The Hoffman Podcast S6e18: Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. – Follow Your Callings
A world-renowned expert in the mind-body connection, Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., completed the Hoffman Process in 1990.
This conversation with Joan and Sharon is a deep exploration into the nature of callings through the lens of Joan’s life. The callings of her Spirit first showed up early in her life.
At the age of ten, Joan experienced a very difficult journey through childhood OCD. At one point, she had profound realizations of how she could help heal herself and did so. Through this, as a child, she realized she would become someone who could help others heal from similar challenges.
Through the wisdom of her Spiritual Self, Joan has been guided into and along a life of self-discovery and deep service to the world. Joan became one of the first to work directly with AIDS patients, even when we didn’t yet know much about AIDS itself. She tells us that her courage to step into this role without medically knowing the risks came from listening to Spirit. Her story is a moving recollection of this time when so many suffered greatly from this epidemic.
Joan has been on the cutting edge of scientific inquiry into Mind-Body well-being. With clarity and candor, she shares how her journey has been a labor of science and Spirit. As Joan shares, our calling isn’t a single thing. Our calling changes as life changes. Our job is to listen deeply and to allow our Spiritual Self to flow through us into the world.
As she has for many years, Joan leads Hoffman’s Advisory Council acting as its Chair.
Content warning:
This episode mentions experiences with OCD and suicide, and may not be suitable for all listeners. If you or someone you know is suicidal, please reach out to The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255), or message the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
More about Joan Borysenko, Ph.D.:
Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and Harvard Medical School trained cell biologist with postdoctoral fellowships in cancer cell biology, psychoneuroimmunology, and behavioral medicine. She synthesizes cutting-edge science and practical tools for well-being with deep humanity. Joan, a sought-after international speaker, is a New York Times bestselling author of 17 books. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Public Television, and numerous websites.
She is president of Mind-Body Health Sciences, LLC in Santa Fe, NM -the Land of Enchantment- where she lives and tends her outdoor gardens, indoor gardens, and gardens of the heart with her husband Gordon Dveirin, EdD, and their two standard poodles, Mitzi and Lola. You can register for her live online course series, the Gifts of Spiritual Memoir, and find out about other courses and appearances at her website, www.joanborysenko.com.
Joan is also Chair of the Hoffman Institute’s Advisory Council; learn more about Hoffman’s Advisory Council here.
As mentioned in this episode:
Mind Body Medicine at Harvard Medical School
Herbert Benson (the first person to introduce meditation into medicine)
Meditation Goes Mainstream, Washington Post – 1987
Jon Kabat-Zin, His mindfulness mind-body meditation clinic.
Positive Psychology and Character Strengths
Aldous Huxley, The Doors of Perception
Lisa Miller, Psychologist at Columbia University