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Honoring Joanna Macy: Love, Grief, and the Dance of Life

Welcome back, folks! Join Stephan and Adam as they dive into a heartwarming tribute to the incomparable Joanna Macy. They chat about her life, her profound contributions to spiritual ecology, and her legacy of promoting interconnectedness and compassion. Explore grief, love, and how we can be Shambala warriors, embracing powerful, love-driven action in today's world. Shoutout to Dayton for the episode inspiration!

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00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:54 Tribute to Joanna Macy
01:26 Joanna Macy's Life and Work
03:04 Emotional Connection and Grief
04:16 Spiritual Ecology and Interconnectedness
14:41 The Shambala Prophecy
22:52 Taking Action from Love
29:09 Misconceptions About Awakening
30:16 The True Meaning of Awakening
31:24 Mind-Made Weapons and Their Undoing
33:35 The Power of Love Over Hate
35:36 Feeling Without Pathologizing
47:47 Joanna Macy's Reverence for Life
51:49 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

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Email Stephan and Adam at letterstotheskypodcast[at]gmail.com. We love to hear from you and hear your ideas for episode topics.

Well, here we go again! Stephan keeps trying to lock Adam in the basement, but somehow he always escapes. Join the delightful duo as they navigate formalities and dive into the incredible origins of Zen. This episode unfolds the mind-blowing history of Bodhidharma, the first Zen Patriarch, who spent nine years staring at a wall (seriously, nine years!) and also helped shape Shaolin Kung Fu. The journey continues to Sengcan, the third patriarch, and the profound depth of the Hsin Hsin Ming. Stephan and Adam ponder the nuances of preferences, tension in existence, and how to naturally flow through life like a river. Is there any resistance in this moment? Well, let's find out together. Plus, discover meditative practices and brainwave science with a sprinkle of Adam's doctorly insight.

Email Stephan and Adam at letterstotheskypodcast[at[gmail.com

Ram Dass reading the Hsin Hsin Ming: https://www.ramdass.org/ram-dass-reads-the-third-chinese-patriarch/

Ziran (the natural, spontaneous way): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziran

00:00 Introduction and Banter
00:32 Starting the Episode
01:13 Discussing the Third Zen Patriarch
01:53 Origins of Zen and Bodhidharma
04:10 Zen vs Tibetan Buddhism
06:10 Bodhi Dharma's Teachings and Legacy
08:41 The Profound Teachings of the Shin Shin Ming
12:37 Exploring Preferences and Awareness
15:58 The Role of Preferences in Enlightenment
25:19 Naturalness and Spontaneity in Action
27:10 Understanding Preferences and Misinterpretations
27:31 Natural Actions and Harmony
29:06 The Grind vs. Natural Flow
32:11 Meditative Practices and Brainwaves
36:16 Exploring Resistance and Allowing
38:40 The Metaphor of Layers
45:26 Final Thoughts

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Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

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Hey everyone, it's Stephan here! Ever wondered how to use your mind as a tool for awakening? Dive deep with me as I share insights, personal experiences, and some practical tips to train your mind on this incredible journey. From discussing the paths of devotion and meditation, to emphasizing the importance of dissolving beliefs, this video tackles the discomforts and blissful moments of the path to enlightenment. Get ready to cut through false beliefs and embrace a greater understanding. No beliefs are ultimately true, but some can be more useful than others on this journey. Join me and let's start cutting!

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Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky