The Mind Mate Podcast

This is an excerpt from chapter two of my upcoming book, ‘A Seeker’s Path’. I recently followed the Dalai Lama on Instagram (100% get around the big man if you haven’t already) and couldn’t help but write about him. He seems so bloody jolly and, as the saying goes, “I’ll have what [he’s] having.” I came to realise that “what he’s having” took a long time for him to get. This is my take on mental health practice:  

The Dalai Lama tells us that, “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” He tells us to, “Be kind whenever possible” and that, “sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” Excuse me, Mr. Lama, what about Jet Ski’s, fancy dinners and Instagram likes! Both Ronnie Coleman and the Dalai Lama have one thing in common: Discipline. Judging by standard Buddhist practice, the path to enlightenment — freedom from suffering — is not an easy trod. Waking up at dawn every morning, meditating for hours, removing all sense of individuality i.e. shaving one’s hair, wearing the same red robe every day, abstaining from sex, worldly pleasures and committing to the spiritual path are all examples, at least in my books, of seriously rigorous mental health practices! 

Unfortunately, human beings are not entitled either to perfect mental or physical health, which begs the question: How mentally and/or physically healthy do we want to be? How many hours are we willing to put in to achieve states of consciousness akin to Buddhist monks, for example? What are our physical health goals? Are we willing to devote hours of practice to improve our flexibility, strength, speed, stamina and joint health? For how long must we meditate each day, write in our diaries, authentically connect with others and work to release our traumas from the past in order to attain a mental state congruent with our own definition of happiness? 

Ultimately, this is for us to decide. Maybe people become monks because they’re in really bad ways? How else can one know happiness like that without having once experienced terrible psychological pain. In any case, just as a Bench Press pumps the chest, meditation pumps the mind. Choose your tools. Seek and you will find.

2 x guest of the show, Mr. Erick Godsey returns for another cracking episode on The Mind Mate Podcast. I love going deep with this bloke but, this time, I wanted to hear more about who Erick is, day by day. We got into some of the things he's struggling with in life at the moment (we've all got them mates) as well as some of the more recent lessons he's learnt.  Within this, Erick spoke about his challenges with love and heart opening as well as his ability to let others in, stemming from who he was as a child and how that child developed a persona worthy of receiving love. One of my biggest take aways from this podcast was the idea that, beneath the chains of shame, need for validation—all the stuff we do to receive something or someone we think will fill our holes—a God (inside us) awaits its freedom, ready to dance for infinity and beyond! In other words, we got philosophical! Enjoy!

“I think, when used correctly, MDMA could really help a lot of people. Maybe it could help those suffering from an existential crisis? Maybe it could help those that are struggling to find meaning in their lives. It’s not that we explicitly recognise a conscious will to live but we do have desires and incentives for the potential of self growth. We want to be better and when we struggle to find meaning, we stop caring about growth.”

Writing this blog and reflecting upon this experience has been very eye-opening. It’s taken me a good few weeks to break down and comprehend the experience itself. From a logical perspective, the MDMA made me feel great and spending time with myself—feeling great—produced a positive outcome. However, I choose to recognise the experience as spiritually significant because it feels right to me.

I think the MDMA did split different aspects of my consciousness. I think its intention was to outline and compare them. It taught me that I am capable of loving people and myself so much more than I do. It taught me that it is possible to reconcile the past; to move on and to accept it. Ultimately, it comes down to choice. We can choose to live in scarcity and fear in the assumption that the world is a frightening place and that good things happen only to those who take, steal and live through their ego (without any awareness as to the other aspects of ‘self’). Or we can choose to give and to share and love without any expectation or desire. I learnt that to be happy, one must be grateful. I learnt that to be happy, one must give. I consider myself a happy man and yet I have never felt happiness like I did when connecting with that entity of love; my higher self.

Michael Burge is Current Director of the Australian College of Trauma Treatment and has had over 25 years experience in psychology, counselling, education and training. Michael has published extensively both nationally and internationally in the field of PTSD, with a particular focus on psychosocial issues affecting Vietnam Veterans and their families.   He introduced PTSD treatment methods to most Melbourne Universities as guest Lecturer and in 1993 introduced short course, skills- based training for the treatment of PTSD into Australia.In the 2010 Australia Day Honours, Michael was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to psychology & the community for the development of training & treatment protocols for trauma. He is also a die-hard Collingwood fan, loves coffee and is incredibly humble! Enjoy this one mates!

I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Sarah and James from the Mind Gold podcast. We touched on a number of bizarre and legendary topics like getting probed by aliens, embracing fear, ways to find purpose and meaning as well as why challenges that cause physiological changes in the body are a one way ticket to happiness town. 

Erin Telford is a Breathwork facilitator and healer, acupuncturist, Reiki Master, herbalist and a teacher of David Elliott's Level One Breathwork Healer Training. Her work guides people to look within, open their hearts and heal their relationship with themselves. Her group sessions, trainings and retreats empower her clients to connect to their innate wisdom so that they can find the answers they are looking for. 

I knew Erin was someone I wanted to chat with from the moment my lovely partner Siobhan told me about her! We ALL have trauma—trauma is subjective—and trauma affects us all in different ways. Coming to a deeper understanding of the ways it does, is (I would say) vital for our wellbeing, sense of self, purpose and connectedness with others. 

IN THIS PODCAST, we go fucking deep (that’s the way we like it!). We get right into the nitty-gritty’s exploring our personal and collective shadows, discussing the scientific and spiritual approach to healing trauma through the breath as well as what it is we’re all fundamentally trying to do… be happy and live meaningful lives with the people we love. Enjoy mates!

Tony is the owner of Doherty’s Gyms around Australia, a highly sought after public speaker, interviewer, and media personality. Above all, he is a generous, humble and motivating individual. I love talking with him. 

We head back into Tony's history including how he came from humble beginnings with a clear vision and how that vision became a reality, culminating in a befriending with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Together, they run the Arnold Classic Fitness Expo's. Tony's passion, pragmatic approach to life and positivity make me want to interview him regularly. Every time I leave having learnt a bit more about what it means to truly fulfil your potential in life. 

Siobhan Macleod (@siobhan_macleod) is opening a business! Coming early September, The Breathwork Shed uses a specific form of meditation (breathwork) to help people come to know themselves a little more personally, understand how things that have happened to them in the past have influenced their train of thought, behaviours and habits AND the best thing is, #theshed is a community of legends going through the process together. THIS WEEK’S PODCAST explored breathwork: What it is, how it works, what comes up, how you come to know yourself and how you can create a better life based on what you now know!

Stephen James "Steve" Moneghetti, AM, is an Australian long-distance runner and physical health consultant. Moneghetti has a degree in civil engineering, a graduate diploma in education and an honorary doctorate from the University of Ballarat.

This was a legendary podcast and, believe it or not, we hardly spoke about his on-field performances! We got right into the philosophy/psychology of how to live life by finding your lane and sticking to it. 

Grant is a holistic psychotherapist and a member of the Australian Somatic Psychotherapy Association (ASPA). He has been a holistic educator and workshop facilitator for over 10 years. His focus is on the healing of the "traumatised soul", and holding the space that enables the safety and support necessary for change and growth to occur.  Head to http://www.consciouscounselling.com.au/ if you are keen to work with Grant :).