Ann Patchett, the award-winning author of numerous books including “Bel Canto” and “State of Wonder,” joins her good friend Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the hit bestseller “Eat, Pray, Love,” to talk about the challenges and joys of their craft. In this thrilling conversation, Patchett and Gilbert ask each other how and why they write, covering everything from grief, to frustration, to divine inspiration.

Ann Patchett & Elizabeth Gilbert on Writing

David Whyte - Venturing Across the Unknown

African Tribe - African Tribal Music

East Africa

A 15-minute meditation that begins by imagining yourself surrounded by a circle of the most loving beings, making generous offerings of love and goodwill to you.

A Compassion Practice for Opening the Heart

This is an 8-minute summary of the album which is available here: https://andruskannel.bandcamp.com/album/alam-pedja-soundscapes-through-the-four-seasons

Alam-Pedja is vast protected wilderness area covering 342 square kilometres. It is situated in Central Estonia northeast of Lake Võrtsjärv, in a lowland area called the Võrtsjärv Basin and consists of rivers, their floodplains, various bogs, and some very different types of forests. There are very few people living there so that the human population density is comparable to that of wolf, bear and lynx. There are few roads so the forests and bogs are not too fragmented. Since 1997 Alam-Pedja has been recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. In 2004 it was designated a Natura 2000 site.

In this album we hear recordings made in the mornings, in the day time, evenings and at nights from different types of habitats in Alam-Pedja. These soundscapes cover the springtime through summer to late autumn. Album starts with a soundscape recording where still lasts winter time. The listener gets a good idea of ​​how Alam-Pedja sounds through the year, gets a feel for the spirit and majesty of this wild area. Recordings were made over two years; 2017 & 2018.

My special thanks to fellow nature recordist Fintan O’Brien for valuable advice and help.

Alam-Pedja soundscapes thtough the four seasons

Alam-Pedja soundscapes through the four seasons (Preview)

Recorded by an ORTF setup (Schoeps CCM4x2) on a Sound Devices Mixpre6
Original recording in Wave, 96k, 24bit
GPS: -22.392431,-44.553263
Sound Ref:  BR-190812-07
Recorded during the Interativos 2019 organized by Silo
Download on Freesound here https://freesound.org/people/felix.blume/sounds/479286/

Toads during the night in a pound, in Serrinha do Alambri (Brazil)

Tawny Owl recorded in southern Sweden (Sep 2019) from 25 meters / 80 ft. by Mats Bentmar using the SCHOEPS Parabolic Dish Set (hand-held) with the SCHOEPS CCM 4 cardioid microphone + SCHOEPS ParabolEQ Plug In, FREE, with parameters quickly set for each recording:
+ Distance (Close to Far Off)
+ Aim Inaccuracy (ON Center to OFF Center)
+ Diffuse/Free Field (Pure Diffuse Field to Pure Free Field)
+ Microphone (CCM 4, CCM 2, CCM 21 or CCM 22)
+ Low Cut (ON/OFF)
+ High Wind Cover (HWC, Windjammer or no windcover)
+ Presets (Sport, Nature, SFX etc.)
NO OTHER POST PRODUCTION.
For more information please visit: schoeps.de/dish
Photo by Mats Bentmar: www.bentmar.com
Telinga Microphones: www.telinga.com

SCHOEPS Parabolic Dish Set: Tawny Owl, 25 m / 80 ft, MONO, SCHOEPS parabolEQ plugin

VictorYibril : instruments and treatments

playing with
https://soundcloud.com/marcolucchi/eine-kleine-elektronische-meditation

for "Elektronische Meditationen", a project by Marco Lucchi

VictorYibril & Marco Lucchi - Meditación

Sonic spooky beauty at the midst of night at the bank of the Black River.

Deep in the night, at the banks of the black river

In this podcast episode, Michael explores the ethic of not stealing (asteya). Dogen, a wonderful Zen master, translates it this way: “The self and things of the world are just as they are. The gate of freedom is open.” This ethic is about being satisfied with what I have. Another way you could translate this is: not taking what’s not given freely. 

Recorded in 2011.

Being Satisfied (Asteya)

In this podcast episode, Michael discusses the relationship between awareness and morality or mindfulness and ethics. When we are faced with the unprecedented and unrepeatable complexities of this moment, the question is not, “What is the right thing to do?” but “What is the compassionate thing to do?” This question can be approached with integrity but not with certainty. 

Recorded in 2011.

Awareness & Morality

Awake in the World Podcast is a library of talks on a wide-range of topics, including bringing mindfulness and meditation practice into daily life; personal and community issues regarding mental health; and social change. The podcasts were recorded at live events so you might hear coughing, airplanes, cars, sirens, laughter, and peoples’ questions—all part of the intimate experience. Michael Stone (1974-2017) was a Buddhist teacher, author, and mental health advocate. His legacy is stewarded by Carina Stone. Podcast funded by Patreon (patreon.com/michaelstone).