Mindrolling with Raghu Markus

Anita Sanchez and Raghu Markus confront the impacts of global warming, celebrate indigenous traditions, and explore the deep connection of nature and humanity. This week, Raghu and Anita Sanchez have a compelling conversation on: * Anita's recent journey into the Amazon Rainforest * The intense impact of global warming on Amazonian landscapes * The strength and leadership of indigenous amazonian women * Climate change as the biggest threat to national security * Viewing plants and nature as our relatives * Asking our ancestors for answers in our dreams * The way that mother earth cares for us * Getting rid of the illusion of separateness * Anita's epiphany at a Sundance ceremony * Getting involved with protecting our planet * Reconnecting to sacred, ritualistic ways of being * Indigenous plant medicine and the potency of Ayahuasca * Appropriation of indigenous practices * What the four sacred gifts are About Anita Sanchez, Ph.D: Anita was born into a Midwest family that was economically poor, yet rich in Mexican-American and Nahua (also known as Aztec) heritage. Fortified with the strength of her elders and connection to the earth, she became the first in her family of over one hundred first cousins to earn a doctorate degree. She has gone on to a career as an international transformational leader. Dr. Sanchez is committed to bridging indigenous wisdom and science with or contemporary work and life, to support our individual wholeness and collective conscious evolution in partnership with People, Spirit, and the Earth. With her loving spirit, presence and skill, Anita inspires people around the world to discover and trust their gifts, to become life-giving connections to all, in service and joy. Learn more about Anita’s work at anita-sanchez.com [https://anita-sanchez.com/] and check out her own podcast on Be Here Now Network, The Four Sacred Gifts [https://beherenownetwork.com/category/anita-sanchez/] “80% of the most biodiverse places left on this earth are lands that indigenous people live on. Yet, we’re only 5 or 6 % of the world’s population. That’s not a coincidence, that’s because we have this relationship.”– Anita Sanchez, Ph.D See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Bridging science and spirit, Stephanie Karzon Abrams chats with Raghu about integrating psychedelics and soul into the medical community. This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and Stephanie delve into:  * Out-of-body experiences through music * Addressing identity changes after Traumatic Brain Injuries * Utilizing plants to promote better health * Reconnecting to ourselves through psychedelic therapies * Trauma from displacement and immigration * Bridging science and spirit by integrating holistic views into medicine * The mental health impact of physical health issues * Getting the medical world to want to heal the mind and soul as well as the physical * The ways that psychedelic experiences can change us * The importance of having a guide through psychedelic experiences * Sitting with discomfort and being open to the lessons * How music expands our minds and creates a space for connection About Stephanie Karzon Abrams: Stephanie Karzon Abrams, a neuropharmacologist with a Masters of Science in Clinical Pharmacology, is the founding advisor of Beyond The Bench [https://www.beyondthebench.life/] consultancy. The firm provides science, research, operations, and strategy solutions to organizations and clinics in the natural product, plant medicine, and psychedelic sectors. A recognized leader in shaping the future of integrative and innovative healthcare, Stephanie Karzon Abrams champions the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. Her interests extend beyond neurology, encompassing plant medicines, women’s health, and the potential of music to enhance healing. Check out Stephanie’s music label, Public Secret [https://www.publicsecretmusic.com/]. “Anybody who has any kind of health challenge will have their mental health affected. There is an impact. Just treating that illness or symptom is not enough; you need to heal the mind. You need to heal the soul. They’re all interconnected. There’s no reason why medical science, especially when we talk about psychedelics, can’t address all of that. For me, that’s the ultimate goal, if I can use research as a tool to achieve this then I’ve succeeded.” – Stephanie Karzon Abrams See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Written in the key of grief and the melody of praise, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer sits down with Raghu to discuss her newest poetry book, The Unfolding. Enjoy your own copy of The Unfolding to read Rosemerry’s heart-opening poems! Purchase the book HERE [https://www.amazon.com/Unfolding-Rosemerry-Wahtola-Trommer/dp/1961741164] This week, tune into Rosemerry and Raghu’s conversation on:  * The loss of Rosemerry’s son and father * Living through seasons of extreme grief * Understanding the gift of a poem * Oppositional feelings experienced at the same time (pain + joy, etc.) * Recognizing how desperately we need eachother * The Grand Quilt [https://ahundredfallingveils.com/2023/11/07/the-grand-quilt/], The Medicine of Surrender [https://ahundredfallingveils.com/2024/01/19/the-medicine-of-surrender/], and more poems written and read by Rosemerry * Brave prayers and the things that open us / help us grow * Inspiration from Gregory Orr and Leonard Cohen * How grief strips us naked and makes us vulnerable * Raghu sends us off with a beautiful Kabir poem from the book Painting from the Palette of Love [https://www.shambhala.com/painting-from-the-palette-of-love.html] About Rossemerry Trommer: Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer is an American poet associated with Colorado. She was Poet Laureate of San Miguel County, Colorado from 2006–2010, and was named Poet Laureate of Colorado’s Western Slope by the Telluride Institute from 2015–2017. Most recently, Rosemerry published The Unfolding [https://wildhousepublishing.com/the-unfolding/], a book of poetry exploring grief. Rosemerry was featured on TEDxTalks [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXC3-ZFkhDo] to discuss the art of changing metaphors and created an album of poetry called Dark Praise [https://rosemerrywahtolatrommer.bandcamp.com/album/dark-praise] with Steve Law. Check out Rosemerry’s website, Wordwoman [https://www.wordwoman.com/], and her daily poetry blog, A Hundred Falling Veils [https://ahundredfallingveils.com/]. You can also join Rosemerry in an immersive daily experience of poetry and reflection on the Ritual app [https://www.wordwoman.com/listen-daily-the-poetic-path/]. “So many people reached out to help me… they’d say, ‘What can we do?’ And I’d just say, ‘Open me. Help me stay open. Please, help me stay open.’” – Rosemerry Trommer See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Daniele Bolelli contrasts the beauty of community and selfless leadership in Native culture with the epidemic of loneliness in America. In this episode, Daniele and Raghu roll through:  * Native American history and lessons * Daniele’s first exposure to Native culture through his journalist mother * How the Sundance [https://aktalakota.stjo.org/seven-sacred-rites/wiwanyang-wachipi-sun-dance/] ceremony shifted Daniele’s entire world * The purpose of Sundance ceremony and praying for the welfare of all living beings * The beauty and power of community we can see in Native American culture * Loneliness in America as an epidemic * Discussing a few of the great Native American chiefs, like Crazy Horse [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Crazy-Horse] and Sitting Bull [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sitting-Bull] * Thinking collectively for the well-being of an entire village * Why a functioning community or tribe is essential for collective ideologies to work * The Native American myth of the Wendigo [https://www.britannica.com/topic/wendigo] as a metaphor for insatiable craving Grab the book Daniele suggests, Black Elk Speaks [https://www.amazon.com/Black-Elk-Speaks-John-Neihardt/dp/0803283911], for more Native American wisdom and stories. About Daniele Bolelli: Daniele Bolelli is an Italian writer, philosopher, and professor of comparative religion. Currently living in Los Angeles, Danielle Bolelli is also a martial artist and podcaster. Learn more about Danielle Bolelli and his published works as well as his suggested reading list on Daniellebolelli.com [http://www.danielebolelli.com/bio/]. Be sure to subscribe to Danielle’s podcast, History on Fire [http://historyonfirepodcast.com/]. “Loneliness is one of those epidemics that is killing us on a mental health level. When you see functioning communities, it’s a beautiful thing because that sense of relation that exists with this group of people that are not just your nuclear family but extend beyond that.” – Daniele Bolelli See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Sharing inspiration from the monk Thomas Merton, James Finley explains what he has learned about God, healing, and mystical paths. Grab James Finley’s Memoir, The Healing Path, HERE [https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Path-Memoir-Invitation/dp/1626985103/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1jjGqQ366MQl4NGUkGNfD6hYWDestvk-X6EQoXeNQOp8IhKhXWIQ3hyrCQRd1iFmuNKloP4L5nLphF_MfxVFsZFUpsf_wXsyMBsL2mPuifg.NcFlj3ywgUKI8deatac3iWCLOzXv8Xnt0Pnu37hfsmI&dib_tag=se&hvadid=673754897494&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9005535&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12876517329727562442&hvtargid=kwd-2202297984856&hydadcr=8293_13544394&keywords=the+healing+path+by+james+finley&qid=1726685559&sr=8-1] This week, James and Raghu have a deep conversation about:  * How James discovered a connection to God through Thomas Merton [https://merton.org/chrono.aspx] * James’ time living in the Abbey of Gethsemani immediately after high school * The resonance that happens between awakened people * The secret, safe place that God can commune with us * Never forgetting what we learn from dark times * Having empathy for others through our own suffering * Seeing children as our mentors * Becoming an act of acceptance for the unexplainable mystery * The healing stories in the gospels About James Finley: James Finley is an author, clinical psychologist, and spiritual director. He is one of the core faculty members of the Center for Action and Contemplation (with Richard Rohr) and is host of the CAC podcast “Turning to the Mystics [https://cac.org/podcast/turning-to-the-mystics/].” A former novice under Thomas Merton at the Abbey of Gethsemani, he is the author of the classic book Merton’s Palace of Nowhere: A Search for God through Awareness of the True Self. A leading figure in the integration of psychology and spiritual direction, he has led workshops and retreats around the country. “Often, when the terror is overtaking us, it isn’t until later that we reflect on it. We realize it isn’t that it wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t just terrible. That precisely because it got so dark I was able to see a light shining in the darkness that had come in looking for me, or it was there all along and I didn’t know it.”– James Finley See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].