Sounds True: Insights At The Edge

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)

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)

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)

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)

Brother David Steindl-Rast is an internationally renowned author, lecturer, and pivotal member of the monastic renewal movement. A monk in the Benedictine tradition, Brother David is also an expert in Zen Buddhism and a tireless advocate for building bridges between Eastern and Western religious traditions. With Sounds True, Brother David created the audio program The Grateful Heart. In this episode of Insights at the Edge Tami Simon and Brother David talk about the innate longing that drives spiritual study and is the impetus for seeking out a monastic life. Tami and Brother David explore the concept of the “Double Realm” that lies beyond standard concepts of time and existence, as well as how practicing gratitude can be a doorway to that realm. Finally, Brother David considers the future of religion and spirituality as he enters his ninetieth year of life. (62 minutes)

Thomas Moore is a psychotherapist, former monk, and the bestselling author of the spiritual classic Care of the Soul. Thomas has collaborated with Sounds True on several books and audio programs, including Soul Work, Darkness Before the Dawn, and most recently A Personal Spirituality: Finding Your Own Way to a Meaningful Life. In this week’s fascinating episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Thomas about the definition of “meaning” in a modern context, and how we must stay true to our consciences no matter the social consequence. They discuss the importance of maintaining a personal spirituality and the ways one can borrow practice from other traditions while remaining faithful to one’s core beliefs. Finally, Thomas and Tami ruminate on the contemporary distaste for mystery and how the embrace of the unexplained is necessary for a fully embodied spirituality. (68 minutes)

JP Sears is an emotional healing coach and spiritual teacher who leads workshops internationally on inner growth and how to lead fuller, more meaningful lives. In 2017, JP will release his first book through Sounds True, How to Be Ultra-Spiritual: Thirteen Steps to Spiritual Superiority. In this very special, early-April edition of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon sits down in the Sounds True studio with JP’s alter-ego, His Enlightenedness—an astonishing ascendant master and the star of the popular “Awaken with JP” YouTube channel. JP expounds on the idea of “spiritual superiority”—how to be just plain better than anyone else at meditation, humility, and crafting a proper story of one’s spiritual awakening. JP also explains that to be the most spiritual kind of vegan, one must hate animals and practice total dominance over plants. Finally, Tami and JP discuss why the deep symbolism of his Thirteen Steps is innately superior to the Twelve Steps—and maybe some other stuff about spiritual bypassing and how humor

A.H. Almaas is the pen name of of Hameed Ali, the author of more than 14 books, founder of The Ridhwan School, and creator of the “the Diamond Approach” of spiritual inquiry and development. With Sounds True, Hameed has created a new online course called Endless Enlightenment: The view of totality in the Diamond Approach. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Hameed converse on the markers one can recognize on the path to enlightenment—and beyond. They talk about how nondual realization isn’t the endpoint of the spiritual path, and how setting goals for that journey may do more harm than good. Finally, Hameed explains his teaching of the view of totality, its development over a span of 20 years, and why he’s decided to share it now with the world. (67 minutes)

Sandra Ingerman is an award-winning author and internationally recognized teacher of shamanism and ceremony. Sandra will soon join many other leading shamanic teachers—including don Oscar Miro-Quesada, Luisah Teish, and José Luis Stevens—for Year of Ceremony, a Sounds True-hosted online gathering that will take place each full moon for the next 13 months. Intended to form an international community devoted to the power of ceremony, each gathering will highlight different shamanic concepts, rituals, and diverse traditions. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Sandra Ingerman about the preparations essential for and the role intention plays in an effective ceremony. They also discuss the advantages of calling in the aid of the primal elements and their invaluable role in ceremonies of transformation. Finally, Sandra shares stories of some of the most powerful ceremonies she has presided over—as well as the pitfalls that can impede shamanic practice. (60 minutes)

HeatherAsh Amara is the founder of Toci—the Toltec Center of Creative Intent—which is an organization devoted to the development of an authentic and aware global community through a blend of Toltec wisdom, European shamanism, Buddhism, and Native American ceremony. With Sounds True, she has created The Warrior Goddess Online Training: Becoming the Woman You Are Meant to Be, an eight-week training filled with insights, meditations, and question-and-answer sessions for embracing one’s divine womanhood. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and HeatherAsh discuss the concept of “stalking oneself” and how to explore the challenge of everyday moments. They also speak on the necessity of becoming intimate with oneself no matter the discomfort that may cause. Finally, HeatherAsh talks about her apprenticeship with don Miguel Ruiz and her days as a firewalking instructor—as well as how each helped her to embrace every aspect of her being. (67 minutes)

Mary O’Malley is an author, counselor, and acknowledged leader in the field of spiritual awakening. With Sounds True, Mary has published What’s in the Way Is the Way: A Practical Guide for Waking Up to Life. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Mary discuss the eight “spells” that keep us feeling separate from life—as well as the remedies that bring us more fully into the energetic flow of existence. They speak on the need for curiosity, and the role it plays in uniting our attention with our present-moment experience. Finally, Mary explains her understanding of the awakening process and the skills one can cultivate to come into a robust and joyous alignment with life itself. (60 minutes)

Temple Grandin is a renowned American author, animal behavior expert, and advocate for autistic people. She’s written many books—including Animals in Translation, The Autistic Brain, and Thinking in Pictures—and is currently a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Temple talk about the differences between verbal and visual thinkers, and how to bridge the gap between them. They speak on Temple’s lifelong relationship with animals and how—as a nonverbal thinker—she feels a deep kinship with them. Finally, Temple and Tami discuss the importance of helping people on the autism spectrum to invest their efforts in what they love rather than what they lack. (60 minutes)

Matt Kahn is an author, spiritual teacher, and highly attuned empathic healer whose intuitive abilities allow him to bridge the mystical with the mundane. With Sounds True, Matt has created the book Whatever Arises, Love That: A Love Revolution That Begins with You and an upcoming online course of the same name. In the second part of their conversation on Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Matt talk about the connection between a sense of safety and the ability to truly live one’s life to its fullest. They also discuss the four kinds of inflammation the ego can experience when overstimulated, and how to work with these energetic reactions. Finally, Tami and Matt speak frankly about what he means by “the love revolution” and how the practice of loving oneself can uplift the entirety of the world. (65 minutes)

Dr. Friedemann Schaub is a physician best known for his breakthrough programs for the treatment of fear and anxiety disorders, which combine his medical expertise with Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Time Line Therapy™, and clinical hypnotherapy. He is the author of the Sounds True book The Fear and Anxiety Solution. In this second half of their two-part conversation on Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Friedemann discuss cellular memory, our “blueprint for wholeness,” and how to root ourselves in our essence instead of continual, low-level anxiety. They also talk about the inner protector at the root of our negative self-talk and a “Parts Reintegration Process” for working with this sometimes fractious guardian. (62 minutes)

Dawna Markova is an inspirational speaker and writer, and Angie McArthur is one of the creators of the Worldwide Women’s Web, a network intended to retain and encourage women in corporate leadership roles. With Sounds True, Dawna has created the audio series The Open Mind, where she offers a seminar on different learning patterns. Most recently, Dawna and Angie have written a new book called Collaborative Intelligence: Thinking with People Who Think Differently, in which they teach how to recognize mental patterns and use that knowledge for better coordination, teambuilding, and long-term planning. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Angie and Dawna about the different styles of attention, learning, and thinking—and how a better understanding thereof could improve our education system. They also discuss the best methods of collaboration, and the great joy that comes with understanding how to work in concert with someone with a completely different mode of thought. (69 minutes)

Fleet Maull is an acharya—or senior mindfulness meditation teacher—in the Shambhala International Meditation Community. In 1989, Fleet founded the Prison Dharma Network—now called The Prison Mindfulness Institute—while serving a federal prison sentence. He is the author of the book Dharma in Hell: The Prison Writings of Fleet Maull and has founded several prisoner advocacy organizations. In this fascinating edition of Insights at the Edge, Fleet and Tami Simon discuss practices for dealing with regret and what it means to truly devote ourselves to the service of others. They also speak on Buddhist views of basic human goodness and how they helped Fleet to come to terms with his prison experience. Finally, Fleet talks about his vision for the reform of the American criminal justice system and the slow growth toward a more enlightened society. (72 minutes)

Marianne Williamson is a New York Times bestselling author, public speaker, social activist, and respected teacher who draws extensively from the spiritual classic, A Course in Miracles. With Sounds True, she has created the audio programs Love’s Manifesto and Meditations of the Heart in partnership with Andrew Harvey. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Marianne and Tami Simon talk about the ineffable moment in which we come into inner communion with the divine. Marianne also challenges listeners in the transformational community to put their beliefs into action through direct activism. Finally, Marianne speaks frankly about a political campaign that failed to bring her into office—but also brought her into a much deeper understanding of herself and her true purpose in life. (64 minutes)

Dr. Friedemann Schaub is a physician best known for his breakthrough programs for the treatment of fear and anxiety disorders. The author of the Sounds True book The Fear and Anxiety Solution, Dr. Schaub has developed a method of self-empowerment that combines his medical expertise with NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), timeline therapy, and clinical hypnotherapy. In the first half of a two-part conversation on Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Friedemann about how we can develop a language that lets the subconscious and conscious mind work in harmony. Dr. Schaub also outlines the root causes of anxiety and leads us through the Pattern Resolution Process for resolving emotional wounds. (69 minutes)

Matt Kahn is an author, spiritual teacher, and highly attuned empathic healer whose intuitive abilities allow him to bridge the mystical with the mundane. With Sounds True, Matt has published a new book called Whatever Arises, Love That: A Love Revolution That Begins with You. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Matt talk about the development of a “a personal love statement” that we can return to as a centering practice. They also discuss the recognition of our innate innocence, as well as how to nurture that quality through all the ups and downs of life. Finally, Matt invites all of us to join the love revolution with his most potent teaching. (67 minutes)

Alice Walker is a poet, essayist, and New York Times-bestselling author who has won both the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. With Sounds True, Alice has released the audio program My Life As My Self, which vividly recounts her personal, professional, and spiritual journeys. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Alice and Tami Simon speak on what it means to step into the line of fire and receive criticism for what one believes. In this vein, Alice explains her role as an activist in locations such as Gaza and the Congo—and how standing up for one’s principles brings an ineffable lightness to the heart. Finally, Alice and Tami discuss stepping into the role of a societal elder and why it is imperative that we reconnect with the whole of the Earth. (55 minutes)