Through the Smoky Mirror: Remembering the Sacred in a Fragmented World

Season 7 is inspired by the powerful quote by Krishnamurti: "It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society," we're diving into the deep work of healing—not just as self-care, but as a path to purpose, dharma, and collective transformation.

Episode Summary:

Would you say you're spiritual but not religious? If so, do you regularly engage in spiritual practices or do you struggle to know how to connect with the divine? In this meaningful and intimate episode, Adina and Joshua discuss modern spirituality and how if differs from religion. They focus on personal growth and the value of connecting with the divine in everyday life. They share a bit about their individual journeys and explore ways to weave the sacred into the mundane. 

What You'll Learn:

• Ways traditional religious practices fall short
• Facets of authentic spiritual connection vs spiritual bypassing
• Ways to acknowledge the sacred in everyday life
• The value of embodiment in sacred practice

Topics Discussed:

• The Smoky Mirror: Beginning with the story from The Four Agreements, Adina and Joshua explore the concept of obscured divine light.
• Spirituality vs. Religion: Personal experiences as the foundation for awakening.
• Christ Consciousness & Buddha Nature: Spiritual paths beyond dogma.
• Personal Awakenings: From Judaism to Buddhism, from fitness to psychedelics—how individual journeys shape our inner landscapes.
• Grief as a Portal to Growth: Surrendering to emotional breakdowns as a necessary path to expansion.
• Daily Practices for Connection: The power of morning rituals, presence, and reclaiming playfulness.
• Spiritual Safety & Regulation: How nervous system safety supports deeper spiritual exploration.
• Ritual & Ceremony: Ways to engage in regular sacred practices.

Memorable Quotes:

"The intensity of the suffering correlates with the depth of the expansion."

"Spirituality isn’t just studied—it’s embodied."

Resources Mentioned:

• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Tune in to align with an energy of love— and remember the divine power that lives in all thin

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Adina Arden Cooper is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who prefers to refer to herself as a Shadow Guide and Soul Healing Specialist. She helps highly sensitive creative visionaries heal trauma so they can not only survive this human experience but thrive in the expression of their greatest gifts. Adina has over 20 years of experience in education and mental health. She's also an artist, a seeker, a mother, and very curious person.

Visit Adina's website to find out more about her work
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Joshua Zamrin is a nomadic soul guide, somatic life coach, and sacred purpose mentor, deeply immersed in the realms of embodiment, shamanic wisdom, and mythopoetic exploration. With a background in nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and compassionate communication, he weaves together ancient and modern practices to help others reconnect with their deepest truth. His work is rooted in rites of passage, initiation, and the sacred journey of becoming, drawing inspiration from indigenous tradit