For our 49th episode, we sat down with Alejandra Valenzuela to discuss her "wild" relationship with Spirituality and what she calls, "the beautiful unknown." After experiencing multiple sexual assaults and the death of her brother, Jana took a year off to heal. Her healing led her to Brazil where she met the famed healer and now criminal John of God and experienced a spiritual awakening while using Ayahuasca for the first time. Jana has since experienced Aya dozens of times and now leads spiritual retreats in Brazil to help others connect with their multi dimensional selves. Intrigued? You should be. This conversation reminds us that we all have a choice. We can descend into our shadow selves and get lost in our ego and attachments or we can connect with our higher self and experience transformation. This! Is Obstacle Course. Let's Go!
Yet another episode that begins with Andrew dropping an F-bomb. Explicit Content it is.
"Squirrels shouldn't be that large." AL
Jana was initially invited to appear on our Spirituality Roundtable but we quickly realized her experiences warranted a full episode.
Psychedelics are growing in popularity for their notable benefits with mental health. Check out Michael Pollan's fascinating new book on his experiences with psychedelics and what they taught him about life and death.
For a great night of memories, check out Victoria's Empress hotel.
While Hugh Grant was great in Notting Hill, Sense and Sensibility and Bridget Jones, About a Boy is probably his best work. Music and Lyrics was tone deaf.
Best to not offer John any stimulants, chemicals, candy, anything really. Herbal tea only please.
"I did want a memorable night and I had envisioned that I might end up naked in bed with my wife. But not quite like this." - JC
Look for more Roundtable conversations this Spring. Next up... Why Is Sleep so Challenging?
Conversations within a vacuum suck.
Jana lives in sunny LA but spends as much time in Brazil as she can.
"Spirituality is the beautiful mystery of who we are." - Jana
Stations of the Cross...Fit?.....It's a real thing folks. My brother combined his 2 passions. Exercise and Jesus.
"Spirituality gives us tools to discover the truth of who we really are. We need to get curious" - Jana
Dealing with our Shadow (ego and attachment) is our most important life's work.
"Source loves us so unconditionally that we are allowed the freedom to believe that we are not loved. That is WILD!!!" - Jana
Here's more information on the healer John of God including his arrest.
"Spirit doesn't have shame, worry or doubt. The soul doesn't judge, it just wants to create." Jana
Ayahuasca is a drink derived from an Amazonian plant/vine. When taken, DMT is released and the work begins. It is meant to be taken as part of a Shamanic lead sacred ceremony (not on a weekend back packing trip) and has traditionally been used as a "purging" ceremony. Difficult to describe, it is best experienced. Like the Matrix. :)
"Can I say fucker?" It turns out you can. :) Triangular Headed Fucker to be precise.
Andrew: "So.. a couple things... as you might imagine..."
"Context matters when you're dealing with plant medicine. The setting is everything." Jana
"Intention is everything and the best work you can do." Andrew
On Protecting Yourself: "When red flags came up in the past, I'd want to paint them white. Now I listen to my gut." Jana
"Freedom brings a power of creation." Jana
If you want to connect with Jana, she leads spiritual retreats in Brazil! Take the Road to Jana! :)