Banyen Books ~ Branches of Wisdom

Merlin Sheldrake discusses his new book Entangled Life, a mind-bending journey into the hidden universe of fungi. Merlin Sheldrake is a biologist and a writer. He received a Ph.D. in tropical ecology from the University of Cambridge for his work on underground fungal networks in tropical forests in Panama, where he was a predoctoral research fellow of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. He is a musician and keen fermenter. He is the author of How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures. Interview Host: Ross McKeachie Project Manager & Editor: Jacob Steele Music: Samuel Romero

Dr. Robert Svoboda discusses Ayurveda, Tantra, and Jyotish Astrology. Dr. Robert Svoboda is the first Westerner ever to graduate from a college of Ayurveda and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India. During and after his formal Ayurvedic training he was tutored in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotish, Tantra and other forms of classical Indian lore by his mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda. Dr. Svoboda has served as Adjunct Faculty at the Ayurvedic Institute, NM, and Bastyr University, WA. He is the author of several books including Prakriti and the Aghora series. Interview Host: Ross McKeachie Project Manager & Editor: Jacob Steele Music: Samuel Romero

Julie Daniluk – Nutritionist, “Healthy Gourmet” host, and award-winning author of Meals That Heal Inflammation, Slimming Meals That Heal, and Hot Detox – shares anti-inflammatory tips & wisdom for health, happiness, and longevity.

Jungian Analyst and author James Hollis, PhD, speaks with Banyen's podcast host Ross McKeachie on the themes explored in his book, 'Living Between Worlds: Finding Personal Resilience in Times of Change'. Dr. Hollis shares wisdom on finding our inner compass in shifting times, attending to the psyche’s inner guidance, discovering ourselves anew through the different stages of life, and living a life of meaning. James Hollis, Ph.D., is a Zurich-trained Jungian Analyst and the author of numerous books including Living an Examined Life, Middle Passage, The Eden Project, and What Matters Most. www.jameshollis.net IN CONVERSATION is a production of Banyen Books & Sound, Canada’s spiritual and healing resource since 1970. www.banyen.com Podcast Host: Ross McKeachie Project Manager & Sound Editor: Jacob Steele Music: Samuel Romero This conversation was recorded with a live online audience, July 2020.

In this episode of In Conversation, Lalitha speaks candidly, and with humour, about the fiery path of Guru Yoga and what it takes to cultivate spiritual maturity. Lalitha is a lineage holder in the Western Baul tradition, and has been a disciple of Khepa Lee Lozowick for nearly 40 years. She is the author of several books published by Hohm Press, including 10 Essential Herbs, 10 Essential Foods, Travel Healthy, Waking to Ordinary Life, Inspirations from the Subcontinent, and Cultivating Spiritual Maturity. She goes by the name “Lalitha Thomas” on her book covers. In Conversation is a production of Banyen Books & Sound, Canada’s spiritual and healing resource since 1970. www.banyen.com Podcast Host: Ross McKeachie Project Manager & Podcast Editor: Jacob Steele Music: Samuel Romero Recorded June, 2020

Doña María Apaza, Andean Alto Misayoc Priestess, shares spiritual wisdom from the Q'ero culture and guidance for navigating the challenges of our contemporary world. Dona Maria is accompanied by translators Maco Peña García and María Belen Meneses. Doña María Apaza is the last living Priestess of the Q'ero Peoples of Peru. This interview was recorded in Vancouver, Canada, in October 2019. It is a production of Banyen Books & Sound, Western Canada's spiritual and healing resource since 1970. www.banyen.com

Banyen Books & Sound presents Lama Tsultrim Allione, In Conversation with host, Ross McKeachie for a down-to-earth and illuminating look at the arising of feminine wisdom in our times. They cover topics like women in Buddhism, patriarchy in spiritual traditions, what the experience of the feminine brings to the spiritual path, and more. Lama Tsultrim offers special insights into her personal journey, including some stories about Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and the losses and joys of her incredible life journey from being the first American woman ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun to becoming a mother, grandmother and now a Lama and founder of Tara Mandala Retreat Centre in Colorado ( www.taramandala.org ). She touches on how the Tantric path, and feminine consciousness embrace the field of relatedness, and we learn the importance of embracing our humanness rather than looking to escape it through spiritual practice. Lama Tsultrim is hosting an online symposium with a lineup of extraordinary teachers and devotional musicians. Voices of Wisdom in Times of Crisis will be happening from May 22 - 25, 2020. Live attendance is free, however registration is required at https://www.taramandala.org/voices_of... Learn more about Lama Tsultrim and Tara Mandala at www.taramandala.org or https://www.facebook.com/lamatsultrim... on Facebook. This episode of In Conversation with host Ross McKeachie is produced and edited by Jacob Steele, with music by Laura Reznek. In Conversation is a production of Banyen Books & Sound, Canada's spiritual and healing resources since 1970. www.banyen.com

Join In Conversation host, Ross McKeachie of the Banyen Books & Sound podcast, for an intimate and inspiring conversation with spiritual teacher and highly attuned empathic healer, Matt Kahn. Matt welcomes us in with his warm, heart-centred approach, his humanity and his humour. Matt and Ross dialogue on the distinctions of masculine and feminine approaches to the spiritual path and how they can uplift and support one another within us, leading to an integrated and balanced human being. Matt also gets into his personal life, his writing process for his latest book, The Universe Always Has a Plan, and the journey to becoming the teacher that he is today. Stay with it to the end so you can experience one of his trademark "repeat after me" affirmations as it relates to the Corona Virus situation in the world and dealing with loss and grief as a transformative portal that can speed us in our evolution. As always, Matt comes from a place of kindness, compassion and joy. Matt Kahn's website: www.mattkahn.org Banyen Books & Sound: www.banyen.com Interview Host: Ross McKeachie / Music: Laura Reznek / Production & Editing: Jacob Steele

Banyen Books & Sound presents IN CONVERSATION with host Ross McKeachie speaking to Toltec shaman and New York Times best selling author of The Fifth Agreement, don Jose Ruiz. Don Jose speaks in his unique, heart-centred story-telling style and shines a light on the energy of fear and how, through gratitude we can move into love. He points towards the connection between all of the world's spiritual traditions and also the connection between Paramahamsa Yogananda and the Toltec tradition. In an inspiring and poetic way, don Jose captures our attention, showing us how to awaken to the fact that we are dreaming and that we can become the masters of our own dream, changing our lives for the better. Don Jose has just published his latest book, The Medicine Bag: Shamanic Rituals & Ceremonies for Personal Transformation. Available for purchase online at www.banyen.com.

Dr. Martin Shaw, one of the great master storytellers of our time, discusses the mythology and meanings of our current cultural moment and the global coronavirus pandemic. Interview host Ross McKeachie got ahold of Dr. Martin Shaw in his cottage in Dartmoor, UK, where he was on the 10th day of 14 days of isolation before being able to go home and see his daughter. With the COVID-19 pandemic at the top of everyone's mind and Dr. Shaw, fresh off of a 101 day ritual in the forest and now taking time to reflect, they tap into a state of wonder around the current mythology unfolding in the world. Questions are explored, such as: How do we sit with our discomfort and use this potent time for our own and the planet's transformation? With humour and word-weaving, Dr. Martin Shaw illuminates why mythology, story, connection with nature and self are all more important now than ever before. Dr. Shaw's new book, Courting the Wild Twin, is available at www.banyen.com.