Spiritual Psychotherapy with Michael Franco, M.D.

Spiritual Psychotherapy Season 4 Episode 22: This Mind, This Path

In this episode, we begin with the opening verses of the Tao te Ching. After some rich discussion, we run through some intriguing Zen Koans from the Gateless Gate. We close with the Zohar's comparison of the argument of Korah and Moses with that of Hillel and Shammai.

Spiritual Psychotherapy Season 4 Episode 21: The Wisdom Beyond Words

In this episode, we open with the Tao te Ching's concluding verse. We then explore some deeply cryptic koans from the Gateless Gate. Finally, we close with the Zohar's introduction to the second day of Creation.

Spiritual Psychotherapy Season 4 Episode 20: Simple Living

In this episode, we open with a quote from the Tao te Ching about living simply. We then continue our study of Ryokan's writings, followed by Zen Koans from Zen Flesh, Zen Bones and we introduce the Gateless Gate. After a brief excerpt from Alan Watts, we conclude with the Zohar's description of the role of Tiferet in primordial Creation.

Spiritual Psychotherapy Season 4 Episode 19: Like a Drifting Cloud: Entering Ryōkan’s World of Zen

In this episode, we open with a quote from the Tao te Ching and we learn the wisdom of returning injury with kindness. We then explore the poetry and stories of Ryokan Taigu, a Sōtō Zen Buddhist monk who spent most of his life wandering in nature. Next, we continue our study of Alan Watts' lectures on Zen aesthetics. Finally, we close with the Zohar's writings on the balance point formed by Tiferet during creation.

Spiritual Psychotherapy Season 4 Episode 18: The Bittersweet Beauty of Change

In this episode, we open with the Tao te Ching's teachings about the wisdom of being like water, Wu Wei. We continue with some talking points about the Zen view of reincarnation, dispelling misconceptions from the Western mind. We then transition to Alan Watts' study of Zen feelings that capture the spirit of the beauty of change, flow, mystery, and loneliness. We close with the Zohar's study of the primordial light of Creation.

Spiritual Psychotherapy Season 4 Episode 17: The Tao of Infinite Wealth

In this class, we weave through quotes from the Tao te Ching, the Buddha, and The Discourse on the Middle Way. We gain insight about right view and right speech, while understanding the connections to Maimonides' Golden Mean. We close with the Zohar's teachings on the 3rd verse of Genesis: "Let there be light!"

Spiritual Psychotherapy Season 4 Episode 16: To Walk on Earth

In this episode, we open with a quote from Linji and connect this with the philosophy of the Tanak"h regarding Moshe, Eliyahu, and Iyyob. After a quote from the Tao te Ching, we explore Alan Watts' ideas on the Taoist philosophy of trusting one's own nature. We close with the Zohar's ideas on Tohu vaBohu.

Spiritual Psychotherapy Season 4 Episode 15: Sailing the Ocean of Consciousness

In this episode, we open with the Tao te Ching's wisdom and then connect this with the Torah's description of the vision held by the elders of Israel on Mount Sinai (Correction: the Torah balances the name of Moses and the word Alah, not Har, in the two halves). We then continue with a teaching from Old Path, White Clouds regarding the 3 seals of the dharma. After some words from Alan Watts, we close with the Zohar's description of primordial chaos, Tohu VaBohu.

 

Spiritual Psychotherapy Season 4 Episode 14: The Secret of Health

In this podcast, we open with a quote from the Tao te Ching regarding being "sick of sickness." We also explore the concept of the "therapy" that happened for Bene Yisrael at the Red Sea. We continue with a story from Thich Nhat Hanh's Old Path, White Clouds about the Budhha's refusal to answer questions outside of the direct path to experiential knowledge. After concluding remarks from Alan Watts regarding Judo, we close with the Zohar's explanation of Genesis in light of The Song of Songs.

Spiritual Psychotherapy Season 4 Episode 13: Judo and the Strength of Weakness

In this episode, we open with the Tao te Ching's advice regarding how to act without losing the spirit of the Tao. We continue with a discussion of the name of God and the similarities between Enlightenment and the Grace of God. Next, we analyze the wisdom of Sri Ramana Maharshi regarding the path of the ego into the heart. We then begin our study of Alan Watts' discussion of Judo, The Gentle Way. We close with the Zohar's ideas about the musical nature of Creation.