The Power of Choice: Ayurveda, Awareness & Radical Presence with Michael Green

What if your healing journey isn’t about becoming someone new—but remembering who you’ve always been? In this week’s episode of From the Ashes, I sit down once again with meditation teacher, Ayurvedic practitioner, and dear friend Michael Green for a conversation that goes straight to the soul. We dive into the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and how it reveals not only the roots of imbalance, but also the power we have to return to ourselves—through awareness, radical presence, and compassionate choice. We explore what it really means to live from your Prakriti (your true nature) instead of your Vikruti (your current imbalance), and how so many of us mistakenly build our lives from a place of disconnection. Whether you're navigating burnout, chronic stress, or seeking clarity on your next step, this episode is a beautiful reminder: you are not broken—you’re just being invited to realign. 🔑 Expect powerful insights on: Why presence is the foundation of healing The 3 root causes of disease (and how to work with them) Reclaiming your agency in moments that feel powerless Key Moments: [03:45] – The difference between who we think we are vs. who we really are [10:08] – Prakriti and Vikruti explained through real-life examples [16:31] – The 3 root causes of disease in Ayurveda—and how they still apply today [25:12] – What radical presence actually looks like in everyday life [34:40] – Why we self-abandon, and the surprising path back [42:15] – Michael’s story of coming back to his own power after years of illness [50:56] – A reminder: healing isn’t about fixing, it’s about remembering About Our Guest: Since completing his first 10-day Vipassana retreat in India in 2007, Michael has studied and practiced different meditation techniques and traditions, including Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Dzogchen, and others. His personal practice is in the Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhist tradition.  Michael received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and is a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner from Southern California University of Health Sciences. He completed his meditation teacher training at UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), and is a certified mindfulness teacher through the International Mindfulness Teacher's Association (IMTA).  He spent 20 years between New York City and Los Angeles and is now based in Bali. Connect with Michael michaelgreenayurveda.com substack.com me/michaelgreenayurveda   About the Host Valerie Hwang Beck is a holistic wellness coach, personal growth mentor, and board-certified Ayurvedic Practitioner. As the founder of Intrepid Wellness and creator of the year-long mentorship program Club Phoenix, Valerie specializes in guiding individuals through life’s challenges, empowering them to emerge stronger, more resilient, and purpose-driven. Through From the Ashes, Valerie shares dynamic conversations that ignite hope, healing, and transformation. Want to Go Deeper? Join Club Phoenix If this episode resonates with you and you’re ready to break through self-sabotage, redefine your path, and finally take action toward the life you know you’re meant to live, then it’s time for you to join us in Club Phoenix. 📅 Schedule a call with me → https://tidycal.com/intrepidwellness/evolveyou2024 Want to check out my upcoming workshops, detoxes, and resources for the community? 🔥 Explore my programs & resources: https://www.intrepidwellness.life/ignite Join the Conversation 💬 Have a question, feedback, or insight from today’s episode? Leave me a voicemail on my SpeakPipe page: https://www.speakpipe.com/intrepidval, or drop me a line at [email protected]. 📸 Instagram: @intrepidwellness.val 🎥 YouTube: @intrepidwellness562 💻 Website: life 📧 Join my email list: Sign up here Loving the Show? If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a friend. Your support helps bring more raw, real, and transformative conversations to From the Ashes. Subscribe and stay tuned for more episodes where every story ignites hope and healing.