Awareness Explorers

Awareness Explorers episode 216: Types of Thought In this episode, we discuss different types of thoughts and how to distinguish between helpful and harmful thinking patterns. We cover practical thoughts versus emotional ruminations, the importance of intuitive wisdom versus egoic thinking, and how to recognize beneficial thoughts that come from outside the normal mind. • Includes a guided meditat...

Awareness Explorers episode 215: Luciano Melo, Guest Explorer In this episode we feature Luciano Melo, a PhD researcher on awakening who shared his transformative journey from depression into non-dual awakening, and how these experiences led to a complete deconstruction of his sense of self before integrating back into a state of wholeness. To learn more about Luciano Melo, please visit:  Omni-Int...

Awareness Explorers episode 214: Approaches to Spiritual Growth In this episode, we discuss different models of spiritual growth, exploring the advantages and disadvantages of each, and sharing our personal experiences across multiple approaches, including books, coaching, religion, satsang, peer support, AI chatbots, retreats, 12-step programs, YouTube teachings, transmissions, communes, and work...

Awareness Explorers episode 213: Eric Zimmer Guest Explorer In this episode we talk to Eric Zimmer, host of the podcast, "The One You Feed," about his new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life, his approach to personal transformation combining both inner spiritual practices and outer behavioral changes, and how to balance both acceptance and change....

Awareness Explorers episode 212: Life Force In this episode Jonathan and Brian explore the nature of life force energy, two paths to access the life force, and possible obstacles to its full expression. • Includes a guided meditation focusing on how we can get out of its way and allow the universal life force to express itself through our temporary form with all of its talents, gifts, abilities, a...

Awareness Explorers episode 211: Salvadore Poe, Guest Explorer In this episode we talk to Salvadore Poe, a spiritual teacher and author who shared his journey from rock musician to spiritual awakening, and described his concept of "having a holiday," that is, recognizing pure being without fixing on any particular experience. The discussion covers topics including spiritual bypassing, doership, an...

Awareness Explorers episode 210: The Problem of Compartmentalization In this episode we explore the problem of compartmentalization and how applying spiritual awareness to some areas of life (such as meditation), but not others (such as money or relationships) creates a spiritual identity that fails to integrate shadow material, thereby inhibiting the cultivation of non-dual awareness alongside en...

Awareness Explorers episode 209: Neelam, Guest Explorer In this episode we talk to Neelam about her awakening with H.W.L. Poonja, known as Papaji, the role of trust in awakening, how the nervous system's capacity to be present is the "missing link" between a desire for truth and the ability to experience it, and how a true feeling of "okayness" enables us to rest in our true nature. •Includes a gu...

Awareness Explorers episode 208: Trina Dawn, Guest Explorer In this episode, we talk to Trina Dawn about the "seeker" identity as a mind-created story, which perpetuates suffering by resisting the present moment. •Includes a guided meditation using questions to help you notice what's shining right here, right now without any effort, and without words or labels, and that's already awake. To learn m...

Awareness Explorers episode 207: Tani Thole and Leslie Rogers, Guest Explorers In this episode we talk to Tani Thole and Leslie Rogers, founders of the Light Dark Institute, about their philosophy of integrating shadow work for spiritual growth, by bringing love to the most unloved parts of the self, which are the source of internal and external conflict. • Includes a guided meditation from Tani i...

In this episode, Jonathan and Brian debate the value of pre-meditation rituals for enhancing meditation. We outline several practices to enhance meditation, and we also contrast pre-meditation rituals to create deep experiences, versus viewing meditation as simply allowing "what is." • Includes a guided meditation helping you to transition from your busy day by breathing into any part of your body...

In this episode we review the core non-duality teachings of Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj, including their inquiries into the nature of the Self. These teachings have been among the most influential in the present-day satsang and nonduality movements in the West. • Includes a guided self-inquiry meditation to trace the "I" thought to its source as the knower of all experience, and to he...

In this episode we explore relationships as a path to awakening that reveals obstacles to love, and how MDMA can serve as a catalyst to open-heartedness. The book we discussed in this episode is  Ecstasy for Couples: How MDMA Therapy Can Create More Love and Less Conflict In Your Relationship To learn more about Ecstasy for Couples, please visit:  https://xtcforcouples.net/ For more information ab...

In this episode, we talk to Kate Alvo about Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) how they can release tension held in the body from stress and from traumas of the past, as well as how releasing stored tension naturally quiets the mind, offering a physical pathway to presence that can facilitate awakening. • Includes a guided meditation to help listeners tune into their bodies and notice di...

In this episode, we explore how technology is accelerating human transformation and consciousness, and we outline the five key areas that are driving this shift: psychedelics, nootropics, gadgets, new techniques, and AI coaching. • Includes a guided meditation leading us to recall a specific, highly awakened or peaceful experience and how to amplify the feeling with deep breaths and visualization....

In this episode we talk to Amy Islip about her experiences with guided MDMA therapy, the profound spiritual awakening that ensued, and the resulting embodiment of spacious, open-hearted, love. • Includes a guided meditation leading us first, to rest in what is, free from stories and plans, allowing our bodies to soften, dissolve, and expand, and then, leading us to draw that expansiveness back int...

In this episode, we respond to ChatGPT's summary of the top 15 recurring themes throughout the 200 episodes of Awareness Explorers to date, and elaborate on the ways they point to the realization of our true nature as infinite awareness. • Includes a list of Brian's Key Principles of Awareness, which can serve as a guided meditation. And here is a link to Pamela Wilson's "Cave of the Heart" medita...

In this episode we discuss gurus and spiritual teachers and explore the potential benefits as well as the potential risks involved in following a guru. • Includes a guided meditation leading us toward finding our inner guru and asking a deep personal question. Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our true nature. To learn more about Aw...

In this episode we talk with Beth Miller, author of Awakening is Not for the Faint of Heart: Risk Everything for Love, about her profound shift in consciousness, the integration of therapy and spirituality, and insights from long COVID, which was ultimately a gift, providing deep healing and spiritual growth, and requiring intense presence, surrender, and trust in life. To learn more about Beth Mi...

In this episode we talk to Michael McCord, president of San Francisco Zen Center, on bringing Zen practices into daily life and work, and how enlightenment is seen as an ongoing process of increasing awareness, not a fixed end state to achieve. • Includes a guided meditation introducing the Zen practice of breath counting. To learn more about Michael McCord, please visit these San Franciso Zen Cen...

In this episode we talk to Stephen Zerfas, co-founder of Jhourney, which offers retreats facilitating rapid access to jhana meditation states, described as positive feedback loops between attention and emotion, offering profound states of gratitude, peace and non-duality. • Includes a guided meditation focusing on relaxing the body while turning our attention to positive concepts such as gratitude...

In this episode we discuss strategies for handling bad news as an awakening person, balancing awareness and action.. • Includes a guided meditation addressing the dichotomy between taking action and acceptance, and how to bring these two seeming opposites into a workable equilibrium. Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our true nature...

In this episode we discuss the concept of the Middle Way and explore how to move beyond polarities in spiritual practice and daily life, thus finding a balance between extremes and recognizing the interconnectedness of all things. • Includes a guided meditation in which we bring two opposite energies together to sense how they are intertwined and to feel a balance and a gentle equilibrium as we us...

In this episode, we talk to Kat (Katrijn) van Oudheusden, author of Seeing No-Self, and Beyond Illusion, about discovering the illusion of separation, and her set of essential inquiries that use empirical investigation of direct experience to point to our true nature. To learn more about Kat van Oudheusden, please visit:  https://katoudheusden.com/ Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways...

In this episode we talk to Samuel Jacob, a contemporary spiritual teacher specializing in radical self-inquiry. He emphasizes the immediate availability of awareness, completeness, and happiness in the present moment. • Includes a guided meditation focusing on being aware that all appearances arise "here" without effort, and emphasizing the relaxation of any attempt to arrive here, which is where...