A WondeJunkie

Jane Seaton ArtLife Awakening Original Creativity

Jane and Ryan discuss the Art Life and the upcoming workshop at Echo Dharma in October 2024. Jane shares how the name Art Life came to her and what it means to her. She explains that Art Life is about bringing creativity into all aspects of our lives and recognizing that art is intrinsic to all of us. The workshop aims to guide people into their creativity by helping them relax, play, and let go of inhibitions. Jane emphasizes the importance of unlearning and remembering our innate creativity. The workshop also focuses on building community and creating together as a way to heal and transform our lives and the world. The conversation explores the integration of experiences and the importance of living differently. It emphasizes the need to maintain the components of a transformative experience and stimulate emotional responses for change.  The concept of guiding rather than teaching is highlighted, focusing on supporting individuals to recall and reignite their own creativity. The conversation concludes with the importance of never giving up, exploring life, and tapping into curiosity, wonder, and creativity.
Keywords
Art Life, creativity, workshop, Echo Dharma, relaxation, play, inhibitions, unlearning, remembering, community, healing, transformation, integration, living differently, transformative experience, emotional response, change, community, guiding, teaching, creativity, never giving up, exploring life, curiosity, wonder
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Connection04:54 The Origins of Art Life08:37 Echo Dharma: The Chosen Space12:44 Guiding People into Creativity23:18 Learning from Teachers and Life Experiences28:51 The Vision for Art Life33:00 The Importance of Community and Integration37:15 The Role of Creativity in Our Lives38:21 Guiding vs. Teaching41:06 The Importance of Never Giving Up43:28 Art as an Instruction Manual50:02 Flow: Selflessness, Timelessness, Effortlessness, and Information Richness55:21 Expressing Love and Gratitude57:55 Podcast music Exit music and voice  - 4:19:24, 7.55 AM.wav
https://www.artlifecreation.com/classes-workshops
Intro and exit music used: Strange the dreamer by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@savfkmusic

Conserving relationships between humans and plants with Gary Nabhan

Gary Nabhan discusses his work in sacred plant biocultural recovery and the importance of conserving relationships between humans and plants. He emphasizes the need for empathy and collaboration. Nabhan highlights the value of informal education and the role of mentors in shaping his understanding of the natural world. In this conversation, Gary Paul Nabhan discusses his experiences with traditional plants and spiritual ceremonies, including the use of plant medicines. He shares how these experiences have helped him understand his own capabilities and disabilities, and how they have taught him about his own mind. He also talks about the importance of accepting and embracing our true selves, as well as the root of suffering being the lack of self-acceptance and self-understanding that can come through contemplative practices. . Nabhan emphasizes the need for contemplative practice and creating spaces for stillness and reflection. He expresses his concerns about the ongoing conflicts in the world and the importance of finding ways to bring peace and reconciliation.
 
Takeaways
Conserving relationships between humans and plants is crucial for the well-being of both
Empathy and collaboration are essential in healing the wounds caused by social and environmental issues
Informal education and mentorship can be powerful tools for learning and personal growth
The war on drugs has had unintended consequences and has led to the exploitation of indigenous cultures and plant medicines
The revival of interest in psychedelics should prioritize the rights and traditions of indigenous communities
Plant patenting raises ethical concerns and threatens the rights of farmers and indigenous people Traditional plants, and spiritual ceremonies can provide valuable insights and understanding of oneself and one's mind.
Accepting and embracing our true selves is essential for personal growth and overcoming suffering.
Contemplative practice and creating spaces for stillness and reflection can help us face and heal from painful experiences.
There is a need for peace and reconciliation in the world, and it requires individuals to take responsibility and work towards it.
 
Chapters
 
03:54 The Power of a Photo: Changing Consciousness
11:16 Healing the Wounds of the Border Wall
15:31 Finding Common Ground through Collaboration
23:16 The Ethics of Plant Patenting
24:13 The Imbalance of Profits in the Food Industry
27:23 Navigating the Revival of Psychedelics
29:49 Protecting Sacred Plants and Indigenous Rights
31:18 The Unintended Consequences of the War on Drugs
33:45 The Importance of Storytelling and Empathy
35:37 Conserving Relationships: Humans and Plants
37:32 Challenging the Traditional Education System
39:26 Navigating the Intersection of Science and Storytelling
44:10 The Power of Mentors and Non-Traditional Education
45:43 Curiosity, Learning, and the Nature of Consciousness
50:04 Exploring the Power of Traditional Plants and Spiritual Ceremonies
58:44 Embracing Self-Acceptance: A Path to Personal Growth
01:00:22 The Transformative Nature of Contemplative Practice
01:08:16 Seeking Peace and Reconciliation in a Troubled World
 
Intro and exit music used: Strange the dreamer by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@savfkmusic
 
 
https://www.garynabhan.com/
 
Richard Rohr
https://cac.org/about/our-teachers/cac-founder-richard-rohr/
 
Susane Sumard https://suzannesimard.com/
 
Robin Kimmerer
 
https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/ 
 
Pattiann Rogers https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/pattiann-rogers
 
Allen Weisman http://worldwithoutus.com/about_author.html
 
Paul Stamets https://paulstamets.com/
 
Cassandra Quave  https://humanhealth.emory.edu/people/faculty-bios/quave-cassandra.html
 
Alison Hawthorne Deming https://alisonhawthornedeming.com/
 
Andrew Weil https://www.drweil.com/
 
Wade Davis https://daviswade.com/
 
Mark Plotkin https://markplotkin.com/
 

Sanchi Reta Lawler shares her life story and wisdom

This conversation is a heartfelt and intimate exploration of Roshi Sanchi Reta Lawler’s life path and her work in the field of death and dying. I met Sanchi Reta through her brother Don Howard Lawler. They both became very close to me and have had a huge impact in my life. I felt it was important to share her essence through this recorded conversation. Sanchi Reta shares her journey beginning with her grandmother's role as a midwife and herbalist in rural Kentucky. She then discusses her own experience of overcoming advanced breast cancer and her life long devotion to Zen Training. Sanchi Reta also shares her encounters with ayahuasca and how it influenced her understanding of death. The conversation highlights the importance of accepting death and being present with the dying process and explores the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of embracing our particularity while recognizing our interconnectedness of everything. It highlights the importance of being present, curious, and open to new experiences. The conversation delves into the themes of love, appreciation, and grief, emphasizing the need to grieve and feel deeply in order to fully experience life. Sanchi Reta has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. Her trademark trainings are Coming Full Circle "The art of death and dying". And The Art of Engaged Living. Sanchi was fully ordained as a Zen Buddhist nun by Eido Shimano Roshi and has led contemplative retreats and Zen Session around the county for decades. Her professional teachings and offerings have been I creative arts, Transpersonal Psychotherapy and shamanic practice.
Intro and exit music used: Strange the dreamer by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@savfkmusic
Takeaways Death is a natural part of life, and it is important to accept and be present with the dying process. Spiritual practices, such as Zen Buddhism and ayahuasca, can deepen our understanding of death and help us let go of fear. Supporting individuals and families through the dying process requires compassion, openness, and a willingness to confront our own fears and attachments. Integrating different modalities, such as somatic psychotherapy and shamanic work, can provide a holistic approach to death and dying. Being present with death can be a transformative experience that allows us to awaken to our true selves and serve others with love and compassion. Embrace your particularity while recognizing your interconnectedness with all beings. Let go of control and surrender to the mystery of life.Be present, curious, and open to new experiences. Grieve and feel deeply to fully experience life. Cultivate love, appreciation, and gratitude in your daily life.
Titles Supporting the Dying Process: Compassion and Openness Embracing Death: A Journey of Acceptance and Transformation The Role of Grief in Fully Experiencing Life Cultivating Love, Appreciation, and Gratitude
Chapters 00:00 Breathing Together: Connecting with the Present Moment 08:33 Understanding the Reciprocity of Giving and Receiving 13:08 Being Present with Death: Compassion and Openness 27:31 Ayahuasca and Huachuma: Plant Medicines and Transformation 35:36 Integrating Plant Medicines: Ayahuasca and Huachuma 40:56 Living from the Heart: Serving Others with Love and Compassion 44:04 The complexity of Manifestation and the balance of letting go. 49:21 The Power of Presence 59:31 The Role of Grief 01:18:51 Cultivating Love and Appreciation
Sanchi Reta’s Website:  ⁠https://www.bouldermorningstarzencenter.com/⁠ Book/ author reference: ⁠Joanna Marcy https://www.joannamacy.net/main⁠ Stephen Jenkinson: ⁠https://orphanwisdom.com/⁠ Spirit quest sanctuary: ⁠https://www.biopark.org/

Barbara Joy shares her wisdom and life story. Holotropic Breathwork, Thanatology, and mindfulness.

Summary
Barbara shares her journey of spiritual exploration and personal growth, starting from her childhood experiences with dreams and conversations about the universe with her father. She pursued studies in various areas, including culture, religion, and dream work. Barbara eventually met Stan Grof and trained with him in breathwork. She then focused on the field of thanatology, studying death, dying, grief, loss, and bereavement. Throughout her life, Barbara has been driven by a desire to serve and help others minimize suffering. Barbara shares her journey of self-discovery and transformation. She talks about reclaiming her name and the birth of her authenticity. Barbara also discusses feeling different from those around her and the influence of her parents' expectations on her identity. Barbara emphasizes the importance of connecting with something bigger than oneself and the power of love and service. The conversation explores the power of breathwork and the role of the sitter in facilitating transformation. It highlights the importance of breathwork as a tool for healing and the impact of Stanislav Grof's work in bringing it to the West. The conversation also delves into the concept of God and the idea that God is not separate from us but is present in everything. It discusses the role of choice and willpower in personal transformation and the importance of taking responsibility for our lives. The conversation concludes with a discussion on grief and the need for community support and vulnerability.
Takeaways
Barbara's spiritual journey started in childhood with dreams and conversations about the universe with her father.
She pursued studies in various areas, including culture, religion, and dream work.
Barbara trained with Stan Grof in breathwork and focused on the field of thanatology.
Her life's purpose is to serve and help others minimize suffering. Reclaiming one's name can be a powerful act of self-empowerment and authenticity.
Feeling different from those around us can be a sign that we are meant to embrace our true selves.
Caring for a loved one during their final years can be challenging but also an opportunity for healing and growth.
Connecting with something bigger than ourselves, whether it be spirituality or a sense of purpose, can provide strength and guidance in difficult times.
Love and service are powerful forces that can bring meaning and fulfillment to our lives.
Traveling and experiencing different cultures can expand our perspectives and help us appreciate the preciousness of life.
Engaging in practices like breathwork and meditation can deepen our understanding of ourselves and our connection to the world.
Meeting and learning from wise teachers and mentors can profoundly impact our personal growth and spiritual journey. Breathwork is a powerful tool for healing and transformation.
The sitter plays a crucial role in facilitating breathwork sessions.
Stanislav Grof's work has been instrumental in bringing breathwork to the West.
God is not separate from us but is present in everything.
Choice and willpower are essential for personal transformation.
Taking responsibility for our lives is key to personal growth.
Grief requires community support and vulnerability.
Chapters
00:00 Meeting Barbara at Jody's Zen Garden
11:42 Meeting Influential Teachers and Mentors
37:54 Carving Away the Unessential
53:27 Connecting with Something Bigger in the Face of Death
01:14:43 The Power of Breathwork and Healing
01:23:16 Choice and Responsibility in Personal Growth
01:33:10 Embracing and Understanding Emotions
 
Intro and exit music used: Strange the dreamer by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@savfkmusic
 
 

Robert Forte Episode #1 An Honest Look at the Psychedelic Renaissance. A deep dive into modern psychedelia

In this conversation, Robert Forte discusses his deep dive into the phenomena of sacred plants and psychedelics, as well as his involvement with key figures in the psychedelic renaissance. He highlights the importance of understanding history. Forte also shares his critical perspective on the mainstream narrative of the psychedelic Renaissance and the commercialization of psychedelic drugs. He delves into the influence of the CIA and big corporations in the field of psychedelics as well as the dark side of American history represented by figures like Alan Dulles. The conversation explores various themes, including the influence of Nazi intelligentsia, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, weapons of mass distraction, the education system and social engineering, Solomon Ash's experiments on conformity, the power of individual influence, and the healing potential of psychedelics. The chapters delve into the historical context, societal implications, and personal experiences related to these topics. The conversation explores various themes related to the psychedelic movement, including the integration of psychedelic experiences, psychedelic evangelism, the narrative of psychedelic history, the negative aspects of the new psychedelic movement, the impact of MKUltra, the loss of control of democracy, the influence of the CIA in the music industry, corruption in Indian mysticism and yoga, and the importance of appreciating the miracle of life.
 
Takeaways
 
The study of history contains both the best and worst aspects of humanity.
The psychedelic Renaissance has been influenced by various elements, including healing,  control, transformation, spirituality and profit.
The CIA played a significant role in introducing psychedelic drugs into modern society, with some individuals within the organization having different agendas. MkUltra -operation mind control is one of the many programs that were created to influence the culture.
Understanding the post-World War II era and the formation of the CIA is crucial to comprehending the current state of psychedelics. The formation of NASA and the CIA involved the recruitment of defected Third Reich Nazis, highlighting the influence of Nazi intelligentsia on post-war institutions.
Aldous Huxley's Brave New World serves as a cautionary tale about a future society controlled by a small elite through social engineering and the use of a drug called soma.
The attention economy, driven by social media platforms like TikTok, has led to an epidemic of mental health issues, particularly among young people.
Solomon Ash's experiments on conformity reveal the tendency of individuals to defy their own senses and conform to group opinions, highlighting the importance of cultivating an internal locus of control.
The education system has been designed to promote compliance and obedience, often neglecting the development of critical thinking and individuality. John Taylor Gatto Describes this in many of his books including Weapons of Mass Instruction.
Psychedelics have the potential to enhance creativity, gain insight into oneself, and facilitate healing, but their effects are influenced by the environment, set and setting as well as the individual's personality.
The psychedelic movement has both positive and negative aspects, with some individuals using psychedelics to promote personal growth and others exploiting them for power and control.
Individuals have the power to influence change by coming alive, questioning authority, and cultivating meaningful connections with others. It is important to integrate psychedelic experiences and consider how they impact our behavior and actions in society.
Psychedelic evangelism can overlook important aspects and criticisms of the psychedelic movement.
The narrative of psychedelic history often oversimplifies the role of individuals like Timothy Leary and overlooks the political agendas at play.
The new psychedelic movement should be critically examined, and the negative aspects and potential dangers should be acknowledged.
The deployment of MKUltra and its impact on the anti-war movement and society should be explored.
The influence of the CIA in the music industry and the corruption in Indian mysticism and yoga should be recognized.
Appreciating the miracle of life and being present in the moment is a valuable psychedelic experience in itself.
 
Chapters
 
00:00 Introduction and Background
09:15 Questioning the Mainstream Narrative
12:09 The Dark Side of Psychedelic Renaissance
33:48 Exploring the Underbelly of Social Engineering
38:03 Post-World War II Era and the Formation of the CIA
39:57 Alan Dulles and the Dark Side of American History
40:44 The Influence of Nazi Intelligentsia
44:22 Aldous Huxley's Brave New World
52:13 Weapons of Mass Distraction
58:54 The Education System and Social Engineering
01:05:12 Solomon Ash's Experiments on Conformity
01:09:07 The Power of Individual Influence
01:16:36 Psychedelics and Healing
01:20:08 The Good and Bad of Psychedelic Movements
01:22:00 Integration of Psychedelic Experiences
01:22:49 Psychedelic Evangelism and Criticism
01:23:44 Questioning Authority and Psychedelic History
01:25:22 Negative Aspects of the New Psychedelic Movement
01:26:14 The Narrative of Psychedelic History
01:27:08 Psychedelics and the Anti-War Movement
01:28:00 Psychedelics and the Assassination of John F. Kennedy
01:29:26 Questioning Authority in the Modern Psychedelic Movement
01:30:15 Deployment of MKUltra and its Impact
01:31:11 Loss of Control of Democracy
01:34:13 Weird Scenes in the Canyon and CIA's Influence on the music industry
01:35:20 Corruption in Indian Mysticism and Yoga
01:46:14 Appreciating the Miracle of Life
 
Timothy Leary: Outside Looking In edited by Robert Forte
Entheogens and the Future of Religion edited by Robert Forte
The Joyous Cosmology: Adventures in the Chemistry of Consciousness by Alan Watts
Robert Forte on Ryan Sprague’s This One Time on Psychedelics on Apple Podcasts
Robert Forte’s recent appearance on the Kyle Kingsbury Podcast on YouTube
Michael Pollan on psychedelics
The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries by R. Gordon Wasson, Albert Hofman and Carl Ruck
The Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss: My Life with Terrence McKenna by Dennis McKenna
The work of Saint Hildegard of Bingen, R. Gordon Wasson and Alexander Shulgin
Dying to Know: Ram Dass and Timothy Leary
The Intelligence Agents by Timothy Leary
Seeking the Magic Mushrooms, a 1957 photo essay in Life Magazine
Noble Eightfold Path
Do Drugs Have Religious Import? by Huston Smith
The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion With No Name by Brian Muraresku
Forgotten Truth: The Common Vision of the World’s Religions by Huston Smith
Brave New World Revisited https://www.huxley.net/bnw-revisited/
The Creature From Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin
“Sasha” Alexander Shulgin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Shulgin
David McGowan Weird Scenes in the canyon book https://www.amazon.com/Weird-Scenes-Inside-Canyon-Laurel/dp/1909394122
Tom O’Neill Joe Rogan Podcast on MkUltra and his book Chaos https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OXGSwuHYf0gHtJxGWIbLL?si=GEXDq8n-RK6ivHwbCfVVmw
Martin Lee The Beast ReAwakens https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beast_Reawakens
Paul Chek and Robert Forte podcast https://chekinstitute.com/blog/podcast-episodes/episode-262-robert-forte-the-real-truth-of-psychedelics/
Eisenhower’s Farewell speech warning about the Military Industrial Complex. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eisenhower's_farewell_address
Robert Forte’s Website alteredstatesofamerica.net
John Taylor Gatto Weapons of Mass Instruction https://www.amazon.com/Weapons-Mass-Instruction-Schoolteachers-Compulsory/dp/0865716692
Intro and exit music used: Strange the dreamer by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@savfkmusic