Spaces Between with Al Jeffery

In this episode, my first back for this year, Ash and I dive further into the waters we began wading into in our previous episode. Exploring the intersection of queer ways of being, masculinity, and the mythopoetic orientation, we build on this inquiry based on reflections for our last 5 months of circling with men across many generations.

What does the mythopoetic orientation afford us as we look to restore, and restory ourselves-in-the-world?

How do we relate to 'masculinity,' 'femininity' and all things between (and beyond) through this lens?

Can we move beyond simply 'who we love,' towards orientations of 'how we love,' maybe as the great myths were pointing us toward?

We explore the nuances of archetype, identity, and morality as we dance between the self and soul, crafting ourselves into a more enriched and generous expression of wholeness.

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Sean is a man, a voice, and a guide I've been tracking for some time, for his work in the eco-psychotherapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy space. Within the frame of rewilding, or de-domesticating the mind, remembering and reclaiming what Martin Shaw calls the 'wild twin,' the selves it can be easy to exile in our culture, we explore how both ecological re-connective practice and psychedelic-assisted therapies support us on this path of deliberately and pre-emptively meeting the wild.

As the founder and director of the Wild Mind Institute and therapist trainer in 2 of Australia's psychedelic research trials, Sean and I dive into some of the nuances of bridging transformative process with everyday life, specifically psychedelic integration practices in 'bedding down new knowings.'

It was an honour to share in this rich exchange with Sean, and we trust there are some fruits that fall from our conversation to support you in your journey of wholing, healing and remembering.

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In this episode, I read my most recent essay on “Eros, the Evolution of Life and Mind, and Moving from Psychology Toward Soul-Making.” This paper explores Eros (in it’s mythological and evolutionary sense) as a guiding organisational principle of life and invites us to tend to our connection to Eros as a partner in our renewal and re-engendering of relationship. 

Drawing on evolutionary biology, integral theory, attachment theory, theories of mind, developmental moral imagination, and more, I attempt to show how an Eros-(re)infused way of seeing and being might afford us great energy and direction in this time of fragmentation. 

Dive in, come to understand, and feel Eros in a renewed way. Let it animate your life and leadership. 

You can also download the paper here.

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In today’s episode, I had the honour of connecting in with dear brother Eamon Armstrong, exploring ways of being that allow for greater degrees of integration, and soul to live through us. In a world that prizes some expressions, criticises and condemns others, it’s no wonder we become partial even to ourselves. Through an exploration of queer ways of being, masculinity, and transformative culture, we touch the nerve of broadening senses of ‘self,’ to open to more inclusive and honouring epistemologies. Diving into temperament, attachment, identity, and character we explore what it means to shape identity and a ‘peaceful not-knowing’ from the inside, rather than from outside forces. 

We share a playful energy together, and always have, and so you’ll enjoy this one full of all of its wit, wonder, and banter.

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If we are to restore, or re-story, our world within larger narratives that acknowledge and honour the whole, how can we be with the natural world in a learning and listening capacity? 

Dr. Geoff Berry coined the term ‘ecomythic’ to speak directly to this. 

In our conversation, we explore the ways story and deep nature connection can support us in finding ourselves in larger mythologies, they can support us in living through myths that are more inclusive. We explore the meaning of myth, how myth has come to mean misconception, as well as come of the deep nature connection practices you might tend to in order to widen the mythologies you inhabit.

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In our world of bits and bobs, parts and objects, them and us, what is it that binds us, reminding us of our inter-weaving, and our nature as relational, systemic, and intertwined beings? How can we tell a different Story of Me, of Us and of Now, that acknowledges the in-between, the rich space between us? 

My dear friend Asher Packman and I dive into the role of the mythopoetic in restoring the world, or re-storying the world. We explore the roots of the mythopoetic resurgence within the menswork movement and beyond, what it offers us in relation to integrating more of the whole into our self and cultural imagination, as well as ways to re-awaken the mythos in our own practices. How can we truly experience poetry, and the poetics, calling on our many faculties so as to not hear the voices of mythos through ears of logos? 

A rich storyteller, and weaver of worlds, Ash and I have been very excited to share this one with you and hope it may be a reminder and torch of possibility for what a mythopoetic ontology might afford us in our restoring of wholeness in ourselves, and in our world. 

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Building cultures and places that celebrate our uniqueness, and our potentials is the work of each of us, whether we regard ourselves as business leaders, proud parents, loving friends, or contributing citizens. We find ourselves within systems of oppression, and through existing in these cultures, inherit relational patterns that support these ways of being. It is part of our work in this world, to deconstruct inequalities and weave inclusion, to come to understand how we, ourselves are supporting the perpetuation of these systems.

In this episode, we have the honour to explore these questions with Mary, who lives and breathes this work of deconstructing oppressive leadership and spaces. We explore some of the missed corridors in our own attempt to deconstruct oppressive leadership styles, and compassionately identify the ways we all may be able to enact transformative justice with more commitment and integrity. 

If you are someone hoping to unravel, decolonise, de-domesticate, and open your mind and way of relating in the world, to contribute to a more inclusive and totalising culture, this one is packed with great stories, insights and practical considerations. 

On the journey we go! Thank you, for committing to the work of restoring spaces for wholeness. 

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Contemplating system and cultural change, and our role within it can be daunting, and quite honestly, disempowering. Engaged Buddhism though, might have something to remind us. 

In today’s episode, we connect with Brother Phap Hai, a Senior Student of venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, to explore how the practice of Engaged Buddhism might support us as stewards of change in our lives, and our communities. What is Engaged Buddhism? What does it look and feel like in practice? How can it support us in our own wholeness, and flourishing, and in our attempt to re-weave cultures of wholeness?

We explore the many ways we can be engaged, and how to reclaim the very orientation behind our engagement to return to living in relationship with life as it is, right here.

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In today’s episode, I connect with, and we get to explore with, someone I’ve admired and learned much from in the past years. Jenny’s articulation of regenerative culture and leadership, bringing together the worlds of philosophy, ecology, mythology, science, and soul-centricity has endowed my own sense of ‘regenerative practice’ with greater depth and meaning. 

We explore the roots of the mechanistic paradigm, the ways it serves, and the limitations we are living in the experience of, as well as (re)-emerging epistemologies and ways of knowing that support a regenerative way of being in the world. The imagination, humility, and the role of humiliation within our journey of maturing into stewards of the living systems we are a part of is also something we dive into with great depth, and passion. 

Here’s to moving beyond atomising ourselves and our ecologies, to restoring relationality, queering our minds and ways of perceiving self and world, and ultimately living in greater congruence with life and its invitations. 

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Everyone is a facilitator, whether consciously or unconsciously. In our relationships at all levels - professionally and personally - we are woven into, affected by, and affecting a web of relations. In this episode, I sit down with my dear brother, co-groover, and facilitator from Melbourne, Henry Fowkes. We explore the nuanced and little-spoken-of insights into facilitation and group-work. In this, we cover the terrain of embodied attunement, integrating authenticity and authority, the role of the body and its wisdom within facilitation. Henry is one full of cackles, stories packed with humility, and a genuine zest for discovery. 

Here we were, sitting in my bedroom, microphone listening in, sharing a brotherly, down-to-earth, and mutually curious conversation that we trust you’ll take something for your medicine bag from. 

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What does it really mean to ‘hold space?’ What is the opposite of ‘holding space?’ Is this something we can teach, and if so, how might we?

Heather is a group facilitator, deep thinker-feeler, and space-holder I’ve admired for some time, and in this episode, we dive into what it truly means to be a ‘bowl,’ and not a ‘mould;’ to liberate through space, not hijack. Exploring some of the core questions Heather sits with every day, and brings to her work in teaching the art of space holding, we touch on the role of meta-cognition, familiarisation with paradox, embodying and bearing the ‘primal scream,’ grace in the unknown, and taking part in community-reflection (not just self-reflection) in developing our capacities for holding space for greater degrees of wholeness.

There are many snippets in this one worth noting, many great tools, reflective questions, and resources mentioned, so do pause as much as you need and check out the links in the show notes. 

As always, I trust this one adds something special to your toolbelt, for restoring wholeness within yourself and your relationships; for queering the mind and our culture just a little. 

Much love, Al

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In today's episode, I dive a little into the process of taking pause and sensing invitations. More specifically, I share a little of my process in taking pause in the last 4 months, the invitation, and newfound commitment to the show that has arisen.

It is a shorter practice episode sharing my re-commitment to the show, a refined thread of inquiry I'll be pulling, and an opportunity to be gifted 3 x 1-hour 1:1 Depth-work sessions with yours truly.

As a way of connecting with you all, I've shared a Community Listen-in Survey to understand your reflections on the show and areas for refinement. If you are oh so generous to share your reflections, you'll also go into the draw to be gifted 3 x 1:1 sessions 😁 (announced May 31st)

Sitting here, I'm very excited to be committed to the show, to you, and to our renewal, with new clarity, spice, and fervour.

👉 Here is the Community Listen-In survey.

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Beautiful intro and outro tones by Brother Keenan of Rohne. Check him out. 

In this episode, Paul Austin and I explore the Third Wave of psychedelic use and its role in evolving consciousness, restoring relationship, and living in paradox. Paul is the founder of The Third Wave, committed to re-normalising psychedelics in our fragmented and Newtonian world, offering ways to re-integrate these medicines in healthy, reverent and effective ways. As tools for rewilding our psyches, and moving beyond tameness that often has us other aspects of self and world, how might we enter back into relationship with wholeness? We explore questions around whitewashing, deep reverence, de-stigmatisation, practical ‘how-tos’, and a great dose of philosophy that supports our understanding of the importance of psychedelic integration. 

Whether you are already an explorer of these realms and seeking further guidance, or looking to gain perspective on these re-emerging practices, this is a beautifully practical, political, and philosophical dance.  

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 If we are to thrive - personally and collectively - in the 21st century, we are asked to unlearn and relearn ways of knowing and being that are more congruent with our ecologies and the natural systems we are a part of. We are also asked to remember and honour the wisdom of our Indigenous cultures as we look for ways of belonging together and to the more-than-human world. 

 In this episode, Louka and I explore what it means to broaden our epistemologies, take responsibility for our own journey of unlearning and relearning as leaders, differentiating identity and character, and the power of questions to disrupt our mental models. 

 Adapting, building resilience, broadening our ways of knowing and understanding of ‘what is,’ and developing the internal and relational capacities for change and transformation are necessary tools for regenerative leadership in this time. We hope this conversation will support you in bringing awareness to, and accountability toward the ways you might further your journey of unlearning.

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Satish Kumar is a former Jain monk, Indian British activist and speaker, as well as the Founder of Schumacher College in Devon. We met 6 years ago at a private retreat of teachers, guides and stewards committed to restoring a regenerative future — his humility, zest for life, gentleness and conviction in his activism has inspired me since. 

In this episode we explore what it means to become a pilgrim of life and infuse our activism with the sacred; what inner, social and ecological peace look like when seen as parts of a greater whole, and what we might learn from Satish’s 84 years of activism, peace pilgrimages and teachings across the globe. 

This was a real honour and full of poetic reminders to (as Satish would say) water the soil, soul and our society.

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What a delight! In this conversation, I connect and dance with Nina Simons, Co-Founder and Relationship Strategist at Bioneers. A movement, community and media platform I’ve admired and relished over the past years, committed to healing relationship to our ecologies, the sacred and beloved community.

In this time, noticing our tendency towards the light, toward the neatly-woven, the linear, and toward the “masculine," we explore what a feminine-inflected or heart-led paradigm of leadership might look like. Drawing on indigenous wisdom, spirituality, ecology, psychology and poetry; how might we replenish our backpacks with a full spectrum of all human possibilities, renewing relationship as the foundation of our lives and leadership? 

This one is full of soul-enriching reminders, invitations for reflection, rituals for tending to relationship and echos of timeless wisdom that guide us on our way back to living in and restoring relationship.

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In today’s episode, we have the honour of connecting with East Forest, hearing some of his heartfelt stories and practices for listening to the muse, and partnering with sound as a healing agent on his own path home. 

As someone who I’ve admired and sat in meditation or ceremony with many times in the past 2 years, it was an absolute gift to dive into live-dialogue with East. We explore the ancient role of music and sound in welcoming the invisible aspects of our fleshly lives, how building a relationship with the muse supports us in our own healing, as well as hear some about his own rituals and practices for remaining the vessel for sound that he is - and we all are!

This one is full. You could jot down many things on pen and paper, or, you could trust that your body will remember - it is all simply reminders after all!

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To ground some of our explorations in recent conversations, join me for a short and succinct look at how mindfulness practices help us contribute to not only our personal liberation but to broader social reform. I also share an “architecture of mindfulness meditation” as a simple tool for arriving in your own practice, understanding the foundations for retraining attention and building choicefullness. 

These episodes are designed as a way to explore more of the theory, technique and practices supporting us in bringing the ideas, philosophies and concepts explored in conversations into our lived being-in-the-world. 

Join me for a little adventure on our way home.

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Movement is a universal language that not only supports us in bodying ourselves, moving through trauma and cohering our body-minds, but also accessing ways to be in relationship with others and the more-than-human. Melissa has been a dear friend and guide on my own path to wholeness and it was such an honour to dive into a dancing-dialogue together.

Supporting us in our journey to embodiment and bodying more of ourselves as leaders and stewards of the emerging future, we explore why and how movement is so crucial in coming home to ourselves. How might movement as a practice support us in cultivating coherence and attunement, as embodied leaders?

We dive into the theme of cohering our body-minds and processing trauma stored in the nervous system, dance as a practice for life, building capacity by going so deeply into the body that we can go out without losing our ground, as well as the importance of community in these practices as instruments for attunement.

This is a juicy one! My hope is you get as much joy from Melissa and I's dance as we did.

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What does it truly mean to reclaim our emotions, to live in integrity with our inner and outer lives in congruence? Not only supporting men in their path of healing and renewal, what does this look like as we as a culture come into community congruence? Dan is the Co-Founder at EVRYMAN and has spent many years stewarding a more integrated masculinity. 

We touch on the cultural forces at play and balancing both compassion and courage in owning our work as men in restoring a culture that supports all. We also inquire into the importance of description as opposed to prescription in exploring a more inclusive and representative view on masculinity or personhood.

This one's not just for those who identify as men, it's for anyone swimming in our culture in this time.
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