#83 Taoist Inner Alchemy: Mattias Daly

#86 SAND’s New Film on Spirituality in the Face of Injustice: Zaya & Maurizio Benazzo

In this episode with filmmakers, producers, and founders of Science & Nonduality (SAND) Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo discuss their new film, Where Olive Trees Weep, which explores the impact of colonialism and intergenerational trauma on indigenous cultures, particularly in the occupied West Bank and Palestine. The film serves as a call to action for spiritual activism and aims to amplify the voices of those affected by oppression and injustice. The 21-day release of the film is accompanied by conversations, music, and poetry to provide a more holistic experience for viewers entitled World People's Premiere June 6–27, 2024. 

Their aim is, beyond mere education, to truly move hearts and minds and inspire audiences to echo the calls for freedom, equality and dignity that have gone unanswered for far too long. This film hopes to inspire a dream for an end to the occupation in Palestine, the attainment of equal rights and fair treatment for Palestinian people, and the spreading of healing for all intergenerational cycles of trauma in the region.

Visit WhereOliveTreesWeep.com for more information, to join the premiere, and to share in the vision.

Zaya Ralitza Benazzo is a producer and a film director born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria. She is the co-founder of the nonprofit organization SAND. She has produced and directed several award-winning documentaries including The Wisdom of Trauma, The Art of Life, Rays of the Absolute, America's Chemical Angels, and Wings and Strings.

Maurizio Benazzo grew up in Genova, Italy. At an early age he began actively traveling the spiritual path, exploring the practices of Zen Buddhism, Transcendental Meditation, Yogic philosophy, Catholicism and Philosophy. He has experience in all aspects of production both in front of and behind the camera, including acting, directing, cinematography, and distribution.

Topics

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 03:58 - The Path towards the Olive Trees
• 08:42 - History with Spiritual Activism
• 13:14 - The Reality in the West Bank
• 23:19 - Keeping Inspired During the Painful Moments
• 26:35 - Hopes for the Film
• 32:15 - The People’s Premiere Event
• 37:06 - Shadows of Modern Spirituality in the Face of Injustice

#85 In Our Bones: Osprey Orielle Lake

Osprey Orielle Lake is the Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth & Climate Action Network, International (WECAN). She works nationally and internationally with grassroots, Indigenous and business leaders, policy-makers and scientists to promote climate justice, resilient communities, and a just transition to a clean energy future. Osprey is Co-chair of International Advocacy for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature and the visionary behind the International Women's Earth and Climate Summit, which brought together 100 women leaders from around the world to draft and implement a Women's Climate Action Agenda. She teaches international climate trainings and directs WECAN’s advocacy work in areas such as Women for Forests, Rights of Nature and UN Forums. She has served on the board of the Praxis Peace Institute and on the Steering Committee for The UN Women’s Major Group for the Rio+20 Earth Summit. Awards include the National Women’s History Project Honoree, Taking The Lead To Save Our Planet, and the Woman Of The Year Outstanding Achievement Award from the California Federation Of Business And Professional Women.  Osprey is the author of the award-winning book, Uprisings for the Earth: Reconnecting Culture with Nature.

Her new book is The Story is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis

Topics:

• 00:00 — Introduction
• 08:05 — Path to the Book
• 14:42 — Moderns and Ancient Science
• 20:24 — Integrative and Interconnected Ways Forward 
• 25:28 — Gaza and the Polycrisis
• 35:28 — Composting Cultural Toxins
• 42:00 — Remembering How to Listen
• 45:40 — Stories of Resilience

Support the mission of SAND the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member.

#84 Grieving in Community: Mirabai Starr & Mona Haydar

A recording of excerpts from a live SAND Community Gathering hosted by Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo.

In these times of unbearable anguish, as the already beleaguered Palestinian community is being massacred and starved before our astonished eyes, our own grieving flows into the sea of human suffering and we remember that we belong to each other.

Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialog. A certified bereavement counselor, Mirabai helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss. Her latest book, WILD MERCY: Living the Fierce & Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, was named one of the “Best Books of 2019”. She lives with her extended family in the mountains of northern New Mexico.

Mona Haydar is a young Muslim Syrian-American poet, musician, workshop leader and speaker who gained global recognition through her “Ask A Muslim” project and the viral hip-hop music video “Hijabi (Wrap My Hijab).” Her debut EP “Barbarican” addresses global patriarchy, orientalism, immigration policy, white supremacy, and suicide. A Master’s graduate in Theology from Union Theological Seminary, Mona speaks at churches, synagogues, universities and international forums, engaging audiences on art, Islam, feminism, hip hop, theology, and interfaith dialogue.

Topics

• 00:00 — Introduction
• 06:52 — Mirabai’s Introduction
• 16:42 — Mona’s Introduction
• 21:06 — Interfaith Teachings on Grief
• 32:40 — Islamic Teachings on Grief
• 41:58 — The Grief of Loss
• 50:11 — Closing Prayer
• 55:58 — Song from Desiree Dawson & Mona Hayder

Support the mission of SAND the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member:

Also mentioned in this episode is SAND’s Fundraiser to help relocate a family from the Genocide in Gaza.

#83 Taoist Inner Alchemy: Mattias Daly

Mattias Daly is Taoist practitioner and a professional translator with a degree in acupuncture and a master’s in Chinese Literature. He was inducted into the Longmen lineage of Complete Reality Daoism by Abbess Liu of the Three Purities Monastery in Jilin province, China in 2013. He primarily translates for the National Palace Museum in Taipei and the Chinese Taipei PEN quarterly.

His new translation of Taoist Inner Alchemy: Master Huang Yuanji's Guide to the Way of Meditation by Ge Guolong and Huang Yuanji is out now on Shambala Publications.

Topics:

• 04:42 — Core Principle of Taoism
• 10:59 — Path of Taoist Inner Alchemy
• 15:11 — Metaphor of Alchemy
• 22:44 — Energies of Inner Alchemy
• 27:09 — Chan Buddhism
• 35:36 — Physical Components of Inner Alchemy
• 43:45 —  Importance of Heart Practice
• 45:15 — Navigating the Polycrisis

Support the mission of SAND the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member.

#82 From Wounds to Wholeness: Peter A. Levine

A recording of excerpts from a SAND Community Gathering hosted by Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo.

Trauma has a severe impact that extends far beyond the individual survivor. It ripples through families, communities, and generations in ways both seen and unseen. Yet there is a path forward — through courageously sharing our stories and tapping into the body’s innate wisdom.

In this episode, Peter openly shares his own courageous journey to resolve severe childhood trauma, by using the very techniques he developed. He shows a pathway whereby giving voice to our stories can help reclaim our dignity, wholeness, and ignite an inner spark of healing.

Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., is the renowned developer of Somatic Experiencing. He holds a doctorate in Medical and Biological Physics from the University of California at Berkeley and a doctorate in Psychology from International University. The recipient of four lifetime achievement awards, he is the author of several books, including Waking the Tiger, which has now been printed in 33 countries and has sold over a million copies.

His new book is An Autobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey

Topics:

• 00:00 — Introduction
• 02:43 — Writing the new Autobiography
• 09:05 — Uncovering Layers of Trauma
• 19:52 — Trauma & Intimate Relationships
• 26:20 — Meeting Albert Einstein & Past Life Trauma
• 34:00 — Relationships with Parents
• 43:00 — Connections to Ancient Traditions
• 50:10 — Indigenous Healing Practices
• 57:12 — Closing

Support the mission of SAND the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member.

Also mentioned in this episode is SAND’s Fundraiser to help relocate a family from the genocide in Gaza.