What shapes a human life? How do suffering, healing, awakening, and self-understanding intertwine?

In this deeply personal conversation, Thomas sits down with longtime friend and spiritual seeker Michael Casari for a wide-ranging conversation about the nature of self, healing, and the lifelong search for truth. Michael shares stories from his childhood, travels around the country, and his years studying with spiritual teacher Richard Rose. Together they explore healing as a return to one's original nature, the importance of meaningful work, and the grace hidden in ordinary moments of life. 

This conversation moves beyond techniques and modalities to explore a deeper question: What does it mean to truly know yourself?

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Michael Casari is a Zen carpenter and long-time student of Richard Rose, starting with the Pyramid Zen Society group at Kent State University in the early 1970s. He worked closely with Richard Rose for many years, sharing many adventures in cross-country travels, spending much time at the farm, and helping organize Albigen System groups in various parts of the country.

Episode Webpage:

https://www.avenuesofawakening.com/p/the-shape-of-self

Resources

https://www.tatfoundation.org

https://richardroseteachings.com/

Carillon, Rose’s book of Poetry:

https://www.tatfoundation.org/tat-forum-archives/tat_books.htm#carillon

Jim Burns’ book At Home With the Inner Self, on mind-study, healing, and awakening

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Inner-Self-Jim-Burns/dp/0979963079

2009 Video of Michael Casari reading Rose’s poetry

https://vimeo.com/32325403

Michael’s Full Account of his time with Rose

https://albigen.net/richard-rose-the-man-who-was-a-mirror/#tab-4761

Sometimes we are asked to let go of things in a profound or even permanent way. By looking at their deeper meanings, we may find greater ability to process and carry forward in a new direction of growth and renewal. 

Join the Conversation:

https://www.avenuesofawakening.com/p/s1e6-growth-and-letting-go

In this second bonus episode for S2E4 Genetics, Thomas shares the story of his genetics-based health discovery while working with Christian Bonanno. This includes the recognition, testing, analysis, treatment, and results, as well as wrap-up takeaways from our recent genetics theme. 

Join the Conversation:
https://www.avenuesofawakening.com/p/s2e4-genetics

If you’re interested to contact Christian, email to [email protected]

In this first bonus episode for S2E4 Genetics, Christian shares more technical details of his genetic biochemistry, along with the ailments, discovery process, and several of the false starts he had to contend with. Be sure to check out the main episode on Genetics and Epigenetics for more context.

Join the Conversation:
https://www.avenuesofawakening.com/p/s2e4-genetics

If you’re interested to contact Christian, email at [email protected]

Today we look at how genetic variations can impact our state of mind. Tracking over a decade of self-study and deep research, our guest Christian Bonanno shares how our mood and health can be rebalanced with the right nutritional adjustments, based on available genetic analysis and gradual self-testing. This counternarrative to conventional psychological attribution is another inroad to health, well-being, and self-understanding.

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Christian Bonanno has conducted years of research and self-testing into the relationship of environmental and genetic factors upon state of mind and overall health. These factors included genetic variance, epigenetics, nutrition, air pollution, EMF levels, geographic location, elevation, season, and solar activity.

Join the Conversation:
https://www.avenuesofawakening.com/p/s2e4-genetics

In the age of agitation, how can we orient? Let's deep dive into the collective mood, soothe our central nervous systems, and find ways to stay centered as we work to embody a better future.

Join the conversation and check out the show notes!

A quick 2026 Q1 update about AoA season structure [Season 1 is freeform, Season 2 is Medicine Journey], and news about the website.

Dreamwork is a powerful modality for exploration, healing, and integration. Our guest today is Carrie Fields, who guides us into the nature of dreams, shares methods of dreamwork, and opens the imaginal realm for once-and-future dream workers. Thomas also shares a recent dream, which proves more insightful than expected with Carrie’s help.

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Carrie Fields offers services that integrate intuitive healing, transpersonal psychology, and creative modalities. She holds a Master of Social Work and completed additional certifications and training in clinical hypnotherapy, dreamwork, and art therapy. She lives in Wilmington, NC with her husband Alex and precocious chihuahua, Hermes.

You can contact Carrie via her website: https://www.innerlandscapeshealing.com/

Join the conversation and check out the show notes!

The brief origin story of Western medicine, featuring Egypt, Greece, and Rome, through alchemy and the Middle Ages. Includes a foray into Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Indigenous traditions.

Show Notes

What is a Medicine Journey? Reflections on why we undertake a medicine journey, with stories of healing followed by a ceremonial invocation.

Show Notes