The Human Condition with Susan Marie: Recent Episodes
Susan Marie
"The Human Condition with Susan Marie" is a 10-15 minute audio series featuring conversations about everyday experiences made simple. The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Broadcast Journalist, Author, Poet, CMHC.
"look how it twists and turns"look at how it twists and turnsthe bend, the ridge, in nature -like your words, sharp, razorlike,sharks’ teeth in my skinthat you once held lovingly tenderlythat you once held you did hold me in your heart and kept me there safe as I did you in purity and blisslike naturehow she holds dear each season each delicate leafas it falls from her womb to an early death beauteous wondrous full of color devoid of life like you struggling to maintain some semblances of control over your own ego like waves crashing we met a breath of fresh air you saidearnestly empathically our souls met and danced like lovers past lives volcanicwe were are exactly that and you cannot remember nor care to it seems rather focus on yourself needs wants desires and cast out those who you see as beneath who are truly above and like each delicate rush of seasons the ones who refuse to leave when new ones enter your insecurity roars like a lion my energy is erratic due to your lack of integrity honestyauthenticitymaturityand trauma Oh, your poor, sad unhealed inner child . . . and on that bendwith the twists and turnswhere we met again in this life now you have chosen to follow the curves and winding roads of confusion darknesstoxicitywhere you feel most comfortable scared to movechange grow besomething other than those that accept this mask you wearclaiming to be someoneI know I recognized that was our purpose that is the message that is the bond eternal, unfortunately and you chose to break thatby judging me this innocent this beautiful creature set before you that you did not deserve in this lifetime and in most likely the last and I thank youmy lessons I have long learned struggled pained fought and bled for you criticized like a microscope holding your own imperfect lens to my majestic growth you failed to open your eyes although I witnessed them working just fine you are your own eternal damnationyour worst curseand I believe somewhere deepwithin the mask you so proudly wearthere is a mirror reflecting all the souls of those before you ones you hurt lied to shamedjudged criticized discriminated against and threw right under the bus and one day soon hopefully right now you feel my wrath out of love always out of love although you deserve none of mine not anymore and are blinded profusely by that mirror and fall onto your kneesin humble grace before the setting sun before the rising dawn in the sand and snowgrains, dirt, and earth with feet muddied, bleeding and bare until the crevices of mountains you so adore begin to bite you back as you have so bitten others and when mountains crumble and quake beneath your feetunsettledmay you feel within your chest a thousand thrushes waiting to be set free and in this moment may you hear my voice see my face feel the softness of my skin hear my laughter and the brightness in my eyes that you so dimmed after creatingand when you place your feetupon that foothold of lifemay you hope by then I have wished upon you peace.© Susan Marie
The Human Condition is an audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #37 talks about three states of consciousness, resiliency, self-efficacy, meta-cognition, and variances between man and animal and the mind/body connection.
References:
Adams, W. (2010-2018). Creativity and Consciousness. Retrieved from: http://www.rosejourn.com/index.php/rose/article/view/187
Bandura, A. (1994). Self-efficacy. Retrieved from: https://www.uky.edu/~eushe2/Bandura/BanEncy.html
Campbell, J., Moyers, B. (1991). The Power of Myth. (pp. 285, 286). Print.
Chick, N. (2018). Metacognition. Retrieved from: https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/metacognition/
Coombs, Chelsey, (2015). Do animals have consciousness? Retrieved from: http://scienceline.org/2015/03/do-animals-have-consciousness/
Dalai Lama. (2006). Living Wisdom. Introduction. Print.
Jung, C. (1971). The Portable Jung. (pp. 87). Print.
Koch, C. (2018) What Is Consciousness? Retrieved from: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-consciousness/
Mehta, N., Ph.D. (2011). Mind-body Dualism: A Critique from a Health Perspective. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3115289
Schumacher, M. (2018). What is Consciousness? Retrieved from: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-consciousness/
Soul, Body, Yoga. (2011). The Meaning of “AUM”. Retrieved from: http://www.soulbodyyoga.com/sby-blog-mobile/item/the-meaning-of-aum
Weinberg, J. (2018). Mind-Body Connection: Understanding the Psycho-Emotional Roots of Disease. Retrieved from: https://chopra.com/articles/mind-body-connection-understanding-the-psycho-emotional-roots-of-disease
Whitman, Walt. (1983). Song of Myself. Leaves of Grass. Print.
The Human Condition is an audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #36 talks about the stress response, trauma, the nervous system, self-care, building resilience, calming strategies, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and how to realistically manage self-care habits.
References:
Resilience and Self Care Basics by Dr. Sam Himelstein: https://courses.centerforadolescentstudies.com/course/resilience-and-self-care-basics-for-helping-professionals/
Tupac Shakur: The Rose That Grew From Concrete: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/151809.The_Rose_That_Grew_from_Concrete
Dave Pelzer: A Child Called “It”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60748.A_Child_Called_It
Deep Breathing Relaxation Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV4n555lQ3o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vca6DyFqt4c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wemm-i6XHr8
On iTunes, Soundcloud, Amazon Music and Audible.
Peace,
Sue
a threshold, she stood, feet, bare, body clad, in white cotton raiment swirling about her ankles, as the wind sang like a lute, upon the still night sky.
a woman's song carried upon the breeze, playing with the edges of light and dark, night and day, the precious time, between dusk and nightfall.
her ravensong burst forth from mouth, wide open in awe, chin upturned, jawbone outlined, tears precious gifted in humble grace, against the light of the coming of fresh eve.
the lyrics danced around her shoulders, tickling them just so - tussling hair, three feet long - burnt sienna skied tresses.
a dreamcatcher she was, weaving lives within lives, connecting the dots, with her fingertip raised pointed at stars, moving them across Father Sky - to meld into one another -
just like lovers.
this is her solace - the ancient firmament where Gods and Goddesses exist, eternal, where celestial wars rage, she pulls both arms outward with heart, full - like some majestic holy crucifixion and met the maelstrom head on -
for this is all she knows.
- forward -
and she jumps happily, into this rebirth, this knowing and unknowing, learning and unlearning, growing and dying, smiling while screaming inside -
to lead not only herself but others - into the great abyss, the infinite chasm, the unknown universe, the holy grail, the swan songs of birds, the most precious calling to the wild souls of nature, beyond all that is.
a threshold, she stood feet, bare, body clad, in white cotton raiment swirling about her ankles as the wind sang like a lute upon the still night sky.
Words & Audio © Susan Marie Artwork © Cate Parr https://www.pinterest.com/cateparr/
Poetry and Spoken Word by me. I have missed writing, taking a break from my podcast to be creative.
The Human Condition is an audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #35 is Part III, please listen to Episode #33 & 34:
Part I: https://soundcloud.com/susan-marie/33-the-human-condition-with-susan-marie-covid-moderate-101-yeah-this-is-me
Part II: https://soundcloud.com/susan-marie/34-the-human-condition-with-susan-marie-part-ii-covid-moderate-101-day-10
This is my ongoing experience with Moderate COVID-19 and this podcast includes rational data, my personal experience, advice, unusual symptoms, aseptic technique, differences between COVID testing/Antibody testing/Convalescent Plasma, How Micro droplets suspend in air and helpful things for all of us to keep us healthy. This is the last podcast I am doing on my personal experience. Thankfully, I recovered. Not everyone is so lucky.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify and Soundcloud. Just search "Susan Marie, The Human Condition."
References:
Cytokine Storms: https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200417/cytokine-storms-may-be-fueling-some-covid-deaths
Blood Clotting: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-blood/alarmed-as-covid-patients-blood-thickened-new-york-doctors-try-new-treatments-idUSKCN22421Z
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/24/strokes-coronavirus-young-patients/
Effects on the Brain: https://www.wired.com/story/what-does-covid-19-do-to-your-brain/
Mental Health: https://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/927485
Micro droplets suspending in air video: https://vimeo.com/402577241
CDC Mask Info: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
Aseptic Technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lumZOF-METc
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is an audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #34 is Part II, please listen to Episode #33, Part I: https://soundcloud.com/susan-marie/33-the-human-condition-with-susan-marie-covid-moderate-101-yeah-this-is-me first.
This is my ongoing experience with Moderate COVID-19 and this podcast includes rational data, my personal experience so far, advice from my doc, unusual symptoms to watch for, and helpful things for all of us to keep us healthy. There may be a Part III to this, I am now on Day 10. Prayers and support much appreciated.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify and Soundcloud. Just search "Susan Marie, The Human Condition."
As a creative professional, if you are so inclined, there is a donate button on Soundcloud: https://www.paypal.me/SusanMarieNYwww.paypal.me
References:
Coronavirus symptoms: 10 key indicators and what to do: https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/15/health/10-key-coronavirus-symptoms-wellness/index.html
Breathing exercises, maintaining lung function: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IHDtpp0M…&feature=youtu.be
CDC Self Checker: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is an audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #33 covers COVID-19, my experience with it, I am currently diagnosed with Moderate COVID and this podcast includes rational data, my personal experience so far, advice from my doc, unusual symptoms to watch for, and helpful things for all of us to keep us healthy. There may be a Part II to this, I am now on Day 6 and days 4-10 are the test to see if things get better or things get worse. Prayers and support much appreciated.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify and Soundcloud. Just search "Susan Marie, The Human Condition. As a creative professional, if you are so inclined, there is a donate button on Soundcloud: https://www.paypal.me/SusanMarieNY
References:
Dark Night of the Soul: https://healthypsych.com/navigating-the-dark-night-of-the-soul/
Breathing exercises, maintaining lung function: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IHDtpp0MqA&feature=youtu.be
CDC Self Checker: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Peace, Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a 10-15 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #32 covers lessons I learned from watching birds, from a sparrow, regarding the middle way, mindfulness, crisis, compassion, kindness and facing self and others with authenticity.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-…ie/id1455068968
Google Play Music: play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/…xqb4t2goivrphpfoa
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2a8dhXBEkVwbgnVFGj5WsC
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
References:
Pandemic Resources: https://jackkornfield.com/pandemic-resources/
Meditation: Compassion in the Time of Coronavirus: https://jackkornfield.com/compassion-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/
The Bodhisattva Response to Coronavirus: https://jackkornfield.com/the-bodhisattva-response-to-the-virus/
Peace, Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a 10-15 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #31 covers life meaning and purpose, self-efficacy, resilience, and Nietzsche’s Thought Experiment.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-%E2%80%A6ie/id1455068968
Google Play Music: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/%E2%80%A6xqb4t2goivrphpfoa
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2a8dhXBEkVwbgnVFGj5WsC
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/susan-marie
References:
Please support this podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/SueMarie/membership
APA on Resilience: https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience
Nietzsche and John Kaag: https://www.brainpickings.org/2018/12/19/hiking-with-nietzsche-john-kaag-eternal-return/
Into the Wild 30 second audio copyright: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758758/, Director: Sean Penn, Writers: Sean Penn (screenplay), Jon Krakauer (book), Emile Hirsch (actor)
Peace,
Sue
Taking a short break from my podcast to get back to my creativity. I wrote this without editing.
Sometimes, I wish, I was unable to feel the wind, as she whispers, upon the nape of my neck, beneath the midnight moon.
Sometimes, I wish, I was not able to understand, the birds, singing, solely for me - at each fresh dawn.
Sometimes, I wish, I was unable to comprehend the grass, speaking volumes, beneath my feet, bare, in the midday sun.
Sometimes, just sometimes, I wish, I wonder, why I was born, to feel everything intensely - like volcanic rumbling, deep beneath the earths core, like a tsunami, roaring - ravaging destruction, like a hurricane roiling, a funnel of fury, and like a swan swimming, ever so gently - still - upon the cool calm waters of life.
Sometimes I wish, but I dont, not really, not truly, want to - wish to be anything but a feeling, loving, ever so intensely empathic human soul where in my world, giving is beauty, loving is natural, where there are no expectations, games, confusions, or lack of proper communication.
Sometimes I wish I was blind to all that is unseen.
Sometimes.
© Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a 10-15 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #30 covers trauma, triggers, what they are, how to deal with triggers, various types of trauma and triggers, how the brain and body operates, with emotional check in website, healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, an emotional quiz to gauge boundaries and a downloadable inventory of emotional states.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-…ie/id1455068968
Google Play Music: play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/…xqb4t2goivrphpfoa
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2a8dhXBEkVwbgnVFGj5WsC
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
References:
Please support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SueMarie/membership
THIS WAY UP: How Do You Feel? https://thiswayup.org.au/how-do-you-feel/
Emotional Type Quiz: https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/emotional-type-quiz/
An Inventory of Emotional States: https://covisioning.com/an-inventory-of-emotional-states/
Peace,
Sue
The Human Condition is a 10-15 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #29 covers how energy, words, intention and thoughts hurt and/or heal ourselves and others via the studies of Dr. Emoto and his findings on water, words and sound, along with a personal experiment for you to try with another adult or yourself.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-%E2%80%A6ie/id1455068968
Google Play Music: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/%E2%80%A6xqb4t2goivrphpfoa
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2a8dhXBEkVwbgnVFGj5WsC
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
References:
Results of Dr. Emoto’s studies, photographs of crystallized water subjected to different words and sounds: https://www.masaru-emoto.net/en/crystal/
Dr. Emoto’s book, The Hidden Messages in Water: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Messages-Water-Masaru-Emoto-ebook/dp/B004V3WPUA
What the Bleep Do We Know? (Dr. Emoto): https://whatthebleep.com/water-crystals/
Peace,
Sue
The Human Condition is a 10-15 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #28 covers end of year reflections, not resolutions, self-accountability, and the Jungian Typology Personality Test.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-…ie/id1455068968
Google Play Music: play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/…xqb4t2goivrphpfoa
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2a8dhXBEkVwbgnVFGj5WsC
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
References:
Open Extended Jungian Type Scales 1.2 Personality Test: https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/OEJTS/
16 Personality Types Explained: https://www.personalityperfect.com/16-personality-types/
Matt Kahn, True Happiness: https://mattkahn.org/blog/true-happiness/
Peace,
Sue
The Human Condition is a 10-15 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #27 covers human nature, moral compass, what does or does not define moral character with a personal discourse experiment and an archetype survey.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-…ie/id1455068968
Google Play Music: play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/…xqb4t2goivrphpfoa
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2a8dhXBEkVwbgnVFGj5WsC
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
References:
Jungian Archetype Survey: https://individualogist.com/
Peace,
Sue
The Human Condition is a 10-15 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #26 covers gratitude, humility and thankfulness along with the Japanese Naikan Demonstration which is a simple self-reflection exercise.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-…ie/id1455068968
Google Play Music: play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/…xqb4t2goivrphpfoa
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2a8dhXBEkVwbgnVFGj5WsC
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
References:
Naikian Demonstration: https://www.todoinstitute.org/naikan3.html
Exploring the Link between Gratitude and Attention: https://www.todoinstitute.org/library/public/exploring_the_link_between_gratitude_and_attention.php#more
UC Berkeley, The Great Good and Gratitude: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/gratitude/definition
Peace,
Sue
The Human Condition is a 10-15 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #25 covers the shadow self, facing the unconscious, understanding shadow work and recognizing that regardless of what you discover, that you are indeed, supremely worthy.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-…ie/id1455068968
Google Play Music: play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/…xqb4t2goivrphpfoa
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2a8dhXBEkVwbgnVFGj5WsC
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
References:
Adreanna Limbach: http://adreannalimbach.com/
Mark Nepo: http://marknepo.com/index.php#
Full Text from Internet Archives of The Portable Jung, edited by Joseph Campbell: https://archive.org/stream/ThePortableJung/The%20Portable%20Jung_djvu.txt
Shadow Work Guide PDF: https://scottjeffrey.com/wp-content/uploads/Shadow-Work-Guide.pdf
Joseph Campbell: Jung and the Shadow System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzYsi3SV1bY
Peace,
Sue
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-15 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #24 covers balance, tips on finding balance, why you feel you do not belong and overcoming and/or making sense of that, embodiment meditations and keeping and/or finding a greater sense of self and equilibrium.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-condition-with-susan-marie/id1455068968
Google Play Music: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Ie3dld5p3gxqb4t2goivrphpfoa
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2a8dhXBEkVwbgnVFGj5WsC
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
References:
Why You Feel You Do Not Belong: https://www.bustle.com/articles/173740-11-reasons-you-feel-like-you-dont-fit-in-what-to-do-about-it
Renee Sills: Embodiment Meditations: https://www.embodiedastrology.com/embodiments
A Conscious Rethink: https://www.aconsciousrethink.com/7567/dont-belong/
Peace,
Sue
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-15 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #23 covers anxiety as a mood disorder, as an awakening, with physical response, deep relaxation breathing, tips, triggers, how to get help, destigmatization and GAD-7 Screening.
References:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Screening (GAD-7): https://www.hiv.uw.edu/page/mental-health-screening/gad-7
Deep Breathing Exercises to Reduce Anxiety: https://www.verywellmind.com/abdominal-breathing-2584115
Video: 3 Deep Breathing Exercises to Reduce Stress & Anxiety: https://youtu.be/sJ04nsiz_M0
Depersonalization: This Common Anxiety Symptom Makes Me Feel Like Reality Is Slipping Away: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/derealization-anxiety-symptom-makes-reality-melt-away#3
Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/therapy-for-anxiety-disorders.htm
Finding Help: https://adaa.org/finding-help/treatment/medication#Patient-Assistance%20Programs%20for%20Prescription%20Drugs
Calm.com: https://www.calm.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #22 covers what an empath is, the differences between empathy, sympathy, understanding the empath, understanding if you are an empath, emotional intelligence, compassion fatigue, and ways to ground, center and protect your energy and emotions to avoid compassion fatigue in order to utilize your sensitivity for an ultimate purpose.
References:
17 Survival Tips For Empaths And Highly Sensitive People: https://www.aconsciousrethink.com/2746/17-survival-tips-for-empaths-and-highly-sensitive-people/
AEA Coping Tips for Empaths: https://americanempathassociation.com/f/coping-tips-for-empaths
17 types of Empaths recognized by the AEA: https://americanempathassociation.com/
Empaths Guide to Shielding and Energy by Doreen Virtue: https://www.empathdestiny.com/empaths-guide-clearing-shielding-energy/
Dr. Judith Orloff’s Protection Strategies for Empaths: https://drjudithorloff.com/5-protection-strategies-for-empaths-2/
What Is an Empath? by the AEA: https://americanempathassociation.com/f/highly-sensitive-people-hsp
Chopra Center Free 21 Day Meditation: https://chopracentermeditation.com/?_ga=2.162363775.2132810174.1568347671-2147421727.1568347671&sso_code=eyJpdiI6Ik15S3dBSGNSTEk1MmIycHdVckNiNVE9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiVjFLSVNob3NaTU52SG1VREh1SStROStpQjdJVDhpbHJjNXdvRkhaVEdmdm1BN2lBaW9mT3NqYmkwZjczQmRaWEVRV05KajJUXC9LZkJWaE9JYVVTblNwWkxxdmxNXC9Ra09WdFFGU2tjNVVNTT0iLCJtYWMiOiJmOTgwNTcwODllMTc5MmFkZmZkMGFkZDYzOGJkNjllNDVlMmQxYzMzNmQ4Y2I1NWFjMzZjMzBhMGZlYmQ1MTdlIn0%3D
Peace,
Sue
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #21 covers the predicament of the human condition, hitting rock bottom, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, physically, recognizing that you have hit rock bottom and what that signifies, as well as my own personal experience with rock bottom.
References:
7 “Rock-Bottom” Myths and the Truth Behind Them: https://drugabuse.com/7-rock-bottom-myths-and-the-truths-behind-them/
Do I Have to Hit Rock Bottom Before I Get Help?: https://drugabuse.com/rock-bottom-myth/
5 Reasons Why Hitting Rock Bottom Can Change Your Life for Better: https://medium.com/@payamban/5-reasons-why-hitting-rock-bottom-can-change-your-life-for-better-1c29c8168564
10 Things To Remember When You’ve Hit Rock Bottom: https://www.lifehack.org/433401/10-things-to-remember-when-youve-hit-rock-bottom
How to Find Your Bliss: Joseph Campbell on What It Takes to Have a Fulfilling Life: https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/04/09/find-your-bliss-joseph-campbell-power-of-myth/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #20 covers pain, suffering, growth and empowerment. The Four Noble Truths are discusses, along with the ACE test and how the dark night of the soul, the storm, the suffering, serves a purpose.
References:
The Painful Part of the Human Condition: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/the-painful-part-of-the-human-condition-1.473159
Eight Ways You Can Grow Through Suffering: https://www.drtoddhall.com/post/8-ways-you-can-grow-from-suffering
ACE Test: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean
Peace,
Sue
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #19 covers setting boundaries, dealing with toxicity, and two simple boundary awareness exercises, along with links to printable boundaries worksheets that can help you set healthy boundaries in all aspects of your life, as well as links to free online courses for creating a better life “Live a Brighter Life” and setting healthy boundaries “Train the Trainer” that can help yourself and others by being an advocate for learning and teaching positive boundaries.
Resources:
How to Be Strong While Still Being Gentle: http://indranislight.org/category/building-healthy-boundaries/
What are Personal Boundaries?: https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/boundaries-psychoeducation-printout.pdf
Setting Healthy Personal Boundaries: http://www.recoveryeducationnetwork.org/uploads/9/6/6/3/96633012/boundary_setting_tips__1_.pdf
Building Better Boundaries: https://cloudfront.ualberta.ca/-/media/medicine/departments/anesthesiology/documents/workbookbuilding-better-boundariesfeb2011.pdf
Drawing Effective Personal Boundaries : http://www.liveandworkonpurpose.com/files/Boundaries.pdf
Live a Brighter Life Free Course: http://indranislight.org/engage/intro-course-live/
Train the Trainer Free Course: http://indranislight.org/engage/train-the-trainer-online/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #18 covers the weight of being human, weightlessness, existential therapy, being and nothingness and finding enlightenment in everyday experiences with personal experience.
Resources:
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy by Gerald Corey: https://yuliaaziz09.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/theory_and_practice_of_counseling_and_psychotherapy.pdf
Being and Nothingness by Sartre: https://www.the-philosophy.com/being-nothingness-sartre-analysis
Tim Denning: The Only Rules for Being Human: https://medium.com/the-mission/the-only-rules-for-being-human-dc8a12f932e2
Jack Kerouac: The Golden Eternity: https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/03/12/jack-kerouac-golden-eternity/
Peace,
Susan Marie
This is a special episode of 20 minutes with demonstrations of sound, music, lyrics, and tone for you to experiment with. This podcast day will change from every Sunday to every Wednesday forward.
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #17 covers the affect of music on human behavior and mood with scientific studies and live sound demonstrations, including musical homework for you. I have a cool demonstration. Let’s listen to a few tones, lyrics, music, and nature sounds and see how that makes us feel? I will play one sound, allow a short time to absorb the sound and play another. There will be 7 or 8 diverse sounds, music and lyrics. As you listen, keep that emotion in your mind, recall exactly how that single sound, voice, lyrics, or music made you feel mentally, emotionally and physically. Ready?
Resources:
My Instagram Stories: https://www.instagram.com/suemarieny/
Two types of peak emotional responses to music: The psychophysiology of chills and tears: https://www.nature.com/articles/srep46063
Why Some Songs Make Us Cry: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/why-do-certain-songs-make-us-cry-ncna784801
How Does Music Affect You?: https://effectsofmusicinquiry.weebly.com/music-and-mood.html
Can Deaf People Hear Music?: https://assistivetechnologyblog.com/2016/06/can-deaf-people-hear-music-answer-yes.html
15 seconds of Music/Lyrics/Score Fair Use © Lenny Revell, Blake Shelton, Tupac, Adele, Drake, Terry Jacks, Florence and the Machine, Bloodspot, Beatles, Rage Against the Machine.
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #15 covers pride, gender and orientation, focusing on the reason for Pride Month, Stonewall, the Pride Flag, history and several films and documentaries, terminology associated with the spectrum, including becoming involved with PFLAG & The Trevor Project. June is Pride Month.
Resources:
PFLAG: https://pflag.org/
The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Gender Spectrum definitions: https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms
Gender: The Spaces Between: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/gender-the-space-between/
Gender Revolution: https://www.netflix.com/title/80186731
Queer Eye: https://www.netflix.com/title/80160037
POSE: https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/pose
Queer as Folk: https://www.hulu.com/series/queer-as-folk-a9e832ab-e715-438c-bd62-fbc6acc961b7
Milk: https://www.netflix.com/title/70100084
Dallas Buyers Club: https://www.netflix.com/title/70275751
Philadelphia: https://www.amazon.com/Philadelphia-Tom-Hanks/dp/B000I9YV12
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes, YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Podcasts.
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #15 covers the Science, Psychology, Philosophy and Emotionality of Dreams with dream demonstrations and simple self experiments to test dream latency, and learn how to start a dream journal. I share personal experience with nightmares.
Resources:
The Science Behind Dreaming: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-science-behind-dreaming/
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Dreams & Dreaming: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dreams-dreaming/
Sleep & Dreaming Experiments: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/chsleep.html
Printable Dream Journal: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/pdf/dreamjj.pdf
Printable Sleep Journal: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/pdf/sleepjj.pdf
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes, YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Play Music, and subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: suemarie.substack.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #14 covers What is Death? Why Do We Fear It? with a short question demonstration followed by learning how to do the 9 point death meditation.
Resources:
9 Point Death Meditation: https://kadampa-center.org/sites/default/files/DeathHO5.pdf
Why Accepting Death Will Make You Worry Less: https://blog.liberationist.org/is-not-how-you-live-but-how-you-die-that-matters-f1ddcaac1ea2
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes, YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Play Music, and subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #13 covers emotionality, skills to communicate effectively, recognizing your stress levels, and a simple self-check assessment on your style of communication, what that implies and how to improve the way you communicate.
Resources:
Mind Tools Communication Self-Assessment: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCS_99.htm
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes, YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Play Music, and subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #12 covers the human spirit, the human soul, perseverance & mental health with a personal touch.
Resources:
Dr. Lorenzo Pace: http://lorenzopace.com/triumph-of-the-human-spirit/
24/7 Mental Health Resources: https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMI-HelpLine/Top-25-HelpLine-Resources
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes, YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Play Music, and subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #11 covers Emotional Intelligence: Understanding, Acceptance and Empowerment, the Emotion Wheel, a practice, demonstration and a film.
Resources:
The Emotion Wheel: What is It and How to Use it? [+PDF]: https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/emotion-wheel/
Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions: https://www.6seconds.org/2017/04/27/plutchiks-model-of-emotions/
Emotional Intelligence Assessment: https://www.ihhp.com/free-eq-quiz/
5 Simple Lessons for Social and Emotional Learning for Adults: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/five-social-emotional-learning-lessons-for-adults-elena-aguilar
Inside Out (film trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRUAzGQ3nSY
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes, YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Play Music, and subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #10 covers Emotionality, Human Sexuality, the Psychology of an Orgasm & Sex Positivity.
Resources:
The Kinsey Institute (Masters & Johnson): https://kinseyinstitute.org/collections/archival/masters-and-johnson.php
Everything you need to know about orgasms: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232318.php
10 Things Sex Positivity Is Not: https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/08/10-things-sex-positivity-is-not/
Colorado State University, Sex Positivity: https://wgac.colostate.edu/education/the-body-is-political/sex-positivity/
On Being ‘Game’: What Happens When Sex Positivity Feels Like Pressure: https://theestablishment.co/on-being-game-what-happens-when-sex-positivity-feels-like-pressure/
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes, YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Play Music, and subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #9 covers Human Nature, Humanism and the Corruption of Morality.
Resources:
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: http://highgatecounselling.org.uk/members/certificate/CT2%20Paper%201.pdf
Humans, Nature & Ethics: https://www.humansandnature.org/humans-nature-and-ethics
Moral Insanity: https://brill.com/abstract/book/9789004333246/B9789004333246-s002.xml
Human Nature & Moral Goodness: http://www.patrickleebioethics.com/nature-morality.htm
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes, YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Play Music, and subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #8 covers environmentalism, morality, speciesism, The Story of Stuff, simple ways to help the environment, and Earth Day.
Resources:
20 minute documentary, The Story of Stuff: https://storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-stuff/
The Moral Status of Animals: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/moral-animal/
EarthDay.Org: https://www.earthday.org/about/
The Decomposition of Waste in Landfills: A Story of Time and Materials: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-long-does-it-take-garbage-to-decompose-2878033
Documentary, Before the Flood: https://www.beforetheflood.com/
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-condition-with-susan-marie/id1455068968?ign-mpt=uo%3D4&mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SusanMarie1971
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
My website: http://www.suemarie.info/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #7 covers the numerous facets of love, focusing on "The Natural Principles of Love", friendship, relationship and commitment, and the "Three Phases of Love" as defined by the Journal of Family Theory and Review.
Resources:
The Natural Principles of Love: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jftr.12182
The Pietà, a work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet%C3%A0_(Michelangelo)#/media/File:Michelangelo%27s_Pieta_5450_cut_out_black.jpg
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-condition-with-susan-marie/id1455068968?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo=4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SusanMarie1971
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
My website: http://www.suemarie.info/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #6 covers existential angst, an existential or identity crisis, identity, and the stages of psycho-social development.
Resources:
"The Problem of Ego Identity" by Erik Erickson: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/000306515600400104?journalCode=apaa
Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psycho-social Development: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/teachereducationx92x1/chapter/eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development/
From the movie, "Into the Wild", Eddie Vedder, "Society" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl4cLEToPfc
"Into the Wild", the movie, online: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Wild-Emile-Hirsch/dp/B007W1BLN0
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-condition-with-susan-marie/id1455068968?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC2wg77y8t0SMIeHXZEtZPCw
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
My website: www.suemarie.info/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10-12 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #5 covers why we fear the dark, classical conditioning, fight or flight, biological, scientific, and evolutionary examples of human fear of the dark, with scientific experiments that postulated social and political conditioning, along with a cool demonstration to test human night vision.
Resources:
Sensitive Data Warning: John Hopkins University: J.B Watson and the Little Albert Phobia Experiments:
https://www.psychologynoteshq.com/psychological-studies-little-albert-experiment/
Harvard University: Fight or Flight Response: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC2wg77y8t0SMIeHXZEtZPCw
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: suemarie.substack.com/
My website: http://www.suemarie.info/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #4 covers art appreciation, the debate about - what is and what is not considered art, the main art periods, movements, sub-genres (Ancient Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Neo-Classicism, Romanticism, Modern Art, Contemporary Art, Indigenous, Islamic, Hindu, Asian, African Art), a funny story about Jackson Pollack, the Artistic Preferences Scale 1.2. and something fun for you to try.
Resources:
Artistic Preferences Scale 1.2 Demonstration: https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/APS/
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-condition-with-susan-marie/id1455068968?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC2wg77y8t0SMIeHXZEtZPCw
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #3 covers xenophobia, microaggressions, implicit and explicit bias and terrorism, focusing on defining such terms and finding solutions for self to overcome bias. This episode is dedicated to the victims and families of the New Zealand Terrorist Attack.
Resources:
Harvard's Project Implicit Test: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/education.html
USCF Office of Diversity & Outreach: https://diversity.ucsf.edu/programs-services/overview
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC2wg77y8t0SMIeHXZEtZPCw
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #2 covers the basic five human senses, focusing on the sense of smell (Olfaction)and relating that to memory and emotion with a short demonstration.
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC2wg77y8t0SMIeHXZEtZPCw
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
The Human Condition is a weekly 10 minute audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences made simple.
The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality".
Episode #1 covers the simplicity, not complexity, of mindfulness including a one minute mindfulness technique for greater self awareness.
Sit back, relax and enjoy.
I rely on your feedback, so hit me up.
Please share, subscribe and follow on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC2wg77y8t0SMIeHXZEtZPCw
Soundcloud: @susan-marie
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter with audio: https://suemarie.substack.com/
Peace,
Susan Marie
you are shining
a beacon offshore the lighthouse blazing against the undertow
the vicious waves sharks teeth biting and gnawing at the calves of the weary
a great golden Valkyrie standing sentinel salt stinging your eyes as your hands reach down palms upturned gently, so gently raising souls from the darkest depths of the underworld
and they gnash their own teeth in awe and shock eyes open wide cold and drenched with fear
Yet you do not falter beacon, you are
Your mighty feet are like mountains moving through the waves splintering slate and driftwood reaching those scared to reach themselves.
© Susan Marie
I cannot teach you languages, nor histories of nations and men, nor can I teach you of wars and rebellions; but I can teach you of the stars and sky, the silt and dirt of this dear Earth.
I can teach you why your heart flutters at the sight of beauty and why the touch of another is the hand of a most holy angel.
I can show you galaxies undiscovered by mankind until the reflection of your own soul appears, in cloudbursts blanketing the sky.
I can tell you why your feet, bare, long to hug the sand and soil.
You are a channel to the divine. Do you not recognize the call of birdsong at early dawn? How can you deny your breath and body? It is made of the same elements as driftwood and thunder.
Your voice is that of lightning, your breath, the aether of ancient firmaments, ones your ancestors sat and prayed beneath, bedouins in the searing sun, the sweetest eye of heaven.
Come, take my hand, I shall lead you to yourself. You have seen the well-worn path, wooded and weary by lakes and rivers.
You know the way, you may have forgotten.
Come, come follow me into what is known and unknown, what is truth and fiction, where there is no language, only sight, where swan songs are heard, deep, meditative ruminations, trumpeting supplications to the great Gods.
Come, come follow me into what is known and unknown, what is truth and fiction, where there is no language, only sight,
and walk proudly, dear soul, walk proudly,
into your rightful place of existence.
© Photo & Words Susan Marie
My hands shake beneath this precious dawn, not for myself, but for the fate of humankind, a land I do not belong,
for my eyes see the peaks of Himalayas in the tips of pine trees, where bluejays perch, contemplating their next flight, and the grass, as Whitman pondered, this precious gift, otherworldly,
No, I do not belong down here, yet I am grounded, for my spirit is in flight with the hawk, scrying above, screeching solitary, as a murder of crows attempt to take it down from the most holy sky, yet fail, again and again.
I see this world like a child, wondrous and wide-eyed, an explorer of my own soul, the new dawn shines upon my chin, upturned, and the breeze, she tussles my long mane, like a lover, splaying my legs, ever so gently, apart, to the virgin skies.
I belong in the waves, meeting the shore, the crashing of tides beneath the moon, full.
I exist in the limbs of trees and the sound of my feet bearing down upon this sweet Earth.
My soul longs for completion, for respite from the dying world,
for I exist in both, in a land where my voice is unknown to the language of humankind.
© Photo & Words Susan Marie
You threw me away like a second hand used shoe human being with a heart
You threw me away like tears that fall from heaven when clouds burst volcanic drenching us all in divinity
But you, you just threw me away
Like a rusted rim rolling down the highway some dusty remnant of past of lives lived moments of existence now lying there thirsty beneath the ever so often searing sun
Like waves that crash endless upon the shore you threw me up there too and I became driftwood floating in uncharted territory
Like trees that shed leaves without emotion or care I fell colorful and vibrant Oh, so utterly alive to the dirt and worms to the dank silt of Earth
And you threw me there
Tossed me like a coin flipped me upside my head to my tail over and over and in your hands I did not land because you
You threw me away
And I landed not bent broken or bruised bur safely within wings of the most holy angels
Because you threw me away
I rose
And you
are left still staring where a coin used to be held lovingly within your palm safe beneath that searing sun the rainclouds and thunder floating endless upon your own waves landing on other shores
And because you threw me away
My dear soul, My sweet loved lover loving -
Because you threw me away
I thank you.
© Image and words Susan Marie
This came from a writing prompt asking: Think of a voice sitting on the shoulder of a historical figure constantly whispering into their ear.
So I wrote, and this is what I came up with. The voice is the conscience of Adolf Hitler.
In German, these words mean:
Vater: Father Mutter: Mother Lieb Junge: young dear boy Führer: leader Führerbunker: shelter for the leader, the Führer's shelter.
This has been published twice.
First, at the Carl Jung Center in Buffalo, NY in the anthology A Celebration of Western New York Poets and recently, in a chapbook via The Poet's Haven in Ohio, titled Darker Than Fiction.
Vater
I watched your rebirth onto this plane. We all looked on, noble wolf, while Mutter solemnly masked her pain. Vater whipped you in your later years while I stood silent in shadows. The time was not yet right.
A Bohemian should have suited you fine following the death of Vater. The canvas was to be your escape, yet you held no decree, no privilege.
The key held tightly in my bony grasp. Waiting . . . waiting for the day you would be attuned to my voice.
I foresaw millions waving to you in homage and showed the skin of my teeth in skeletal grin.
Was it the constant rejection of Vienna that caused you to change your train of thought? To lie your brush down lightly to rest and pick baton in hand as whip to march the masses?
You certainly were far from unintelligent. My constant chattering eventually led you to write words I had been whispering for ages.
When Mutter passed, you began the uprisal. I honestly did not realize the impact I had on you then. I only wanted to be heard; yet you outlived my spirit.
You began to frighten even me with your constant babble and I held hands to my ears, drowning out the rivers of bloodletting I birthed.
Even when you stopped listening to me, you led them through the wires. You ceased to believe in the cause.
The message was lost when the armies marched yellow stars to silent deaths.
I only needed to speak Führer. The plans we schemed were far beyond my reach. You did not require my guidance. You forced me from your heart.
Oh, Lieb Junge, I weep tears that do not fall from your eyes. They grew cold and dead while Berlin startled itself awake to gunshots in the night.
Your body lies in smoke and ash, alongside family and comrades. Bitter almond trailing, colorless.
Wisps of history lost in rubble.
The Führerbunker safe within the breast of the beast you battled.
© 2018 Susan Marie
Please see the text for the audio here: http://www.suemarie.info/2018/02/a-new-moon-and-promise-of-spring.html#.WoiCZGsUkdU
Dizzy, dying, walking, free.
My soul drifts, like snowflakes, falling, faster, the air I breathe fills my lungs,
my lungs . . .
The sun hides its weary face, yet the trees are blanketed, safe, secure, nurtured, and sound - is resounding in my head, a boomerang, sonic booms, supernovas, of electric light, the breath of those that created this, have settled upon my eyelashes like confetti on New Years Eve, wide, white, wondrous, and wild.
I can hear them landing, upon my face, wet
upon my head, hallowed
upon my skin, welcome.
And I bear witness to this day, this season, my body sings, my feet, electric, my eyes, shining, the dearest of eves.
My Lord,
I am born, birthed, re-birthed, and my soul, cries out in unison,
with the silence of this most holy sky.
© Photo and words Susan Marie
for this exact moment of existence i disassociate myself from humanity
this time right now i am unable to fathom the hoops human beings jump through to cause madness in anothers life
the Earth is dying people are starving beaten, battered then murdered
human rights are non existent
Utopia is not so bad, not really complete absence of natural sunlight genetically harvested food domed cities and Big Brother reincarnated as a new prophet
(the polar bear is not so damned)
i disassociate myself from humans although i am just that i am unable to identify with this new breed of hatred
i simply wish to finish my own existence in an absinthe fog or pill induced slumber
maybe a fall down a rabbit hole is not so insane and insanity is not as crazy as perceived
maybe Alice was a lesson maybe I need a new pill to cause me to speak differently for it seems my voice no longer reaches anyone speaking any "known" language
maybe the polar bear might understand me as we roam together both barefoot clad in fur thirsting for a new land pads of feet drying beneath a poisoned sun
maybe he has secrets to tell me and i shall ride bareback seeking solace in wilderness upon such majestic beast
where there is no speech
only silence
Words & Photography © Susan Marie
I am that which cannot be caged, tamed, tried, understood, included, deluded, or left.
Misunderstood.
I am the fairy-tailed children asleep beneath blankets on a cool summers eve, books in palms, eyes shut tight, warding off monsters in closets underneath the bed.
The angelic presence in dreams, the dark rising depths, present in the time between night and day.
I am the bleeding hearts of artists, music flowing like manes of thoroughbreds.
Strings and violins, concertos and preludes, the rise and fall, of notes, the voice of the oppressed, painting alone, writing alone, speaking to the masses standing in front of sculptures in galleries, half-numb from having their soul placed on a public platter, picked apart and critiqued.
I am the constellations, the stars, the ancient raiment of the majestic velvet night, coaxing solitude, and creation, rendering you sleepless with desire.
The great God contemplating existence, tossing magic and medicine, electrified towards earth, teaching lessons to the mere human soul.
I am. Woman. Man. Child. Mother. Father. Brother. Sister.
I am a lover, loved, loving.
I am the volcanic rumblings of every tired soul, and every smile and tear.
I am an argument and agreement. The birds that birth in your crown chakra.
Their song is mine.
All creatures, earth, dirt, silt gems, stones, twigs, and trees.
Every root and crevice, all footholds and paths, the waving branches pregnant with leaves.
Every rock and shell, the waves and oceans, all bodies of water, feathers, flight, the bees that buzz around the new bud, the hand that guides a sprout from seed.
The secrets the wind whispers.
The fierce embrace of winter, the warmth upon your face, heart, body, soul, and the sweet cool calming waters of life.
I am death. Wild.
I am woman. Here. Now.
I am every element.
All emotions, every fable told by firelight, Every word written, spoken, uttered, screamed and sighed.
The true Goddess, the wild soul.
I am that which cannot be kept, nor set free.
I exist without logic, in rational conscious thought, in esoteric holy nakedness.
I am the rich man and beggar, the king and the jester.
I am the grass, all species, and the sky.
Kaleidoscopes of spectrums.
I am good versus evil, versus self, versus sentience.
I am a conundrum unto myself, a human shell existing as pure ether.
I am heaven and hell.
I am the destroyer and creator
simultaneous.
© Susan Marie
From "Shahada" --> https://www.amazon.com/Shahada-Susan-Marie/dp/1975992024/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
I have no idea what year I did this but am going through my radio audio and found this. I interviewed myself because I absolutely despise some of the silly questions people have asked me during interviews that have nothing to do with me, my work, my life or beliefs or what I may be supporting. It seems people always have agendas and as a broadcaster, I just like to talk to people. By allowing someone to feel comfortable and listened to, you both learn, thus, you educate the world. This makes me laugh listening because it sounds like two different people. This is fun to listen to. I am insane, what can I say? smile
I see hate, everywhere, and it is not my perception, I see hate, people, I see people hurting people hurting self hurting all of us -
I see people shaming people, but people, we ARE the people. I see batons and whips and masses that march to beats of any drums -
I see people maimed, cursed, killed, for speaking their mind, for being alive & living,
I see people hurting people, people -
I see our world, tipped right off its axis, like a nervous breakdown, dear humankind, we have entered our dark sides -
And I see light, I see peaceful protest, I see kind hands and hearts, I see arms reaching down to help another up -
I see unity and solidarity, and in between the hate, I see people being people helping people to be people, for we are only human -
I see rivers and oceans, waves of tears, wet then dry, hands held together, wiping clean dirty faces made pure -
I see madness & sanity, side by side, marching towards greatness, pushing others out of line, another, leaning in to lend a hand -
I see mountains quake and canyons bellow, I hear the distant call of the vultures as they circle in for their feeding -
I hear the cool rush sweet stream drawing all of us closer, to drink, to rest, to be ready for this vast great change -
I see masses of people, face to face, acknowledging the light and dark, I see warriors being made and the violent running for cover -
And I see you, me, all of us, struggling to breathe, to make sense of madness, to attempt to exist in what is nonexistent -
I see the death of this dying world, at last, eventual, after the struggles are done, the warriors walk wounded -
And I see a peace, embedded within hearts of those aware, the new world lit up like fireworks, in the deep dark velvet night -
So walk, lightly, dear soul, choose your words wisely, for this world is changing, we are history books in the making -
And be grateful for breath, your blood, for your life, be grateful, be mindful, for you are necessary in this strange new world -
You are needed in this time of dying, dear friend.
Swear to the skies, to yourself,
that what you do and what you say, matters.
© Susan Marie
Tom Yorty was featured with me in May 2017 at The Center for Inquiry. This is the audio of his reading.
Rebekah Keaton was featured with me at The Center for Inquiry in May 2017. This is the audio of her reading.
thunder struck - barren and stark, against the full moon, howling.
a tree branch cracked - and I felt my heart snap -
and my hands shook, worn and lined from years of spilling my soul, on pages upon pages of ink, that turned to blood.
and you, you, oh my dear soul, how your silence speaks louder than the mightiest maelstrom and I, my wings, white, mourning.
I set my body to fire - blazing like lightning that struck once, my breath the wind, my hair the grass, my eyes cloudbursts, my arms rushes and reeds, my blood, crimson bursts of buds that bloomed, and my smile - the sunburst, that once did give sight to your now blinded eyes.
you would not recognize me as I do not, you for I am taller than the mightiest oak - my limbs reach through the dirt and earth, to crevices and fault-lines that can hold this planet together or break it, apart.
and you, you once held me dear, so dear, oh so utterly dear, and now -
you are a rock, stuck in mud, not moving, gathering moss, and I peer down low and kneel, in holy prayer, and pick you up once, in my palms, so utterly precious -
and throw you
as far as my soul can see.
photo and words © Susan Marie
Celia White was featured with me at The Center for Inquiry in May 2017. This is the audio of her reading.
This is my featured reading at The Center for Inquiry with Just Buffalo Literary Center Cafe. I read two poems, I Am and Eulogy.
I Am
I am that which cannot be caged, tamed, tried, understood, included, deluded, or left - misunderstood.
I am the bleeding hearts of artists, voices of the oppressed painting alone, writing alone, speaking to the masses standing in galleries half numb from having their soul placed on a public platter picked apart and critiqued.
I am Woman - Man - Child - Mother - Father - Brother - Sister -
I am a lover, loved, loving -
I am the volcanic rumblings of every tired soul and every smile and tear -
I am all creatures every root and crevice, all footholds and paths,
the falling leaves - kamikaze -
every rock and shell, the waves and oceans, the bees that buzz around the new bud, the hand that guides a sprout from seed, the secrets the wind whispers, the fierce embrace of winter, the warmth upon your face, heart, body, soul, and the sweet cool calming waters of life -
I am death wild, I am Woman. Here. Now.
I am every element, all emotions, every fable told by firelight, every word written, spoken, uttered, screamed, and sighed -
the true Goddess, the wild soul -
I am that which cannot be kept nor set free.
I exist without logic, in rational conscious thought, in esoteric holy nakedness.
I am the rich man and beggar, the king and the jester -
I am good versus evil versus self -
I am a conundrum unto myself, a human shell existing as pure ether.
I am heaven and hell.
I am - the destroyer and creator
simultaneous.
© Susan Marie
Eulogy
The wind howls, magnificent and shrieking, like some wild woman, unabashed and naked.
Her brow wet with brine, upturned to the most holy sky, arms raised in supplication to a dying world, embracing, all that is.
And she, cross-legged, beneath Gods and Goddesses, hair whipping wind, eyes brazen, brown and soft.
Her howling becomes one with the wind, distress signals to the raiment, the ancient raiment that poets and sages sat under and above for millenniums.
A eulogy to the past, a welcome to the present, an embrace to the future.
She is here now, waiting for you, to set you free from chains you have bound yourself with.
Grab her hand, willing, loving, kind, calm, pure and desirous.
Show her how you have released from your very soul, all the toxicity of existence.
She is Earth, dirt, rocks and stones, limbs of trees, mighty oaks and maples, the birch and elm.
She is the silt of fault lines holding this globe together. She is the mighty maelstrom, every season, without apology.
She is you, me.
Come, come and relish this moment, even if only once.
Sing of the grace bestowed upon you for you are born to be supreme, you are born with the ability to fly, you are born with the gift to see with six senses, seven.
You are powerful in your wildness, in your pure soul self.
Let it wash upon you like a sweet cool dream, and come, come my dear soul.
Do not wait. No hesitation. Moments are fleeting.
She is here, now, with you, yet not eternal.
She will share secrets with you, teach you how to see with eyes that have no place in the land of humankind.
Each blade of grass, leaves of the trees of her mane, like a thoroughbred racing, wondrous, eyes staring, mad.
There is no finish line, only now, here.
This moment.
Disrobe beneath this day.
Give thanks to the Great Creator, to Mother Nature.
To the spirits that speak to you in your dreams.
To the souls that have guided you to this place, this patch of Earth, this precious time.
Bow your head in prayer, dear soul.
For you are in the presence of divinity.
© Photo and words Susan Marie
a threshold, she stood, feet, bare, body clad, in white cotton raiment swirling about her ankles, as the wind sang like a lute, upon the still night sky.
a woman's song carried upon the breeze, playing with the edges of light and dark, night and day, the precious time, between dusk and nightfall.
her ravensong burst forth from mouth, wide open in awe, chin upturned, jawbone outlined, tears precious gifted in humble grace, against the light of the coming of fresh eve.
the lyrics danced around her shoulders, tickling them just so - tussling hair, three feet long - burnt sienna skied tresses.
a dreamcatcher she was, weaving lives within lives, connecting the dots, with her fingertip raised pointed at stars, moving them across Father Sky - to meld into one another -
just like lovers.
this is her solace - the ancient firmament where Gods and Goddesses exist, eternal, where celestial wars rage, she pulls both arms outward with heart, full - like some majestic holy crucifixion and met the maelstrom head on -
for this is all she knows.
- forward -
and she jumps happily, into this rebirth, this knowing and unknowing, learning and unlearning, growing and dying, smiling while screaming inside -
to lead not only herself but others - into the great abyss, the infinite chasm, the unknown universe, the holy grail, the swan songs of birds, the most precious calling to the wild souls of nature, beyond all that is.
a threshold, she stood feet, bare, body clad, in white cotton raiment swirling about her ankles as the wind sang like a lute upon the still night sky.
Words and Painting © Susan Marie
This is an interview conducted by Cara Bradley via Women for One.
Spoken-word poet and broadcast journalist Susan Marie shares with Cara Bradley how she connects with others through positivity and authenticity in our most recent Real Women, Courageous Wisdom podcast.
Here’s what we spoke about:
6:45 The power of metaphor 9:20 Why we aren’t supposed to be perfect 11:25 You are not broken 13:00 What are you doing for yourself? 16:40 The art of spoken word 19:15 What it means to stop caring what people think of you 23:05 Susan’s eulogy
I have known hunger, having nothing and no one. I have cried in the dankest depths of being - only to be heard by that which I cannot see, yet feel.
I have been lifted to heights beyond this universe by most holy angels and dragged beneath the silt of this Earth by death and demons.
My soul has been ripped wide open, left bleeding by the pasture, vultures and Valkyries above me, waiting for my last breath - and yet I rose, wounded, barely alive, clutching my heart like a newborn soul safe within the lines in my palms, tasting upon my lips, charred and chapped by the sun, my blood, so bitter and sweet.
Oh my dear soul, yes, I have known hunger.
I have seen Jesus cry in a last goodbye to those that judged him, unruly.
I was there when God spoke, and animals roamed freely, no human hand to deter their treks, no harm, no hate.
I heard Lilith shriek, banshee-like and surreal, into the great cosmos from whence she came, when Adam took Eve and left her in the void.
I was there when Lincoln went down and sat in horror as doctors did not have enough sense to save his life and watched fireworks fly from his body lying still as he took his rightful place in the heavens.
I saw the devil as angel, so beautiful he was, he and Michael stood sentinel as brothers in arms until the wars began, and egos clashed and like humans, the angels fought and made the sky shed tears for the plight of humankind.
I sat by Martin as he cried in jail, alone, confused, questioning God, and I placed one hand upon his shoulder and said, "Yes, but this is your purpose."
I traveled this place, many worlds, realities within unreality, dimensions upon dimensions, in and out of mazes of lives and lovers lost and found again.
I have been the rich man kicking the poor to the dirt and the poor man tasting dust upon his tongue.
I have been the birthed and the birthing, traveling wombs of the blessed and the cursed, and have been held in love, equally in hate, the bastard child of a thousand lifetimes.
I have come to know my own soul and in this knowing, I have come to know yours for we are all born of the same breath.
I have met you as I have met myself in five thousand lives before this one.
Still, I struggle, for this is the human plight.
Yet I love and breathe and keep walking forward, knowing that now, is simply a time to witness.
Somewhere, elsewhere, in this great expanse, I shall meet you again - for my soul is made of maps lined upon maps, drawn without my foresight, paths filled with light and dark, such as these words, falling lightly from my fingertips, to you, dear soul, stay with me please on this journey and do not fear the unknown.
Bellow your beautiful self to the sky for humankind needs your heart, open, wide, accepting
of nothing but yourself.
© photo & words Susan Marie
"And I stood there, daring the sky, both feet apart, my arms raised in supplication, mouth wide open, chin upturned, eyes, wild and staring, as thrushes flew, on fire and volcanic, from the very depths of my abdomen, and I let out a most inhuman growl, my entire spirit, cleansed, by tears of the most holy angels." - Susan Marie
Digital Art by Eve Ventrue http://www.eve-ventrue.com/#/
Selfless and passionate birds cry, melodic.
Rivers and lakes streams and oceans, the great majestic seas roil like thunder, yet rest our weary souls onshore.
This is how we are blessed.
The trunks of trees bear limbs reaching down and out from heavens sweaty brow holding out hands made of elm and birch of oak and fir thunderous heads of hair crowns of chakras all colors falling, falling as leaves blanketing grass, emerald and awake blinding our senses stupid as children playing hopscotch drawing chalk lines of castles and kings of princes and queens
and this -
this is how we are blessed.
Listen - the human heart beats like tribal drums, circled by ancestral fires, drumming and pounding, treble and bass, prodding the spirit -
onward towards destiny, towards fate, towards the next step - forward.
In this mad world, this great globe, this utterly insane human existence is beauty.
Yes.
This is how we are blessed.
Words/Photo © Susan Marie
Too much, too raw, too real, too quick,
Life bursts wide open, like a wound festering, gaping, infected.
Life is like birthing babies, again and again, within seconds, never having time to recover, once.
Life is a bullet breaking skin, hitting the heart deep within chambers of orchestras playing, sustaining lungs.
Life is time, clicking the clock goes
tick tock -
in the deepest, darkest parts of my soul the bleeding is endless, like the ever changing faces of Mother Nature.
Time is short and long, simultaneous, when attempting to maintain some semblance of sanity, in a world gone quite insane.
And the soul takes flight every single moment of breath, like that of the eagle, yet grounded, on Earth.
This mundane society is killing me, softly.
The constant incessant chattering of tongues that do not recognize my speech stare at me - wild eyed in wonder, like that painting, The Scream -
I stand, horrified and shocked, turning my back on millions of children screaming - millions of people hurting - billions of souls crying out -
love, love, please show me love.
Oh, but the birds, wildlife even the trees - the sky knows my name and calls to me at dusk, to show me its bright eyes and diamonds dancing in the endless abyss of the universe.
The mighty hand of wind changes direction, in milliseconds causing my neck to crack, spine misaligned, a constant whiplash of my senses, reeling into dimensions, I have not yet traveled and have no choice but to stand and face myself.
For I am woman, strong, born of the cracked and wounded hands of immigrants, who built this land we now reside on, stolen from others now sacrificed in vain.
I am not the woman I was five minutes ago.
Dear Great Creator, crown my head with great golden angels, and send me into places of peace, to meadows and sunshine, to deep waters of dolphins diving, and the vast free wilderness of Africa.
For my body is tired, yet my soul is exploding supernovas of senses tethered in this human shell, my head feels like it is about to crack wide open, and all the secrets of this place we stand upon are to be known, yet my feeble human mouth is not enough to report my discoveries.
I need ammunition.
Please send recon, a backup, something to tell me that I am not alone, to tell me that my blood is not spilled in vain, to let me know that all of my breaths have not been wasted for nothing.
I need a sign, Morse code, a telegraph, take me back to the days of trade, cover my body in pelts of wildebeests, and sit me down by fireside.
Explain to me why I have chosen this path for myself.
My dear Lord, I understand far too much, too raw, too real, too quick.
Life is like birthing babies, again and again, within seconds, never having time to recover, once.
Words & photo © Susan Marie
I like cemeteries. For me, there is no death, there is only life.
The birds above me sing divinely and I record this poem as I walk up and down row upon row of life. My hair whips in the wind, nature is alive and on fire and the spirits of those around me guide and teach me. They tell me to keep going and that everything is fine. They tell me that I am loved and watched over. They tell me not to worry so much. They tell me that life, my dear soul, life is good.
This is what I share with them and what I share here, with you:
We bear witness to our birth, our death, to days that go by spent beneath the sun of the mystery, only to rest upon the breast of Autumn's breath.
We are witness to change and fall then rise like leaves and snowflakes, drifting and landing on the lashes of children, such dear souls, playing, innocent, upon the mighty banks of Mother Nature.
We are witness to our birth as Spring arrives, unannounced, unplanned for, bearing buds and bees that buzz and blooms in June, beneath the deepest eye of the sun of the spirit.
She is on fire, dear bright star, dear friend.
- Miss Majestic Mother Nature, Oh, how you make sweet love with Father Sky -
The night falls.
I sit beneath ancient raiment, staring up, above, and into us all - existing here.
Nothing to fix, nor change or even say - but to simply be here now -
sharing my heart beneath the Midnight Sun.
© Susan Marie
A threshold, she stood.
Feet, bare, body clad, in white cotton raiment swirling about her ankles as the wind sang like a lute upon the still night sky.
A woman's song carried upon the breeze playing with the edges of light and dark, night and day, the precious time between dusk and nightfall.
Her ravensong burst forth from mouth wide open in awe, chin upturned, jawbone outlined, tears precious gifted in humble grace, against the light of the coming of fresh eve.
A dreamcatcher she was, weaving lives within lives, connecting dots with fingertip raised pointed at stars, moving them across Father Sky to meld into one another - just like lovers.
Bare feet slapping upon concrete, she pulls both arms outward like some holy crucifixion and met the maelstrom head on - for this is all she knew.
- Forward -
And he waited there, silent. He knew she would not falter yet kept watch upon her - for his path led in a line etched from his soul to her own.
And they tread into ancient firmament where Gods and Goddesses exist, eternal, and celestial wars rage.
Together, yet apart,
- holding hands as children tend to do -
they walked into the great abyss -
beyond all that is.
© Susan Marie
One minute of crows and other birds I have yet to recognize that grace my presence daily. The crows were going crazy because a hawk swooped down out of nowhere [it was awesome and sad to witness] and stole a baby crow and all the other crows were going after the hawk hiding in a pine tree with the baby crow and a motorcycle drove by in the distance so you can hear that faintly during the crows.
Photo by Ryan Nelson: http://thehungryarchitect.tumblr.com/post/136292442195
I am always blown away by the beautiful people I meet and share [as I upload to my website] interviews that blow my mind. This is 25 minutes with Tenzin Phenthok, a Buddhist monk from Drepung Loseling Monastery http://www.drepung.org/ in India. We discuss the basics of Buddhism, history of China, Tibet, energy, meditation, and the continuum of the human mental state. I remember being awestruck standing right here in this moment and I hope you do too. I will treasure this always
Image © Drepung
Please check out: http://www.drepung.org/
Tashi delek!
Depths unknown to all that travel my banks, the lighthearted and weary, righteous copulations of grace, bent on knee, in prayer, simultaneous, divine, wild, unashamed.
I am, a river.
My waves rush, furious, raging with disdain, until the ebb and flow settle softly, joining tributaries to rest precious feet.
Eons have waded in my cool, jeweled streams, unabashed, unapologetic.
Step with reverence, dear soul, pure thirst is endless.
This is, salvation.
As thrushes depart, from throats, parched, releasing weights trapped within abdomens and attics of the windows to the soul.
Great holy supplications, rise as smoke signals, above bank lined forests of siltstone that adorns each side of me, settling upon cloudbursts of moss covered rocks and trunks of trees, felled in battle.
Thunder, I am. A Valkyric call to arms, jolting awake souls, eyes flutter once, raindrops assail rooftops, like arrowheads lain lost, lulling mouths to speak, words, deaf to ears.
Climb, dear one, upon rise of new dawn, for I am, a mountain.
I am treacherous. Footholds are unsecured and gravel is enemy, yet trust, that I, hold dear each heart.
The limbs of the arms of my brothers and sisters, shall help halfway, rising from dirt, with the setting sun, until the top is conquered, with soul bare and sweating, to all that is, fire, I am.
My torch, a lighthouse for the lost and found, the barely breathing, the beggar and thief, the lover and unloved, the bleeding hearts that suffer when I rage out of control, taking with me all of the hurt of humanity.
Vesuviant waves of forests, vanish, like man taking man with bullets, hot, searing skin, causing tears to the bleeding hearts that suffer for their sanity.
I fill lungs with life, air. Eternal conception rests, within my soft, sweet breeze cooling brows, beneath the unyielding force of the great eye of heaven.
I, urgently plodding, grow in all seasons, and travel time that does not exist. for I am, a root.
Arteries and veins are pathways, known only to those that choose to see that this world, is but a photograph, blurred.
I am Nature, dear one, eternal.
And in my wildness, I am free.
And together, we are
Mother, Father, Earth.
Words © Susan Marie Image © Marl Golding http://markgolding.co.uk/digital-mandala
Live from a Dojo after a Reiki treatment and guided meditation, with Ruben Zukowski, DJ, musician and Reiki Master, specializing in global fusion and sound healing. I speak of my experience this evening.
This is a precious conversation that covers the basic tenements of Reiki, various healing modalities with a special focus on Ruben's musical talents.
We feature live bells, gongs and bowls that reverberated throughout the dojo.
Zuk is full of life and throughout this interview, we are laughing hysterically while speaking of deep spiritual truths, the power of thoughts, words, music, chakras, arts, and culture.
You can listen to Zuk's music here: https://www.reverbnation.com/zukova
This interview was conducted during the early stages of both of our spiritual journeys. I will treasure this always.
Image © Ruben Zukowski - Grayn [grain] music
The book we mention is here: Dr. Emoto http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/emoto.html
The buzz-saw grits and grinds, metal teeth rip skin, chewing and spitting parts of bones and marrow.
Fumes spew smoke-trails for miles, so all can see my death, my demise.
And no one seems to mind that each tear into flesh is pain, and that the dust is my blood, falling onto the grass, laying there, as if it is nothing.
My cries are not heard by humans, my voice is muted, but the sound of the buzzing of the saw, the heat of the blade boiling in the sun, the sweat of the hands of the man, driving that blade deep into my very soul -
The core of this Earth.
Someone stop this - please, they are killing me, someone hear me cry.
With each buzz of the blade, my eyes grow more dim, my breath is caught.
My God - I am bleeding right into the roots of where I was born.
The grass holds me dearly, - God bless the green - the dandelions tilt their weary heads and tears turn to puffs of cotton flowing on Spring-times breeze.
And the hands that hold the blade have mercy on them, for they are but a vehicle.
And a lone tear escapes from the eye of the hand of the man cutting my limbs to pieces, and it falls upon my shoulder now bare, once covered in bark.
And my goodness, the tears are hidden beneath the cap of a hat, shielding the human eye from sun or perhaps, from the stares of onlookers -
who may deem him mad for having a heart.
This was inspired by the first line in this article and experience written by L.R. Heartsong [River] called "Saving the Grandmother" http://www.soulartistjournal.com/index.php/2016/04/24/saving-the-grandmother/
Photo © L.R. Heartsong Words © Susan Marie
One minute of Shale Creek Preserve, a babbling creek, rushing kind of wild, utter peace, a most beautiful hike at Chestnut Ridge County Park.
change like seasons necessary
like the sun tilting its weary head in the sky daily
a majestic golden wondrous warrior
there is no thought like you and i nor apathy or disdain when the dusk of day sets nor worry if the moon is more lovely
change like weather rain to sun and hail to snow cold to warm to hot
like my palm placed ever so gently upon your brow felt within the solitude of the depths of my abdomen rising like sparrows to my throat screeching your name falling like birdsong upon your mouth open and in awe waiting for me in kiss soft
as this night
© Susan Marie
One minute of water, Buffalo Creek. I sat on a huge rock in the middle of it today for about an hour listening to this. Lovely.
The wind howls, magnificent and shrieking, like some wild woman, unabashed and naked.
Her brow wet with brine, upturned to the most holy sky, arms raised in supplication to a dying world, embracing, all that is.
And she cross-legged, beneath Gods and Goddesses, hair whipping wind, eyes brazen, brown and soft.
A touch of madness and desire, no human soul comprehends.
Her howling becomes one with the wind, distress signals to the raiment, the ancient raiment that poets and sages sat under and above for millenniums.
Legs stretched in front of her, toes uncurled, she lays back flat - allowing to be cleansed by the pelting rain, the dying Winter, the oncoming of Spring, a rebirth of births,
a eulogy to the past, a welcome to the present, an embrace to the future.
What it holds is of no concern, for she knows where home is, away from this society, away from the busy-ness of life, away from monotony and dramatics, away from this life consumed, with triviality.
She is here now, waiting for you, to set you free from chains you have bound yourself with.
Whip your shoulders back, allow them to fall. Feel the weight, vanish.
Grab her hand, willing loving, kind, calm, pure and desirous.
Show her how your soul shines, show her how your eyes light up, show her how you have released from your very soul, all the toxicity of existence.
She is Earth, dirt Rocks and stones, limbs of trees, mighty oaks and maples, the birch and elm.
She is the silt of fault lines holding this globe together.
She is the mighty maelstrom, every season, without apology.
She is you, me.
Come, come and relish this moment, even if only once.
Dine as a human starved.
Sing of the grace bestowed upon you for you are born to be supreme, you are born with the ability to fly, you are born with the gift to see with six senses, seven.
You are powerful in your wildness, in your pure soul self.
She is here to tell you to scream and cry, until there is no speech, to the skies, to the clouds, to the falling rain.
Let it wash upon you like a sweet cool dream, and come, come my dear soul.
Do not wait. No hesitation. Moments are fleeting.
She is here, now, with you, yet not eternal.
Hurry, hurry, dear!
She will share secrets with you, teach you how to see with eyes, that have no place in the land of humankind.
Each blade of grass, leaves of the trees of her mane, like a thoroughbred racing, wondrous, eyes staring, mad,
There is no finish line only now, here.
This moment.
Disrobe beneath this day.
Give thanks to the Great Creator, to Mother Nature.
To the spirits that speak to you in your dreams.
To the souls that have guided you to this place, this patch of Earth, this precious time.
Bow your head in prayer, dear soul.
For you are in the presence of divinity.
© Susan Marie
This is performed by my son, William, who self taught himself Adele's song, 'When We Were Young" and he learned this in about 10 minutes.
The original song is here, start at around :40 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDWKuo3gXMQ
And this audio is half of the song.
Audio © William Robert Song/Music © "When We Were Young" is a song by English singer and songwriter Adele from her third studio album, 25 (2015). The song was written by Adele Adkins and Tobias Jesso Jr. http://adele.com/
Photo © Adele on '25' album cover artwork photographed by Alasdair McLellan
You are my sweetest downfall, my setting sun, the new dawn, exuberant, my oceanic tides, rising, the sweet caress of the gentle breath of wind, and oxygen sustaining life, to my limbs, lungs, my brain, neurons transmitting thought across satellites and skylines, messengers of existence, this universe, found within words shared — words spoken — energy given and received — intensely, inhumanly, human, bold, electric — my spirit speaking to your own, immortal.
This time, is precious.
My lungs bellow to this thunderous, angry sky grey and blurred, shaking foundations of Earth, brick buildings, skyscrapers, ancient caves painted with the livelihood of humankind, renewing dirt and roots, pounding upon rooftops causing tables to turn, geologic, senses muddied and marred, like some wicked wild woman, crazed fully alive, dancing for you, only you, a wild man, masculine, softhearted and assured, insanity abound, alive and aroused in glory.
Dear friend, lover, love, relish your beloved human heart, beating, your muscles, expanding and contracting.
Let the mad onlookers point and stare, for they wish they were us, encumbered and enlightened, by this strange yet glorious existence, of human, spirit soul-speaking, ultimate.
You are my sweetest downfall, from distances, close, my heart, it sings praises and supplications, and the piano-man sees upon ivory keys — soft pads of fingertips dancing as silhouettes, tip tapping gently, vibrations of compositions of frequency far across lakes, surpassing the speed of sound, defying physics, science, and placed distant, waiting, here, for the slightest songs of Springtime, coming.
Michelangelo knew, he understood that meadows could not exist without hillsides that rise and fall with ecstasy and arrival, like the body, human and remarkable, like the luthier, diligent and precise, stretching string upon string, upon figures, shapely, fine-tuned and taut, in his palms, delicate, pure.
Like cherry blossoms ready to bloom, the nature of life, beauty and vitality, transience, impermanent permanence, like my right arm raised elbow slightly bent, wrist acting on its own accord, delicate horse-hairs in hand, canvas tilted before me —
Your body I shall paint with colors that have yet to exist.
My dear soul, how innocent this love is. You hold dear my every weakness and exalt within my illustrious morning glories.
Come, come with me now — let us rejoice and explore the forests and woods, the waters and lakes, the crevices and caves, the leaves and limbs, the sun and moon.
Let us upturn rocks and minerals, where salamanders tend to hide, and take pleasure in now, in utter simplicity.
Let us run barefoot through mud and grass, toes melding with Mother Nature, both of us, separate and together, hair whipping, furious and in flight, wild eyed and awake, as Dear Earth contends with her one true lover, the sky, majestic, beauteous.
Let us be one apart and close, crazy and sane, simultaneous.
Let go of my hand. Do it now. I dare you.
Push me from the ledge. Into you, to myself.
Free us from shackles and bars that attempt to hold the spirit hostage, and I shall hand you keys that unlocks most holy doors, from this illusion, this reverie, this reality, this absolute rapturous knowing.
Let go of my hand, love, yet hold me close.
Let us dance naked, for the trees,
eternal.
© Susan Marie
Published in Rebelle Society: http://www.rebellesociety.com/2016/01/12/susanmarie-dance/
Image © Cosmic Timetraveler https://unsplash.com/photos/ALXBUzVcruQ
(There is a buzz on Jane's landline, before the days of current technology, but it goes away. I am unable to get rid of the buzz no matter how I edit this clip)
In 2009, I had the pleasure of speaking to Jane Elliott, internationally known teacher, lecturer, diversity trainer, and recipient of the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education, exposes prejudice and bigotry for what it is, an irrational class system based upon purely arbitrary factors. And if you think this does not apply to you. . . you are in for a rude awakening.
In response to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. over thirty years ago, Jane Elliott devised the controversial and startling, "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes" exercise. This, now famous, exercise labels participants as inferior or superior based solely upon the color of their eyes and exposes them to the experience of being a minority. Everyone who is exposed to Jane Elliott's work, be it through a lecture, workshop, or video, is dramatically affected by it.
http://www.janeelliott.com/
Orchestral morning glories blanketed silence that deafened the sky, secrets, whispered, softly surrendered, victorious.
We are thoroughbreds on fire across Great Plains, hooves beating, tribal drums pounding like hearts, thunderous, wild and in flight, like leaves upon paths of forests and glens, bearing beauteous northern and southern celestial spheres, infinite.
Orion keeps watchful eye in deep velvet divinity, this fresh eve, this most holy night.
Two worlds within one, my palm reaches - lucid and glass-like cradling your jawbone, ever so gently - your precious mouth, quivering, hungered, your heavenly crown, halos above angelic doves white streams of dreams, of words spoken, written, stated, screamed, loved, and never left.
Somehow, I am elsewhere - my spirit is screeching - every moment of breath, dreaming with eyes wide open.
Your arms surround me warming my frame, hands on my hips, behind me, protective - as I tilt my head upward and we are alive melded with this Dear Earth - the dirt, her blood, our bones, her roots.
My spirit has kissed your very own.
And I am complete, I am home.
© Susan Marie
Our Lady Peace is: Raine Maida: vocals, lyricist, Duncan Coutts: bass, Jeremy Taggart: percussion, and Steve Mazur: guitar.
Our Lady Peace produced their seventh album, "Burn Burn" released on Warner Music's Independent Label Group. This album is their first since 2005, self produced by the band at Raine's home studio in L.A. Our Lady Peace surpassed Platinum sales status in Canada, sold over 5 million albums worldwide, won four Juno awards, The Much Music Awards and have shared the stage with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, The Rolling Stones, Van Halen, Faith No More, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Ramones, Stone Temple Pilots and Alanis Morrisette.
© Susan Marie, Our Lady Peace http://www.ourladypeace.net/
“Summers on Neptune” produced and arranged by Free Henry! is an 11 track masterpiece recorded at Introspec Studios.
Free Henry! -> Bob Buckley: vocals, lyrics, acoustic guitar, piano / Derek Presti: bass guitar, piano / Alex Foote: electric/acoustic guitars, piano and Pat Mannella: drums and percussion.
Free Henry! began a revolutionary intensity redefining rock and roll, jazz, blues and pop. They took what was, created what needed to be, and melded that into their own sound.
They are no longer together as a full band but this interview is priceless.
© Susan Marie & Free Henry! https://www.facebook.com/freehenrymusic/?fref=ts
This is an audio CD excellent for meditation. It has nature, birds, waves, bells and soundscapes. © Allegro Corporation http://www.allegro-music.com/
Jennifer Campbell --> http://jennifer-campbell.com/ educator, poet and writer, invited me to speak to her University students on Modern Poetry, Writing and Spoken Word. This is a short excerpt of that visit. The students had such enlightening questions to ask me during and after. I am most honored to have been able to speak to students on writing. This is funny and up front and I hope you enjoy!
The wind screeches thunder like my breath caught, a doe in headlights
Your eyes deep as night, the velvet silken touch of eve - your skin, olive, tanned, muscled arms, around me wrapped, ever so loving
My legs slender, tight gripping your heart beats fast for the sun to rise and rise and shine like Valhalla
I hear the Valkyries scrying wondrous wishes upon the backs of great golden eagles flying across heaven as kamikazes bringing us golden majestic cirrus dreams of reams and streams of years of walking barefoot together, apart, hand in hand mouth to lips to neck to thighs to the middle of my third eye wide open
The birds sing sweetly for us, the grass grows tender as roses in November, and the seasons bestow upon us burnt sienna skied sunrises
And the sand in our eyes is glitter on New Years Eve, when the clock strikes midnight and a new year births itself between my legs - your most holy mouth,
sighs
© Susan Marie
My kiss may never meet your lips
and our eyes may never be locked in ultimate ecstatic wonder, simply, of one another.
My hands may never grasp your own, as they work their way along my skin, soft, pure, marking lines etched, eons ago recalled, remembered, brought to life for you, always for you, for us.
only -
This does not cause me grief, my sweet surrender.
Our souls have met before and yet again, here and now.
My love, we share lifetimes that others standing side by side may never discover.
Our most holy union resides between the thin line that hides between the sunset and the ocean,
eternal.
Image & words © Susan Marie
Breath caught - within irises lined with silver gilt -
steel shoulders of hope, like trees in winter,
unwavering statues, among the dying fields of Autumn still apparent, beneath the first drifts of snowfall, pure
and the fierce songs of winter, harsh, bypass you on each and every side
unwavering to the sudden change of season.
The birds find solace in your limbs as arms and legs as trunks of roots of ages of hallowed love, profound - reaching the pads of my feet planted pure, among dirt and sand touching you ever so gently, with a song of my own.
My dearest soul, we share the universe the clouds and sun, the phases of the moon, the planets and stars, the rise of each Vesuviant dawn and the angelic embrace of the calming whisper of the coming of night.
My most holy heart, I bow my head in grace for what cannot be revealed is felt, and I pray to your human form, divine, for you have allowed me to die a thousand deaths to myself, within you.
We have taken flight, together, apart, like Ancient Greeks upon peaks of the Hindu Kush, while walking barefoot as indigenous once did in one of five Great Lakes walking side by side, oceans away.
Here I am - me, with you
and you mean everything
to me.
© Susan Marie
What a beautiful conversation with Celia White, poet, writer, librarian, educator and she read Kali Yuga and I start crying. This is one hour of history about life, writing, art, music and writing. She reads from her book "Letter" and speaks about the artistic scene as a whole.
http://www.celiathepoet.blogspot.com/