Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

Charles Eisenstein is an author, speaker, and "degrowth activist" whose books include The Ascent of Humanity and Sacred Economics, among others. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Charles and Tami Simon speak on the many crises currently facing the planet, from the increasingly urgent issue of climate change to the loss of meaning and trust in the center of civic life. They discuss the two fundamental mythologies of our time—"the story of separation" and "the story of interbeing"—and how many people feel like we live according to both at once. Tami and Charles talk about the wounding at the root of cynicism, and how the best way to ensure a brighter future is to give ourselves over wholly to the service of the planet. Finally, Charles speaks on his new book on climate change, explaining that he thinks the real work of ensuring a better future will come from unexpected sources. (70 minutes)

6 Mar 20181h 9min

James Hollis is a licensed Jungian analyst and the author of many books on personal development and the search for meaning. His works include What Matters Most, Why Good People Do Bad Things, and Through the Dark Wood. With Sounds True, he has published Living an Examined Life: Wisdom for the Second Half of the Journey. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with James about what it means to "grow up" in a contemporary society that infantilizes its citizens. They talk about how to recognize the summons of our deep psyche and the steps we must take in order to answer it. James explains that the greatest obstacles to attaining spiritual maturity are fear and lethargy, and describes the inevitable periods of darkness that we will encounter along the way. Finally, James and Tami discuss why it's important to our development that we choose meaning over happiness. (67 minutes)

27 Feb 20181h 6min

Dorothy Hunt is the spiritual director of Moon Mountain Sangha and founder of the San Francisco Center for Meditation and Psychotherapy. Invited to teach the dharma by Adyashanti, Dorothy is the author of Only This! and Leaves from Moon Mountain. With Sounds True, she has published Ending the Search: From Spiritual Ambition to the Heart of Awareness, a collection of teaching stories, inquiry practices, and original poetry. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Dorothy about the modern search for spiritual awakening and the process of serious self-inquiry. Dorothy leads a guided practice for dropping into heartful awareness in order to clarify who and what we are seeking. Tami and Dorothy also discuss what it means to be both a woman and modern spiritual seeker, and what roles gender plays in nondual thought. Finally, Dorothy shares a heartfelt excerpt from her poem titled "The Invitation." (67 minutes)

13 Feb 20181h 6min

Wim Hof is an athlete and extremophile daredevil nicknamed "The Iceman" for his feats of withstanding extreme weather conditions. The holder of more than 20 Guinness World Records, Wim attributes his endurance to specific meditation and breathing techniques. In this intriguing episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Wim about "The Wim Hof Method" of exercises, mindfulness techniques, and cold exposure, and how this regimen can shift our mental perspective as well as physical resilience. Wim describes the ways his practice dovetails with ancient Tibetan Buddhist inner fire meditation and how it alters body chemistry. Finally, Wim describes coldness as a noble force, asserting that by testing our physical limits we also gain a better understanding of the boundless capacities of the human spirit. (72 minutes) For more information about the Wim Hof Method, please visit wimhofmethod.com.

6 Feb 20181h 12min

Robert Wright is a scholar, journalist, and the author of books such as Why Buddhism Is True, Nonzero, and The Evolution of God. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Robert and Tami Simon examine meditation from a slightly different perspective, discussing the practice as both a tool of discovery and a kind of rebellion against the hardwired instincts of natural selection. They speak on whether there is a secret order to the universe and what truly fuels moral action. Robert and Tami also talk about different ways to conceive of the arising of thought and of "enlightenment" itself. Finally, Robert comments on how stepping back from our mental processes comprises a "metacognitive revolution" that is key to the survival of the human race. (76 minutes)

30 Jan 20181h 16min

Sadhguru is a yogi and mystic who created the Isha Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to exploring the outer limits of human potential. Belonging to no specific tradition, Sadhguru has taught at many international gatherings, including the United Nations and World Economic Forum. With Sounds True, Sadhguru has created an audiobook version of his New York Times bestseller Inner Engineering. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Sadhguru about his teachings, their foundations, and why he considers nonprofit work an expression of his devotion. Sadhguru shares the tale of his awakening experience on the Chamundi Hills outside Mysore, India—specifically of the dimension of memory that opened for him and how this shifted his perspective forever. Finally, Sadhguru and Tami talk about connecting with Adiyogi, the first yogi who is said to have begun the tradition more than 10,000 years ago. (69 minutes)

23 Jan 20181h 8min

Gabrielle Bernstein is the New York Times bestselling author of such books as Spirit Junkie, Miracles Now, and May Cause Miracles. Her newest book is Judgment Detox: Release the Beliefs That Hold You Back from Living a Better Life, which details a six-part process for applying spiritual principles to shuck off the toxic ideas holding you back. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Gabrielle on the principles underlying Judgment Detox and what it means to detach from the "judgment cycle." They speak on the difference between judgment and discernment, and how we can walk the fine line between the two in a culturally challenging era. Finally, Gabrielle talks about making feeling good a priority in our life, and how we can approach our core wounds in order to do so. (61 minutes)

16 Jan 20181h 1min

Dr. Joel Kahn is a holistic cardiologist, clinical professor of medicine, and author who is known as "America's Healthy Heart Doc." With Sounds True, he has published The Plant-Based Solution: America's Healthy Heart Doc's Plan to Power Your Health. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Joel and Tami Simon discuss why making the switch to a whole-food, vegan diet is the best decision you can make for your long-term heart health—as well as for diabetes prevention, sexual energy, and overall longevity. They compare a plant-based diet to other contemporary methods such as the keto and paleo diets, and Joel explains how to address what's missing in purely vegan foods. Finally, Tami and Joel talk about how the switch to a vegan diet is especially important for contemporary environmental crises and why a plant-based lifestyle will soon be a social standard. (58 minutes)

9 Jan 201857min