Spiritual Psychotherapy with Michael Franco, M.D.

In this podcast, we open with the Tao te Ching's message about the sage and the ability to get in touch with the mysterious feminine. We then explore 3 koans from The Gateless Gate, learning about the ways to a direct experience of Zen. We close with some words from Alan Watts comparing life and music, followed by a discussion of the sin of Adam and Eve.

In this episode, our season premiere, we open with a quote from the Tao te Ching, followed by some wise words from the koans of The Gateless Gate. We then hold a discussion about time from Alan Watts' lecture on The Taoist Way. We close with an in-depth discussion on The Garden of Eden.

In this episode, our celebratory season finale, we open with a song by S.E. Rogie called Recipe for Truth and Lasting Happiness. We continue with some talking points and standup comedy. Next, we explore Alan Watts' words on the myths that keep humans trapped in incomplete narratives. We close with the Zohar's explanation of the harmony underlying the discord of Creation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!"

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.