Banyen Books ~ Branches of Wisdom

Internationally-acclaimed author, speaker, and clinic psychologist Dr. Shefali speaks about what it means to use pain as a wake up call to parent more consciously through connection to self and letting go of cultural norms, external measures of worth, and reactive ways of discipline rooted in fear. Dr. Shefali advocates for parenting as a vehicle for evolution and the profound gift we give our children through the example of being conscious and authentic. Dr. Shefali will be speaking live in Vancouver on Sunday, May 27th at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.

“You don’t need sweat lodges or Ayahuasca or years of disciplined deprivation, all you need is a group [focused on altruistic intention] and it is a sudden fast-track to the miraculous.”- Lynne McTaggart Award-winning investigative journalist, Lynne McTaggart, speaks about the miraculous healing power of altruistic intention. Intending for the well-being of others not only has measurable positive outcomes that transcend physical boundaries, altruistic intention has a mirror or rebound effect on the person sending healing to others. Working with neuroscientists and psychologists, Lynne McTaggart’s research provides the scientific basis for the perennial wisdom that what we intend for others is precisely what creates our reality. Join Lynne McTaggart live at the Science & Spirituality Conference June 14-19 on Vancouver Island, BC. Lynne McTaggart will be sharing the stage with Gregg Braden, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Bruce Lipton, and Lee Carroll. Event info: http://www.shalohaproductions.com/science-spirituality-conference/

In an age when information travels across time and space in nanoseconds and desires are fulfilled instantly, is the human mind designed to move at the same pace of technology? According to writer and essayist, Pico Iver, "in a world of constant movement, there's nothing more urgent than stillness." Iver speaks eloquently about the art of stillness and the profound benefits that stillness delivers in intimacy, connection, and creativity. Pico Iyer will present live in Vancouver on May 5, 2018, at the Canadian Memorial Centre for Peace.

“Love and justice are not two. Without inner change, there can be no outer change. Without collective change, no change matters.” Maverick spiritual teacher and author, Rev. angel Kyodo williams Sensei speaks eloquently about Dharma, social justice, truth and love. Kyodo sensibly advocates for Dharma that leaves nothing out of its inquiry so that as practitioners, we can face the uncomfortable truth of present day racial injustice, gender inequalities and social injustice. Bridging the inner and outer, Kyodo delivers a complex, nuanced, and discerning understanding of right action. Rev. angel will give a Dharma Talk & Book Signing at Banyen Books & Sound on Friday, March 16, 6:30-8pm. Rev. angel will lead a Retreat at Hollyhock on Cortes Island, June 24-28.

Dan Siegel, pioneer in the field of intra-personal neurobiology, Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute, and author of more than a dozen books on the mind, mindfulness, and the brain speaks about the science of pure awareness. His research reveals what wisdom traditions have long taught; inter-dependence of life and connection to a transcendent pure awareness that holds all potentiality. This brilliant interviews shines light on the cross-over between science, wisdom, and love.

Dr. Malidoma Patrice Somé, West African shaman, Elder and author, speaks powerfully about the realm of the ancestors and the yearning of our ancestors to connect with those living, and to collaborate in the healing and beautification of our world. He also discusses the role of our ancestors in the fulfillment of our life's purpose.

Caroline Myss speaks with Banyen about the life-changing power of words. Caroline Myss is the author of Anatomy of the Spirit, Sacred Contracts, Invisible Acts of Power, and Why People Don’t Heal and How They Can. An internationally renowned speaker in the fields of human consciousness and mysticism, she holds degrees in journalism, theology, intuition, and energy medicine.

Dr. Gabor Maté, renowned addiction expert and international speaker, discusses Compassionate Inquiry, a psycho-therapeutic method for facilitating physical, mental and emotional healing. Born out of necessity and rooted in the inseparability of mind and body, Dr. Maté highlights the importance of processing unresolved pain within ourselves as the foundation of helping others free themselves from the past, release trauma, and connect to a healing power within.

NY Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist, Johann Hari makes a compelling case that we've got it all wrong about addiction and the war on drugs. Travelling all over the world in search of answers to the most basic questions about addiction, Hari finds inspiration and hope in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, and the progressive policies of Portugal and Switzerland. This is a fascinating look at the face of addiction and stories of people whose lives have been transformed by the war on drugs.

“To grieve is part of the human experience. That's the great dare of being human and being conscious- to be willing to love something that's not going to last; that's a grief-endorsed understanding of life.” Author, teacher, activist, ceremonialist, and founder of Orphan Wisdom School, Stephen Jenkinson muses about life, death, grief, the natural world and the condition of being awake. This profound, provocative, and deeply insightful podcast is an invitation to explore the depths of our existential loneliness and be awake to the inter-connectedness of life so that we can live and die wise and our existence contributes to sustaining life for future generations.