An Inclusive, Interdisciplinary Approach to Spirituality Without Dogma or Religion
Alchemical Dialogues - from Lead to Gold
Alchemical Dialogues are live and unscripted conversations recorded on Zoom brought to you by the great folks of Amber Light International. We choose topics from our current social and cultural climate, with an emphasis on humanism and spirituality. In a cross-collaboration with both Lisa Carley's new podcast The Labyrinth, and Joel Lesses' Unraveling Religion podcast, we have begun posting 'Selected, Best of The Labyrinth' and 'Selected, Best of Unraveling Religion' episodes on Alchemical Dialogues. We continue to promote conversations that evolve our understanding of the vital topics of spirituality, the humanities, psychology, and The Arts and deepen community through this mutual support. Please check these out! If you would like to participate in our podcast, please contact us using this form.
When the edited audio podcasts are released, announcements and links are sent out to our general mailing list, and posted on our Facebook and Instagram pages. You can subscribe to Alchemical Dialogues on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or search for us in your favorite podcast app.
Personal and Universal Dream Meaning and Integration, Waking: A Conversation with Dr. Henry ‘Wadud’ Cretella Today, we are showcasing the talents of Joel Lesses, host of the religious and spiritual podcast Unraveling Religion. Joel and Henry recorded a podcast for the Unraveling Religion audience in 2017 about the meaning of dreams and integration. In it, they explore what is beyond psychology from a religious, mystical, and spiritual perspective. They also discuss the relation of dreams between Freud, Jung, and Sufism in the areas of: What can dreams teach us? What are the symbols? Where does the meaning stop? With an emphasis on the archetypes, the unconscious, accidents, symptoms/neurosis, Joel and Henry explore the balance of our actions as tipping the scales to what is good. Unraveling Religion’s mystical and practical discussions are explorations of spirituality and its relation to religion and psychology, with questions always. Beyond a specific religion or spiritual practice; what do we share, what do we have in common? These talks are a work in progress evolving our rich inner life, including reflections on religious texts, poems, art, and what is common in our human experience enhancing understanding of our relationships: with ourselves, with one another, and with the world we share. You can find Unraveling Religion on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unraveling-religion/id1510379967 Joel David Lesses’ background is in psychology and counseling with other passions including the intersection of poetry, spirituality, science and phenomenology shared and disparate in the human experience, and transformative power of self-inquiry and introspection through contemplative and meditative practices. Joel was nominated by Artvoice in 2013 and 2014 as Buffalo’s Best Poet and won the honor in 2014. He has been published in various magazines and publications, founded Ground and Sky Poetry Series, and facilitated numerous poetry workshops.
It was our pleasure to welcome Bettie Scullin for a discussion with Henry Cretella, M.D on the Akashic Records. “Akasha” is a non-physical field containing information unique for each person and accessible with training or the help of others. What is gained can be practical, informative, transformative, and healing. Being in touch with this field can lead to a more natural, holistic, and authentic way of living. Here is how Bettie describes herself and her experiences: “I grew up without a true sense of my genuine self, feeling alien in a bewildering world. Conversely, I felt a deep spiritual connection to illuminated beings that protected and at times guided me. Unaware of my empathic nature, I floundered through life, reacting to events in a manner that often proved counter to my highest good. On many occasions I was saved by unseen forces by a clear intuitive knowing and/or direct action. Profound as these experiences were, it never occurred to me to ask for help from these mostly unseen beings until I learned how to access my own Akashic Records. “My work in the Akashic Records connected me to a deep source of support, wisdom, love, and guidance as I was shown how my life fits into the fabric of life, how we are all connected, and how to live a more genuine, authentic life. While these experiences have been profoundly healing, I have also relied on this connection to help with such tasks as business meetings, reorganizing my home, and creative pursuits. I felt called to help others access their records, either in a consultation with me, or by learning how to access their own records. I am deeply grateful for the people who have trusted me with this honor. “Loving, supportive, and often humorous, the beings we refer... View Article
It was our pleasure to welcome Hafizullah, a Sufi spiritual teacher from Seattle, WA for a discussion with Henry Cretella, M.D on spiritual bypass. It is almost impossible to follow a spiritual path without engaging in some version of using spirituality, consciously or unconsciously, in the service of avoiding painful issues. What matters is knowing this, learning to catch it more and more quickly, and getting back on track. Returning to the main highway involves a willingness to really get to know ourselves, not just “transcend.” It is to genuinely deal with the mystery in our shadows where our unique gifts and talents lie right next to our wounds rather than only focus on the light. It is then that our spirituality becomes whole, meaningful, and transformative.
Henry Cretella, M.D. talks with Paul Brew about Paul’s personal journey into finding his relationship with spirituality. Paul is formally trained in history and is an adjunct teacher at local colleges. His travels have included working at Eastman Kodak as a Group Leader, an advocate for LGBTQ rights, glassmaking, photography, martial arts, and a love-hate relationship with religion. Paul’s extensive reading and life experiences brought him to a love of mysticism. Paul says, “If you want to be kind, think of me as a spiritual Renaissance man.”
Henry Cretella, M.D. talks with Dr. Cheryl Tisler on Zoom about Cheryl's personal journey into holistic psychiatry. Dr. Tisler describes her life journey in which she synthesizes her experiences starting with her upbringing and adult relationships, physical status, allopathic, and alternative medical explorations and spirituality, into a focus on holistic psychiatry.
Henry Cretella, M.D. talks with Rev. Dr. William Huston Wilkinson on Zoom about spiritual interconnectedness. Rev. Wilkinson is a pastor/teaching elder of The First Presbyterian Church in Medina, NY. He brings experiences as a sociologist, hospital worker, sheet metal worker, physician/scientist, and theological educator to the building of missional churches and congregation-based community organizations.
Henry Cretella, M.D. talks with Joel Lesses on Zoom about spirituality and poetry. Joel is an accomplished poet and is especially well known in Buffalo and Rochester. He received the award of Buffalo's "Best Poet" in 2014, and founded the "Ground and Sky Poetry" series in Buffalo and Rochester. He also facilitates numerous workshops and classes in Western New York.
Joel hosts his own podcast series "Unraveling Religion" on Apple Podcasts.
Henry Cretella, M.D. talks with William (Bill) Kelly, LCSW on Zoom about sex and spirituality. Bill is a seasoned clinician, especially in the area of sexuality and its importance in our personal and interpersonal experiences.
The information provided on this website and these podcasts is for informational purposes only. Nothing on this website and in these podcasts is intended to be a substitute for medical, psychological, psychiatric, or any health related diagnosis or treatment.
The opinions expressed by the guests in these podcasts are not necessarily the opinions of Amber Light International and anyone associated with this organization.
