Sounds of SAND

Michael Joshin Thiele, a honeybee conservationist and president of Apis Arborea, shares his journey from philosophy student to apiculture expert. He emphasizes the spiritual connection between bees and humans, advocating for a respectful approach to beekeeping. Thiele critiques industrial practices, highlighting the need for ethical frameworks regarding honey and beeswax. He explores the cultural significance of bees, offering insights on sustainability and interconnectedness, urging a shift toward a more harmonious coexistence with nature.

Welcome to our 100th episode of the Sounds of SAND podcast, marking two years since we launched on September 8, 2022. As SAND grows and evolves with the changing times, we aim to integrate—not abandon—our foundational themes of spiritual awakening, embodiment, consciousness, and scientific wonder, while also confronting pressing global challenges such as environmental collapse, indigenous resilience, war, and societal upheaval. In the past year, SAND released our latest film, Where Olive Trees Weep, which offers a powerful look into the lives and struggles of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. This film explores themes of loss, trauma, resilience, and the quest for justice. Alongside the film, we hosted Conversations on Palestine, a 23-part series of discussions diving deeper into the experiences and stories shared in the film. Throughout the year, the podcast shifted focus to complex conversations around intergenerational trauma, colonialism, and spiritual activism, with episodes hosted by SAND co-founders Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo, and co-host and producer, Michael Reiley. Today, we revisit some of the most powerful moments from the past year, with a special focus on the voices that have shaped our "Where Olive Trees Weep" film and series. Thank you for being part of our journey over these two incredible years. Let’s continue to engage with the profound conversations that shape our collective understanding and growth. Topics: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:03:01 – #86 SAND’s New Film on Spirituality in the Face of Injustice: Zaya & Maurizio Benazzo 00:09:31 – #92 Gaza & the Bodhisattva Path: Dr. Gabor Maté & Tara Brach 00:18:55 – #60 Spiritual Warriors: Lama Rod Owens 00:24:00 – #91 Decolonizing Healthcare: Dr. Rupa Marya 00:31:14 – #84 Grieving in Community: Mirabai Starr & Mona Haydar 00:43:10 – #94 One Human Family: Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, Rev. Deborah Lee, Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, Pir Zia Inayat Khan 01:00:46 – #75 Love-With-Justice: Omid Safi 01:17:42 – #89 Arab Jewish Mysticism: Hadar Cohen 01:27:48 – #58 On Extinction & Enchantment: Alixa Garcia 01:36:12 – #93 Feminine Resistance in Palestine: Ashira Darwish & V Links: Watch Where Olive Trees Weep Purchase the and the full 23-video series Conversations on Palestine Learn more about the SAND Community Gatherings   Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member.

Dr. Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John is a pioneering expert in addiction and emotional trauma, with ten published works including the acclaimed "Eight Step Recovery." They delve into the intricate relationship between addiction and trauma, emphasizing understanding and compassion. Topics include recognizing triggers, the vital role of mindfulness, and self-compassion in healing. Listeners are introduced to innovative practices like the LOVE method and R-U-S-T meditation, showcasing the transformative potential of kindness towards oneself.

Andrew Holecek, a celebrated author and humanitarian, dives deep into the realms of spirituality and lucid dreaming. He discusses the limitations of traditional mindfulness, advocating for integration of body awareness to foster holistic practices. Explore the art of reverse meditation, a transformative tool for confronting discomfort and pain. Andrew emphasizes true happiness as an internal journey, urging listeners to reframe desire. He also unveils nocturnal meditations, bridging dream states to enhance self-awareness and personal growth.

Parvathy Baul is a practitioner, performer and teacher of the Baul tradition from Bengal, India. She studied closely with two of the most respected Baul Gurus of the previous generation, Sri Sanatan Das Thakur Baul and Sri Shashanko Goshai. ​According to her Guru's vision, Parvathy Maa has created Sanatan Siddhashram - as a place of learning, practicing and preserving the oral history of the Baul tradition. The poetry of Chandidas Song of the Great Soul by Parvathy Baul Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 02:27 – The Poet Chandidas 19:50 – Vibrational Transmissions 21:58 – Instruments of the Baul 30:02 – Surrender and Devotion 37:46 – Lineage of Baul Music 46:04 – Sacred Music in a Concert Setting 54:50 – One of Parvathy’s First Songs

Gigi Azmy, a pioneer in blending spiritual insights with psychological research, shares her transformative journey in understanding love and relationships. She discusses the necessity of trauma healing within spiritual awakening and how it fosters genuine connections. Gigi emphasizes navigating personal and global crises through relational honesty and community healing. She also offers insights from her upcoming book on redefining love and relationships, advocating for flexibility and self-awareness in sustaining meaningful bonds.

Angela Davis, a distinguished activist and scholar, joins Dr. Gabor Maté, a respected physician and author, to discuss the Palestinian struggle for freedom and its link to global movements for justice. They explore systemic injustices faced by marginalized communities, emphasizing trauma’s role in ongoing conflicts. Highlighting the importance of collective activism, they argue that Palestine serves as a moral litmus test for human rights. The conversation also touches on intergenerational dialogue's power in sustaining movements and the shared histories that fuel contemporary struggles.

Federico Faggin, a pioneering physicist and inventor of the microprocessor, dives deep into the nature of reality. He shares his transformative awakening and how it reshaped his views on consciousness. Discussing the unification of science and spirituality, he highlights the interconnectedness of existence and the profound differences between knowledge gained from experience versus mere facts. Faggin also explores the complex relationship between quantum fields and consciousness, and the implications of artificial intelligence in this intricate web of understanding.

Monica Gagliano, pioneer of plant bioacoustics, discusses plant consciousness and their ability to communicate through sound, challenging traditional notions. The podcast explores plant cognition, perception, memory, and their connection to consciousness, promoting the common good. It delves into deep listening to plants, interconnectedness with Earth, and the spiritual essence of collaborative writing. Reflects on maternal effects, adapting to change, and collaborating with nature through the Resonant Earth Project.

Renowned spiritual leaders Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, Rev. Deborah Lee, and Pir Zia Inayat Khan come together in a powerful interfaith gathering to express solidarity with Palestinians. They emphasize shared humanity, dignity, and peace with justice in Palestine, offering inspiration to embody ethical and moral principles across diverse spiritual traditions.