Dark Night of the Soul

Destiny: Helen Lavretsky, M.D., Living from the Soul

Earth AncientsJul 22, 2026

UCLA geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Helen Lavretsky discusses her book 'Living from the Soul: The Neuroscience of Spiritual Awakening,' which opens with her own unexpected spiritual awakening. She describes a guided 'soul listening' meditation in which most participants report feeling a physical 'hug' from their soul, and a brain-scan study comparing this experience to viewing nature and art. The conversation also covers Kundalini-induced psychosis, past-life lessons, a death-preparation meditation in which she felt her soul begin to leave her body, ketamine visions, and the rise of death doulas.