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Blog: Buddhist Psychology: A Path to Wholeness

Blog: Buddhist Psychology: A Path to Wholeness

By Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D.

In a world that often feels fragmented and fast-paced, the idea of wholeness can seem elusive. We may feel disconnected from ourselves, others, or the greater rhythms of life. Buddhist psychology, as integrated into Depth Hypnosis, offers a transformative perspective: wholeness is not something we achieve—it is something we rediscover within ourselves.

Unlike many modern psychological frameworks that focus on fixing problems or eliminating symptoms, Buddhist psychology centers on the idea that we are already whole. Through Depth Hypnosis, this wisdom becomes a practical tool for helping individuals embrace every part of themselves, even those parts they might avoid or deny, fostering deep integration and healing.

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Podcast: Episode 123: Simon Ruffell: Onaya Psychedelic Research

Podcast: Episode 123: Simon Ruffell: Onaya Psychedelic Research

On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio podcast, Laura speaks with Dr. Simon Ruffell. Simon is a psychiatrist and the founder and CEO of Onaya Science, an organization that conducts research into the effects of psychedelic plant medicine ceremonies on body, mind, and spirit. Onaya also offers a Psychedelic Mentorship Training program. Simon follows a collaborative approach to research that combines tradition with science, emphasizing the importance of listening to indigenous healers and including them in every step of the research process. Currently, Onaya is engaged in an ongoing five-year study of plant medicines for military veterans suffering from trauma. Onaya continues to develop research-backed programs and resources that combine traditional and modern models of care, with a commitment to holistic healing and interethnic collaboration for the benefit of individuals, communities, and the more-than-human world.

You can learn more about Simon and Onaya at onaya.io.

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Article: Applied Shamanism and Plant Medicine: Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing

Article: Applied Shamanism and Plant Medicine: Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing

By Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D.

As someone deeply immersed in the study and practice of shamanism, I have often reflected on the profound synergy between Applied Shamanism and plant medicine. These two traditions, though distinct in their methodologies, share a common thread: they offer pathways to profound healing, self-discovery, and transformation. Together, they create a dynamic framework that not only addresses personal challenges but also nurtures a deeper connection to the natural world and the greater web of existence.

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Blog: A Practical Guide to the Preparation and Integration of Plant Medicine

Blog: A Practical Guide to the Preparation and Integration of Plant Medicine

By Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D.

Plant medicine holds profound potential to catalyze healing, transformation, and spiritual growth. However, its benefits are most fully realized when approached with thoughtful preparation and intentional integration. These two phases—before and after the experience—are as vital as the journey itself, shaping how we absorb the teachings of the plants and integrate them into our lives.

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Podcast: Episode 122: 2024: A Retrospective

Podcast: Episode 122: 2024: A Retrospective

On this episode, Laura reflects on some of the highlights from interviews over the past year. Featured guests include Maria Guidice, best-selling author and founder/former CEO of Hot Studio; Fritz Clay, founder of Fostering Connections; Lauren Markham, journalist and best-selling author of A Map of Future Ruins; and Henry Shukman, Zen master and author of Original Love. Thank you for listening, liking, reviewing, and subscribing!

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Article: Buddhism and Psychedelics: Two Paths to the Same Truth

Article: Buddhism and Psychedelics: Two Paths to the Same Truth

By Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D.

The intersection of Buddhism and psychedelics is a meeting point between two profound modalities of exploring the nature of reality. Though they arise from different traditions, these approaches both aim at unveiling deeper truths about the self, the mind, and the universe. By examining this intersection, we can uncover a rich dialogue between ancient wisdom and contemporary experiences.

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Podcast: Episode 121: Henry Shukman: Original Love

Podcast: Episode 121: Henry Shukman: Original Love

On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio podcast, Laura is joined by poet, author, and Zen master, Henry Shukman. Henry is the author of two recent books, Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening, and the memoir, One Blade of Grass. He is also co-founder of the single-path meditation app The Way, founder of the Original Love meditation program, and spiritual director emeritus at Mountain Cloud Zen Center. Original Love is a new approach to the ancient path of meditation. It is a broad meditation training based primarily on traditional teachings of Zen and Early Buddhism. Through finding the intrinsic lovingness, energy, peace and joy that are already within us, even if they sometimes feel hidden, we can grow as more clear-sighted and open-hearted beings. On this episode, Henry and Laura talk about the practical benefits of meditation, his idea behind original love, and his fascinating path towards awakening.

Learn more about Henry at henryshukman.com. And get The Way app at thewayapp.com.

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Article: The Shamanic Journey: A Pathway to Healing Anxiety

Article: The Shamanic Journey: A Pathway to Healing Anxiety

By Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D.

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us are grappling with the ever-growing burden of anxiety. From the constant pressure of work to the emotional turmoil of personal relationships, the demands of modern life can leave us feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, and spiritually drained. While conventional methods like therapy or medication can offer valuable relief, there is another powerful tool that has been used for centuries in indigenous cultures around the world: the shamanic journey. This ancient practice offers a pathway to reconnect with the deep wisdom of the soul, access inner guidance, and heal the root causes of anxiety.

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Podcast: Episode 120: Finding Your Spiritual Path

Podcast: Episode 120: Finding Your Spiritual Path

This episode is taken from a recent live stream event with Isa and Laura. Isa is an author and the Founding Director of the Sacred Stream. Today they are talking about finding your spiritual path. We are all spiritual beings, but in our everyday lives, it’s easy to forget that we have a spirit that needs to be recognized, listened to, and nourished. Laura and Isa discuss the importance of prioritizing our spirits and finding a spiritual path that supports us. Whether it’s a religious practice, spending time in nature, quiet contemplation, music, or the simple practice of being kind, we each have our own path to tending to our spirit. In this discussion, they explore how to know what path to take, recognizing what is true for us, and how to care for our spirits in a time fraught with division, distraction, and disinformation.

Isa and Laura are the co-founders of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream. They have co-written several books including Coming to Peace and the soon to be released, Depth Hypnosis: A Path to Healing, Power, and Transformation.

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On the Air: The Onaya Podcast: Episode 6: Buddhism Meets Shamanism with Dr Isa Gucciardi

On the Air: The Onaya Podcast: Episode 6: Buddhism Meets Shamanism with Dr Isa Gucciardi

In this episode of The Onaya Podcast, host Simon Ruffell and Isa Gucciardi discuss the influence of Isa’s unusual upbringing in Hawaii; the common stream running through different spiritual traditions, and their different layers of orthodoxy; the idea of Jesus as a curandero, and the possibility that he spent time learning in India; attitudes towards psychedelics within Buddhism; companionship and resonance between different plants; the fallibility of shamans and dangers of glorifying indigenous cultures; the dark sides of shamanism compared to the ethical framework of the Dharma; impermanence, interconnection and the place-based teachings of the earth; and other topics.

Dr Gucciardi is one of many experts on a new 6-month Psychedelic Mentorship Training program. Find more information and enroll in Onaya’s next cohort here.

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On the Air: Wisdom Wellness Webinar: Depth Hypnosis: A Rapid Path to Transformation with Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D.

On the Air: Wisdom Wellness Webinar: Depth Hypnosis: A Rapid Path to Transformation with Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D.

In this special event with Dr. Isa Gucciardi, she discusses her latest book, Depth Hypnosis: A Path to Healing, Power, and Transformation, and how this integrative therapeutic modality uses the umbrella of Transpersonal Psychology to unify its multiple streams of understanding.

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On the Air: Accessing Higher Consciousness: Isa Gucciardi’s Techniques

On the Air: Accessing Higher Consciousness: Isa Gucciardi’s Techniques

Join interviewer Pranoy Mathew in this captivating exploration with Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D., a renowned spiritual seeker and shamanic practitioner.

From her early childhood experiences in Hawaii, where she found solace and guidance in the embrace of nature, to her explorations of shamanic practices and Buddhist philosophy, Isa’s life has been a constant quest for understanding and enlightenment.

Isa shares her profound experiences with shamanic practices, drawing inspiration from indigenous traditions and ancient wisdom. She delves into the healing power of nature, the transformative potential of altered states of consciousness, and the importance of connecting with the unseen realms.

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Podcast: Episode 119: Lauren Markham: A Map of Future Ruins

Podcast: Episode 119: Lauren Markham: A Map of Future Ruins

Lauren Markham, journalist and author of A Map of Future Ruins: On Borders and Belonging, is the guest on this episode. Lauren’s latest book draws on her career reporting on migration and the issues asylum seekers face in the US and abroad. It centers around the story of the fire that burned down the largest refugee camp in Europe on the island of Lesvos, Greece, and the six young Afghan refugees accused of arson in spite of scant evidence. It takes us deep into causes of migration and offers thoughtful ideas for more humane approaches to dealing with the issues. Lauren’s book turns the journalist lens on herself as she questions the effectiveness of her vocation in making change, and explores her own Greek identity and the journey of her grandmother who immigrated to the US as a young woman. Lauren and Laura’s conversation is at once informative, insightful, and compassionate, with a little bit of the mystical thrown in.

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Podcast: Episode 118: Isa and Laura: The Power of Optimism

Podcast: Episode 118: Isa and Laura: The Power of Optimism

On this episode, Laura talks with Sacred Stream founding director, Isa Gucciardi, about the power of optimism. They cover topics that include staying positive in the face of difficulty and how to embody healthy optimism while avoiding false positivity, magical thinking, and spiritual by-pass. They dive deep on how you can change your life by changing your perspective! Isa and Laura are teachers, counselors, and have co-written several books including Coming to Peace and the soon to be released, Depth Hypnosis: A Path to Healing, Power, and Transformation. This talk was part of a live stream event that first aired on YouTube and Facebook. If you would like to join future live events you can subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Facebook, or sign up for our newsletter at sacredstream.org/subscribe.

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Podcast: Episode 117: Hogarth Brown: Stellar Predictions and Cosmic Trends

Podcast: Episode 117: Hogarth Brown: Stellar Predictions and Cosmic Trends

On this episode of the Sacred Stream Radio Podcast, Laura is joined by Neo-Vedic Astrologer and author of The Candid Guide to Neo-Vedic Astrology, Hogarth Brown. Hogarth is also the host of the popular YouTube channel, Hogarth’s Global Astrology. Hogarth is back on the show to talk about his new book, offer his astrological perspective on the upcoming U.S. election, what the stars reveal about the players involved and what twists and turns we should expect. Hogarth also talks about the spiritual significance of the Ketu Dasha, the impact of the planet Saturn in our charts, and the importance for women of embracing the power of their Saturn return. To stay up to date on his predictions and planetary trends, visit his YouTube channel Hogarth’s Global Astrology. And pick up a copy of his book, The Candid Guide to Neo-Vedic Astrology, on Amazon or at your local bookstore.

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