Spiritual Sexual Shamanic Podcast

It's not just the stuff of science fiction. As ISTA Lead faculty member Michal Maayan Don explains, bending time is possible when we drop deeply into what we love to do. That may be easier said than done. But if we aim to be more authentic, and practice healthy boundaries, we might be surprised by how quickly that sense of timelessness can come about.  In this spontaneous and bubbly conversation, Michal and Simon Marvell also explore themes of vibrations, connection, and uncaging eros. They delve into the importance of touch in fostering aliveness and the collective intelligence that emerges in group settings.  Overall, the emphasis is on our need to reconnect with the spirit in matter and the significance of love and land in our lives.  TAKEAWAYS * Vibrations signify a higher level of aliveness in our bodies. * Touch is essential for genuine connection and communication. * Sexual energy can be uncaged and expressed in unconventional forms. * Timelessness can be experienced in deep connections with others. * Love and connection to the land enhance our experiences. * Collective intelligence emerges when groups vibrate together. * Spirit is present in matter and can be felt through our bodies. * Reconnecting with our instincts is crucial for healthy boundaries. * Vulnerability in groups fosters deeper connections and love. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Vibrations and Aliveness 03:10 The Power of Touch and Connection 06:31 Uncaging Eros: Redefining Sexuality 12:44 The Intelligence of the Body and Instincts 19:57 The Role of Boundaries and Emotional Energy 25:30 Experiencing Timelessness in Connection 31:31 Love and Connection with the Land 39:30 Acknowledging Indigenous Connections to Land 43:01 The Spirit in Matter and Animal Instincts 51:44 The Vibrational Intelligence of Groups

Aténougha is an Nganga (teacher) and bridge to the Bwiti Missoko tradition of Central Africa, where he helps people find transformation through this ancient spiritual science. In this conversation, Caitlyn Cook asks him, in a world that seems more and more chaotic, warring and disconnected, how do we relate to it as spiritual people? How does a spiritually mature person act or perceive this without being overwhelmed, disheartened or paralysed? Recorded in Libreville, Gabon, Aténougha explores the link between inner and outer conflict—and how everything begins from within... Rather than being overwhelmed, a spiritual person learns to understand their “position”, embracing both light and dark and choosing grounded ways to create change. The conversation includes.. * Spiritual views on war & crisis: Why war is not only political but energetic—and how to relate to it without fear or paralysis. * The importance of position: How recognising — and possibly shifting — your internal stance can change your outer experience. * From overwhelm to action: Why change starts small (in your home, relationships, and community) and grows from there. * Recognizing symptoms early: War doesn't just happen 'out there', it starts inside of you. Notice signs of conflict or misalignment and the role of daily practice in becoming more attuned... * Balancing and accepting light and dark: How to meet life’s polarities with wisdom, understanding that everything is part of the whole. Learn more about Aténougha and the Bwiti Missoko tradition, www.bwitiinitiations.com Learn more about ISTA, https://ista.life Follow us on Instagram: @ista.community

Kamela Love is an integrative mediator, transformational relationship coach, and former lawyer who blends diverse teachings—from mystical Sufism to neuroscience and Tantra—to explore personal and organizational growth.  She is the founder of Transform Into Love and co-founder of Queer Tantric Arts. With over 15 years of experience identifying as queer and poly, Kamela is passionate about awakening humanity to societal justice and divine love. In recent years, she has worked with ISTA faculty and organizers as a mediator, helping to improve their conflict resolution skills and capacity to take accountability.  In this conversation with Usha Rose, Kamela speaks in depth about the importance of taking accountability. She emphasizes that good leadership is actually founded on the ability to acknowledge where harm has been caused, entering into a process of repair, and seeing if there is a way for all to consensually move forward.  It’s a rich exploration, relevant to leaders everywhere, indeed to anyone participating in a relationship where power dynamics are at play. It might be between a manager and employee, teacher and student, coach and client, or facilitator and group. It could even be within personal relationships like parent and child, or between romantic partners. Topics Covered Include: * Responsibility vs. Accountability and Why It Matters: The distinction between fulfilling duties and taking ownership of the outcomes of those actions, especially when things go sideways. * The Importance of Accountability in Leadership: Why some leaders might shy away from accountability and how those who embrace it see it as a path for deeper growth and collective empowerment, fostering trust and integrity within their leadership and communities. * Practical Tips for Leaders: Key practices for preventing harm, addressing it effectively when it happens, and steps to minimize the need for future accountability processes—such as trauma-informed approaches, proactive feedback systems, and cultivating emotional intelligence. * Understanding Power Dynamics: A look into the responsibilities and vulnerabilities inherent in both “up power” and “down power” roles, highlighting how understanding and navigating these dynamics is crucial for fostering healthier relationships and communities. Learn more about Kamela Love here: https://www.transformintolove.com/ [https://www.transformintolove.com/] To learn more about ISTA visit our website: https://ista.life/ [https://ista.life/] Or follow us on social media: @ista.community

In this first episode of the 6th season, Simon Marvell talks to blockchain pioneer and ISTA ally Jamie Zigelbaum about how the evolution of digital governance models can help us create smarter organizations and communities.  Jamie's insights come from his career as a researcher, artist, and from contributions to billion-dollar Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) projects. Most of his work has been carried out under an online pseudonym, so the name might be unfamiliar! His message is that while the sophisticated blockchain technology that has been developed in recent years might not have many real-world applications yet, it promises to provide solutions, in the future, to some of the most complex problems we face.   And these problems and solutions are not only technical ones. Jamie says that how we communicate with each other, how we trust one another, how we arrange ourselves into groups, and how well we work together in those groups can be enhanced as a result of these innovations.    Tune in for this thoughtful and clarifying conversation, especially if you’ve previously been turned off by the subject of digital technology!  To get in touch with Jamie, please email us and we will link you up: media@ista.life If you love this episode, please rate it and share it with your friends!   And to learn more about ISTA, visit our website: https://ista.life/    Or follow us on social media: @ista.community

It’s a situation straight out of the movies, or a teen magazine: jealousy causing a rift between two lovers. It could be as simple as your partner mentioning getting close to one of their co-workers, or as complex as negotiating the ups and downs of an open relationship. No matter how big or small the circumstance, or how experienced the people involved, jealousy can come on strong! In this episode, researcher and self-described relationship counsellor “for people who color outside the lines,” Joli Hamilton, talks with Usha Rose about how jealousy can be an incredible force for growth, pleasure, and increased connection in your romantic relationships.  They focus on how to create non-monogamous partnerships without shrinking away from the difficult feelings they can bring up. These are feelings Hamilton knows well. She had been in only monogamous relationships until having a sudden awakening into the possibility of relating with more than one person at once.  And in her research, Hamilton has found that the people who have the most successful experience with non-monogamy know how to notice the sensations of jealousy and then name it. This, she says, is one of the first things we can do to embrace non-monogamy in a supportive way.  They also discuss:  * Five steps for processing jealous feelings * How jealousy relates to shame and fear * The archetypal nature of jealousy * Paying attention to the way jealousy arises in the body * Creating relationship agreements to care for each other through jealousy * The unique pleasure of jealousy We hope you enjoy the episode! To learn more about Jolie, follow her on social media: @drjoliehamilton To learn more about ISTA, visit our website: https://ista.life/ Or follow us on social media: @ista.community