Spiritual Psychotherapy with Michael Franco, M.D.

In this podcast, we show that the linguistic connections between Moshe and the Blasphemer teach us an important lesson about the balance of identity.

In this podcast, we show how Aharon presents the solution to the double-bind of the ego.

In this final episode of the season, we open with some Zen stories, continue with some wisdom from the Tao te Ching, and close with the Zohar's recounting of the primordial events of Creation. We notice the intentional blurring of the lines between God and Mankind.

In this podcast, we explore the relationship between REM sleep, PTSD, and the events of Pesah.

In this podcast, we dive back into some Zen stories meant to impart an intuitive understanding of Reality. We close with a continuation of the Zohar's discussion of Creation and the mysterious relationship between the upper sefirot.

In this week's podcast, we analyze the phrase haddam hu hannafesh -- the blood is the life force. We expand into a discussion of reductionism and emergence, dualism and monism.

In this podcast, we explore the limits of words, the beauty of partnership, and the mystery of dualism.

In this podcast, we begin with some super-interesting accounts from individuals who survived jumping off the Golden Gate bridge. We transition to the Zohar with a surprising lesson about the dangers of both dualism and monism that we learn from the letter Saddi.

In this podcast, we compare the identity crisis in the Parasha to the identity crisis in America today.

In this podcast, we explore the role of comedy in Judaism and in Megillat Ester.

In this podcast, we begin with ideas of Creation as set forth in the Tao te Ching, drawing connections to how Creation is portrayed by the Zohar.

In this week's podcast, we try to show a clear trend within our parasha, in which many of the laws seem to be allusions to familiar stories from Genesis.

In this podcast, we open with the famous "snake simile" with its warnings about the spiritual path. We continue our readings of the Tao te Ching and the Zohar, highlighting the beautiful derasha revealed to Rabbi Shimon by Elijah the Prophet.

In this podcast, we begin with the opening of the Tao te Ching, noticing parallels to the Zohar. We then begin with the Zohar's cryptic commentary on Genesis and Creation.

In this week's podcast, we learn a deep lesson about overcoming fear. God is the master psychologist for Bene Yisrael and the results are clear and powerful.

In this podcast, we begin an in-depth study of the Zohar's introduction, delving into the divine creation story of Genesis.

In this podcast, we talk about the psychology of names and the mystery contained within God's names in this week's Parasha.

In this week's podcast, we explore the question: is it possible to prove that the Torah is Divine? We take a lesson from the story of Yoseph to answer this question.

In this episode, the season finale, we begin with some expansive quotes from the great Walt Whitman, continuing with a discussion of embodying peace as set forth by Thich Nhat Hanh. We dedicate the rest of the class to the mystical view of learning Torah.

In this episode, we share some of the works of the late great Thich Nhat Hanh about "Being Peace". We devote the second half of the episode to some closing remarks about the Kabbalistic mystical significance of eating and drinking.

In this episode, we discuss various ways of experiencing the mystical notion of "having arrived," from Zen Koans to analogies to music to Kabbalistic ideas regarding the human condition.

In this class, we focus on the Taoist philosophical school, which emphasizes "acting without acting," using cleverness rather than effort. We close with a continuation of our discussions of Kabbalah and redemption of Divine sparks.

In this episode, we explore Kohelet's thoughts on wisdom and its virtues, as well as its shortcomings. We close with Kohelet's thoughts about wisdom and legacy.

In this week's podcast, we compare two stories within the Parasha and derive a critical lesson from the life of Yaakob.

In this episode, we begin with a cryptic quote, transitioning to a discussion on Zen Koans and their function. We close with the Kabbalistic ideas on equanimity and some issues with ascetic practice.