Crossing the Boundary - with Alan Levin Sat, 08 Aug 2026 10:46:59 -0400 https://crossingboundarieswithalanlevin.buzzsprout.com/ en-us © 2026 Crossing the Boundary - with Alan Levin yes a9ef751a-5e68-5b0e-a273-70fcc52756d6 Alan Levin episodic false Talks and interviews with people who have crossed boundaries, (cultural, psychological, political or spiritual) for the benefit of themselves and all life.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Alan Levin https://storage.buzzsprout.com/wp959z8djiqjoo8qrkl5ke1dv2fo?.jpg Crossing the Boundary - with Alan Levin https://crossingboundarieswithalanlevin.buzzsprout.com/ Deep Ecology Teacher and Warrior - John Seed Deep Ecology Teacher and Warrior - John Seed John Seed is an Australian environmentalist and director of the Rainforest Information Centre, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the Earth's remaining rainforests in partnership with the indigenous people and local communities who depend on them.. He is also a prominent figure in the deep ecology movement and co-creator, with Joanna Macy, of the Council of All Beings, and other re-earthing processes.

I highly recommend his Book, Thinking Like a Mountain, published in 1988, which is now available online. You can download a free pdf copy from his website https://www.rainforestinformationcentre.org/john_seed_articles_essays which contains other writings and talks by John. It will take you deeper into the experiential awareness of our inter-connectedness with nature.

In our conversation, John shares the influences of his parents and the shifts in consciousness that brought him to his deep ecological awareness. Starting with lsd and the counter-culture, he found himself in a direct engagement with the voice of the forest that took him onto his path of partnership with Mother Earth in saving the rainforests and more.

]]> John Seed is an Australian environmentalist and director of the Rainforest Information Centre, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the Earth's remaining rainforests in partnership with the indigenous people and local communities who depend on them.. He is also a prominent figure in the deep ecology movement and co-creator, with Joanna Macy, of the Council of All Beings, and other re-earthing processes.

I highly recommend his Book, Thinking Like a Mountain, published in 1988, which is now available online. You can download a free pdf copy from his website https://www.rainforestinformationcentre.org/john_seed_articles_essays which contains other writings and talks by John. It will take you deeper into the experiential awareness of our inter-connectedness with nature.

In our conversation, John shares the influences of his parents and the shifts in consciousness that brought him to his deep ecological awareness. Starting with lsd and the counter-culture, he found himself in a direct engagement with the voice of the forest that took him onto his path of partnership with Mother Earth in saving the rainforests and more.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-17781523 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:00:00 -0400 3887 full false Restorative Justice, Psychedelics and the Black Community - Sia Henry Restorative Justice, Psychedelics and the Black Community - Sia Henry “The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth,”

–African proverb

Sia Henry is an attorney, a racial justice activist, and abolitionist who has spent a decade engaging in criminal legal system reform work. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Duke University. She is also an advocate for bringing the healing potential of psychedelics to communities of color.


Sia serves on the Board of Directors for Mount Tamalpais College (formerly the Prison University Project) at San Quentin State Prison. That is the country’s first, tuition-free and independently accredited college situated inside a prison. She also founded the Hood Exchange to introduce formerly incarcerated Black individuals to international travel throughout the African diaspora.
In addition, Sia currently works with MAPS (the Multi-disciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) with the goal of ensuring Black, indigenous, and other communities of color have meaningful access to transformative healing opportunities.

]]> “The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth,”

–African proverb

Sia Henry is an attorney, a racial justice activist, and abolitionist who has spent a decade engaging in criminal legal system reform work. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Duke University. She is also an advocate for bringing the healing potential of psychedelics to communities of color.


Sia serves on the Board of Directors for Mount Tamalpais College (formerly the Prison University Project) at San Quentin State Prison. That is the country’s first, tuition-free and independently accredited college situated inside a prison. She also founded the Hood Exchange to introduce formerly incarcerated Black individuals to international travel throughout the African diaspora.
In addition, Sia currently works with MAPS (the Multi-disciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) with the goal of ensuring Black, indigenous, and other communities of color have meaningful access to transformative healing opportunities.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-17790063 Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:00:00 -0400 3995 full false Reparations as a Spiritual and Healing Path - Dr. David Ragland Reparations as a Spiritual and Healing Path - Dr. David Ragland My recent conversation with Dr. David Ragland, writer, scholar and activist, couldn't be more timely in the midst of the current relentless roll-back, under the Trump Administration, of policies and programs that were aimed at racial healing. David is a co-founder, along with Congresswoman Cori Bush, of the Truth Telling Project, where he serves as director for Culture, Organizing and Reparations. He is a passionate advocate for the healing of America through programs that expose and acknowledge the history and present experiences of racism, promote reparations for the injustices, and educate so as there will be no repeat of the abuses.

David was moved to create the Truth Telling Project after the murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, where he witnessed the exclusion of the voices of the victims from public discourse. Yet, while far from a fan of Trump, David sees the problems we face in America as bi-partisan and present throughout the history of our country, with police abuse and mass incarceration being essentially an extension of slavery.

I think most people are very naive about the idea of reparations, seeing it merely as giving money to Black Americans who are the descendants of slaves. David sheds light for us around reparations as a multi-dimensional, educational, healing and spiritual initiative, as well as having grounded economic aspects.

In our conversation, David talks about the influence of his family on his own development. His father was a sharecropper who had to escape from Tennessee under the threat of forced labor. His mother’s lineage includes ancestors from Cameroon who had a warrior tradition that resisted colonization. He describes his mother as a continuing inspiration, among other things having maintained a garden in Missouri that supplied food for her own family and other folks in the community . Now, in addition to his work with the Truth Telling Project, David is a founder and member of a the Kibilio community in Massachusetts, a Queer, Black-Led Intentional community focused on healing, reparations and regenerative farming.


I hope you get as much from hearing David as I did in my conversation with him. If you find it of value, please subscribe to my YouTube channel and check out some of the other podcasts. And please take some time to explore the Truth Telling Project and David’s work through the links below.

Watch our conversation on YouTube: 

https://youtu.be/daHgj8h7c88


The Truth Telling Project: https://thetruthtellingproject.org/

Kibilio (Refuge) Community and Farm: https://kibilio.org

]]> My recent conversation with Dr. David Ragland, writer, scholar and activist, couldn't be more timely in the midst of the current relentless roll-back, under the Trump Administration, of policies and programs that were aimed at racial healing. David is a co-founder, along with Congresswoman Cori Bush, of the Truth Telling Project, where he serves as director for Culture, Organizing and Reparations. He is a passionate advocate for the healing of America through programs that expose and acknowledge the history and present experiences of racism, promote reparations for the injustices, and educate so as there will be no repeat of the abuses.

David was moved to create the Truth Telling Project after the murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, where he witnessed the exclusion of the voices of the victims from public discourse. Yet, while far from a fan of Trump, David sees the problems we face in America as bi-partisan and present throughout the history of our country, with police abuse and mass incarceration being essentially an extension of slavery.

I think most people are very naive about the idea of reparations, seeing it merely as giving money to Black Americans who are the descendants of slaves. David sheds light for us around reparations as a multi-dimensional, educational, healing and spiritual initiative, as well as having grounded economic aspects.

In our conversation, David talks about the influence of his family on his own development. His father was a sharecropper who had to escape from Tennessee under the threat of forced labor. His mother’s lineage includes ancestors from Cameroon who had a warrior tradition that resisted colonization. He describes his mother as a continuing inspiration, among other things having maintained a garden in Missouri that supplied food for her own family and other folks in the community . Now, in addition to his work with the Truth Telling Project, David is a founder and member of a the Kibilio community in Massachusetts, a Queer, Black-Led Intentional community focused on healing, reparations and regenerative farming.


I hope you get as much from hearing David as I did in my conversation with him. If you find it of value, please subscribe to my YouTube channel and check out some of the other podcasts. And please take some time to explore the Truth Telling Project and David’s work through the links below.

Watch our conversation on YouTube: 

https://youtu.be/daHgj8h7c88


The Truth Telling Project: https://thetruthtellingproject.org/

Kibilio (Refuge) Community and Farm: https://kibilio.org

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-17636839 Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0400 4382 full false Psychedelic Shaman - Tom "Tomás" Pinkson, Ph.D. Psychedelic Shaman - Tom "Tomás" Pinkson, Ph.D. I had the great pleasure to speak with my friend, Tomás, and discuss some of the wide range of issues he's been involved with. Tom is one of the most real people I know. He shares about his extraordinary life experiences, his stumbles and awakenings, with humility, candor and humor, and opens to a deep channel of wisdom for us all.

In our conversation, he shares what he has learned from his work with the dying, his journeys on deep vision quests in nature, and what carefully guided psychedelic experiences offer for transforming individuals and our culture. Having apprenticed for eleven years with Huichol shaman and studied with numerous indigenous elders, he shares his thoughts on the issue of cultural appropriation and the importance of reciprocity. Finally, I asked Tomás to offer his thoughts on dealing with the machinations of our current President and his minions.

Tom is a true pioneer: he builds bridges between cultures, integrates ancient wisdom traditions with modern psychology and science, and brings forward how shamanic and nature-based principles can help us address the challenges of our times and return to sacred living. He has served as a transpersonal psychologist, ceremonial elder, rite of passage and vision-fast leader, sacred storyteller, musician, and author.  Tom completed an eleven-year apprenticeship with Huichol shamans in Mexico and has written extensively about Huichol shamanism, cosmology and the use of peyote as a sacrament in their religious practice.

Please check out and pre-order his new book: Psychedelic Shaman: The Wisdom Warrior's Guide to Transformation

Other ways to experience his teachings:

Shamanic Sundays - Live on YouTube every Sunday at 10:00 am PT

Live Love Now - Monthly Zoom gathering every first Wednesday at 5:00 pm PT

A New Vision of Living - Online Course

His website:  www.drtompinkson.com

Tom was also featured in my book Crossing the Boundary - Stories of Jewish Leaders of Other Spiritual Paths.

]]> I had the great pleasure to speak with my friend, Tomás, and discuss some of the wide range of issues he's been involved with. Tom is one of the most real people I know. He shares about his extraordinary life experiences, his stumbles and awakenings, with humility, candor and humor, and opens to a deep channel of wisdom for us all.

In our conversation, he shares what he has learned from his work with the dying, his journeys on deep vision quests in nature, and what carefully guided psychedelic experiences offer for transforming individuals and our culture. Having apprenticed for eleven years with Huichol shaman and studied with numerous indigenous elders, he shares his thoughts on the issue of cultural appropriation and the importance of reciprocity. Finally, I asked Tomás to offer his thoughts on dealing with the machinations of our current President and his minions.

Tom is a true pioneer: he builds bridges between cultures, integrates ancient wisdom traditions with modern psychology and science, and brings forward how shamanic and nature-based principles can help us address the challenges of our times and return to sacred living. He has served as a transpersonal psychologist, ceremonial elder, rite of passage and vision-fast leader, sacred storyteller, musician, and author.  Tom completed an eleven-year apprenticeship with Huichol shamans in Mexico and has written extensively about Huichol shamanism, cosmology and the use of peyote as a sacrament in their religious practice.

Please check out and pre-order his new book: Psychedelic Shaman: The Wisdom Warrior's Guide to Transformation

Other ways to experience his teachings:

Shamanic Sundays - Live on YouTube every Sunday at 10:00 am PT

Live Love Now - Monthly Zoom gathering every first Wednesday at 5:00 pm PT

A New Vision of Living - Online Course

His website:  www.drtompinkson.com

Tom was also featured in my book Crossing the Boundary - Stories of Jewish Leaders of Other Spiritual Paths.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-16597778 Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0500 4946 full false Father of Modern Microdosing – Jim Fadiman Father of Modern Microdosing – Jim Fadiman It was my great pleasure to have a conversation with Dr. Jim Fadiman. Jim is a delightful gentleman, an elder wiseman with a great sense of humor. Here’s a very concise bit of information about his life:

Jim Fadiman has been at the forefront of the exploration of consciousness since he was introduced to psychedelics by his former Harvard undergraduate advisor, Richard Alpert (aka, Ram Dass) in 1961. He went on to introduce a good number of folks to LSD and psilocybin, some who became counter-culture heroes in the Sixties, such as Stewart Brand who later developed the iconic Whole Earth Catalog.

While he grew up in a Jewish-atheist family, his psychedelic experiences turned him towards a spiritual path. Along the way he studied with Idris Shah, a Sufi mystic, and co-authored the book Essential Sufism with Robert Frager. Jim was an early pioneer in establishing transpersonal psychology, considered the fourth branch of psychology, directly integrating psychology with spirituality. He was the president of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology and along with Frager, founded the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Menlo Park (now known as Sofia University).

In the pre-prohibition days, Jim was one of the researchers working with psychedelics to enhance creativity, solve problems, and develop higher awareness of self and the world. Those programs were halted by the war on drugs in 1966. During that time, he bridged the more academic and research study of psychedelics while maintaining relationships with the counter-culture. He was a friend of Ken Kesey and wrote about the hippie scene in The Other Side of Haight- a Novel.

In our conversation, Jim shares about his early family life as well as his trajectory through many projects and activities until the present. Of his present focus, he might say that the universe has a sense of humor. After all his involvement with deep spiritual, transformative work with moderate to high dose psychedelics, he is now the most well known spokesperson for microdosing, the use of tiny, sub-perceptible doses of psychedelics to enhance people’s functioning in profoundly varied ways.

When I asked him if he was comfortable with being called “the father of microdosing,” he said he preferred the term “modern microdosing.” That’s because his research has led him to recognize that indigenous people have used micro-levels of various plant medicines for thousands of years. This surprised me as these are the substances which many of us know to be used only in larger doses and exclusively in sacred ceremonies. 

It would be an understatement to say he has become enthusiastic about the potentials of microdosing. Along with colleagues, he has set up a citizen science reporting network from which he receives thousands of accounts from people who are microdosing. He speaks of athletes improving their performance, students doing better on tests, people being lifted from chronic intractable depression, sleeping better, dropping additive patterns, even very unexplainable resolving of long-term medical conditions.

Now in his 86th year, he remains active and has been instrumental in the establishment of the “microdosing institute” which educates and offers counseling or coaching for people seeking the benefits of microdosing. A wealth of information, including several videos of Jim speaking are fea

]]> It was my great pleasure to have a conversation with Dr. Jim Fadiman. Jim is a delightful gentleman, an elder wiseman with a great sense of humor. Here’s a very concise bit of information about his life:

Jim Fadiman has been at the forefront of the exploration of consciousness since he was introduced to psychedelics by his former Harvard undergraduate advisor, Richard Alpert (aka, Ram Dass) in 1961. He went on to introduce a good number of folks to LSD and psilocybin, some who became counter-culture heroes in the Sixties, such as Stewart Brand who later developed the iconic Whole Earth Catalog.

While he grew up in a Jewish-atheist family, his psychedelic experiences turned him towards a spiritual path. Along the way he studied with Idris Shah, a Sufi mystic, and co-authored the book Essential Sufism with Robert Frager. Jim was an early pioneer in establishing transpersonal psychology, considered the fourth branch of psychology, directly integrating psychology with spirituality. He was the president of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology and along with Frager, founded the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Menlo Park (now known as Sofia University).

In the pre-prohibition days, Jim was one of the researchers working with psychedelics to enhance creativity, solve problems, and develop higher awareness of self and the world. Those programs were halted by the war on drugs in 1966. During that time, he bridged the more academic and research study of psychedelics while maintaining relationships with the counter-culture. He was a friend of Ken Kesey and wrote about the hippie scene in The Other Side of Haight- a Novel.

In our conversation, Jim shares about his early family life as well as his trajectory through many projects and activities until the present. Of his present focus, he might say that the universe has a sense of humor. After all his involvement with deep spiritual, transformative work with moderate to high dose psychedelics, he is now the most well known spokesperson for microdosing, the use of tiny, sub-perceptible doses of psychedelics to enhance people’s functioning in profoundly varied ways.

When I asked him if he was comfortable with being called “the father of microdosing,” he said he preferred the term “modern microdosing.” That’s because his research has led him to recognize that indigenous people have used micro-levels of various plant medicines for thousands of years. This surprised me as these are the substances which many of us know to be used only in larger doses and exclusively in sacred ceremonies. 

It would be an understatement to say he has become enthusiastic about the potentials of microdosing. Along with colleagues, he has set up a citizen science reporting network from which he receives thousands of accounts from people who are microdosing. He speaks of athletes improving their performance, students doing better on tests, people being lifted from chronic intractable depression, sleeping better, dropping additive patterns, even very unexplainable resolving of long-term medical conditions.

Now in his 86th year, he remains active and has been instrumental in the establishment of the “microdosing institute” which educates and offers counseling or coaching for people seeking the benefits of microdosing. A wealth of information, including several videos of Jim speaking are fea

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-16074980 Mon, 27 Jan 2025 19:00:00 -0500 4407 full false Courageous Activist for Afghan Women - Fahima Gaheez Courageous Activist for Afghan Women - Fahima Gaheez This is a conversation that I truly wish would get wide attention because what is brought out here is so important for people, especially Americans, to know. The U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan lasted over 20 years, cost over 2500 American lives and likely 100, 000 Afghans. Thousands more on both sides suffered injuries, lost limbs and now suffer from PTSD. It cost American taxpayers over one trillion dollars. It’s important to hear from an Afghan woman the story of Afghanistan, before, during and after this war. What it has meant for women and all the people of this war-torn nation.



Fahima Gaheez, the director of Afghan Women’s Fund, grew up in Afghanistan and from an early age was involved with the women’s rights movement in that country. A chemist by training, she chose to become involved with educational programs for women. She has has been actively involved in consciousness-raising and fundraising for many years. She has addressed the United Nations, has traveled widely to speak at conferences at universities and religious organizations, and has appeared on many national and international television and radio stations.


Since 2002 Fahima has visited Afghanistan to open new schools for girls and literacy classes for women, create income-generating projects for widows to help them become self-sufficient, distribute warm clothing and school supplies to refugees and guide numerous other humanitarian and educational projects like digging wells for clean drinking water and irrigation, building schools and clinics, giving goats and chickens to the widows and helping with their health issues by building clinics and providing medical supplies.


In my conversation with her she tells her personal story of growing up in Afghanistan, working for women’s rights, and what life was like for the Afghan people before even the Russian military occupation. She describes in vivid detail the role of the U.S. government in promoting the fanatic Islamist, Mujahadeen which became the Taliban and the consequences on the ground of the U.S. military campaign and their abrupt withdrawal.

See more at http://www.crossingtheboundary.org/courageous-afghan-woman-fahima-gaheez/

Afghan Women's Fund information and to donate: https://www.afghanwomensfund.org/

]]> This is a conversation that I truly wish would get wide attention because what is brought out here is so important for people, especially Americans, to know. The U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan lasted over 20 years, cost over 2500 American lives and likely 100, 000 Afghans. Thousands more on both sides suffered injuries, lost limbs and now suffer from PTSD. It cost American taxpayers over one trillion dollars. It’s important to hear from an Afghan woman the story of Afghanistan, before, during and after this war. What it has meant for women and all the people of this war-torn nation.



Fahima Gaheez, the director of Afghan Women’s Fund, grew up in Afghanistan and from an early age was involved with the women’s rights movement in that country. A chemist by training, she chose to become involved with educational programs for women. She has has been actively involved in consciousness-raising and fundraising for many years. She has addressed the United Nations, has traveled widely to speak at conferences at universities and religious organizations, and has appeared on many national and international television and radio stations.


Since 2002 Fahima has visited Afghanistan to open new schools for girls and literacy classes for women, create income-generating projects for widows to help them become self-sufficient, distribute warm clothing and school supplies to refugees and guide numerous other humanitarian and educational projects like digging wells for clean drinking water and irrigation, building schools and clinics, giving goats and chickens to the widows and helping with their health issues by building clinics and providing medical supplies.


In my conversation with her she tells her personal story of growing up in Afghanistan, working for women’s rights, and what life was like for the Afghan people before even the Russian military occupation. She describes in vivid detail the role of the U.S. government in promoting the fanatic Islamist, Mujahadeen which became the Taliban and the consequences on the ground of the U.S. military campaign and their abrupt withdrawal.

See more at http://www.crossingtheboundary.org/courageous-afghan-woman-fahima-gaheez/

Afghan Women's Fund information and to donate: https://www.afghanwomensfund.org/

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-16356657 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500 4045 full false Astrologer, Author, Mother, Wife of Psychedelic Pioneer Ralph Metzner - Cathy Coleman Astrologer, Author, Mother, Wife of Psychedelic Pioneer Ralph Metzner - Cathy Coleman
Cathy’s very multi-faceted career and continuing activities include earning a doctorate in East-West Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). At CIIS, she worked in a variety of administrative, leadership roles for 20 years and for the past six years she has worked with the CIIS Center for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research. She has served as president of Kepler College, (a state-approved college of astrological studies in Washington state) and as Director of IONS’ (Institute of Noetic Sciences) EarthRise Retreat Center. As a very respected astrologer, she works in private practice, as a coach, and lectures nationally and internationally on Western and Eastern (Jyotish) astrology.

She is a devoted mother, grandmother and author of the just released book, Ralph Metzner, Explorer of Consciousness – The Life and Legacy of a Psychedelic Pioneer published by Inner Traditions. We talk about the book, which contains dozens of tributes and illuminating stories from people whose lives were touched and deeply influenced by Ralph as friends, colleagues, students and family. It reveals a good deal about his life, his wide ranging interests and contributions to the fields of psychology, shamanism, eco-psychology, mythology, Western and Eastern mysticism, and of course, psychedelics, a field in which he was a pioneer and innovator starting with his association with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass) at Harvard. 

In our conversation, we talk about Cathy’s early years growing up in a conservative, small town in Missouri, her opening to astrology, her move to California and the California Institute of Integral Studies, and her in thirty year marriage with Ralph Metzner. Cathy talks with openness about what it was like living with him, working alongside him, being with him through his dying, and now communing with him in the after-life. 

Cathy co-founded the Green Earth Foundation with Ralph that was a vehicle for Ralph’s teachings and books and through which Cathy continues to pass on his rich legacy
(www.greenearthfound.org).

For more information on Cathy’s astrological work – https://www.cathycolemanastrology.com/
The book, Ralph Metzner, Explorer of Consciousness – The Life and Legacy of a Psychedelic Pioneer is available through the publisher linked here as well as Amazon and most book sellers

]]>
Cathy’s very multi-faceted career and continuing activities include earning a doctorate in East-West Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). At CIIS, she worked in a variety of administrative, leadership roles for 20 years and for the past six years she has worked with the CIIS Center for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research. She has served as president of Kepler College, (a state-approved college of astrological studies in Washington state) and as Director of IONS’ (Institute of Noetic Sciences) EarthRise Retreat Center. As a very respected astrologer, she works in private practice, as a coach, and lectures nationally and internationally on Western and Eastern (Jyotish) astrology.

She is a devoted mother, grandmother and author of the just released book, Ralph Metzner, Explorer of Consciousness – The Life and Legacy of a Psychedelic Pioneer published by Inner Traditions. We talk about the book, which contains dozens of tributes and illuminating stories from people whose lives were touched and deeply influenced by Ralph as friends, colleagues, students and family. It reveals a good deal about his life, his wide ranging interests and contributions to the fields of psychology, shamanism, eco-psychology, mythology, Western and Eastern mysticism, and of course, psychedelics, a field in which he was a pioneer and innovator starting with his association with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass) at Harvard. 

In our conversation, we talk about Cathy’s early years growing up in a conservative, small town in Missouri, her opening to astrology, her move to California and the California Institute of Integral Studies, and her in thirty year marriage with Ralph Metzner. Cathy talks with openness about what it was like living with him, working alongside him, being with him through his dying, and now communing with him in the after-life. 

Cathy co-founded the Green Earth Foundation with Ralph that was a vehicle for Ralph’s teachings and books and through which Cathy continues to pass on his rich legacy
(www.greenearthfound.org).

For more information on Cathy’s astrological work – https://www.cathycolemanastrology.com/
The book, Ralph Metzner, Explorer of Consciousness – The Life and Legacy of a Psychedelic Pioneer is available through the publisher linked here as well as Amazon and most book sellers

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-16014030 Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:00:00 -0400 3927 Ralph Metzner, Cathy Coleman, Psychedelics, CIIS, Astrology full false Musician, Writer, Activist - John Malkin Musician, Writer, Activist - John Malkin My conversation with John Malkin, author of the book, "Punk Revolution! - An Oral History of Punk Rock, Politics and Activism." John describes his Jewish roots and early interest in punk music, his 25 year Santa Cruz radio program, "Transformation Highway," and his upcoming book relating punk music to spirituality. We discuss a wide range of topics including John's focus on non-violent resistance to authoritarian and militarist government, the war in Gaza as it relates to the Jewish people, and how to navigate having multi-faceted interests in a world out of balance.

Here are some links to John's work and also some links to punk music that he recommends.

Review of Punk Revolution!

John's book of great musicians talking about peace and justice -Sounds of Freedom https://books.google.com/books/about/Sounds_of_Freedom.html?id=0QEXoy5ufDwC

"The Art of the Individual" - Interview with John Lyddon of the Sex Pistols

"Music Without Restraint" - Interview with Henry Rollins of Black Flag

Music, Prayer and Action: Klee Benally leads mutual aid projects to help Navajo Nation during pandemic

Film produced by John Malkin - "Peacemakers at The Nevada Test Site" was produced in 1990 during nonviolent direct actions to stop U.S. government nuclear weapons testing in Nevada, USA.

A few of John's Punk Rock Music suggestions:

The Clash:
"Lose This Skin" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw6e1AB60fw

Empathy:
"Shelter" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUXfBRCWiYchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUXfBRCWiYc

Gang of Four:
"What We All Want" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmW6iLKmB3c



]]> My conversation with John Malkin, author of the book, "Punk Revolution! - An Oral History of Punk Rock, Politics and Activism." John describes his Jewish roots and early interest in punk music, his 25 year Santa Cruz radio program, "Transformation Highway," and his upcoming book relating punk music to spirituality. We discuss a wide range of topics including John's focus on non-violent resistance to authoritarian and militarist government, the war in Gaza as it relates to the Jewish people, and how to navigate having multi-faceted interests in a world out of balance.

Here are some links to John's work and also some links to punk music that he recommends.

Review of Punk Revolution!

John's book of great musicians talking about peace and justice -Sounds of Freedom https://books.google.com/books/about/Sounds_of_Freedom.html?id=0QEXoy5ufDwC

"The Art of the Individual" - Interview with John Lyddon of the Sex Pistols

"Music Without Restraint" - Interview with Henry Rollins of Black Flag

Music, Prayer and Action: Klee Benally leads mutual aid projects to help Navajo Nation during pandemic

Film produced by John Malkin - "Peacemakers at The Nevada Test Site" was produced in 1990 during nonviolent direct actions to stop U.S. government nuclear weapons testing in Nevada, USA.

A few of John's Punk Rock Music suggestions:

The Clash:
"Lose This Skin" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw6e1AB60fw

Empathy:
"Shelter" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUXfBRCWiYchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUXfBRCWiYc

Gang of Four:
"What We All Want" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmW6iLKmB3c



]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-15809451 Fri, 27 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0400 4825 full false Psychedelic Diva - Carla Detchon Psychedelic Diva - Carla Detchon My conversation with Carla Detchon, Integration Coach and wise woman of all things psychedelic. Carla and I were participants for many years in ceremonial circles with a very unique and masterful psychedelic guide, Ralph Metzner. Here Carla shares about her journey from privileged, middle-class girl to San Francisco psychedelic party tripper, to entering the inner worlds with shamanic practices. You can learn more about Carla at Psychedelic Divas: https://psychedelicdivas.com/ Her integration coaching practice at: https://carladetchon.com/

]]> My conversation with Carla Detchon, Integration Coach and wise woman of all things psychedelic. Carla and I were participants for many years in ceremonial circles with a very unique and masterful psychedelic guide, Ralph Metzner. Here Carla shares about her journey from privileged, middle-class girl to San Francisco psychedelic party tripper, to entering the inner worlds with shamanic practices. You can learn more about Carla at Psychedelic Divas: https://psychedelicdivas.com/ Her integration coaching practice at: https://carladetchon.com/

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-15332974 Sun, 30 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400 3922 full false What Am I? Jeff Kitzes - Zen Master Bon Soeng What Am I? Jeff Kitzes - Zen Master Bon Soeng zMy conversation here is with Zen Master Bon Soeng, aka Jeff Kitzes. Jeff shares his personal history growing up in a Jewish family in the Sixties, his start in meditation (influenced by the Beatles), and his introduction to his spiritual teacher, Zen Master Seung Sahn of the Korean Kwan Um school of Zen. Given the name, Bon Soeng (original nature) he was initiated as a Zen Master and leads Empty Gate Zen Center with centers in Berkeley, CA, Boise, Idaho, and online. Jeff shares many of his views concerning the essential teachings of Zen, the role of psychedelics in spiritual practice, mysticism, death, and his role as a psychotherapist - his emphasis throughout on a curious openness to what is revealed through meditation practice. We discuss the problematic issues of control that spiritual groups face and finally take a look at how meditation and particularly zen practice relate to the problems of the world.

]]> zMy conversation here is with Zen Master Bon Soeng, aka Jeff Kitzes. Jeff shares his personal history growing up in a Jewish family in the Sixties, his start in meditation (influenced by the Beatles), and his introduction to his spiritual teacher, Zen Master Seung Sahn of the Korean Kwan Um school of Zen. Given the name, Bon Soeng (original nature) he was initiated as a Zen Master and leads Empty Gate Zen Center with centers in Berkeley, CA, Boise, Idaho, and online. Jeff shares many of his views concerning the essential teachings of Zen, the role of psychedelics in spiritual practice, mysticism, death, and his role as a psychotherapist - his emphasis throughout on a curious openness to what is revealed through meditation practice. We discuss the problematic issues of control that spiritual groups face and finally take a look at how meditation and particularly zen practice relate to the problems of the world.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-14407863 Tue, 30 Jan 2024 15:00:00 -0500 3937 full false Keeping the Sacred Fire Burning - Chief Dwaine Perry Keeping the Sacred Fire Burning - Chief Dwaine Perry Elected as Chief of the Ramapough Indian tribe in 2008, Dwaine Perry tells of his childhood learning from elders, dealing with discrimination, and his later work as Chief of the Ramapough Lenape Munsee people. We talk about the struggles the tribe has had with their right to practice their ceremonies, with environmental racism and their bridge building with other tribes. We also discuss the nature of Native American spirituality and how it may play a role in the world today.

See more at: http://www.crossingtheboundary.org/keeping-the-sacred-fire-burning-chief-dwaine-perry/

]]> Elected as Chief of the Ramapough Indian tribe in 2008, Dwaine Perry tells of his childhood learning from elders, dealing with discrimination, and his later work as Chief of the Ramapough Lenape Munsee people. We talk about the struggles the tribe has had with their right to practice their ceremonies, with environmental racism and their bridge building with other tribes. We also discuss the nature of Native American spirituality and how it may play a role in the world today.

See more at: http://www.crossingtheboundary.org/keeping-the-sacred-fire-burning-chief-dwaine-perry/

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-13710848 Tue, 03 Oct 2023 17:00:00 -0400 3708 full false Light-Fire Cleansing Meditation Light-Fire Cleansing Meditation This is a deep, 40-minute meditation for clearing and cleansing your body and mind. You learn to choose to focus your attention and experience a source of healing and purifying energy – light-fire – from within your own nature.  You are then guided to be with the flow of that energy through your entire body. 

The process is one of letting in light and letting go of that which obstructs the flow of your life force. It can be done at the start of a day or in the evening to clear. It's like taking an inner shower. 

May it bring you ever closer to the experience and expression of the One that you truly are.

]]> This is a deep, 40-minute meditation for clearing and cleansing your body and mind. You learn to choose to focus your attention and experience a source of healing and purifying energy – light-fire – from within your own nature.  You are then guided to be with the flow of that energy through your entire body. 

The process is one of letting in light and letting go of that which obstructs the flow of your life force. It can be done at the start of a day or in the evening to clear. It's like taking an inner shower. 

May it bring you ever closer to the experience and expression of the One that you truly are.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-13648574 Sun, 24 Sep 2023 14:00:00 -0400 2433 2 2 full false Philosopher - Activist: Dr. Lenny Grob Philosopher - Activist: Dr. Lenny Grob Dr. Leonard Grob, Lenny, is a philosopher and author of numerous books and articles focusing on the lessons of the Holocaust as they relate to contemporary issues. He is an activist regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the issues of justice and democracy here at home. Lenny talks about his roots in the Jewish world and his evolving studies of philosophy, particularly Martin Buber and Emmanuel Levinas, and how those teachings have inspired and kept him motivated in his work. 

We discuss a range of issues including what brought about the loss of the idealistic spirit of the Sixties, where we are now, and how to move forward. Dr. Grob's latest book, co-authored with John K. Roth, is "Warnings - The Holocaust, Ukraine, and Endangered American Democracy." In our conversation we focus on the issues raised in this, his most political and polemical book. 

He is also the author or co-author of "Encountering the Stranger - A Jewish, Christian, Muslim Trialogue," "Losing Trust in the World - Holocaust Scholars Confront Torture," "Teen Voices From the Holy Land: Who Am I to You?," "Education for Peace - Testimonies from World Religions," "Anguished Hope: Holocaust Scholars Confront the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict," and "Women's and Men's Liberation: Testimonies of Spirit," as well as numerous articles.

]]> Dr. Leonard Grob, Lenny, is a philosopher and author of numerous books and articles focusing on the lessons of the Holocaust as they relate to contemporary issues. He is an activist regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the issues of justice and democracy here at home. Lenny talks about his roots in the Jewish world and his evolving studies of philosophy, particularly Martin Buber and Emmanuel Levinas, and how those teachings have inspired and kept him motivated in his work. 

We discuss a range of issues including what brought about the loss of the idealistic spirit of the Sixties, where we are now, and how to move forward. Dr. Grob's latest book, co-authored with John K. Roth, is "Warnings - The Holocaust, Ukraine, and Endangered American Democracy." In our conversation we focus on the issues raised in this, his most political and polemical book. 

He is also the author or co-author of "Encountering the Stranger - A Jewish, Christian, Muslim Trialogue," "Losing Trust in the World - Holocaust Scholars Confront Torture," "Teen Voices From the Holy Land: Who Am I to You?," "Education for Peace - Testimonies from World Religions," "Anguished Hope: Holocaust Scholars Confront the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict," and "Women's and Men's Liberation: Testimonies of Spirit," as well as numerous articles.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-13580818 Tue, 12 Sep 2023 20:00:00 -0400 3912 full false Devotee of Justice and Consciousness Transformation - Joseph Tieger Devotee of Justice and Consciousness Transformation - Joseph Tieger This is my conversation with Joseph Tieger,  1960's civil rights activist who later journeyed with Ram Dass to find a path of service with an open heart. Joseph recounts some of the harrowing experiences facing, with non-violent passive resistance, the hatred of white Southerners towards him and other black and white civil-rights activists. We talk about him finding the need to soul-search his own heart to become more fully human and find compassion for those who continue to be victims of their own hatred in the current context.

Joseph's recently released books: Lately It Occurs To Me - A Memoir of the Civil Rights Movement and the Open Road (1963 - 1976) , Books 1 & 2, tell his deeply personal story with vivid details of the historical civil rights movement at the time and his personal journey. His accounts are filled with anecdotal encounters and events that will bring strong memories to some who lived through those decades and for some, it will be a total revelation.

You can order the books from Amazon at here.

Some previews of the  "How Then Shall We Live" video series can be seen the site devoted to Ram Dass: https://www.ramdass.org/howtolive.

You can sign up for the upcoming website launch of Joseph and Johanna's work at https://www.josephandjohanna.org/

]]> This is my conversation with Joseph Tieger,  1960's civil rights activist who later journeyed with Ram Dass to find a path of service with an open heart. Joseph recounts some of the harrowing experiences facing, with non-violent passive resistance, the hatred of white Southerners towards him and other black and white civil-rights activists. We talk about him finding the need to soul-search his own heart to become more fully human and find compassion for those who continue to be victims of their own hatred in the current context.

Joseph's recently released books: Lately It Occurs To Me - A Memoir of the Civil Rights Movement and the Open Road (1963 - 1976) , Books 1 & 2, tell his deeply personal story with vivid details of the historical civil rights movement at the time and his personal journey. His accounts are filled with anecdotal encounters and events that will bring strong memories to some who lived through those decades and for some, it will be a total revelation.

You can order the books from Amazon at here.

Some previews of the  "How Then Shall We Live" video series can be seen the site devoted to Ram Dass: https://www.ramdass.org/howtolive.

You can sign up for the upcoming website launch of Joseph and Johanna's work at https://www.josephandjohanna.org/

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-13182295 Fri, 07 Jul 2023 20:00:00 -0400 4192 full false Human Kindness In and Out of Prison Human Kindness In and Out of Prison My conversation with Human Kindness Foundation co-founder and spiritual director, Sita Lozoff. With support and encouragement from Ram Dass, starting in 1973, Sita and her husband, Bo, developed the largest prison ministry in the country, teaching meditation and yoga and offering spiritual guidance to thousands of incarcerated men and women. Sita shares her journey from childhood, through the LSD-filled Sixties, her connection with Ram Dass and the Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, and the spiritual wisdom teachings she practices and passes along to others. See the website of Human Kindness Foundation https://humankindness.org/ and in-depth interview with Sita from Moon Magazine: https://humankindness.org/moon-magazine-interview/.

]]> My conversation with Human Kindness Foundation co-founder and spiritual director, Sita Lozoff. With support and encouragement from Ram Dass, starting in 1973, Sita and her husband, Bo, developed the largest prison ministry in the country, teaching meditation and yoga and offering spiritual guidance to thousands of incarcerated men and women. Sita shares her journey from childhood, through the LSD-filled Sixties, her connection with Ram Dass and the Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, and the spiritual wisdom teachings she practices and passes along to others. See the website of Human Kindness Foundation https://humankindness.org/ and in-depth interview with Sita from Moon Magazine: https://humankindness.org/moon-magazine-interview/.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-12658257 Sun, 16 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0400 4359 full false From the 'Cult of Che' to Non-Violent Organizer - Mark Rudd From the 'Cult of Che' to Non-Violent Organizer - Mark Rudd My conversation with Mark Rudd and the transforming of his embrace with violent revolution to non-violent, practical progressive organizing. It's a bit of a raucous interview sharing our similar backgrounds, diverging paths and finding closer but not the same perspectives on our current political and social reality. Fun and hopefully meaningful to many. Mark wants it shared with especially "young" folks.

More information about Mark can be found at MarkRudd.com.

]]> My conversation with Mark Rudd and the transforming of his embrace with violent revolution to non-violent, practical progressive organizing. It's a bit of a raucous interview sharing our similar backgrounds, diverging paths and finding closer but not the same perspectives on our current political and social reality. Fun and hopefully meaningful to many. Mark wants it shared with especially "young" folks.

More information about Mark can be found at MarkRudd.com.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-12276758 Fri, 17 Feb 2023 19:00:00 -0500 3733 full false Taoist and Qigong Master - Ken Cohen Taoist and Qigong Master - Ken Cohen Ken shares on many subjects ranging from Jewish ancestry, Taoist philosophy and practice, and Native American healing. Great teachings for all spiritual seekers.

More information on Ken can be found at https://www.qigonghealing.com/ and https://www.sacredearthcircle.com/.

]]> Ken shares on many subjects ranging from Jewish ancestry, Taoist philosophy and practice, and Native American healing. Great teachings for all spiritual seekers.

More information on Ken can be found at https://www.qigonghealing.com/ and https://www.sacredearthcircle.com/.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-12089957 Sat, 21 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0500 3963 full false Subtle Activist - David Nicol Subtle Activist - David Nicol David Nicol brings groups together to practice meditative processes that aim to change the world. He is the author of the book, Subtle Activism – The Inner Dimensions of Social and Planetary Transformation. Here is my conversation with him about his journey towards his paradigm shifting and world changing work.

]]> David Nicol brings groups together to practice meditative processes that aim to change the world. He is the author of the book, Subtle Activism – The Inner Dimensions of Social and Planetary Transformation. Here is my conversation with him about his journey towards his paradigm shifting and world changing work.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-10630045 Mon, 16 May 2022 21:00:00 -0400 4548 full false The Subtle Consciousness Underlying the Human Drama - Dr. Cuf Ferguson The Subtle Consciousness Underlying the Human Drama - Dr. Cuf Ferguson Professor Carroy "Cuff" Ferguson talks with me about consciousness, the multi-dimensional nature of reality, and how that intersects with our personal and collective experience as humans navigating issues of peace, justice and our issues concerning race.

]]> Professor Carroy "Cuff" Ferguson talks with me about consciousness, the multi-dimensional nature of reality, and how that intersects with our personal and collective experience as humans navigating issues of peace, justice and our issues concerning race.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-10257708 Tue, 15 Mar 2022 19:00:00 -0400 4143 1 7 full false Communing With the Realms of Life on Earth with Alan Levin Communing With the Realms of Life on Earth with Alan Levin The practice is one that I learned from my good friend and teacher of many years, Ralph Metzner, who joined the ancestor spirits in March of 2019. It’s a very helpful way to focus your attention before going on a journey of any kind, whether inward for healing, growth or exploring and expanding consciousness, or outward through the world. Similarly, it can be used at the end of a journey for opening to and expressing gratitude.

“Communing with the Realms of Life on Earth” begins with a short meditation to center, balance and open to a fuller integration of body, mind and spirit. We then invoke (or call attention to) the spirits of the different realms: place, time, the four directions, the animals, plants and fungi, minerals, ancestors and humans. We do this for the good of ourselves and all life on Earth.

More at the Crossing The Boundary blog: http://www.crossingtheboundary.org/communing-with-the-realms-of-life-on-earth/

]]> The practice is one that I learned from my good friend and teacher of many years, Ralph Metzner, who joined the ancestor spirits in March of 2019. It’s a very helpful way to focus your attention before going on a journey of any kind, whether inward for healing, growth or exploring and expanding consciousness, or outward through the world. Similarly, it can be used at the end of a journey for opening to and expressing gratitude.

“Communing with the Realms of Life on Earth” begins with a short meditation to center, balance and open to a fuller integration of body, mind and spirit. We then invoke (or call attention to) the spirits of the different realms: place, time, the four directions, the animals, plants and fungi, minerals, ancestors and humans. We do this for the good of ourselves and all life on Earth.

More at the Crossing The Boundary blog: http://www.crossingtheboundary.org/communing-with-the-realms-of-life-on-earth/

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-9799490 Tue, 28 Dec 2021 16:00:00 -0500 1887 2 1 full false Healing the Wounds of War with the Warrior Archetype - Dr. Ed Tick Healing the Wounds of War with the Warrior Archetype - Dr. Ed Tick Dr. Ed Tick is a profound teacher and healer who works with the relationship of the Warrior Archetype to the healing of the traumas of war, PTSD and moral injury. His work with Veterans of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan has included bringing groups of Veterans to Vietnam for reconciliation ceremonies with "enemy combatants" from the "Viet Cong" and National Liberation Front. In this interview he shares about his own development and his need, as an anti-war activist, to cross boundaries of belief in order to sit with deep empathy and compassion with the wounded soldiers who have fought America's wars.

]]> Dr. Ed Tick is a profound teacher and healer who works with the relationship of the Warrior Archetype to the healing of the traumas of war, PTSD and moral injury. His work with Veterans of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan has included bringing groups of Veterans to Vietnam for reconciliation ceremonies with "enemy combatants" from the "Viet Cong" and National Liberation Front. In this interview he shares about his own development and his need, as an anti-war activist, to cross boundaries of belief in order to sit with deep empathy and compassion with the wounded soldiers who have fought America's wars.

]]> Alan Levin Buzzsprout-9624838 Sun, 28 Nov 2021 14:00:00 -0500 3729 1 5 full false Peacebuilder Paula Green Peacebuilder Paula Green Paula Green has a lifetime of peace and justice activism and has founded organizations that have helped people reach across boundaries in war and violence ridden areas all across the world. She founded Hands Across the Hills to help folks "depolarize" the chasm dividing us now in the U.S.. Here she shares here about her life and amazing work.

]]> Paula Green has a lifetime of peace and justice activism and has founded organizations that have helped people reach across boundaries in war and violence ridden areas all across the world. She founded Hands Across the Hills to help folks "depolarize" the chasm dividing us now in the U.S.. Here she shares here about her life and amazing work.

]]> Alan Buzzsprout-8945289 Sat, 31 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0400 3272 1 4 full false From Hasidic Child to Education Activist - Naftuli Moster From Hasidic Child to Education Activist - Naftuli Moster My conversation with Naftuli Moster. We explore Naftuli's personal transitions from Hasidic child to activist for secular education in ultra-Orthodox yeshivas. He is the founder/director of Yaffed, a nonprofit organization founded by individuals raised within Hasidic and Haredi communities, and is committed to improving secular education in

]]> My conversation with Naftuli Moster. We explore Naftuli's personal transitions from Hasidic child to activist for secular education in ultra-Orthodox yeshivas. He is the founder/director of Yaffed, a nonprofit organization founded by individuals raised within Hasidic and Haredi communities, and is committed to improving secular education in

]]> Alan Buzzsprout-8945264 Thu, 29 Jul 2021 18:00:00 -0400 3576 1 3 full false One Brave Angel - Ciaran O'Connor One Brave Angel - Ciaran O'Connor My conversation with Ciaron O'Connor, a leader in Braver Angels who hosts his own interview series at the Braver Angels website (braverangels.org). Here he talks with me about his life, his work in the movement to depolarize America, meditation and psychedelics and more.

]]> My conversation with Ciaron O'Connor, a leader in Braver Angels who hosts his own interview series at the Braver Angels website (braverangels.org). Here he talks with me about his life, his work in the movement to depolarize America, meditation and psychedelics and more.

]]> Alan Buzzsprout-8945236 Thu, 29 Jul 2021 18:00:00 -0400 3507 1 2 full false Neo-Hasidic Visionary - Arthur Green Neo-Hasidic Visionary - Arthur Green My interview with Arthur Green, author and teacher of Jewish Mysticism and the re-infusing of deep, experiential spirituality in Judaism. Our talk includes his personal life transitions into a religious life as well as his thoughts bearing on the meaning of Jewish identity, universal spirituality, the perennial philosophy and Israel/Palestine.

]]> My interview with Arthur Green, author and teacher of Jewish Mysticism and the re-infusing of deep, experiential spirituality in Judaism. Our talk includes his personal life transitions into a religious life as well as his thoughts bearing on the meaning of Jewish identity, universal spirituality, the perennial philosophy and Israel/Palestine.

]]> Alan Buzzsprout-8945215 Thu, 29 Jul 2021 18:00:00 -0400 3422 1 1 full false