In a thought-provoking conversation, Mirabai Starr, an award-winning author and religious scholar, delves into the essence of Ordinary Mysticism. She explores how everyday experiences can lead to profound spiritual insights and connections. Topics include the power of grief as a pathway to sacred understanding, the integration of beauty in spiritual practices, and the importance of remaining open to mysticism without cultural appropriation. Starr emphasizes that every moment is holy ground, urging listeners to engage deeply with both joy and sorrow to foster radical love and change.

Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, PhD, a Jungian psychotherapist and leader in Jewish renewal, dives into the depths of ancestral trauma. She discusses how inherited pain can impact our lives and emphasizes the need to acknowledge and heal these invisible wounds. Tirzah explores how dreams can connect us to our ancestors and the importance of transforming our suffering into strength. With insights on compassion, identity, and agency, she provides tools for personal growth and collective healing, making the journey from victimhood to empowerment both personal and profound.

Lee Holden, an internationally respected Qigong master and author of 'Ready, Set, Slow', shares insights on cultivating a slower, more fulfilling life. He discusses the transformative power of the Slow Method for reducing stress and enhancing health. Holden explores mindful practices like the '32-Bite Challenge' and the importance of gratitude in everyday moments. Delving into how slowing down can deepen connections in relationships, he emphasizes the balance between energy circulation and personal well-being, encouraging a shift from busy to blissful living.

Cortland Dahl, a Buddhist scholar and author of A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism, discusses the transformative power of compassion. He explores how compassion can energize daily actions and improve emotional well-being. The science behind empathy and the brain's care network is highlighted, alongside practical meditation techniques for anxiety. Dahl shares insights on personal motivation, the beauty in discomfort, and the importance of self-discovery over self-improvement. Listeners will learn how even mundane tasks can be acts of love.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, a celebrated Tibetan meditation teacher and author, dives into transforming suffering into compassion and growth. He discusses how painful experiences can pave the way for resilience, using the metaphor of 'adding wood to the fire.' Listeners explore the concept of 'unborn awareness,' the significance of confronting challenges, and cultivating courage amidst uncertainty. Rinpoche also shares insights on meditation practices related to life, death, and navigating the 'Bardo' state, enriching our understanding of personal transformation and connection.

Dr. Yuria Celidwen is a pioneering researcher in Indigenous Contemplative Sciences, merging indigenous wisdom with Western thought. She discusses her book, "Flourishing Kin," emphasizing flourishing as a gradual unfolding of beauty and the importance of interconnectedness with nature. The conversation highlights how Indigenous perspectives can address the climate crisis, redefines health beyond outdated measures, and promotes sensory awareness as a path to well-being. Yuria's insights invite listeners to embrace collective flourishing and honor the wisdom of ancestral practices.

Join Jeffrey Rutstein, a clinical psychologist and lead teacher of the Healing Trauma Program, as he delves into the fascinating connection between trauma and nervous system regulation. Discover how to shift from defensiveness to safety and belonging while learning about the vagus nerve and its role in emotional responses. Rutstein offers insights on transforming self-blame into self-compassion, managing emotional triggers, and practical techniques for achieving a healthier emotional state. It's an enlightening conversation about healing and integration.

Avanti Kumar-Singh, an Ayurvedic wellness expert and author of "The Longevity Formula," shares her insights on integrating Ayurveda with conventional medicine. She discusses how Ayurveda supports healthy aging by boosting cellular repair and combating inflammation. Listeners learn about the significance of prana (life force energy) and the impacts of lifestyle choices on longevity. Kumar-Singh also emphasizes the importance of community and mindfulness for overall well-being, offering practical tips like fasting and stress management techniques.

Eileen Santos Rosete, a postpartum doula and grief educator, opens up about the often-overlooked topic of womb loss, advocating for the dignity and support that women deserve during this painful experience. She discusses the importance of respectful language, such as ‘womb loss,’ and emphasizes compassionate care within the medical system. Eileen also shares self-tending practices to navigate grief, the significance of rituals, and the transformative potential of community support, all while highlighting the deep emotional journey of healing following pregnancy loss.

Have dreams become a kind of endangered species? When a third of adults report an inability to recall their dreams, this may very well be the case. Jungian analyst Lisa Marchiano has a new book to shift the tides and help readers reclaim the vast wisdom and power awaiting our discovery in the world of our dreams.  In this podcast, Tami Simon speaks with the host of This Jungian Life and author of the new book Dream Wise. Enjoy this inspiring conversation about falling in love with dreaming; simple ways to boost dream recall; meeting the dream maker, the creator of your dreams; why even your worst nightmare may not really be a “bad dream”; the practice of dream incubation; curiosity and humility: two essentials for interpreting dreams; paying attention to the emotions in your dreams; fear in dreams, and what it might represent; receiving constructive criticism from the dream maker; Jung and the concept of the Self; working on your dreams in the context of community; a case study: the dream of the gold watch; the dream ego; the practice of active imagination; and more. Note: This episode originally aired on Sounds True One, where these special episodes of Insights at the Edge are available to watch live on video and with exclusive access to Q&As with our guests. Learn more at join.soundstrue.com.