DMF 50: A few thoughts to roll around while we're apart

I've decided to set Dead Man's Forest down for a while to focus on some business goals I set for myself. Give a listen for more details, and for some parting thoughts. I'll still be around, so you are more than welcome to contact me at https://www.deadmansforest.org/ Mentions Daily LSAT Problems: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCleL7JjTogC_dFqtvtJgOGg?view_as=subscriber 

I hope that you're having a meaningful week.

The conclusion of my conversation with Colleen (and of the interwoven conversations with Colleen and Tbird). She shares how she learned to listen to her inner "yes" and "no," and how living her life aligned with "yes" has allowed her to feel alive in each moment. Of course, if you have any questions for Colleen, or Tbird, feel free to reach out to me on deadmansforest.org. I would be happy to pass along your questions. Mentions Naropa University: https://www.naropa.edu/  More on Transpersonal Ecopsychology:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpersonal_ecology  Council: https://youtu.be/phZJs_ojeWI

Tbird and I finish our conversation. He wraps up his story on re-gathering the parts of himself he left behind as a child and in his 20s, and how his worldview has changed because of those experiences. He finishes with some powerful thoughts on living with--and sharing--grief. Mentions Shambhala Meditation: In many Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Shambhala is a mythical kingdom or city (sometimes called Shangri-la). In relation to meditation, it represent the perfect spiritual place that may perhaps be reached through meditation.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shambhala  Active Hope: A book by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone.  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13235686-active-hope  Prana: A Buddhist word meaning something along the lines of "life force." The power that animates all life--including us.  Tbird's non-profit: Alchemy of Prana, whose goal is to connect people with the land, with themselves, and with all consciousness.  Organized around a primarily ecophychological paradigm. https://www.alchemyofprana.com/about  Naropa University:  https://www.naropa.edu/  Transpersonal Ecopsychology: A philosophy that humans are a part of the larger ecological community, and that our psychological and societal health impact and are impacted by the health of natural ecosystems both small and large.  https://www.naropa.edu/academics/masters/ecopsychology/about/index.php  Pema Chödrön at the Tara Mandala retreat center:  https://www.taramandala.org/all-teachers/12145/pema-chodron/  Tbird's album, Songs of Earth & Mountain: Not publicly released. If it becomes so I will update this description  

T-bird is an incredibly passionate and caring man who has some remarkable experiences to share with you--and reflections on the lessons he's learned from those experiences. This week's episode is a bit of an interruption of my conversation with Colleen. This is an experiment; I wanted to introduce T-bird and his story so that I can make some connections for you in the episodes that will be coming in the next few weeks. Mentions Naropa University:  https://www.naropa.edu/  Joanna Macey and Three Stories of Our Time:  https://www.activehope.info/contents.html  Ecopsychology:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecopsychology  Council. All council circles are unique, but here is one example to familiarize you with the concept:  http://www.danielnpaul.com/TalkingCircle-FirstNations.html  Theodore Roszak. An video worth watching:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83VHiA2HhkM  E.O. Wilson and biophilia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biophilia_hypothesis  School of Lost Borders:  http://schooloflostborders.org/  Quote from Rumi:   “I said: what about my eyes? He said: Keep them on the road. I said: What about my passion? He said: Keep it burning. I said: What about my heart? He said: Tell me what you hold inside it? I said: Pain and sorrow. He said: Stay with it. The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”

My good friend Colleen shares some of her experiences in facing the choice that she had between the life she was "supposed" to live based on how she was raised and a life that aligned more closely with her inner spirit.  Mentions: Steven Levine:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Levine_(author)  Naropa University:  https://www.naropa.edu/  Transpersonal Ecopsychology (feel free to learn about it online, but it will be discussed in more detail in the next few episodes of DMF):  https://www.naropa.edu/academics/masters/ecopsychology/about/index.php 

The things we learn over the course of our lives are largely determined by where and when we were born. Given the huge amount of potential knowledge, and the tiny slice of it any one of us happens to possess, it seems the things any one of us believes we know are more likely to be untrue than true. I think all our worldviews are probably false in one way or another. But perhaps, through respectful, good-faith discussion, we can discover the truths between our different viewpoints.

What can people do when there's a conflict between what you believe you should do and what someone else believes you should do? And when, from each person's perspective, they're right?

I hope you have enjoyed the past couple episodes' conversation with Joyce. Today we wrap it up with a few personal examples. I think we all have something to learn from people who live with authenticity, such as Joyce. No mentions that need links.

Joyce talks about her love for spring, and about how mindfulness of our mortality can help us be more present and more authentic. Mentions: Death Cafes