Sivana Podcast: Eastern Spirituality, Yoga Philosophy, And Conscious Living

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 I

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

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 www.danielodier.com www.innertraditions.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com Enter to win our weekly contests a

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 www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

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 www.sangitayoga.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com Enter to win our weekly contests

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 Secre

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

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

The search for a spiritual teacher is a timeless quest for the spiritual seeker. What is the importance of having a spiritual teacher, and how does one go about finding one? How can you differentiate charlatans from true masters? What are some of the intricacies of the teacher-student relationship? Join us with psychotherapist, author and teacher, Greg Bogart, as we discuss the dynamics of the student-teacher relationship and its relevancy on the spiritual path, especially in our modern day and age. Special Guest: Greg Bogart www.gregbogart.net www.dawnmountain.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.antomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/  

The Human Design system is a synthesis of several ancient systems, integrating aspects of Astrology, the I Ching, the Chakras, and the Kabbalah. In this episode we chat with experts Chetan Parykyn and Carola Eastwood, about the Human Design system and how it can help you navigate your daily life. How we can use it to get to know ourselves and others? Will it help with our relationships? We'll explore these ideas and more in this mind expanding episode! Chetan Parkyn and Carola Eastwood recently published their latest book, Book of Destinies: Discover the Life You Were Born to Live, through New World Library, which can be found at all major outlets. Having been involved with Human Design since the early 90s, Chetan and Carola give one-on-one and partnership readings, counseling sessions and teach workshops and seminars worldwide. Special Guests: Chetan Parkyn and Carola Eastwood www.humandesignforusall.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivan

Most people are familiar with the seven chakra system, but is it the only one? Is the oldest? Where does the seven chakra system come from and does Patanjali's Yoga Sutra ever mention the word chakra? If you have been wanting to know more about the chakra system, this episode will answer many of your questions! Join us with scholar and yogi, Chris Tompkins, as we discuss the origins of the chakra system and how understanding its context and history can empower us to utilize this amazing system more effectively in our practice and lives.  Special Guest: Chris Tompkins www.shaivayoga.com www.yogavidhi.org www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-ancient-roots-of-sun-saluation-yoga-vinyasa-india#/ Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

It's easy to get stuck thinking that in order to help people you need more time, more money, more help yourself... But being kind doesn't need to cost anything that you don't already have. Perhaps you've heard the phrase: think globally, act locally. Well, we don't need to save the entire world or create a coalition of compassion; we can start with simple acts of kindness with the people we encounter in our daily lives. Kindness itself can be a spiritual practice. Join us with Suzie Abels, author of Kindness on a Budget, as we discuss simple ways to practice kindness and compassion with everyone around you, no matter where you find yourself in life.  Special Guest: Suzie Abels www.suzieabelsauthor.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

The Heart of Recognition is a sublime 11th Century Tantric text that beautifully synthesizes many threads within the Tantric traditions. Join us with Scholar, Teacher, Yogi and Author, Christopher "Hareesh" Wallis as we dive into this incredible text and explain its importance within the context of both the ancient and modern practices and understandings of yoga. We discuss why these understandings are important today, how these teachings can apply to our modern lives, and much more! Special Guest: Christopher "Hareesh" Wallis www.tantrikstudies.org www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-recognition-sutras-meditation#/ Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/  

No, this episode is not about nudity, but rather begs the question of what it means to be brave in the face of vulnerability and fear. Fear is a human trait known to us all, but the real question is what do we do with fear? Do we let it consume us? Stifle us? Or use it as the very fuel to propel us further. Join us with Emily Ann Peterson, musician, teacher, author, and host of the Bare Naked Bravery podcast, as we discuss what it means to be brave in the world today.   Special Guest: Emily Ann Peterson www.emilyannpeterson.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/  

Many cultures across time have understood and valued breathing and meditation. Taoism and Yoga also pay particular attention to saliva. But why? Did you know there is a connection between stress and dry mouth? Between your parasympathetic nervous system and saliva? A Scientist at the Medical University of South Carolina has been researching what's in our saliva, and what changes happen during meditation and breathing exercises. Join us with Sundara Balasubramanian as he shares his research and helpful tips on how to take advantage of his amazing findings that validate what yogis have known for centuries!   Special Guest: Sundara Balasubramanian www.pranascience.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/  

With yoga's gaining popularity in the West, how do we approach some of the lofty claims about yoga? How do we know what's actually true versus what's a false or unproven claim? Join us as we chat with Ariana Rabinovitch, yoga teacher and co-author of Exposing Yoga Myths: Vol 1., as we discuss some of the more prevalent myths within modern postural yoga as it's practiced in the West. We also discuss an exciting new project that Ariana is creating to help make the hordes of current scientific research about yoga more accessible to the public and easier for everyone to understand. Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/ Special Guest: Ariana Rabinovitch www.arianayoga.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com        

Do you struggle with money? While a lot of people talk about abundance, before you can change your relationship to money, you have to explore why you struggle with money in the first place. Do you have a basic financial literacy? How organized are you with your finances and what sorts of healthy financial habits do you have in place? Join us with Lindsay Sacks, as we discuss financial freedom and talk about multi-layered approaches to healing your relationship with money. Lindsay Sacks left her corporate accounting job years ago to follow her passions and help people change their relationship to money and success, organize their finances, and gain financial freedom.  Special Guest: Lindsay Sacks www.liveblissmarketing.com www.facebook.com/groups/thefreelanceschool Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

For many, our inner critic can routinely sabotage our life and relationships, constantly telling us that we are never good enough... Can we quiet this inner critic? Is it a voice worth integrating? And how do mindfulness and compassion impact our relationship with both the inner and outer critic? Join us as we chat with meditation teacher and therapist, Mark Coleman, about ways to work with our inner critic to help us live more joyous and prosperous lives. Mark Coleman is the author of Make Peace with Your Mind and Awake in the Wild.  He is the founder of the Mindfulness Institute and has guided students on five continents as a corporate consultant, counselor, meditation teacher, and wilderness guide. Special Guest: Mark Coleman www.awakeinthewild.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Greek Philosophers are often praised for their intellect and logic, but what if there was a deeper, more spiritual side to these great thinkers that's not often taught in schools? Greek Philosophers not only had contact with, but sought out yogis, sages, and teachers from Indian, Egyptian, and Persian cultures. They practiced meditation, vegetarianism, and often believed in concepts of karma and reincarnation. Join us on this exciting conversation with Linda Johnsen about the links between ancient Greek and Roman philosophers and the mystical traditions of the near and far east.  Linda Johnsen, author of Lost Masters: Rediscovering the Mysticism of the Ancient Greek Philosophers, 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 Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India, and has hundreds of articles that have appeared in

Are you a procrastinator or perfectionist? What happens when you feel stuck and unable to move forward? The truth is, we all feel stuck from time to time, but what can we do to move past it? Join us with Sam Bennett, as she describes tools to help us when we feel overwhelmed, stagnant, or frustrated. We also discuss the importance of self care, goal setting, boundaries, and more. Sam Bennett is the author of Start Right Where You Are and Get It Done. She created The Organized Artist Company to help creative people get unstuck and achieve their goals. She is a writer, actor, teacher, and creativity/productivity specialist who has counseled thousands of artists and entrepreneurs on their way to success.   Special Guest: Sam Bennett www.startrightwhereyouare.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com