At seven this week's guest, Rikki West, begged a mysterious God for help, praying that her drunk father won’t harm their family and that he won’t be sent to hell. But when nothing seems to happen, she worried: Is anyone up there really listening? This question triggered a lifelong search for the great, loving being she imagines her prayers might reach. Delving into Catholicism, psychedelics, transcendental meditation, yoga, AA and Buddhist chanting, she explores every available path. She studies genetic science at UC Berkeley and humanities at San Francisco State, combing through the knowledge they offer for answers to the big questions.
On this guest episode I was delighted to interview the wonderful Rikki West. She was kind enough to send me a copy of her book, The Empty Bowl, and it was so smoothly and beautifully written I gobbled it up in days! Not only is Rikki a phenomenally talented writer she also has incredible life story. I try not to spoil it and let Rikki share her tale on the show of taking acid in 1960's Berkeley, having dinner at Roman Polanski's house, exploring the line between science & spirituality, surviving a violent rape that brought her face to face with the guilt and denial that shames women into silence, and fueled her addiction, how she has stayed sober for decades, and how losing everything ultimately led to a joyous late-life renaissance.
Rikki West is the author of
The Empty Bowl: Pursuing Truth in a Messy World, a former spiritual seeker, and a UC Berkeley–trained scientist. She spent decades trying to reconcile scientific explanations of existence with her ordinary, real-life awareness. One adventure at a time, she found her way to a peace and beauty that changed all the questions. Her book
Rootlines, a memoir of family healing, was published by She Writes Press in 2020. Mother of Noli and Godmother of Morgan, Rikki loves being outside in the alpine desert of northern New Mexico, where she lives with her wife Jill and that old Yamaha.
Learn More About Rikki Here:
https://www.rikkiwest.com/
What is Women Waken: Spiritual Healing for Trauma in Relationships to Shift from Codependency to Divine Feminine?
My name is Whitney Walker, welcome to Women Waken! I am a Licensed Mental Health Therapist specialising in substance abuse, addiction, eating disorders, trauma, and Spirituality. Over 10 years ago I walked into a therapist office for the first time because I realised that I felt incapable of handling life. I abused drugs and alcohol, had rock bottom self esteem, often felt suicidal, was very self destructive, and had no idea how to resolve what felt like a complete mess inside my mind and emotions.
After years of therapy, getting sober, and choosing to begin the journey of unconditional self love for myself, things started to change. My self esteem rose along with my self regard and kindness towards myself. I knew there was only one thing I wanted to do with the rest of my life; help others out of the place that I was in and start figuring out how we can end these cycles for good, for all of us.
Women Waken is building community and offering a platform for Women to come together who share a vision of creating a new way of life where insecurity, low self esteem, and self- destruction are no longer the norm. Where we are able to rebalance the dynamic between the inner and outer Worlds so that our ability to love and accept ourselves is no longer dependent on externals.
On this show, we speak to Women who are seeking to heal from traumas/habits/addictions that are keeping them in a place of disempowerment who are ready to begin aligning with their true self and are ready to let their light shine
I release two episodes a week, an interview and solo episode,
If you feel ready to reclaim your power and stand in your Divine light I hope this show finds you!