Sounds of SAND

Pir Zia Inayat Khan, a Sufi scholar and teacher, shares transformative insights on the heart as a center of wisdom rather than just a physical organ. He discusses navigating modern life's distractions to cultivate compassion and self-awareness. Through poignant stories from war-torn regions, he emphasizes the importance of engaging with suffering to promote justice and healing. Pir Zia also highlights how Sufi ideals encourage empathy and courage, urging listeners to break cycles of violence and embrace their unique spiritual paths.

Dr. Kamilah Majied is a contemplative inclusivity consultant and author dedicated to merging Buddhism with social justice. She discusses how personal growth through Buddhism can influence societal changes and the importance of cultural respect. Dr. Majied highlights the power of language in shaping our reality and the history of the phrase 'stay woke.' With insights on grief and joy amid activism, she emphasizes the need for community and the transformative nature of meditation in pursuing equity and healing.

In this SAND Community Gathering (September 2024) Zaya and Maurizio sat down with Jess Semaan, poet, psychotherapist and facilitator to explore the intersection of poetry and grief in the context of genocide. They drew from her research on genocide, as well as her personal and professional experiences, Jess tended to our psycho-spiritual profound sorrow and loss in this time. By giving voice to the unspeakable and providing a means of bearing witness to the stories of those impacted by the trauma of large-scale atrocities, we are making space for individual and collective healing. Poetry helps us navigate the complex terrain of grief, injustice, and human suffering. Come and honor the resilience of communities that have endured such immense trauma. Jess Semaan is a queer Lebanese poet, psychotherapist, group facilitator and speaker. She researches, writes and speaks on subjects of healing from complex trauma, immigration, war and belonging.  Her first poetry book Child of the Moon was published by Andrews McMeel and sold over 14,000 copies. Her second book Your Therapist is Depressed Too came out in December 2023. She immigrated to the United States from Beirut. She has an MBA from Stanford and an M.A. in counseling Psychology from CIIS. She identifies as SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa), with grandparents from Syria, Palestine and Mount Lebanon and resides on Ohlone land (Oakland, California), with her partner Berk and their two cats. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction and Greetings 00:43 – Special Guest: Jess Semaan 00:56 – Reflecting on Recent Screenings 02:12 – Jess Semaan's Background and Work 03:03 – Poetry Reading: Let Gaza In 06:26 – Technical Difficulties and Reflections 07:56 – Discussing Genocide and Dehumanization 09:05 – Personal Journey and Psychological Insights 11:11 – The Complexity of Beirut 12:59 – The Psychological Impact of Diaspora 15:51 – Research on Genocide and Human Cruelty 26:46 – Poetry Reading: Is it a Massacre if it's a Palestinian? 28:51 – Healing Workshop and Collective Trauma 30:13 – Understanding My Mother's Trauma 31:51 – The Collective and Individual Psyche 34:07 – Critical Thinking and Cultural Differences 36:04 – The Role of Bystanders in Conflict 43:24 – Grieving Amidst Ongoing Conflict 51:29 – Poetry of Resistance and Grief 57:31 – Closing Reflections Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

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.