Mirabai Starr | Spiritual Realization | Psyche & Soma

COURSES PODCAST TARKA

NEW PODCAST EPISODE CHITHEADS | EPISODE #118 Mirabai Starr on Feminine Mysticism (#118) 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” by Spirituality & Practice. Mirabai is on the 2020 Watkins List of the “100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People of the World.” She lives with her extended family in the mountains of northern New Mexico. If you are interested in learning more from Mirabai Starr, please visit mirabaistarr.com. UPCOMING FREE EVENTS FREE SEMINAR | MINDBODY THERAPY Authenticity and the Spiritual Realization  with Judith Blackstone Ph.D Thursday, September 17 @ 12 pm ET In this seminar, Judith will discuss the importance of avoiding spiritual bypassing in order for spiritual realization to be a lasting transformation, rather than just a peak experience. She will teach the main Realization Process practices for uncovering fundamental consciousness, the spiritual ground of our individual being, and the basis of our experience of oneness with everything and everyone around us. In this approach, spiritual realization brings us into deeper contact with ourselves.  It is the basis of authenticity, of wholeness, and so it both requires and facilitates the resolution of the psychologically-based limitations that obstruct our contact with ourselves. In this seminar, participants will discover: How your individual wholeness is your entranceway into spiritual oneness   How your personal history of suffering is held in your body and can obstruct your spiritual realization   Practices to enhance and encourage the Realization Process by attuning to the fundamental consciousness-- a unified, spiritual ground of being-- that pervades both your body and your environment. UPCOMING COURSES COURSE | MINDBODY THERAPY Yoga Therapy Research: Applications of Psyche & Soma with Dr. Chris Walling Tuesdays, Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20  @ 12 pm ET    This course will help introduce students to the fundamentals of contemporary yoga therapy research, explore guidelines for yoga therapy research and practice, and survey the current and emerging body of knowledge within the peer-reviewed yoga therapy literature.  Join us as Dr. Walling makes research inspiring and fun as we explore the intersections of scholarship and embodied practices In this course, students will: Compare and contrast the various research methods and challenges of contemporary basic research and clinical yoga therapy research.   Identify the ethical considerations of decolonizing interpretive research and the risks of cultural appropriation in clinical yoga therapy research.   Explore the common variables from the psychophysiology of basic research yoga studies.   Identify the emerging experimental goals of yoga therapy research and the new outcome measures in contemporary studies. ENROLLMENT CLOSING SOON! Yoga Philosophy Certificate Program Build a transformative knowledge of the yoga philosophical tradition that will enrich your practice, deepen your understanding, and expand your teaching skills. Use YPCERT100 at checkout to receive $100 OFF the full tuition. LEARN MORE or ENROLL NOW MindBody Therapy Certificate Program Engage evidence-based MindBody techniques, holistic assessment, depth work, trauma therapy, somatic, and relational dialogue skills, parts work, and contemplative practices. Use MBT10031 at checkout to receive $100 OFF the full tuition. LEARN MORE or ENROLL NOW NEW COURSES | MORE INFO COMING SOON! The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Edwin Bryant - Oct. 2020   Understanding the Tibetan Book of the Dead with Andrew Holecek - Nov. 2020   Non-Dual Therapy with Georgi Y. Johnson - Nov./Dec. 2020   Shamans & Siddhas with Isa Gucciardi - Dec. 2020  PRE-ORDER NOW | TARKA ISSUE #3 On Ecology The word nature refers to the world around us, as well as to our deepest sense of self.  Yet, how nature is defined and understood popularly today is rooted in mechanistic and materialistic assumptions about reality. Perhaps most commonly, it is considered an object other than us that must be either harnessed or protected. What are the alternatives to this view of nature offered by the world’s contemplative traditions? Do these alternatives aid us in more directly connecting to our environment and each other? Some of the world's preeminent scholars answer these questions and many others in our upcoming issue of Tarka, On Ecology. Pre-order your copy today or grab a print/digital subscription!

CALL FOR PAPERS On Queer Dharma | Tarka Issue #5 In recent decades, the word “queer” has transformed from being largely a derogatory slur about gay people to a radically affirmative symbol of non-binary culture. Cis-heteronormativity in all of life’s dimensions is being subjugated by an increasing celebration of the many expressions of gender, sexuality, and what it means to be embodied.  Nevertheless, inclusiveness across dimensions of race, class, and gender continues to be an important area of focus for the projects of queer liberation, and this is no less true in contemplative traditions and new spiritual movements. Recently, queer spiritual leaders and their allies have been forging new intersections of ancient teachings with contemporary theories and in turn, paving the way for more inclusive spiritual communities.   What is queerness from the perspective of spiritual practice? Conversely, what unique expressions of spiritual life arise out of the various intersections of queer identity? If queerness as a fluid and open concept informs and yet transcends political, cultural, and social specificities, then what conceptions of the more-than-human divine might the adventure of queerness be uniquely positioned to illuminate?  This issue of Tarka will investigate these new avenues of inquiry and will seek to highlight and center those teachings from different contemplative traditions that are conducive to recognizing the queerness of dharma and the dharma of queerness. Topics explored, but not limited to: Buddhism & Queerness Contemporary Hinduism & Queerness Śaiva-Tantra & Queerness Vaishnavism & Queerness The Queerness of Deity Iconography Queer Theory & Contemplative Practice Early attempts at expressing a non-binary worldview and ethos New spiritual movements and queerness Translations and interpretations of ancient texts  Articles that meet the following criteria are especially welcome: Longer articles (3,000 - 5000 words) Short articles that address key topics/terms by responding to the question, "What is....?" (900 - 1200 words) Articles that detail a practice or a key element of practice (500 - 2,000 words +/-) Book reviews Abstract or intention to write due September 15. Papers due November 15. Please submit your abstract or intention to stephanie@embodiedphilosophy.com.