Episode 4: Adventures In Faith

In this episode, host Brad Wetzler re-introduces listeners to Enlightened-ish Podcast after two years away to write and publish his memoir, Into the Soul of the World: My Journey to Healing. The book, published by Hachette Book Group is now available on Amazon.com and from your local independent bookstore.  He discusses why he named the podcast Enlightened-ish and his philosophy that our spiritual life ought to be rooted in a spirit of imperfection.  For more information about Brad or his memoir coaching services, please go to bradwetzler.com

In this episode, Brad Wetzler revisits Siddhartha, the classic spiritual novel by Hermann Hesse, and discusses the concepts of "true self" and "authenticity." What do these words actually mean? He asks, how do we locate our true self? And how do we live from our true self? What is the cost of living in our true self?  Is he--are you--courageous enough to become who you really are? As Alan Watts might say, Are you ready to walk away from the unspoken agreements holding you back, to live your dharma, "your weird"?  Doesn't the world need your true, authentic self, your full-blown weird? I think you know the answer: Yes, it does. Brad Wetzler is the author of the new memoir INTO THE SOUL OF THE WORLD: MY JOURNEY TO HEALING (Hachette Go). You can buy the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Soul-World-Journey-Healing/dp/0306829304/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1683471841&sr=8-1 This powerful memoir shares an adventure journalist’s story of a decade-long, round-the-world quest to overcome his drug addiction and to understand and heal from past traumas. Suffering from PTSD and severe depression from past trauma, battling an addiction to overprescribed psychiatric medication, and at the rock bottom of his career, journalist Brad Wetzler had nowhere to go. So he set out on a journey to wander and hopefully find himself—and the world—again. Into the Soul of the World is Wetzler’s thrilling, impactful, and heartrending memoir of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. An adventure journalist at heart, Wetzler mixes travelogue with empowering insights about his inner journey to better care for his own mental health. Journey with him as he travels across Israel and the West Bank, before moving on to India, a candle-lit cave on a mountaintop in the Himalayan foothills, and a life-changing encounter with a 100-year-old yogi. Wetzler's writing is full of the poignant, amusing, and occasionally heart‑breaking situations that unfold when we finally decide to confront depression (or any mental health struggle) and declare ourselves ready to heal: How do we heal our past and thrive again? What does it mean to live a good life? How can we transform our suffering and serve others? His answer: live to tell the story and find the humility and courage to be the best human you can be.  For more info about Brad Wetzler, visit bradwetzler.com Music credit: "sun of the most high" by ketsa    

In this episode, author, journalist, yoga & mindfulness teacher, and seeker Brad Wetzler unpacks and shares the life lessons he learned on a pilgrimage to Mount Arunachala, the great Shiva mountain in southern India.  He discusses his definition of the words "spiritual" and "faith," and he discusses how being humiliated on the mountain led him to see his path in life more clearly, and eventually helped him heal depression and cope with childhood trauma from a near-drowning episode and growing up in an addicted, narcissistic family. Finally, he shares how the powerful Buddhist metta meditation practice helped him heal and grow--and how you can embrace metta too.  Brad Wetzler is the author of the new memoir INTO THE SOUL OF THE WORLD: MY JOURNEY TO HEALING (Hachette Go). You can buy the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Soul-World-Journey-Healing/dp/0306829304/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1683471841&sr=8-1 This powerful memoir shares an adventure journalist’s story of a decade-long, round-the-world quest to overcome his drug addiction and to understand and heal from past traumas. Suffering from PTSD and severe depression from past trauma, battling an addiction to overprescribed psychiatric medication, and at the rock bottom of his career, journalist Brad Wetzler had nowhere to go. So he set out on a journey to wander and hopefully find himself—and the world—again. Into the Soul of the World is Wetzler’s thrilling, impactful, and heartrending memoir of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. An adventure journalist at heart, Wetzler mixes travelogue with empowering insights about his inner journey to better care for his own mental health. Journey with him as he travels across Israel and the West Bank, before moving on to India, a candle-lit cave on a mountaintop in the Himalayan foothills, and a life-changing encounter with a 100-year-old yogi. Wetzler's writing is full of the poignant, amusing, and occasionally heart‑breaking situations that unfold when we finally decide to confront depression (or any mental health struggle) and declare ourselves ready to heal: How do we heal our past and thrive again? What does it mean to live a good life? How can we transform our suffering and serve others? His answer: live to tell the story and find the humility and courage to be the best human you can be.    For more info about Brad Wetzler, visit bradwetzler.com Music credit: "sun of the most high" by ketsa

Brad tells the story of a recent road trip across New Mexico and Colorado--and into the core of his own heart. What is the heart? What does it mean to drop into the heart? Is all this heart talk even real except to poets and romantics? Brad answers these questions, and he comes to a surprising conclusion about what enlightenment actually is. Hint: Cows do it. Brad Wetzler is the author of the new memoir INTO THE SOUL OF THE WORLD: MY JOURNEY TO HEALING (Hachette Go). You can buy the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Soul-World-Journey-Healing/dp/0306829304/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1683471841&sr=8-1 This powerful memoir shares an adventure journalist’s story of a decade-long, round-the-world quest to overcome his drug addiction and to understand and heal from past traumas. Suffering from PTSD and severe depression from past trauma, battling an addiction to overprescribed psychiatric medication, and at the rock bottom of his career, journalist Brad Wetzler had nowhere to go. So he set out on a journey to wander and hopefully find himself—and the world—again. Into the Soul of the World is Wetzler’s thrilling, impactful, and heartrending memoir of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. An adventure journalist at heart, Wetzler mixes travelogue with empowering insights about his inner journey to better care for his own mental health. Journey with him as he travels across Israel and the West Bank, before moving on to India, a candle-lit cave on a mountaintop in the Himalayan foothills, and a life-changing encounter with a 100-year-old yogi. Wetzler's writing is full of the poignant, amusing, and occasionally heart‑breaking situations that unfold when we finally decide to confront depression (or any mental health struggle) and declare ourselves ready to heal: How do we heal our past and thrive again? What does it mean to live a good life? How can we transform our suffering and serve others? His answer: live to tell the story and find the humility and courage to be the best human you can be.    For more info about Brad Wetzler, visit bradwetzler.com Music credit: "sun of the most high" by ketsa  

In this episode, I tell the story of my pilgrimage to Arunachala, the great Shiva mountain in southern India. While circling the conical peak while chanting Om Namah Shivaya, I encounter the ego-destroying god Shiva. And I come closer to what I've been seeking for decades. I get a glimpse of my true self. Moreover, I realize that I have far more faith than I imagined. The lesson I learned? Faith is not belief in a concept. Faith is a verb. To have faith is to trust in one's own experience.  Brad Wetzler is the author of the new memoir INTO THE SOUL OF THE WORLD: MY JOURNEY TO HEALING (Hachette Go). You can buy the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Soul-World-Journey-Healing/dp/0306829304/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1683471841&sr=8-1 This powerful memoir shares an adventure journalist’s story of a decade-long, round-the-world quest to overcome his drug addiction and to understand and heal from past traumas. Suffering from PTSD and severe depression from past trauma, battling an addiction to overprescribed psychiatric medication, and at the rock bottom of his career, journalist Brad Wetzler had nowhere to go. So he set out on a journey to wander and hopefully find himself—and the world—again. Into the Soul of the World is Wetzler’s thrilling, impactful, and heartrending memoir of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. An adventure journalist at heart, Wetzler mixes travelogue with empowering insights about his inner journey to better care for his own mental health. Journey with him as he travels across Israel and the West Bank, before moving on to India, a candle-lit cave on a mountaintop in the Himalayan foothills, and a life-changing encounter with a 100-year-old yogi. Wetzler's writing is full of the poignant, amusing, and occasionally heart‑breaking situations that unfold when we finally decide to confront depression (or any mental health struggle) and declare ourselves ready to heal: How do we heal our past and thrive again? What does it mean to live a good life? How can we transform our suffering and serve others? His answer: live to tell the story and find the humility and courage to be the best human you can be.  For more info about Brad Wetzler, visit bradwetzler.com Music credit: "sun of the most high" by ketsa

Join host Brad Wetzler for a discussion with Dr. Tamra Sattler on the difference between spirituality and psychology, the enneagram, spiritual bypassing, and the quest for True Self.  Brad Wetzler is the author of the new memoir INTO THE SOUL OF THE WORLD: MY JOURNEY TO HEALING (Hachette Go). You can buy the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Soul-World-Journey-Healing/dp/0306829304/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1683471841&sr=8-1 This powerful memoir shares an adventure journalist’s story of a decade-long, round-the-world quest to overcome his drug addiction and to understand and heal from past traumas. Suffering from PTSD and severe depression from past trauma, battling an addiction to overprescribed psychiatric medication, and at the rock bottom of his career, journalist Brad Wetzler had nowhere to go. So he set out on a journey to wander and hopefully find himself—and the world—again. Into the Soul of the World is Wetzler’s thrilling, impactful, and heartrending memoir of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. An adventure journalist at heart, Wetzler mixes travelogue with empowering insights about his inner journey to better care for his own mental health. Journey with him as he travels across Israel and the West Bank, before moving on to India, a candle-lit cave on a mountaintop in the Himalayan foothills, and a life-changing encounter with a 100-year-old yogi. Wetzler's writing is full of the poignant, amusing, and occasionally heart‑breaking situations that unfold when we finally decide to confront depression (or any mental health struggle) and declare ourselves ready to heal: How do we heal our past and thrive again? What does it mean to live a good life? How can we transform our suffering and serve others? His answer: live to tell the story and find the humility and courage to be the best human you can be.    Dr. Sattler is a psychotherapist, professor of psychology, documentary filmmaker, author, and entrepreneur.   She has fifteen years of experience as a private practice clinician. She specializes in relational issues and psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, and attachment. Before earning her Ph.D. in East-West Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), she worked at several Silicon Valley tech startups. Her education and experience in both Eastern wisdom and western psychology allow her to guide her clients toward meaningful intimacy and love with themselves and others. Her 2013 film Border_ explores the challenges and gifts of people suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder. In addition, Tamra is a student and teacher of the Enneagram. She's currently at work on a technology that draws on the Enneagram to help people grow spiritually and psychologically. She lives in Boulder, Colorado. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, psychology internet start-ups, introspection, and watching documentaries. For more information about The Path with Brad Wetzler or Brad's  writing and book writing coaching visit bradwetzler.com Music: sun of the most high by ketsa

Educator and entrepreneur Ross Wehner and host Brad Wetzler discuss education, purpose, and the future of wisdom. Wehner, the founder of World Leadership School and TeachUNITED, nonprofits dedicated to helping people discover their purpose explains that purpose happens when a person's thinking, feeling, and doing are in alignment. Wehner brings an understanding of the science of purpose as well as a passion for helping people grow and change. Anybody interested in how transformation happens and how humans can build a healthier, more sustainable future won't want to miss this episode.  Brad Wetzler is the author of the new memoir INTO THE SOUL OF THE WORLD: MY JOURNEY TO HEALING (Hachette Go). You can buy the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Soul-World-Journey-Healing/dp/0306829304/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1683471841&sr=8-1 This powerful memoir shares an adventure journalist’s story of a decade-long, round-the-world quest to overcome his drug addiction and to understand and heal from past traumas. Suffering from PTSD and severe depression from past trauma, battling an addiction to overprescribed psychiatric medication, and at the rock bottom of his career, journalist Brad Wetzler had nowhere to go. So he set out on a journey to wander and hopefully find himself—and the world—again. Into the Soul of the World is Wetzler’s thrilling, impactful, and heartrending memoir of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. An adventure journalist at heart, Wetzler mixes travelogue with empowering insights about his inner journey to better care for his own mental health. Journey with him as he travels across Israel and the West Bank, before moving on to India, a candle-lit cave on a mountaintop in the Himalayan foothills, and a life-changing encounter with a 100-year-old yogi. Wetzler's writing is full of the poignant, amusing, and occasionally heart‑breaking situations that unfold when we finally decide to confront depression (or any mental health struggle) and declare ourselves ready to heal: How do we heal our past and thrive again? What does it mean to live a good life? How can we transform our suffering and serve others? His answer: live to tell the story and find the humility and courage to be the best human you can be.     

Matthew Andrews is a writer, musician, entrepreneur, spiritual activist, and yoga teacher. He is co-owner of Yoga Center Amherst, which has had an average of about 1400 class attendances per month since 2016. He has completed 500+ hours of yoga teacher training, has co-taught several Embodyoga teacher trainings, and has organized and led eight yoga-oriented retreats in North and South India, with over 150 total attendees. Brad Wetzler is the author of the new memoir INTO THE SOUL OF THE WORLD: MY JOURNEY TO HEALING (Hachette Go). You can buy the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Soul-World-Journey-Healing/dp/0306829304/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1683471841&sr=8-1 This powerful memoir shares an adventure journalist’s story of a decade-long, round-the-world quest to overcome his drug addiction and to understand and heal from past traumas. Suffering from PTSD and severe depression from past trauma, battling an addiction to overprescribed psychiatric medication, and at the rock bottom of his career, journalist Brad Wetzler had nowhere to go. So he set out on a journey to wander and hopefully find himself—and the world—again. Into the Soul of the World is Wetzler’s thrilling, impactful, and heartrending memoir of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. An adventure journalist at heart, Wetzler mixes travelogue with empowering insights about his inner journey to better care for his own mental health. Journey with him as he travels across Israel and the West Bank, before moving on to India, a candle-lit cave on a mountaintop in the Himalayan foothills, and a life-changing encounter with a 100-year-old yogi. Wetzler's writing is full of the poignant, amusing, and occasionally heart‑breaking situations that unfold when we finally decide to confront depression (or any mental health struggle) and declare ourselves ready to heal: How do we heal our past and thrive again? What does it mean to live a good life? How can we transform our suffering and serve others? His answer: live to tell the story and find the humility and courage to be the best human you can be.    Matthew's spiritual path has developed in the midst of a rich, full life. Before owning Yoga Center Amherst, he was Senior Director of State Operations for Best Buddies International, responsible for over 100 employees and a $12 million annual budget. And he is currently President of the Board of Directors for Auroville International, USA, which supports the International Township of Auroville in South India. In 2020 he co-founded Reparations for Amherst Massachusetts, which worked with Town Councilors to pass a resolution apologizing for slavery and is now building a fund to pay material reparations. Matthew first traveled to India in 2000, and since then he has been on a quest to understand and embody the teachings of yoga. He has studied ancient and modern texts and traveled to India ten times, but his most significant learnings have come through the embodied guidance of his guru GurujiMa. Matthew is also a singer and songwriter, and in 2020 he released an album of sacred music called Let It Open. It's available on all major streaming platforms.   Music credit: "sun of the most high" by ketsa

Join me as I talk with BK Loren about the power of nature and the things that can't (and shouldn't) be named. Brad Wetzler is the author of the new memoir INTO THE SOUL OF THE WORLD: MY JOURNEY TO HEALING (Hachette Go). You can buy the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Soul-World-Journey-Healing/dp/0306829304/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1683471841&sr=8-1 This powerful memoir shares an adventure journalist’s story of a decade-long, round-the-world quest to overcome his drug addiction and to understand and heal from past traumas. Suffering from PTSD and severe depression from past trauma, battling an addiction to overprescribed psychiatric medication, and at the rock bottom of his career, journalist Brad Wetzler had nowhere to go. So he set out on a journey to wander and hopefully find himself—and the world—again. Into the Soul of the World is Wetzler’s thrilling, impactful, and heartrending memoir of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. An adventure journalist at heart, Wetzler mixes travelogue with empowering insights about his inner journey to better care for his own mental health. Journey with him as he travels across Israel and the West Bank, before moving on to India, a candle-lit cave on a mountaintop in the Himalayan foothills, and a life-changing encounter with a 100-year-old yogi. Wetzler's writing is full of the poignant, amusing, and occasionally heart‑breaking situations that unfold when we finally decide to confront depression (or any mental health struggle) and declare ourselves ready to heal: How do we heal our past and thrive again? What does it mean to live a good life? How can we transform our suffering and serve others? His answer: live to tell the story and find the humility and courage to be the best human you can be.    BK Loren is the award winning author of the novel THEFT, and the essay collection, ANIMAL, MINERAL, RADICAL. Her short fiction and essays have garnered many national awards and have been published in The Best Spiritual Writing Anthologies (2004 and 2012), Parabola, Yoga International, Orion Magazine, and many others. She is from a working class family and has usually worked in jobs that allow space to write as she works. She’s been a ranch hand, a cook for a gourmet catering service in NYC, a cook, also, in a cafe run by a reverend healer who cured people’s ailments with a pendulum and herbs. She was also an aide on a locked psych ward, a tenured college teacher, and a furniture builder. She was extremely grateful for the chance to go to college (not a given)–and she attended the University of Colorado (Classics/Philosophy), the University of New Mexico (Lit), and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, (Fiction). She feels that her varied experiences in other fields inform her writing as much as her schooling has. The publishing editor of her first book told her I wrote like she was raised by wolves. She tries to live up to that daily. TWITTER FACEBOOK RADIO KRUU, WRITERS’ VOICE KBOO, a podcast from Orion Magazine and something completely different than Theft or Animal, Mineral, Radical. Theft has been optioned for film, and BK will be writing the screenplay.   Brad Wetzler is an author, journalist, podcaster, and yoga teacher/meditation teacher. Read about his work and offerings at www.bradwetzler.com. www.bradwetzler.com Music credit: "sun of the most high" by ketsa