Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

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.

Steven Hayes is a professor, the chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada, and the author of more than 35 books and 500 scientific articles. The cofounder of the acclaimed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (known as ACT), Steven is a contributor to the Sounds True book The Self Acceptance Project: How to Be Kind and Compassionate Towards Yourself in Any Situation. In this episode of Insights of the Edge—which previously aired as part of an interview series on self-acceptance—Tami Simon and Steven discuss his experiences living with a panic disorder at a young age, and how his own bouts with anxiety shaped his clinical studies. They talk about the practice of perspective-taking and how it can be a powerful bulwark against self-recrimination. Finally, Steven offers his perspective on spirituality and how that perspective informs the core tenets of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. (42 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Seane Corn is a celebrated yoga teacher, philanthropist, and the cofounder of Off the Matt, Into the World—a leadership training organization devoted to the use of yogic principles to foster global activism and education. With Sounds True, she has most recently released The Yoga of Awakening, a trilogy of instructional DVDs intended to guide viewers from the purely physical aspects of yoga into its more openly spiritual depths. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Seane and Tami Simon talk about yoga as a path of inquiry, and how that path could be a palliative for a world still saturated with conflict. They discuss the possibility of healing trauma through yoga, as well as how that trauma has long-term effects on the chakras. Finally, Tami and Seane speak on what it means to live purposefully and seven essential aspects of a fully embodied heart. (71 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Daniel Amen is a practicing psychiatrist, the director of the wildly successful network of Amen Clinics, and the bestselling author of titles such as Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. He has partnered with Sounds True to release several audio courses including Relaxation, Focus, and Memory Training and Unchain Your Brain: An Audio Program for Breaking the Addictions that Steal Your Life. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon engages Dr. Amen in a conversation about his pioneering brain imaging techniques and the vast implications these methods could have on psychotherapy—as well as society in general. They talk about cultivating better brain health and the effects even minor brain injuries—such as those suffered regularly in contact sports—can have on everyday quality of life. Finally, Dr. Amen and Tami speak on the intersection of neurology and spirituality, and how we can all help our brains age gracefully by making more considerate personal choices. (62 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.