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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

Love really is a frequency, and it extends far bey Love really is a frequency, and it extends far beyond the romantic cliches. 💗 One of the most sacred forms of love is the love between friends.⁠
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We felt the love big time in this beautiful Galentine’s giveaway with Herbal Face Food.⁠
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Our two BFF winners, Ashton Miller + Alexa Frear reminded us what this month of love is really about: ⁠
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“My name is Ashton Miller and my best gal pal is Alexa Frear. We met on a work trip and there was something about her soul that drew me in. She’s truly my soul sister! ” ❤️⁠
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We’re so honored that we got to gift these two friends an incredibly indulgent and luxurious skin-loving bundle in collaboration with @herbalfacefood. 🪽🦋⁠
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If you missed your chance to enter, you can still experience the magic. ⁠
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Shop @herbalfacefood with our code THESHAKTISCHOOL for 30% off—or visit the link in our bio.⁠
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🌹 Make sure you’re on the Shakti mailing list so you don’t miss future giveaways like this one. ⁠
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💌 Comment MAIL to make sure you receive the next Shakti Newsletter.
Late winter in the Northern Hemisphere is a kapha- Late winter in the Northern Hemisphere is a kapha-vata crossover season - still cold, but increasingly damp and heavy as the water and earth elements begin to rise. Ayurveda teaches this is the moment to stay warm while gently stimulating circulation and clearing stagnation, so we don’t carry winter’s sluggishness into spring.⁠
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Southern Hemisphere beauties, you’re in late summer/early fall, so follow hydrating and grounding Ayurveda guidance instead of late-winter protocols (tons more on our blog for you, the link is in our bio 😉).⁠
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The sweet spot right now is warm and slightly bitter foods and gently stimulating lifestyle rhythms. Kindle agni, move your lymph and lighten up, without depleting your nervous system.⁠
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Late Winter Self-Care Checklist:⁠
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• Dress warmly even on milder days to prevent mucus and stagnation.⁠
• Get adequate sleep but avoid heavy oversleeping.⁠
• Prep for an Ayurvedic cleanse - it’s a great time to “clean out” your body, mind, home or closet!⁠
• Start dreaming up spring projects and creative plans.⁠
• Add more aerobic movement (walking, dance, fluid yoga, cycling).⁠
• Prioritize daily sunlight and fresh air for natural vitamin D.⁠
• Dry brush (only if vata is balanced) and/or practice warm abhyanga.⁠
• Sip tulsi tea to support immunity and clarity.⁠
• Leafy greens, radishes, broccoli, basmati rice and well-cooked legumes are allies.⁠
• Favor warming spices like mustard seed, garlic, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper.⁠
• Fenugreek is your friend - warming, bitter and drying.⁠
• Ginger is warming and activating helping kindle agni while steadying vata.⁠
• Consider chyavanprash for deep rejuvenation.⁠
• Hydrate with warm water and keep skin plump with a gentle mist.⁠
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Ready to live in rhythm with the seasons and your cyclical nature?⁠
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✨ Comment WISDOM and get our free Women’s Wisdom + Ayurveda mini-course and start learning right now.
💻 Did you know that we have a monthly subscript 💻 Did you know that we have a monthly subscription membership with LIVE lectures with Katie each month?⁠
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Spirit Sessions is the culmination of 20 years of research, leadership and practice in yoga, meditation, spirituality, archetypal psychology, nervous-system based healing, attachment theory, Ayurveda (and more).⁠
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This offering is for ANYONE in search of expansion, clarity and a deep connection with the Divine. With me as your guide, you’ll learn how to start a spiritual practice, or connect more deeply to the God of your own understanding through the practice you already have.⁠
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If you are ready to dive deep into your spiritual life and true healing, this is the time to join. Our next live workshop is on Thursday, March 5th from 10-12pm Eastern US Time. ⁠
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Here are some of our past workshop highlights (along with many more!)⁠
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~ The Yoga of Dreams and Psyche⁠
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~ Ayurvedic Herbs and Gardening⁠
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~ Ayurveda for the Men in Your Life⁠
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~ Yogini Bootcamp⁠
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~ Deep Microbiome: Digestion, Hormones, and The Ecology of Spirit with Dr. Scott Blossom⁠
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~ The Healing Power of Sound and Touch with Dr. David Rabin⁠
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~ Astrology for Healers with Master Astrologer, Jill Loftis⁠
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PLUS a full series on the Chakras and so much more. 💎 ⁠
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🌺 Join us in the subscription for $28/month and cancel anytime—our next workshop is coming up on March 5th. Comment MEMBERSHIP for more information.⁠
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🌟We are currently working our way through the Koshas (what Tantra teaches are our subtle energy “sheaths” or layers). Our March workshop will focus on Vijnanamaya Kosha. Join now and get access to all prior workshops.
Vata wife energy: new idea every five minutes, fiv Vata wife energy: new idea every five minutes, five tabs open in her brain, impromptu dance performances when you least expect it. 🌀

Kapha partner energy: fully seated, fully hydrated, nervous system signalling, “You can’t faze me.” 🌊

When these two get together?

✨ Chaos that’s lovingly buffered by the most stable force on the planet.

To all the kapha partners out there - thank you for being our stable, loving ground. 🌿💙✨
I love the metaphor of ojas as the body’s natura I love the metaphor of ojas as the body’s natural honey; it is the delicate and refined essence we produce from the plants and other vital essences we take in. Ojas is the force that enables us to sustain that change over time. ⁠
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Think of it as your psychophysical container or shield. These days, everyone needs a little more support in the realm of ojas. ⁠
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✨🍯 Ready to start building your ojas?⁠
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Comment LOVE TONIC for our Ojas-Building Hot Shake recipe. This warm, spicy-sweet milk with virility-boosting herbs is amazing for building your body’s natural “honey.”

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