Michael Franco 팟 캐스트

In this class, we open with some Zen wisdom regarding that which can never be verbalized. We close with the Zohar's discussion of Shabbat and the representation of Shekhinah as a single point within the geometric overlay of the Universe.저자 Michael Franco

In this episode, we open with a quote from Kabir, continuing then with further study and practice of Zen. We end with the Zohar's readings of the days of Creation leading up to Shabbat.저자 Michael Franco

In this week's podcast, we discuss the importance of physical might for the sake of preserving spiritual goals.저자 Michael Franco

In this podcast, we open with some excerpts from the Upanishads. We connect some of this wisdom with the Zohar's discussion of spiritual competition with angels.저자 Michael Franco

In this podcast, we explain the importance of a sense of belonging to one's land for the sake of mental health. We show how the Parasha emphasizes Abraham's dedication to the land of Israel belonging to his descendants through Yishaq.저자 Michael Franco

In this fun episode, we recap the moving vision of Rabbi Hiyya. We continue with some haiku and Zen sayings that express some profound ideas and serve as the proverbial "finger pointing at the moon."저자 Michael Franco

In the season premiere of Spiritual Psychotherapy, we begin by setting our sights on our spiritual goals for this season. We dedicate part 2 of the class to the Zohar's depiction of the vision of Rabbi Hiyya in the heavenly academy of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai.저자 Michael Franco

In this year's Noah podcast, we focus on the game-changers while we drown in the chaos of Hamas.저자 Michael Franco

A tribute to Ariel Eliyahu A"H and all the heroes who have lost their lives Al Kiddush Hashem, glorifying the name of God.저자 Michael Franco

In this year's Rosh Hashanah, we aim our sights on the Akeda and the symbolism of the shofar, drawing inspiration from the shofar that survived Auschwitz.저자 Michael Franco

In this class, we explore the stories from Masekhet Hagigah 14b, which shed light on the 4 rabbis who entered paradise, each with a separate fate.저자 Michael Franco

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

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

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.저자 Michael Franco

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

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.저자 Michael Franco

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.저자 Michael Franco

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

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.저자 Michael Franco

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

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

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.저자 Michael Franco

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.저자 Michael Franco

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.저자 Michael Franco

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.저자 Michael Franco

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.저자 Michael Franco

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

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

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.저자 Michael Franco

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.저자 Michael Franco

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.저자 Michael Franco

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.저자 Michael Franco

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.저자 Michael Franco

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.저자 Michael Franco

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

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.저자 Michael Franco

In this episode, we discuss some of the (paradoxical) Eastern ways of looking at spiritual development, along with Kabbalistic models of spiritual growth.저자 Michael Franco

In this episode, we begin with some Eastern stories and we continue discussing how the various schools of Kabbalah view the practice of the misvot.저자 Michael Franco

In this class, we introduce the book of Kohelet and its author. We use a variety of sources to reflect on this author's unique perspective.저자 Michael Franco

In this podcast, we compare and contrast enlightenment as seen from an Eastern perspective and the love story told by Kabbalah. We introduce some of the schools of Kabbalah and how they view performance of the misvot.저자 Michael Franco

In this podcast, we explore the radio silence experienced by Noah after leaving the Tebah, driving this righteous man to alcoholism. We notice that silence can be re-framed in a positive way if we learn how to listen.저자 Michael Franco

In this class, we introduce the importance of mysticism not as a religious pursuit per se, but as a form of psychotherapy or ophthalmology. We recap some of the ideas from last year's class series and expand on these concepts.저자 Michael Franco

In this week's podcast, we explore some intriguing cases from the writings of famous neurologist Oliver Sacks. We show that music is a fundamental part of the human experience and we connect this with the importance of the song of Haazinu.저자 Michael Franco

In this podcast, we introduce some interesting differences between the psychology of men and women. We show that this gap can be compared, LEHAVDIL, with the gap between humankind and the Almighty.저자 Michael Franco

In this podcast, we notice the tension between some very compassionate misvot in the parasha and their more harsh counterparts. We look to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for wisdom to resolve this tension.저자 Michael Franco

In this week's podcast, we take on a new understanding of the purpose of the agricultural biblical holidays, showing how this leads to a new time-consciousness for the nation of Israel.저자 Michael Franco

In this podcast, we explore the concept of grace as it relates to the exodus and a return to a state of childlike wonder.저자 Michael Franco

In this podcast, we begin with some quotes about the experience of reincarnation. We then conclude our discussion on the very unique approach of Rabbi Abraham Abulafia and his prophetic kabbalah.저자 Michael Franco

In this week's podcast, we ask the question of what exactly causes the malady of Saraat based on the examples given throughout Tanakh. Based on this, we learn an important lesson about codependency and the psychology of boundary setting.저자 Michael Franco

In this class, we continue our discussion of Rabbi Abraham Abulafia and his unique approach towards achieving the mystical prophetic state.저자 Michael Franco