This week, our heroes Shamash and Calvin are out of their comfort zone, and have moved into a new special world where difficult challenges ensue. When examining acceptance and commitment therapy through the lens of the Hero's Journey, we see how tests and enemies align, but who are our allies? Our values.

In this episode:

• Therapist Mari Williams describes how we live out our values, and how they filter and inform even the smallest decisions we make.
• Social entrepreneur Kush Kanodia combines purpose and values by looking at them in terms of core and flex: those things we hold sacred vs those we can compromise on.
• Dr Steven Hayes, originator of ACT, recounts a spiritual experience that informed his work, and discusses the ways we judge our own feelings and how that judgement can lead to anxiety.
• Dr Mehwish Sharif sets out some the questions she asks clients to help them explore the emotions behind the choices they make.

Next week, we approach the inner-most cave, and understand what can be gained from engaging in a long dark night of the soul.

Mindful Conversations is hosted by mindfulness teacher Shamash Alidina and mindful storyteller Calvin Niles.

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