What would happen to the practice of western medicine if doctors were taught mindfulness and self-care more often in medical school? What does mindfulness in medicine look like in actual practice? How can patients practice mindfulness and how might it help them in difficult medical moments? We explore these ideas and more in this great conversation with world renowned Doctor Ronald Epstein.
Dr. Ronald Epstein is a practicing family physician and professor of family medicine, psychiatry and oncology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He is an internationally recognized educator, writer, and researcher, who has been named one of America's Best Doctors every year since 1998 by US News & World Report.
In his new book, Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness and Humanity, Dr. Epstein builds on his world-renowned, innovative programs in mindful practice and uses wonderfully human clinical stories that give insight into the challenges we face with modern medical care and possible solutions on how doctors and patients can work more effectively together to provide the best quality care for everyone.
Special Guest: Dr. Ronald Epstein
Host: Ashton Szabo
Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper
Producer: Benn Mendelson
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Gemstones and crystals have been appreciated and used by cultures since ancient times, but what uses do they have in our modern daily lives? Is there a way to discuss this topic while including both mystical ideas and science? Join us with expert Nicholas Pearson, author of the Seven Archetypal Stones, as we discuss the practical uses of gemstones and crystals in our every day life. We'll explore major categories of gemstones and crystals, their basic qualities, and how to find out which stones are the best fit for you.
Nicholas Pearson has been immersed in all aspects of the mineral kingdom for more than 20 years. He began teaching crystal workshops in high school, later studying mineral science at Stetson University while pursuing a degree in music. He worked for several years at the Gillespie Museum, home to the largest mineral collection in the southern United States. A certified teacher and practitioner of Usui Reiki Ryoho, he teaches crystal and Reiki classes throughout the United States. Published by Inner Traditions, his book The Seven Archetypal Stones is available anywhere books are sold.
Special Guest: Nicholas Pearson
Host: Ashton Szabo
Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper
Producer: Benn Mendelson
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Most people believe that yoga, meditation, and prayer have positive effects on the mind, body, and spirit, but what does science say? What sort of research is being done in these fields? Join us with Dr. Amitava Dasgupta as we discuss some of the amazing work being done to further our understanding of how meditation, yoga and prayer can affect us, and what we can learn from these ancient and modern practices.
Dr. Amitava Dasgupta was born in Calcutta, India and came to the United States in 1980 and received his Ph.D. in 1986 in Chemistry from Stanford University. He is board certified in both Toxicology and Clinical Chemistry by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry. Currently, he is a tenured Full Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Texas Medical School. Dr. Dasgupta has published 214 papers in peer-reviewed journals and is on editorial board of five international journals. Although a toxicologist by profession, Dr. Dasgupta learned yoga and meditation from his teachers in India.
His new book The Science of Meditation, Yoga and Prayer is published through Blue River Press and Cardinal Publishers Group, and is available where ever books are sold.
Special Guest: Dr. Amitava Dasgupta
Email: Amitava.Dasgupta@uth.tmc.edu
Host: Ashton Szabo
Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper
Producer: Benn Mendelson
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She has black skin, severed heads around her neck, blood dripping from her mouth, and a blazing red third eye. She is Kali. She inspires fear in those who don't know her and devotion and love in those who do, but who is she really? How can knowing about her benefit us in our daily modern lives? Why might modern yogis want to know about Kali? Join us with Daniel Odier as we dive into the mysteries of Kali and discuss the Nirrutara Tantra, the Twelve Kalis, and more!
Daniel Odier is a teacher of Kashmiri Tantra and a Chan Master from the Chao-chou Lineage. He is the author of numerous books, including Tantric Quest: An Encounter with Absolute Love, Yoga Spandakarika, and his most recent book, Tantric Kali, is available now from Inner Traditions (www.innertraditions.com)
Special Guest: Daniel Odier
Host: Ashton Szabo
Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper
Producer: Benn Mendelson
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The Story of the Swordsman and the Cat tells the tale of the swordsman Shoken, who is tormented by a mischievous rat in his house. After attempts by his own cat, the neighbor cats and even going after the the rat himself, Shoken must call for a famous cat, known for its skill in the art of catching rats. After easily capturing the rat, thE veteran cat goes on to explain why the various methods of the other cats and the samurai Shoken failed, and the proper methods of approaching anything in life...
The Story of the Swordsman and the Cat teaches us about the different ways we can cultivate the self (or 'no-self') and what ultimately matters most in order to create success.
Host: Ashton Szabo
Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper
Producer: Benn Mendelson
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Due in part to the popularity of festivals like Bhakti Fest and the modern Kirtan movement, people all over the United States are familiar with the word Bhakti. But what does it really mean? Is it a feeling, a practice, a religion? And what does it have to do with the modern postural yoga practice that has spread throughout the world? Join us with Naren Schreiner as we explore what Bhakti Yoga is and how it might influence a Hatha Yoga or meditation practice, and how it can affect your daily life.
Our guest, Naren Schreiner, lived as a monk for fourteen years in the ashrams of Paramahansa Yogananda, before leaving monastic life to continue his spiritual practice out in the world. In 2012, he founded Sangita Yoga, to help spread the yoga of music through lectures, workshops and sacred music.
Special Guest: Naren Schreiner
Host: Ashton Szabo
Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper
Producer: Benn Mendelson
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Many scholars have speculated about the use of psychedelics, also known as entheogens, in the early stages of many religions. Is there any evidence of the use of entheogens in early Christianity? Our guest, Dr. Jerry Brown, author of the Psychedelic Gospels, believes there is. Join us with Dr. Brown, as we discuss his findings and the evidence he and his wife found on an epic journey to dive deeper into the origins of early Christian mysticism.
Dr. Jerry Brown is an award winning teacher, anthropologist, author and activist. From 1972-2014, he served as Founding Professor of Anthropology at Florida International University in Miami, where he designed and taught a course on “Hallucinogens and Culture," which examines the use of psychoactive plants by tribal and classical cultures. Dr. Brown is co-author of Sacred Plants and the Gnostic Church: Speculations on Entheogen-Use in Early Christian Ritual in the Journal of Ancient History, as well as the co-author of the recent book the Psychedelic Gospels: The Secret History of Hallucinogens in Christianity.
Special Guest: Dr. Jerry Brown
Host: Ashton Szabo
Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper
Producer: Benn Mendelson
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Sages of the past have compared the human experience to being a prisoner locked in a cell. Various types of yoga have been taught to help liberate one from this prison. How might these practices help in an actual, physical prison? Often violent stressful places, how would a practice that often encourages concepts like non-violence and compassion be received by inmates, some of which are serving life long sentences for violent crimes.
Our guest, Mike Huggins, founder and Executive Director of the Transformation Yoga Project, knows first hand about how yoga can help those in prison. In 2009, he was incarcerated for a strict liability misdemeanor offense as CEO of a medical device company. He practiced yoga as a means of processing his experience and managing the stress of incarceration. When others expressed interest in what he was doing, he began to teach them what he knew. This idea continued to grow, even after Mike served his sentence and it eventually led to the Transformation Yoga Project. A project that now serves at-risk and under served populations, as well as offering trauma sensitive yoga teacher trainings inside prisons.
In this episode we will explore Mike's journey and how yoga was impacted him, and the countless people he has come into contact with since his incarceration. We'll look at the similarities of many yogic narratives and the actual prison experience. How does yoga effect inmates? How is it possible to have a yoga teacher training inside prison? Who pays for the services? We'll explore these questions and more!
Special Guest: Mike Huggins
www.transformationyogaproject.org
Host: Ashton Szabo
Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper
Producer: Benn Mendelson
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Goddess traditions have been suppressed by the patriarchy for hundreds, if not thousands of years. What treasures were lost with the Goddess? Thanks in large part to living Goddess traditions from India, the sacred feminine is making a huge comeback in the world. What can the Goddess traditions teach us about life and the beyond? How can these radically life affirming traditions alter our experience of every day life? Join us with Linda Johnsen, as we explore some amazing stories and ideas that come out of the living Goddess traditions in India and more!
Linda Johnsen is a long time student of religious philosophy. She holds degrees in Eastern and Western Psychology, and has post-graduate training in theology and Sanskrit. She is the award winning author of eight books on spirituality, including The Living Goddess: Reclaiming the Tradition of the Mother of the Universe, Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India, the Lost Masters: Rediscovering the Mysticism of the Ancient Greek Philosophers, and has hundreds of articles that have appeared in Yoga International, Yoga Journal, and other publications.
Special Guest: Linda Johnsen
Host: Ashton Szabo
Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper
Producer: Benn Mendelson
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