Category: Subtle Energy

José Luis Stevens: Encounters with Power

José Luis Stevens is an author, international lecturer, teacher, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, and the cofounder of the Power Path School of Shamanism and the Center for Shamanic Education and Exchange. With Sounds True, José has written a new book called Encounters with Power: Adventures and Misadventures on the Shamanic Path of Healing. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and José discuss his definition of “power” and the necessity of approaching it from a shamanic perspective. José relates stories about his brushes with true natural power and how they have shaped his ceremonial practices. Finally, José and Tami talk about the various crises now facing the planet—especially environmental ones—and how to take an empowered stance in the face of them. (75 minutes)

Damien Echols: Magick

Damien Echols was wrongly convicted of murder in 1994 as part of the infamous “West Memphis Three” trials. He spent almost two decades in prison, until new DNA evidence exonerated him in 2011. In this fascinating episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Damien on how he rejected bitterness at his mistreatment by the justice system and used his incarceration to explore the practice of hermetic magic. They talk about what it took for Damien to survive prison and what brought him to the path of the magician. Finally, Damien leads listeners on a guided practice of hermetic magic he calls “The Middle Pillar.” (65 minutes)

Elena Brower: Following Your Homing Intuition

Elena Brower is a yoga instructor, artist, and designer who is devoted to cultivating meditation as our most healing habit. With Sounds True and coauthor Erica Jago, Elena has published Art of Attention: A Yoga Practice Workbook for Movement as Meditation. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Elena about her upcoming audio offering, The Return Home: Essential Meditation Training for a Vital, Centered Life. Elena talks about the “home frequency” that each of us possesses, as well as how the return to that frequency requires a breaking of compulsive habits and addictions. They discuss the necessity of prayer and forgiveness, and consider the foundational principles of returning to one’s home frequency. Finally, Elena offers a practice for calming and returning to one’s center in the face of stress and overwhelm. (67 minutes)

Lissa Rankin: Leaps of Faith in a Benevolent Universe

Lissa Rankin is a physician, public speaker, and the founder of the Whole Health Medicine Institute. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Mind Over Medicine, The Fear Cure, and The Anatomy of a Calling. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Lissa speak on her incredible personal journey and how it led her to quit traditional OB/GYN medicine as an act of personal integrity. They talk about trusting one’s inner voices and developing the discernment necessary to know when it is time to take an intuitive leap. Finally, Lissa and Tami consider the ability to soften in the face of what might be otherwise overwhelming pain, and how an act of surrender can bring us into better alignment with all of life.
(106 minutes)

Natalie Southgate: Chakradance

Natalie Southgate is an internationally respected teacher who drew upon her background in psychology, dance, and energy healing to create the ecstatic movement practice now known as Chakradance. With Sounds True, Natalie has released the DVD 7 Keys to Freedom and its companion CD of the same name. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Natalie Southgate talk about the origins, principles, and healing possibilities of Chakradance. They discuss the influence of music upon the chakras and why it is so important that we balance our energy centers in order to release pain and trauma. Finally, Natalie shares three pieces of music from the 7 Keys to Freedom CD—each designed to work with a different chakra.
(65 minutes)

Adyashanti: Waking Up: What does it really mean?

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)