Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

David Tresemer is an associate professor of psychology at Rudolf Steiner College. Lila Sophia Tresemer is an author, ceremonialist, and trans-denominational minister. Together with Sounds True, the Tresemers have released The Conscious Wedding Handbook: How to Create Authentic Ceremonies That Express Your Love. In this episode of Insights at the Edge the Tresemers join Tami Simon for a lively discussion about the building blocks necessary for a conscious wedding ceremony. They talk about the “sacred moment” at the core of such a ceremony, as well as the role of witnesses in blessing the opening moments of a marriage. Finally, David, Lila Sophia, and Tami speak on conscious relationships and how marriage is a far more interesting adventure than “happily ever after.” (60 minutes)

11 Aug 201559min

Father Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest and prolific author. With Sounds True, he has released the six-part audio learning program, The Art of Letting Go: Living the Wisdom of Saint Francis, in which Richard explores the life and teachings of this beloved figure, and offers ways we can incorporate his wisdom into our lives. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Father Rohr and Tami Simon discuss the relevance of Saint Francis in today’s world, what he calls the "spirituality of subtraction," Jesus’ teachings on nonduality, and what genuine contemplation might look like. (52 minutes)

4 Aug 201551min

Barbara Brown Taylor is a New York Times bestselling author, professor, and Episcopal priest. She has served on the faculty of Piedmont College as the Butman Professor of Religion and Philosophy since 1998, and has released such widely praised books as Leaving Church and Learning to Walk in the Dark. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Barbara and Tami Simon speak about appreciating the power of divine absence as well as divine presence. They talk about the value of becoming familiar with darkness and a “lunar spirituality” inspired by walking beneath the light of the moon. Finally, Tami and Barbara discuss the modern predilection toward busyness and how a dedicated Sabbath day can help alleviate the stress of everyday life. (54 minutes)

28 Juli 201553min

Deepak Chopra is a world-renowned figure in mind-body medicine who has authored more than 80 books. Marilyn Schlitz is a social anthropologist and public speaker who’s been a leader in the field of consciousness studies for more than three decades. With Sounds True, Marilyn Schlitz has written a new book called Death Makes Life Possible: Revolutionary Insights on Living, Dying, and the Continuation of Consciousness, for which Deepak wrote an insightful foreword. In this special edition of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Marilyn and Deepak about the continuation of consciousness after death. They discuss the Western taboo about direct engagement with death and how we might move past it. In this spirit, Tami, Deepak, and Marilyn also talk about increasing “worldview literacy” and how we may be in the first stages of a “death awareness movement” that seeks to ease the cultural fears around dying. (57 minutes)

21 Juli 201557min

Malidoma Somé is a West African elder and teacher from the Dagara tribe in Burkina Faso, West Africa. A beloved speaker and workshop facilitator, Malidoma is the author of several books including Ritual: Power, Healing, and Community. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Malidoma and Tami Simon discuss the methods and rituals required to contact one’s ancestors—as well as the nature of the parallel world that they inhabit. They also talk about what we can do to resolve interpersonal issues with family members that have already passed into the next world. Finally, Tami and Malidoma speak on the most important lessons that the West can learn from the Dagara, and in turn what the Dagara might learn from the West. (68 minutes)

14 Juli 20151h 8min

Tami Simon speaks with Terry Tempest Williams, a writer, naturalist, environmental activist, and author of several books including Finding Beauty in a Broken World and an original audio adaptation of the book, published by Sounds True. In this interview, Terry discusses her creative process as a writer and how she has been able to find beauty in a broken world. (47 minutes)

7 Juli 201547min

Ekabhumi Charles Ellik is an artist, poet, and teacher of classical Hatha yoga. With Sounds True, he has created The Shakti Coloring Book—which is not only a beautifully illustrated coloring book for adults, but also a comprehensive guide to dozens of goddesses and their associated yantras. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Ekabhumi speak on how he understands various goddesses and their energetic presence in the world. They also talk about the relationship between the goddesses and yoga—particularly those goddesses that inspired specific yogic postures. Finally, Tami and Ekabhumi discuss the concept of “deity practice” and how inviting specific goddesses into our lives can align us with the great virtues they embody. (68 minutes)

30 Juni 20151h 8min

Bruce Tift has been in private practice as a psychotherapist in Boulder, Colorado since 1979. He has taught at Naropa University for 25 years, and was a student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. With Sounds True, he has published the book Already Free: Buddhism Meets Psychotherapy on the Path of Liberation. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Bruce and Tami Simon compare and contrast two different approaches to personal transformation: the “developmental” approach of psychotherapy and the “fruitional” approach of Buddhist practice. They discuss the blind spots inherent in each approach, as well as the ways they can be addressed. Tami and Bruce talk about the nature of neurosis and how neurotic tendencies almost always involve a sense of disembodiment. Finally, they speak on “unconditional practices,” and how unconditional kindness can transform one’s outlook on the procession of life. (70 minutes)

23 Juni 20151h 10min