Everyday Sublime

In this very personal episode, I am joined by Perdita Finn. Perdita and her husband Clark’s work with their organization The Way of the Rose has had an enormous impact on my own practice.

Perdita and I both felt we were joined by the presence of my niece, Adelia (8) who left this earth all too soon. (For this reason alone, this is an episode unlike any other I’ve done).

Together we explore the significance of loss, the power of the rosary as a spiritual practice, and the importance of motherhood and collective healing in navigating the complexities of modern life. Perdita emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of spirituality that transcends conventional frameworks, inviting listeners to reconnect with their desires and the mysteries of existence. We delve into the themes of reincarnation, intergenerational healing, the power of prayer, and how listening to children can reveal deep truths about our past and how ancestral connections can guide us in the present. The discussion also touches on the importance of manifesting desires through spiritual practices, the creativity that arises from prayer, and the revolutionary potential of women's voices in shaping new narratives. Ultimately, they emphasize the need for a collective reimagining of our stories and connections to foster healing and transformation in our lives and communities.

Perdita Finn is the co-founder, with her husband Clark Strand, of the feral fellowship The Way of the Rose, which inspired their book The Way of the Rose: The Radical Path of the Divine Feminine Hidden in the Rosary. They are currently at work on their next book together Circles Not Lines: Spiritual Community Beyond Patriarchy.  To find out more about her devotion to “ecology not theology” visit www.wayoftherose.org

In addition to extensive study with Zen masters, priests, spirit workers, and healers, she apprenticed with the psychic Susan Saxman, with whom she wrote The Reluctant Psychic. Perdita Finn now teaches popular workshops on Getting to Know the Dead. Participants are empowered to activate the miracles in their own lives with the help of their ancestors and recover their own intuitive magic. Her book Take Back the Magic: Conversations with the Unseen World is an intimate journey through her recovery of these lost ways. She speaks widely on how to collaborate with those on the other side, on the urgent necessity of a new romantic animism, and on the sobriety that emerges when we claim the long story of our souls. Her next book is The Body of My Mother.

She lives with her family in the moss-filled shadows of the Catskill Mountains.

Chapters

11:08 The Impact of Loss and Grief

16:57 Reimagining Spiritual Practices

22:52 The Power of the Rosary

28:59 Motherhood and Collective Healing

39:06 Exploring Reincarnation and Intergenerational Healing

44:52 The Power of Prayer and Ancestral Connection

54:20 Creativity and the Role of the Rosary

59:25 Revolutionary Conversations: Women and Change

01:06:19 Imagining New Stories for a New Era

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Summary

In this conversation, Josh Summers and Miles Sherts delve into the intricate relationship between spirituality and democracy, exploring how practices like meditation can inform our understanding of democratic engagement. They discuss the role of ego in personal relationships and political dynamics, the historical context of Buddhism in political landscapes like Burma, and the importance of personal experiences in navigating political tensions. The dialogue emphasizes democracy as a spiritual practice that requires ongoing effort and awareness, particularly in the face of polarization and conflict.

Miles Sherts: https://www.practicalpresence.org/

Books by Miles: Conscious Communication, The Tyranny of the Ego, Human Nature

Takeaways

• Democracy and meditation both require constant practice and effort.

• Ego can hinder both personal relationships and democratic engagement.

• The political landscape of Buddhism in places like Burma is complex and nuanced.

• Personal experiences can shape our understanding of political tensions.

• Democracy should be viewed as a spiritual practice that fosters inclusion.

• Navigating political polarization requires empathy and open-heartedness.

• The practice of democracy involves recognizing our shared humanity.

• Ignoring the outside world can detract from our spiritual practice.

• Emotional responses to political events can be integral to our practice.

• Healing in a polarized environment requires understanding and connection.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Spirituality and Politics

10:06 Emotions and Spiritual Practice in Political Contexts

15:00 Democracy as a Spiritual Practice

21:54 The Challenge of Inclusivity in Democracy

22:52 The Intersection of Democracy and Meditation

25:46 Ego and Relationships: A Deeper Connection

28:58 Personal Stories: Bridging Political Divides

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Episode #001: Yin Yoga’s Evolution | The Josh & Terry Show

 In this episode, Josh and Terry Summers dive deep into the changing landscape of Yin Yoga. Discover how modern fascia research has reshaped the way we understand and teach this ancient practice, updating the language and approach that’s been in use for decades. Whether you took a training with us years ago or are new to the practice, this conversation will challenge what you thought you knew and introduce refined concepts that will elevate your personal and teaching practice. 

Tune in to find out how this evolution will be fully explored in our upcoming live cohort training, where you’ll engage directly with us and fellow students. If you’ve purchased this online Foundations of Anatomy and Yin Yoga training with us before, you’re already enrolled—join us as we move beyond poses into the heart of what makes Yin Yoga so transformative. This is more than just a refresher; it’s your chance to grow alongside a community that supports your progress every step of the way.  

Chapters

01:38 The Evolution of Yin Yoga Training

02:51 Revising the Language of Yin Yoga

10:50 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Yoga

18:52 Community and Practice in Yoga

25:41 Deepening Personal Practice and Understanding Yin Yoga

31:35 The Importance of Revision in Learning

36:05 Integrating Knowledge and Practice

40:11 Engagement and Future Directions

FREE 4-part Practice Pack: Everyday Vitality – Feel better today as Josh and Terry Summers guide you through 4 simple practices to move your vital energy, including massage, mobility, Yin and Yang yoga. www.joshsummers.net

In this episode of Miles On The Path, we tackle the vital theme of how to love thy neighbor amid today’s political polarization and social tension. Join Josh Summers and guest Miles Sherts as they explore how pragmatic skills from Insight meditation Conscious Communication help us step out of egoic conflict. Together, they address how to honor feelings and needs, even in contentious situations, using Josh’s experience with his neighbor as a backdrop. As the U.S. presidential election approaches, this conversation offers invaluable tools to cultivate calm, connection and compassion in a divided world. Tune in to discover how to navigate conflict with grace, re-center within your heart, and develop the skills necessary for fostering understanding and kindness in your everyday interactions.

Website for Miles Sherts: https://www.practicalpresence.org/

Books by Miles: Conscious Communication, The Tyranny of the Ego, Human Nature

Chapters: How To Love Thy Neighbor | Miles On The Path

04:46 Navigating Polarization and Conflict

07:26 Personal Conflict: The Gun Range Situation

10:20 The Role of Ego in Conflict

13:32 Conscious Communication Skills

16:18 Demonization and Dehumanization

19:13 Recognizing and Managing Emotions

22:18 Playing the Edge: Sensation and Emotion

24:53 The Importance of Self-Awareness

27:30 Differentiating Between Sensations, Feelings, and Stories

30:38 The Power of Vulnerability in Communication

33:40 Loving Thy Neighbor: A Challenge

36:37 The Need for Connection and Belonging

39:19 Final Thoughts on Conflict Resolution

FREE 4-part Practice Pack: Everyday Vitality – Feel better today as Josh and Terry Summers guide you through 4 simple practices to move your vital energy, including massage, mobility, Yin and Yang yoga. 

Kamala Masters is one of the founders and teachers of the Vipassana Metta Foundation on Maui. She teaches retreats in the Theravada tradition at venues worldwide, including being a Guiding Teacher at the Insight Meditation Society at Barre, Massachusetts. Practicing since 1975, her teachers have been the late Anagarika Munindra of India and the late Sayadaw U Pandita of Burma, and Sayadaw U Tejaniya of Burma with whom she continues to practice. Kamala has a commitment to carrying and offering the purity of the teachings of the Buddha in a way that touches our common sense and compassion as human beings, and allows the natural inner growth of wisdom. She lives on Maui where she raised four children, and is now blessed with seven grandchildren. Kamala practiced both insight and loving kindness meditations intensively under the guidance and preceptorship of Sayadaw U Pandita, in the USA, Australia and in Burma as a nun and a lay woman. 

Kamala Masters’ website: www.vipassanametta.org

Summary

In this conversation, Josh Summers and Kamala Masters explore the profound teachings of Insight Meditation, reflecting on their shared experiences with influential teachers like Munindra, Jack Engler and Sayadaw U Pandita. They discuss the importance of compassion, equanimity, and the role of generosity and ethical conduct in deepening one's practice. Kamala shares her journey to the Dharma, the significance of Nibbana, and the challenges of navigating inner conflict and reactivity in a troubled world, and the necessity of self-compassion and the ongoing journey of understanding the self and the nature of suffering.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

08:31 Meeting Munindra-ji and the Importance of Generosity and Ethical Conduct

15:50 Munindra's Role as a Teacher and the Development of Insight

25:00 The Role of Sila in Insight Meditation

35:20 The Challenges and Benefits of Deepening the Practice

46:53 Uncovering Hidden Habit Patterns through Mindfulness

48:23 The Transformative Journey of Insight Meditation

48:53 Understanding Non-Self and a Healthy Sense of Self

50:44 The Role of Compassion in Navigating the World

01:02:39 Cultivating Equanimity and Addressing Reactivity

01:23:15 The Ongoing Nature of the Spiritual Path

Practice with Josh + Terry Sumers: Classes in Yin + Yang Yoga, Qi Gong and Meditation.

FREE Practice Pack: Everyday Vitality – 4 Ways to Feel Better Now.

In this episode, Josh and Miles explore the problem of being somebody and the role of the ego in creating internal conflict and external turmoil. We highlight the importance of addressing the cause of suffering and turmoil rather than focusing on the symptoms. We also touch on the concept of the ego as an avatar or projected image of oneself and the consequences of identifying with this false sense of self, along with the repression of shadow aspects and the process of uncovering and integrating them. 

Miles emphasizes the importance of recognizing and healing the shadow, as well as the need to be fully present and aware in order to transcend the ego. We conclude this chat discussing the potential for collective awakening and the role of consciousness in transforming humanity.

Miles Sherts is an Insight Meditation teacher and communication coach.

Miles Sherts | Conscious Communication: 

https://joshsummers.net/miles-sherts-conscious-communication/

Website for Miles Sherts: https://www.practicalpresence.org/

Books by Miles: Conscious Communication, The Tyranny of the Ego, Human Nature

In this special episode, I speak with Joseph Goldstein, meditation teacher and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society. We reminisce about our relationships with Michael Brooks and Jack Engler, two very influential individuals in the dharma world. Joseph shares his experiences working with Michael as a mentor and discusses the integration of spirituality and activism in Michael's life. Joseph also discusses his time with Jack Engler and how Joseph guided Jack through the stages of insight on the very first three-month retreat in North America in Bucksport, Maine. The conversation then shifts to Joseph's experiences in India and Burma, where he studied with his renowned teachers Munindra-ji, Dipa Ma, Mahasi Sayadaw and Sayadaw U Pandita. We compare experiences we had while working with U Pandita and the importance of deepening one's practice in a single method before integrating other practices. We also explore the concept of One Dharma and how to navigate the multitude of Dharma streams available in the West. Our conversation concludes with Joseph’s advice for aspiring meditation teachers.

Links mentioned:

Insight Meditation Society: https://www.dharma.org/

Joseph Goldstein’s book: One Dharma

The Buddha’s Playbook, by Michael Brooks and Josh Summers

The late Michael Brooks’ podcast: The Michael Brooks Show

The late Jack Engler’s essays on the Progress of Insight: Practicing for Awakening Part 1, Practicing for Awakening Part 2

On Dipa Ma: Dipa Ma, The Life and Legacy of a Buddhist Master

On Munindra: Living This Life Fully, Stories and Teachings of Munindra

In this conversation, Miles Sherts and I discuss the relationship between insight meditation and intuition. We explore the distinction between insight meditation's focus on impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and emptiness, and the idea of intuition and clairvoyance. Miles emphasizes the importance of being present and aware of the prompts and intuitions that arise in daily life. We also delve into the illusion of ego and the role of awareness in transcending the ego's influence. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the problem of victim psychology and the need to question and transcend the identity of victimhood.

Takeaways:

• Insight meditation cultivates awareness and insight into the nature of reality, while intuition and clairvoyance are more personal and psychological insights.

• Being present and aware allows us to receive intuitive prompts and act on them, leading to a more functional and worry-free life.

• The ego is an illusion that creates the image of a separate self, and its constant maintenance drains our energy and prevents us from experiencing true happiness and effectiveness.

• The ego's identity as a victim is a common pattern that perpetuates conflicts and oppression. Recognizing and questioning this victim mentality is essential for personal growth and societal change.

• Setting personal boundaries and protecting oneself is important, but it is crucial to differentiate between setting boundaries and perpetuating a victim identity. Victimization is a substitute for our real power and keeps us trapped in a cycle of disempowerment.

• Leadership without victimhood is essential for creating positive change.

• Unplugging from the ego allows us to tap into our innate power and feel a sense of empowerment.

• Practicing unhooking from thoughts and finding spaciousness within the mind can lead to a deeper understanding of our true nature.

Miles Sherts is an Insight Meditation teacher and communication coach.

Miles Sherts | Conscious Communication: 

https://joshsummers.net/miles-sherts-conscious-communication/

Miles' website: https://www.practicalpresence.org/

Books by Miles: Conscious Communication, The Tyranny of the Ego, Human Nature

Originally recorded on July 8, 2024, Josh offers reflections about how to apply meditation and retreat practice to the fire of everyday life activity. All too often we are told to “be as mindful as possible,” and the Buddha has some better advice for us – advice that he gave to his son Rahula.

LINKS mentioned:

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Self-Massage for Circulation + Energy Flow (10min)

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