Consciousness - Integrating East and West

Recently I had the pleasure of sitting down with Suma to talk about consciousness, Jung, Yoga and integration. In this interview, we cover a fair amount of ground including Jungian ideas of the archetype, psychic abilities, shadowwork, compassion and synchronicity.

In this New Thinking Allowed interview with Dr. Jeffrey Mishlove, I describe an experience of pure, unitary consciousness that initiated my deeper exploration into Yoga psychology. I provide an overview of the Yoga Sūtras -- focusing on the distinction between pure consciousness and the contents of consciousness. I also describe the eight limbs of Yoga and how each of them contributes to the quieting of the mind.

In this episode of New Thinking Allowed, Jeff and I discuss the conundrum of the conception of ‘perfection,’ Patañjali’s use of the term kaivalya (in contradistinction to moksha) and the critical importance of listening to the body and its messages. 

In times like ours, when wars rage on and anger, anxiety, and stress are all too common; when psychotropic medicines are being prescribed at an ever-increasing pace; when women and the feminine are still 2nd class —embodiment is a radical choice.

In this New Thinking Allowed interview with Dr. Jeffrey Mishlove, I provide an overview of Jungian psychology -- focusing on the special relationship between Freud and Jung. I also describe key Jungian concepts including archetypes, the collective unconscious, synchronicity, the self, word association tests, and creative illness. I note how Jung studied many of the world's mythological, religious, and mystical systems. 

Yoga psychology is really helpful at psychologically and ecologically complex times like this because it is based in wholeness.

In this interview, Jeff Mishlove and I discuss how the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali can be read from either a dualist or non-dualist point of view. From the non-dualist point of view, everything is brahman or consciousness and the world is equipped with Knowledge, cosmic intelligence. Patañjali's 8 limbs assist us in letting go of anything obscuring our inherent wholeness.

Is there a way to find common ground between Jung and Yoga? Between ego consciousness and pure consciousness? Will doing so help us approach the seemingly daunting schisms and challenges of these times? Ricky Derisz, host of The Mind That Ego Podcast, and I discuss how consciousness is approached in both systems of thought as well as synchronicity, suffering, heart coherence, starting and setting the day with intention and much more. 

In this Buddha at the Gas Pump interview with Rick Archer, we discuss Yoga psychology, Jungian-oriented depth psychology and eco-psychology, and the interconnection and interweaving of all three. Specific topics include pure consciousness, ways of knowing, and our relationship to Mother Earth. 

A few months back, I sat down with Michael Philpott to record an episode for his podacst, The Metaphysical Mentor Show. We discussed many topics close to my heart including  intergenerational trauma, terror being held in the body, how the body keeps the score, wholeness and consciousness. The episode is airing on YouTube as well as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

In this New Thinking Allowed interview with Dr. Jeffrey Mishlove, I compare the depth psychology of Carl Jung with the yoga tradition of India, as outlined in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. I note that Jung never accepted the eastern ideal that spiritual enlightenment could free one from mental suffering. Nor did Jungian theory address the concept of pure consciousness that is central to Yoga philosophy. 

Recently I had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Dave of Shrink Rap Radio about my book, Consciousness in Jung and Patañjali. We discuss places where Jungian-oriented depth psychology and Classical Yoga converge and diverge as well as why both Jung and Patañjali remain relevant during this complex time. My interview can be found on the Shrink Rap Radio podcast as well as the YouTube Channel.

In May 2018, I recorded a 7-minute interview about Consciousness in Jung and Patañjali for an author’s spotlight broadcast at my graduate school. This is a short teaser of what is inside the covers.