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Inspired Action

Inspired Action

By: Jaye McElroy & Leta Herman
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 Join us on an Alchemical Transformational Journey... this podcast is for anyone interested in creating more balance in life (through the Nine Palaces), understanding your Five Element energetic natures, finding the path of greatest ease (your Wu Wei path), releasing the baggage of this lifetime (with the Ghost Points and more), or discovering ancient Alchemy (the Nine Stages of Alchemy) that can help you fly in your life... it's all about having more fun in your life and living as authentically as you can today!2024 Inspired Action Inc. Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • 144 - The Inspired Art of Living - Conversation with Deng Ming-Dao Part II

    144 - The Inspired Art of Living - Conversation with Deng Ming-Dao Part II
    Jun 19 2025
    Continuing the Conversation with Deng Ming-Dao Guest: Deng Ming-Dao (Daoist philosopher, author, and artist) Episode Overview In this powerful continuation of Episode 143, hosts Jaye McElroy and Leta Herman dive deeper into their transformative conversation with renowned Daoist philosopher and artist Deng Ming-Dao. This episode explores the intersection of creativity, healing, and daily practice, offering profound insights for artists, healers, and anyone seeking to live more authentically. This episode is essential listening for artists, healers, and anyone interested in living a more creative, authentic life. The conversation bridges ancient Daoist wisdom with practical modern applications for reclaiming creativity and attention in our distracted world. Key Topics Discussed The Art of Listening to Inner Voices Distinguishing between inspiration and other internal chatterThe importance of waiting and discernment in creative and healing processesHow meditation creates space to reassess and clarify authentic inspiration Trusting Your Inner Compass Why external validation (money, success) cannot replace inner knowingThe courage to follow your heart despite societal pressuresSelf-cultivation as the ultimate measure of success Reclaiming Your Attention How society has co-opted our natural capacity for attentionThe difference between being told what to focus on versus choosing your focusPractical steps to redirect attention from consumption to creation Everyone is an Artist Why 99% of people have had their natural creativity "beaten out of them"The myth of talent versus the reality of daily practiceStarting small: simple tools like pencil and paper, humming, or describing experiences The Progression of Practice Why beginners should expect and embrace being "no good" initiallyThe power of daily practice and incremental improvementUsing constraints and limitations to stimulate creativity Art as Healing How both artist and audience are transformed through creative expressionThe gift of art as a form of healing exchangeCreating "messages in bottles" for future generations The Spiritual Dimension of Art Art as a response to the world and inner experienceThe importance of not pandering to audiencesHow authentic expression naturally carries spiritual essence Memorable Quotes On Trusting Your Heart: "If you trust your heart, if your heart tells you this is where you need to go, then that's what you need to follow. Because no external rewards and no external rejection is going to be a guide for what you need to do in life." On Getting Started: "It's as simple as picking up a pencil and a piece of paper. It's as simple as humming something. It's as simple as saying, this just happened to me. How do I describe it?" On Attention: "We are completely capable of attention, but attention has been co-opted by our society. We have not been allowed to say we deserve attention for our own purposes." On Defining Art: "Art is a response to the world. And from that, other people can see that shape [and] think about how they might want to respond to the world." Practical Takeaways Start a Daily Practice: Get a sketchbook and write or draw in it every day, even if it's "crap"Examine Your Screen Time: Notice how much attention you give to others' content versus your own creative expressionEmbrace Beginner's Mind: Allow yourself to be "no good" initially and focus on the process, not the outcomeSet Constraints: Use limitations to spark creativity (small canvases, limited time, simple materials)Create Space for Reflection: Spend time looking at and contemplating your work, not just producing it Resources Mentioned AlchemyLearningCenter.com - Hosts' website with courses and resourcesNew Book: "Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points" by the hostsThe intersection of Daoist philosophy and creative practiceThe concept of the Nine Palaces and the Creativity/Children Palace About the Guest Deng Ming-Dao is an author, artist, and teacher. He is the author of: 365 Tao; Chronicles of Tao; Scholar Warrior; Everyday Tao; The Lunar Tao; The Living I Ching; Zen: The Art of Modern Eastern Cooking; and The Wisdom of the Tao, Every Journey Begins With a Single Step, and The Way of Heart and Beauty. His books have been translated into a variety of European and Asian languages. Deng Ming-Dao has trained in Chinese martial arts since 1975. His teachers have come from Beijing, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and two Taoist mountains, Huashan and Wudangshan. He has been most involved with the internal systems of Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, and Taijiquan, and he has given many workshops to introduce Chinese martial arts and Taoist wellness techniques. Episode Themes Creativity as Spiritual PracticeHealing Through ArtAttention as Sacred ResourceDaily Practice as TransformationAuthentic Expression vs. Commercial Art
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    51 mins
  • Art and Self-Cultivation – A Conversation with Deng Ming-Dao, Artist and Author

    Art and Self-Cultivation – A Conversation with Deng Ming-Dao, Artist and Author
    Jun 13 2025

    In this episode, Deng Ming-Dao, esteemed author of the Wandering Taoist and several other Daoist-based books—(including our favs Spiritual Warrior and 365 Tao), joins Leta and Jaye as they have an inspiring conversation together. This episode explores the concept of how art isn’t separate from self-cultivation—it is self-cultivation. Ming-Dao dives into what it means to self-cultivate and how creating art, practicing Tai Chi, or even making mistakes can be the fire that transforms us.

    From poetry to Tai Chi to painting—everything becomes part of the Alchemical process of becoming our authentic selves. If you’ve ever wondered whether your creative life is as important as a spiritual practice—this podcast is for you.

    00:53 The Importance of Art in Self-Cultivation 02:00 Understanding Self-Cultivation 03:48 Art and the Creative Process 08:10 Tai Chi and Qi Resonance 10:45 Expression and Self-Cultivation 16:33 Daily Practice and Overcoming Obstacles 21:39 The Role of Inspiration and Inner Voice 25:19 Healing Arts and Self Cultivation 40:16 The Value of Art vs. Healing
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    32 mins
  • 142 - Being the Wood Opti-Mystic of Alchemy When You're Overwhelmed 🌴🌳🌲

    142 - Being the Wood Opti-Mystic of Alchemy When You're Overwhelmed 🌴🌳🌲
    Jun 2 2025

    In this episode, Jaye and Leta invite you to take a little time out — not in a punishment sort of way, but in a take-a-step-back-and-breathe kind of way. We’re kicking off a brand-new five-part series on the Alchemy, Five Elements & Overwhelm, starting with Wood — the Element of Hope, Renewal, and of Inspired Action.

    What We Talk About:

    • Why overwhelm is sometimes the new normal — and why is/isn't it OK

    • What ancient Daoist Alchemists did during times of political chaos (hint: it involves retreats, mountains, and silence)

    • Why wind represents change in Chinese Medicine — and how to work with it instead of being blown away

    • Wood Element traits under pressure: survival mode, strategy overload, and full-on gorilla mode

    • The concept of “Opti-mystic” — embracing the mystic and the optimistic during chaotic times

    • Practical advice for Wood types (and everyone with Wood in their chart, which is… everyone) on how to re-center, breathe, and find meaning in challenge

    • A sneak peek into how the other elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) handle overwhelm — next up: Fire and the fear of losing love

    00:25 Dealing with Overwhelm in Today's World 04:31 Embracing Change and Technological Advances 12:48 Navigating Overwhelm with Elemental Energies 13:13 Understanding Yourself in Chaotic Times 13:53 The Essence of Wood Energy 14:27 Survival Mode and Wood People 15:52 Strategies for Wood People 18:59 Embracing Challenges Positively
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    27 mins

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