Kind Mind: Recent Episodes
Michael Todd Fink
Relax and enjoy psychological insights from art, science and spirituality for personal balance and widening our circle of compassion to embrace all life including our own. Michael Todd Fink is an artist, thinker, speaker and social and environmental activist. He is also the co-founder of the internationally-acclaimed music group The Giving Tree Band. A modern Renaissance man - his songs, videos, articles and lectures on health and harmony have inspired so many around the world. He holds certifications in addiction counseling and mindfulness meditation and earned his psychology and music degrees from Georgetown University. Todd has been a wellness consultant and mentor for Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, schools, governments and other organizations and works fervently to help communities build sustainable cultures of well-being and peace. https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
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This is a message about PRIDE, shame, and the significance of tolerance.
The moral philosophy of tolerance encompasses an ecological and bi-directional understanding of human nature and societal influences. Rooted in compassion and knowledge, tolerance requires recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, irrespective of their differences.
It grows from an appreciation of diversity, seeing it not as a mere fact to be endured but as a fundamental aspect of the human experience.
Drawing on spiritual teachings, true tolerance involves maintaining equanimity and compassion even in the face of negativity, acknowledging that one's own balance of mind must surpass the external forces of intolerance. This philosophy transcends mere forbearance, encouraging a deeper respect for varied beliefs, orientations, and identities, fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society.
(Music “Cumulonimbus” by Bing Satellites)
Kimberly joins Todd to discuss the transformative wisdom of ancient yogic philosophy for healing and success, their longtime friendship and shared spiritual journey, and her new book "The Hidden Power of the Five Hearts."
Kimberly Snyder is a 3-time New York Times best-selling author, holistic wellness expert and nutritionist, international speaker and meditation teacher. She has authored six previous adult books, including Radical Beauty (co-authored by Deepak Chopra) and You Are More Than You Think You Are: Practical Enlightenment for Everyday Life.
She is also the founder of Solluna, a holistic lifestyle brand that offers supplements, meditations and courses, the HeartAlign System and Meditation. Kimberly is the host of the top-rated Feel Good Podcast, which covers all aspects of holistic wellness.
For more information:
https://mysolluna.com
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Gratitude is a dimension of mindfulness because it involves purposeful attention towards what is fortunate. It can help people to develop a deeper empathy for others, especially those who are less fortunate or face injustices.
By appreciating what one has and has access to, individuals can become sensitive to the needs and struggles around them. This attitude of resourcefulness can foster a sense of connection, shared humanity, and expanded consciousness.
Most of all, it can generate meaning and momentum towards transformative kindness.
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AT 4:30 MARK LOOK UP THE MULLER-LYER IILUSION!
The brain does not see the world. It does not hear the world. It does not touch the world.
The brain rests in complete darkness, sealed in the cavern of the skull. What we call "sight" or "sound" or "touch" are not direct encounters with an external reality—they are internal translations.
Photons strike the eyes; pressure waves ripple into ears; electron clouds in atoms repel those in the skin. These signals are converted into electrochemical patterns,
The brain interprets through the prism of our psychology and assembles a model—what we call perception.
The brain does not merely receive the world—it creates a "middle world" to human dimensions and drawn between atoms and galaxies, tailored to survival, memory, and narrative.
This episode attempts to deconstruct the metaphysics of perception into 5 layers.
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A short reflection on technology and the rise of mindfulness.
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Animals have long been seen as spiritual messengers and vessels of deeper truths, guiding us through the complexities of existence with their simple yet profound ways of being.
Living with pets offers a unique opportunity to engage with their lessons on an intimate level. These creatures, whether they are part of our myths or our homes, invite us to see beyond the surface of life, to embrace the essence of what it means to love, or to be loyal, or to journey through the world with grace and presence.
In them, we find not just companions, but spiritual guides, gently leading us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
(Music “Ultramarine” by Bing Satellites)
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With the big shifts happening, it is a good time for quiet reflection and listening with one's whole heart.
In communication, when we speak, we mostly share what we think we know but when it is our turn to listen there is every possibility of learning and growth.
Deep listening often requires cultivating inner silence and stillness. By quieting the mind and ego, one creates space to perceive subtler layers of meaning, insight, or even divine presence.
In Zen Buddhism, for example, the classic Koan of listening to the "sound of one hand clapping" symbolizes an inward journey toward understanding the unspoken truths of existence.
Theologian Henri Nouwen said:
"To listen is very hard because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements, or declarations. True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known."
“To die each day to your certainties is to be reborn in wonder.”
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This talk was recording on October 20, 2024 at Speakeasy Spiritual Community.
We often think of life and death as opposites—life being everything, death being nothing.
This understanding overlooks the matrix of existence, where life and death are interwoven. Death is often a process—gradual, transitional, and even non-final.
And we experience metaphysical deaths throughout life: the death of youth, relationships, ideas, or phases of identity. In this light, we may discover the meaningful ways in which we are still dying to come alive.
In social psychology, Terror Management Theory (TMT) can explain how people’s fear of death paradoxically suppresses life and collectively drives many behaviors and cultural norms.
With death as the last taboo, groups may foster materialism, nationalism, or the pursuit of legacy and the upholding of social constructs as the means to symbolically "live on." Philosopher Ernest Becker’s “Denial of Death” contends that human civilization itself is largely an elaborate defense mechanism against the knowledge of our mortality.
(Music “Slow Movement in the Light” by Ethereal Ephemera)
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This episode examines contentment as distinct from happiness in its revelation being inward rather than outward. Yet, the two concepts are often conflated and this contributes to the elusiveness of contentment.
The more one chases, the more elusive contentment becomes. Living in a material-oriented culture that socializes individuals towards themes of progress, production, and perfection results in endless contingencies.
Hence, the price of contentment is everything and nothing. One may need to sacrifice all they were taught to believe about the meaning of life and success. On the other hand, if contentment is an inward discovery, then it is closer than anything can be.
(Music selection “Breathe” by Bing Satellites)
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Friday the 13th reminds us of the strange power that certain beliefs hold in the collective consciousness.
While superstition often seems irrational in the modern world, its persistence reveals deeper metaphysical truths about how humans navigate uncertainty.
Todd talks with Marianne Williamson about the deeper lessons from the current collective shift.
For more than four decades, Marianne Williamson has been a leader of spiritually progressive circles, as well as the author of 16 books, four of which have been #1 New York Times best sellers.
Marianne also ran for the Democratic nomination for President in 2020 and 2024.
In this episode, they reflect on the deeper lessons of this year and discuss a vision of hope for the future.
You can support this work at https://patreon.com/kindmind and follow Marianne at https://marianne.com
You can support this work and join us at https://patreon.com/kindmind
There is an option for free membership for those unable to contribute financially. Check out the video there from a live event last night about the coming Winter.
One of the oldest words for forgiveness is kshama in Sanskrit language, which literally means “releasing time.” This reminds me of when Lily Tomlin once said, “forgiveness is giving up all hope for a better past.” And that is the real gift of forgiveness - the unbinding of ourselves to a previous moment and no longer looking for peace in the place where we think we lost it.
This episode explores again how kind this can be to ourselves.
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Following your fear may sound counterintuitive when aspiring to a life of love and peace. Mythologist Joseph Campbell once famously quipped, "follow your bliss," which sounds much safer.
However, it can also be true that fear will not stop following you until it is acknowledged, healed, or transcended. Avoiding the triggers of insecurity can amount to a long detour on the path of awakening and authenticity. Campbell also wrote, "the cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek."
This is where mindfully walking the labyrinth of our fears to the center of our being and back matters. There are many different types of fear but psychologist Karl Albrecht believes that they can be categorized and fit into a hierarchy or “feararchy.” Nonetheless, philosophers like Jiddu Krishnmurti asserted that these are still only the branches of one tree of fear and implored seekers to cut it down at the root.
On an evolutionary level, our instincts associated with worry are predominantly codes for responding to a long-gone world. Most of the ancient imminent threats like predators, storms and enemies have been replaced by longform health complexities like addiction, obesity, or loneliness. This episode explores how to deconstruct fear and anxiety to live more whole-heartedly.
(Music “To New Beginnings” by Bing Satellites)
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At the core of personality disorders lies a paradox—the functional yet ultimately detrimental nature of behaviors that originally develop as coping mechanisms in the wake of trauma.
Individuals with paranoid personality disorder may misinterpret innocuous comments as malicious, while those with borderline personality disorder might see abandonment in routine separations.
Cultural norms define the thresholds of acceptable behavior and influence both the diagnosis and stigmatization of personality traits. Personality disorders, as both shadows and mirrors, reveal the limitations of our current psychiatric paradigms and the profound impact of sociocultural forces on individual psychology and the development of "personality."
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Blinded by invisible abstract concepts such as wealth, investment, interest, socioeconomic status, and profit - our social systems often obstruct the natural flow of generosity with attachments, greed, and possessiveness.
Generosity could be innate, as evidenced by our evolutionary anomaly of hoarding to the point of the peril of the whole species in modern times.
Studies reveal that even toddlers experience more joy when giving treats to others rather than receiving them. Likewise, Capuchin monkeys have demonstrated an understanding of generosity by refusing unequal rewards and showing distress when others are treated unfairly.
However, in contemporary society, our instincts can become misaligned or manipulated with our virtual and psychologically insular environments.
Wisdom texts also convey that generosity is our natural state; to give is to receive or to hold one's breath is to lose it. This episode explores ways to remove the impediments.
(music "The Inner Truth" by The Lovely Moon)
The discourse around toxic masculinity and its role in a pervasive identity crisis among men is compounding. Yet, what exactly constitutes healthy masculinity?
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The concept of archetypes in psychology, especially as applied to personal development and self-image, offers a rich and nuanced way to examine various aspects of human behavior. There are four core mature masculine archetypes, initially delineated by Carl Jung and later emphasized by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette, which serve as an integrative framework for deconstructing the male identity. These archetypes—King, Warrior, Magician, and Lover—each possess unique qualities and shadow aspects that reveal the dual nature of strengths and patterned struggles.
These archetypes represent universal roles across various cultures and historical contexts and can help in understanding not just one’s mental health but also the dynamics in relationships, societies at large, and the impact of events on life’s turning points. Expanding this model through modern and holistic lenses, such as intersectional feminist epistemology, challenges traditional views, acknowledges the role of power and oppression in shaping the energies of these archetypes, and connects to collective liberation.
“The Whole Man" emerges not merely as a fixed identity but as a dynamic process of evolution, integration, and maturity in diversity and complexity.
(Music "Drifting and Phasing" by Kowalski Room)
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'At the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit. And that center is really everywhere. It is within each of us.' -Black Elk
We all have an often underused and therefore latent power of concentration. It is like the aperture of a camera which controls how much light comes through the lens.
When it is smaller, it yields marvelous depth of field but a blurring of the periphery.
Similarly, the light of conscious attention can be directed like a laser to penetrate the phenomenal world to reveal deeper insights and master an aspect of life.
Ordinarily, our understanding and attentional interests are coming from the environment and outer conditioning with the illusion of one's willful direction, just as the tides appear to be the work of the ocean and not the invisible gravity of the moon.
Concentration also represents the sixth limb in the philosophy of yoga. Dharana is the Sanskrit word with its root "dhar" meaning "to hold."
But this is not the same as meditation, which in some ways is the opposite, like the large aperture full of light due to having no specific focus.
This episode explores various creative and contemplative paths to concentration, it's material and spiritual benefits as well as it's relationship to meditation and other limbs of yoga.
(original artwork on episode website and music "Eight Hours" by Bing Satellites)
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Culture, at its essence, is like a game, where the collective beliefs, practices, and values of any two or more people overlay the tangible world, shaping perceptions and bidirectionally influencing behaviors.
Like the sum of all dreams, these shared impressions become the social fabric and the drama of humanity that we all navigate - guiding norms, rules, and identities that will continue to evolve according to our collective imagination.
I like to think of cultures as constellations, portraying each individual as a star within the societal cosmos. The connections we draw between these stars—due to our angle of observation, common locations, traditions, rituals, or treatment—form patterns that emerge as the recognizable outline of cultures.
Like the constellations in the sky, these social conventions are not inherent but are instead the product of human perception and interpretation, emphasizing the subjective nature of cultural construction.
Expanding this model metaphysically introduces a contrast between dominant and non-dominant cultural forces. I see a prominent space-oriented theme and the rigid cultures around divided land such as nations with controlled and defended physical territories.
Another theme involves fluid, time-oriented perspectives and frameworks around cycles, renewal, and culture as a way of relating - where past, present, and future are deeply interconnected.
Spiritual texts offer profound insights on the correction of perception which facilitates the undoing of fear and the transformation of love. The concept of cultural humility, with its emphasis on openness, learning, and empathy, aligns with wisdom teachings which call for a shift from judgment to forgiveness, and from fear to love.
Spiritual growth involves recognizing our shared identity beyond the superficial divisions of the ego. This mirrors an understanding of culture as "true-ish"—a construct that can guide but not define our deepest truths and connections.
Metaphors such as the dream tapestry or social constellations can help us navigate the complex social landscape and honor a balance between the world of forms and our underlying unity of being.
(Music "A Blanket of Japanese Violets" by Bing Satellites and episode artwork on podcast website)
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Admiration is a profound human psychological state and like a prism, refracts light into a spectrum of experiences. Within this metaphorical range, there is the capacity for awe and spiritual transformation - the colors of admiration's positive influence.
Beyond admiration's edges lies the cautionary areas where imbalance spills into the harmful rays of idolization or insecurity, akin to the UV radiation just over the rainbow of visible light.
In this digital age of snapshots, glimpses, comparisons and voyeurism - how we see matters for our mental health. Having a better understanding of the art of admiration and who or what could be admired can serve as a mitigating factor for the risks of depression or internet addiction.
The vibrations of admiration are like ripples backwards in time, a clue from our future, fuller selves. It touches on something deep within our psyche or peels back a layer covering our true nature. Like the personification of an acorn admiring an oak tree because that is it's destiny, we respect and resonate with the outer displays of our own inner potential.
Author and philosopher Matshona Dhliwayo wrote, "admiration is the power of anointing." It symbolizes the uplifting and transformative effect this quality can have. It also suggests that it be treated as a sacred rite we carry with us. Perform the ritual with care.
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Honesty, a cornerstone of ethical behavior, faces complex challenges in the modern world. Technological advancements have fundamentally altered the landscape of human interactions, introducing anonymity and ease of information manipulation that can diminish accountability.
The rapid dissemination of misinformation and the rise of AI along with the weaponization of bots and deepfakes complicate the distinction between truth and falsehood, normalizing deceit in various contexts.
Social media platforms further blur these lines by encouraging the curation of idealized realities and incentivizing deceptive practices for personal gain.
These shifts, coupled with the pressures of consumerism and material success, contribute to a culture where dishonesty can thrive.
What responsibility do we have with respect to honesty in the virtual world?
What is the line between digital creativity and confusion?
Recorded live on Feb 24, 2024 at the Westclox Metaphysical Fair. You can support this work and connect more at https://patreon.com/kindmind
Charles Bukowski's assertion, "Style is the answer to everything," encapsulates the essence of this quality, suggesting that true style goes beyond mere aesthetics to encompass authenticity, resilience, and individuality.
This episode explores the multifaceted nature of style, its evolution through various stages, and its significance as a response to life's complexities.
Rooted in the Latin word "stylus," which referred to a writing instrument, the concept of style has evolved to represent the unique way individuals express themselves in every aspect of life - aka one's "signature" style.
The cycle of style can be understood through six stages: Uniform, Conform, Perform, Deform, Freeform, and Reform. Each stage represents a phase in the evolution of style, illustrating the dynamic interplay between socialization and individuality.
Bukowski's philosophy of "don't try" aligns with this cycle, suggesting that true style emerges naturally when one stops trying to fit in or impress and instead embraces their authentic self.
Please visit the episode website to view an image of the "style cycle."
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Alchemy, once a mystical endeavor to transmute base metals into gold, finds renewed meaning as an allegory for personal and societal transformation.
The mythical quest for the philosopher's stone or the elixir of life transcends mere physical desires. Instead, it mirrors the journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
Kindness emerges as a metaphorical elixir, an alchemical agent that has the power to transform not only ourselves but also the world around us forever. Like a tree's capacity to sequester pollution and return oxygen, kindness acts as a purifying force.
Through it, we can embrace the absurd and extract the beauty.
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In the year of the dragon and northern lights, is the aurora borealis a cosmic ouroboros?
The ancient symbol of the Ouroboros, a serpent devouring its own tail, offers a profound metaphor for the cyclical nature of existence, encapsulating themes of renewal, infinity, and the perennial struggle between creation and destruction.
This emblem, rooted in ancient Egyptian iconography and embraced by diverse cultures and philosophical traditions, serves as a powerful lens through which we can examine our contemporary relationship with nature, technology, and the quest for liberation and spiritual transcendence.
(original episode artwork on podcast website)
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Grief can be highly personal and unique but this quote comes close to a universal definition:
“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.”
― Jamie Anderson
It's important to recognize that grief is a natural response to loss, and it can manifest in various ways even when there hasn't been a direct loss of a loved one. The collective emotional and psychological impact of war and violence can be profound and long-lasting, and support, understanding, and caring for mental health are essential for anyone affected by these experiences and events.
Additionally, addressing the broader societal and systemic factors that contribute to international crises can help mitigate the widespread grief and trauma associated with such situations.
Some individuals may experience grief related to the moral and ethical dilemmas they face during political turmoil. Witnessing or participating in acts or positions that go against their values and beliefs can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and moral distress.
Mass violence can prompt individuals to confront profound existential questions about the nature of human conflict, suffering, and the meaning of life. This can lead to a form of existential grief as people grapple with these complex issues.
Grief, like life, is complex and multi-dimensional. I think it is another invisible thread that is tied to the whole human tapestry. The way it intersects with all other social fabric results in ebbs and flows like a soulful song interspersed with minor chords. Grief is a shadow that appears unexpectedly on any side and reminds of the light of love.
This episode explores some prominent psychological theories and alternative metaphysical interpretations of this profound human sense.
(original episode artwork on podcast website)
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Human blossoming is akin to the delicate yet profound process seen in the natural world, where flowers unfurl their petals to reveal their inner beauty.
The metaphor of blooming relates to maturity and is explored in various contexts, from spiritual growth to personal transformation. Just as flowers need the right conditions to bloom, folks too require nurturing environments and opportunities for growth to reach their full potential.
Concepts such as the Flower of Life in sacred geometry and the Chinese teachings from "The Secret of the Golden Flower" illuminate the interconnectedness between nature and human existence, emphasizing the importance of harnessing inner wisdom to navigate life's journey.
At the heart of this discussion lies the notion of the light reflex, a metaphorical beacon guiding individuals towards enlightenment and spiritual awakening. Like a flower turning upward or backward towards the sun to absorb its nourishing light, humans can cultivate inner radiance by turning towards their spiritual essence. Blooming where they are planted, individuals can unfold their unique potential and transform the social garden with grace and wisdom.
(original “frequency” artwork for this episode can be seen on the podcast website)
Recorded on Oct 15, 2023, the day after a solar eclipse and “ring of fire.”
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Kindness takes on both light-hearted and profound expressions in our intricate world.
In its playful form, it encompasses spontaneous acts that bring joy and laughter, offering a refreshing break from gravity. In its most thoughtful expression, it addresses pressing societal issues with compassion and wisdom.
Striking a balance between these dimensions is pivotal and crucial; playfulness fosters connections and resilience, while empathy grapples with deep-rooted challenges, striving for enduring transformation.
Together, they cultivate a mature mind and harmonious society adept at navigating the complex dynamics of life with love and awareness.
This episode explores the concept of “space” not as the separation but as the link.
(original artwork on the podcast website and music “The Loudest Meditation” by Solar Plexus)
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Thank you!
Stillness is often associated with meditation, contemplation, and spiritual practices aimed at transcending the superficial layers of social life and the conventional sense of self.
There is a three-part harmony to stillness including physical stillness of movement, auditory stillness of unnecessary sounds, and mental tranquility of thoughts.
This episode parallels these three dimensions with the still pond which can accurately reflect the environment, the quiet forest in which the true sounds of nature can be detected, and the clear mirror free from smudges or debris like a calm mind without judgment.
Original artwork can be seen on the podcast website.
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This episode explores the transformative powers of music and meditation, practices that serve as vessels for introspection, revelation, and communal connection.
We delve into the philosophical and spiritual intricacies of how silence complements music—the way meditation underlines our active lives—inviting listeners on a contemplative journey toward self-discovery and collective understanding.
In an era marked by global secularization, remote interactions, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainties, the quest for meaning and genuine connection has never been more urgent. Meditation can help us examine these challenges and awaken to a unique refuge in the communal pursuit of curiosity and understanding.
In the cacophony of modern life, we can find solace and clarity in the intentional embrace of stillness and service to others.
Drawing on the linguistic roots of 'ministry' and 'meditation,' both connected to the concept of 'minus,' this episode uncovers the elegant process of shedding false identities through contemplation and altruistic service.
It posits that by minimizing our ego and distractions, we can reveal our divine essence, leading to a deeper appreciation of our shared human experience.
Listeners are invited to reflect on the role of music and meditation as ministries in their own lives, avenues for fostering fellowship around wonder rather than conviction.
This discussion extends beyond personal growth, touching on how these experiments can counteract the existential and societal challenges of our time, offering a blueprint for building communities of seekers united in their quest for understanding and peace.
Original artwork can be seen on the podcast website.
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Understanding the nature of knowledge has been a timeless pursuit for thinkers and seekers throughout history. This branch of study in philosophy is often referred to as epistemology.
There is an interplay between sensory perception, intellectual understanding and the notion of objective truth. The limitations, complexities, and transformative power inherent in the quest for knowledge cannot be understated.
What does it mean to KNOW something?
HOW does one know something?
We are never able to fully stand outside the world and its apparent parts in order to objectively examine as separate from ourselves. Absolute truth may be like the horizon that ever expands as we attempt to approach it, revealing new frontiers and the endless depth of unknowing.
Power dynamics play a significant role in the production and dissemination of knowledge. Institutionalized structures, privileges and biases can influence whose "knowledge" is valued and whose perspectives are marginalized. Recognizing and challenging these power imbalances is vital to foster a more inclusive and equitable knowledge ecosystem.
We might consider the restorative potential of egalitarian inquiry and the implications of its obstruction. Some research methodologies require significant resources such as labor, money and time to gain access to knowledge. Who is able to participate and how might our understanding of the world be different otherwise?
An ethical dimension emerges when contemplating the function of knowledge. While knowledge empowers and enlightens, it can also be a double-edged sword, capable of destruction and exploitation. Moral responsibility requires discernment in how knowledge is acquired, shared, and applied. The preservation of certain knowledge, such as the occult, may have been conceived as a protective measure, honoring the need for maturity and wisdom in its application.
This episode explores the interconnectedness of these thought-fragments. Like a mosaic, knowledge can be taken as relatively complete depending on where you look, while paradoxically offering countless possibilities for continuation.
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The archetype of the wounded healer, a concept deeply rooted in psychology and mythology, offers profound insights into the human condition, empathy, and the transformative power of healing through sacrifice.
This talk touches on the intricate dimensions of this archetype, paralleling its essence with the natural process of an oyster creating a pearl — a metaphor that elegantly encapsulates the journey from wound to wisdom.
Original artwork for this episode can be found on the podcast website along with event details.
This original sci fi tale has been expanded! I’ve added more words and MUSIC and hope this makes it easy to access anytime through the podcast.
Brazilian artist Gabriel Melo (_TMist) has enhanced the story with futuristic imagery. Please watch on my youtube channel and subscribe at https://youtu.be/L2LpRgZn_8M
As always, you can support this work, access bonus content, and help me release shows faster at https://patreon.com/kindmind
The Aurascope is a dark allegory about the commodification of human empathy.
A tech innovation blurs the boundary between empathy and voyeurism in a future society marked by diluted authenticity and disconnection from the power of personal sacrifice.
The narrative also serves as a de-stigmatizing portrait of neurodivergence, adding meaning to the adventure.
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This is episode 101.
The origin of speech remains rather mysterious. The development of complex vocalization and symbology is unique and may involve evolutionary necessity. Human survival has historically been dependent on social cooperation. Language allows us to share information, coordinate activities, and form complex bonds for success among species.
At the same time, there are profound ways that language shapes our understanding of reality, its construction and our place within it.
This episode explores the interplay between words and worlds and examines the limitations associated with ineffable mystical experiences and divine truth.
Music “Winter Lake” by Lee Hannah.
Episode artwork can be found on the podcast website.
This is the 100th episode! Thank you for listening!
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This episode delves into the underground world of seeds and the unexpected life lessons they can teach us. From the sacred lotus seed which can remain viable for over 1,000 years to the dust-like orchid seeds that rely on fungus to germinate to the lodgepole pine which requires fire to release its seeds from the resin in cones - there is much to glean about resilience, potential, and interconnectedness.
These odd timelines and strange conditions can remind us that human progress is also not always straightforward. It can also inspire us to remain engaged in sowing the seeds of kindness and transformation in the face of adversity, trusting the latent magic will unfold.
In Hinduism and Buddhism, "bija" is often used to describe the seed or essence of something, which can represent the beginning or source of a concept, idea, or practice. For example, in yoga, bija mantras are seed syllables that are considered to hold the essence of a specific energy or deity. When chanted or meditated upon, these bija mantras are believed to help activate and harmonize the associated energy or invoke the deity's presence.
We will reflect on the wisdom of seeds in nature and culture and explore ways to apply the insights to daily life for nuturing a destiny of peace and happiness.
(Music “Sunset Serenade” by Ethereal Ephemera and original artwork for this episode can be found on the podcast website)
This is the 99th episode and patreon members will receive a special gift in the mail to commemorate the centennial occasion.
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'Tis the season of giving, but the societal expectation to buy a bunch of gifts or marketing pressure to spend, spend, spend is not the real spirit of generosity.
As mystic poet Kahlil Gibran wrote,
"It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding; and to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving. And is there aught you would withhold? All you have shall some day be given; therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'."
Sincere generosity is good for our health and according to psychological studies, our happiness is more linked with prosocial behaviors. And the "warm glow" or "helpers high" corresponds to an actual rise in body temperature and release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and endorphins.
But how, when or what to give is worth considering further. Additionally, experiments with "hedonic adaptation" reveal that the happiness we enjoy from the same activity or experience diminishes over time but this is not true when giving in the same manner.
This episode explores the ways to give not just materially or commercially once a year but as a healthy habit, to give of ourselves as a spiritual practice but also between mind and body.
(Music “Fade to White” by Bing Satellites and original episode artwork on podcast website)
Recorded live in-person on Oct 25 2022 at The Homestead in Plano, IL.
You can support this work and connect more at https://patreon.com/kindmind
Why are so many people attracted to scary movies when in real life we typically avoid frightening situations?
There are a multitude of reasons but recent studies have indicated that fans of the horror genre fared better in the pandemic in terms of preparedness and psychological resilience. Therefore, it could function as a kind of virtual reality tester and mechanism of exposure to worst-case scenarios.
In the final episode of “Dirty John,” the true story of a murderous conman, the daughter Terra credits her survival and ability to fight like hell from having previously binged AMC’s apocalyptic zombie-gore series "The Walking Dead."
There are many different types of fear but psychologist Karl Albrecht believes that they can be categorized and fit into a hierarchy or “Feararchy.” However, philosophers like Jiddu Krishnmurti asserted that these are still only the branches of one tree of fear and implored seekers to cut it down at the root.
And on an evolutionary level, our instincts associated with fear are predominantly codes for responding to a long-gone world. Most of the ancient imminent death threats like predators, storms and enemies have been replaced by longform health complexities like addiction, obesity and loneliness.
What will it take to download the smart-brain updates and how could that transform our lives and society?
(Music “Make Sense of Everything” by Bing Satellites and original episode artwork can be found on the podcast website)
You can support the podcast on Patreon and access bonus content: https://patreon.com/kindmind
True leadership goes beyond mere titles and positions. It involves a convergence of inner and outer realms.
At its core, leadership is an outpouring of the inner work. Through introspection, one can illuminate their own positionality and the pathways to decentralize power within themselves and elsewhere. Then, the finest leaders do not merely stand in the spotlight but, instead, use their inner light to cast away the shadows enveloping others.
To lead without leading and serve without imposing, the echoes of kindness resound louder than shouts of authority. Today's world often rewards individuals for audacious certitude. However, timeless wisdom and contemporary insights remind that true leadership engages with the panorama of possibilities from a space of intellectual and cultural humility.
This transformative journey, rooted in self-reflection, is what differentiates true leaders from mere figureheads, making leadership not just an external role but also an ever-evolving inner quest.
(Music “The Stone of Rejuvenation” by The Lovely Moon and original artwork for this episode is on the podcast website)
You can support this show and join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/kindmind
One of the predecessors of the word "create" is creare in Latin. This verb meant "to form out of nothing" as in the phrase creatio ex nihilo from the Book of Genesis in the Bible. Accordingly, God manifested heaven and earth from the void.
Thus, artists sometimes refer to their spark of inspiration as being in the likeness of God.
However, the art from us mortals is creatio ex materia. Stravinsky may have said it best with the annotation of "refitting old ships." Astronomer Carl Sagan added that if you really want to bake an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.
So, does ego help or hinder art?
Another etymological root of create is keres or later ceres from ancient Indo-European language. Ker means "to grow" like the Roman Goddess of agriculture known as Ceres.
Egoism believes that the “I” is the origin of creative ideas and offerings, but the spiritual attitude is that of a steward tending to the growth and garden of community.
We will explore whether ego impedes or augments one's creative output and how the mode of operation is different.
(music “Divine Influence” by Bing Satellites and original artwork for this episode is on the podcast website)
Please consider supporting this work on Patreon: https://patreon.com/kindmind
The paradox of curiosity is a contest between our innate desire for knowledge and our aversion to uncertainty.
A delicate balance can be negotiated when the curious awareness is anchored to its Latin word origin. "Cura" meant cure, care, concern or even choosiness. Put simply, curate the curiosity. Then, it serves as a transformative force, guiding us on the perpetual quest for understanding and self-discovery.
In our conversation and beyond, let this spark of inquiry light the way up - towards kindness and necessary innovation. Embracing curiosity, we become weavers of our own wisdom, ever learning never concluding.
(music “Everything is Beautiful” by Solar Plexus)
You can support this work and access bonus content at https://patreon.com/kindmind
Today, we often associate adventure with planned activities or deliberate pursuits as is the case with travel itineraries or business ventures of calculated risk with defined goals.
However, the prefix ad in the word "adventure" means "towards" and therefore indicates that in the true spirit of adventure, the unknown is not just a means to an end but the end itself. In other words, the adventurous life is one that journeys beyond the familiar or comfortable and towards surrender and acceptance of the divine mystery.
This episode explore various perspectives on adventure and how it has been associated with rites of passage, renouncing or risking self-interest and the quest for harmony with the natural world.
(Music “Even” by Bing Satellites)
Mary Oliver wrote that "empathy is a kind of seeing, and it involves imagination as well as vision."
The word "empathy" has origins in Greek "Empatheia" and the root "pathos," which means "feeling." It was first introduced to the English language in the early 20th century as a translation of the German word "Einfühlung," which means "feeling into." The term was initially used in the context of aesthetics and art appreciation.
Over time, the concept of empathy has evolved to encompass a broader range of psychosocial processes associated with 1) affective empathy (experiencing or sharing the emotions of another) and/or 2) cognitive empathy (understanding the perspective of another). Empathy is a crucial component of emotional intelligence and the development of meaningful relationships.
The opposite of empathy is apathy or the lack of feeling. So as a virtue, empathy can be the foundation for generating compassion and a motivating energy for prosocial behavior. However, it could also be argued that the value of empathy is unstable on its own and may need to be balanced with rationality and discernment in order to navigate between the extremes of excessive empathy and calloused indifference.
Otherwise, the drawbacks involve our susceptibility to emotional exploitation as targets of manipulative marketing or weaponized empathy. There is also the risk of empathy distorting facts as evidenced by proximity bias (preference for those close in distance or likeness) and other modes of selective empathy, short-term focus, and the prioritization of identifiable individuals (stories) over large groups or abstract statistics. These limitations have inspired the effective altruisim movement which aims to update our evolutionary empathy instincts to match the often complex modern social problems.
Additionally, unbound empathy can lead to distress and burnout. Preoccupation with the feelings of others can result in decision paralysis or the hindering of our ability to respond timely and skillfully. When a river floods its own banks, it turns turbulent and loses the balance that sustained its nourishing flow; or like the tides of the sea, we naturally require a cycle of rising and retreating.
Ultimately, empathy's true spiritual power reorients to our recurring theme of kindness and discovering our underlying circulation with totality. Feeling into oneness. It is an elegant common cornerstone among most major religions. At the heart of their moral philosophy, the empathic aphorisms enshrine the same message in colorful ways.
Beyond "The Golden Rule," other verses include "the whole world is a family" in the Rigveda, "all beings are Buddha nature" in the Lotus Sutra, and "be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle," attributed to Philo of Alexandria.
This episode explores the ends of empathy in all its bittersweetness.
(Music “To New Beginnings” by Bing Satellites)
Historically, morality was in the domain of religion. Although most existing faiths claim their teachings go back to the dawn of time, we can understand that these belief systems have emerged and disintegrated like empires.
However, scholars trace living spiritual traditions of the Indian subcontinent to the 15th century BCE suggesting seniority at least among scriptures. The cornerstone of these and many other organized moral philosophies around the world is nonviolence. Also known as ahimsa in Sanskrit, it is the central theme of Jainism and the very first step in the first (yama) of eight limbs of yoga in Hinduism.
This ancient virtue can also be found as a basis for other maxims and codes around the world as attempts to do the least harm such as the golden rule, Mill’s utilitarianism or Kant’s categorical imperative. Despite this principle being woven into the fabric of social construct, it seems so many civilizations fall way short of its vision.
In this episode, we will explore the role of nonviolence today and the challenges or limitations. Violence is quite prevalent in nature, so it cannot be only a matter of living more naturally. Some modern thinkers assert that you cannot have life without death elsewhere nor construction without destruction. So, what about other life forms, self-defense, war, criminal justice, disease, mental health, etc?
If there is a time to kill, then perhaps the important clue for spiritual growth lies in ahimsa’s explanation in Jainism. Guided by simplicity, necessity and intention, one can aspire to cultivate a mind with less and less desire to increase suffering while adopting a lifestyle that harmonizes with the balance of the broader ecological community to which we belong.
(intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “Light in the Summer Air II” by Ethereal Ephemera)
In 1976, German social psychologist Erich Fromm published a book which presented the titular question, "To Have or To Be?"
This philosophical inquiry would resurface throughout his work as two distinct modes of existence. He further claimed that modern society in its materialism prefers having.
On this podcast, we often consider the dialectic of being vs doing. Well, Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa wrote, "to have is to tarry." In a sense, the more you have, the more you have to do - which can weigh you down in terms of freeing your mind.
But does that mean that the goal of spiritual growth would be to eliminate possessions? I don't think it's that simple. It is more about transcending possessiveness.
There is a clear cultural example of this difference when comparing the legacies of human relations with the land or ecology. If you look at a map of Native Land that shows historically Indigenous territories, you will not find the straight lines and rigid markers as is the case with modern states and countries. It's much more fluid like the area of defense on a baseball field, with any location more or less covered by a player. This ties into the notion of stewardship as opposed to ownership of the land, as well as the experience of land as a community rather than a commodity.
Today, what could change with our life, work, responsibilities and relationships if we brought this awareness into our consciousness and mode of existence?
What changes and what matters more in the moment between:
having something and being present?
having friends and being friendly?
having success and being sincere?
having love and being loving?
(intro song “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “To New Beginnings” and “Clouds in Dark Skies” by Bing Satellites)
You can support this work and access bonus content at https://patreon.com/kindmind
Unlike other virtues that may be situational or context-dependent, integrity is seen as a constant, underlying quality that inspires and threads all of our actions and decisions into a spiritual tapestry.
It is not simply a commitment to certain core principles but a psychosocial, structural and creative coherence in how we live our lives. However, integrity is delicate, easily unraveled, and difficult to repair. Therefore, it involves maturity in steadfastly navigating the tensions between personal values and external pressures, temptations and social norms.
Intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “Herbarium” by Lee Hannah.
You can support this show on Patreon https://patreon.com/kindmind and access bonus content.
This episode considers the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society and the human condition, and explores the ethical and existential concerns surrounding it.
We also contemplate the limitations of AI in terms of consciousness, creativity, and complex emotional and social contexts, and warn of the potential dangers of its weaponization for propaganda or bias and the possibility of humans becoming too dependent on technology.
This episode also emphasizes the need for collaboration across different fields to ensure that AI is developed and deployed in an ethical and equitable manner, and to enhance the human condition.
Intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “Cultivate” by Lee Hannah (https://leehannah.bandcamp.com/)
If you would like to support this podcast, check out the options and benefitis here: https://patreon.com/kindmind
The word pray comes from the root sound “prek” as in precarious. It means to entreat or ask.
This corresponds to the often instinctive urge to seek something greater than ourselves or a higher power when in need or at a loss of options.
Check out the psychology and demographics of prayer in America in the intro of this episode and then learn more about the contemplative art and practice of praying power.
Intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “Everything is Beautiful” by Solar Plexus.
You can support this show and access bonus and companion content to this episode including the Q+A session and a guided meditation on validation here: https://patreon.com/kindmind
Validation means to confirm or authenticate and allows people to feel heard and respected.
This episode explores how validation of others and self-validation are both key skills for emotional well-being and effective interpersonal interactions. It can help partners and teams be more present to each other and engage with respect and genuineness in order to build positive cultures of cooperation and support.
(Intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “Bathed in Winter Sunlight” by Ethereal Ephemera)
Happy New Year! You can support this podcast at https://patreon.com/kindmind
The theme is HOPE. It stands out among other virtues because it requires negative circumstances and straddles over the present and towards the future.
Charles Snyder was a psychologist and dedicated researcher of hope, who emphasized its relevance in the context of doing vs being. Accordingly, hope is a motivational set of cognitive traits that give people a reason to continue pursuing their goals despite the unpredictable nature of the human experience.
He had a beautiful quote,
"A rainbow is a prism that sends shards of multicolored light in various directions. It lifts our spirits and makes us think of what is possible. Hope is the same – a personal rainbow of the mind."It suggests that additional pathways may exist or appear that we cannot always comprehend in the present. The past and the future are like the ends of that rainbow. They seem to be really out there, but they are always inaccessible.
However, a bigger view is always possible in the here and now.
(Intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “Cinnabar Sunset” by The Lovely Moon)
Nadine Strossen is Professor of Constitutional Law at New York Law School and the first woman national President of the American Civil Liberties Union, where she served from 1991 through 2008.
A frequent speaker on constitutional and civil liberties issues, her media appearances include 60 Minutes, CBS Sunday Morning, Today, Good Morning America, The Daily Show, and other news programs on CNN, C-SPAN, Fox, Al-Jazeera, and in Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Her op-eds have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Washington Times,and USA Today, among others.
Live Free or Dialogue is a video conversation series within Michael Todd Fink's "Kind Mind" podcast and based on the etymology of the word dialogue: two individuals (di) communicating with openness, respect and mutual search for meaning (logos).
You can support the Kind Mind podcast and access bonus content at https://patreon.com/kindmind
Mutuality is the way of nature, and we can observe it in the ecosystems. Look at the circle of shelter and food chains as well as relocation and procreation among the stationary plants and mobile animals.
Interdependence is a spiritual word because it makes room for the paradox of human life. It presupposes a relationship among parts but also implies oneness or unity.
Can you ever be truly alone or independent from a single element, like air or water or light?
Close your eyes and realize how reliant you are on that which is “outside” yourself.
Support this show at https://patreon.com/kindmind
(Intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “Absense of Definition” by Kowalski Room)
Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you love and light this holiday season. If you would like to pitch in a $5 pledge to help support this podcast and access bonus content, you can at https://patreon.com/kindmind
send mail to: michaeltoddfink@gmail.com or @michaeltoddfink
Registration for “I Am Not My Anxeity” virtual course is here.
Since nothing is permanent, what is it that we really see?
In the Venn diagram of the unseen, some are invisible but some are merely overlooked or ignored.
This episode explores the meaning of sight and the process of seeing from the wisdom of science, art and mythology.
(Intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “Flying Into The Sun” by Ethereal Ephemera and episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn Duforest)
Use the link below to test your cognitive flexibility at the 8:00 mark of this episode:
“Interactive Stroop Effect Experiment”
https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/java/ready.html
One of the definitions of flexibility is spiritually pliant, indicating an attitude of openness and intellectual humility in order to learn or refine our vision. It also implies a readiness to meet the unexpected and without shock.
Flexibility of mind serves us well under strain and mitigates the risks of rigidness, which we will review in the next Kind Mind Gathering. This mental elasticity allow us to stretch emotionally in order to take the perspective of others while maintaining our center. We can then resume our original shape if desired.
Isolation from social disruptions and lack of nuanced conversation behind our screens with character limits may have further eroded the banks of our common life-stream resulting in wider divides and obstinate hyperbole.
You can support this show at https://patreon.com/kindmind
(Intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “Echoes of Memories” by The Lovely Moon)
What is a ghost??
The concept is based on the ancient belief that there is a spirit or essence that continues to exist without the body after death and can in some cases interact or haunt the "living."
This actually led to the development of funerals and rituals to help protect against this and encourage the soul's onward journey.
This episode explores how despite the different spiritual beliefs that permeate the end of life ceremonies, the final disposition of the corpse happens initially with the help of one of the 5 elements: earth, water, fire, air or space.
You can support this podcast and join our virtual poetry chats and other bonus content by pitching in $5 through Patreon at https://patreon.com/kindmind
(Intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “The Absence of Definition” by Kowalski Room; episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn Duforest)
Dr. Mark Hatala is a cognitive scientist and professor at Truman State University since 1994. He is a member of the Midwestern Psychological Association, the Artificial Intelligence Foundation, and the American Association of University Professors.
He received a bachelor's in psychology and history from Miami University of Ohio, and earned both his master’s and doctorate in experimental psychology from Ohio University. Dr. Hatala's current research interests include mental time travel (MTT) and cross-cultural differences in attitudes about romantic relationships. He is also the author of “Psychology and Retrocausality.”
Live Free or Dialogue is a video conversation series within Michael Todd Fink's "Kind Mind" podcast (listen on Apple, Spotify and other platforms) and based on the etymology of the word dialogue: two individuals (di) communicating with openness, respect and mutual search for meaning (logos).
You can support the Kind Mind podcast and access bonus content at https://patreon.com/kindmind
You can support this podcast at https://patreon.com/kindmind to connect with Todd and access bonus content.
Intuition is defined as the ability to know something immediately or to know something without proof.
In the digital age, intuition may have taken a backseat to satellite GPS and Google searches. However, its philosophical significance for our personal life and psychological growth has not been diminished but rather overlooked.
There is a good scientific reason to call it a "gut feeling." According to researchers at Johns Hopkins, we have as many as 500 million neurons lining our gastrointestinal tract forming what scientists call the enteric nervous system (ENS) or second brain.
This can partly explain why antidepressants may be prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome, which often includes emotional distress. The medication can soothe symptoms by acting on nerve cells in the gut.
But is intuition still a good guide? Is it outdated now that we have seemingly more rational tools at our instant disposal?
This episode explores the science and spirituality of intuition along with its theological origins in Sanskrit and Latin languages which emphasized "inner" and "tutor" as its core meaning, respectively.
(intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “Bathed in a Golden Light” by Ethereal Ephemera with episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn Duforest)
Sarah Durham Wilson is a women’s rites of passage leader and writer. She has taught courses and led retreats for thousands of women over the past decade. She previously worked as an arts and music writer in New York City, for Rolling Stone, VH1, GQ, Vanity Fair and Interview Magazine.
Sarah is also the author of ‘Maiden to Mother’ - her first book, published by Sounds True in 2022.
https://themotherspirit.com
Live Free or Dialogue is a video conversation series within Michael Todd Fink's "Kind Mind" podcast platform and based on the etymology of the word dialogue: two individuals (di) communicating with openness, respect and mutual search for meaning (logos).
You can support this podcast and access bonus content here: https://patreon.com/kindmind
(Music “Obscurity” by Lowercase Noises)
Please consider supporting this podcast via Patreon: https://patreon.com/kindmind Thank you!
When you stop trying to get it, you got it.
It may sound counterintuitive given the popularity of law of attraction.
But doesn't the affirming and manifesting work also reinforce the sense of lack in the first place?
Studies show that we are not accurate at predicting what would make us happy... because it is never really the thing but the feeling that we seek.
Therefore, the pursuit of happiness can make it hard to positively appreciate the present moment.
Consider health, career, love or revolution and how urgency or desperation tempts us to resort to interventions that push it away or us out of harmony with the original vision.
Most importantly, this law of reverse effort applies to spirituality and inner peace, as there is no process to still the mind.
There is only a process to disturb it.
(intro music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew, with “Twilight Reflections” by Ethereal Ephemera, episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn Duforest and podcast logo design by Jon Marro)
You can support this podcast and connect with me online and in-person for as little $5 via Patreon: https://patreon.com/kindmind
There are many famous failures that led to unexpected opportunities and wild success. In our own lives, how can we failure forward or understand the implications of defeat?
This episode was a special collaboration with many reflections from the Kind Mind community during the live gathering recorded in May of 2022.
Music intro “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “The Ellipse” by Bing Satellites. Podcast logo design is by Jon Marro, and episode artwork on the website is by Emily Dawn Duforest.
You can support this podcast on Patreon and access bonus content: https://patreon.com/kindmind
There is a baseline of magic in life.
But it can get covered up by routines and the illusion of control.
Moments of uncertainty open up the space for it to manifest and new ways of being are possible.
If we rush to resolve ourselves too soon, we may miss the opportunity for genuine psychological growth.
Unfamiliar circumstances prompt the brain to dedicate more resources to the hippocampus for learning and memory.
I have started trying to tolerate cold water. It is pretty uncomfortable at first, then a mental equilibrium dawns and finally the body emerges with more vitality.
There is a similar tripartite when we wade into our feelings and wait for clarity...for the right idea to arise by itself.
Music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew (intro) and “Dark Sky Explorations” by Ethereal Ephemera. Kind Mind logo design by Jon Marro and episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn Duforest.
Jay L. Garfield chairs the Philosophy department and directs the Tibetan Studies in India program at Smith College. He is also visiting professor of Buddhist philosophy at Harvard Divinity School.
Academicinfluence.com has identified him as one of the 50 most influential philosophers in the world over the past decade.
https://jaygarfield.org
"Live Free or Dialogue" is a video conversation series within Michael Todd Fink's "Kind Mind" podcast platform and based on the etymology of the word dialogue: two individuals (di) communicating with openness, respect and mutual search for meaning (logos).
You can support this podcast and access bonus content here: https://patreon.com/kindmind
You can support this show and connect with me on Zoom via Patreon: https://patreon.com/kindmind
Our relationship to food is often complex, especially with the rapid-changing nature of its production against the background of millions of years of evolution.
Today there is much science around the benefits of different kinds of fasting - from water fasts and juice fasts for detoxing to intermittent fasting weekly.
In many wisdom traditions, there are practices of fasting for enhancing awareness and tuning the mind to spiritual growth.
Maintaining silence is also a type of fast. So, fasting is not only from food but anything we might be too dependent upon to thereby attenuate its role so that energy can be harnessed and redirected towards healing, creativity or transformation.
This episode shares personal experiences and explores how to safely and joyfully experiment with the right attitude and understanding.
(Music “New Apartment” by Coldbrew and “A Lonely Speck in the Great Enveloping Cosmic Dark” by Bing Satellites; artwork on website by Emily Dawn; Kind Mind podcast logo design by Jon Marro)
Todd gives an introduction to the podcast for new listeners.
Additionally, the show now sometimes features dialogues with transformational thought leaders in the fields of art, music, science, philosophy, public service and beyond. Look for episodes with “Live Free or Dialogue” in the title.
You can support this work and access bonus content via Patreon: https://patreon.com/kindmind
and send mail to: michaeltoddfink@gmail.com
from the Dawn Chorus artist retreat at the Grand Canyon, New Year's Eve 2020.
you can join the virtual Kind Mind Gathering each month and access the Kind Mind Studio meditation page by becoming a patron of this podcast on Patreon for as little as $5/month:
https://patreon.com/kindmind
(music “Sunlight on Still Water” by The Lovely Moon and episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn Duforest)
Vitaliy Katsenelson was born in Murmansk, Russia, and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1991. After joining Denver-based value investment firm IMA in 1997, Vitaliy became Chief Investment Officer in 2007, and CEO in 2012. Vitaliy is also an award-winning writer. Known for his uncommon common sense, Forbes Magazine called him "The New Benjamin Graham." He's written for publications including Financial Times, Barron's, Institutional Investor and Foreign Policy. Soul in the Game is his third book, and first non-investing book.
https://contrarianedge.com
https://soulinthegame.net
"Live Free or Dialogue" is a video conversation series within Michael Todd Fink's "Kind Mind" podcast platform and based on the etymology of the word dialogue: two individuals (di) communicating with openness, respect and mutual search for meaning (logos).
https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
You can support this podcast and access bonus content here: https://patreon.com/kindmind
Please consider supporting this podcast and accessing bonus content the Kind Mind Gatherings via https://patreon.com/kindmind
Send feedback and mail to: michaeltoddfink@gmail.com
This episode was recorded over 3 consecutive weeks 1 year ago in June 2021 at Speakeasy Spiritual Community. It’s called The Seahorse Series because of the uniqueness of the male seahorse and subtitled mending masculinity.
This series is about the energy and quality of masculinity as distinct from manhood but then its also about men and perspectives on life and wisdom for males.
This is an invitation to hear from all people to better understand our place in the world and history, how we impact one another and recognize and regard our interdependence and our unique opportunities for correction, redemption and progress for all.
(Music by The Lovely Moon called “Music for Dreams” and episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn Duforest)
send mail to: michaeltoddfink@gmail.com
support this show: https://patreon.com/kindmind
An attitude is a lot like a musical score, a kind of outline or map for the potential expression or organization of sounds and rhythms.
Similarly, an attitude, in the psychological sense is a set of thoughts, feelings and most importantly behavioral tendencies towards someone or something. So, both are mental constructs with the potential to manifest certain actions in the environment.
When parts of the music do not fit as intended, it is called dissonance. And when one of the components of attitude is discovered to be out of alignment, it creates cognitive dissonance, the catalyst for its transformation, which points to a fundamental urge towards harmony.
Just as there is no universal agreement on good and bad music, there is also a lack of consensus on good and bad attitudes.
This episode explores the formation of attitude and how it can be changed, while inquiring about how real or important are our attitudes in the context of personal growth and self-discovery.
(music “Dream” and “Innocence” by Bing Satellites and episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn Duforest)
Kute Blackson is a transformational teacher, speaker, visionary, guide and national best-selling author of You.Are.The.One. and The Magic of Surrender.
https://www.kuteblackson.com
"Live Free or Dialogue" is a video conversation series within Michael Todd Fink's "Kind Mind" podcast platform and based on the qualities of dialogue: two individuals (di) communicating with openness, respect and mutual search for meaning (logos).
https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
Support this podcast and access bonus content here: https://patreon.com/kindmind
You can support this podcast and access live virtual events and bonus content via Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/kindmind
Send mail to: michaeltoddfink@gmail.com
Compared with other organisms, humans are born significantly underdeveloped physically and highly vulnerable for a considerable period of time.
Therefore, trust and mistrust can be profoundly wired into our design as it is uniquely relevant in our survival.
People may say they don't trust others much, but that might apply more to one's attitude toward specific kinds of relationships. Meanwhile, most of us do trust others in daily life more than we may realize.
Trust can be altered by levels of oxytocin, a pro-social hormone in the body. We also have an evolutionary propsensity to trust faces that look similar to our own, perhaps because our brains recognize a higher probability of being related and thus protected.
Inside of the word trust you have “us” and this episode aims to expand and serve the sense of “us-ness.”
(Music is “The Stone of Rejuvenation” by The Lovely Moon and episode artwork is by Emily Dawn Duforest)
You can support this work and access live virtual events and bonus content via Patreon: https://patreon.com/kindmind
mail to: michaeltoddfink@gmail.com
Why do we build and rebuild?
It could be because of breakdown or breakthrough and the interpretation may be up to us. Sometimes there are setbacks where things fall apart and need repair. Other times, we learn, grow and envision a better way to add on or redo.
We definitely encounter this on the individual level as in the arc of the hero's journey coded in folklore and mythology, where the aspirant seeks, finds, falls, despairs and rises again towards illumination.
In some sense, this path also applies now to the collective experience.
This episode explores what we and society are building - materially, digitally, spiritually - and the etymology of the word "build" with it's roots in Latin and Sanskrit connecting us to the Earth.
Additional analysis is given to the building metaphor and the symbolism of foundations, structures and roofs in life along with the tools to design beyond our breakdowns or breakthroughs.
(music “The Physical World” by The Lovely Moon and episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn Duforest)
Todd talks with Sandy Gibson.
Sandy Gibson is the Founder of Better Place Forests, America's first conservation memorial forest. Instead of graves, Better Places offers a sustainable alternative to cemeteries for families who choose cremation.
Launching in 2017, the 130+ acre woodland based in San Francisco has raised more than $75M in venture capital! Better Place Forests has also been featured in the New York Times, and on the Today Show.
https://www.betterplaceforests.com
"Live Free or Dialogue" is a video conversation series within Michael Todd Fink's "Kind Mind" podcast platform and based on the qualities of dialogue: two individuals (di) communicating with openness, respect and mutual search for meaning (logos).
Join the Patreon community and access bonus content and live events: https://www.patreon.com/kindmind
send mail to: michaeltoddfink@gmail.com
Sleep is really weird when you think about it. You get 16-24 hours of life out of a human and then they need 8 hours to fully charge.
There are so many interpretations of dreams from psychology and spirituality. They include descriptions of our subconscious resolving conflicts and playing out fantasies to intuition and prophecies.
fMRI studies of the brains of mice show activity similar to when they were trying to find cheese in a maze, suggesting that dreams have a lot to do with learning and integration.
Not only does life influence dreams but dreams sometimes alter the course of history.
(Music by Ethereal Ephemera “Reflections of Sunlight Drifting” and episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn Duforest)
Todd talks with Jose Hernandez.
In 2004 Jose began creating art as a meditative tool. His art has now exhibited in galleries across the US and hangs in private and corporate collections worldwide. Jose founded Inner Immersion, LLC and Immersive Arts, LLP. He is a member of the Association of Transformational Leaders. Jose is featured in the Netflix docu-series, Surviving Death, and the Dr Oz show. He regularly speaks on his near-death experience, and on Art as a Conduit for Healing.
More at https://www.innerimmersion.org
"Live Free or Dialogue" is a conversation series within Michael Todd Fink's "Kind Mind" podcast platform and based on the qualities of dialogue: two individuals (di) communicating with openness, respect and mutual search for meaning (logos).
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We tend to take for granted when our bodies are healthy and strong. We also tend to assume the worst when there is pain and worry that it will never go away.
In my understanding, health is not a permanent state. Consider all the factors involved with health or disease: physical, psychological, genetic, social, environmental and more. And til now, death is still inevitable.
Each side of life is an opportunity to go beyond our limiting notions of self. In so-called good health, we can expand our awareness past the boundaries of our skin to feel the dis-ease in the wider field of our existence. Then, we can be an agent for positive change and healing.
Dis-ease is a signal to come back to our innermost being. To observe pain in the body with compassion and curiosity, again helps us feel less identified with the corporeal and find equanimity in the pure consciousness.
(Music by Ethereal Ephemera - “Slow Movement in the Light” and episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn Duforest)
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Relgions have long been the purveyors of rituals or sets of actions deemed sacred or worshipful. Despite the growing disaffiliation with religious institutions, spirituality remains important to most people and rituals have been studied and found to be anxiolytic.
Therefore, we may need to establish secular rituals that are contempltive and modern in nature and serve to relieve and protect against the stresses associated with technology.
The word SPIRITUAL contains the word RITUAL. Todd explains that those three extra letters (S, P, I) can stand for three mindful qualites to remember when designing your own personal ritual for psychological well-being.
Music “A Whole World in Your Eyes” by Bing Satellites and artwork on website by Emily Dawn.
Todd talks with Jeff Booth on 12/6/21. You can also watch this conversation on the Michael Todd Fink Youtube Channel.
Jeff Booth is a visionary leader who has lived at the forefront of technology change for 20 years. He led BuildDirect, a technology company that aimed to simplify the building industry, for nearly two decades through the dot-com meltdown, the 2008 financial crisis, and many waves of technological disruption. He has been featured in Forbes, Bloomber, TIME and The Wall Street Journal.
Jeff is also the author of the extraordinary book The Price of Tomorrow: Why Deflation is the Key to an Abundant Future. Follow Jeff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffBooth
"Live Free or Dialogue" is a video conversation series within the "Kind Mind" podcast platform and based on the qualities of dialogue: two individuals (di) communicating with openness, respect and mutual search for meaning (logos).
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Enjoy this October full moon Halloween spooktacular episode about ghosts and other paranormal experiences and the possible scientific explanations such as psychological bias, hallucination, sensory limitations and mental illness.
Music by Bing Satellites “Mysterious Ways Part 1-3” and episode artwork by Emily Dawn.
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You cannot have opposites without some opposition. Right, left, masculine, feminine, hot, cold, day, night, and other seeming anitpodes dance or wrestle endlessly.
Another meaning of polarity has to do with terrestrial magnetism around the north and south pole, resulting from the dynamo effect of flowing liquid metal in the outer core generating electric currents.
In the body, there is also biomagnetism but metaphorically the spine is the axis and north is upward and the base is downward. Below, we have the currents of attraction for food, possessions and sex. Above, the search for knowledge, truth and love has its own pull.
Harmonizing these forces within leads to fulfillment in life and understanding our place in the universe. Raising one's consciousness to the north pole, all sense of direction ends. There is no further north and you get the best view of the inner northern lights. Then, one can engage in and enjoy everything below as it arises naturally but without the old attachment and selfishness.
Music “The Vastness of Night” by Ethereal Ephemera and episode artwork by Emily Dawn and the Kind Mind podcast design by Jon Marro.
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Free will is the ability to choose between possible courses of action. Many people feel themselves to be the authors of their thoughts, the agents of action and believe this to be true with respect to their decisions.
There is a sense that one could have behaved differently in the past, even though to rewind the tape of life would also remove the present insight. Or as one pop punk band sang it better: the past is only the future with the lights on.
However, most could readily agree that, at the very least, there is not always free will.
For example, a person with Alzheimer's or other type of dementia that severely impairs the ability to perform actions or utilize memory may not have the freedom to choose to behave politely or recognize their loved one. In addiction, it is widely understood that disruptions in the decision-making faculties of the brain lead to similar limitations of choice. Revelations in the neurobiology of drug use disorders continues to shape the moral implications and shift the legal interventions from punitive to rehabilitative.
To take this further, researchers have recently created choice experiments while observing the brain with magnetic resonance imaging and have been able to predict with statistical significance what subjects will choose up to 11 seconds before they are conscious of their choice!
Some argue that even if free will is an illusion, it is an illusion worth preserving. This episode explores different philosophical perspectives and considers what is worth paying attention to including the overlooked mental health benefits of reframing our understanding of free will.
(Music "Breathe" by Bing Sattelites and episode artwork on the podcast website by Emily Dawn)
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Fire has been such a powerfully creative and destructive element. This episode explores the history of it’s spiritual and evolutionary significance.
Music “The Slow Movement” by Ethereal Ephemera and episode artwork from Emily Dawn:
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Are people more skeptical than ever? Or are certain groups more skeptical than others when it comes to science, religion or certain knowledge? When is it good and when is not good to be skeptical?
The word "skeptic" has origins in ancient Greece and the philosophy of Pyrrho. It is derived from the root sound "spek" which meant to look but more specifically to inquire and reflect.
Skepticism has evolved to simply mean doubt, which has its benefits and costs. Trust and doubt is regulated by the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in the brain, which tends to decline beyond 60 years of age.
This is consistent with reports from the National Institute of Justice estimating that 12% of adults over 60 are exploited in financial crimes each year. It also explains why highly intelligent patients with injury to this brain region are more likely to fall victim to seemingly obvious online scams.
But when it comes to skepticism in the broader sense, perhaps we could upgrade our lenses. Generally speaking, we tend to be skeptical of anything that falls outside our worldview and overly welcoming towards that which resides within it.
With subtle meliorating, we can exchange some of our near-sightedness for far-sightedness when it comes to our outlook on life and the nature of things in order to strike a healthier balance that is cautiously optimistic, happily dissatisfied and taking our own thoughts with a grain of salt.
Music “Sunset Serenade” by Ethereal Ephemera and episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn.
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Perhaps seasonal affect disorder and winter blues were selected by evolution to help mammals, including humans, withdraw and survive the harsh outer conditions.
Meditation is looking for the inner light, a mini version of the winter solstice. The winter solstice is a mini version of a longer dark period in the world like the pandemic.
Therefore, the equanimity cultivated through contemplative practice prepares the mind to accept the cycles of life and nature and respond wisely.
After long retreat and outer difficulty, there are signs of hope and rare reminders, like the grand planetary conjunction, to look to the stars at night. Rebirth is coming.
This episode considers some evidence and benefits of human hibernation and draws parallels with meditation.
Also, you are invited to reflect on what gifts we have been gestating and would like to give when the time is ripe to birth into the world.
Music “A Calming Influence” by Bing Satellites and episode artwork by Emily Dawn.
more at https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
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The etymology of the word 'frustration' traces back to 1500's Latin 'frustratio' which meant a deception.
It's Medieval origin is also relevant in these troubling times as the road ahead is not only fraught with uncertainty due to the novel pathogen but also some groups' novel sense of deception... whether from authority or society or history or even themselves.
However, inside the soil of hardship lies the seeds of clarity. With proper attention and understanding, a real breakthrough is possible with the potential for a blossoming of transformation on the other side - personally and collectively.
If life were really but a dream, then what would be the goal?
If the point is to "wake up," then sailing merrily, merrily down life's stream might delay things. That pleasantness is likely to uphold the reverie and bind you to the dreamboat.
Hence, the wisdom of frustration...
(music "Drifting Light" by Bing Satellites and episode artwork on podcast website by Emily Dawn)
https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
This little gift is my last of 2020 and all about friendship - what really matters.
Thank you for 50 episodes! Your support in the form of listening, sharing, rating, reviewing and at https://www.patreon.com/kindmind is greatly appreciated.
Friendship is not just a relationship that we have with another person, but a way of life.
It is one of four qualities of true love found in the Yoga Sutras and other texts of Eastern philosophy. Wisdom traditions often proclaim
friendship to be the highest form of love because there is more care and less expectation.
There is some intersection with the birth of the self-help literary movement in the West, which is often attributed to writer and lecturer Dale Carnegie, whose wildly popular book "How to Win Friends and Influence People" was published in 1936 and remains one of the bestselling books of all time.
Within, he advises to become genuinely interested in others and states, "you can make more friends in 2 months by being interested in them, than in 2 years by trying to make them interested in you."
In this time of unprecedented upheaval, political discord, class tension and economic disparity - an already dangerously lonely society finds itself facing even more psychological and physical distance.
The wise, in many times and places, have encouraged seekers not to ask, "who is a real friend?" but rather, "am I a real friend?"
Music “Divine Influence” by Bing Satellites and episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn.
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Among all the metabolic and visceral processes in the human body - such as digestion and circulation - breathing is unique in that it can function voluntarily or involuntarily. It can be regulated autonomically by the medulla in the base of the brain or controlled consciously in the higher cortex.
This dual-network for respiration is a unique gift of our biology and may be at the root of inspiration when breathing involves the intention to be conscious. Both "respiration" and "inspiration" share the same Latin etymology and contain the core word "spiritus" which means breath.
Deep, conscious breathing is central to many forms of meditation and has been shown to slow down brain waves. It is precisely in the relaxed state of mind that the probability for insight increases according to scientific studies.
Many artists are familiar with chasing the muse and the pursuit of intense feeling. It is quite common that creativity begins with emotion, but it may be limiting to believe it requires it. That notion is probably reinforced by the wisdom of the reverse - emotion can require creativity in order to be processed and released in a healthy manner.
Thus, this episode explores the deeper meaning of inspiration and how all people can be more creative by turning attention inward.
Melodies emerge on a piano not by adding more keys but by highlighting novel patterns that always existed. Poetry springs forth not from new words but by connecting the known words into ever-present constellations of meaning.
Similarly, meditation and calmness of mind enhances the brain through neuroplasticity. This allows the tripartite of inspiration (evocation, transcendence and actualization) to reveal and open once-obscure neural pathways in order to live more creative and fulfilling lives.
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(music “Mysterious Ways” by Bing Satellites and episode artwork on website by Emily Dawn)
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Often times, elegance is conflated with extravagance or opulence. There is a relationship insofar as all three involve style, but those other two are meretricious whereas elegance is actually something akin to their inverse.
In elegance, the outward style is simple but behind the appearance lies something powerful and substantive.
In nature, think of the uncomplicated beauty of falling snow. At a glance, it is quite plain in form and color and yet upon closer inspection, one finds countless unique snowflake designs containing exquisite symmetrical patterns. The same can be true of a forest from afar or the ocean or the desert - and the depth of life and meaning within.
Seeking elegance is not synonymous with seeking luxury.
Encounters with elegance can be difficult to put into words. In other disciplines like physics, great scientists have merely suggested "you know it when you see it" like in famous equations E=mc2 or F=MA. A few common letters point to far-reaching theories of special relativity and the laws of motion.
fMRI studies of the brains of mathematicians reveal activation in the same regions associated with the pleasure of viewing a beautiful painting, when their eyes are shown formulas that are simple but powerful and self-reported as elegant.
In life, perhaps "you know it when you feel it."
This episode explores the way of elegance as it relates to the art of choice and leading a life of inner goodness.
Music “Eight Hours” by Bing Satellites; episode artwork on website is by Emily Dawn; podcast logo by Jon Marro.
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Living more in the now is like working on a million piece jigsaw puzzle.
The attitude is present-forward. There is some vision or mission and a gradual building towards it materially and spiritually.
But it’s not a race and you can only bring two pieces together at a time in the moment.
If they don’t fit, you accept. If they all fit the first time, it would spoil the game.
Studies show that people are not good at predicting what would make them happy.
Therefore, it is probably wiser to have a personal mission and make choices based on core values.
Not chasing, not grasping - happiness happens.
Music by Bing Satellites, “The Songs of Summer I” and artwork by Emily Dawn can be viewed on episode website.
https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
They say patience is a virtue, but it is impatience that society seems to nurture. Technological developments have greatly reduced the times of travel, communication and the fulfillment of desires - reinforcing our expectations for quick results.
However, the pandemic crisis has forced most people to slow down and wait for the storm to pass. If ever there was a time when we needed more patience, it is now.
Psychologists have recently began to study the wellness enjoyed by patient people. They have also identified three kinds of patience: interpersonal flexibility, enduring periods of hardship, and tolerating daily hassles.
This episode explores the health benefits of all three and offers simple yet effective strategies for cultivating patience in our lives.
(Music “Ethereral Ephemera - Escape to Dreamscape II” by Bing Satellites. Episode artwork by Emily Dawn can be viewed online at link below)
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"Dialogue" is a Greek word. "Di" implies two and "logos" translates as meaning.
So much communication around difficult topics quickly deteriorates into debate, argument and judging - especially on social media.
Even the word seeming benign word "discussion" means to strike apart, similar to percussion or concussion.
A dialogue is an open and respectful conversation with the aim of finding new meaning together and adding more context. It is not a zero sum game but rather a win-win process.
Music is by Bing Satellites "Ethereal Ephemera - Escape to Dreamscape I"
Episode artwork on the website is also the logo to the youtube video conversation series "Live Free or Dialogue" (https://www.youtube.com/michaeltoddfink) and was designed by Cunningham Falconer.
more at https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
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This episode considers the role of synchronicity, or meaningful coincidences, in finding our way in the world and how they can help us design our life.
with “Music For Dreams” by The Lovely Moon produced by Bing Satellites and Brin Coleman. Episode artwork by Emily Dawn can be viewed at https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
One of the most important ways we can improve mindfulness in our everyday life is through acceptance. Acceptance is part of the practice of open awareness in the present moment. It means allowing experiences to come and allowing them to go – both pleasant and unpleasant. It also involves assenting to the reality of a situation and letting go of what cannot be controlled or changed.
Music “In the Mysterious Distance” by Ethereal Ephemera. Episode artwork by Dove Dahlia.
More at https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
A look at the bright side of aloneness.
Music “Imagine, If You Will” by Bing Satellites. Episode artwork by Dove Dahlia can be seen at https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
Courage and fear are not really opposing emotions. Fear is more of an involuntary response like inflammation or fever. Courage is a principle or virtue that guides a person towards right action and overcoming fear in order to live whole-heartedly.
Hence, the root word of courage is cor which means heart.
Music “Deju Ju All Over Again” by Bing Satellites. Episode artwork by Dove Dahlia.
More at https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
Money can be funny and studies reveal the subtle isolating effect that even the image of it can have on human behavior.
In Daniel Kahneman's monumental book "Thinking Fast and Slow," he highlights the disconcerting results from different priming experiments. For example, when subjects could see monopoly money in the background or stacks of cash on a computer screen-saver, they took twice as long to ask for help with a problem and picked up significantly fewer pencils when the experimenter pretended to clumsily drop them - in contrast to those subjects not exposed to the trigger.
More troubling, people were asked to set up two chairs for them and another as part of a "get-acquainted" conversation while the researcher left the room to retrieve the guest. Money-primed subjects placed the chairs an average of 15 inches farther apart than the control group.
In most cases, money on the mind can promote self-reliance and individualism but trigger selfish behavior and disconnection from others.
There is nothing bad about money. It is very useful. People sometimes say "money is the root of all evil." That is not actually the complete verse. "The love of money.." or craving for this one type of energy - purchasing power - is the problem. And now we have some scientific insight as to why that attachment can be socially harmful.
In the spiritual philosophy of abundance, too much attraction to money can actually be limiting by narrowing one's idea of how resources may be accessed and generating an overall attitude of lack that leads to operating from a sense of scarcity in life.
More at http://www.michaeltoddfink.com
(Music “Light in Summer Air I” by Ethereal Ephemera and episode artwork by Dove Dahlia)
This is a very serious public health situation and for countless people it is also an intense psychological test. My heart goes out to all who are sick or love someone who got sick or died and all who are very anxious in this uncertain time.
Just as this outbreak started in one region and has since spread exponentially, so too fear and panic can go viral. When then sun is clouded over in the sky, sunflowers look towards each other for the light.
Similarly, in times of darkness we need to be able to count on one another. Many have reached out to me for guidance and insight and have requested some perspective that hopefully will bring some calm in the midst of chaos.
Light is the symbol of knowledge and illumination. This episode gives some analogies for protecting the inner light.
https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
(Music “Somewhere in the light II” by Bing Satellites and episode artwork by Dove Dahlia)
Studies suggest that, on average, we have 3 times more positive experiences each day than negative ones. Because of our evolutionary tendency to give more weight to the negative and because of the hedonic treadmill (pleasant experiences lose their mood enhancing power once habituated), this may not seem like the case.
But there is more to it. We have learned that sympathy and empathy are mostly relevant for feeling with others during suffering.
However, in certain Eastern spiritual traditions, there is a practice known as "mudita" or sympathetic joy. It means to rejoice during the virtue, success and well-being of others.
Think of how helpful this could be in an era when social media highlight reels often have the opposite effect for friends - somehow leaving the onlooker feeling diminished, which then can disincline those people from sharing their joy.
New psychological research identifies this as a primary reason why our joy does not grow. Discussing positive experiences with supportive friends has a much greater impact on life satisfaction and well-being than simply thinking about it.
A flock of geese rotates positions in the "V" and they fly farther together because of the boost from the lift of those in front. Similarly, imagine communities knitted together with threads of sympathetic joy, ready to rejoice and then share so as to keep elevating the whole.
This episode explores sympathetic joy to the world!
...and the difference between that and happiness and pleasure as well as other clues from the search for joy in the brain.
http://www.michaeltoddfink.com
(Music by Ethereal Ephemera “Somewhere in the Light” and episode artwork on website is by Dove Dahlia)
62% of Americans report that they could use more forgiveness in their life. New research is helping our understanding of the link between forgiveness and physical health.
A study published in the journal "Psychology and Health" in 2009 found that random cardiac patients with coronary heart disease who underwent forgiveness training were able to improve blood flow to the heart. They were at less risk of pain and sudden death when compared to a control group, which received the standard medical treatment and only counseling about diet and exercise.
Emotions can be an obstacle to forgiveness. fMRI experiments reveal activation in the emotion centers of the limbic system in the brain when one considers forgiving someone. This likely indicates feelings of anger and hurt, and negative emotions can disrupt rational thinking in the prefrontal cortex. Thus, it can complicate the process.
However, when subjects are guided through fictional scenarios in which they were wronged and then forgave, the anterior cingulate cortex lights up and functions as a bridge between the perception and suppression of moral pain. So, just as we have biochemical mechanisms for reducing physical pain, forgiveness may be a pain reliever for moral distress.
Forgiveness seems to be one of the more misunderstood words in the language of spirituality and healing. This episode explores in more depth what it is and what it is not.
Forgive: GIVE yourself the gift of moving FORward
(Music “The Illuminoid” by Chris Russell and episode artwork by Dove Dahlia)
https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
We are surrounded by a cult of busyness, and Americans today leave a collective 650 million unused vacation days on the table annually with an overall economic impact of approximately $236 billion.
From childhood, the pressure to compete, achieve, succeed and stay productive is now so strong. Combine that with the fear of missing out and how can people, especially young people, justify just sitting in meditation or sauntering in nature?
This picture is quite different for some of our European counterparts. In France and Germany, for instance, employees use almost all of their paid time off. France federally mandates 25 vacation days and even passed a law allowing employees to disregard work email when not at work.
This episode explores the deeper significance of equilibrium in the body and environment, equanimity in the mind and what kind of higher balance we ought to seek, in spite of cultural limitations, in order to optimize fulfillment and well-being in life.
(Episode artwork by Dove Dahlia and music “Beyond the Veil” by Ethereal Ephemera)
https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
Psychologically speaking, maturity basically means the ability to respond to the environment in an appropriate manner. Sounds simple. But, how does one respond in an appropriate manner to a political, societal or any other environment when it seems so dark, chaotic or dysfunctional?
To answer, let us come back to the word maturity and trace its roots in search of deeper meaning. The etymology of spiritually charged words often reveals important messages that are hidden over time as words and their applications evolve.
The English word maturity has its origin in Latin. Maturus means “ripeness” which is a description specifically for fruit. What is the difference between ripe and unripe fruit? Unripe fruit is hard and bitter while ripe fruit is soft and sweet. Metaphorically, hardness means rigid and bitterness means unforgiving. Softness is not weakness but rather represents flexibility and sweetness implies kindness. Those are the qualities of maturity.
(Music by Lee Rosevere)
http://www.michaeltoddfink.com
Addiction is a major health crisis in America, and everybody knows somebody struggling with drugs or alcohol.
23 million Americans suffer from a substance use disorder yet only 11% receive treatment. 75% of women and men in treatment for addiction report histories of abuse and trauma.
This episode explores how addiction fits into the model of disease and its cultural and spiritual implications along with guidance for building empathy and reducing stigma.
http://www.michaeltoddfink.com
(music by Lee Rosevere)
There is a studied link between mindfulness and pro-environmental behaviors, but that is not the point here. Mindfulness is the art of directing awareness with openness, curiosity and flexibility. One is guided in this practice to be present with what is by paying attention to different aspects of experience, whether pleasant or unpleasant, and responding wisely. The point, according to most contemplative traditions, is to look deeper into and understand the nature of our suffering - both individually and collectively.
In the wake of wildfires, earthquakes, flooding and other storms - by now, most of us probably know someone who has been significantly impacted, perhaps even displaced, by weather. So, what is the right balance of attention with respect to awareness of the alarming trends and moral responsibility within our sphere of influence and meeting all the other demands of modern life? Especially in a society where more than 75% live paycheck to paycheck and more than half do not have enough savings to manage an unexpected $400 expense, it can be overwhelming and lead us to tune out and become unmindful.
Poverty, mental illness, addiction, and divorce are examples of common real-life challenges that may feel like and actually be more of an existential threat to one's family than global warming and certainly less abstract. But, how might the psychology be different if we could see CO2 gas in the sky or even in our home? Because everywhere, the parts per million has invisibly risen above 400 for the first time in 800,000 years, which has long been thought to be a safety threshold. This increase may begin to have negative effects on human cognition and decision-making in addition to dangerously warming the planet.
It gets more complicated with all the mixed messages, limitations in communicating science, denial, guilt and blame with respect to the multi-dimensional nature of the problem of pollution - from individual and industrial to political and spiritual.
There is one insight that is so fundamental and largely overlooked altogether. Upon knowing, one could hypothesize that global warming due to human activity is not the core problem but a symptom of something much more insidious. Still, I think there is some hope for a solution and a great turning. It is unlikely to begin with individuals extraordinarily repairing their relationship with the Earth but rather with each other.
https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
While other types of art decorate space, music decorates time. For sound to become music, it must flow across time just as water becomes a river when it is flowing. Similarly, for life to be alive, it must flow. Life unfolds across time to reveal a lifetime.
In quantum physics, the current model of the universe is string theory which purports that tiny strings are the foundation of all manifested phenomena. Michio Kaku, the co-founder of string field theory, describes physics as “the laws of harmony which you can write on vibrating strings” and the universe as a “symphony of vibrating strings.”
We are part of the cosmic music. So, how does it apply on the interpersonal level and how can we create social harmony?
http://www.michaeltoddfink.com
Motivation is that missing shield of willingness. It could easily defend against the enemy of procrastination and its mysterious force that delays the completing of tasks that need to be accomplished by a certain deadline.
And I'm glad it's called "deadline" instead of "lifeline" because that's what it is in many cases - a dead line. Artificially drawn with no real life. No life means lacking love. Then, the illusory battle ensues. That play is interesting too. But where there's love, there's no dream of motivation. As for our purpose, maybe that's why it's been said to do what you love or work is love made visible.
Until then, it is helpful to understand other myths of motivation. For example it's often assumed that others succeed because they are highly-motivated. Well, the average American hits snooze 12 times each morning, and I was relieved to learn that one of my favorite prolific authors still needs to force himself to get started with writing each day after 40 years.
Objects at rest tend to stay at rest unless acted upon by a force. It's totally normal to need a little force to get going. This generates momentum and that might be a more useful concept, especially with its root word "moment" - a very brief portion of time associated with opportunity.
https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
(Music by Lee Rosevere)
Travel to new places, especially abroad, changes you forever and can reshape the mind in many positive ways.
To immerse oneself in a new culture is like turning back the clock and recapturing the child-like magic of wonder where, once again, everything feels like the first time. Words and images along with sensations and experiences can be totally fresh. This can lead to spontaneous mindfulness as abstract thought about the past and future loses its allure when our routine and its spell is totally broken.
A recent study revealed that even the anticipation of such a trip makes a person happier. The moods of subjects waiting in line for an experience were much more elevated than those waiting in line for things.
New environments help the brain to grow and remain sharp. Evidence suggests that creativity and problem-solving skills are enhanced by a whopping 50% by foreign travel, because the brain adapts and forms new connections that lead to cognitive flexibility and integration of thought.
More importantly, cross cultural experiences foster a deeper sense of self. Venturing beyond our social comfort zones and engaging in a meaningful way with people of totally different backgrounds and perspectives allows for the shedding of limiting beliefs about who we really are.
https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
People often tell each other "you got to love yourself first." We almost shame each other with this directive, especially when it comes to finding love in relationships. And if we don't love our life, there is not a switch to flip to feel self-love. So, it is not the starting point. Self-compassion is.
Recorded live at SpeakEasy Spiritual Community.
https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
Rivers are worshiped in many spiritual traditions as living deities often goddesses. Many sacred tales from around the world take place along their banks. The river also represents the flow of our life as directed by our values.
More at https://www.michaeltoddfink.com
Is anxiety really on the rise, as it appears and does modern society actually breed it? Or is it possible that when you remove the outer clear and present dangers of the past, we are left with our ancestors' internal legacy of fear?
This points to two distinct possibilities for the chapter after this age of anxiety: a golden window of safety begins to close as scientifically predicted doom becomes more manifest, giving way to another age of fear and danger. Or, we develop an integrative understanding of anxiety along with the tools to speed up our emotional evolution, ushering in a welcome era of contentment and peace.
This episode includes a deep dive into the latter scenario - a scenario that perhaps would be the necessary social reform to actually free up the mental space to solve future threats like climate change.
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Just some thoughts on purpose and connecting to the present moment. Conscious breathing can be an anchor. It is such a simple, enjoyable and timeless tool for remembering to be here now.
From a talk at Indian Creek Zen Farm.
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Even with all the comfort that advances in technology have bestowed, it does not seem that people, in general, have time to relax and fully connect. Communication breakthroughs have been achieved with a double-edged sword. With so much of our lives uploaded to the internet and our brains downloaded to the external hard drives of smart phones, the demands and work and hustle and distractions never end resulting in a trance of busyness.
Hence, loneliness in America and throughout much of the world has risen to epidemic proportions.
A national survey by Cigna Health revealed that more than half of Americans feel lonely and researchers have found loneliness to be the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes per day and worse than obesity, in terms of health risk and premature death.
Though we may go on increasing our contacts - studies show that with each passing decade, the average number of close friends that one could count on in crisis continues to decline.
Which age group is the most lonely? The elderly of World-War Eras? Baby-boomers? Millennials? Though they all suffer high levels of loneliness among their respective age segments, the answer is Generation Z.
This is the most alarming statistic and means that children are growing up in a new paradigm of psycho-social distance and mental health risk. Young people report that though they may be surrounded by others, no one knows them very well. What we are lacking is depth of connection and hopefully mindfulness, meditation and a modern path to spiritual fellowship can become the next public health revolution.
"I would rather have 2 half-dollars than 100 pennies." -a smart kid
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We have transitioned to a new year. It is a symbol of letting go of the old and embracing the new. Traditionally, it is a time to live our better intentions and establish healthier routines. On a larger scale, we are now in the process of transitioning to a new decade. What have we learned about ourselves? What do we envision not only this year but in the upcoming decade? It is an opportunity to pause and consider the steps to a more beautiful life and world.
"Transition" can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to the process or period of changing from one state or condition to another. As a verb, it refers to causing such a process. Nature will script many transitions beyond our control - sometimes painfully. The nouns are set. If we willingly change and grow in the present - learning the art of transition each day - we will be ready. Ultimately, when our transitions are mindful, crossing over can be more of a celebration.
"To change with change is the changeless state." -Bruce Lee
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The lotus flower grows in murky ponds which is a metaphor for making life beautiful regardless of the circumstances. And its leaf sits on top of the water but does not get wet. I was amazed when I took a lotus leaf and dunked it in water and watched all the drops roll right off like little balls of mercury. So it grows in that water but is unaffected by it.
This episode explores the deeper meaning of significant symbols from cultures around the world and various spiritual traditions and how to find symbols in daily life to guide our mindfulness practice.
"A symbol is an important thing. That is why we chose an Aztec eagle. It gives pride...When people see it they know it means dignity." -Cesar Chavez
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Beautiful people are not always good, but good people are always beautiful. This claim is supported by a recent social psychology study in which three groups of subjects were asked to rate the attractiveness of the same faces of strangers. Group 1 was given negative descriptors about the people they were looking at - like mean, cruel, etc. Group 2 was told nothing. Group 3 received positive descriptors of the same strangers - kind, honest, etc. Group 3 found the faces to be the most physically attractive, followed by Group 2 and then 1.
Knowing something about another's personality can actually change the way the brain perceives their physical features. According to evolutionary theory, our assessment of the fitness value of a potential social partner is a hybrid of physical and non-physical characteristics.
Science also suggests that kindness forms a virtuous feedback loop. Kindness generates happiness, and happiness motivates people to be kind. But there is a catch - intention matters. It does not work if you do something kind for others for the sake of becoming happy or gaining something in return. This is known as "strategic kindness" and only yields pleasure as opposed to "altruistic kindness" which means without the desire for a reward and leads to real happiness. fMRI studies reveal that separate regions of the brain are activated for each kind of kind, putting the "true" back in altruism.
Most spiritual traditions emphasize love for all and to be of service to others. The needed energy and enthusiasm arise quite naturally as a result of meditation and leading a more contemplative life.
"To a wise one, the whole earth is open - because the true country of a virtuous soul is the entire universe." –Democritus
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Mindfulness involves paying attention to aspects of the present moment with openness, curiosity and flexibility. Mindfulness practices have been shown in clinical trials to reduce pain by an average of 57% and even much more in many cases. This podcast episode explores the significance of pain, how mindfulness helps and what to practice.
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Surveys reveal that audiences cannot tell the difference between musical compositions written by humans and those by artificial intelligence and often rate the AI compositions as more "inspiring" and "soulful."
However, there are some timeless principles for how to appreciate beauty, such as those elucidated by the heavily Buddhist-influenced yet culturally endangered Japanese aesthetic of Wabi Sabi. Perhaps the outlook is more critical than the outcome. By mindfully tuning to the reality that nothing is perfect, nothing is complete and nothing lasts - we can experience more freedom, acceptance and a deeper sense of spiritual wonder for the unfolding of the drama of it all.
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Death is the great mystery surrounding existence, and the nature of belief about the beyond forms the core of each religious philosophy.
But imagine if we could replay the unfolding of the universe and the emergence of life on this planet never included a physical death in the equation - would there have even been religion?
It seems the ephemeral aspect of the human body is what ultimately creates the spark of spiritual seeking in the mind. However, it remains as difficult as ever to have meaningful conversation with others about the subject. Studies suggest that less than 20% of adults dare to attempt to discuss "end-of-life" preferences with family members.
75% of Americans die in the hospital or nursing home. Additionally, medicare spends as much as $200 billion annually on care during the last two months of life. This represents a significant chunk of total health expenditures in America. It is estimated that no more than 30% of this spending leads to any real benefit for the patients. Contrast this with the fact that 88% of people on Earth believe in an afterlife. That we could be more emotionally prepared as a society is an understatement.
Ordinarily, to talk about death would seem too dark for many but there is a difference between a healthy awareness of our own mortality and an obsession about it. It is difficult to fathom how alienating it must be for those directly and privately dealing with dying or loss while the community-at-large appears fully engaged in what philosopher Ernest Becker described in "The Denial of Death" as their "immortality project."
Surveys show that millennials are the least religious generation in human history. The need for new and open-minded discussion is apparent. Surely, meditative insight now into this one certainty that connects us all - need not be dark but rather enlightening. Just think of the kindness and clarity of purpose that could manifest and how petty hangups and bitterness could be more easily released along with so much needless suffering by bringing into focus what is most essential.
"Fear of death follows from the fear of life. One who lives fully is prepared to die." -Mark Twain
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Many people may think of stoicism as putting on a strong face during adversity and forcing oneself to endure without complaining.
But stoicism is also a system of philosophy with a set of mindful principles that were carefully studied and practiced by big thinkers of ancient Greece. When a seeker deeply contemplates and scientifically experiments with these precepts, the inner resources to pass life's seemingly harshest tests will manifest even before they are needed and one can experience more mental balance like a calm mountain during a storm.
This episode explores a few of the stoic insights from a 2,000 year old text known as "The Manual" to see how this ancient wisdom can apply to modern living. Excerpts rendered into contemporary English by Sam Torode.
We use the word "awesome" very loosely in conventional speech - typically to describe someone, something or a situation that's agreeable or favorable in any way. But the genuine feeling or experience of awe is rarer, much deeper and less understood when compared with other emotions. However, emerging research, such as that conducted by psychologists Keltner and Haidt, is helping to unravel this mysterious state of consciousness and it's evolutionary potential.
Awe may best be defined as a blurring of the emotional boundaries between admiration and fear. Therefore, some psychologists hypothesize that it is felt in the autonomic nervous system when both the fight-flight and relaxation responses are turned "on" - to some extent - at the same time.
This feeling can be triggered by encounters with vastness or in the presence of unfathomable qualities in nature, art, technology and people. MRI studies point to a reduction of activity in the parietal lobe of the brain. This region is involved with our sense of self as distinct in space, and inactivity in that part of the cortex may account for or correlate to self-transcendence and a sense of oneness. These brain and perceptual changes have also been observed in studies of meditation, sensory deprivation, and psychedelic drugs.
Awe is not nearly as inaccessible as it sounds. It is uncommon because it is subtle. Thus, mindfulness may be our most practical tool to safely explore this state and derive it's unique benefits.
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The spinning wheel can be dizzying, but, in the center, there is stillness. Similarly, the formidable waves are only found on the surface of the ocean, not when one dives deep. Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise or disturbance but to find calmness within the heart despite outer circumstances. This episode unwraps some ancient contemplative texts, including passages from the Tao Te Ching, and reflects on the lives of a few peaceful figures.
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Beyond the clouds, the sky is always clear. Similarly, most diamonds have flaws known as cloud inclusions, which reduce the clarity of the otherwise precious crystal and limit its brilliance or shine. A diamond is the most concentrated form of pure carbon on Earth, and the flaws are often hard to detect with the naked eye.
The human mind also has subtle clouds that obstruct mental clarity. In psychology, these are known as cognitive biases or heuristics - patterns of flawed shortcuts in the brain.
This episode explores some of the most interesting distortions that block clear thinking. By cutting through these clouds, we can naturally illuminate the mind and let the light of knowledge shine through us.
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It flies and heals. People try to make it, buy it, save it and kill it. Yet, there is never enough of it, and it might not be real. It is T I M E.
Many cultures personify and deify Time. Kronos is the father of Zeus in Greek mythology and therefore older than god. Hindus may worship Mahakala or the lord of time. In America, we have the expression, “Father Time is undefeated.” Even if only imaginative mythology, it can teach the importance of respecting time and using it wisely.
This episode breaks down our ideas and beliefs about time to illuminate a radically different but potentially happier and saner approach and like a child, even a slowing down of this strangely beautiful flash of life.
(Music intro by E. Fink and song "Timeless" by Lee Rosevere)
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Trees care for each other in very special ways. They have family relationships. Sometimes, the offspring of a felled tree will continue to keep the parental stump alive with its roots, even for centuries. There are bonds beyond family as well. For instance, Fir trees and Birch trees take turns supporting the other in winter and summer. Nutrients and information are shared underground via root systems and the mycorrhizal network of fungi. This is evidence for the importance of biodiversity.
The poet John Donne wrote, "No man is an island... and any man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind." Trees seem to live this wisdom and understand on some level that every tree matters to the well-being of the whole forest. If even one tree is destroyed, the eco-system becomes comprised, the canopy has a hole and the micro-climate shifts in temperature and moisture jeopardizing the health of all trees. Therefore, they employ unique mechanisms to protect the community. In this episode, Todd explores the philosophy, mythology and ecology of the forest world and how it relates to human potential.
"Trees are poems that the Earth writes upon the sky." -Khalil Gibran
(Intro by E. Fink and song "Morning Walk" by Lee Rosevere)
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Centenarians are the fastest growing age segment of the human population. This episode explores the secrets of longevity around the world in places like Okinawa, Japan. It also highlights some of the findings of the longevity project in the United States and the case studies of centenarians by Dr. Mario Martinez.
(Music by E. Fink and Chris Russell)
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"What is a good man but a bad man's teacher. What is a bad man but a good man's job." -Lao Tzu
The first day of winter is known as the solstice and is the shortest day of the year. But it also indicates the return of the light and each day from that moment will be longer until the first day of summer.
This episode explores the problem with the notion of absolute good and evil with metaphors and music as tools for getting at the heart of things.
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Humility is often defined as meekness and refers to having a modest opinion of one's importance and yet, it is practiced as a virtue in spiritual traditions around the world as a way to manage the ego and part of a path to self-actualization and transcendence.
Now, we have new scientific evidence and research from Duke University that shows how being intellectually humble actually expands one's influence, enhances leadership and makes us all-around better people.
"True humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less." -C.S. Lewis
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(With intro music by E. Fink, courtesy of Crooked Creek Records and music by Christopher Lloyd Clarke, licensed from Enlightened Audio)
This episode explores the basic brain science behind attraction, new research into the functions of hormones, and some meditative insight that will hopefully shed a little light on the great mystery of love.
(Music and editing by E. Fink, courtesy of Crooked Creek Records)
Read more in Elephant Journal: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/02/the-chemicals-between-us-what-hormones-can-teach-us-about-love/
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Is silence really silent? Ordinarily, we have minimal access to and even avoid silence until it's time to retire for sleep. This episode explores the deeper significance of silence as evidenced in the work of two legendary musician philosophers of the 20th century - one trained in Western Classical music and the other in Eastern Classical music.
(Music "Through The Prism" courtesy of and written by Chris Russell)
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A mirror neuron is a brain cell that fires both when someone acts and when he or she observes the same action performed by another. So, the neuron "mirrors" the behavior of the other, as though the observer were acting. That may be why we get a dream like feeling looking at a Monet painting. Perhaps, we can actually experience in our brains, to some extent, the inspiration of the artist during the creation of the work. There is also a response in the brain when we look at a beautiful painting similar to that of looking at somebody you love. Mindfully perceiving art can elevate consciousness and improve our emotional health.
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(Music "Stillstream" by Russel Norman, courtesy of Crooked Creek Records)
Intention reconnects us with purpose and authenticity. Yes it can help us get better results out of the most meaningful areas of our life but the real blessing is being able to live our values even when others don't. And that is true self-empowerment.
(Music by E. Fink, courtesy of Crooked Creek Records)
Gratitude has been called the mother of all virtues and the key that unlocks all doors. This episode explores the etymology of "thank you" and the modern science of the grateful brain. Specific gratitude practices are shared that are scientifically proven to grow key regions of the brain, increase life satisfaction and enhance overall well-being.
(Music "Mindful Zone" by Chris Russell)
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What we are speaks louder than what we say. This episode explores the legend of Buddha transforming Mara's arrows into flowers and how we can cultivate that power in modern life with the acronym PETALS. Each letter stands for a mindfulness-based strategy for resolving interpersonal conflicts:
Posture | Energy | Timing | Assertiveness |
Language | Space
There are many social pressures and challenges. These techniques can help build and maintain harmony among family, friends, co-workers and everyone else.
(Music from "Helix" by Russell Norman, courtesy of Crooked Creek Records; and "Mindful Zone" by Chris Russell courtesy of Chris Russell)
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This episode explores the basic brain science behind habits and routines and how to utilize those scientific insights, along with techniques from wisdom traditions, to experience more fulfillment.
“You must habit yourself to the dazzle of the light and of every moment of your life.”
-Walt Whitman
Psychological resilience typically refers to the ability to regain emotional balance and stability after encountering stressful or traumatic events. This talk explores how emotional maturity, positive attitude, and creativity influence this life skill. Also included are recent studies and scientific evidence that expand our conventional understanding of resilience and demonstrate the need for mindful strategies for changing our relationship with problems.