Banyen Books ~ Branches of Wisdom

Dr. Martin Shaw speaks about his new book, Smoke Hole: Looking to the Wild in the Time of the Spyglass. At a time when we are all confronted by not one, but many crossroads in our lives, Dr. Shaw delivers a work of literary tonic. In Smoke Hole, Martin shares three ancient stories that are metaphors for our world today, a world where we are losing our sense of direction. With extraordinary poignancy, Smoke Hole illuminates the complexities of contemporary life and–through story–a way forward. Martin Shaw is widely regarded as one of the most exciting teachers of the mythic imagination. Author of the award-winning Mythteller trilogy (A Branch from the Lightning Tree, Snowy Tower, Scatterlings), he founded the Oral Tradition and Mythic Life courses at Stanford University, and is director of the Westcountry School of Myth in the UK. He has introduced thousands of people to mythology, and for twenty years Shaw has been a wilderness rites of passage guide, working with at-risk youth, those who are unwell, returning veterans as well as many women and men seeking a deeper life. His translations of Gaelic poetry and folklore (with Tony Hoagland) have been published in Orion Magazine, Poetry International, and Poetry magazine. Dr. Shaw's work has received top praise from the likes of Malidoma Somé, Stephen Jenkinson, Coleman Barks, Robert Densmore, and Robert Bly. His essay and conversation with Ai Weiwei on myth and migration was released by the Marciano Arts foundation. 

Jesse Thistle joins Banyen in conversation about his award-winning book, From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way. In his extraordinary and inspiring memoir, Jesse Thistle chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction to discover the truth about who he is. An eloquent exploration of what it means to live in a world surrounded by prejudice and racism and to be cast adrift, From the Ashes is, in the end, about how love and support can help one find happiness despite the odds. Jesse Thistle is Métis-Cree, from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He is an assistant professor in Métis Studies at York University in Toronto. He won a Governor General’s Academic Medal in 2016, and is a Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Scholar and a Vanier Scholar. He is the author of the #1 National Bestselling book, From the Ashes, a CBC Canada Reads finalist and recipient of multiple awards.

Martín Prechtel is widely recognized as a profound and beloved teacher for our times. Raised in the Tzutujil Maya shamanic tradition, he has dedicated his life to the preservation and promulgation of indigenous spirituality. Sharing his deep shamanic wisdom within a grand overview of human history, Prechtel shows us how we can reconnect with the unique and unsuspected manifestations of our own sacred selves. He is the author of several contemporary classics, including The Smell of Rain on Dust and Secrets of the Talking Jaguar. His work has been highly praised by the likes of Clarissa Pinkola Éstes, Coleman Barks, and Mary Oliver. In this first of two Banyen interview, Martín discusses his new book, Rescuing the Light.

Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard-trained neuroanatomist, discusses her new book 'Whole Brain Living' in the podcast. She explores brain organization, emotional systems, and debunking myths about brain usage. The conversation delves into character traits' impact on relationships, Jung's archetypes, neuroplasticity, brain recovery from trauma, and embracing different perspectives for a peaceful world.

Thomas Moore, bestselling author of Care of the Soul, discusses Soul Therapy: The Art and Craft of Caring Conversations. Thomas Moore, PhD, is the author of more than twenty books on spirituality and depth psychology that have been translated into thirty languages. He has been practising depth psychotherapy for thirty-five years. He lectures and gives workshops in several countries on depth spirituality, soulful medicine, and psychotherapy. He has been a monk and a university professor, and is a consultant for organizations and spiritual leaders. He has often been on television and radio, most recently on Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul Sunday.

Renowned forest ecologist Suzanne Simard discusses her new book, Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest. Suzanne Simard, PhD, is a Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia and the author of the instant New York Times bestseller, Finding the Mother Tree. Suzanne is a pioneer on the frontier of plant communication and intelligence; she’s been compared to Rachel Carson, hailed as a scientist who conveys complex, technical ideas in a way that is dazzling and profound. Her discoveries have influenced filmmakers such as James Cameron, who drew from her work to create the Tree of Souls in Avatar, and her book Finding the Mother Tree is currently being adapted into a feature film produced by Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal. Simard's TED talks have been viewed by more than 10 million people worldwide.

Tara Brach, renowned meditation teacher, psychologist, and author shares wisdom & guided meditations from her book, Trusting the Gold: Uncovering Your Natural Goodness. Tara Brach, PhD has been practicing and teaching meditation since 1975, as well as leading workshops and meditation retreats at centers throughout North America and Europe. She has a PhD in clinical psychology, is the founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, and is the author of Radical Acceptance, True Refuge, and Radical Compassion. She and Jack Kornfield lead the Awareness Training Institute which offers online courses on mindfulness and compassion, as well as the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program. 

Dr. Shefali, bestselling author and renowned clinical psychologist, discusses her new book, A Radical Awakening: Turn Pain into Power, Embrace Your Truth, Live Free. “A Radical Awakening will be of great help to anyone who is ready to transcend the limitations of their personal as well as cultural conditioning and awaken to their true nature as the eternal presence of consciousness itself.” ~ Eckhart TolleDr. Shefali’s ground-breaking approach to mindful living and parenting has taken her books to the top of the NY Times best-sellers list. Oprah has endorsed her work as revolutionary and life-changing. She is the author of several books, including The Conscious Parent, The Awakened Family, Out of Control, and A Radical Awakening.

Gary Zukav, bestselling author of Seat of the Soul, speaks about his new book Universal Human: Creating Authentic Power and the New Consciousness. Purchase Universal Human at https://www.banyen.com/products/unive.... Gary Zukav is the internationally acclaimed author of The Dancing Wu Li Masters, The Seat of the Soul, Soul Stories, and many others. The Seat of the Soul was a number one New York Times bestseller thirty-one times, and remained on the bestseller list for three years. Zukav's gentle presence, humour, and wisdom have endeared him to millions of viewers through his thirty-four appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Super Soul Sunday. Published in 30 languages, Zukav is a graduate of Harvard University and a former Green Beret officer. Gary Zukav is joined in the later part of the interview by Linda Francis. Linda Francis has been practicing the creation of authentic power since she read The Seat of the Soul in 1989. In 1993 she met Gary Zukav and they created a spiritual partnership. During this time, she co-authored two NY Times bestsellers with Gary Zukav, The Heart of the Soul: Emotional Awareness and The Mind of the Soul: Responsible Choice. They also co-authored Thoughts from the Heart of the Soul and Self-Empowerment Journal: A Companion to the Mind of the Soul. Linda Francis is a co-founder of the Seat of the Soul Institute.

Gregg Braden shares insights from his new book, The Wisdom Codes: Ancient Words to Rewire Our Brains and Heal Our Hearts. In The Wisdom Codes the cutting edge of neurolinguistics meets the spiritual wisdom of the ages in a handbook of key words that literally rewire our brains. Gregg Braden is a five-time New York Times best-selling author, scientist, international educator and renowned as a pioneer in the emerging paradigm based in science, social policy and human potential. He is the author of several books including The Divine Matrix, Fractal Time, Science of Self-Empowerment, Spontaneous Healing of Belief, and The Wisdom Codes. To date his research has led to 15 film credits and 12 award-winning books now published in over 40 languages.