"Spirituality for Badasses" by J. Stewart Dixon

 

Credit: Author J. Stewart Dixon

Jeff, Welcome to Authors by Sasha! As the author of "Spirituality for Badasses: How to Find Inner Peace Without Losing Your Cool", what motivated you to finally write a book that blossomed from at least twenty nine years of experience working with unorthodox teachers to discover your best self?

Spirituality for Badasses is my second book.  The first was written ten years ago.  I’ve had multiple false starts on a second book over the years.  I’d write a chapter or two and then resign it to the dust bin. Spirituality for Badasses came about after a frustrating attempt to make a more conventional version of my work fly. It didn’t fly. It flopped. So, in frustration, I said screw it, and wrote the first few chapters of Spirituality for Badasses in one sitting.  I gave those chapters away for free and it immediately flew.  

Your life experience includes history with drugs and alcohol, conventional therapy and pharmaceutical drugs. When and how did these influences enter your life path?  

College. Typical pot smoking, beer drinking hijinks. 

What was the hardest challenge you faced when breaking up with these substances in your journey? 

Who said I broke up with them?  I still drink tequila, whiskey or beer while barbequing on the back deck. And I smoke pot occasionally at night in my hot-tub. 

What were you seeking during this phase of your life? (Were you seeking a higher source, or were you a rebel without a cause?) 

My use of drugs and alcohol was and is mostly recreational.  Every once in a blue moon I’d have some sort of quasi-slightly deluded insight from pot. 

How did you perceive spirituality before you embraced it as a lifestyle? What diverse modes of spiritual healing did you try before committing to mediums that worked for you?  

With healthy skepticism. Then, while in college, I had several major kundalini/out-of-body experiences that proved to me there was something to it.  I practiced kundalini yoga with 3HO foundation for 3-4 years in my early twenties.  I was a big fan of The Monroe Institute as well (Robert Monroe wrote the famous new age book Journeys Out of the Body)

The book "Spirituality for Badasses" infuses self-help and humor to deliver healing to global audiences effected by the pandemic. Some perceive humor to be a double edged sword -- it can nurture the human spirit and for some it's a defense mechanism that helps them survive in a world that can be cruel at times.  

As an engineer and global citizen, how do you view humor?     

I agree.  Humor can be used to avoid or embrace deeper issues.  I use humor in SFB as a disarming mechanism.  The humor disarms any preconceived ideas the reader may have about what spirituality should look, feel or sound like. It’s much easier to charm someone, than to argue with or convince them. First the lollipop- then the medicine. 

What advice do you have for readers who can benefit from lightening up a bit?  

Laughter is good medicine.  Notice where you are when you laugh- in the present moment.  In your body. In your heart. Happy.

Many people are a 'work in progress'. What were the initial steps taken to slowly detach yourself from the fleeting man-made influences (drugs, alcohol, Prozac) that weren't helping you in the long run? What was the turning point that encouraged you to pursue a new solution to continue your quest for "seeking" from the universe? 

Direct spiritual experience that provides an insight, change or big aha moment makes drugs and alcohol seem like doggy treats.  Turning point for me- having multiple out-of-body experiences. 

Jeff, you've tried conventional therapy. What was your experience like and did you learn anything?  Given your experience, do you have thoughts on why such therapy works for some individuals whereas others struggle with this specific mode of healing? 

My experience of traditional therapy: Dry, heady and lacking in depth. Once I switched to nondual-zen satsang teachers and energy workers I found what I was looking for.  I believe it’s hit or miss- Kinda like dating.  I think there are both awesome and shitty therapists, satsang teachers and energy workers out there.  Getting stuck or struggling means you just haven’t found the right one yet.

As the author of "Spirituality for Badasses", you've referenced moments where you were 'too smart for your own good'. Can you share a few examples when you were too smart for your own good that it resulted in attracting more complications in your life?

Ego/personality/identity is too smart for its own good and caused much suffering throughout my life. My whole spiritual path adventure was about seeing, accepting and transforming ego. When ego shifted from the pilot's seat to the co-pilot's seat- everything changed for the better.

Is there a way for people to tame their ego so their 'smartness' doesn't rob them of a chance of living an authentic and abundant life? 

Mindfulness does this. It’s much better to be aware than to be smart.  But it takes some humility and usually some ass kicking or suffering before we decide to let awareness take precedence over smartness.

Spirituality is a tool that can transform lives on local and global levels.  

What emotions did you encounter day to day as these shifts were taking place within you? 

I was a pro at dark-night-of-the-soul shit: anxiety attacks, fear of death, existential annihilation fears, bodily trembling, sweating and contracting.  I swam in a sea of monsters before finding the calm warm bay.

How were you able to entertain these healthy transformations without ‘losing your cool and compromising your libido’? 😊 

When you peer through to the ultimate nondual nature of existence- then all experience equalizes. There is no difference between sex, an ice-cream cone or Nirvakalpa samadhi.   So abstaining from these things is pointless. Ergo- you can still be the unique, funny, artistic, quirky, strange, quiet, shy (however it manifests) badass cool you.

What are nonduality-advaita-zen-unorthodox teachers? What role do they play in your life? 

Teachers like Eckhart Tolle, Adyashanti, Andrew Cohen, Saniel Bonder, Gangaji, Adi-Da, Osho and more.  They played an immense role in my life. Most 20-somethings have a little black book filled with the phone numbers of girlfriends or boyfriends. My little black book had spiritual teachers in it.

Spirituality helps people recognize parts of themselves that can benefit from healing. What part of yourself needed to be healed, helped and restored to ensure that you live your best life aligned with a higher purpose? 

I suffered from existential depression, anxiety attacks and feelings of separation. When this crap went away permanently I raised my hand and said:  Cool. I’m okay now.  Thank you, universe.

Jeff, what spiritual practices help you maintain a state of mindfulness amidst the uncertain times we live in today? 

I don’t practice.  I’m it.  What’s the point of practicing to get to a place that I’m already in? So being it is my practice. “I am that”- Nisargadatta Maharaj  😊  And based on my 52 years on this forlorn little planet…times are always uncertain.

Credit: Spirituality for Badasses

When writing "Spirituality for Badasses", what did you learn about the writing process? Do you have any tips for writers wanting to launch their first book? 

I love writing. I go deep into the Zen happy spot zone when writing. Tips for a book launch: hire a professional.  I did. Money well spent.

What does 'badass' mean in your life? When did you finally discover your badass and how has it improved your quality of life? 

Badass means being courageous. A spiritual badass channels his or her courage into the spiritual adventure of knowing thyself. When I finally discovered my own spiritual badass true nature it ended my depression, anxiety attacks and feelings of separation. That improved my life, to say the least.

What guidance do you have for people wanting to improve or change the circumstances in their life? 

Read Spirituality for Badasses. 

Please share with audiences how people can support your work.  

Private sessions, coaching or courses: www.spiritualityforbadasses.com.

Buy the book @ Amazon here.

Ramon Martinez on Real Estate Literacy & Training

Ramon Martinez Joins Sasha in Conversation on Moving Mountains!

Credit: Wholesale Sharks | Ramon Martinez

Credit: Ramon Martinez, Future Sharks

Meet Ramon Martinez, Founder of Ramon Wholesale Sharks

Ramon Martinez or Ramon Wholesale Sharks (best known in the social media world) used to work for people, now he teaches people how to work for themselves. Let go from corporate America, Martinez went from breeding English bulldogs just to make ends meet to running a multi-million dollar wholesale real estate company. Now, he’s giving back by helping others achieve the same success he has.

Ramon was born and raised in Hermosillo Sonora Mexico. He graduated from Alhambra High School & dropped out of Phoenix College. He's worked for such companies as Chase Bank, Wells Fargo & Bank of America. Ramon resides in Phoenix and works alongside his Brother Rodrigo Martinez, his cousin Christian Murrieta, & sister Raquel Martinez. Credit: Ramon Martinez

His appearance on Moving Mountains with Sasha focuses on his early days in corporate america prior to life circumstances challenging him to expand upon his existing business acumen to serve clients in the market. Ramon passionately shares his journey as he navigates through a few seasons of change as he discovers his success in the real estate realm. As a successful businessman, he's investing his time in training future entrepreneurs to capitalize upon their skills on their terms.

David Botos Unites Top Talents with Organizations

Credit: Sasha Talks | Image: David Botos

Meet David Botos, Founder & CEO of Helix

David Botos envisioned Helix as an opportunity to provide his incredibly talented, case competition winning, upperclassmen colleagues an opportunity to be paid for engaging with leading organizations and helping them solve real challenges while at university. David brings incredible value to the table from his experiences at leading healthcare organizations in Chicago such as MATTER. In addition, he has hands-on experience participating in and winning national level case competitions hosted by P&G, KPMG, Oliver Wyman and United Airlines. Credit: Helix

Helix Professional Services connects firms to a network of premium college talent for any work related to their current business challenges. They offer affordable case competitions for startups and scaling businesses looking for guidance on strategy, business model reformatting, projects or for any other requests. As the first college level recruiting hub, they give students a chance to practice real world business problems and offer firms the resources they need to be successful. Working with Helix does not only grant an opportunity for recruitment, but also pushes brand promotion to tens of thousands of contacts, formulates a series of unique marketing solutions and provides only the best insights to addressing their clients' business challenges. 

Credit: Helix Network

Audiences and interested members are encouraged to visit the Helix website to explore the Helix Ambassadorship Program, join the growing Helix Network population that comprises of top talents from colleges throughout the United States and learn how businesses can partner with this innovative recruiting channel to maintain their competitive advantage in the market.

#BookReads "Let That Sh*t Go"

Credit: Let That Sh*t Go

Overview

It’s no wonder you can’t calm down: your to-do list is as long as your arm, your bank balance keeps dropping, you feel guilty for not calling your parents more often and there always seems to be a big deadline to meet at work. You need a serious breather—but you can barely find time to shower, let alone to exercise or meditate.

In Let That Sh*t Go, Kate Petriw and Nina Purewal share the wisdom they’ve gained though decades of practicing and teaching others to find peace of mind no matter how busy they are. Learn to put your life in perspective, take each day one step at a time and steal moments of calm amid the chaos. And remember: it’s not worth holding onto that sh*t. Credit: Amazon

Life, Career & Business Insights from the Best

Authors by Sasha Celebrate Past Contributors as New Members Join the Fun!

(Below is Copyrighted Content Courtesy of Kreative Circle & Authors by Sasha)

#sample #excerpts

Credit: Quotes, Steve Martin

What guidance do you have for novice professionals who want to pursue a career in Film and TV Production? 

“MARRY RICH.  Only kidding. 

Many years ago, a Producer named Joe Manduke said to me: “Joe, in order to succeed in this business, you must want it more than life itself.” At the time, that sounded like self-serving hyperbole. But time and experience has cast that line in a different light.  You must be prepared to disrupt relationships, miss family dinners, work around the clock and leave town on very short notice. 

In my career, I have been punched, stabbed, needed eye surgery because of how velocity freezing wind and stood on broken bricks for twelve hours enduring extreme pain. And always saying to myself: “What? And give up showbiz?”

Joe Wallenstein

 Author & Hollywood Producer

Dr. Tran-Harding, the show shares the stories of "heroes" in the medical community and society. While growing up, what did you envision a hero to be? How has that perception of a 'hero' evolved for you over the years?

Growing up, I always envisioned the typical textbook definition of a hero to be someone who is courageous, an overachiever, and a superhuman. Over time, my perception of hero now also includes someone (or something – animals can be heroes too!) that is selfless, caring, and giving. So in a way, what I thought of as a hero when I was a child really expanded into the many heroes we see every day, beyond just health care professionals. I think that anyone that does a kind deed for others without even considering getting anything back in return is a truly commendable person. 

Dr. Karen Tran Harding

 Founder & Host of Medical Heroes

Some of your works include the American Horror Story, Bones, 2 Broke Girls and For Nothing. What have you learned about receiving direction from Directors and improvising at your discretion?

Well, this is a tricky question. I always believe in being open to improv. But there are times when it wouldn't be appropriate for the character or the moment. But I think in all of those projects you listed that we were all very open to collaboration and improv. In Bones, the director and I decided to do something in that scene and not tell David Boreanez that we were going to do it so that they could just catch his reaction when the cameras were rolling. In American Horror Story, Sarah Paulson asked if we could just play in the scene at one part, which, of course, I loved. To get to work with excellent actors and get to play in the moment with them, that's it. That's the best. 

Megan Davis

 Hollywood Actress & Producer

You just released a book “Speed Matters: Why Best in Class Business Leaders Prioritize Workforce Time to Proficiency Metrics."  The book is described as "distilled wisdom from an extensive research on 66 start-to-end project success stories spanning 28 industries, contributed by 85 best in class business leaders from 7 countries". What led you to write this book?

The book came into conception mainly because of the Covid-19 crisis. During that dire time, we saw how many organizations struggled to adapt to the radical changes enforced by Covid-19. But at the same time, for many others, it has accelerated the need to transform and fast track in the competitive business world. The key challenge I see is how leaders and organizations will prepare their employees for faster recovery. But there is a crucial gap in executive education. The executives, leaders, and managers have never been training in the science of speed. So, I thought this was the right time to give them important leadership thinking to effectively tackle contemporary issues. 

Dr. Raman K Attri

 Author & Speaker; Speed Specialist

Brad, often in your videos you touch upon the words 'resistance', 'healing', and 'acceptance'. How do you define these words?

Resistance – Resistance is that force that stops us from making the positive choices and taking the positive actions that we know would lead to the circumstances we desire.  It’s self-sabotage, but it comes from a loving intention to protect us from something we have been led to believe would be harmful to us in some way, even though that may seem illogical.  This programming is most often based on misunderstandings – ours or someone else’s – but the longer we’ve bought into it, the stronger the resistance is likely to be. For example, if we’ve been taught that “money is the root of all evil,” our subconscious mind will resist opportunities to make more money, because it is protecting us from being evil.  We will sabotage possible relationships if we’ve learned that people tend to hurt us, and we understandably want to resist that.

Healing – This is the process of letting go what no longer serves us so that we experience greater freedom and well-being, physically as well as emotionally. It is a return to who we really are – this unique expression of light and love.

Acceptance – Many people find acceptance a challenging concept, because we often mistake it for approval.  Acceptance isn’t saying that things which cause us pain in our life are okay. But rather an acknowledgment that they are there.  Too often we fight the idea of what is there, which makes it difficult if not impossible to resolve issues.  If your dog poops on your carpet, you need to accept the truth that it is there in order to clean it up.

Brad Yates

 Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Specialist & Author

Your book "The Grace Effect" is inspired by your adopted daughter Sasha's life story in Ukraine. How did you two cross paths?  How soon did you recognize Sasha was meant to be a part of your life? What has she taught you about life, faith and fatherhood?

I did not meet Sasha until her adoption was well underway. My wife and my three boys participated in a mission trip to bring relief to children languishing in Ukrainian orphanages. There they met Sasha who, as an HIV-positive child, had little hope of being adopted. Lauri proposed we adopt her. We did. She had a huge influence on us all in many ways, not the least of which was the fact that I grew up in a family of boys and had all boys. When Sasha, with all of her girliness, entered our household, it was … an adjustment! But her life, her suffering, her perspective, is much needed in a country where so many see themselves as victims when they aren’t. Not really. By contrast, Sasha has known suffering on a scale that beggars the imagination. That continues to shape my perspective.

Larry Alex Taunton

 Author, Speaker & Cultural Commentator

Do you believe that most individuals have the ability to refine their communication skills in order to become better writers?

One of the first things I do in my Creative Writing course is to ‘Bust the Talent Myth’. There is research indicating that ‘talent’ is really ‘deliberate practice’; i.e. those who demonstrate great ability are usually the people who apply themselves more diligently/passionately than others. (This includes the classic example of Mozart, who had already practiced several thousand hours by the age of six.) I’m not particularly interested in arguing the point philosophically that there is no such thing as talent, but I do like to give my students this acronym: TALENT = Time, Application, Love – Energy, Not Talent. It’s not about being lucky enough to have been bestowed with talent; writing skill comes about as a result of writing (and reading).

Liliane Grace

Award-Winning Global Author, Speaker & Writing Coach 

Are there any writing tips you can share with new authors?​

Absolutely. I actually coach other authors and have an entire talk I give on writing books. The first thing is just go for it. Put pen to paper or fingers on the computer keys, or dictation and just get it out. And don’t think about it as writing an entire book. That seems so incredibly overwhelming. Think about it as writing a few sentences that become a paragraph that become a chapter that becomes a book. Break it down into doable chunks of what you want to say. As far as publishing goes, everybody thinks they want a traditional publisher. And that’s great for some but isn’t usually unfit for most authors. Think about what you really want from writing that book. Why are you writing the book? If it’s going to be a vanity project or something that you sell at your office or give away to friends and clients, a traditional publisher is not going to be the route to go for you. There are many low cost if not free self-publishing options that will get you the results you want. Also know that traditional publishers are not easy to get. Many will only go through an agent, which also takes a while to obtain. You have to write proposals that can be up to 50 or 60 pages. And it’s not quick. Most books through publishers take 12 to 24 months to get on a shelf. 

Kathy Gruver, PhD.

 Author, Speaker, Coach & Holistic Practitioner

Dchained provides a platform to educate oneself on cryptocurrency without complexity. Which topic is the most popular within the Dchained community that delivers utility value among members and potential investors? 

By far, most traffic has come to our section outlining Bitcoin. However, it’s been fascinating to see that nearly half the traffic is over the age of 50 to our Bitcoin content. In general, investing strategy for many starts to shift to assets with less risk as the individual moves closer to retirement age. However, this trend makes sense as the yields from Treasury bonds have decreased steadily as the Federal Reserve has increased the supply of money to support the US economy during COVID. This practice, known as quantitative easing, has led investors to seek out two of the most stable investment assets available: gold and Bitcoin. 

Edmund McCormack

 CEO & Founder Dchained

In the mid 1970's you started working as a freelancer for BBC radio and television. How were you introduced to the BBC organization? What did you learn at BBC which helped you refine the art of writing and storytelling?

I fell into writing for the BBC, as prior to this I was a drummer in a pop rock band, the lead guitarist and singer is a guy called Phil Campbell, who had previously worked as a runner for Hammer Films, the makers of numerous horror films, starring the likes of Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Vincent Price to name but a few.  So Phil suggested we get together as he had a friend who needed some scripts for a hospital radio program. We produced the scripts and were left with a plethora of material which Phil sent to the BBC. One of those jokes got selected by ‘The Two Ronnie’s’ who at the time were probably the leading comedy duo on TV and we had our material on their Christmas show. Once bitten by the comedy bug, we looked around for more places to approach, we chose ‘Hudd Lines’ which starred and was performed by the late Roy Hudd, the Producer was John Lloyd MBE, who is also the Producer of ‘Not the Nine O Clock News’ and Black Adder as well as many other comedy shows. Now we were in the BBC, all be it on the fringe, we wrote for a satirical  show called ‘Week Ending’ starring David Jason who went on to become ’Dell Boy’ in Only Fools and Horses. Some of the Producers on ‘Week Ending’ became household names like Gryth Rhys Jones and the late Douglas Adams of ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.’ I also started to try some one off scripts and was picked up by BBC Scotland who produced a show called ‘A kick up the 80’s’ with Tracey Ullman. Phil was writing for Dick Emery by then. All these people in many ways contributed to my education in writing, I don’t think I would have written much had it not been for this experience.

Myron Edwards

 Author & Former Advertising Professional

#Authors Dr. Gundry & Dr. Hyman Discuss Nutrition

 

Meet the Doctors & Authors

Dr. Gundry

Steven Gundry, MD, is a renowned cardiologist, New York Times best-selling author, and medical researcher. During his 40-year career in medicine, he has performed over 10,000 heart surgeries and developed life-saving medical technology. In 2008, his book Dr. Gundry’s Diet Evolution revealed his new career shift—helping patients to heal themselves and avoid surgery through diet. In April 2017, new innovative health discoveries were revealed in his second book, The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers of ‘Healthy’ Foods That Cause Disease & Weight Gain, published by Harpers Wave. The New York Times bestseller outlines a 90-day plan for some of the most pressing health issues, from obesity to heart disease. Gundry MD, a wellness blog, YouTube channel, and supplement company, was founded by Dr. Gundry in 2016 to further equip people with powerful tools in reclaiming their health. Dr. Gundry practices medicine at his waitlist-only clinics at the Center for Restorative Medicine and International Heart & Lung Institute in Palm Springs and Santa Barbara, CA. More info can be found at his websites: drgundry.com and gundrymd.com. (Credit: Institute for Functional Medicine & Amazon)

Dr. Hyman

Dr. Mark Hyman is leading a health revolution—one revolved around using food as medicine to support longevity, energy, mental clarity, happiness, and so much more. Dr. Hyman is a practicing family physician and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of Functional Medicine. He is the founder and director of The UltraWellness Center, the Head of Strategy and Innovation of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, a fourteen-time New York Times bestselling author, and Board President for Clinical Affairs for The Institute for Functional Medicine. He is the host of one of the leading health podcasts, The Doctor’s Farmacy. Dr. Hyman is a regular medical contributor on several television shows and networks, including CBS This Morning, Today, Good Morning America, The View, and CNN. He is also an advisor and guest co-host on The Dr. Oz Show. (Credit: Dr. Hyman & Amazon)

Founder & Author Sasha Laghonh on Learning

 Founder & Author Sasha Laghonh Discusses Learning & Growth

Full Interview available here.

Credit: Sasha Laghonh; EnterpriseZone.cc

Dr. Joseph Murphy Discusses the Mind

 

Credit: The Power of Your Mind

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind will open a world of success, happiness, prosperity, and peace for you. It is one of the most brilliant and beloved spiritual self-help works of all time which can help you heal yourself, banish your fears, sleep better, enjoy better relationships and just feel happier. The techniques are simple and results come quickly. You can improve your relationships, your finances, your physical well-being. In this book, the author fuses his spiritual wisdom and scientific research to bring to light how the sub-conscious mind can be a major influence on our daily lives. Once you understand your subconscious mind, you can also control or get rid of the various phobias that you may have in turn opening a brand new world of positive energy. (Credit: Amazon Books) 

Meet the Author, Dr. Joseph Murphy 

Joseph Murphy was born in Ireland, the son of a private boy's school headmaster and raised a Roman Catholic. He studied for the priesthood and joined the Jesuits. In his twenties, an experience with healing prayer led him to leave the Jesuits and move to the United States, where he became a pharmacist in New York (having a degree in chemistry by that time). Here he attended the Church of the Healing Christ (part of the Church of Divine Science), where Emmet Fox had become minister in 1931. In the mid 1940s, he moved to Los Angeles, where he met Religious Science founder Ernest Holmes, and was ordained into Religious Science by Holmes in 1946, thereafter teaching at the Institute of Religious Science. A meeting with Divine Science Association president Erwin Gregg led to him being reordained into Divine Science, and he became the minister of the Los Angeles Divine Science Church in 1949, which he built into one of the largest New Thought congregations in the country. In the next decade, Murphy married, earned a PhD in psychology from the University of Southern California and started writing. After his first wife died in 1976, he remarried to a fellow Divine Science minister who was his longstanding secretary. He died in 1981. (Credit: POSM, ebook 9788193540114)