Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

Lissa Rankin is a physician, public speaker, and the founder of the Whole Health Medicine Institute. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Mind Over Medicine, The Fear Cure, and The Anatomy of a Calling. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Lissa speak on her incredible personal journey and how it led her to quit traditional OB/GYN medicine as an act of personal integrity. They talk about trusting one’s inner voices and developing the discernment necessary to know when it is time to take an intuitive leap. Finally, Lissa and Tami consider the ability to soften in the face of what might be otherwise overwhelming pain, and how an act of surrender can bring us into better alignment with all of life. (106 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lama Tsomo—born Linda Pritzker—is an author, teacher, and ordained holder of the Namchak Buddhist lineage of Tibet. She’s the cofounder of the Namchak Foundation and the author of two books: The Princess Who Wept Pearls: The Feminine Journey in Fairytales and Why Is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling?: A Westerner’s Introduction and Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Practice. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Lama Tsomo and Tami Simon speak about her teacher Gochen Tulku Sangak Rinpoche and what he has to say about karma, taking responsibility for our lives, and transforming resentment. They also discuss the science of visualization practice and how recent discoveries in quantum physics support key aspects of Buddhist philosophy. Finally, Tami and Lama Tsomo talk about motivation on the spiritual path and how clarifying that motivation can lead to lasting happiness. (67 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bruce Tift has been a psychotherapist since 1979, a practitioner of Vajrayana Buddhism for more than 35 years, and has taught at Naropa University for 25 years. He is the author of the Sounds True audio learning course Already Free: Buddhism Meets Psychotherapy on the Path of Liberation. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Bruce about his perspectives on therapy as informed by Buddhist insights—examining how our “neurotic organization” exists to insulate us from legitimate suffering, why much of our growth comes from acting in ways that are counter-instinctual, and what it might mean to practice psychotherapy with the view that there is no problem we actually need to solve. (66 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this engaging conversation, Andrew Holecek, an author and spiritual teacher, dives deep into the advanced world of dream yoga, blending Tibetan Buddhism with modern insights. He guides listeners through transformative practices that help confront fears and foster self-acceptance via the dream state. The discussion emphasizes the shift from simple lucid dreaming to profound consciousness exploration, all while cultivating equanimity and emotional resilience. Andrew also unveils unique techniques to meditate within dreams, unlocking personal inquiry and deeper self-awareness.

Andrew Holecek is an author and spiritual teacher whose longtime study of Buddhism blends ancient wisdom with contemporary knowledge and insights. With Sounds True, he has published the book Dream Yoga: Illuminating Your Life Through Lucid Dreaming and the Tibetan Yogas of Sleep. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Andrew and Tami Simon speak on the practice of dream yoga and the foundational practice needed to plumb its depths: lucid dreaming. They discuss how to train to induce lucid dreaming, including daytime practices one can use to awaken in a dream. Finally, Andrew talks about the innate need for healthy sleep and how beginning a new spiritual practice during the nighttime hours is not something to be undertaken lightly. (67 minutes) Listen to Dream Yoga, Part 2 » See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Natalie Southgate is an internationally respected teacher who drew upon her background in psychology, dance, and energy healing to create the ecstatic movement practice now known as Chakradance. With Sounds True, Natalie has released the DVD 7 Keys to Freedom and its companion CD of the same name. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Natalie Southgate talk about the origins, principles, and healing possibilities of Chakradance. They discuss the influence of music upon the chakras and why it is so important that we balance our energy centers in order to release pain and trauma. Finally, Natalie shares three pieces of music from the 7 Keys to Freedom CD—each designed to work with a different chakra. (65 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Solala Towler is a widely respected author and teacher who has been spreading the word of Taoism and qigong for more than 20 years. Solala is the editor of the Taoist journal The Empty Vessel and has written several books, including The Tao of Intimacy and Ecstasy and Practicing the Tao Te Ching: 81 Steps on the Way—both released in partnership with Sounds True. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Solala and Tami Simon speak about the eternal appeal and usefulness of the Tao Te Ching, as well as how it can be a source for potent spiritual practices. They also discuss Lao Tzu’s original composition of the Tao Te Ching and his assertion that a true sage is one who can return others to their childlike essence. Finally, Solala leads listeners in two practices drawn from the Tao—“Filling the Jade Pond” and “The Small Heavenly Orbit.” (63 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mark Thornton has more than 20 years of experience in meditation, and has become one of the world’s leading executive meditation coaches, specializing in finding the best techniques for busy people. He’s the author of the Sounds True audio learning program and book Meditation in a New York Minute. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Mark and Tami Simon discuss his personal journey, which took him from being an investment banker to being a meditation coach. They consider the ways that Mark helps his clients find both a sense of purpose and a sense of meaningful connection with the people that matter most to them. Finally, Mark offers practices to create calm even in the midst of the chaos of our busy lives. (55 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christopher Willard is a licensed psychologist who focuses on mindfulness, anxiety, and learning issues. With Sounds True, he has released a new book and companion audio called Growing Up Mindful: Essential Practices to Help Children, Teens, and Families Find Balance, Calm, and Resilience. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Chris and Tami talk about the inherent difficulties of being a child and how mindfulness practice can help ease the tensions of growing up. They discuss the different ways one can teach meditation techniques to kids, as well as the different ages at which one can start this instruction. Finally, Chris shares his vision of how mindfulness could be a powerful public health intervention—one that could possibly have an essential place in the future of childhood education. (59 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adyashanti is a widely beloved, American-born spiritual teacher whose practice is rooted in Zen Buddhism but has expanded beyond any one path or perspective. He has created many books and audio programs through Sounds True, including Resurrecting Jesus, Emptiness Dancing, and Healing the Core Wound of Unworthiness. In this episode of Insights of the Edge—which previously appeared as part of the provocative interview series Waking Up: What Does It Really Mean?—Tami Simon and Adyashanti inquire deeply into what exactly constitutes “awakening.” Adya describes his own experiences of awakening, vividly comparing and contrasting his felt sensation of each of these life-changing experiences. Tami and Adya also discuss whether awakening is a sudden or gradual process, and what one can and cannot expect from these moments of profound epiphany. Finally, Adya shares his pith instructions on how to encourage such a spiritual awakening. (57 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.