• Awakening Practice 20: Your Inner Newborn
    Sep 8 2025

    This is number 20 of a 30-part meditation series inspired by Adyashanti. This episode invites you to rediscover innocence, to let your senses be like that of a newborn, every moment as a new creation.

    Theses practices build on each other, so you can listen consecutively, but if there is one in particular that speaks to you, feel free to stick with it. Based on the teachings of Adyashanti, they can be used alone or as a companion to his audio series, The 30-Day Wake Up Challenge, or his book, The Direct Way: 30 Practices to Evoke Awakening. This meditation correlates to Day 18. In some cases, the meditations are also loosely inspired by the teachings of Andrew Holecek, Pema Chodron, and Eckhart Tolle. I hope you enjoy.

    Audio by Eric Fischer.

    Support the show

    Host: Tess Callahan
    Substack: Writers at the Well
    Interview Podcast: Writers at the Well
    Meditations on Insight Timer
    Meditations on
    YouTube
    Tess's novels:
    https://tesscallahan.com/
    Music (unless otherwise noted above): Christopher Lloyd Clark
    Audio Editing: Eric Fischer

    By tapping "like" and "follow" you help others find the show.
    Thank you for listening!


    DISCLAIMER: Meditation is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical healthcare or therapy. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to this recording. Use the material provided at your own risk. Do not drive or operate dangerous equipment while listening. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

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    11 mins
  • Novelist Paula Saunders on Writing to Heal the Past
    Aug 26 2025

    Join novelist Paula Saunders as she discusses her moving autobiographical novel Starting from Here, just out from Penguin Random House. A stand-alone sequel to The Distance Home, the novel follows 15-year old René through the challenges of adolescence within the pressure cooker of cultural and socioeconomic stressors. Saunders draws from her own experiences as a ballet dancer. A long-time practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, she shares how a Catholic nun introduced her to the work of Thich Nhat Hanh. Paula describes how writing has helped her integrate the past, and instilled in her a more compassionate relationship to her younger self and her family of origin.

    Paula grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota. She is a graduate of the Syracuse University creative writing program and was awarded a postgraduate Albert Schweitzer Fellowship at SUNY Albany, under Schweitzer chair Toni Morrison. Her first book, The Distance Home, was longlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and named one of the best books of the year by Real Simple. She lives in California with her husband. They have two grown daughters.

    Learn more about her work at paulasaundersbooks.com.

    Support the show

    Host: Tess Callahan
    Substack: Writers at the Well
    Interview Podcast: Writers at the Well
    Meditations on Insight Timer
    Meditations on
    YouTube
    Tess's novels:
    https://tesscallahan.com/
    Music (unless otherwise noted above): Christopher Lloyd Clark
    Audio Editing: Eric Fischer

    By tapping "like" and "follow" you help others find the show.
    Thank you for listening!


    DISCLAIMER: Meditation is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical healthcare or therapy. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to this recording. Use the material provided at your own risk. Do not drive or operate dangerous equipment while listening. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

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    48 mins
  • Awakening Practice 19: Finding Yourself by Losing Yourself
    Aug 20 2025

    This is number 19 of a 30-part meditation series inspired by Adyashanti. This episode invites you to find yourself by losing yourself. This is something we cannot “do” but rather “allow.” We let go of the notion of self that has no independent reality in order to experience our true identity, which is paradoxically personal and universal. What is truly me is no other than what is truly you, and what is truly all.

    Theses practices build on each other, so you can listen consecutively, but if there is one in particular that speaks to you, feel free to stick with it. Based on the teachings of Adyashanti, they can be used alone or as a companion to his audio series, The 30-Day Wake Up Challenge, or his book, The Direct Way: 30 Practices to Evoke Awakening. This meditation correlates to Day 18. In some cases, the meditations are also loosely inspired by the teachings of Andrew Holecek, Pema Chodron, and Eckhart Tolle. I hope you enjoy.

    Music: "Lovingkindness" by Six Missing.

    Nature sounds added by Eric Fischer.

    Audio by Eric Fischer.

    Support the show

    Host: Tess Callahan
    Substack: Writers at the Well
    Interview Podcast: Writers at the Well
    Meditations on Insight Timer
    Meditations on
    YouTube
    Tess's novels:
    https://tesscallahan.com/
    Music (unless otherwise noted above): Christopher Lloyd Clark
    Audio Editing: Eric Fischer

    By tapping "like" and "follow" you help others find the show.
    Thank you for listening!


    DISCLAIMER: Meditation is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical healthcare or therapy. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to this recording. Use the material provided at your own risk. Do not drive or operate dangerous equipment while listening. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

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    10 mins
  • Awakening Practice 18: Intimate Mystery: Taking a Leap of Love
    Aug 13 2025

    This is number 18 of a 30-part meditation series inspired by Adyashanti. This episode invites you to take a leap into the realm beyond description, a leap of love, born of your care for yourself, others, and the planet. We let go of who we imagine ourselves to be in order to experience who we really are.

    Theses practices build on each other, so you can listen consecutively, but if there is one in particular that speaks to you, feel free to stick with it. Based on the teachings of Adyashanti, they can be used alone or as a companion to his audio series, The 30-Day Wake Up Challenge, or his book, The Direct Way: 30 Practices to Evoke Awakening. This meditation correlates to Day 18. In some cases, the meditations are also loosely inspired by the teachings of Andrew Holecek, Pema Chodron, and Eckhart Tolle. I hope you enjoy.

    Audio by the stupendous Eric Fischer.

    Support the show

    Host: Tess Callahan
    Substack: Writers at the Well
    Interview Podcast: Writers at the Well
    Meditations on Insight Timer
    Meditations on
    YouTube
    Tess's novels:
    https://tesscallahan.com/
    Music (unless otherwise noted above): Christopher Lloyd Clark
    Audio Editing: Eric Fischer

    By tapping "like" and "follow" you help others find the show.
    Thank you for listening!


    DISCLAIMER: Meditation is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical healthcare or therapy. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to this recording. Use the material provided at your own risk. Do not drive or operate dangerous equipment while listening. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

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    12 mins
  • Awakening Practice 17: The Gaze of Eternity: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
    Aug 5 2025

    This is number 17 of a 30-part meditation series inspired by Adyashanti. This episode invites you to relax and let go of ideas, assumptions, agendas, and self-orientation---to be what Christ called, "poor in spirit." This relinquishment allows you to enter the dark core of your being that is always and forever in direct contact with the mysterious, unknown dimension of Being. In this way, you become the space through which Eternity gazes into the world of time. Your eyes are the eyes of Eternity.

    The first of eight beatitudes taught by Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" implies that through the surrender of self-preoccupation, we experience heaven in real time, here and now. Heaven is not "out there." Adyashanti echoes Christ's message: "The kingdom of God is within you."

    Theses practices build on each other, so you can listen consecutively, but if there is one in particular that speaks to you, feel free to stick with it. Based on the teachings of Adyashanti, they can be used alone or as a companion to his audio series, The 30-Day Wake Up Challenge, or his book, The Direct Way: 30 Practices to Evoke Awakening. This meditation correlates to Day 17. In some cases, the meditations are also loosely inspired by the teachings of Andrew Holecek, Pema Chodron, and Eckhart Tolle. I hope you enjoy.

    Audio & Music by the stupendous Eric Fischer.

    Support the show

    Host: Tess Callahan
    Substack: Writers at the Well
    Interview Podcast: Writers at the Well
    Meditations on Insight Timer
    Meditations on
    YouTube
    Tess's novels:
    https://tesscallahan.com/
    Music (unless otherwise noted above): Christopher Lloyd Clark
    Audio Editing: Eric Fischer

    By tapping "like" and "follow" you help others find the show.
    Thank you for listening!


    DISCLAIMER: Meditation is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical healthcare or therapy. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to this recording. Use the material provided at your own risk. Do not drive or operate dangerous equipment while listening. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

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    10 mins
  • Awakening Practice 16: Open to the Mystery of your Being
    Jul 30 2025

    This is number 16 of a 30-part meditation series inspired by Adyashanti. This episode invites you to relinquish all struggle, release yourself into awareness, and rest into the dark mystery of your being. It can be used in the morning, at bedtime, or on the spot in the course of your day. The practices build on each other, so you can listen consecutively, but if there is one in particular that speaks to you, feel free to stick with it. Based on the teachings of Adyashanti, they can be used alone or as a companion to his audio series, The 30-Day Wake Up Challenge, or his book, The Direct Way: 30 Practices to Evoke Awakening. This meditation correlates to Day 16. In some cases, the meditations are also loosely inspired by the teachings of Andrew Holecek, Pema Chodron, and Eckhart Tolle. I hope you enjoy.

    Audio & Music by the stupendous Eric Fischer.

    Support the show

    Host: Tess Callahan
    Substack: Writers at the Well
    Interview Podcast: Writers at the Well
    Meditations on Insight Timer
    Meditations on
    YouTube
    Tess's novels:
    https://tesscallahan.com/
    Music (unless otherwise noted above): Christopher Lloyd Clark
    Audio Editing: Eric Fischer

    By tapping "like" and "follow" you help others find the show.
    Thank you for listening!


    DISCLAIMER: Meditation is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical healthcare or therapy. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to this recording. Use the material provided at your own risk. Do not drive or operate dangerous equipment while listening. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

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    9 mins
  • Awakening Practice 15: Access your Inner Peace with Ease
    Jul 24 2025

    This is number 15 of a 30-part meditation series inspired by Adyashanti. This episode guides you into entering the ground of your being, the silence, stillness and peace beyond all understanding that rests in your depths, and which can be accessed even in life's most turbulent moments. It's always there.

    This meditation can be used in the morning, at bedtime, or on the spot in the course of your day. The practices build on each other, so you can listen consecutively, but if there is one in particular that speaks to you, feel free to stick with it. Based on the teachings of Adyashanti, they can be used alone or as a companion to his audio series, The 30-Day Wake Up Challenge, or his book, The Direct Way: 30 Practices to Evoke Awakening. This meditation correlates to Day 15. In some cases, the meditations are also loosely inspired by the teachings of Andrew Holecek, Pema Chodron, and Eckhart Tolle. I hope you enjoy.

    Audio & Music by the stupendous Eric Fischer.

    Support the show

    Host: Tess Callahan
    Substack: Writers at the Well
    Interview Podcast: Writers at the Well
    Meditations on Insight Timer
    Meditations on
    YouTube
    Tess's novels:
    https://tesscallahan.com/
    Music (unless otherwise noted above): Christopher Lloyd Clark
    Audio Editing: Eric Fischer

    By tapping "like" and "follow" you help others find the show.
    Thank you for listening!


    DISCLAIMER: Meditation is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical healthcare or therapy. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to this recording. Use the material provided at your own risk. Do not drive or operate dangerous equipment while listening. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

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    12 mins
  • Awakening Practice 14: Staying Connected to your Heart in your Daily Interactions
    Jul 21 2025

    This is number 14 of a 30-part meditation series inspired by Adyashanti. This episode invites you to rest in the paradox of "being" and "becoming." It encourages you to bring the energy of the spiritual heart into your conversations and interactions throughout your day.

    This meditation can be used in the morning, at bedtime, or on the spot in the course of your day. The practices build on each other, so you can listen consecutively, but if there is one in particular that speaks to you, feel free to stick with it. Based on the teachings of Adyashanti, they can be used alone or as a companion to his audio series, The 30-Day Wake Up Challenge, or his book, The Direct Way: 30 Practices to Evoke Awakening. This meditation correlates to Day 14. In some cases, the meditations are also loosely inspired by the teachings of Andrew Holecek, Pema Chodron, and Eckhart Tolle. I hope you enjoy.

    Audio by Eric Fischer.

    Support the show

    Host: Tess Callahan
    Substack: Writers at the Well
    Interview Podcast: Writers at the Well
    Meditations on Insight Timer
    Meditations on
    YouTube
    Tess's novels:
    https://tesscallahan.com/
    Music (unless otherwise noted above): Christopher Lloyd Clark
    Audio Editing: Eric Fischer

    By tapping "like" and "follow" you help others find the show.
    Thank you for listening!


    DISCLAIMER: Meditation is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical healthcare or therapy. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to this recording. Use the material provided at your own risk. Do not drive or operate dangerous equipment while listening. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    Show More Show Less
    10 mins