In this episode, Su Terry, Magdalena Herreshoff and Johana Sand are exploring the intensity of these times which is effecting all of us both personally and collectively and how we can mine the spiritual understanding that we have gained through our practices for transformation.  From the outward appearance of chaos and dissolution, it seems bleak and life denying.  By listening to the ancient and modern wisdom teachings, a different picture is presented of the resurrection of our True Self through the breakdown of all that is false and a trust of what we essentially are.  Our suffering both personally and collectively are here to open us up to a greater depth if we can shift our perspective to see it that way. 

Magdalena Herreshoff,  Su Terry and Johana Sand are exploring the use of Koans in this episode, focusing on the new book from Roshi Joan Sutherland.  Joan's new book on koans, Through Forests of Every Color, from Shambhala Publications is an amazing read about how koans can help us take a different perspective on our life issues. “A clearer path or a better guide would be hard to find," says Red Pine, translator of Chinese texts, primarily Taoists and Buddhist poetry and sutras. Joan is a teacher in the koan tradition and the first woman teacher in her lineage in the Americas. She is one of the founders of the Pacific Zen School, an innovative contemporary koan school that also includes Pacific Zen Institute.

Koans short circuit the conceptual mind with a problem it cannot resolve, causing it to exhaust itself and release its claim on the primary way of knowing.  The ordinary mind loses its grip and one's true nature can be revealed and/or a deeper intuitive response.   

The paradox of free will vs. determinism has been one of great philosophical questions of all time. Su and Johana look at this from a perspective of freeing ourself and living a life of less suffering.  At first glance, it is threatening to even think that we do not have the free will we think we have.  From an eastern enlightenment perspective, where the existence of a separate self is seen through, the idea of free will can easily be deconstructed.  When looked at more deeply, it can be seen, not as a lack but as a way to see that Reality functions as a whole, and everything is inter-dependent. There is a great relief from the suffering of blame, shame and taking credit for anything.  It is a paradox as we will always have the experience that we are making free choices, but as always, things are not what they seem.  

References:  
Sam Harris - Making Sense Podcast #241, Final Thoughts On Free Will
In Search of the Miraculous by P.D. Ouspensky
The Strange Life of Ivan Osokin by P.D. Ouspensky

Johana interviews Darby, a collaborator on Cracking, about her awakening journey.  She has worked as a plant. medicine facilitator and other healing modalities as well as studying with various non-dual teachers. She is currently working with Scott Killoby and is a facilitator with his inquiry work to heal trauma.  In this interview, she shares her journey  and how she worked through her own trauma and now works with others to help them untangle beliefs that keep toxic patterns going.  Her story and her work are an inspiration.  

In this Episode, Johana Sand, Darby and Su  Terry are looking at our longing to have a perfect world and to perfect our person.  Looking more closely through this, we can see our expectations and beliefs that keep us trapped in a place of "getting there in the future:.  We are sensing that holding that place of acceptance as the witness/awareness, we begin to use the seeming imperfections as portals into our innate freedom.

The collaborators are looking at the meaning/ interpretation of what the metaphor of "Cracking the Code" means to them. We also give parts of our background and what is moving us now and how we can use these collective and personal shadows to expand us and live as our True Nature.

Su Terry & Johana Sand explore the difference of morality codes that are opposed from the outside ie; religion, law, and culture vs. listening to our inner guidance and authority.  We have to be discerning and learn to live from our own integrity and the freedom of our Real Nature and not get caught in the often ego directed information of our collective.

We explore the deeper significance of The Matrix and what it means to be outside of it