Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

Tami Simon speaks with Andrew Harvey, a renowned poet, writer, teacher, and mystic, and founder of the Institute for Sacred Activism. They explore the dynamic between devotion and contemplation as essential for spiritual growth. Andrew discusses the dual dark nights of the soul and the significance of shadow work in personal transformation. He emphasizes the role of divine passion in activism and the necessity of embracing fears on the path. Their conversation highlights love as a powerful force for unity and justice, urging a balance of adoration and active compassion.

Tami Simon speaks with Dr. Judith Blackstone, an innovative teacher in the fields of psychotherapy and contemporary spirituality. With Sounds True, Judith has created the audio course The Realization Process: A Step-by-Step Guide to Embodied Spiritual Awakening and has authored the books The Intimate Life: Awakening to the Spiritual Essence in Yourself and Others and Belonging Here: A Guide for the Spiritually Sensitive Person. In this episode, Tami speaks with Judith about the gifts and challenges of spiritual sensitivity, what it means to be transparent to life, how getting in touch with the internal space of the body connects us to the outer world, and what a definition of spiritual maturity might be. (63 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tami Simon speaks with Raphael Cushnir, a leading voice on emotional connection and present moment awareness. He is a faculty member of the Esalen Institute, the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies. His books include Setting Your Heart on Fire, and with Sounds True he has created an audio based on his book The One Thing Holding You Back. In this episode, Tami speaks with Raphael about the nature of emotional connection, what he calls “emotional surfing,” and a way that two people can intimately collaborate through a method that he calls communing. Raphael also shares a practice to deepen the emotional connection process. (69 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tami Simon speaks with Dr. Andrea Polard, a clinical psychologist and the founder of the Los Angeles Center for Zen Psychology. Andrea has an extensive background in psychodynamic therapies, meditation, and mind-body work. With Sounds True, she has authored the book A Unified Theory of Happiness: An East-Meets-West Approach to Fully Loving Your Life. In this episode, Tami speaks with Andrea about the two “wings of happiness”—what she calls the active Basic Mode and the receptive Supreme Mode. Andrea also talks about the role of relationships in happiness, how ambition can either uplift or burden us, and why happiness is actually a commitment. (59 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tami Simon speaks with Dr. Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist, award-winning lecturer at Stanford University, and leading expert on the mind-body relationship. Dr. McGonigal is the author of The Willpower Instinct and Yoga for Pain Relief, and with Sounds True she has created an audio learning program called The Neuroscience of Change. In this episode, Tami speaks with Dr. McGonigal about how we can consciously change the “default settings” of our brain, what we can do to tune into ourselves at a physiological level during difficult emotional situations, and how self-criticism can hinder our attempts to change our behavior. Dr. McGonigal also shares a practice of cultivating self-compassion. (57 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tami Simon speaks with Gabrielle Roth, a movement innovator, theater director, workshop teacher, and the bestselling author of Sweat Your Prayers and Maps to Ecstasy. With Sounds True she has created three DVD programs of movement meditations for the body and soul: The Wave, The Inner Wave, and The Power Wave. In this episode, Tami speaks with Gabrielle about the five universal rhythms that she uses in her work and why she believes they have the capacity to teach, catalyze, and heal. She talks about how these five rhythms have helped people in hospitals accelerate their healing, and her own experience in using them as she has gone through childbirth and a cancer diagnosis. (55 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tami Simon speaks with Dr. Peter Levine and Dr. Maggie Phillips. Dr. Phillips is the director of the California Institute of Clinical Hypnosis and is author of Finding the Energy to Heal and Reversing Chronic Pain. Dr. Levine is the developer of the groundbreaking Somatic Experiencing® approach to healing trauma. With Sounds True, they have coauthored a book and accompanying CD called Freedom from Pain. In this episode, Tami speaks with Maggie and Peter about the prevalence of chronic pain today, how physical pain may relate to past trauma, and the stages that pain sufferers commonly experience. They also offer inspiring real-world examples and insights about the keys for solving “the puzzle of pain.” (59 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tami Simon speaks with David Morehouse, a former officer in the US Army who was trained in a method called Remote Viewing—a psychic technique for gathering information across time and space. Now dedicated to using his training to promote spiritual growth, David is the author of the international bestseller Psychic Warrior, and has created several titles with Sounds True, including The Remote Viewing Online Training Course. In this episode, Tami speaks with David about the original CIA “psychic spy” program, how and why this method is still valued by the military, whether Remote Viewing can show us the future, and how Remote Viewing transforms the human heart. (64 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ram Dass, a respected spokesperson on integrating Western and Eastern philosophies and author of the iconic "Be Here Now," shares profound insights on the nature of self and consciousness. He reflects on his transformative experience of suffering after a stroke, revealing the deep bonds formed between patients and caregivers. Ram Dass dives into the idea of a collective 'Mega Soul' and emphasizes the power of silence in enhancing communication. His heartfelt discussions on love and spirituality invite listeners to explore their interconnectedness with the world.

Tami Simon speaks with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, the founder and resident teacher of Ligmincha Institute in Virginia and one of the first lamas to bring Tibetan Bön dzogchen teachings to the West. He is the author of several books, including Healing with Form, Energy, and Light, and with Sounds True he has created an integrated book-and-CD learning program called Tibetan Sound Healing. In this episode, Tami speaks with Tenzin Rinpoche about what he calls the “three doors to practice”: body, mind, and speech. He also talks about his experiences with preserving the essence of traditional teachings while needing to innovate new ways to make them accessible and relevant to students in the West. (44 minutes) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.