Medicine Path with Brian James

This bonus episode is a recording of a conversation I had with Asher Packman of the Fifth Direction platform, based in Australia (https://thefifthdirection.com).Asher reached out to me to talk about my work, and it was a nice opportunity to be on the other side of the questions for once. As an intuitive introvert type, it’s not my natural inclination to talk about my ideas unless it’s in the context of a conversation — which is why these intros tend to be short and to the point.So, I enjoyed having the chance to try putting together some of the ideas I’ve been working with lately, and hope that you get something out of this conversation. We touch on a number of topics, including men’s work, the Magician and Trickster archetype, the importance of male mentorship, and some initial thoughts I have about addressing the epidemic of despair that’s afflicting record numbers of middle-aged men here in the West.+++GO DEEPERBecome a member of the Medicine Path online community and school of soul studies: http://patreon.com/medicinepathMedicine Path YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/c/medicinepath1-on-1 Soul Recovery resources and coaching with Brian James: http://medicinepath.me+++SUPPORT & APPRECIATIONSend a gift from our Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/11HNWME8NHNM7 Make a one-time contribution via PayPal: http://PayPal.me/medicinepathyogaSound collage: "Invocation" by Brian James

NOTE: Initially we were experiencing some connection issues — both technical and otherwise — until an interruption (by the Trickster?) about 20 minutes in. We restarted and found a nice rhythm and flow, so please stick with it. There's some great stuff in this conversation!Allan B. Chinen, MD is a psychiatrist in private practice in San Francisco and Clinical Professor Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. He has lectured extensively and presented numerous workshops on the role of myths, fairy tales and legends on our life stories.In our conversation we mainly focus on his 1993 book Beyond the Hero: Classic Stories of Men in Search of Soul which offers a vision of the post-heroic journey that is relevant not just to men struggling with the transition into middle age, but also to the sons, daughters and spouses who care for them. Through a retelling and analysis of classic stories that portray a part of the male psyche that is normally buried under conventional male roles, heroic ideals, and patriarchal ambitions, the post-heroic journey dramatically breaks with traditional Western masculine values and typical stereotypes, by making a case for the Trickster as the guiding archetype of the midlife passage.Topics: myth, fairy tales, archetypes, men, midlife, trickster, shaman, mentor+++GO DEEPERBecome a member of the Medicine Path online community and school of soul studies: http://patreon.com/medicinepathMedicine Path YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/c/medicinepath1-on-1 Soul Recovery resources and coaching with Brian James: http://medicinepath.me+++SUPPORT & APPRECIATIONSend a gift from our Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/11HNWME8NHNM7 Make a one-time contribution via PayPal: http://PayPal.me/medicinepathyogaSound collage: "Invocation" by Brian James

Rebecca Wildbear is the author of Wild Yoga: A Practice of Initiation, Veneration & Advocacy for the Earth. Rebecca came to yoga after a life-threatening encounter with cancer in her twenties, and over years of study and teaching developed an approach called Wild Yoga which empowers individuals to tune in to the mysteries that live within the earth community, dreams, and their own wild nature so they may live a life of creative service. She has been leading Wild Yoga programs since 2007 and also guides nature and soul programs through Animas Valley Institute. You can find out more about her at rebeccawildbear.com+++GO DEEPERBecome a member of the Medicine Path online community and school of soul studies: http://patreon.com/medicinepath1-on-1 Soul Recovery resources and coaching with Brian James: http://medicinepath.me+++SUPPORT & APPRECIATIONSend a gift from our Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/11HNWME8NHNM7 Make a one-time contribution via PayPal: http://PayPal.me/medicinepathyogaSound collage: "Invocation" by Brian James

On this episode I welcome Marlene Seven Bremner on to talk about her book Hermetic Philosophy & Creative Alchemy.Marlene is a self-taught oil painter, writer, and teacher who has spent more than 20 years exploring esoteric and spiritual traditions, including Hermeticism, alchemy, surrealism, symbolism, tarot, psychology, magic, astrology, shamanism, and mythology. She developed her career as an artist in the Pacific Northwest and now spends her time painting and writing in the New Mexico desert. You can view Marlene’s paintings and find out more about her work at: https://marlenesevenbremner.com+++JOIN THE CONVERSATIONBecome a member of the Medicine Path online community and school of soul studies: http://patreon.com/medicinepath1-on-1 Soul Recovery resources and coaching with Brian James: http://medicinepath.meSound collage: "Invocation" by Brian James+++SUPPORT & APPRECIATIONSend a gift from our Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/11HNWME8NHNM7 Make a one-time contribution via PayPal: http://PayPal.me/medicinepathyoga

On this episode, it’s my great pleasure to welcome back psychotherapist, educator and author Edward Tick to talk about his latest book Soul Medicine: Healing Through Dream Incubation, Visions, Oracles and Pilgrimage. If you’re interested in hearing more about Ed’s personal journey, I recommend also checking out episode 80 of the podcast.For many decades, Ed has devoted himself to studying and practicing depth psychology and the ancient Greek healing arts, and has led pilgrimages to Greece and Vietnam as a guide for those seeking a form of holistic healing beyond the limits of what modern medicine and psychology can offer.In his new book, Ed delves deeply into the philosophical, mythological and cultural origins of modern medicine and psychology in an attempt to recover their archetypal roots. Drawing on both ancient wisdom and modern depth psychology as well as stories of healings from his more than 25 years of guiding Vietnam veterans and others on pilgrimages, Soul Medicine offers a vision of how we can all use ancient healing philosophies and practices to achieve holistic healing today.As I mentioned in the intro to the last episode, I’m hoping to have more conversations with less well-known folks who have found soul recovery and healing through the creative arts. If you’re someone who fits that description, or knows someone like that, please feel free to reach out via Instagram @revealingthesoul or email me at hello@brianjames.caLong life, honey in the heartWhite roads paved with the eyebrows of the moon, which is sea foamYellow roads, all colour roads, which are paved with abundanceFrom the tail of the morning star, which is a deerNo evilThirteen thank yous++++Ed’s website: https://www.edwardtick.comPurchase Soul Medicine: https://amzn.to/3JIT6N4 +++JOIN THE CONVERSATIONBecome a member of the Medicine Path online community and school of soul studies: http://patreon.com/medicinepath1-on-1 Soul Recovery resources and coaching with Brian James: http://medicinepath.meSound collage: "Invocation" by Brian James+++SUPPORT & APPRECIATIONSend a gift from our wish list: https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/11HNWME8NHNM7 Make a one-time contribution via:PayPal: http://PayPal.me/medicinepathyoga

On this episode I speak with Sean Alec Auld from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne about how his apprenticeship as a stone worker was integral to his recovery from substance abuse and how it had the unexpected side-effect of connecting him to soul, land and the ancient folklore of his Anglo Saxon ancestors.Sean's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.name.of.stone Sean’s story is a perfect example of what I mean when I talk about how your medicine path is your own unique process of soul recovery, healing and growth. It’s a path that is laid out just for you, and if we listen to the prompts and urgings from our guiding spirit or daimon, it will lead us on our journey toward wholeness and reveal to us what is the medicine we have to offer the world.It was a lovely chat and I hope that it inspires and encourages you to follow your medicine path. I’d like to have more conversations with regular folks like Sean who may not be well known outside their local community. If you know someone who has an inspiring story to tell, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @revealingthesoul or send an email to hello@brianjames.ca+++Join the conversation by becoming a member of the Medicine Path online community and school of soul studies: http://patreon.com/medicinepath1-on-1 Soul Recovery resources and coaching with Brian James: http://medicinepath.meSound collage: "Invocation" by Brian James+++Donate to support this work!Bitcoin: 18GN22NsbzA8cXdioabNPWfmX6t6Yj7gcjPayPal: http://PayPal.me/medicinepathyoga