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Ep. 209 A Good Death: Sensuality, Life and Learning to Die Authentically with Katy Butler

Spirit Sessions Podcast Ep. 209 A Good Death: Sensuality, Life and Learning to Die Authentically with Katy Butler

Today Katie is joined by Buddhist journalist and New York Times bestseller, Katy Butler. Her books examine how our culture has over-medicalized death and lost touch with its sacredness. In this episode, Katy and Katie candidly discuss the topics others often avoid including food addictions, death and finding your voice in the bedroom!

If you’re ready to deepen your spiritual practice we invite you to join the 2025 class of our Divine Feminine Ayurveda School. Doors close soon, so click here to learn more and enroll today!

CW: Abuse against women and childhood abuse are mentioned in this episode which may be triggering for some listeners.

In this episode with Katy Butler, you’ll hear:

~ An invitation to our Feminine-Form Ayurveda School!

~ How Katy overcame her food addiction

~ How to start shedding shame

~ Katy Butlers’s experiences studying with Thich Nhat Hanh

~ The importance of telling your story

~ How Katy Butler found her journalistic voice

~ The five Buddhist remembrances

~ Lessons learned from watching a loved one die

~ What is a good death?

~ The Ars Moriendi (The Art of Dying)

~ Bringing homegrown ritual into your life and death

~ Finding your voice in the bedroom

~ How Katy keeps her relationship steamy in her 70s

~ Get our free mini-course about Women’s Wisdom and Ayurveda!

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

~ Learn more about our Ayurveda School

~ Connect with Katy Butler on her website and Facebook

~ Katy’s first book, Knocking on Heaven’s Door

~ Katy’s latest book, The Art of Dying Well

~ Read Katy Butler’s article in Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Not Empty, Not Full

~ The Hite Report: A National Study of Female Sexuality

~ Our Spirit Sessions Membership

~ Follow The Shakti School on Instagram and Facebook

Related episodes:

~ Ep. 142 360 Degree Love: It Ain’t All Sex, Bonbons and Roses

~ Ep. 205 Winter Magic, Death and Dignity

Or Subscribe on iTunes

Learn more:

  • Ayurveda Certification
  • The Shakti School Subscription

Help Us Spread Our Pod Wings!

I hope you loved this discussion with Katy Butler! This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you love show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

From my heart to yours,

Katie

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Ep. 186 Menopause Made Me Look Like My Mother with Mary Thompson

This is a picture of Mary Thompson and Katie Silcox. It links to the show notes for and episode of the Spirit Sessions podcast about menopause.

If you’re perimenopausal or know someone in menopause, this episode is for you! Unfortunately, much of the mainstream conversation around menopause shames women for experiencing symptoms, but in this episode, Katie and fellow Ayurveda wise woman Mary Thompson offer a softer, more spiritual perspective. They discuss common symptoms of perimenopause, simple Ayurvedic practices you can use to mitigate these symptoms and the spiritual gifts of menopause!

Want to learn more about menopause and women's wellness from Mary Thompson and our other amazing teachers? Our year-long Ayurveda School is open for registration!

 

In this episode you’ll hear: 

~ What's going on in your body during menopause?

~ Freeing yourself from shame

~ Common perimenopause symptoms

~ Ayurvedic practices to prevent and soothe symptoms of menopause

~ The deeper meaning of our symptoms and struggle

~ What does Ayurveda say about bioidentical hormones?

~ The maiden, mother, creatrix and crone

~ The Ama - Agni - Ojas formula

~ Benefits of seasonal Ayurvedic Cleansing for hormone balance

~ The spiritual gifts of menopause

~ Sign up for our free mini-course about Women’s Wisdom and Ayurveda!

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

~ Mary's Podcast: Ayur.. What Now?

~ Mary’s website: The Ayurvedic Approach

~ Herbalist Susun Weed

~ Book: Strong Women Stay Young

Or Subscribe on iTunes

Learn more:

  • Ayurveda Certification
  • The Shakti School Subscription

HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

Did you love listening to this conversation about menopause and Ayurvedic practices to sooth perimenopause symptoms? This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

Have fun stepping into the menopause energy of the Creatrix!

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

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Ep. 31 Better Digestion, Sex and Less Wrinkles? Thanks, Ghee!

Learn the ancient healing knowledge of Ghee and how it can be used to boost your digestion, sex and nourish skin.

In this episode I discuss:

~What the heck is a fat free burger?

~A dream about Ghee

~The truth about Fat

~How Ghee is healing and why Fat is your friend

~A fat-free lifestyle is a sex-free lifestyle.

~The mama energy

~The nectar of love

~Ghee as a Gut Balm

~Ghee moisturizer I love!

~Other Ghee products for the body: Banyan’s Beauty Balm, other balms

~How Ghee effects different tissues in your body

~How Ghee effects our fertility

~Ghee as a metaphor for love

~The use of Ghee in detoxification

~How to MAKE Ghee!

~Lineage of Love Free Trial!

~We have new friends in the Ahara Ghee family! Use promocode GHEESPOT at checkout for $5 off your order.

Studies Cited:

~Harvard Study: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/magazine/magazine_article/is-butter-really-back/

~Fats: https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/know-your-fats/the-skinny-on-fats/

Or Subscribe on iTunes

Learn more:

Shakti Ayurveda School

Lineage of Love Community

HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

Continue Reading

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theshaktischool

TheShaktiSchool

Your body, your mind, your spirit… they have nev Your body, your mind, your spirit… they have never been separate. We have only been conceiving of them as separate for a very short time, and only in certain cultures. ⁠
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This is the real essence of Level 2: it’s about stepping into a river that’s been flowing for thousands of years. A lineage of people who understood that our LIFESTYLES are where physical & spiritual health began. 🌊🕯️🌿⁠
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Level 2 is about becoming the one who has embodied the teachings. Not just learned them, but lived them.⁠
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Class just began this Tuesday and the opening ceremony was so special. It’s not too late to join us. Sneak into our 2026 Level 2 cohort if you feel the nudge. ✨
Okay, real talk…⁠ ⁠ Who else is feeling a li Okay, real talk…⁠
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Who else is feeling a little sluggish, foggy, bloated, heavy, or just… meh lately?⁠
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Maybe your body feels slower. Your digestion a little off. Your energy not quite where you want it to be. Maybe your routines slipped, your cravings got louder and your nervous system feels like it’s been holding a lot.⁠
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If that’s you, you’re not alone. ⁠
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In this season, everything in nature begins to melt, move and clear. What has built up over winter, physically and emotionally, starts to loosen. The body naturally wants to lighten. To release. To begin again.⁠
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But most of us don’t give ourselves the space to actually let that happen.⁠
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We push through, stay busy and override what we’re feeling. And that heaviness… just lingers.⁠
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This is your invitation to do something different.⁠
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To pause. Reset. Create space for your body to come back into balance.⁠
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To feel like yourself again. ⁠
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You’re invited to join us May 4–8 for a 5-Day Ayurvedic Spring Cleanse & Gut Reset, guided by Shakti Ayurveda School graduate, Ayurvedic Health Counselor and wellness guide Charlotte Oddi. This is a gentle, supportive experience designed to help you clear out what’s been building and reconnect with your natural rhythm.⁠
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We’ll begin with a Kickoff Call on May 2 to walk you through everything and set you up for success. The Active Cleansing Phase runs May 4–8, followed by a Closing Call on May 9 to help you integrate and carry the benefits forward.⁠
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We’re also offering an optional, Complimentary 45-minute Cleanse 101 Class on April 27th if you want to learn more about Ayurvedic cleansing before diving in.⁠
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Can’t make it live? Don’t worry! All calls will be recorded and available to rewatch. ⁠
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💛 Comment “Cleanse Info” for the link to register.
The qualities of kapha are cool, heavy, moist, slo The qualities of kapha are cool, heavy, moist, slow, dull and stagnant. 🌊🌿💦

Because of these inherent qualities, kapha-type people will do best with forms of body movement that cultivate the opposing qualities (i.e., warming, light, dry, quick and mobile). 

This type of exercise will help relieve some of the congestion and stagnation associated with kapha, specifically in regard to getting rid of any excess phlegm and mucus in the chest and stomach. 

Kapha-reducing exercise boosts enthusiasm for life, stimulating us out of depression and lethargy. ⚡️

P.S. Any body type will benefit from using the kapha-reducing routine if the person is relatively healthy, and it is spring. 😉🌱
Light, astringent fruits in the spring can help us Light, astringent fruits in the spring can help us balance Kapha, bringing in lightness and brightness and helping to dry up excess kapha fluids. The trick is to stick to fruits that are first and foremost local and in season, and that are light, astringent and warming.⁠
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Here are some of our faves this time of year:⁠
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🍋 Lemons and limes are sharp and bright, perfect for sparking agni⁠
🍓 Berries (strawberries, blueberries and raspberries) are nice and light, and gently astringent, so they’re perfect for kapha time of year⁠
🍒 Cherries are a little bit drying, they help move things along if you know what I mean ;)⁠
🍑 Apricots are light, a little bit drying and offer sweetness that doesn’t weigh you down⁠
🍎 Apples are astringent and light = balances kapha’s heaviness and density!⁠
🍇 Raisins and dried fruit offer more concentrated sweetness and warmth⁠
🍒 Cranberries are amazing for clearing excess moisture⁠
🍊 Grapefruit’s bitterness and sharpness is one of the best for reducing heaviness⁠
🍎 Pomegranates support the blood and digestion and help dry excess fluids⁠
🍐 Pears offer amazing fiber content, digestive support and are best eaten in the morning⁠
💜 And we all know that prunes help keep things moving, especially if your elimination is sluggish 🌀⁠
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Keep in mind this is for my northern hemisphere ladies in spring… if you’re in the southern hemisphere, you’re in autumn, so think warm, grounding, wet foods instead. 🍠⁠
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If you love this, you’ll love our free women’s wisdom and Ayurveda mini course where we go even deeper. Comment WISDOM to access. ✨
Put on your comfiest sweat-pants.⁠ Close the doo Put on your comfiest sweat-pants.⁠
Close the door. ⁠
Lock it if ya’ can.⁠
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Turn off your phone.⁠
Light your candles.⁠
Sage your soul.⁠
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Quiet the mind.⁠
Open the heart. ⁠
Because your path awaits you. ⁠
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See you in a few hours, when your initiation into the Woman as Healer Archetype begins.

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