Showing results by publisher "Better Listen" in All Categories

Special guest Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central’s Colbert Report talks about the joys of being a science geek. Brilliant scientific discoveries and cutting edge technology have transformed our world, yet many people are turned off by science. Where has the excitement for science gone, and how can we get it back? Stephen Colbert developed an interest in science at a young age, and now he shares that fascination by inviting scientists to appear on his show The Colbert Report.

The late Elisabeth Kubler-Ross was a pioneer in the field of death and dying, and she established the five stages of grief, now widely acknowledged, accepted, and utilized in day-to-day practice. Kubler-Ross' curiosity about death and dying led her to witness and hear about extraordinary events.

In this fascinating transcribed excerpt from Consciousness, Aging and the New Millennium, Ram Dass - beloved teacher and author of the seminal work Be Here Now - explains to workshop attendees how absolutely any experience, even driving a car, can be used to expand awareness and awaken spiritually.

Baba Yaga’s Bag is an evening of stories about herbal medicines, in which we will accompany Vasa Lisa as she seeks fire from a witch, listen in as Old Woman knits cozy mittens and gloves for Old Man, cheer as the plants fight back when insects threaten to end the “problem of man”, and journey to China for a bittersweet tale of lovers and herb gathering on a wild mountain.

Space is now big business. Technology originally developed for the space program sometimes ends up in products for use on Earth, often in surprising ways. The 40,000 certified “Space Products” range from mattresses to medical devices, and have turned space into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Inspired by our excursions into the Final Frontier, entrepreneurs and inventors are turning stardust into gold.

What price do we put on knowledge? How does it profit a man if he learns about the universe, but goes to bed hungry? When the economy takes a downturn, should we still go up into space? NASA missions aren’t cheap - sending astronauts into low Earth orbit or to the Moon, sending robotic spacecraft to explore the planets, and launching telescopes into space can cost millions or even billions of dollars. Lou Friedman, director of the Planetary Society, argues that even when the dollar is dear, the quest to explore our universe is priceless.

Today's caregivers are under extraordinary stress. Right now, we are all looking at the challenges of dealing with a huge aging population (every eight seconds a baby boomer turns 65). This leads to an increasing amount of care being rendered by people who aren’t health care professionals. This wonderful program speaks to all types of caregivers. It consists of a heart-to-heart talk, a reminder of the true source of healing, how the relationship with a caregiver can support this healing, and how important it is to recognize caregiver stress and prevent caregiver burnout.

Learn to deepen your intimate connection on all levels: physical, emotional, and spiritual. When you experience deep intimacy with your beloved partner, your face glows and your heart sings. You feel connected in your soul. Learning to be intimate involves attending to the energy that moves through your body. As you develop the ability to direct this energy, you maximize your aliveness and sexual presence.

For years, Marianne Williamson has been offering weekly lectures based on A Course in Miracles. These lectures are profound, insightful, and compelling, with an always-relevant message. Recorded live in Los Angeles, BetterListen! is delighted to offer you the opportunity to partake in the wisdom of Marianne Williamson and the Course in Miracles by making these lectures available as MP3 downloads. Recorded live on January 23, 2012 in Los Angeles.

Robert Thurman examines one of the most sacred texts of Mahayana Buddhism, The Vimalakirti-nirdesha Sutra. To any Buddhist practitioner, particularly those of Vajrayana Buddhism and Zen, this sutra is of the utmost importance. Unlike most sutras, its central figure is not a Buddha, but an ordinary man, who, in his mastery of the doctrine and religious practice, personifies the ideal lay believer, assuring commoners that they can reach levels of spiritual attainment comparable to those accessible to monks.

In this inspired talk recorded live in Europe, Thomas Moore – internationally known theologian and author of New York Times best seller Care of the Soul and A Life at Work, among other titles — shares the roots of his work and approach to philosophy and living. He goes on to explore how our sexually repressed society contributes to violence and dysfunction in the current age, revealing the connection between the repression of pleasure and an urge toward depression and violence.

Rick Hanson's lecture and meditation bundle on acceptance, presented by Betterlisten, delve deeply into the concept of acceptance as a transformative practice in personal growth and emotional well-being. Hanson explores acceptance in three key domains: our experiences, ourselves, and the world. He distinguishes between the inherent difficulties or unpleasantness in life and our aversion to them. The core message is that while it's natural to dislike or wish for change in certain situations, true suffering often arises from our resistance and aversion rather than the difficulties themselves.

Could you travel to the past and visit Julius Caesar? Could you travel to the year 4000 and see what the future is like? Find out about the possibilities and paradoxes of time travel. Time marches on except in astrophysics. Einstein taught us that time is a coordinate in space, and it’s all relative. Learn about the weird physics of our universe that could make time travel possible. Standing in for Lynne Koplitz this week is J. Richard Gott, III, author of Time Travel in Einstein’s Universe.

Thich Nhat Hanh encourages us to practice metta mediation in the first three days of the new year. On the first day we practice for ourselves. On the second day we practice for the other person we love. On the third day we practice for the other person (or institution) that makes us suffer. Concrete practices are described for the coming year.

We are always giving ourselves away by what we say. Therefore, we should look very carefully at the words that come out of our mouth. According to the course, miracles are everyone's right but purification is necessary first. The mouth can act wrongly only when it responds to mis-thought. Therefore, we should be watchful of our words. When we go on a diet, we cut out certain foods and we cut back on others.

In this follow-up to Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life, Kabat-Zinn adds a decidedly American flair to the elusive art of living fully in each moment as it unfolds. This product includes guided instruction in mindful walking, sitting meditation, mindful hatha yoga, and also Kabat-Zinn's responses to questions from workshop participants, which may help deepen both one's understanding and commitment to the cultivation of mindfulness.

A sermon by Michael Beckwith recorded on April 17, 2008.

Beyond their cultural significance, both beverages offer various health benefits. Coffee is rich in antioxidants and has been associated with improved cognitive function, a reduced risk of certain diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and even enhanced physical performance. Tea, whether green, black, or herbal, contains polyphenols that may contribute to heart health, boost the immune system, and provide anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, the ritual of preparing and enjoying these beverages has therapeutic qualities, promoting relaxation and social interaction.

Scientists have been searching for aliens in our solar system and beyond, but have not yet found evidence that life exists beyond Earth. SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, has been scanning the stars for alien radio beacons for 50 years. Radio and TV broadcasts have been leaking from Earth’s atmosphere for over a century, and these traveling time capsules could eventually reach a broader audience than ever imagined. Neil and Lynne review the methods used to locate aliens and discuss what to do if you’re ever abducted.

In this live session - one of Shakti Gawain's finest presentations in her stellar career - she gives an entire, powerful seminar in creative visualization, showing how to use mental imagery and affirmations to produce positive changes in our lives. She guides us through meditations and exercises that are aimed at helping us channel our natural creative energies, strengthen self-esteem, improve overall health, and experience deep relaxation.