Harbored Thoughts is the second podcast hosted by Madeline. Check out her first podcast, Musings with Mile Marker, if you like hiking or the state of Arizona. Harbored Thoughts is a podcast which aims to discuss the undiscussable. Speak the unspeakable. Declare the undeclarable! While this episode is merely an introduction to why a podcast about intrusive thoughts felt necessary, the subsequent episodes will have guests talk about their intrusive thoughts.

When you think of the phrase intrusive thoughts what comes to mind?

What does it feel like when you have a thought that you want to say but think you shouldnt?

When was a time you experienced serendipity or an inexplicable coincidence?

If these questions are ones you would like to answer, reach out to Madeline and be one of her guests!

00:00:00 Harbored Thoughts episode one

00:02:21 Why talk about intrusive thoughts?

00:06:43 Not feeling like myself in Hawaiian paradise

00:10:05 Mind over matter

00:12:33 10-day vipassana silent meditation retreat

00:18:17 Emotions versus sensations

00:24:51 Things will arise, things will pass away

Welcome the second guest to Harbored Thoughts, Ethan Nelson!

I met Ethan at a group meditation at Behnam's home. Ethan is a follower of the teachings by Rob Burbea, a British meditation teacher. In our episode, he answers the four pillar questions of this podcast and adds insight into how his relationship with his goals has transformed recently. While I didn't record the tea selection and brewing process, Ethan and I shared a pot of jasmine tea during the podcast recording. 00:00:00 Welcome to Harbored Thoughts

00:00:51 What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "intrusive thoughts"?

00:21:40 What does it feel like in your body when you have a thought you want to say, but think that you shouldn't?

00:29:24 When was a time you experienced serendipity or inexplicable coincidence?

00:41:10 What does it mean for you to "feel like yourself"?

John Tudhope is a man I know from the Artist Run Club group. We check out an art show in a gallery at 6:30am on Wednesdays and run a 5k at 7am from the gallery. We recently struck up a conversation about RAGBRAI, an epic bike ride across the state of Iowa. And now John is here with me in my dining room sharing his theories on intrusive thoughts and how they relate to amorality versus social norms.

00:02:28 What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "intrusive thoughts"?

00:10:19 Where does "I think all my friends don't actually like me" land on your social norm to amorality scale?

00:12:14 What does it feel like in your body when you have a thought you want to say, but think that you shouldn't?

00:39:21 When was a time you experienced serendipity or inexplicable coincidence?

00:45:31 What does it mean for you to "feel like yourself"?

Welcome to the first true episode of Harbored Thoughts! I kept the audio raw and unfiltered so that you, the listener, can feel like you are sitting in the room with Behnam and me. Behnam is a friend of mine who I find inspiring by his calm presence and leadership as a yoga instructor and meditation guide. In our 90-minute episode, he answers the four pillar questions of this podcast and adds insight into the concepts of emptiness and the distinctions between sharing yourself versus showing off.

00:00:00 Welcome to Harbored Thoughts, please select your tea

00:06:18 What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "intrusive thoughts"?

00:11:14 What does it feel like in your body when you have a thought you want to say, but think that you shouldn't?

00:19:39 When was a time you experienced serendipity or inexplicable coincidence?

00:30:47 The present exists between two panes of glass

00:34:00 What does it mean for you to "feel like yourself"?

00:42:10 Delving into emptiness

00:50:10 Connectedness to others via introspection

01:00:07 Sharing versus showing off

01:10:27 How do I feel about my relationship to meditation one year after my 10-day sit?

01:25:23 Rob Burbea and the bridge to mysticism

And don't forget to check out Deuce Bennett and the Tight Five!