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    34: Spiritual Medicine. A conversation with Joseph Tafur.

    enFebruary 10, 2020
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    About this Episode

    After struggling through depression during medical school, Dr. Joseph Tafur was introduced to peyote by a friend who was researching psychedelics as a medical intervention. He reports that he quickly realized the connection between modern medical interventions, such as anti-depressants and psychedelics. In 2007 Dr. Tafur traveled to the Amazon and began his exploration of Ayahuasca and later began his training in Shipibo shamanism. Dr. Tafur’s medical background and his training as a Shipibo shaman position him to articulately explain the Western understanding of this spiritually-based approach to healing. Dr. Tafur’s book is full of case studies, and his use of these examples provide a first-hand account of what many know to be true: that many individuals do not feel adequately understood by the traditional western medicine. We discuss epigenetics, specifically how researchers are beginning to understand how trauma can be passed down from one generation to the other. We frame depression and other psychological issues as a disorder of the imagination, wherein the individual is cut off from their sense of creativity, and which cuts the individual off from imagining other possibilities in their life, and therefore they suffer under the burden of the discomfort and belief that change is not possible. Although Dr. Tafur can use modern medical language, he prefers to speak about love and broke-heartedness as it relates to what is missing in modern medicine. 

    Bio:

    Dr. Tafur has been an Integrative Medicine activist throughout his medical career, while in medical school at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine, and during his Family Medicine Residency at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has collaborated on research projects with the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine and the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine.  After residency, Dr. Tafur subsequently completed a two-year Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at the UCSD Department of Psychiatry under psychoneuroimmunology expert Dr. Paul Mills. While in San Diego, he also served on the board for the Alternative Healing Network and the Steering Committee for the UCSD Center for Integrative Medicine.

    Dr. Tafur is also dedicated to education. At Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual, Dr. Tafur supervised traditional training for allopathic medical students and medical student groups from the Southwestern College of Naturopathic Medicine and Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine. He has also worked as a professor for the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine’s online doctoral program. He is now developing new educational programs for Modern Spirit.

    Since 2007, Dr. Tafur, a has been traveling to Peru to work with Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine and to study with Master Shipibo Healers. He has completed his shamanic initiation under Maestro Ricardo Amaringo and worked alongside him for years in ayahuasca healing ceremony at Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual.

    Here in the United States, he is working to promote the value of spiritual healing in modern healthcare and to demonstrate the intersection between traditional healing and allopathic medicine

    .https://drjoetafur.com

    https://modernspirit.org

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    Recent Episodes from The Sacred Speaks

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    Interview begins @ 4:40

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    Interview begins @ 4:00

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    103: Richard Rohr – The Quest for the Grail

    103:  Richard Rohr – The Quest for the Grail

    Interview begins @ 9:25

     

    Father Richard Rohr explores his experiences with men and men's work. Growing up in a Catholic seminary surrounded by males, he became acutely aware of both the beautiful and neurotic facets of masculinity. His time working in an Albuquerque jail exposed him to the ways men suffer and express their pain, which deepened his understanding and prompted reflection on male-centric theories. This allowed him to better address the unique sufferings faced by men. He emphasizes the importance of healthy male role models for men to emulate, ensuring they engage with the world with integrity. Drawing parallels, he narrates a fascinating tale of aggressive young elephants in Africa that were pacified when elder bull elephants were introduced as positive male influences.

    The episode touches on the intricacies of the masculine archetype, navigating the sensitive conversation surrounding masculinity and femininity, and the unification of separated entities. Father Rohr elaborates on the four central male archetypes: King, Warrior, Lover, & Magician. The discussion then shifts to rites of passage, highlighting how certain traditions may miss the essence of such rites. Father Rohr points out that unlike females, who undergo a natural rite of passage with the onset of menstruation, males lack an equivalent biological marker, necessitating cultural rites to signal their transition to manhood.

    The conversation examines the significance of rites of passage in balancing the spirit and soul, the importance of shadow dynamics in personal development, and the paradoxical nature of a religion centered around divine incarnation yet suppressive of bodily pleasures. The conversation doesn't shy away from controversial topics, discussing the Catholic Church's history with pedophilia, the systemic issues that might contribute to such atrocities, and the cyclical nature of sin and redemption.

    This comprehensive discussion offers invaluable insights into masculinity, spirituality, and the complexities of human nature.

    Bio:

    Franciscan friar and ecumenical teacher, Father Richard Rohr bears witness to the deep wisdom of Christian mysticism and traditions of action and contemplation. Founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation, Father Richard teaches how God’s grace guides us to our birthright as beings made of Divine Love. He is the author of numerous books, including The Universal Christ, The Wisdom Pattern, Just This, and Falling Upward.

     

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    The Sacred Speaks
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    102: Connie Zweig – Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path

    102: Connie Zweig – Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path

    Interview begins @ 5:09

    Embark on a profound spiritual journey with Dr. Connie Zweig in episode 102 of The Sacred Speaks. Dr. Zweig, intertwining personal history and spiritual practice, unveils an exploration into the contrasts within spiritual leadership and the violations within spiritual and religious traditions. Illuminating "holy longing" – a movement toward spiritual paths – she reveals how projection onto spiritual figures can lead to violations and wounding. The episode navigates power abuses toward followers, especially those questing for transformative experiences. The central inquiry: "How do we embrace the beauty of spiritual transmissions while acknowledging the low moral development of some teachers?" Dr. Zweig guides a path toward healing, dissecting distinctions between archetypal and parental transference, and underscores the necessity of communal and personal shadow work, especially in modern psychedelic communities. Cautioning against the hypno-persuasive aspects of psychedelics, she affirms, "If we learn shadow awareness, each community will be more likely to survive," advocating for mindful training and vulnerability on the spiritual path. Join us in this deep dive into the complex interplay of shadows and light on spiritual journeys.

     Bio:

    Connie Zweig, Ph.D. is a retired therapist and coauthor of Meeting the Shadow and Romancing the Shadow. Her award-winning book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, extends her work on the Shadow into midlife and beyond and explores aging as a spiritual practice. It won the 2022 Gold COVR Award, the 2022 Gold Nautilus Award, the 2021 American Book Fest Award, and the 2021 Best Indie Book Award for best inspirational non-fiction. Her new book, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening, is available now. Connie has been doing contemplative practices for more than 50 years. She is a wife, stepmother, and grandmother. After all these roles, she’s practicing the shift from role to soul. 

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    101: Miriam Volat - The RiverStyx Foundation, Ecology, & Indigenous Wisdom

    101: Miriam Volat - The RiverStyx Foundation, Ecology, & Indigenous Wisdom

    Interview begins @ 4:37

    Join your host, John Price as he welcomes Miriam Volat, the co-director of The RiverStyx Foundation, co-director of the Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund, and Executive Director of IPCI. Together, they engage in an eye-opening discussion that bridges the gap between ecology, indigenous traditions, and the Sacred.

    Episode Overview
    In this episode, we learn about The RiverStyx Foundation, discussing its mission and vision for a more connected world. Miriam shares her extensive background in ecology, with a special focus on soil science. She reveals how her work in ecology has been a gateway to exploring indigenous traditions, particularly entheogenic healing practices. Miriam argues that a deeper, more direct connection with the Sacred can catalyze to rekindling our relationship with our immediate environment.

     Key Points

    • Ecology as a Lens: Miriam shows how her work in soil science enriches her understanding of indigenous practices.
    • The Disconnect: We examine the pervasive alienation from community and culture, worsened by lacking tools to process trauma.
    • Extractive Models: The hosts question the sustainability of our current approaches to culture and the Earth.
    • Colonialism's Role: A quick dive into how colonialism dismisses the value of context in our interactions with the world.
    • Cultural Roots: Miriam urges the importance of knowing your cultural and environmental ties.
    • Consumerism's Toll: We discuss how consumerism undermines our need for community and culture.
    • Patents and Healing: The conversation challenges the ownership of natural healing elements, advocating for a communal approach.
    • Sustainable Death Practices: Miriam shares insights on death and sustainability, like compostable toilets.
    • Sacred Medicines: The episode concludes by exploring the personal responsibility involved in using sacred medicines for healing.

    Bio:
    Miriam Volat M.S. Co-Director of Riverstyx Foundation & Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund,  Executive Director of IPCI, is an educator, organizer, facilitator and ecologist with a passion for soils and nutrient cycles. She works Nationally and Internationally to increase health in all systems. She is dedicated to the biocultural conservation of Peyote and other sacred medicines supported by the IMC Fund, and works in any way she can to ensure the conservation of these medicines for Indigenous communities and their precious ways of life. As a mom, she is fortunate her daughter, Cora, also supports her work.

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    The Sacred Speaks
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    100: James Hollis – The Broken Mirror: Refracted Visions of Ourselves

    100: James Hollis – The Broken Mirror: Refracted Visions of Ourselves

    The interview begins @ 6:24

     In this enlightening conversation with Dr. James Hollis, renowned Jungian analyst, we dive deep into the psychic underpinnings of our religious traditions and explore the profound concept of the soul. Using Jung's understanding of God as a starting point, we traverse the labyrinth of depth psychology, examining not religious theology but the spiritual essence embedded within our psyche. Dr. Hollis challenges preconceived notions of Western healing approaches, underscoring the importance of addressing long-term developmental tasks contributing to our life's suffering and our existential quest for meaning. We probe into the power of choice, its pivotal role in harmonizing our inner and outer worlds, and the necessity of viewing our lives through a transpersonal lens. In a contemplative reflection on his own life and the influence of Jungian theory, Dr. Hollis encourages us all to engage in a deeper dialogue with our lives, acknowledging the humbling realization that we aren't truly in control. Our discussion pivots to the human propensity for constructing theology, culture, and structures as conduits to the mystery of existence, bearing the psychological imprints of their originators. We navigate the intricate dynamics of resistance within the relationship between the ego and the unconscious, emphasizing our responsibility for our choices. The existential query is central to our exploration: "What stirs your spirit to evolve and redefine your life?" We touch upon cultural sickness, institutional failure, and the potential for growth within tradition, culminating in a discourse on gender fluidity, the impact of consumerism, and the essence of a truly healing analysis.

     This exploration offers listeners the tools to navigate toward their own 'true north,' fostering a stronger connection with their intuitive inner life. Join us as we transcend the diversions of popular culture and dive into the depths of our collective psyche.

     Bio:

    James Hollis, Ph. D., was born in Springfield, Illinois, and graduated from Manchester University in 1962 and Drew University in 1967. He taught Humanities 26 years in various colleges and universities before retraining as a Jungian analyst at the Jung Institute of Zurich, Switzerland (1977-82). He is presently a licensed Jungian analyst in private practice in Washington, D.C. He served as Executive Director of the Jung Educational Center in Houston, Texas for many years and now was Executive Director of the Jung Society of Washington until 2019, and now serves on the JSW Board of Directors. He is a retired Senior Training Analyst for the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, was first Director of Training of the Philadelphia Jung Institute, and is Vice-President Emeritus of the Philemon Foundation. Additionally, he is a Professor of Jungian Studies for Saybrook University of San Francisco/Houston. 
    He lives with his wife Jill, an artist and retired therapist, in Washington, DC. Together they have three living children and eight grand-children. 
    He has written a total of eighteen books, which have been translated into Swedish, Russian, German, Spanish, French, Hungarian, Portuguese, Turkish, Italian, Korean, Finnish, Romanian, Bulgarian, Farsi, Japanese, Greek, Chinese, Serbian, Latvian, Ukranian and Czech. 

    www.jameshollis.net
     
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    The Sacred Speaks
    enAugust 13, 2023

    99: Béa Gonzalez – Invocation and Sophia Cycles

    99:  Béa Gonzalez – Invocation and Sophia Cycles

    Interview begins @ 4:00

    In this episode, we explore the enriching journey of Bea Gonzalez, an accomplished novelist and facilitator of a depth-oriented women's collective. Known for her innate ability to weave stories, Bea intertwines feminine wisdom with a holistic approach to understanding the world, as demonstrated in her widely acclaimed work on sophiacycles.com. Our conversation starts with Bea's early dreams of professional writing, a passion that has blossomed into several published novels with Harper Collins and beyond. We investigate the significance of writing as active imagination, taking cues from Jung's Red Book. Bea presents the intriguing notion that everyone should write a novel, an exercise in self-exploration and a canvas to observe the interactions of our inner personalities. Drawing from Jungian psychology, Bea highlights the value of this framework as a lens to perceive reality. Its influence is manifest in her personal growth and resonates powerfully within the groups she leads. As we navigate through the intricate labyrinth of Jung’s Collected Works and post-Jungian writers, Bea emphasizes writing as not merely a craft but a spiritual path. We discuss the potency of storytelling, the exploration of the self through narratives, and the harmonious dance of the masculine and feminine. Engaging with the profound insights of Iain McGilchrist, we uncover the junctures where his work converges with Jung's philosophy. The dialogue evolves to encompass topics such as the inner struggles we all face, the societal impacts of shadow projection in politics, and the significance of the multiplicity of the pantheon versus the social value of a monotheistic god. With her women's groups as a platform for meaningful conversations, Bea eloquently underscores the importance of discussing and writing about these explorations, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas that spur personal and collective growth. Tune in for a profound exploration into the heart of depth psychology.

    Bio:

    Béa Gonzalez is a writer, lecturer, and educator. Her first two novels were published in Canada by HarperCollins and seven other countries [the UK, USA, Spain, Germany, Holland and Serbia]. Her second novel, The Mapmaker's Opera, was adapted into a musical by Kevin Purcell which was featured at the 2014 New York Musical Theatre Festival. She is also the founder of SophiaCycles, a project aimed at teaching metaphorical thinking through an examination of classical works, fairy tales and myths and can be found on YouTube, Twitter and Instagram @sophiacycles. Invocation is her third novel.

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    98: Thomas Moore – The Eloquence of Silence

    98: Thomas Moore – The Eloquence of Silence

    Interview begins @ 3:29

     Join us for a profound exploration of spiritual emptiness with Thomas Moore. Our conversation traverses the concept of kenosis, a process of spiritual emptying present in both Greek antiquity and Eastern philosophies. We challenge the notion of a 'purpose-driven' life, suggesting instead a life led by openness and spontaneity. Thomas endorses a religious attitude, permitting divine 'angels' to guide us, rather than our ego. We delve into the mystery of God, advocating for an open-minded approach to his ineffable nature.

    Thomas shares his personal journey, which included joining the monastery at a young age, and provides his insights into the image of Christ as it pertains to emptiness. We also discuss soul and spirit cosmology, the parallels between Dionysus and Christ, as well as the influences of thinkers like James Hillman and Carl Jung. We further examine how music can serve as a model for meaning-making, and the significance of 'emptying' a romantic relationship from egoic control. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on life's enigmas, inviting listeners to journey with us through these contemplative mysteries.

     

    Bio:

    Thomas Moore is the author of The Eloquence of Silence and 24 other books about bringing soul to our personal lives and culture, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Care of the Soul. He has been a Catholic monk and university professor and is also a psychotherapist influenced mainly by C. G. Jung and James Hillman. His work brings together spirituality, mythology, depth psychology, and the arts, emphasizing the importance of images and imagination.

     

    https://www.thomasmooresoul.com

     Website for The Sacred Speaks: 

     

    http://www.thesacredspeaks.com

     Esalen Class: 


    https://www.esalen.org/workshops/portals-and-pathways-ecstatic-experience-music-and-jungs-red-book-102323

     

    WATCH:

     

    YouTube for The Sacred Speaks

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOAuksnpfht1udHWUVEO7Rg

     

    Instagram: 

    https://www.instagram.com/thesacredspeaks/

    @thesacredspeaks

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    https://www.facebook.com/thesacredspeaks/

    Theme music provided by:

    http://www.modernnationsmusic.com

     

    Brought to you by: 

    https://www.thecenterforhas.com

    The Sacred Speaks
    enJuly 04, 2023
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