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Conscious Weddings

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)

Whatever Arises, Love That, Part 2

Matt Kahn is an author, spiritual teacher, and highly attuned empathic healer whose intuitive abilities allow him to bridge the mystical with the mundane. With Sounds True, Matt has created the book Whatever Arises, Love That: A Love Revolution That Begins with You and an upcoming online course of the same name. In the second part of their conversation on Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Matt talk about the connection between a sense of safety and the ability to truly live one’s life to its fullest. They also discuss the four kinds of inflammation the ego can experience when overstimulated, and how to work with these energetic reactions. Finally, Tami and Matt speak frankly about what he means by “the love revolution” and how the practice of loving oneself can uplift the entirety of the world.
(65 minutes)

Steven Kotler: Flow, Ecstasy, and Adult Development

Steven Kotler is a journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and the director of research for the Flow Genome Project. His many books include Tomorrowland, Abundance, A Small Furry Prayer, and Stealing Fire. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon talks with Steven about his interest in “flow states”—those states of consciousness in which we act largely without thought, purely in the moment, and at the peak of our abilities. Steven draws upon his personal experience of healing from Lyme disease to illustrate the many beneficial ways these states can be harnessed. Tami and Steven discuss the steps necessary to achieve a flow state, as well as how these experiences fit into the “ecstatic spectrum” of states characterized by selflessness, timelessness, and lack of ego. Finally, they speak on the tricky proposition of using psychedelics to induce a flow state and whether there are better alternatives—especially in the treatment of psychiatric conditions such as PTSD. (58 minutes)

Zainab Salbi: Wielding Our Sword of Truth

Zainab Salbi is an author, humanitarian, and media commentator who founded the nonprofit organization Women for Women International when she was only 23 years old. With Sounds True, she has published the book Freedom Is an Inside Job: Owning Our Darkness and Our Light to Heal Ourselves and the World. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon and Zainab discuss what it means to be an agent of social change while also navigating the everyday journey of being human. They talk about why it’s necessary to let go of what no longer works in our lives in order to embrace our most deeply held truths. As an Iraqi-American, Zainab speaks on engaging with people whose values oppose ours—especially those who currently oppose Muslim immigration to the United States. Finally, Zainab and Tami talk about the healing power of making amends and what “freedom” really means. (83 minutes)

Tami’s Takeaway
Zainab teaches how we can befriend people who hold opposing views not through debate, but through embrace and a strong, open stance that is curious about the other person’s underlying needs and emotions. I believe this skill—truly understanding people who disagree with us and feel “other”—is one of the most important skills we need to be peacemakers and bringers of love in all of our interactions.

Miles Neale: Entering a Tibetan Buddhist Flight Simula...

Miles Neale is a prominent member of the current generation of Buddhist teachers, championing the emerging field of contemplative psychotherapy. With Sounds True, Miles has published Gradual Awakening: The Tibetan Buddhist Path of Becoming Fully Human. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Miles about Lam Rim, the Tibetan Buddhist framework for moving into enlightened awakening step by measured step. They discuss the difference between gradually awakening and coming to enlightenment in a sudden burst, as well as the potential interplay between the two. Miles also leads Tami and the audience in a seven-step mentor bonding visualization that takes advantage of the mind’s capacity to create a “flight simulator” for felt experience. Finally, Miles and Tami talk about the need to re-embrace religion and ritual in order to transcend the “cinderblock civilization” of materialism and nihilism. (69 minutes)

Tami’s Takeaway
When Miles led us through a brief version of the mentor-bonding process that he teaches, I was surprised by who showed up in my mind’s eye. It was not a spiritual mentor, business mentor, or a psychological guide, but someone who has recently begun helping me become physically fit. This underscored for me how many different dimensions there are to mentorship, as well as how important it is to be utterly open to receiving help from a surprising source.

Jill Koziol and Liz Tenety: Redefining the Motherhood ...

Jill Koziol and Liz Tenety are the founders of Motherly, a website and support network devoted to redefining modern motherhood. With Sounds True, they have created This Is Motherhood: A Motherly Collection of Reflections + Practices. In this special edition of Insights at the Edge, Sounds True associate publisher Jaime Schwalb sits down with Jill and Liz to talk about how they originally formed Motherly and their desire to create a more positive approach to modern parenting. They talk about the importance of regular self-care practices for parents and why it really does take a village (even a digital one) to raise a child. Liz and Jill explain how each parent has their own skills and “superpowers,” as well as how you can recognize them. Finally, Jaime, Jill, and Liz discuss the discipline and clear communication needed to effectively parent. (54 minutes)

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