Exploring meditation retreats with insights on staying silent, getting into one, and food. Featuring Spring Washam and Zev Borow sharing their experiences and wisdom on retreats. Delve into the transformative journey of retreats and the power of Dharma talks. Find out if you're a bad meditator for not attending a retreat

Spring Washam, a meditation teacher and author of 'The Spirit of Harriet Tubman,' shares insightful practices to cultivate joy. She emphasizes the importance of reflecting on joyful moments and allowing positive emotions to flourish. The discussion highlights 'sympathetic joy,' urging listeners to celebrate the successes of others to amplify their own happiness. Spring's guided meditation enhances mindfulness and gratitude, fostering a belief that joy is limitless, like the stars. It's a delightful call to connection and shared happiness.

So many people are interested in their family tree. What kind of lives did our ancestors lead and what do their stories say about us? Today’s guest, Spring Washam, asks us to reckon with the people who have come before us in order to fully understand who we are and why we do the things we do.Washam is a well-known teacher, author, and visionary leader based in Oakland, California. She is the author of A Fierce Heart: Finding Strength, Courage and Wisdom in Any Moment and her newest book, The Spirit of Harriet Tubman: Awakening from the Underground. Spring is considered a pioneer in bringing mindfulness-based meditation practices to diverse communities. She is one of the founding teachers at the East Bay Meditation Center, located in downtown Oakland, CA and has practiced and studied Buddhist philosophy in both the Theravada and Tibetan schools of Buddhism since 1999.In this episode we talk about:How Spring came to write about Harriet Tubman’s lifeHer work with plant medicine and the shamanic traditionsThe dream and the “conversations” Spring had with TubmanWhy we are all so interested in ancestryHow we can deepen our relationship with our ancestors Family Constellation Therapy as a modality for doing ancestry work Spring’s own family historyWhy she is still processing the experience of writing her book about Harriet Tubman What she means by the “inner underground railroad” and how it is alive todayAnd, how, in the inner underground railroad, freedom equates to nirvana Content Warning: mentions of suicideFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/spring-washam-556See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Spring Washam, a mindfulness expert and meditation teacher, discusses the power of grounding meditation and connecting with nature. She shares insights on how these practices can reduce stress and calm the nervous system. The episode includes a guided meditation to visualize oneself as a rooted tree and cultivate feelings of strength and well-being.

Spring Washam discusses her relationship with Harriet Tubman and the teachings she received from her. They explore the power of faith and courage in challenging times, the importance of connecting with the unseen world, and finding strength and unity through Harriet's guidance.