Psychologist Tori Olds helps listeners unravel inner landscapes by examining emotions, identity, and the patterns in our lives.

Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.

In this episode, Chris and Tori explore:

• Tori’s early interest in emotions and psychology
• Interfacing with our emotional reactions
• How experiences shape identity
• Irrational and self-defeating behaviors
• How what we learn as a child influences how we protect ourselves as an adult
• Emotional knowing versus logical knowing
• Implicit memory and fear conditioning
• How witnessing new evidence can help us unlearn negative patterns
• Mindfulness for regulation of the nervous system
• The importance of working with a trained professional
• The potential within psychedelic-assisted therapy

If you are unable to work with a therapist but feel therapy may be helpful, check out this book recommendation from Tori: Self Therapy

About Tori Olds:

Tori Olds, PhD is a psychologist and a mother, but there is much more to her identity. Songwriting, meditation, and teaching are also important aspects of her life. She helped start Deep Eddy Psychotherapy alongside her sister Charlotte, her husband Glenn, and both her parents, which has provided her with numerous opportunities to train and supervise aspiring therapists. Ten years ago, she began leading a 6-month training group called “Minding the Heart,” offering a deep dive into experiential methods of therapy. She is drawn to these approaches because she believes the most profound transformation occurs when we connect with the deepest parts of ourselves—those that can only be reached through direct, experiential contact. Keep up with Tori on her website.

“Making a prediction and seeing that what is happening is not what we predicted makes the memory labile…it’s in a state where it can change. If we introduce new knowing in two seconds the whole neural network can be rearranged or dissolved.” – Tori Olds

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Diving into the meaning of existential kink, Dr. Carolyn Lovewell joins Chris Grosso to discuss unlocking our unconscious desires.

Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.

This time on The Indie Spiritualist, Chris and Dr. Lovewell discuss:

• The meaning of existential kink
• The practice of orgasmic meditation
• How vulnerability and truth can lead to more sensation
• Considering what our unconscious desires may be
• Practicing enjoying what is already happening
• Realizing the darkness / pain we may be attracted to subconsciously
• Themes within the myth of Persephone
• The power addictions hold over us and admitting powerlessness
• A guided meditation from Dr. Carolyn
• Living as characters in God’s dream
• Becoming aware of our own wholeness and non-dualism
• Sleep Over Mystery School and the heart of western mysteries

About Dr. Carolyn Lovewell

Dr. Carolyn Lovewell (formarlly Elliott) is an American scholar, author, and occultist. She is the author of the book Existential Kink which focuses on shadow integration as a means for creating positive change in the self. She obtained a doctorate in Critical and Cultural Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Check out Dr. Lovewell’s podcast, Sleep Over and learn more on her website.

If you are interested in integrating the opposites in the psyche, join the 9 month program with Dr. Lovewell at the Sleep Over Mystery School

“Existential kink is the idea that pretty much all of us human beings have an unconscious attraction to painful things. We’re all kinky, we’re all in a sadomasochistic relationship with the universe. The universe, God, whatever we want to call it is a dom that has no safe words. It just keeps coming, all the time. We can learn to make those unconscious attractions to painful or negative patterns conscious. When we do that, we liberate all sorts of energy that had been unconsciously stuck. Existential Kink is a deep tool for change.” – Dr. Lovewell

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reflecting on our ability to peacefully coexist, Nina Rao and Krishna Das join Chris Grosso to talk politics, practice, and more.

This week, Chris, Krishna Das, and Nina all converge upon:

• Maharaj-ji’s response to being visited by politicians
• Keeping the heart calm and open regardless of what is happening around us
• Recognizing everyone as a part of our own selves
• Coexisting with all beings, human and non-human
• Living out our karma and doing the best can to not harm anyone
• Considering feelings about the upcoming election
• How it took returning to the west for Nina to connect to devotional practice
• Finding a way to unlock the love that lives within us
• Connecting to the guru even after they have left the body
• The ways we are born programmed by our culture, parents, etc.
• Chris’ experience with Ketamine therapy for his mental health
• Chanting as self releasing rather than self expressing

About Krishna Das:

Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee, Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.

Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. For more on Krishna Das events, music, and other offerings visit: KrishnaDas.com

About Nina Rao:

Nina Rao is a devotional singer. She tours with Krishna Das, playing cymbals, singing, and acting as his business manager. Nina has two of her own albums, “Antarayaami – Knower of All Hearts” and “Anubhav”. Nina regularly leads kirtan, workshops, and retreats in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York and beyond. Together with Chandra and Genevieve Walker, Nina operates the 21 Taras Collective. You can keep up with Nina on her website or find her on Instagram @nina_rao and on Facebook @NinaRaoChant.

“If people’s hearts are open and calm and connected to other people, the chances of doing things that are destructive is much less. You have to try to get to the deepest place inside and then who could you hurt because everybody is part of your own self.” – Krishna Das

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.