The Wild Temple

In this special episode of The Wild Temple, Brooke welcomes her husband, Cactus, for a candid and intimate conversation about trust, poisonous paradigms, and universal love. Cactus shares insights from his own journey with trust issues rooted in spirituality and together, they navigate profound topics such as dualistic thinking, toxic guru culture, the power of unconditional love, and the evolution of spiritual relationships. 

Listen in as they probe their own unique spiritual perspectives and remind us that spirituality can not only guide, but also cultivate deeper bonds within our relationships. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Living Dharma: Equine Power + Ethical Space Holding with Jamila Jackson https://www.buzzsprout.com/1882323/14467003-living-dharma-equine-power-ethical-space-holding-with-jamila-jackson 
• She Who is Valued, Not Used https://www.buzzsprout.com/1882323/13238900-she-who-is-valued-not-used 

Connect with Cactus:

• Website: https://secretagent23skidoo.com/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secretagent23skidoo/ 
• Instagram: @secretagent23skidoo https://www.instagram.com/secretagent23skidoo/ 

Trainings and Apprenticeships with Brooke https://www.thewildtemple.com/yogacertification 

In this episode, Brooke shares an ancient myth from the Brahmanda Purana, about the Empress of Desire (Lalitha Tripura Sundari.) 

Working with the translation written by Linda Johnsen in her book The Living Goddess, Brooke reveals insights on the path of kundalini awakening and the practices of Tantra through the lens of pleasure and desire.

She also talks about the spirit of Saffron and as a powerful rejuvenative, mood lifter and aphrodisiac, can be an aid to nurturing one's sensuality and sexuality in life:)

A perfect episode to nourish your heart and understand the importance of pleasure as a spiritual practice, you will also learn:

1. What happens when we smother desire
2. The value of the moon and its what it symbolizes (emotions, psyche, feeling) in our spiritual practices
3. A practitioner's look at kundalini awakening
4. Practical looks at the dangers of kundalini and "unbridled" sexual energy
5. Saffron as an aphrodisiac

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And if you are interested in working 1:1 with Brooke in her Wild Sage Apprenticeship, 2 spaces are open. Book a call now (for discount) and we begin March 21st!

A Living Dharma Window: Equine Power + Ethical Space holding with Jamila Jackson

This episode is a window into power, path and purpose.

In this episode, Brooke discusses with her guest, Jamila Jackson, how to hold space ethically (for one's self and others), while healing and being in a position of power. We discuss the potency of merging sacred technologies with Equine therapy and how this relates to ethical space-holding.- especially when working with sexual and generational trauma.

Jamila shares her journey, beginning with weaving her studies of Equine and flower essence therapy together and continuing to explore the energetics of power through yoga and Tantra. She delves into her curiosity about how to hold space as a leader without manipulation or misuse. 

Jamila speaks about her work with horses, highlighting how they can assist in healing trauma, particularly sexual trauma. She incorporates yoga therapy and IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy into her practice as well. 

Furthermore, she also shares how her work has adapted to be offered through online platforms, which helps her support others through pre-recorded meditations and teachings. 

Brooke and Jamila closed the conversation with a window into Jamila's path of aligning to her own Dharma in apprenticeship with Brooke at The Wild Temple school.

Connect with Jamila:

Website: https://www.embodiedleadershipproject.org/ 

Email List: https://www.embodiedleadershipproject.org/email-list 

Instagram: @emobodied.leadership.project  https://www.instagram.com/embodied.leadership.project/ 

Trainings and Apprenticeships with Brooke https://www.thewildtemple.com/yogacertification 

This episode is about the power of sound and our cultural inheritance. 

In it, Brooke talks about certain traditional ways sound has been used for healing as well as the possibility that you have this magical inheritance in your bloodline. Due to suppression, severance and cultural amnesia, this knowledge has largely been lost and as a result, we have lost touch with this power.

In the mystical science of Tantra, sound vibrations (mantras) hold a spectrum of potential, from benign to soothing, to powerful and even sound used as a weapon. A Tantric practitioner learns to call upon the forces of Nature with sound (and more!) to heal the mind, body, and Mother Nature Herself- and in the process of learning often comes back to their cultural heritage.

 This concept is truly in the domain of tantric alchemy. Especially, when one weaves sound with the spirit of the plants.

Brooke also explains how working with sound can be both practical and magical and gives a few scientific examples through the lens of polyvagal theory.  She also gives examples of her heritage and current familial relationships so you can better understand the nuances.

From Brooke:

I would like to give credit to Sharon Blackie, whom I have learned a lot about my Irish heritage, as well as being on and learning from the isle of Eire itself. I would also love to give thanks to Mother Maya (Bri Maya Tiwari) who encouraged me to talk with my grandmother well before she left this world, so that I could learn and carry forward the stories she held.

I would also like to voice my gratitude here for the ancestors in my bloodline who were suppressed, shamed and forced to be silent and for my grandmother, for sharing so much with me.

The biggest hugs of all go to my mama, as we have endured a rough rode together (and apart, and together again) to get to where we are today. -In my opinion, even the painful steps were worth it. I hope that perhaps in voicing my thoughts, and feelings and releasing them into the ethers through this episode, an awakening will happen for you too, in a manner that will help you claim your own solid, empowering and magical inheritance.

Brooke Sullivan of the Wild Temple with guest Dr. Katy Jane, Vedic Astrologer + Yogi

Are you interested in understanding how learning about the stars can lead you to the Goddess?  Or how being able to read a chart can help you access your true nature and sage-like wisdom? 

What about how understanding parts of you that do not change can actually be a superpower?

This episode is a very Tantric discussion on Astrology and gives you a beautiful take on how and why reading the stars assigned to you can be a powerful technology to your highest becoming. 

You can find Dr. Katy Jane
at her website: https://www.drkatyjane.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drkatyjane
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jmS5W8HZhs7jPew8NE-IA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkatyjane/

Episode Begins

• Tantra and Home Life. 11:46
  • Envisioning a group of concentric circles: Home, Community and World in the worldview of a Tantric practitioner. Seeing the fluidity of support, nurturance, balance and stability that Tantra supports so a woman can live a fulfilled life in each of these spheres while meeting dharma and burning karma. The challenges that can be supported by a Tantric practices when one has children, a partner and a career path
  • Tantric practitioner prioritizes self-care and household maintenance for personal growth and health.
  • Brooke emphasizes the importance of balancing basic needs and love in parenting, with support from tantra practices.
  • Brooke Sullivan emphasizes the importance of spiritual practices in maintaining a healthy home, including getting one's mind clear and nervous system strong.
  • She also highlights the significance of nurturing relationships with other beings, including plants and pets, in creating a nourishing and harmonious home environment.
• Nurturing home life for community connection. 18:27
  • Brooke Sullivan emphasizes the importance of a woman being nourished in all aspects of home, including self-care, finances, relationships, and spirituality, to create a deep sense of inner abundance and satiation. How this is the first circle (area of life) to focus on.
  • She highlights the role of pushti, or deep nourishment, in tantra, which involves meeting all basic needs and desires within the home, and feeling nourished at both a cellular and worldly level
  • Emphasizes the importance of a woman embracing Ayurvedic lifestyle practices, such as daily spiritual practice, healing, and nurturing the body and mind, to achieve optimal health and connection with nature. 
  • By integrating hobbies and interests into one's life, individuals can connect with various aspects of their community and build relationships, which in turn supports their home life and spiritual practice.
  • Brooke Sullivan feels we find joy and fulfillment in serving our community and connecting with others, leading to a more expansive and impactful life.
  • By prioritizing spiritual practice, hobbies, and relationships, a woman can cultivate a stable and nurturing environment for herself and her family, allowing her to thrive and make a positive difference in the world.
• Tantra's impact on a woman's life. 26:59
  • One's spiritual practice expands her capacity for impact in both inner and outer worlds.
  • Tantra's impact in this example of a modern woman's life, results in healing ancestral karma, becoming a force of nature, and attaining freedom and fulfillment in the world.
  • Through Tantra, one can transform negative tendencies into positive experiences, see others in their potential, and become a radiant force of wisdom and transformation.

Was Santa and Alchemist?

Quick recap

Brooke interviews Michael Van Sciver, Ayurvedic Physician, Clinical Herbalist, Alchemist + guest faculty for The Wild Temple School for this delicious insight into the seasons and holiday spirit. This is our second interview with Michael (the first episode was in our first season: Myths, Battles + Awe: A Cultural Incoculation of the Seasons, Episode 2). 

Michael Van Sciver is located in Nevada City, California, and can be found at [email protected].

He and Brooke discussed the myths and lore behind the festivities of winter and the holiday season as well as the Astro cosmological events within the wheel of time,  the power of still currents in alchemy + the Solstices, shamanic reindeer culture, the soma of life and entheogens, and much, much more. Please enjoy, follow if you like and share if you can!

Summary Overview:

Cosmic Wheel of Time: Sun-Earth Relationship and Its Impact on Seasons
Symbols such as yin/yang and the analemma figure 8 pattern of the sun

Solstice Themes and Symbolism
Michael explained that the winter solstice is about letting go of the old and calling in the new, themes of celebration and joy, and feeding the essence of one's being. They also described the summer solstice as a time of harmonizing with something outside of oneself, understanding one's deeper truths and desires, and expressing one's longings. Brooke added that this process is also about connecting with others and recognizing the importance of interdependence. They also touched upon the metabolic processes involved in the solstices and how plants can help with digestion and radiance.

Inner Light Practices and Symbolism
Michael discussed various practices to brighten the inner environment during the darkest time of the year, including burning resins and candles, bringing fresh trees into the home, and the use of entheogens like Amanita and ergot. 

Fractal, Holographic, and Heart-Centered Meditation
Michael discussed the fractal, holographic nature of the world and the concept of the Taurus, a donut shape with infinite loops of energy. They highlighted the symbolism of a tree in the house as representative of the energetic field and emphasized the importance of being in the heart essence at the winter solstice. 

Winter Solstice and Vedic Tradition Discussion
Michael and Brooke discussed the significance of the winter solstice, emphasizing the importance of rediscovering one's childlike nature and reawakening the genome in its highest state- exhalting our being through the power of the Solstice energies. They also discussed a breathing practice to regulate the nervous system and foster stability and resilience.

Origins of Santa and St. Nicholas the Timeless Alchemist
Michael and Brooke engaged in a deep conversation about the significance of the history of amanita mushroom in spiritual practices, particularly during the solstice season. They explored how these mushrooms are believed to awaken one's inner child and connect them with the divine. The discussion also touched upon the relationship between Santa Claus and the amanita mushroom, with Michael presenting a fascinating interpretation of Santa as a sage alchemist who has learned potions of immortality and resides in the Arctic (dreaming) realm.

The discussion concluded with the importance of joy during the holiday season.

Please visit www.thewildtemple.com to get on our newsletter for practices abs recipes related to these podcast episodes. And don’t forget to subscribe/follow and share if you like what you hear! 

Thank you
-The Wild Temple Team

Apologies for the audio issues in the beginning..they smooth out, we promise, and we have figured out the issue for our next session.  

This is a talk with Bonne Gene Wallace on the applications + lifestyle practices of Tantra Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda,  Herbalism,  Functional Medicine and a window into Free Diving.

 Bonnie is a Holistic Gut + Mental Health Specialist, Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Functional Medicine Consultant, Tantra Yoga Practitioner, and Holistic Chef. Nedra Glover Tawwab is mentioned for her good work on boundaries and an inspiring book to read.

Transcript Summary

Introduction: Sacred Technologies

• • Brooke discusses her approach to yoga and wellness, which she calls "Twilight alchemy," drawing from ancient systems like Tantra and Ayurveda.
  • Brooke believes that applying sacred technologies, such as yoga and herbal wisdom, can help individuals improve their lives and have more impact in the world.
  • Brooke discusses how sacred technologies like flower essences help awaken our perception and make better choices in life.

Summary of Chat with Bonnie Gene Wallace 

• Brooke Sullivan and Bonnie discuss Tantra, yoga, Ayurveda, and functional medicine, exploring the similarities and differences between their approaches and how they integrate different modalities to create a holistic practice.
• They delve into topics such as Complex PTSD, multi-dimensional seeing, standardization of medical care, and the importance of embracing the subtle realm of plants and mental health care in their practices.
• Brooke Sullivan discusses the importance of labs in yoga nidra practice and how they can become a crutch or a helpful tool.
• Brooke and Bonnie discuss the similarities between the deep blue ocean and the pranic current in meditation and scuba diving.

Chapter Highlights

• Yoga, Ayurveda, and functional medicine. 10:07
  • Brooke Sullivan shares her love for nature and her passion for yoga, connecting with her dad through remedies and rituals.
  • Brooke finds a sangha sister in the speaker, feeling grateful for their synergy of similar interests.
  • Bonnie, a functional medicine practitioner candidate, combines Western and Eastern medicine approaches to provide personalized healthcare.
• Functional medicine approach to lab data interpretation. 15:27
  • Functional medicine focuses on root causes and prevention, while conventional medicine diagnoses and manages symptoms.
  • Speaker 3 highlights the value of functional lab testing in functional medicine, but also cautions against overreliance on expensive and potentially avoidant measures.
• Functional medicine, Ayurvedic practices, and reconnecting with body intelligence. 21:22
  • Focus on root causes vs. quick fixes in functional medicine practices.
  • Speaker 3 emphasizes the importance of understanding the body's responses to stress and disease, rather than viewing them as mistakes or failures.
  • Speaker 3 and Brooke Sullivan discuss the connection between functional medicine, lifestyle, nutrition, and alleviating stressors to promote healing and well-being.
• Yoga, tantra, and self-discovery. 25:49
  • Insight from yogic and tantric practices helps individuals understand themselves, set boundaries, and live authentically.
  • Brooke Sullivan describes a meditation practice called "incarnation pranayama" where she traced an o

Happy Dhanteras, and Diwali!

In this episode, I talk about Dharma from a few different angles, mentioning the books below (the first, written by my husband for Audible in 2020) and the second written by Kripalu's Scholar Emeritus, Stephen Cope.

I also mention the ancient teaching from the Vedas called Purashchartas, or The 4 Desires of the Soul.

Word Is Born by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo (Cactus) on Audible

The Great Work of Your Life Stephen Cope

Thank you for listening. Please follow for more episodes and share with those who would resonate:) 

Warmly,
Brooke

In this episode, Brooke interviews two seasoned tantric practitioners, Jeanne Heileman and Rene Quenell, about Navaratri, Tantra and the Goddess. Some of the topics we cover are:

• Navaratri practice and its significance
• Overcoming hardships through spiritual practices
• Feminine energy and spiritual practices during Navaratri
• Yoga, spirituality, and personal growth
• Self-mastery and the divine feminine
• Self-mastery, love, and healing through inner probing
• Superficiality vs. depth in spirituality and personal growth
• Esoteric yoga teachings and their impact on physiology and psyche
• Yoga teaching methods and personal growth
• Yoga and Tantra Practice Effectiveness
• Grief, yoga practice, and turning 60
• Yoga and tantra differences and intersections
• Tantra and Yoga Practice in Everyday Life
• Tantric Yoga and the Divine Mother

You can find Rene Quenell at https://www.renequenell.com/ and on IG @renequenell

You can find Jeane Heileman at https://jeanneheileman.com/ and on IG @jeanneheilemanyoga

To see a visual transcription of the Shanti Mantra from the Yajurveda that Brooke begins with, please visit www.thewildtemple.com and sign up to become a member (its free). The Mantra will be in General Topics.