Ep. 140 (Part 1 of 2) | Author, psychiatrist, professor, and Deep Transformation podcast co-host Roger Walsh was drawn to explore the remarkable world of shamanism—a tradition of opening to altered states, intuition, and profound insights and wisdom—when he found it was the one great world tradition he didn’t understand. He was intrigued by Romanian scholar Mircea Eliade’s description of the core feature of a shaman being “ecstatic flight,” and recognizing the lack of any easy to understand book on the subject, Roger was inspired to pursue this subject in depth and write the book himself! In his book and in this conversation, Roger provides us with a brilliant, big picture perspective, pointing out that at the heart of shamanism (and every great world tradition) are psychospiritual technologies—actual practices—that lead us to the doorway of the Great Mystery, and that service is the culmination of each tradition, both as a means to and an expression of one’s realization.The dialogue is warm, open, and personal—Roger shares his experience of realizing the vastness of the inner world for the first time (“I felt like I’d lived my entire life on the top six inches of a wave on top of an ocean I didn’t even know existed!”), his realization that “as a culture, we are sleepwalking through life, unaware of the resources, capacities and gifts we bear within us,” and his coming to terms with the Great Mystery. John, too, shares his experiences within the Native American spiritual tradition: the power of the vision quest, prayer, drumming in ceremony, death medicine, and enduring trials in service to one’s people. Roger’s wonderful curiosity, integrity, graciousness, and keen intellect are all in evidence as he discusses the indeterminacy of spirit, mediumship, journeying, and death, and as he marvels at the bottomless, boundless mystery that both surrounds us and is us. Recorded June 27, 2024.“Not only does the Great Mystery surround us, but we are Mystery—our own being is Mystery.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2The ethos of service at the heart of shamanism (00:55)Service is the culmination of shamanism—and every world tradition—both as a means to and an expression of one’s realization (02:20)Opening to the Great Mystery: we really don’t know what is going on (05:06)Castaneda’s 4 challenges to becoming a person of knowledge, particularly the challenge of clarity (09:08)Transconceptual intuition and Ken Wilber’s vision-logic (12:11)What about death? (16:21)Shamans were our first general practitioner, spiritual guide, tribal counselor, psychopomp, all rolled into one (18:04)How did humans discover this tradition? (20:04)What is a spirit? A construct of the psyche? An independent intelligence? (21:41)The powerful effects of mediumship throughout human history (24:07)The spiritual practice of journeying (27:55)Bottom line: shamans tap into the depths of the psyche and take us to the doorway of Mystery, leaving us there with remarkable potentials and possibilities (29:49)Resources & References – Part 2Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers, The Power of Myth*Carlos Castaneda, The Teachings of Don Juan*Ken Wilber’s vision-logic (Integral Life website)The Oracle of DelphiWilliam Blake, British mysticPearl Curran, who channeled the spirit of Patience WorthHelen Schucman, A Course of Miracles* (Foundation for Inner Peace)Charles Tart, Body Mind Spirit: Exploring the Parapsychology of Spirituality*Roger Walsh, The World of Shamanism: New Views of an Ancient Tradition* (2nd edition)Roger Walsh, Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind*Roger’s website: https://drrogerwalsh.com* As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---Dr. Roger Walsh, M.D., Ph.D. DHL, is an author and longtime professor of psychiatry, philosophy, anthropology, and religious studies. Roger’s research and writings span several areas, to include the nature of psychological health and well-being, meditation and contemplative practices, religion and spirituality, wisdom and other virtues, Integral studies, and the psychological roots of our current global crises. He is deeply immersed in contemplative practices as student, researcher, and teacher.Roger’s books include Paths Beyond Ego (one of Common Boundary’s “Most Influential Books”), Meditation: Classic and Contemporary Perspectives (“Outstanding Academic Book of the Year Award”), Essential Spirituality: The Seven Central Practices with a foreword by the Dalai Lama, and The World of Shamanism. He is currently editing The World’s Great Wisdom: What Sages Say about Living Wisely and Well. ---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 139 (Part 1 of 2) | Author, psychiatrist, professor, and Deep Transformation podcast co-host Roger Walsh was drawn to explore the remarkable world of shamanism—a tradition of opening to altered states, intuition, and profound insights and wisdom—when he found it was the one great world tradition he didn’t understand. He was intrigued by Romanian scholar Mircea Eliade’s description of the core feature of a shaman being “ecstatic flight,” and recognizing the lack of any easy to understand book on the subject, Roger was inspired to pursue this subject in depth and write the book himself! In his book and in this conversation, Roger provides us with a brilliant, big picture perspective, pointing out that at the heart of shamanism (and every great world tradition) are psychospiritual technologies—actual practices—that lead us to the doorway of the Great Mystery, and that service is the culmination of each tradition, both as a means to and an expression of one’s realization.The dialogue is warm, open, and personal—Roger shares his experience of realizing the vastness of the inner world for the first time (“I felt like I’d lived my entire life on the top six inches of a wave on top of an ocean I didn’t even know existed!”), his realization that “as a culture, we are sleepwalking through life, unaware of the resources, capacities and gifts we bear within us,” and his coming to terms with the Great Mystery. John, too, shares his experiences within the Native American spiritual tradition: the power of the vision quest, prayer, drumming in ceremony, death medicine, and enduring trials in service to one’s people. Roger’s wonderful curiosity, integrity, graciousness, and keen intellect are all in evidence as he discusses the indeterminacy of spirit, mediumship, journeying, and death, and as he marvels at the bottomless, boundless mystery that both surrounds us and is us. Recorded June 27, 2024.“Shamans were our first general practitioner, spiritual guide, tribal counselor, psychopomp—all rolled into one.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing Deep Transformation podcast co-host Roger Walsh, professor, psychiatrist, and author of The World of Shamanism and Essential Spirituality, among others (01:18)Roger’s book, The World of Shamanism—on the oldest spiritual tradition we know of, found all around the world (04:09)How was Roger drawn to write about shamanism? (06:36)Realizing at the heart of the world’s great religious traditions are psychospiritual technologies—actual practices—to induce the same states of consciousness the founders had discovered (09:31)Shamanism was the one tradition Roger couldn’t understand—after waiting for a good book on it to come out, Roger decided to write it himself (10:46) John’s experiences with Durwin White Lightning and Wallace Black Elk of the Lakota tribe, and the shamanic effects of connecting with nature (13:35)Roger’s investigation of shamanism included intensive training with Michael Harner, gnostic intermediary who introduced shamanism to the western world (18:38)Through direct experience and a lot of study, including the integral framework of Ken Wilber, Roger brings a big picture perspective to shamanism (22:54)Native American spirituality, death medicine, and the transformative power of the sweat lodge (23:39)The power of the rhythm of the drum in ceremony (27:27)The suffering in our world today reflects the artificial environments in which we live (30:17)The shamanic tradition is closely wedded to nature; going through endurances in the wild to help your people (35:08)John’s experience with vision questing and wolves (37:15)Resources & References – Part 1Roger Walsh, The World of Shamanism: New Views of an Ancient Tradition* (2nd edition)Roger Walsh, Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind*Roger's website: https://drrogerwalsh.comMircea Eliade, Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy*Wallace Black Elk, Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of a Lakota*Michael Harner, founder of Core Shamanism, author of The Way of the Shaman*Charles Lawrence on the Deep Transformation podcast: Everything is Sacred: Native American Wisdom on Following Your Destiny, Living Joyously, Dying Fearlessly & Dancing in a World Beyond Everyday Consciousness* As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---Dr. Roger Walsh, M.D., Ph.D. DHL, is an author and longtime professor of psychiatry, philosophy, anthropology, and religious studies. Roger’s research and writings span several areas, to include the nature of psychological health and well-being, meditation and contemplative practices, religion and spirituality, wisdom and other virtues, Integral studies, and the psychological roots of our current global crises. He is deeply immersed in contemplative practices as student, researcher, and teacher.Roger’s books include Paths Beyond Ego (one of Common Boundary’s “Most Influential Books”), Meditation: Classic and Contemporary Perspectives (“Outstanding Academic Book of the Year Award”), Essential Spirituality: The Seven Central Practices with a foreword by the Dalai Lama, and The World of Shamanism. He is currently editing The World’s Great Wisdom: What Sages Say about Living Wisely and Well. ---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 138 (Dialogue 1, Part 2 of 2) | In this rich and engaging conversation, the first episode of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali gives us a beautiful overview of the Diamond Approach, which is a brilliant integration of teachings and a path of awakening born out of his own direct experience and informed by his deep understanding of the world’s great spiritual traditions and modern psychology. Here, Hameed details the many facets of the Diamond Approach that make it unique among spiritual paths, which leads down several intriguing avenues of exploration: What is the Diamond Approach’s understanding of the soul? How does spiritual guidance work? What are the four turnings that give context and structure to students on this spiritual path? Hameed delves, too, into the importance of inquiry on our road to discovering our true nature, love’s role in allowing us to trust reality, and the importance of realizing that the ultimate lives within each individual.Hameed also shares personal aspects of his journey: how he was guided from the precise field of physics to the field of psychology, how he came to the revelation of the human soul, and what he attributes to why he has been so receptive to spiritual openings and realizations throughout his life. The Diamond Approach is not only about discovering the nature of absolute reality—it is also about realizing ultimate consciousness in ordinary life, to experience the beauty and richness of a life lived in simple freedom and enjoyment. As Hameed says, “Know, by engaging the path, it is possible to be free.” Recorded June 13, 2024.“To get into the spiritual universe and find the richness, the beauty, and the freedom, you need to go deep – you need to go vertical not horizontal.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2What has allowed Hameed to be so unusually receptive to spiritual realizations and teachings? (00:51)How Hameed was guided from physics to psychology (03:13)How psychology got integrated into the Diamond Approach (07:36)Unique to the Diamond Approach is Hameed doesn’t throw away any of what he has experienced, even as things continue to change (08:47)The four turnings are a way of organizing the teaching for students, giving context and framework (10:38)Applying knowledge of the spiritual deep to physics (11:45)Inquiry: the process of dissolving obstacles and discovering reality (15:16)The first of the four turnings: experiencing realizations as a free and timeless individual—ordinary spirituality (18:25)The second turning is nondual: one is the vastness, the ocean of awareness (20:09)The third turning: the realization of nonlocality, the whole universe is in a grain of sand and I am the grain of sand (21:26)The fourth turning includes many realizations—one of which is the realization of “nobody here” (22:30)The fifth turning begins with indeterminacy (24:01)The turnings came to Hameed as a sequence, but there is no limit to potential awakenings (25:18)This path is not for everybody and the importance of validating each spiritual path (27:18)Inquiry is a skill of consciousness (29:35)For true realization you need to go deep—not horizontal but vertical (31:45)The motivation is different for different people, but the important thing is to feel the fire, the passion…and know, by engaging the path, it is possible to be free (33:07)Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas, The Inner Journey Home: Soul’s Realization of the Unity of Reality*Object relations theoryA. H. Almaas, Space Cruiser Inquiry: True Guidance for the Inner Journey*The Ridhwan School, home of the Diamond Approach, founded by A. H. AlmaasA. H. Almaas, Runaway Realization: Living a Life of Ceaseless Discovery*Note: The A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series will generally follow the sequence of Hameed’s magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home* (which John describes as “psychoactive and spiritually, psychologically, and intellectually transformative”), so listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this exhilarating path of awakening.* As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---A. Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general.Hameed’s process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the Enneagram: How to Unlock the Highest Potential of Every Personality Type, The Unfolding Now: Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence, and more.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Hameed Ali, expert in the Diamond Approach, discusses the unique blend of psychology and spirituality in this engaging conversation. Topics include the understanding of the soul, spiritual guidance, the four turnings on the path, the importance of inquiry, and realizing ultimate consciousness in ordinary life.

Ep. 136 (Part 2 of 2) | Criminal justice professor and constitutional law expert Mark Fischler does a brilliant job of deepening our understanding of the challenges facing our democracy, our legal system, and our public morality. How did the democratic process and the values it represents—equality and liberty for all—come to be teetering on the brink? Mark illuminates the fact that the Constitution is not a set-in-stone document, but eminently open to interpretation, and explains that its interpretation is a direct reflection of the worldviews of the Supreme Court justices. In fact, the whole process of democracy needs to be aligned with a certain level of development in order to deliver. Mark points out that democracy hasn’t served all of us, and urges us to explore who and in what ways it has failed, that we may work to correct its flaws and continue to uphold and expand the values foundational to democracy to include respecting and protecting the rights of all beings.Mark contrasts the moral integrity of revered public figures such as Socrates and Dr. King, who honored the rule of law despite that it went against their own self interest, with the disregard for the law so prevalent among political figures today, and points out that democracy can be subverted not only by malicious intent, but also by misplaced idealism—when people feel that supporting a charismatic leader or ideology is more important than supporting the principles of democracy. With regard to the Trump trials, the question arises, is any human above the law? Mark also shares where he finds hope—in his own university students with their openness to a deeper ethical understanding and responsibility and willingness to undertake civic action. Mark urges all of us who care about democracy to become engaged now. His wise, integral, highly informed insights about the current state of the legal system and of democracy, here and around the world, are revelatory, alarming, and inspiring in turn. Recorded May 22, 2024.“It’s time for us to take absolute responsibility for our democracy: if you have a democracy, you need to be engaged and involved.“(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Democracy only functions properly when there is a foundational rule of law, and the moral integrity of Socrates (01:08)Trumpian politics/political chicanery vs conservative or progressive politics (05:25)Roe vs. Wade and how we have lost the ability to have a sincere conversation about postnatal care (08:19)We are suffering as a people from our inability to enter into a dialectic (09:23)We are not the only democracy at risk: the rise of authoritarianism, populism & demagoguery around the world (12:28)Is there any precedent for a president to be immune from prosecution? (13:27)What is an “official act”? January 6th and interpreting if an act is official or criminal (16:41)Back to democracy at risk: what are democratic values about? (22:19)How is democracy subverted? (23:54) Misplaced idealism can undermine democracy and subvert the rule of law (27:23)Educated citizenry and moving through levels of development to where we recognize the equal dignity of everyone (29:55)With the internet, there are no consistent, shared news sources, no awareness of civic responsibility (32:52)We need to own that democracy has not worked for everybody (37:09)So much depends on our intention: is it about me and mine or the wellbeing of all? (41:13)What gives Mark hope? Mark’s students and their openness to a deeper ethical understanding and responsibility (43:27) It’s time for us to take absolute responsibility for our democracy: if you have a democracy, you need to be engaged and involved (44:25)Resources & ReferencesThe Integral Justice Warrior series, co-hosted by Mark Fischler and Corey deVos (on the Integral Life website)Linda Greenhouse, Pulitzer Prize winner who reported on the Supreme Court for The New York Times from 1978 to 2008, author of The U.S. Supreme Court: A Very Short Introduction*, Justice on the Brink: A Requiem for the Supreme Court*, The Burger Court and the Rise of the Judicial Right*, and more.The Federalist Society and OriginalismThe Warren Court, 1953-1969Justice Scalia’s Contradictory Originalism (New Yorker article)Plato, Crito’s dialogue with SocratesSinclair Lewis, It Can’t Happen Here** As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---Mark Fischler is a Professor of Criminal Justice and current program coordinator for the criminal justice and criminology programs at Plymouth State University. Prior to joining the Plymouth State faculty, he practiced law, representing poor criminal defendants for the New Hampshire Public Defender’s Office. Mark left the law after being guided by the Universe to focus on his Spiritual Awareness for almost two years. Upon his return, he was called to become a teacher and accepted a job at Plymouth State in 2003. Since then, Mark has worked extensively with alternative theoretical models in law, constitutional law, and higher education, and has published on integral applications to teaching, being a lawyer, and legal theory. In his time at the university, he’s been a chair, Dean, and Interim VP. His focus in the classroom is ethics and criminal procedure and constitutional law. He is well respected for a teaching philosophy that emphasizes recognizing the humanity and dignity of each student. Professor Fischler was awarded the outstanding teaching award at his university in 2014. He currently offers a weekly Spiritual Inquiry class for college students.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 135 (Part 1 of 2) | Criminal justice professor and constitutional law expert Mark Fischler does a brilliant job of deepening our understanding of the challenges facing our democracy, our legal system, and our public morality. How did the democratic process and the values it represents—equality and liberty for all—come to be teetering on the brink? Mark illuminates the fact that the Constitution is not a set-in-stone document, but eminently open to interpretation, and explains that its interpretation is a direct reflection of the worldviews of the Supreme Court justices. In fact, the whole process of democracy needs to be aligned with a certain level of development in order to deliver. Mark points out that democracy hasn’t served all of us, and urges us to explore who and in what ways it has failed, that we may work to correct its flaws and continue to uphold and expand the values foundational to democracy to include respecting and protecting the rights of all beings.Mark contrasts the moral integrity of revered public figures such as Socrates and Dr. King, who honored the rule of law despite that it went against their own self interest, with the disregard for the law so prevalent among political figures today, and points out that democracy can be subverted not only by malicious intent, but also by misplaced idealism—when people feel that supporting a charismatic leader or ideology is more important than supporting the principles of democracy. With regard to the Trump trials, the question arises, is any human above the law? Mark also shares where he finds hope—in his own university students with their openness to a deeper ethical understanding and responsibility and willingness to undertake civic action. Mark urges all of us who care about democracy to become engaged now. His wise, integral, highly informed insights about the current state of the legal system and of democracy, here and around the world, are revelatory, alarming, and inspiring in turn. Recorded May 22, 2024.“Democracy really only functions properly when there is a foundational rule of law.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing criminal justice professor and integral expert on constitutional law, Mark Fischler (01:32)The hush money trial: you can’t disengage the politics (03:46)Is any human being above the rule of law? (06:16)It was ethical Republicans that got Nixon to resign; now a cult-like status exists in the party (07:36)How people like Supreme Court Justice Alito’s wife and Justice Thomas’ wife have bought into the Stop the Steal idea, supporting the idea that the 2020 election was false (10:15)Impeachment is the most direct form of accountability in the Supreme Court (12:50)Understanding the nature of the current Supreme Court and how the Constitution gets interpreted according to the justices’ worldviews (14:12)The Citizens United case where the Supreme Court ruled to give corporations the right to freedom of speech (17:31)The current Supreme Court is hostile to the Union movement, to regulation around land use, to green, pluralistic values—it’s all about protecting individual rights (20:13)The Constitution is not the solid document we might think, but is very open to interpretation (23:35)The Federalist Society and the rise of originalism (24:35)The beginning of culture wars in the Supreme Court and how Supreme Court nominee Robert Borg applied originalism to abortion (29:33)Selective interpretation of the Constitution and originalist interpretations of the 2nd and 8th Amendments (33:58)How should democracy be delivered? What we want to see reflected in our interpretation of the Constitution is an honoring of our interconnectivity with all sentient beings (38:19)The Manhattan hush money case soon going to jury and why it turned into a felony case (40:55)Does Trump’s motivation to run for president include attempting to pardon his own crimes? Can someone pardon themself? (46:13)Resources & ReferencesThe Integral Justice Warrior series, co-hosted by Mark Fischler and Corey deVos (on the Integral Life website)Linda Greenhouse, Pulitzer Prize winner who reported on the Supreme Court for The New York Times from 1978 to 2008, author of The U.S. Supreme Court: A Very Short Introduction*, Justice on the Brink: A Requiem for the Supreme Court*, The Burger Court and the Rise of the Judicial Right*, and more.The Federalist Society and OriginalismThe Warren Court, 1953-1969Justice Scalia’s Contradictory Originalism (New Yorker article)Plato, Crito’s dialogue with SocratesSinclair Lewis, It Can’t Happen Here** As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---Mark Fischler is a Professor of Criminal Justice and current program coordinator for the criminal justice and criminology programs at Plymouth State University. Prior to joining the Plymouth State faculty, he practiced law, representing poor criminal defendants for the New Hampshire Public Defender’s Office. Mark left the law after being guided by the Universe to focus on his Spiritual Awareness for almost two years. Upon his return, he was called to become a teacher and accepted a job at Plymouth State in 2003. Since then, Mark has worked extensively with alternative theoretical models in law, constitutional law, and higher education, and has published on integral applications to teaching, being a lawyer, and legal theory. In his time at the university, he’s been a chair, Dean, and Interim VP. His focus in the classroom is ethics and criminal procedure and constitutional law. He is well respected for a teaching philosophy that emphasizes recognizing the humanity and dignity of each student. Professor Fischler was awarded the outstanding teaching award at his university in 2014. He currently offers a weekly Spiritual Inquiry class for college students.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 134 (Part 2 of 2) | Author, podcaster, farmer, and poet, Brendan Graham Dempsey, brings passion, dedication, clarity, and outstanding scholarship to the fascinating and enormously important study of cultural evolution, which operates on both a personal level and a collective one. He illuminates how, when, and why we shift from one cultural worldview to the next, using his own life’s journey through the cultural stages as a map and paints colorful portraits of the outstanding characteristics of each stage: traditional/premodern, modern, postmodern, and metamodern. Brendan enlightens us as to the tumultuous and often lonely and despairing time that occurs when our prior stage has been deconstructed and we find ourselves between worldviews in a liminal space where sensemaking fails. As he puts it, we live in certain worlds to help us navigate reality. But then things change, and we bump up against the limits of things. Now the time has come to update our sense of the world; we are invited to expand and grow.We come to understand why it is necessary for cultures to evolve—to accommodate ever increasing complexity—and why culture wars and confusion result from misunderstanding a worldview that infiltrates your psyche before it’s ready. Brendan explains why postmodernism does not serve us now, introducing and inviting us to the new, emerging worldview of metamodernism, where there is hope in positivity, affirmation, and aspirational idealism. Hope, and the promise of coming together in a new understanding among peoples, a prerequisite for dealing with the challenges of the global crises that affect us all. Brendan brings a big heart, keen mind, and a lot of verve to these complex subjects, which come alive under his brilliant tutelage. As he points out, deconstructing the psyche can help save the world, adding, this is a lot of what the metamodern community is trying to get the word out about. Recorded May 1, 2024.“Metamodernism is a worldview of worldviews, a cultural logic of cultural logics, trying to expand beyond the frame we have been working in…to a framework where we can relate to each other in deeper ways, and find deeper modes of understanding, compassion, and empathy with one another.“(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2How do the Civil Rights movement and other awareness expanding movements fit into cultural evolution? (00:57)Postmodernism in academia (06:21)Postmodern art, films, punk, grunge—a response to how superficial the suburban world has become (07:30)To move out of the cynical and skeptical, your critique can’t be all cynical too—you’ve got to start affirming things (08:22)Thus metamodernism: a turn to sincerity, earnestness, moving through irony (10:54)How metamodernism shows up in the arts—like with many worldviews, the artist often shows up as forerunner of the shift in stages (14:28)Metamodernism is a move towards hope, values, aspirational idealism—from negativity to positivity (16:23)Postmodern academia profoundly needs a paradigm shift because all categories of knowledge have been deconstructed (19:52)Culture wars and the confusion that results from misunderstanding a worldview that infiltrates your psyche before it’s ready to assimilate it (23:32)Metamodernism offers tools to help bring clarity to the above (26:20)Postmodernism as an intellectual toolkit is now being deployed by the political right, whereas it started in the leftist intelligentsia (27:14)Truth matters, grand narratives can bring us together, and power can work for the good (29:06) Complexity and finding an island of coherence in time of chaos (32:51)John on using a metamodern approach to look at science: “This meta stuff really works!” (35:38)The “meta move”: asking what it is we need to take into account that we are not taking into account; applying the logic of systems (37:51)Metamodernism is a worldview of worldviews, trying to expand beyond its frame and discover ways in which we can relate to each other with greater understanding, compassion, and empathy (41:05) Resources & References – Part 2Howard Zinn, A People’s History of the United States*Robert Venturi, Learning from Las Vegas*David Foster Wallace, writer, professor, early forerunner of metamodernismHanzi Freinacht, The Listening Society*Ken Wilber, founder of Integral Theory, What is Integral? (Integral Life website)Jason Storm, academic, philosopher, social scientist & author, The Myth of Disenchantment: Magic, Modernity, and the Birth of the Human Sciences* (whom Brendan is working with on an academic journal called Metamodern Theory & Praxis)Complexity Theory Overview (Systems Innovation YouTube video)Cory David Barker, diagonal complexityDr. Gregg Henriques, The Unified Theory of KnowledgeBrendan Graham Dempsey, Metamodernism: Or, The Cultural Logic of Cultural Logics*Brendan Graham Dempsey,A Universal Learning Process (The Evolution of Meaning)*Brendan’s website: Sky Meadow InstituteBrendan’s podcast: Metamodern SpiritualityBrendan’s YouTube channel* As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---Brendan Graham Dempsey is a writer, poet, farmer, and the director of Sky Meadow Institute, an organization dedicated to promoting systems-based thinking about the things that matter most. He holds a BA in religious studies from the University of Vermont and a master’s in religion and art from Yale University. He is the author of the 7-volume Metamodern Spirituality Series and, most recently, Metamodernism: Or, The Cultural Logic of Cultural Logics. His primary interests include theorizing developments in culture after postmodernism, productively bridging the divide between science and spirituality, and developing sustainable systems for life to flourish. All of these lead through the paradigms of emergence and complexity, which inform all of his work.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Brendan Graham Dempsey explores the evolution of cultures from pre-modern to metamodern era, explaining the importance of updating worldviews. He discusses the challenges of transitioning through cultural stages, the hero's journey concept, and the shift from modernism to postmodernism. The podcast provides insights on the relationship between individual mentalities and societal developments, emphasizing the need for cultural evolution to accommodate complexity.

Ep. 132 (Part 3 of 3) | World renowned EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) therapy pioneer and trainer Dr. Laurel Parnell has used EMDR therapy with clients for decades with truly remarkable success. Laurel relates how EMDR therapy dissolves blocks caused by trauma, freeing clients from negative constructs so they can develop their own felt sense of truth, and express from and know their own true nature. After EMDR, she says, “singers sing, writers write, dancers dance.” Not only are clients freed, but the endpoint of EMDR therapy quite often rests in a transpersonal space that is invariably characterized by an upwelling of self-love and compassion for others, an opening to mystery and boundless possibility. Interestingly, because of the resonant field between therapist and client (interpersonal neurobiology), the therapist experiences the transpersonal opening when it happens as well. More often than not, Laurel tells us, the way the session unfolds is a surprise to both client and therapist, with long forgotten little “t” traumas turning out to be responsible for the client’s blocks rather than the expected major life traumas. Laurel makes it clear that the goal of EMDR is to empower the client; the therapist must allow the wisdom to reside in the client rather than in their own interpretation of what unfolds, and adhere strictly to a process of open inquiry. She describes how the therapist’s beliefs can limit the outcome and outlines the advantages of a therapist who has a spiritual practice and transpersonal awareness. Laurel’s leading edge at this point involves Multidimensional Integrative Healing, an evolution from her longtime experience with EMDR, where further dimensions of reality have so often emerged in her work, and her own spiritual journey. It is fascinating to hear her describe how we can not only install helpful inner resources for ourselves, but also counter intergenerational trauma by calling forward ancestral wisdom. A deeply intriguing, eye opening, and impactful conversation with a very wise, enthusiastic, far thinking trailblazer of a teacher. Recorded April 15, 2024.“The consciousness that illumines everything illumines everything on all dimensions.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 3Normalizing living in the nondual space with Suzanne Segal (00:56)Laurel’s son’s horrific death, the sense of feeling held, and working with a spirit worker afterwards (03:42)Laurel’s further healing on her own with EMDR (08:51)The onset of working with multiple dimensions of reality: working with energetic attachments, ancestral/intergenerational trauma, energetic sovereignty (09:53)Not everything we experience is ours, and should not be integrated (11:20)This way of working is all about empowering the individual, cultivating & developing the very powerful resource deities within us and in other dimensions (15:20)Using Tibetan technology & developing skillful means (16:48)Energetic sovereignty and working with energy bubbles: how to help others without merging with them (20:22)Healing intergenerational trauma: resourcing positive, wholesome, healthy ancestry and bringing it forward (21:59) The bridging technique: reprocessing past life trauma of the client or even of another energetic being (25:49)Staying open to the multiplicity of possibilities of what could be going on (28:14)What the original pioneering psychedelic therapists discovered about the psyche (29:13)Laurel’s healing journey in the Amazon and recognizing that ancient ways of healing are still important (31:03)Consciousness is so vast, everything is there—grief too (34:48)Primordial purity: everything is an expression of consciousness; nothing needs to be condemned (35:19)There is cross-generational transmission of limiting beliefs, traumas, etc., but also of virtues: bringing forward ancestral wisdom to heal current traumas (37:28)The importance of service, setting good boundaries, and practicing good ethics on the part of the shaman or therapist (42:45)Resources & References – Part 3Suzanne Segal, Collision with the Infinite: A Life Beyond the Personal Self*Michael Harner, The Way of the Shaman*, Cave and Cosmos: Shamanic Encounters with Another Reality*Zen Master Seung Sahn, The Compass of Zen*, Only Don’t Know: Selected Teaching Letters of Zen Master Seung Sahn*The Pachamama AllianceIsabel Wilkerson, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration*Dr. Laurel Parnell, Executive Director, The Parnell Institute, a major provider of EMDR training and educational programs, and leading authority on Attachment-Focused EMDRFind an EMDR Therapist at Parnell InstituteLaurel Parnell, Transforming Trauma: EMDR: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Freeing the Mind, Clearing the Body, and Opening the Heart*Laurel Parnell, Rewiring the Addicted Brain: An EMDR-Based Treatment Model for Overcoming Addictive Disorders*Laurel Parnell, Attachment-Focused EMDR: Healing Relational Trauma*Laurel Parnell, Tapping In: A Step-by-Step Guide to Activating Your Healing Resources Through Bilateral Stimulation** As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---Live Online Training at the Parnell Institute June 7-8, 2024: Discover the Power of Multidimensional Integrative Healing and EMDR with Laurel Parnell---Laurel Parnell, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the Parnell Institute and developer of Attachment-Focused EMDR and Multidimensional Integrative Healing. She is a clinical psychologist, author of several books, and leading expert on Eye-movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Since 1995 she has trained thousands of clinicians in EMDR both nationally and internationally. A meditation practitioner since 1973, she brings a transpersonal orientation to her teaching as well as to her clinical work.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 131 (Part 2 of 3) | World renowned EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) therapy pioneer and trainer Dr. Laurel Parnell has used EMDR therapy with clients for decades with truly remarkable success. Laurel relates how EMDR therapy dissolves blocks caused by trauma, freeing clients from negative constructs so they can develop their own felt sense of truth, and express from and know their own true nature. After EMDR, she says, “singers sing, writers write, dancers dance.” Not only are clients freed, but the endpoint of EMDR therapy quite often rests in a transpersonal space that is invariably characterized by an upwelling of self-love and compassion for others, an opening to mystery and boundless possibility. Interestingly, because of the resonant field between therapist and client (interpersonal neurobiology), the therapist experiences the transpersonal opening when it happens as well. More often than not, Laurel tells us, the way the session unfolds is a surprise to both client and therapist, with long forgotten little “t” traumas turning out to be responsible for the client’s blocks rather than the expected major life traumas. Laurel makes it clear that the goal of EMDR is to empower the client; the therapist must allow the wisdom to reside in the client rather than in their own interpretation of what unfolds, and adhere strictly to a process of open inquiry. She describes how the therapist’s beliefs can limit the outcome and outlines the advantages of a therapist who has a spiritual practice and transpersonal awareness. Laurel’s leading edge at this point involves Multidimensional Integrative Healing, an evolution from her longtime experience with EMDR, where further dimensions of reality have so often emerged in her work, and her own spiritual journey. It is fascinating to hear her describe how we can not only install helpful inner resources for ourselves, but also counter intergenerational trauma by calling forward ancestral wisdom. A deeply intriguing, eye opening, and impactful conversation with a very wise, enthusiastic, far thinking trailblazer of a teacher. Recorded April 15, 2024.“EMDR clears what isn’t true.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2The amazing healing effects of after-death communications (00:55)Allan Botkin’s research with veterans, inducing after-death communication to heal PTSD (06:26)Roger’s experience of EMDR and how it healed his hypersensitivity (10:04)The therapist experiences the same healing, clearing process as the client, also opening into a transpersonal space (14:12)The importance of spiritual practice for the therapist: meditation, presence, watching thoughts, coming back to the moment, the ability to be curious, allowing things to unfold as they will (16:59)Can we do this on our own? Resource installation or resource tapping (19:35)Activating 4 strong foundational resources: peaceful place, nurturing figure, protective figure, and wise figure (21:09)NeuroTek devices that Laurel and clients can use to aid the process of bilateral stimulation (25:10) Laurel’s spiritual path: from Tibetan Buddhism to Vipassana to nonduality (27:49)What is important in life after the dissolution of all constructs? (35:47)Resources & References – Part 2Allan Botkin, Induced After-Death Communication: A New Therapy for Healing Grief and Trauma*Zen Master Seung Sahn, The Compass of Zen*, Only Don’t Know: Selected Teaching Letters of Zen Master Seung Sahn*NeuroTek EMDR ShopLaurel Parnell, Installing Resources: An Attachment-Focused EMDR™ In-session Demonstration (YouTube video)Tarthang Tulku, Tibetan Vajrayana teacher and lama who introduced the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism to the U.S.Lama Yeshe co-founded Kopan Monastery & the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana TraditionJack Kornfield & Joseph Goldstein, Vipassana teachers (see also Deep Transformation episode #121, Living on the Spiritual Edge with Joseph Goldstein, or watch on YouTube)Jean Klein, spiritual teacher, The Ease of Being*Suzanne Segal, Collision with the Infinite: A Life Beyond the Personal Self*Dr. Laurel Parnell, Executive Director, The Parnell Institute, a major provider of EMDR training and educational programs, and leading authority on Attachment-Focused EMDRFind an EMDR Therapist at Parnell InstituteLaurel Parnell, Transforming Trauma: EMDR: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Freeing the Mind, Clearing the Body, and Opening the Heart*Laurel Parnell, Rewiring the Addicted Brain: An EMDR-Based Treatment Model for Overcoming Addictive Disorders*Laurel Parnell, Attachment-Focused EMDR: Healing Relational Trauma*Laurel Parnell, Tapping In: A Step-by-Step Guide to Activating Your Healing Resources Through Bilateral Stimulation** As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---Live Online Training at the Parnell Institute June 7-8, 2024: Discover the Power of Multidimensional Integrative Healing and EMDR with Laurel Parnell---Laurel Parnell, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the Parnell Institute and developer of Attachment-Focused EMDR and Multidimensional Integrative Healing. She is a clinical psychologist, author of several books, and leading expert on Eye-movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Since 1995 she has trained thousands of clinicians in EMDR both nationally and internationally. A meditation practitioner since 1973, she brings a transpersonal orientation to her teaching as well as to her clinical work.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell