pay attention to the mountains and waters, they are teaching us, they are the expression of the awakened ones, they are the way!People throughout cultures and traditions regard the mountains as sacred, regard the natural world as sacred— as teachers, as expressions-embodiments of our true nature. Mountains are mythic and evoke the spirit. They are often personified as spirit beings, praised, worshiped and prayed to. Many mountains are pilgrimage sites, temples were built on them, ceremonies are conducted on them. To live on the mountains, is to live with the mountains, to simplify—to be humbled and vulnerable in the mountains presence.To take up mountains and waters as sutra, is to encounter this ancient way of being, is to connect with our ancestors, is to connect with the Earth as ancestor and realize our deep inter-being with all of life.Are we willing to humble ourselves before the mountains and waters?Are we willing to hear their teachings?What kind of listening is required—to encounter earth as ancestor, lover, friend, mother, as the way, the path, true nature itself?Are we willing to abide in mountain time, to open to the deep time, presence and pace of mountains?Can we do this as modern people? Is this teaching relevant to us as people who are intertwined with technology and the creature comforts of urban life? What might we have to change, give-up, surrender or open to? Is it possible to study the sutra of mountains and rivers, right here—in our daily lives?Throughout the study and practice of reading this sutra, contemplating it and putting it into practice—we will encounter these questions and more. We will get to experience a new appreciation for what the mountains and waters are, how they are teachers, buddhas, and the way.The first paragraph of the sutra says:Mountains and waters right now are the actualization of the ancient Buddha way. Each, abiding in its phenomenal expression, realizes completeness. Because mountains and waters have been active since before the Empty Eon, they are alive at this moment. Because they have been the self since before form arose they are emancipation-realization.And I will leave it there for today. Listen to the podcast episode for more and join us tomorrow as we dive deeper into the sutra and the practice of mountain-walking. Feel free to share any comments or thoughts below!Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring the Mountains and Waters Sutra by Dogen Zenji.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth—In-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Upcoming Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22 (Registration is now open!)Mountains are high and wide. The movement of clouds and the inconceivable power of soaring in the wind comes freely from the mountains. —Dogen Zenji, Mountains and Waters SutraDuring this silent, Zen-style retreat we will practice with the mountains and waters, opening to our own mountain-stability and the flowing nature of all experience.Meditation provides the opportunity for intimacy with self and world, recognizing the interconnectedness of this very life. Healing and transformation happen as we abide in the mystery of who we truly are.This will be a silent meditation retreat. After an initial meal, set-up and orientation we will enter noble silence. Supporting each other in connecting with our own inner silence, stability and confidence. We will follow a rigorous daily schedule which includes roughly seven hours of seated meditation, interspersed with periods of walking meditation, chanting practice, dharma talks, opportunities to check-in with one of the practice leaders, outdoor meditation sessions, mindful eating practice during meals, a late morning care-taking practice and breaks where participants have the opportunity to rest, exercise and explore the beautiful grounds and nature.Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5 (save the date, registration opens soon!)I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha.Earth Dreams is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

Greetings Friends,This past weekend I had the opportunity to join the Pause Meditation community for a deep dive into practice around the theme of the beginner's mind. In the Zen tradition we celebrate the beginner's mind. For it is both the unborn buddha mind— our original mind which is always right here and our curious, open mind that is constantly being born anew. So very much like the energy of spring, life is constantly bubbling up, recreating itself, blossoming in our awareness. “In every adult there is a child – an eternal child, something that is always becoming, is never completed, and calls for unceasing care, attention, and education. That is the part of the human personality which wants to develop and become whole.” —Carl JungThis podcast episode is a recording of the talk I gave about the Beginner's Mind to the Pause Meditation Community and below is a guided meditation on recognizing the unborn buddha mind, the mind at home in itself.Also, in celebration and praise of the one who is always being born (tomorrow is my birthday) and to the unborn buddha mind in us all—I wanted to share a fairy tale I wrote. Fairy tales, folklore, myths and stories have been with us throughout human history. I find that they invite us into the mystery, as they attempt to story and image that which we can't explain. They can leave us open to a world ensouled and to the inexplicable nature of reality.I've always appreciated that two folktales are included in the Mumonkan, one of the more popular collections of Zen koans and teaching stories. Like koans and dreams, fairytales invite us to consider all the characters, animals and landscape as our mind, as the various manifestations of one psyche.Happy Birthday, may you enjoy this tale and the great dream of this life!Also, starting tonight during the Monday Night Dharma practice we will be exploring the Mountains and Rivers Sutra by Dogen Zenji. I have some curiosity about practicing with this sutra during this seemingly apocalyptic time on the planet. How can the teachings of Mountains and Rivers and the unborn Buddha Mind meet us in this moment? What happens when we bring all our doubts, fears, confusions, grief, longings, etc. to this sutra & to our practice?the girl, the magician and the great tree (a fairy tale)Once upon a time there was a forest and in that forest there was a girl. The girl loved the forest and the forest loved the girl. By day the sun shone brightly, and she herself was radiant, she paraded with the panthers and lounged with the lions. At night the stars became her blanket and she dreamed vivid colorful dreams. She always felt safe and protected in her forest home.Time passed and the girl grew older. Her body started to change and with that change the forest seemed to change too. Parts of the forest grew dark. She often heard strange sounds, bad sounds, sounds that no being should ever hear—coming from those shadows.The girl started to feel fear and spent more time by herself. One misty morning as the girl was walking alone, a magician appeared from the shadows and greeted her. He told her he was on a journey to find the Great Tree, as he was hoping to make a prayer so that he may gather its fruit as medicine for his ailing mother, who was sick at home with night terrors.The girl once knew the Great Tree well. It was the place in the forest she first called home. Its bark was like the ocean, its roots ran through the entire forest and its fruit was splendid, every imaginable food and medicine grew from its branches. She and the animals would eat its fruit, and take its medicine whenever they were sick or injured. The Great Tree always provided them with all they could ever need.She wanted to help the boy find the Tree she loved so much. But she couldn't remember where it was. Every path once led to the Great Tree, but now they all seemed to end in the shadows. Suddenly it hit her that she didn't know where she was. She honestly couldn't remember the last time she had been to the Great Tree.Instinctively, she reached into her pocket to touch the two golden seeds she kept there. Instead of providing comfort and clarity, as they usually did, she fell into a deep sleep. The magician took the golden seeds from her hands and immediately knew the way to the Great Tree.When the girl finally awoke she realized her golden seeds were gone. These were all she had from the Great Tree. It was like her whole life was being stolen from her, and she was left in the darkest of dark places.Then, a raven appeared and lifted the girl up by her shoulders, flying her deeper into the dark. Before the girl knew what was happening the raven cawed three times and released her. There she was face to face with an opening door and a huntsman.“You knocked?” Said the huntsman. “Well I did, and I didn't” responded the girl.The huntsman liked this answer and he invited her to come in, as he was just about to fix his morning coffee and toast, and thought she might like to join him.As she entered the abode she caught her breath. The house was decorated exclusively with the skin and fur from bears. She had never been in the company of someone who hunted. She had heard about them from the stories the animals would tell her—back when the animals could talk, and she could understand them.She was afraid and started to talk, “I don't know why I am here or even where I am. I was walking in the forest and I met this strange man. He was looking for the Great Tree. A place I used to know, that used to be my home but, I don't know where it is anymore. I used to eat from it and use its fruit to heal the animals. Now the forest is dark and I feel confused and afraid all the time,” she blurted out.The huntsman's face showed both care and concern. “You don't know who you are, do you?” said the huntsman. And gave out a little chuckle, which eased the girl.“Should I? No one has ever asked me who I am.” “Ah, yes. We all have names.” said the huntsman. “For example, I am called Beir. I speak the language of the bear, they are part of my family and let me take their life so that my people can eat. The bears have been sick recently, something is out of balance. I think you might be able to help me.” Beir said.He went upstairs and came back with a bow and a silver arrow. “This is for you,” he said to the girl. “I want you to carry this. I suspect when you discover who you are, you are going to need this. This silver arrow, when used with Integrity, has the power to bring your Great Tree back to life and restore balance to the forest.”The girl doesn't understand, but there is something about the care in his eyes, the confidence in his voice and his own courage that allows her to accept the bow with the silver arrow. They sit together in silence drinking coffee and eating toast with huckleberry jam. When suddenly they hear the howl of a wolf from very close by. Beir stands and opens the door letting in a gust of wind that blows into the house and lifts the girl out of her seat and into the cold, dark forest again.“I thought it was morning,” the girl thinks as she tries to pull herself up and orient to where she is now. But before she can, the wolf races by and throws her up on his back and races through the shadowy maze of paths. The wolf howls three times, places her down on the forest floor and speeds off. She looks up to a door opening, and two snakes slithering up the arms of an old woman.“You rang?” Says the old snake woman, her silver hair gleaming in the moonlight. “I did and I didn't.” Says the girl again, surprised that it is already night time. “Well, well you must come in then,” says the woman smiling. “You've already met Lok and Ki,” she says with a soft cackle.The cottage is dark aside from these blue-white spheres that seem to self-illuminate on the walls. They look like mirrors but when the girl stands in front of them, she doesn't see her own reflection. “Ah, child, you don't know who you are,” the woman says, kindly. “Why is everyone saying this to me today?” the girl replies slightly annoyed but also curious.“The mirrors reflect what we fear, until we can truly rest in our nature. You seem to have lost yourself. And you're afraid you won't be found.” The girl wants to ask if she is findable. But she feels embarrassed and a little confused by this whole thing. She likes the woman though, she likes how strange and direct she is. How she feels like the river and the open sky—refreshing, clear and free simultaneously.“Do you have a name?” the girl asks. “I am called snake woman by some, witch by others, but those close to me call me Crystalanne.” The girl feels like she knows things, things that have not yet happened but will happen…“I'm making some mugwort tea, come drink with me and I will fix you a place to sleep. I have a sense that you need to have a dream while you are here.” As the girl sips her tea, Crystalanne tells her stories about the many lives she has lived.That night the girl does dream. She dreams of the Great Tree and of the forest she once knew. In the dream the Great Tree is sick. Someone has cast a spell on it, something dark has entered its roots and turned its abundant medicine to poison. The animals are sick and tired, and the sun has stopped shining in the forest.The girl wakes up and tells Crystalanne the dream. Crystalanne listens attentively. She nods, but does not seem distressed. “Ah, yes. This is what you needed to see,” Crystalanne says after some time. “Are you ready to return to your tree and heal the forest?” “Me?” the girl asks, “I am not a hero, I don't know how to heal the forest.” “Oh, but you do, dear.” Crystalanne says, “So you must. Time is running out.”Crystalanne goes into another room and comes out with a locket. “When the time comes, open this and you will see your true self.” She says as she hands the girl the locket. Then she goes over to the door, cracks it a bit and a mighty wind sweeps in and blows the girl out of the cottage. She tumbles in the air before landing on the body of a giant white and blue viper. She clutches her bow with the silver arrow in one hand and her locket in another. “I want to know who I am,” she says aloud.Just then the viper vanishes and the girl lands standing on the darkening roots of the Great Tree. The magician is already there. “What are you doing to the Great Tree? The forest is sick, I thought you wanted to help heal your mother.” The girl asserts. “My mother is ill. This whole world is her nightmare now and I want everyone to experience it,” laughs the magician.“I can't let you do that.” The girl says, remembering what Beir said about Integrity. “This is my home, this Great Tree gives life to the entire forest and all the animals—I have come to stop you.” She takes her bow and silver arrow and aiming right at the boy's chest, she shoots. The arrow speeds from the bow, faster than light and pierces the boy's heart. He falls to the ground releasing the golden seeds.The girl collects the seeds and begins to pray. She prays for the forest, for the Great Tree, she prays for the boy and his sick mother, she prays for all of the animals. Her prayers get stronger, as if light were being emitted from her mouth.And, slowly the oceanic blue can be seen flowing through the Great Tree's bark, and the sun's radiance begins to shine on the forest again. Before long the abundant fruit is growing on the Great Tree's branches and the animals return to eat and heal.“This is me. This is who I am. I am the forest and I am a healer. My name is Amala.” The girl roars in a new voice—stronger than the one she used before. As she speaks she feels the locket pulse and something stirs from behind her.The boy rises. He winks at her. “And I am Bhatt. I am a great magician who had a spell cast over me by my mother. Your silver arrow freed me from the spell. And allowed my mother to finally rest in peace. Thank you, I am forever grateful to you.”Amala knows that Bhatt would be her human love. She felt clear that he was her equal and that they had much to learn from each other. With this knowing her locket pulsed again. This time she holds it in her hand and opens it. Peering inside she sees the the raven, the grizzly bear, Bier, the wolf, Lok and Ki, Crystalanne and the giant white viper, she sees the Great Tree with its oceanic bark, the radiant forest, all of the animals and the dark mystery of the cosmos, and then there is her face full of joy connected to the entire forest. “This is who I am,” she says. “And it's good, all good.”The light and the dark, the sickness and the medicine, the joy and the sorrow. It's all good.Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring the Mountains and Waters Sutra by Dogen Zenji.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth—In-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Upcoming Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22 (Registration is now open!)Mountains are high and wide. The movement of clouds and the inconceivable power of soaring in the wind comes freely from the mountains. —Dogen Zenji, Mountains and Waters SutraDuring this silent, Zen-style retreat we will practice with the mountains and waters, opening to our own mountain-stability and the flowing nature of all experience.Meditation provides the opportunity for intimacy with self and world, recognizing the interconnectedness of this very life. Healing and transformation happen as we abide in the mystery of who we truly are.This will be a silent meditation retreat. After an initial meal, set-up and orientation we will enter noble silence. Supporting each other in connecting with our own inner silence, stability and confidence. We will follow a rigorous daily schedule which includes roughly seven hours of seated meditation, interspersed with periods of walking meditation, chanting practice, dharma talks, opportunities to check-in with one of the practice leaders, outdoor meditation sessions, mindful eating practice during meals, a late morning care-taking practice and breaks where participants have the opportunity to rest, exercise and explore the beautiful grounds and nature.Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5 (save the date, registration opens soon!)I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

I wanted to share with you a profound, beautiful and somewhat unsettling teaching from the Diamond Sutra.I would say its unsettling precisely because it is so radical, it touches something true that we know at the core of who we are, and it also reminds us that everything we think we are or think the world is —is not the whole story, our thinking inevitably misses something.we are inconceivable in our nature—and we all have, the same bright, clear, open, ungraspable heart-mind.here's the verse from the diamond sutra, may you practice its profundity and dwell in the mystery of being.the world is not what we name it or think it, and there is no enduring thing that is self or other, each object and being in this fleeting world is like:A star at dawnA bubble in a streamA flash of lightning in a summer stormA flickering flameA wisp of smokeA dreamlisten to the podcast for a deeper exploration of the teachings from the diamond sutra.until next time,kiseiWeekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring the Mountains and Waters Sutra by Dogen Zenji.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKOnline Meditative Deep Dive with Pause MeditationBeginner's Mind Saturday March 7th from 10A PT/1P ET - 11:30A PT/2:30P ETIn-Person in OregonLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth—In-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Upcoming Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22 (Registration is now open!)Mountains are high and wide. The movement of clouds and the inconceivable power of soaring in the wind comes freely from the mountains. —Dogen Zenji, Mountains and Waters SutraDuring this silent, Zen-style retreat we will practice with the mountains and waters, opening to our own mountain-stability and the flowing nature of all experience.Meditation provides the opportunity for intimacy with self and world, recognizing the interconnectedness of this very life. Healing and transformation happen as we abide in the mystery of who we truly are.This will be a silent meditation retreat. After an initial meal, set-up and orientation we will enter noble silence. Supporting each other in connecting with our own inner silence, stability and confidence. We will follow a rigorous daily schedule which includes roughly seven hours of seated meditation, interspersed with periods of walking meditation, chanting practice, dharma talks, opportunities to check-in with one of the practice leaders, outdoor meditation sessions, mindful eating practice during meals, a late morning care-taking practice and breaks where participants have the opportunity to rest, exercise and explore the beautiful grounds and nature.Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5 (save the date, registration opens soon!)I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

dust returns to dust earth to earth mind always at home in itself where does it return?This past week I was reflecting on the 6th Chan Ancestor, Huineng and his encounter with a verse from the diamond sutra.Huineng lost his father early in life, and supported himself and his mother by selling firewood. On one occasion, he was selling firewood to a customer, and someone passed by chanting the words of the diamond sutra.Huineng heard a single line and was profoundly moved—it touched something in him and his heart was opened.He managed to stop the person who was chanting to inquire as to what the origin of the verse was and found out that it was from the diamond sutra, and a teacher in a distant part of the country was encouraging their students to chant this sutra.For Huineng, this was a “call to adventure moment.” He knew he needed to meet this teacher, which meant leaving his current life. For Huineng, this worked out. He was able to find someone to care for his mom, and he set out on a difficult journey to meet this unknown teacher.I feel like this story is relatable. Has something like this ever happened to you? Have you ever heard a phrase from a song, poem, a prayer or a teaching and it touched you profoundly? It stoped you. Perhaps caused you to find out the source of the words, or left you on a quest to discover who wrote it? what book was it from? These moments can take us on an adventure of discovery. But also, more importantly—the words themselves touched something that is beyond words. They often wake us up to the immediacy, the intimacy of this life.Sometimes this happens with words from a chant or prayer we recite regularly, or have heard often. One day, they feel imbued with a new kind of meaning.This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, and the words: remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return—have been with me. I remember the first time the profundity of that simple phrase really got in—I was an adult and my grandfather had just passed away.I got interested this year in the practice of lent, and read the lenten gospel from Matthew, where Jesus is speaking about prayer. He is reminding his disciples that prayer isn't about being seen doing something great, or making some big sacrifice—but perhaps the most genuine prayer is secret, a private affair between one's self and the great mystery.We live in a time in the world where we share intimate details of our lives on social media platforms. There isn't anything inherently wrong about this, but I got interested in the invitation towards a secret life of prayer or meditation. I think we long for an intimacy with ourselves and the universe—the great mystery, that can't be displayed or need not be. That gets to be hidden, secret, kept close.I had a dream recently on this theme. In the dream I was given a bright green folder and told to always keep it close. When I explored what was in the folder there was a roll of masking tape, a book I wrote in kindergarten about a tree named Fred, and vast emptiness.I was left opened to the unnameable absence—roaring silence, pure potentiality.In this task of being human, in this life's work of discovering our true nature—words, stories, images, dreams and symbols can serve as pointers, but we all will encounter the mystery of this life for ourselves.Dharma practice invites nearness. What are you keeping close? What practices allow you to stay with your inner-most heart? To stay with your self moment-to-moment? To stay close to the vows you wish to live by?This on-going commitment to awakening is something that for most of us operates in secret, its that inner orientation, remembering ourselves back to ourselves, recognizing what is nearest.I got curious about what Huineng actually heard and so did some research to find the passage from the Diamond Sutra. Below is Steven Mitchell's translation for the last paragraph of Chapter 10 of the Diamond Sutra.Here is what is essential: All Bodhisattvas should develop a pure, lucid mind that doesn't depend upon sight, sound, taste, touch, smell or any thought that arises in it. A bodhisattva should develop a mind that abides nowhere.Another way this is translated is a bodhisattva should develop mind at home with itself. What is this heart-mind that doesn't depend on thoughts or the senses, that abides nowhere, everywhere, all at once. Always at home.Andrew Holecek in his book Preparing to Die, says that this practice of recognizing the mind that abides nowhere, is the best practice to do to prepare for death—for when the body returns to the earth, the senses cease—the mind of awakening continues—at home in itself.The audio portion of this post is mainly a dharma talk on the Diamond Sutra. I reference both Steven Mitchell's translation and Red Pine's translation. You can find Red Pine's translation here.I'm excited to be co-creating space this Spring and Summer for in-person sesshin/meditation retreats. As well as online immersions with Pause Meditation. See below for upcoming events!Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKOnline Meditative Deep Dive with Pause MeditationBeginner's Mind Saturday March 7th from 10A PT/1P ET - 11:30A PT/2:30P ETIn-Person in OregonLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth—In-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Upcoming Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22 (Registration is now open!)Mountains are high and wide. The movement of clouds and the inconceivable power of soaring in the wind comes freely from the mountains. —Dogen Zenji, Mountains and Waters SutraDuring this silent, Zen-style retreat we will practice with the mountains and waters, opening to our own mountain-stability and the flowing nature of all experience.Meditation provides the opportunity for intimacy with self and world, recognizing the interconnectedness of this very life. Healing and transformation happen as we abide in the mystery of who we truly are.This will be a silent meditation retreat. After an initial meal, set-up and orientation we will enter noble silence. Supporting each other in connecting with our own inner silence, stability and confidence. We will follow a rigorous daily schedule which includes roughly seven hours of seated meditation, interspersed with periods of walking meditation, chanting practice, dharma talks, opportunities to check-in with one of the practice leaders, outdoor meditation sessions, mindful eating practice during meals, a late morning care-taking practice and breaks where participants have the opportunity to rest, exercise and explore the beautiful grounds and nature.Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5 (save the date, registration opens soon!)I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

A lotus blooming in the fire is an image that comes from the Zen tradition. And before I write further on the symbolism of the image or the dharma teachings it evokes—I would like to invite us to just sit with the image of a lotus blooming in the fire.For a moment, let yourself sense, imagine or feel into this image. Notice what you see, feel, hear, experience as you attempt to connect with the image of a lotus blooming in the fire. Now, if you haven't already bring the image closer in. Sit as, be a lotus blooming in the fire.And stay with it for some time allowing associations, feelings, meanings, sensations to come and go. Returning simply to being a lotus in the fire.When you are ready, you can let the image dissolve.I am curious to hear what you noticed, what happened as you sat with or as a lotus blooming in the fire?The Power of Embodied ImaginationTo meditate with an image like this, is one form that koan practice can take in the Zen tradition. You sit with an image, becoming the image and learning about it through your direct experience. Notice how an image can contain seeming paradoxes. How can a lotus bloom in fire? Wouldn't it burn? And yet, here it is.On Wednesday, in Columbus we did this practice with my local sangha Mud Lotus. We sat as lotuses blooming in the fire. People noticed different things about this dynamic of fire and blooming. Someone pointed out that a lotus isn't trying to stop the fire, yet it is blooming there. Another said that it seemed like the lotus bloomed because of the fire. Others saw the lotus as a reminder of their own nature that isn't burned in the fires of life.This image was popularized by the great Chan teacher of 11th Century China, Yuan-Wu. He used it to refer to the practice of what he called, Householder Bodhisattvas. Those of us whose practice-awakening happens in the fires of this world, in the challenges of our relationships, in our own inner conflicts or difficulties.How to be a householder bodhisattva, it requires a stand that is solid and true and faith that is thoroughgoing…When bodhisattvas who live a householder's life cultivate the practices of deep meditation and insight, it is like a lotus blooming in the fire. It will always be hard to tame the will for fame and rank and power and position, not to mention all the myriad starting points of vexation and turmoil associated with the burning house of worldly existence. The only way is for you yourself to realize your fundamental, real wondrous wholeness and reach the stage of great calm, stability and rest. —Yuan-wuThich Nhat Hanh also used this image in his first book published in English, Vietnam: A Lotus in the Sea of Fire: A Buddhist Proposal for Peace. What are the Fires in your Life?Fire in the Buddhist tradition can be a symbol of suffering in all its manifestations. From the collective forms of suffering that appear as war, violence, injustice, conflict, misuse of power to the more personal forms of suffering that appear as anxiety, worry, terror, fear, shame, physical discomfort, pain.Fire can also be a symbol of the instability of all experience, the changing nature of everyone and everything—in Buddhism we call this impermanence.Suffering and impermanence are two of the marks of existence. A teaching the buddha gave about the nature of experience—basically reminding us that suffering and change are part of life. In the Buddhist teachings, liberation or freedom from suffering is not the absence of pain, violence, fear, change, anxiety, etc. —but is found in the midst of these fires, or whatever fires we find ourselves in.A Lotus Blooms in a Sea of FireWhich brings us to the image of the lotus.The lotus is a symbol of wholeness, it is an image of our true nature—which is always present, reliable, unbreakable yet soft—the blossoming of wisdom and compassion.To realize our buddha nature does not make the fires of our lives go away, it doesn't mean that the fires in the world stop burning.Awakening is being the lotus blooming in the fire.Its having this refuge of love unconditioned, of spacious awareness, unbreakable kindness in every situation—even as our heart's break, even as we feel at times like we are falling apart.The lotus of our true nature blooms— even here, even now.Even without our noticing the lotus blooms. Part of what dharma practice is all about is training to recognize the lotus of our true nature, which at times may mean finding ways to nurture and care for our practice in the midst of these world fires.Practicing with others whether it is in-person or online is a way to strengthen this refuge, to recognize for ourselves the lotus that doesn't burn-up in the fires of stress, overwhelm, fear and all the other forms suffering can take in our lives and in this world.Listen to the dharma talk for a more in-depth discussion of the Lotus in the Fire, and Yuan-wu's teaching on How to be a Householder Bodhisattva.I'm excited to be co-creating space this Spring and Summer for in-person sesshin/meditation retreats. As well as online immersions with Pause Meditation. See below for upcoming events!Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKOnline Meditative Deep Dive with Pause MeditationBeginner's Mind Saturday March 7th from 10A PT/1P ET - 11:30A PT/2:30P ETIn-Person in OregonLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth—In-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Upcoming Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22 (Registration is now open!)Mountains are high and wide. The movement of clouds and the inconceivable power of soaring in the wind comes freely from the mountains. —Dogen Zenji, Mountains and Waters SutraDuring this silent, Zen-style retreat we will practice with the mountains and waters, opening to our own mountain-stability and the flowing nature of all experience.Meditation provides the opportunity for intimacy with self and world, recognizing the interconnectedness of this very life. Healing and transformation happen as we abide in the mystery of who we truly are.This will be a silent meditation retreat. After an initial meal, set-up and orientation we will enter noble silence. Supporting each other in connecting with our own inner silence, stability and confidence. We will follow a rigorous daily schedule which includes roughly seven hours of seated meditation, interspersed with periods of walking meditation, chanting practice, dharma talks, opportunities to check-in with one of the practice leaders, outdoor meditation sessions, mindful eating practice during meals, a late morning care-taking practice and breaks where participants have the opportunity to rest, exercise and explore the beautiful grounds and nature.Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5 (save the date, registration opens soon!)I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

Stephen Paul Edwards shares his personal growth journey, highlighting how a challenging relationship with a former international supermodel helped him accept both his light and dark sides, leading to increased self-awareness and freedom. He discusses how exposing his vulnerabilities and past struggles in his book allowed him to feel unburdened and authentic, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and the freedom that comes from embracing one's true self.Key takeawaysStephen shares his personal journey working with Tony Robbins and developing his own spiritual and transformational practiceHe discusses how emotional stress impacts physical health and the importance of accepting both light and dark aspects of oneselfPersonal experiences and challenges often lead to the most authentic ways of helping othersHe explores how trauma gets stored in the body and the importance of release through practices like meditationThe conversation highlighted the value of finding purpose and passion in life rather than pursuing material possessionsHighlights the importance of continuous learning and personal growth throughout lifeWith a PhD in Spiritual Counseling, Stephen has spent decades helping others find alignment between mind, body, and soul. As an international speaker, he has inspired audiences across the globe to break free from fear, rediscover their purpose, and fully embrace who they are. Learn more at vft23.com Visit ConfidenceThroughHealth.com to find discounts to some of our favorite products.Follow me via All In Health and Wellness on Facebook or Instagram.Find my books on Amazon: No More Sugar Coating: Finding Your Happiness in a Crowded World and Confidence Through Health: Live the Healthy Lifestyle God DesignedProduction credit: Social Media Cowboys

Greetings Friends,I have been reflecting on one of the simplest and perhaps most profound teachings in the Buddhist tradition— the teaching of our extra-ordinary heart. Our extra-ordinary heart is the aspect of our being that doesn't die, and isn't born. That isn't dependent on us but is a deep refuge and resource—one that we know and rely on all the time. One that we also see demonstrated and embodied in our communities, on the world stage, in the people we love and care about. We are living in a time in this country that feels like we are going backward in many respects. Where state-enforced violence has entered our communities, and families are being separated, detained and deported at an unprecedented rate. While our human hearts break, fear, grieve, feel deeply, love and desire—which is beautiful and painful, and part of what makes this experience of being human.We, together, have an extra-ordinary heart—that is boundless in it's nature and is always abiding right here. This heart isn't separate from the very experience of being human, it is intrinsic to our nature. So we too can practice recognizing and abiding in this heart. We too can embody these qualities and let them manifest in our lives and the world.The Buddha taught that our boundless heart has Four Qualities of Boundlessness, also called the Four Divine AbodesBoundless Love/Kindness — which is a friendliness toward existence, agape or universal love, the love of Jesus Christ or Amitabha Buddha or other such figures who love unconditionallyBoundless Compassion — is a responsiveness to suffering in self or other which can have many different qualities(protective, patient, nurturing/gentle, strategic, discerning, creative, clear, resourceful)In the Zen tradition we have a story about boundless compassion. It involves two brothers walking down the road together, and one says to the other, “what do you think the bodhisattva of great compassion does with all of their hands and eyes?” To which the other brother replies, “it's like reaching back in the middle of the night for a pillow.” Compassion is responsive; and takes many forms—so we have this image of a being with ten-thousand arms and hands. In each hand there is a different expression of compassion. So sometimes compassion looks fierce, it's saying no to violence, it's standing up for what we care about, other times its gentle, it's grieving together, or care-taking each other, it can be protective, immediate, systematic and strategic.Boundless Joy — playfulness/spontaneity of being-realityI think we have a meme in our culture, “if you are happy you aren't paying attention.” But play and creativity have always been part of the resistance, we find the trickster archetype in myths throughout human cultures. We find it throughout spiritual traditions as well from the play/spontaneity of the zen koans to the poetry of the mystics like hafiz, cold mountain and la ded. There is a lot of play, joy and creativity happening in the protests in Minneapolis right now.But boundless joy also speaks to being happy for no good reason, causeless happiness. It's wonderful to experience the joy of simply being alive. No one can take that away from us.Boundless Peace/Equanimity — this is the wisdom of the deep equality or oneness of all things. Perhaps the hardest to conceive of, because it's like the peace and presence of the sky. The sky simply allows all forms of weather to move through it, clouds, heavy rains, snow, tornadoes, planes, birds, sunsets all happen in the spaciousness of the sky. The sky simply allows.Our true nature is like the sky. Open, unhindered, allowing, at peace.These four boundless qualities are always abiding in our Extra Ordinary Heart that we call them the divine abodes.We too can abide here.Many people find that through recognizing equanimity the other boundless qualities source forth. They contain each other. And I invite you to explore this for yourself, which qualities feel most familiar? Which are more difficult for you to recognize? How are the four related to each other in your experience?One practice I like to do for connecting with the extra-ordinary-heart is to pay attention to or recognize these qualities as they appear or manifest in my life. So I invite you this week to notice kindness/love, compassion, joy and peace/equanimity. Notice when you experience these qualities, and linger with them, let yourself affirm that they abide in your innermost heart.And also notice when someone else is embodying these qualities, notice them in the natural world, in your community, at work, in the animals you cohabitate with.Another way I connect with the extra-ordinary-heart is I collect poems, art, songs, images that embody these qualities.Here is a favorite. Kindness by Naomi Shihab NyeKindness Before you know what kindness really is you must lose things, feel the future dissolve in a moment like salt in a weakened broth. What you held in your hand, what you counted and carefully saved, all this must go so you know how desolate the landscape can be between the regions of kindness. How you ride and ride thinking the bus will never stop, the passengers eating maize and chicken will stare out the window forever. Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho lies dead by the side of the road. You must see how this could be you, how he too was someone who journeyed through the night with plans and the simple breath that kept him alive. Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside, you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing. You must wake up with sorrow. You must speak to it till your voice catches the thread of all sorrows and you see the size of the cloth. Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore, only kindness that ties your shoes and sends you out into the day to gaze at bread, only kindness that raises its head from the crowd of the world to say It is I you have been looking for, and then goes with you everywhere like a shadow or a friend.Do you have a favorite poem, song, image or piece of art that embodies one or all of the boundless qualities? Do you have practices for connecting with the four boundless qualities? Feel free to share in the comments section.Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.2026 Mud Lotus Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22Mountains are high and wide. The movement of clouds and the inconceivable power of soaring in the wind comes freely from the mountains. —Dogen Zenji, Mountains and Waters SutraDuring this silent, Zen-style retreat we will practice with the mountains and waters, opening to our own mountain-stability and the flowing nature of all experience.Meditation provides the opportunity for intimacy with self and world, recognizing the interconnectedness of this very life. Healing and transformation happen as we abide in the mystery of who we truly are.This will be a silent meditation retreat. After an initial meal, set-up and orientation we will enter noble silence. Supporting each other in connecting with our own inner silence, stability and confidence. We will follow a rigorous daily schedule which includes roughly seven hours of seated meditation, interspersed with periods of walking meditation, chanting practice, dharma talks, opportunities to check-in with one of the practice leaders, outdoor meditation sessions, mindful eating practice during meals, a late morning care-taking practice and breaks where participants have the opportunity to rest, exercise and explore the beautiful grounds and nature.Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

Episode #236 of World Awakenings: The Fast Track to Enlightenment welcomes back Jackie Lora-Jones, an internationally recognized teacher of A Course in Miracles with over 20 years of experience in non-dualistic spirituality, spiritual awakening, and inner healing. Jackie Lora-Jones offers profound spiritual guidance and personal growth teachings, using A Course in Miracles as the foundation of her work. She is the author of the book “All Peace, No Pieces: A Course in Miracles Take on the World,” where she explores forgiveness, peace, and spiritual transformation through non-dual awareness. In addition to her teaching and writing, Jackie is a Spiritual Counselor, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, and the host of the podcast “The True Forgiveness Teachings.” She leads online spiritual classes and travels internationally to teach non-dualistic spirituality workshops focused on forgiveness, awakening, and enlightenment. This episode dives deep into spiritual awakening, true forgiveness, and how A Course in Miracles can fast-track enlightenment and inner peace.Get your copy of Karl Gruber's best-selling book, "True Spirituality & the Law of Attraction: A Beautiful Symbiotic Relationship". Just click this link.For more information on Jackie Lora-Jones, head over to her website https://jackie.news/TIMESTAMP:00:00 Introduction to World Awakenings – The Fast Track to Enlightenment01:12 Welcoming Jackie Lora-Jones Back to the Show03:05 Jackie's Background in A Course in Miracles (ACIM)06:40 What Non-Dualistic Spirituality Really Means10:15 The Path to Spiritual Awakening & Enlightenment14:30 True Forgiveness Teachings Explained18:55 Applying A Course in Miracles to Everyday Life23:40 Inside Jackie's Book: All Peace, No Pieces28:10 Spiritual Counseling & Clinical Hypnotherapy Insights33:25 The True Forgiveness Teachings Podcast37:50 Online Classes & Global Spiritual Workshops41:30 Final Wisdom, Key Takeaways & Closing Thoughts

Greetings Friends,In the heartbreak, pain, confusion of this moment. I wish to remember together the Way of the Bodhisattva. The image or archetype of the Bodhisattva resonates deep in the hearts of those oriented towards love for this beautiful and broken world.For a Bodhisattva is motivated to relieve suffering and pain, as they work towards a liberation for all beings. This is the spiritual warrior, who knows that this life is not our own but a shared life.Practice of a bodhisattva is a practice of compassion which has two important dimensions Boundless Compassion or Absolute Compassion and Engaged Compassion or Relative Compassion.Boundless Compassion is a view we can practice and eventually realize. It's something we sense or know, without thinking. Boundless Compassion reminds us that compassion is our nature. That nothing need be done because it is already so.The spacious, clear source of our being gives rise to compassionate activity. Without needing to think about it, we respond, we care for others. Our heart is inseparable from all that appears in awareness.This body-heart-mind is an organ of compassion.Is the expression of compassion.Is the vehicle of compassion.There is nothing we need to do make it this way.We practice recognizing and trusting our innate compassion in meditation on and off the cushion.Engaged Compassion is the practice of cultivating compassion through our living. Shantideva in his treatise on The Way of the Bodhisattva invokes the aspirational spirit of compassionate service through this heart-felt prayer. Below is an excerpt, in the original Shantideva goes on and on, connecting to this deep intention to offer himself and is practice for the liberation of all beings.Shantideva's Way of the BodhisattvaFor all those ailing in the world, Until their every sickness has been healed, May I myself become for them The doctor, nurse, the medicine itself. Raining down a flood of food and drink, May I dispel the ills of thirst and famine. And in the aeons marked by scarcity and want. May I myself appear as drink and sustenance. For sentient beings, poor and destitute, May I become a treasure ever-plentiful, And lie before them closely in their reach, A varied source of all that they might need. My body, thus, and all my goods besides, And all my merits gained and to be gained, I give them all and do not count the cost, To bring about the benefit of beings.My dharma brother Soten Danney Lynch wrote a rendition of Shantideva's prayer that we would sing at the monastery. You can listen here.I share this prayer because it can invoke in us the spirit of offering, of recognizing our life as a shared life and awaken in us a deeper connection to the compassion at the heart of our being.I also want to share a teaching called the Five Compassions that can help us connect to a sustainable, joyful and wise compassionate response in our living. The Buddha warned that the near-enemy of compassion is pity. Others have pointed out that empathy, righteousness, and trying to be good out of guilt, or a sense of inadequacy can sometimes feel like compassion but often lead to burn-out, fatigue and resentment.The Five Compassions of Engaged CompassionWise/Curious Compassion—grounded in the experience of interconnection. A response coming from discernment and deep listening.Fierce/Courageous Compassion—a response aimed to protect self or others, this could include boundary setting, speaking up or acting in a way that even risks one's own safety to protect anotherPatient/Calm Compassion—slow, steady, showing up for something or someone we care about or believe in. The longview in bodhisattva language that we will work to help all beings find liberation lifetime after lifetime. A recognition that true, deep, sustaining change often takes time.Joyful/Content Compassion—activity that is nourishing for us and brings us joy or contentment, in Hakomi they use the phrase non-egocentric nourishment to talk about this qualityUnified/Confident Compassion—in alignment with our vows, values, capacitiesUsually all or most of these qualities need to be present in order for our response to feel sustainable and genuine. Compassion is directionless sometimes our compassionate response is directed towards ourselves, and sometimes towards others—is there a difference?Upcoming Retreats and Weekly Drop-in EventsWeekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.2026 Mud Lotus Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

New Years Blessings! And wow, it feels like its off to a chaotic start. In times like these, I find it vital to ground myself in this bodhisattva vow. To remember what is always reliable, no matter what circumstance or situation I find myself in.I would like to share a koan that has been close to my heart as we began 2026.Mumonkan Case 46: Stepping from the Top of the PoleSekiso asked: How do you step from atop a 100-ft pole?Another eminent master from former times said:You who sit on the top of the 100-ft pole,Although you have entered the Way, it is not yet genuine.Take a step from on top of the poleAnd worlds of the ten directions are your total body.So many koans use images from our everyday lives. Images we are familiar with. These images can become mindfulness bells. Sensory reminders that speak the language of awakening.Here we have a tall pole. A one hundred foot pole. These are the poles of large flags, like the one in the Perkins parking lot I remember growing up. Any large pole will do though. I have been noticing power line poles. Actually just today the power company came and ascended the thirty foot power pole right across from my office window.So, let me ask. Have you ever been on top of a one hundred foot pole?What about metaphorically?The analogy of being on top of a one hundred foot pole can apply to any place, any belief or habit pattern that we get attached to or stuck in. These are the beliefs, attitudes, experiences, thoughts that keep us at a distance from our lives. Essentially it boils down to the ways we contract around the belief in a separate self. How we feel separate, not good enough, alone, exiled, bad and feed that separation. How we attach to certain beliefs, views or vantage points about ourselves and the world.There is something familiar or even comforting about the beliefs we hold on to about ourselves and the world. But also something deeply uncomfortable—like trying to live on top of a hundred foot pole. We fear falling to our deaths, so we get used to the small, and unstable precipice of our thoughts and beliefs.What are the poles that you sit on top of? How did you get up here?Practice is always inviting us to find these places where we separate —where we defend, withdraw, space-out, get anxious, cling, where we over-think—and get curious about them. Curiosity is a practice of nearness.It's a commitment to stay with ourselves in our direct experience even if it is uncomfortable or unfamiliar. Even if parts of us believe that it will be our end, it will be the fall to our deaths.Enter the FoolThis koan evokes for me the spirit of the Fool card in the Tarot. Someone at home in the mystery—resourceful, responsive and playful. Someone initiated into the wisdom of emptiness. Who has turned themselves inside out and recognize that this whole world is their true body!These are qualities that we often associate with Zen sages and bodhisattvas. These are qualities we are awakening in our own practice.As we enter this New Year, I aspire to come back to zero. To recognize the poles of beliefs, attitudes, fears that I am perched on. And to dare to take the next brave step.Sometimes this is plunging feet first into the unknown, often it is more subtle. Like bringing gentle curiosity to that feeling of stinginess, to the trembling in the heart, to the ways you withdraw or start over-thinking. What is happening here? How can you stay connected to yourself in the aliveness of this experience?We are like this fool-bodhisattva-sage—at home in the mystery, at home in ourselves. May we actualize our playfulness, our resourcefulness and responsiveness this year. May we appreciate the dream. And live from the expansiveness of our true Self.Take a step from on top of the poleAnd worlds of the ten directions are your total body.Upcoming Retreat and Weekly Drop-in EventsWeekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonUniverse Somatic: The Bright Thread in the Dark — January 22nd - 25thUniverse Somatic is a practice that integrates group meditation, movement and energy work with a spirit of experimentation and playfulness. We explore the union of spaciousness and embodied energies in a contemplative practice that is embodied and expressive.The theme for this Universe Somatic is The Bright Thread In the Dark. We will play in knowing and not-knowing, hope and despair, yin and yang, creation and destruction, dancing in deep relationship with these polarities while also listening for the thread that doesn't get stuck on either side.Light of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Save the Dates!2026 Mud Lotus Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

When faith and mind are not separate. And not separate are mind and faith, this is beyond all words, all thoughts.If you have been reading these posts this season, you may have noticed I have been writing about Faith. Writing, reflecting, wondering, wandering through the many expressions of Faith as I returned again and again to this practice poem, Affirming Faith in Mind. There is something both delicious and challenging about coming back to the same teaching, day after day, week by week.Above is the last stanza of the poem. The study of this poem has been part of an autumn practice period I was participating in. The practice period wound down this week, as autumn too is unwinding —turning into winter on Sunday with the solstice.The autumn in the Northern Hemisphere is a time when the daylight hours grow shorter, and night extends her dark embrace. I have found it deeply nourishing to practice and study faith as the earth darkens. It feels seasonally appropriate to contemplate faith as the comfort of the sun's light and heat diminish. The zodiacal sign Sagittarius, which is where the sun is during this time of year, is often associated with faith, that flickering candlelight that we find in many windows this season. Sagittarius season also is a season of alchemy, art—the ways in which we find light, hope, faith, beauty in the dark.Whatever ways you have been walking through the dark this season or this year, I'm curious how it has offered opportunities for transformation, for unknowing, for faith to deepen in mystery's obscure light.I offer the questions below, as a bit of a memory walk for the season. Feel free to contemplate them, through journaling, mindfulness or creative expression.* What aspects of life have felt loud during this last season? What has been tugging on your heart? Occupying your time/life energy/mind space? This could be more archetypal energies or particular challenges, inspirations, tasks, questions, inquiries.* Have there been particular moods, inner voices, thought patterns, somatic experiences that have been more present during this season?* What resources (inner or outer), practices, teachings, rituals have you been turning towards or taking refuge in? This could include verses from Affirming Faith in Mind.* Where/how do you feel supported? Is there a person, ancestor, friend, familiar, animal, bodhisattva, dream figure who has been an ally?* As we enter this period of the Solstice and return of the light/holiday season—What is the thread of practice you intend to connect to?As a way of honoring the end to the season and the study I have been engaged with around Faith. I wrote this poem. It's an exploration of how faith has flickered during these autumn months. How it shows up in the ordinary moments of my living. It's a practice inquiry I intend to carry. A thread through these holiday weeks and into the new year.I'd love to hear your responses to the reflections or a poem that has been lighting your way during these autumn months.Faith Mind PoemWhat is faith? I ask my hands They reach down and pick-up the cap to the oat milk that has started rolling down the kitchen floor fingers, wrapping around the cool, wet plastic releasing, they scratch an itch before returning lid to carton opening the refrigerator door All day long they touch They hold, open, prepare, grip, make, reach Recover Always in contact Responding before I can--- What is faith? I ask the lilac Whose gnarled branches Hold the frozen white, crystalline snow Not a single leaf remains Roots entangled with icy earth We breathe together, my breath Becoming wood, branch, trunk We do not speak But sit in each other's silence Faith perhaps does not need A definition Words to explain it, no essay nor poem For it lives in us constantly Even as everything else appears to be resting Fallow, dark Faith glimmers in the empty space In this heart, in its waiting Upcoming Retreat and Weekly Drop-in EventsWeekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. Monday Dec 22nd we will meditate in the dark and by candlelight in celebration of the winter solstice.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonUniverse Somatic: The Bright Thread in the Dark — January 22nd - 25thUniverse Somatic is a practice that integrates group meditation, movement and energy work with a spirit of experimentation and playfulness. We explore the union of spaciousness and embodied energies in a contemplative practice that is embodied and expressive.The theme for this Universe Somatic is The Bright Thread In the Dark. We will play in knowing and not-knowing, hope and despair, yin and yang, creation and destruction, dancing in deep relationship with these polarities while also listening for the thread that doesn't get stuck on either side.Light of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Save the Dates! 2026 Mud Lotus Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha.Earth Dreams is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

Tis' the season for story-telling. I don't know about you, but there are certain stories I can hear over and over again. These stories often have mythic and archetypal elements, that seem to resonate with the poetics of the soul.In the Zen Buddhist tradition the first week of December is the week we commemorate/remember/celebrate the Buddha's awakening. We do this with our bodies. Sitting retreat with the orientation that we too can realize our true nature. That we too can awaken.We do this with our hearts and minds. Reading, listening, contemplating the elements of the Buddha's story, which is mythic in nature. And as we hear the story of the Buddha we are reminded of our own path—that awakening is possible for us and that it is unfolding right here, in this precious life.Below I will share a brief sketch of the Buddha's story. Please listen to the talk if you want to hear a more fleshed out version. Of course, like all stories, this one changes every time it is told. There actually isn't any recorded biography of the Buddha in the Pali Cannon, we have some references he makes to his journey and scholars/practitioners have worked to put them together in a cohesive narrative. In this telling, I am choosing the elements that have resonated with me on my own path. I am appreciating how the Buddha's story has elements of the hero's journey as well as important dharma teachings.Maha Maya's DreamThe story begins with a dream. Maha Maya, whose name means illusion, dreams one night that she is taken to the mountains by four spirit beings. She is then bathed, anointed with oils, perfumes and flowers. A white elephant appears, circles her three times and pierces her side with his six tusks. She awakens from the dream knowing that she is pregnant with a son.When she tells her husband, King Suddhodana, about the dream he invites the town seer to interpret it. The seer confirms that Maha Maya is indeed pregnant with a son and that he will be either a great king or the founder of a new religion.Upon hearing this prophesy, King Suddhodana decides to make his son's life so comfortable that he will never want to leave the palace.So Siddaratha Gotma (the Buddha) is born, and lives a sheltered life. He describes it in one sutta, saying:I, lived in refinement, utmost refinement, total refinement. My father even had lotus ponds made in our palace: one where red-lotuses bloomed, one where white lotuses bloomed, one where blue lotuses bloomed, all for my sake… A white sunshade was held over me day & night to protect me from cold, heat, dust, dirt, & dew.Disillusionment with a Protected Life/The Four SightsEventually Siddhartha becomes a young man and one night he wakes before dawn after a party at the palace. He looks around and feels a bit disgusted by what he sees, bodies strewn around, sleeping, smelling of alcohol and sex—from having indulged in all forms of pleasure the night before. His heart questions what he is doing, what kind of life he is living.After this experience, he feels like he needs to see what is beyond the palace walls. So he enlists his charioteer to take him into the town. While they are there Siddhartha sees what has become known as the four sights. He sees someone who is ill, sick crying out in pain. He sees some who is old, hunched over, skin full of wrinkles and he sees a corpse. With each sight, he feels disgust and curiosity. A knowing arises in him that this will also happen to him. He too will age, become ill and die. He becomes disillusioned by his current state of health, youth and life. For what is the point in indulging in the pleasures of health, youth and life, if you are ignoring the truths of sickness, old age and death. Something about this experience really starts to way heavy in his heart, and fill him with great doubt.Then he sees the fourth sight, a renunciate sitting serenely under a tree. He is touched by the look of contentment on this person's face. Something in him knows that there is a path to realizing a contentment that is beyond sensual pleasures, that one could know freedom, love and joy that wasn't dependent on conditions.Leaving His Father's HouseHe knows he has to leave his father's house. It isn't an easy decision. One I imagine he tries to ignore, but his doubt and curiosity grow stronger and stronger. In one telling of the story, his wife Yasodhara has eight dreams about the path he needs to take, and so encourages him to go. Before he leaves, they make love and conceive a son.Then Siddhartha shaves his head, puts on the ochre robes of a renunciant and begins the nomadic life of a home-leaver. He meets two teachers, studies with them for years and eventually masters their teachings. But finds that their dharma leads him into deep states of concentration, but does not bring him to liberation. So he eventually leaves them, even though they urge him to teach with them. He then meets five wandering ascetics and starts practicing austerities. He tries to suppress thought, stop his breath, and survive on one spoonful of food a day—none of these techniques work well for him. He speaks of undergoing great physical and emotional pain but being no closer to liberation. In a state of desperation and hunger, a memory arises from childhood, which he describes:“I thought: ‘I recall once, when my father the Sakyan was working, and I was sitting in the cool shade of a rose-apple tree, then — quite withdrawn from sensuality, withdrawn from unskillful mental qualities — I entered & remained in the first jhana: rapture & pleasure born from withdrawal, accompanied by directed thought & evaluation. Could that be the path to Awakening?' Then, following on that memory, came the realization: ‘That is the path to Awakening.' I thought: ‘So why am I afraid of that pleasure that has nothing to do with sensuality, nothing to do with unskillful mental qualities?' I thought: ‘I am no longer afraid of that pleasure that has nothing to do with sensuality, nothing to do with unskillful mental qualities, but it is not easy to achieve that pleasure with a body so extremely emaciated. Suppose I were to take some solid food: some rice & porridge.' So I took some solid food: some rice & porridge.So he takes some food to nourish his body and with a new clarity, a deeper connection to purpose and himself, he resolves to sit under the bodhi tree until he awakens.Mara's TemptationsThough he is clear in his resolve and clear about the path forward, he still encounters great difficulty. Mara (the tempter or doubting voice in Siddhartha) appears during his meditations tempting him, creating feelings of restlessness in body and in mind, showing scenes from the pleasures he used to have at the palace, conjuring fear/doubt and telling him to give up.Siddhartha eventually sees Mara for what they are, a voice of doubt, and Mara slinks away. The Buddha awakens, upon seeing the morning star rising in the east, after a week of meditation. On the final night he has insights into impermanence, cause and effect and finally the nature of suffering/bondage and the path that leads to the cessation of suffering/bondage.He says in one story, “I, together with all beings and the great earth, awaken.”In another he says:House-builder, you're seen! You will not build a house again.All your rafters broken, the ridge pole destroyed, gone to the Unformed, the mindhas come to the end of craving.The earth rises up and confirms the Buddha's awakening. After Mara appears and throws more shade on the Buddha.The Buddha questions whether or not he can teach. And remains sitting under the Bodhi tree for another week. During this time a great storm rolls through, and Mucilinda (the snake king), protects the Buddha from the storm with his seven heads.It's also said that on the night that the Buddha awakened, his wife, Yasodhara gave birth to their son, Rahula. She had been carrying their son for six years, and underwent he own spiritual journey, never leaving home.Does the story really end here? Not really, practice-awakening continues, on and on and on. There are many ways to appreciate a story like this, I have been enjoying looking at the story from the lens of the hero's journey. So many of the elements of the Buddha's story are elements that are a part of our own life and the path of practice-awakening. I the new year, I will offer some teachings and reflections on elements of the hero's journey and the spiritual path. But for now, I would love to hear if any elements from the Buddha's story touched you in anyway.* Have you had important dreams that gave you confidence about the next step on your path, even if it didn't make rational sense?* What is your own experience of being disillusioned? Or needing to challenge a teaching, belief or lifestyle that you were raised in? How has doubt been part of your path?* Can you relate to having an experience as a child that feels connected to your path/practice now? Sometimes it feels like we are relearning something we knew naturally as children, does this feel true to you?* The Buddha was supported and protected by the Earth and the snake king—what protectors, supporters or allies have you had in your own life (people, animals, plants, places, dream figures)?* I appreciate Yasodhara's story as one that happens in the dark space of unknowing, unfolding in her home as she cares for the child she is carrying. In what ways has your own path/practice had elements of darkness, hiddenness, not-knowing and/or nurturing something precious that perhaps you don't yet know what it is?* Are there any other elements of the Buddha's story that resonate or that you feel curious about? Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. Monday Dec 15th we will do some seasonal reflection as Ango ends and we approach the winter solstice.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonUniverse Somatic: The Bright Thread in the Dark — January 22nd - 25thUniverse Somatic is a practice that integrates group meditation, movement and energy work with a spirit of experimentation and playfulness. We explore the union of spaciousness and embodied energies in a contemplative practice that is embodied and expressive.The theme for this Universe Somatic is The Bright Thread In the Dark. We will play in knowing and not-knowing, hope and despair, yin and yang, creation and destruction, dancing in deep relationship with these polarities while also listening for the thread that doesn't get stuck on either side.Light of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Save the Dates! 2026 Mud Lotus Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha.Earth Dreams is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

I want to return to this profound poem we are studying for the autumn practice period—Affirming Faith in Mind.If mind does not discriminate, all things are as they are as one. To go to this mysterious source—frees us from all entanglements.When all is seen with equal mind, to our self-nature we return. This single mind goes right beyond all reasons and comparison.This poem is about Trust in Mind, Faith in our true nature, Trust in the Heart of WisdomDo we trust our heart-mind?Do you have faith in the nature of your own mind? Your own heart?This poem is a “pointing out” style teaching. Stanza by stanza, line by line—it's pointing to the Mind beyond thought. It's inviting us to recognize who we are beyond our strategies of defending, protecting, judging, identifying.We too can know ourselves as mystery.We too can know the source of all experience.There is encouragement and support to turn towards the apparent source of our suffering, and really look into its nature. To experience for ourselves the freedom, spaciousness, clarity and love of our nature. Right, here.Dahui in one of his letters addresses a student's concern that he is dull, and his dullness is preventing him from realizing his true nature.Dahui responds:That which perceives dullness is certainly not dull itself…indeed you should use your very dullness in order to enter the Way. However, if you identify with dullness and regard yourself as incapable by nature of awakening, you will find yourself caught by the demon of dullness.As I see it, in our ordinary way of seeing things we tend to let the desire for awakening get ahead of us and thus turn it into an obstacle preventing our true understanding from manifesting. But this obstacle is neither outside ourselves nor separate from ourselves—it is none other than the Master perceiving itself as “dull.”For this reason everyday Ruiyan Shiyan would call to himself, “Master!” He would then answer himself, “Yes!” “Be wide awake!” he would say, and again answer himself, “Yes!” Then he would say, “Whatever the time, whatever the day, never be misled by others!” “Yes! Yes!” Try examining this in your own way. The one who asks, what is this? is none other than the one who perceives dullness. And the one who perceives dullness is none other than your own True Self.Whether it is dullness, distraction, anger, fear. Whatever we habitually identify with and appears to block our path. What happens when we turn our attention toward the one who is aware of this apparent block? The “master” or True Self is always at home.We are invited to recognize this always present awareness, for ourselves, in our own lives.Freedom and love. Always right here.We are entering the last weeks of this calendar year. Can we use this time to reconnect with our aspiration? To recognize the true self, and not be misled by others.And to also appreciate the season of practice we are in. There are times where we are actually developing our discernment, our discriminating mind. Some of us are learning to trust ourselves, to stand in our karma, to take responsibility for our lives.Part of Trust in Mind, is having the courage to take action, to follow the call when it arises. For some of us the call may take you to a monastery or into a period of inquiry and spiritual investigation. For others it may have more to do with how you are showing up in your lives, or it may be about healing, or responding to a relational challenge. I know some of you are sitting in the question and are listening for the next step. That's part of this path too—I listened for 7 years before I had clarity, courage, conviction and life circumstances to move to the monastery. I am listening now for the next step on this path, as I continue to deepen my practice and develop new skills.Do not be deceived by others. I love this line. For many of us, it is a worthwhile practice to say this to ourselves, regularly. Who are these others? The thoughts in our own minds, the ones that are always comparing ourselves to someone else. What happens when we fully embrace this life? When we live our wisdom? When we honor our limitations, our karmic inheritance—and live the life we have?Tomorrow is Bodhi Day and I will be offering a telling of the Buddha's awakening story. We will explore the hero's journey in the Buddha's story and see how elements of the Buddha's path are part of our own journey's. Join for the Monday Night dharma to hear this talk!I am also co-facilitating an exploration of the Astrology of the Winter Solstice with the Jung Association of Central Ohio this Saturday December 13th with Shawn Casey at the Burkhart Chapel.Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. Monday Dec 8th we will explore the Buddha's awakening story!Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonUniverse Somatic: The Bright Thread in the Dark — January 22nd - 25thUniverse Somatic is a practice that integrates group meditation, movement and energy work with a spirit of experimentation and playfulness. We explore the union of spaciousness and embodied energies in a contemplative practice that is embodied and expressive.The theme for this Universe Somatic is The Bright Thread In the Dark. We will play in knowing and not-knowing, hope and despair, yin and yang, creation and destruction, dancing in deep relationship with these polarities while also listening for the thread that doesn't get stuck on either side.Light of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Save the Dates! 2026 Mud Lotus Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

One stanza from the Trust in Heart poem says:Cut off all useless thoughts and words and there's nowhere you cannot go.Returning to the root itself, you'll find the meaning of all things.If you pursue appearances you overlook the primal source.Awakening is to go beyond both emptiness as well as form.I appreciate the clarity of these instructions. Here we find an invitation to practice with our thinking minds. I find that this instruction to “cut off” is more of an invitation to see through or into the thinking mind and recognize what thoughts really are. Especially thoughts that appear as hindrances. The repetitive inner critical thoughts, endless doubts, obsessive thinking about the future.What are thoughts made of? How long do they last?We are told in Buddhism to regard thought as another sense. What is this like? To notice the textural, auditorial, image-emotional experience of thinking.What happens when during a meditation period or in your daily life you turn attention to the thinking mind, to attend to the thought stream?When we see thoughts for what they are, they have less power over us. We don't have to believe or even identify with everything we think—we also don't need to get a in struggle with our thoughts.This teaching and practice empowers us to be more discerning. We use our thinking minds throughout the day—planning, reflecting, reasoning, contemplating, conversing.And it is possible to use the mind, without being used by the mind.This poem is inviting us to recognize the root of the thinking mind. The root of the thinking mind, is the root of all things. When we know experientially the true nature of the thinking mind which includes: doubt, inner critic, worry, anxiety, judgement, planning, other people's thoughts, views, perspectives—then they have less power over us.Then everything turns around, we can see the light, bodhicitta— within each thought and/or emotion—no matter the content.Dahui, as great Zen teacher of the 12C says it this way in a letter to one of his students.This very moment just cease to entertain thought, putting an end to the confused mind. Then you will know that there is no delusion to be destroyed, no awakening to be aspired to, and no discriminatory thought to be cut off. With time erroneous views will disappear of themselves, and you will be like a person drinking water and knowing for themselves whether it is hot or cold.The mind that is clearly aware of discriminatory thought taking place—how can this mind possibly be obstructed? How can there possibly be any other kind of mind than this one?Since times of old the wise have taken to discriminatory thought like dragons to water and tigers to mountains. They regard discriminatory thought as a companion, employing such thought as upaya, and on the basis of discriminatory thought practice universal compassion and carry out all sorts of buddha deeds. For them, discriminatory thought is never a source of suffering because they understand its source. Once the source of discriminatory thought is fathomed it becomes the locus of liberation and of release from samsara.May we recognize the source of all thoughts and find freedom and love in our nature!Thank you! For the month of November Mud Lotus Sangha is sending 50% of our donations to the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resource Center to help those in our neighborhood who are struggling with food insecurity this month. All of our communities can use extra support and there are many ways to practice generosity. Thank you for all the ways that you show generosity to me and the other beings in your life.Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring the Faith in Mind poem by the 3rd Chinese Ancestor.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKIn-Person in OregonUniverse Somatic: The Bright Thread in the Dark — January 22nd - 25thUniverse Somatic is a practice that integrates group meditation, movement and energy work with a spirit of experimentation and playfulness. We explore the union of spaciousness and embodied energies in a contemplative practice that is embodied and expressive.The theme for this Universe Somatic is The Bright Thread In the Dark. We will play in knowing and not-knowing, hope and despair, yin and yang, creation and destruction, dancing in deep relationship with these polarities while also listening for the thread that doesn't get stuck on either side.Light of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen MonasteryIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaWeekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayRetreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.Save the Dates! 2026 Mud Lotus Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West VirginiaMountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha.Earth Dreams is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

In this mind-bending episode, Dr. Roger McFillin shares the therapy session that shattered his understanding of how healing actually works. Originally written on his substack he feels compelled to share the entire story (with his clients permission). What started as a routine Monday evening appointment with a client overwhelmed,  ready to give up and go on psychiatric drugs became the most extraordinary 90 minutes of his career. By the end, he witnessed something that defied all explanation—and then his car did something in the parking lot that made him question reality itself. A powerful lesson in the abilities we all possess but have forgotten. Visit Center for Integrated Behavioral HealthDr. Roger McFillin / Radically Genuine WebsiteYouTube @RadicallyGenuineDr. Roger McFillin (@DrMcFillin) / XSubstack | Radically Genuine | Dr. Roger McFillinInstagram @radicallygenuineContact Radically GenuineConscious Clinician CollectivePLEASE SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS15% Off Pure Spectrum CBD (Code: RadicallyGenuine)10% off Lovetuner click here

When something's wrong physically, you see a doctor. But when the pain runs deeper, you need a different kind of help. In this message, Dr. Tony Evans explains how the Bible reveals the root of our struggles—and leads us toward true healing.

When something's wrong physically, you see a doctor. But when the pain runs deeper, you need a different kind of help. In this message, Dr. Tony Evans explains how the Bible reveals the root of our struggles—and leads us toward true healing.

When something's wrong physically, you see a doctor. But when the pain runs deeper, you need a different kind of help. In this message, Dr. Tony Evans explains how the Bible reveals the root of our struggles—and leads us toward true healing.

When something's wrong physically, you see a doctor. But when the pain runs deeper, you need a different kind of help. In this message, Dr. Tony Evans explains how the Bible reveals the root of our struggles—and leads us toward true healing.

Secret societies, occult symbolism, and more have manipulated and changed how people think throughout history. We don't realize that Satan has hidden manipulations within popular media that turn us away from God's plan for us.Eyes On The Right Podcast host Amy has been delving into these theories and finding the patterns, connections, and biblical roots that reveal these hidden truths. Amy shares how God gave her freedom from addiction and opened her eyes to the truth of what the enemy is doing through mind control and manipulation.  She is joining us on this episode of the Revelations Podcast to educate and bring awareness to the Enemy's tricks and schemes.  Learn to discern the occult symbolism and mind control that can lead us away from God's path of living a full life.Protect yourself, and don't let these hidden manipulations in modern society trick you. Listen to this episode to learn more and keep your eyes on God's path.Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:Listen to Amy's powerful testimony of God guiding her to the ministry he had planned for her and how she now educates others.Find out how Satan uses music, Hollywood, the government, and occult symbolism to manipulate and control people's minds.Learn to focus and stay rooted in God and His Word as you face these manipulations.Want to be part of what God is doing through the Revelations Podcast? You can contribute here!ResourcesMore from the Revelations Podcast: Website | Instagram | Apple PodcastAmy: Eyes On The Right Podcast | InstagramBible Verses:Matthew 2Joshua 1:7Genesis 61 Samuel 15:23Psalms 91Psalms 51Psalms 143This Episode is brought to you by Advanced Medicine AlternativesGet back to the active life you love through natural & regenerative musculoskeletal healing: https://www.georgekramermd.com/Episode Highlights[02:15] About Amy And Eyes On The RightAmy is a Christian who mentors others as a teacher and a spiritual and biblical counselor.She enjoys counseling people about the truth of God's Word. That is where you can find freedom in your life.Eyes On The Right started when Amy first delved into conspiracy theories and made her first Instagram account.At that time, Amy had very conservative views politically. Now, she focuses on being biblically based and praying for the country's leaders.The "Right" part of the name is based on the Bible's symbolism of the right side.[08:38] How God Shifted Amy Back on the Right PathAmy grew up in a Christian home with a good family. However, during high school, she started down a path of rebellion away from God's plan for her.Through God's grace, she graduated, got a job, and began her career in teaching and ministry.However, Amy couldn't truly see the God-given blessings in her life and wasn't truly happy. She used alcohol to cope with the problems she faced.One day at the beach, she heard God's voice tell her to get up and go. Despite wanting to give up, Amy kept going until she got sober and let God renew her.Amy felt broken and hated her life. She thinks God pushed her back into the path He planned for her.[18:58] A Message For The StrugglingThe Enemy wants you alone, isolated, and struggling. However, that time will end, and you'll be able to move toward the life meant for you.[19:44] Amy: “But there comes a time when that ends and you need to get up and you need to start moving because you've got a life to live and God has a purpose for you. And those emotions and those feelings will catch up when you're obedient. God will get you there.”All you have to do is obey God and do what you can. Don't worry about the past or the future. Focus on today and keep your eyes on Him.God didn't create you to be a quitter. Don't give up.[21:25] How Amy Started Eyes On The RightEyes On The Right started when Amy's daughter encouraged her to create an Instagram page while getting sober.She started seeking “conspiracy theories,” patterns and truths hidden in the Bible. The first one she dived into was about biblical cosmology and the creation of Earth.As Amy dove deeper, she realized that there are many things in the world that Satan and his people use to manipulate others.Once you know this truth, you can see through these tricks and avoid falling for it. Amy chose to spread awareness about the Enemy's tricks to help others.[27:12] Reagan: “That's what the Enemy wants to do, steal, kill, and destroy our lives. And when we're aware of it, we can get our armor on and we can be protected from it as a fusion success.” [27:27] The Enemy In the Modern WorldYou need to be discerning and in a space where you can delve deeper into this truth. There has to be an internal conviction in Christ that can anchor us.There are secret societies like the Freemasons, the Templars, and more all over the world throughout biblical history.In today's world, many people in Hollywood continue to perpetuate the occult symbolism of secret societies. It was a way of mind control and idol worship for the public.Occult symbolism encourages the disobedience of God's word. It's visible in movies, concerts, and all over Hollywood and the nation.[32:09] Closing the Door On the EnemyThere are a lot of things happening that you can find on the internet, such as UFO sightings and secret projects. It's critical to be discerning about what's real and what isn't.One of these was the MK Ultra project, which focused on mind-controlling humans. These experiments were conducted on many people, including kids, prisoners, and more.At some level, everyone has been programmed and mind-controlled, which creates a door for the Enemy to come in and destroy our lives.[36:42] Amy: "Our society, and I'm sure many people listening can agree, has shifted dramatically. We are no longer discerning. We no longer are girded up and wise and, and sober-minded. We are the opposite of that."Many celebrities follow a pattern of starting as innocent and wholesome, then shifting slowly into occult symbolism.People who look up to them aren't aware of the shift and won't see the impact.[39:58] Choosing To Live Life From GodThe Enemy is holding you back from living the life God meant for you.We want to live a life that honors God and builds our relationship with Him. To do so, you must consistently do the work rather than only do what's convenient for you.Kids are more susceptible to occult symbolism.As the parent, it's up to you to be discerning and be aware to help protect them. Now that you know, do better.[44:08] The Scriptures as a FootholdAmy clings to the Scriptures as she lives her life. Many people may find them boring and difficult to read, but keeping an open mind is essential.She has recently finished reading Joshua and is currently studying Galatians.Verses from the Bible, especially Psalms and Proverbs, replenish Amy.[48:08] Amy's Plan Moving ForwardAmy feels like it's time to grow and nourish something new.Her focus is a niche. At the start, many people judged her work and the new information it brought forward. Amy simply stays patient.She wants to step away from symbolism and tie it back to God and the truth in His Word.About AmyAmy is an educator, counselor, speaker, and Bible teacher who helps others deepen their understanding of the Scripture. She is also the podcast host of Eyes On The Right, where she delves into and reveals the truth of secret societies, occult symbolism, Hollywood, and more in today's world. Amy uses her show and Instagram account to educate others and encourage discernment of the hidden truths.Learn more about Amy and her work at Eyes On The Right on her Instagram and podcast links.Enjoyed this Episode?If you did, subscribe and share it with your friends!Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, then leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will educate you on becoming aware and discerning the hidden truths in today's world.Have any questions? You can connect with me on Instagram.Thank you for tuning in! For more updates, tune in on Apple Podcasts.kw: occult symbolismmeta: Occult symbolism is everywhere...even in your cell phones and TV! It's important to be constantly on guard.

Carol Orsborn, Ph.D. received her Masters of Theological Studies and Doctorate in History and Critical Theory of Religion from Vanderbilt University with post-graduate work in Spiritual Counseling at the New Seminary in Manhattan. She, specialized in adult development and ritual studies. She has served on the faculties of Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, and Georgetown Universities. She is the author of Older, Wiser, Fiercer: The Wisdom Collection (self-published 2019), The Making of an Old Soul: Aging as the Fulfillment of Life's Promise (White River Press 2021) and Spiritual Aging: Weekly Reflections for Embracing Life (Park Street Press 2024)Interview Date: 1/10/2025 Tags: Carol Orsborn, aging, elder, old, acceptance, freedom, fear of aging, outliving our fantasies, self-protection, fear, choice, faith, failure, grassroots community of spiritual aging, Sag-ing International, loneliness, isolation, serenity process, Serenity Prayer, regrets, making amends, life review, Personal Transformation, Spirituality

Spiritual Counseling is the practice of honoring the spirit or soul, having a human experience. Full Circle Counseling takes traditional therapy approaches and unconventionally integrates services, tailored to each individual. Contact: Main email: agentk21podcast@gmail.com -Music: agentk21music@gmail.com -Counseling: Fullcirclecounselingservice@gmail.com Full Circle Counseling - https://www.keandranesmith.com/Dream interpretations - https://www.keandranesmith.com/services Reiki/Cardinal Healing - https://www.keandranesmith.com/services YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/@podcast-1111?si=9utAByuP2x8fOcKXArtistMary J Wanna Linktree - https://linktr.ee/MaryJWanna?utm_source=linktree_profile_shareDonations via CashApp $agentk21 Recommendations:Watch "Just...Pause Lyric Video" by MaryJWanna on YouTube - https://youtu.be/y91BuO4hsgs?si=3VfWnUKb7S9oPq--Watch "The Matrix Ending Explained: A Guide to Freeing Your Mind" on YouTube - https://youtu.be/SDkAGkd4NLc?si=75husKTI4J9Laavz Watch "CIA's Psychological Tricks to Make People Talk | Body Language Master Chase Hughes #shorts #podcast" on YouTube - https://youtube.com/shorts/a9asEu_0NK8?si=CYTE_Ecxo2G4zzOt

Carol Orsborn, Ph.D. is a recognized thought leader in the field of conscious aging and author of over 30 books translated into 15 languages, including her forthcoming The Making of an Old Soul: Aging as the Fulfillment of Life's Promise and Older, Wiser, Fiercer: The Wisdom Collection. Orsborn, who won Gold in the Nautilus Book Awards in the category of Aging Consciously, is chief archivist at Fierce with Age, the Digest of Boomer Wisdom, Inspiration, and Spirituality housed at CarolOrsborn.com. She co-leads the Sage-ing International Book Club for the leading global organization in the field of Conscious Aging, Sage-ing International. For the past forty years, Orsborn has been a compelling voice of her generation, interviewed on Oprah, The Today Show, CBS Morning News, The New York Times, and The Shift Network among many others.Dr. Orsborn received her Master of Theological Studies and Doctorate in History and Critical Theory of Religion from Vanderbilt University with specialization in the fields of adult and spiritual development. She has done post-graduate work in Spiritual Counseling at the New Seminary in Manhattan, Stillpoint, and the Spirituality Center at Mount St. Mary's College. A former top marketer helping brands like Ford, Humana, and Prudential build relationships with the Boomer generation, she is now committed to both living and expanding awareness of aging as a spiritual path.She lives in Madison, Tennessee, on the banks of the Cumberland River, with her husband of over 50 years, Dan Orsborn. They have two adult children, two grandchildren, and foster dogs for the Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary.

SummaryIn this conversation, Nathaniel Sharratt explores the concept of the kingdom of God as an inner experience rather than an external reality. He discusses the metaphysical matrixes of influence that shape our consciousness and the importance of spiritual awakening. Through references to various spiritual teachings, including those of Jesus and the concept of Maya, he emphasizes the need to navigate the illusions of the material world and tap into the pure, unconditioned energy of God within us. The discussion also touches on the challenges of overcoming darkness and fear through Light work, and the significance of forgiveness in our spiritual journey.Signup for newsletter at transcend.onlineChapters00:00 Introduction03:05 The Journey of Light and Consciousness05:27 The Nature of Light Work and Resistance08:25 Exploring the Concept of Illusion11:11 The Kingdom of God Within12:46 Illusion and Reality: Understanding the Matrix15:52 Embracing Humanity and Spiritual Growth18:43 Spiritual Counseling and Connection to the DivineTakeawaysThe kingdom of God is not in the outer world but resides within each individual.Spiritual awakening involves recognizing the inner divinity and serving others.Metaphysical matrices influence our consciousness and perceptions of reality.Illusions of the material world can distract from spiritual truths.Forgiveness is essential for overcoming personal and collective challenges.Light work can liberate consciousness from dense influences.The teachings of Jesus emphasize the importance of inner awareness.Everyone is subject to the influences of their cultural and spiritual matrices.Tapping into the pure energy of God is a path to true freedom. Get full access to Transcend with Nat at natsharratt.substack.com/subscribe

Orsborn shares the concept of embracing old age as a transformative process. She emphasizes the importance of accepting reality, embracing mortality, and recognizing one's belovedness. She also touches on the evolutionary purpose of old age and the role of spiritual practices in navigating life's challenges, including illness and loss. Carol Orsborn, Ph.D. received her Masters of Theological Studies and Doctorate in History and Critical Theory of Religion from Vanderbilt University, with post-graduate work in Spiritual Counseling at the New Seminary in Manhattan. She specialized in adult development and ritual studies. She has served on the faculties of Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, and Georgetown Universities. She is the author of Older, Wiser, Fiercer: The Wisdom Collection (self-published 2019), The Making of an Old Soul: Aging as the Fulfillment of Life's Promise (White River Press 2021)and Spiritual Aging: Weekly Reflections for Embracing Life (Park Street Press 2024).Interview Date: 1/10/2025 Tags: Carol Orsborn, Joan Chittister, fear, denial, God, grace, Tolstoy, Death of Ivan Illich, Ram Dass, hope, expectation, curiosity, Personal Transformation, Spirituality, Aging

Make the New Year Your Best Year Free 2-part Workshop to build 3 new habits January 3 and 10th  – 12 Noon Eastern – 1 hour via Zoom Sign Up here _______________________ As the year winds down, it's time to reflect - and look ahead. Carol Orsborn, author of the new book Spiritual Aging: Weekly Reflections for Embracing Life, explains why it's a wise move to continue that practice  with weekly reflections to tune into the spiritual side of aging. Carol Orsborn joins us from Tennessee. _______________________ Bio Dr. Carol Orsborn is the best-selling author of over 35 books including her forthcoming Spiritual Aging: Weekly Reflections for Embracing Life. Her body of work includes The Making of an Old Soul: Aging as the Fulfillment of Life's Promise.  Older, Wiser, Fiercer: The Wisdom Collection  and 2015 Gold Nautilus Book Award winner in the category of Consciously Aging: The Spirituality of Age: A Seeker's Guide to Growing Older (with Robert L. Weber, Ph.D.) She has recently launched the Spiritual Aging Study and Support Group (SASS) at Spiritual Aging@ Substack.com.  She founded the Conscious Aging Book Club in conjunction with Parnassus Books and now housed at CarolOrsborn.com, and the Sage-ing Book Club run in conjunction with the leading organization in the field Sage-ing International Carol is curator of Fierce with Age:  The Archives of Boomer Wisdom, Inspiration, and Spirituality, housed at CarolOrsborn.com and a leading voice of the conscious aging and spirituality and aging movements.  For the past decade, she has also blogged about the Boomer Generation for Huffington Post, BeliefNet.com and PBS's Next Avenue, among others. Dr. Orsborn received her Masters of Theological Studies and Doctorate in History and Critical Theory of Religion from Vanderbilt University with post-graduate work in Spiritual Counseling at the New Seminary in Manhattan. She is an internationally-recognized thought leader on the fulfillment of the human potential through all life stages. For the past forty years, Dr. Orsborn has been a leading voice of her generation, appearing on Oprah, NBC Nightly News and on The Today Show among many others. Her blogs have appeared regularly in Huffington Post, Beliefnet, NPR's Next Avenue and McKnights, among others.  She has been  a frequent speaker at conferences and events such as the American Society of Aging, Sage-ing International Conference, Boomerstock, the Positive Aging Conference, Omega Institute and the American Academy of Religion. Dr. Orsborn established her reputation as a generational expert as co-founder of the first global initiative by a top ten PR company dedicated to helping brands such as Ford, AARP, Prudential and Humana communicate with Boomers. She has brought her talks and retreats on resilience, spirituality and aging to such venues as Omega Institute, American Society of Aging, Positive Aging Conference, Vanderbilt University Hospital and many other aging, healthcare, spiritual and religious groups. Dr. Orsborn received her Doctorate in History and Critical Theory of Religion from Vanderbilt University, specializing in adult development and ritual studies, including intergenerational values formation and transmission. She has served on the faculties of Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount and Georgetown Universities.  Dr. Orsborn lives in Nashville, Tennessee and Toronto, Canada. ________________________ For More on Carol Orsborn Spiritual Aging: Weekly Reflections for Embracing Life Website Substack ________________________ Podcast Episodes You May Like The Vintage Years – Dr. Francine Toder Slow Living - Stephanie O'Dea From Role to Soul – Connie Zweig Getting Good at Getting Older – Rabbi Laura Geller ________________________ Thinking of retiring? Start here with our Best Books on Retirement summaries _______________________ About The Retirement Wisdom Podcast

Ellen Kohn's "Be Like the Wind" is a groundbreaking spiritual book written through the guidance of three extraordinary horses. This unique channeled work invites readers into the mystical world of the Spirit realm. Ellen Kohn is a renowned psychic and animal communicator, who collaborated with these wise equine beings that offer profound insights into the human condition, healing, and transformation. Did you know that all animals, especially the highly intuitive equines, can read your mind, feel your emotions, and understand your spiritual signature even before you meet them? Be Like the Wind offers readers an unprecedented opportunity to step into the world of horses and view life from their profound and intuitive perspective. Through the voices of Billy, Monty, and Romeo—a Thoroughbred, an Appendix, and a Mustang—this book reveals life-changing wisdom as the horses share their deeply personal stories of trauma, humility, and transformation.

Ellen Kohn's "Be Like the Wind" is a groundbreaking spiritual book written through the guidance of three extraordinary horses. This unique channeled work invites readers into the mystical world of the Spirit realm. Ellen Kohn is a renowned psychic and animal communicator, who collaborated with these wise equine beings that offer profound insights into the human condition, healing, and transformation. Did you know that all animals, especially the highly intuitive equines, can read your mind, feel your emotions, and understand your spiritual signature even before you meet them? Be Like the Wind offers readers an unprecedented opportunity to step into the world of horses and view life from their profound and intuitive perspective. Through the voices of Billy, Monty, and Romeo—a Thoroughbred, an Appendix, and a Mustang—this book reveals life-changing wisdom as the horses share their deeply personal stories of trauma, humility, and transformation.

Show NotesChris Wasko is a Spiritual Counselor, Psychic Medium, and Energy Healer dedicated to guiding individuals through healing and personal growth. She specializes in supporting old souls and survivors of narcissistic abuse, helping them uncover soul lessons and navigate life's challenges. “I see myself as a cycle breaker. It's about ending unhealthy patterns and creating a new, healthier legacy for future generations.”

If someone told you that you are intuitive and that you were born with this gift, would you believe it? In this captivating discussion, join Deborah as she converses with Veronica Drake about harnessing your intuition as a guiding force for discovering your true purpose. Intuition is a remarkable gift - a natural human ability that can profoundly influence your life when you learn to embrace and apply it effectively! Stay tuned! Here are the things to expect in the episode:Veronica's intuitive experiences in her early life.Some signs that indicate you are receiving intuitive guidance.What role does intuition play in aligning with your true purpose and values?The School of Spiritual Arts and Veronica's goal of impacting 500,000 women.And much more! About Veronica:Veronica Drake, Vee, as friends call her, is an Intuitive Medium and an Intuitive Business Coach with almost two decades of experience helping women make better decisions, live more confidently, be more creative, and ultimately discover their life's purpose.She is a highly recognized international spiritual teacher who holds a Metaphysical degree in Spiritual Counseling. She is a professionally trained Spiritual Life Coach.She is the creator of The Intuitive Incubator - an online group specifically for women business owners 50+ who are a lil bit woo and recognize the importance of spirituality and intuition when it comes to business and life.This exclusive community serves as a nurturing space where members can develop the power of their intuition while engaging their intellect to achieve their business goals.Her mission is to help women unlock their potential, make empowering decisions, and tap into their creativity like never before. She believes in living boldly, confidently, and authentically – and she's here to guide you on that path. Connect with Veronica Drake!Website: https://veronicadrake.com/Elemental Assessment: https://veronicadrake.com/elemental-assessment/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veronica.drakeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/veronicadrakeofficial/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@veronicadrake Book Recommendation:A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson   Connect with Deborah Kevin:Website: www.deborahkevin.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/debbykevinwriterLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-kevin/Book Recommendations: https://bookshop.org/shop/storytellher Check out Highlander Press:Website: www.highlanderpressbooks.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highlanderpressInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/highlanderpressFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/highlanderpress

R.G. Shore began his journey with a bachelor's degree in Religious Studies, but his spiritual journey has led him much farther. Through many hardships, and firsthand experience with the marginalized, R.G. has really begun to shape and cultivate his spirituality through lived experience.  R.G. was incarcerated for nearly 3 years. It was through his incarceration that he began to sit with his trauma. Being surrounded by very racist and dangerous people led R.G. inward. It was in prison that he began to master his own techniques for going into the body and sitting with the trauma within himself.  R.G. has a Masters in Education, and is a certified Reiki Master, and a certified spiritual director through SDI, and the Urban Spiritual Center in Portland, Oregon.  He specializes in embodied Spiritual Counseling, Healing energy, visualization meditative techniques, and Reiki Healing, and helps many people with grounding themselves. He has a passion for working with marginalized communities, including people of color, people who have been incarcerated, or people dealing with religious trauma. He is also the Award Winning Author of his Spiritual Memoir, The Ocean Inside Me.  _________________________ Work with me, your host,  here: Thelovelyalea.com Pre-order MEANINGFUL MANIFESTATION thelovelyalea.com/book Get spiritual 1-on-1 Coaching thelovelyalea.com/services Become a Patreon Member to get behind the scenes, extra content, and workshops.patreon.com/thelovelyalea Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/thelovelyalea ( Remember I will never DM you for readings - watch out for Scammers ! ) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovelyalea/support

Sufani Garza joins The Blend with Cara & John Krol for a conversation on her journey into the healing arts, finding Reiki as a way to find peace from stress and her migraine headaches, her journey from student to trainer - with nearly 60,000 enrollments worldwide through her online courses on Udemy. Sufani Garza is the Director and Founder of Place of Bliss Academy. She's a practitioner in many healing therapies such as Alternative Healing, Reiki, Channeling, Spiritual Counseling, Soul Care Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Positive Psychology, Shamanism, Guided Image Therapy and many more esoteric practices in cultural studies. She has owned place of Bliss Academy & Sanctuary for over twenty years teaching live classes, trainings and certifications, and in 2020 converted to the online platform called UDEMY, to reach a global audience. Since that time, she has published over 50 courses, gained over 36K students, with over 59K enrollments, is in 172 countries and 46 languages. She has over 10K reviews ranging on average from 4.7-4.8. Her unique style of teaching is the shamans way, teaching through storytelling and sharing. Her courses range from Alternative healing, counseling and psychology, writing, marketing, channeling, vodou, witchcraft, meditation, self-love, emotional intelligence, communication, and more. She is also a published author. In her publishing career, she has been published both traditionally through Austin Macauley Publisher and has self-published many titles. She was a columnist for The Reiki Times (IARP, Dear Reiki) and has been published in many magazines over the years on the topics of healing. She is an avid Horror reader and has published a horror/Thriller series called 1377 Rikoppe Lane, with book 1 & 2 written, and book 3 is on the way! She blends healing and horror in her own prolific style in every single book. She publishes under Sufani Weisman-Garza. She has three grown children, a husband of 20 years, and is the guardian of two adorable cats. Links: Udemy page: www.udemy.com/user/sufani-garza/ Website: https://www.placeofblissacademy.com/ Cara Krol's Balance & Bliss Wellness website: balanceandblisswellness.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-krol/support

What is the ULTIMATE way to heal from your wounds? Spiritual Counseler, Tarot Expert & Ex-Fortune Teller  @LetaoTKH  joins us on SYSTEMS of EXISTENCE to answer exactly that question. Join us in an eye- & heart-opening, vulnerable episode that illuminates also how our clients are always mirrors to our own healing journey too! Follow Letao on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letaowang/?hl=en Visit Letaos Website: https://linktr.ee/thekingdomhealer Get excited for a NEW ERA! SYSTEMS of EXISTENCE is the new leading edge space that features experts and thought leaders form all over the world with their unique SYSTEM of EXISTENCE! The aim is to have eye and mind opening conversations, that shift the way you perceive reality and how the universe works and inspires you to birth your own SYSTEM of EXISTENCE into the world! Tune in. Get excited. Be part of the NEW AGE! Follow SYSTEMS of EXISTENCE on IG: https://www.instagram.com/systems_of_existence/ Follow KATHARINA on IG: https://www.instagram.com/magic_kathi_official/ GENE KEYS, Astrology, Human Design & Soul Alchemy sessions are Katharinas favorite SYSTEMS of EXISTENCE. DM her on IG for more information on that!

In today's episode of Ignite Your Spark, I am thrilled to bring you an enlightening conversation with Eileen Marder-Mirman, a New York state licensed mental health counselor who wonderfully combines her vast experience in private practice with spiritual and alternative healing modalities. Eileen's passion for meditation, which she has practiced for over 47 years, shines through as she shares how this practice has helped her stay present and grateful through life's ups and downs.Eileen's journey is not just about personal growth; it's also deeply intertwined with her professional path where she focuses on integrating spirituality into psychological healing. Beyond her counseling, Eileen discusses the impact of societal pressures on self-image, the transformative power of realizing one's true self, and the various healing modalities she utilizes, including kabbalistic healing and essential oils. Her insights and personal anecdotes make for a captivating discussion that will inspire you to explore your inner world and ignite your spark to lead a more centered, authentic life.### Key Takeaways:- **Meditation as a Foundation**: Learn how meditation can help maintain gratitude, center oneself in challenging times, and it's never too late to start.- **Integrating Spirituality and Healing**: Discover the impact of non-dual kabbalistic healing and other modalities in fostering profound personal transformation.- **Empowerment through Self-awareness**: Eileen discusses the importance of owning one's thoughts and emotions to achieve true authenticity and personal power.

Linn Rivers is a functional health and wellness expert and educator. She teaches people all over the world how to take their health—mind, body, and spirit — into their own hands. She has over 15 years of education in the holistic health field and assists people in overcoming chronic health conditions and mental disorders. Her educational background includes Holistic/Functional Medicine, Microbiome Therapy, Spiritual Counseling, Eastern and Western Massage Therapy, Neurolinguistic Programming, Yoga Therapy, Life Coaching, Death Doula, Hypnosis, and Human Design Analysis. While her educational background is impressive, her own journey really sets her apart. She is able to connect with people on a wide range of traumatic events that she had to overcome by herself, such as: the death of all family members and partner, abandonment, neglect, sexuality, growing up with an alcoholic, relationship trauma, homelessness, career challenges, lack of direction, feelings of hopelessness, identity, anger and fear, addiction, illness, and near-death experiences. I am immensely passionate about helping people uncover the root cause of mental illness and chronic health conditions. It has been through my own drawn out healing process, research, education and clients that I have deeply understood the connection to food and our mental health, yet I take it so much deeper than anyone is currently going. For example, did you know that Salicylates in plants ( a neurotoxin) is directly linked to Autism, depression, agression, tinnitus and many other health conditions if you do not have a healthy microbiome to properly eliminate them from the body? There is so much more to this and so much more about why we are not well in this day and age. I was depressed the majority of my teens and 20's and did not want to be here for a long time. I was an aggressive child and it carried on until I was an adult and started uncovering the truth about it all. Did you also know that there is a specific bacteria in the gut that can cross the gut/brain barrier that triggers alcoholism? So many things. I am an ope book and happy to talk about anything including my own journey to healing Social Media www.linnrivers.com https://citvw.linnrivers.academy/ www.youtube.com/LinnRivers www.linkedin.com/LinnRivers YES! I am currently pre-launching my new course, 'Chronic Illness to Vibrant Wellness" and for all who find me through podcasts, they are able to enroll for $50 during the pre-launch! 80% off.

EVEN MORE about this episode!Embark on an extraordinary exploration of self-discovery and personal transformation with Veronica Drake whose story interweaves the threads of entrepreneurship and spirituality. Discover whether the entrepreneurial flame is kindled at birth or can be ignited through learning, as Veronica and I share our own transitions from conventional careers to paths less traveled. Our exchange delves into the pivotal role of curiosity and the enriching journey that unfolds when you're not the sharpest tool in the shed, but rather the one most open to growth.Join us for a heartfelt narrative that traverses the resilience of a woman whose career compass has swung from retail to chiropractic, dentistry, and beyond. Hear how she tackled her childhood fears and embraced the winds of change, ultimately leading her to spearhead a creative community initiative. This story is a testament to the importance of self-awareness and the joy of finding work that truly resonates with your soul. Our candid conversation also revisits the '80s era, when the workforce landscape shifted with the influx of women, underscoring the significance of intuition and self-trust in the realm of female entrepreneurship.Finally, ready yourself for a deep dive into the world of medical intuitive work and the power of laughter and joy in the face of adversity. We reflect on the enlightening path to psychic awakening, the value of embracing our natural gifts, and the quest for alignment between personality and soul. This episode is an open invitation to anyone on the lookout for guidance to sidestep life's drama, establish boundaries, and wholeheartedly engage with their unique journey toward soul alignment.Guest Biography:Veronica Drake is an Intuitive Strategist and Mentor working with female business owners to develop their intuition so they can operate their business from a place of unshakeable self-trust. Veronica Drake works with ambitious mission-driven women business leaders to help them confidently bring their vision to life. She focuses on supporting them to integrate their intuitive mindset with their rational logical mindset to build unshakable confidence.She has a metaphysical degree in Spiritual Counseling and is a professionally trained Spiritual Coach. She has 18+ years as a professional intuitive and a business owner.Episode Chapters:(0:00:01) - Personal Questions and Intuition Exploration(0:09:19) - From Fear to Fulfillment(0:26:56) - Women in the Workforce Shift(0:39:22) - Medical Intuitive Work and Personal Reflections(0:47:10) - Laughter, Joy, and Psychic Transformation(0:58:52) - Navigating Drama and Finding AlignmentPlease join Julie next week with your question.Thursdays at 8pm ET, 7pm CT, 5pm PT.https://askjulieryanshow.comAnd, please leave a five-star review and subscribe so you can hear all the new episodes.Sponsors & RecommendationsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.