Grit and Zen Podcast

I deleted WhatsApp and all social media, citing Meta ownership and lack of utility. I canceled music subscriptions to avoid curation, seeking immersion in reality rather than technology. Discarding smartphones enables presence, reducing anxiety and fostering true connections. Turning devices off for twenty-four hours or adopting screen-free Sundays restores awe. Stillness aligns mind, body, and so...

Kurt Armstrong hosts the Grit and Zen Podcast to share a journey involving Raja Yoga and non-attachment. He distinguishes non-attachment from detachment, rejecting ownership of objects or music and viewing attachment to people as leading to codependency. Non-attachment means loving without reliance, extending to God or the universe as one totality. Language creates false differences; practice exte...

Kurt Armstrong shares a podcast update on his journey from abusive behavior through therapy and jail time. After a fall, his father was hospitalized in Connecticut; Kurt traveled there to surrender control and offer positive energy. Care for the father ensured full-time support. A meeting with God led to veganism and honesty, ending people pleasing. The speaker accepts all humans, citing love and...

This episode shares a regenerative journey toward sustainability and unconditional love. He criticizes constant phone use as digital addiction and advocates intentional disconnection, embodying kindness and renouncing the digital world as protest. Solutions include putting phones away, disabling notifications or enabling only essential ones, and observing screen-free Sundays with calls only. Delet...

Kurt Armstrong hosts the Grit and Zen Podcast, discussing permaculture-inspired self-regeneration and acceptance of past substance abuse. He follows an ital diet, seeks detachment from identity, and navigates dualistic work as a bartender while embracing presence. Self-realization centers on the divine spark within, accessible now without asceticism. Removing labels like Kurt Armstrong reveals sha...

* Blessings and Well Wishes : The speaker offers blessings and wishes for a good day or evening to listeners in any situation. * Shared Positive Qualities: Love, joy, and happiness are described as always present and not requiring effort to obtain. * Disinterest in Small Talk: The speaker finds small talk uninteresting but not negative, preferring deeper topics. * Preferred Topics: Conversations a...

Kurt Armstrong, host of the Grit and Zen podcast, shares his journey from a life of fear and stress to one of love and connection with God. He discusses the ego, explaining how it separates us from the world and drives us to create masks and identities. Kurt believes that shedding the ego allows us to experience a deeper connection with existence and achieve self-realization. The speaker believes...

The podcast episode explores the idea of living in the present moment and avoiding comparison and judgment. The host argues that comparing experiences, possessions, or oneself to others detracts from the inherent joy and appreciation of each experience. The host also critiques the influence of social media and the internet, suggesting that they often perpetuate unrealistic comparisons and misinfor...

The host, Kurt Armstrong, explains his decision to step away from mainstream social media, citing concerns about misinformation, algorithmic control, and the negative impact on human interaction and the natural world. He emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment, engaging in meaningful conversations, and being mindful of the influence of technology on our lives. Armstrong encourage...

Kurt Armstrong, host of the Grit and Zen podcast, introduces the third season, which will focus on deeper philosophical discussions. He explains his decision to withdraw from social media, viewing it as a tool for control and distraction, and emphasizes the importance of meditation and stillness for finding answers and inspiration. Armstrong believes that true connection with the divine and unders...

The final Niyama, Ishvara Pranidhana, is about surrender and devotion, not just giving up but letting go. It involves dedicating one’s life to the benefit of humanity, seeing God in everything, and practicing non-attachment. By surrendering to a higher power and offering efforts and results to something greater, one can achieve tranquility of mind and peace. The text discusses the concept of non-a...

The fourth Niyama, Svadhyaya, emphasizes self-study and self-reflection. This involves observing one’s thoughts, habits, and actions without judgment, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and the ability to make positive changes. The goal is to align oneself with their true self, free from societal expectations and limitations. The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and s...

The third Niyama, Tapas, translates to austerity and is about embracing self-discipline and accepting suffering to purify the mind and body. The host shares a personal story about quitting a hockey team due to ego, highlighting the importance of perseverance and accepting challenges as opportunities for growth. The host also connects Tapas to the physical practice of yoga, emphasizing how uncomfor...

The podcast continues its discussion of yogic philosophy, focusing on the second niyama, Santosha, or contentment. Contentment is defined as accepting the present moment without attachment to outcomes, leading to supreme joy. The host emphasizes the importance of self-care and selfless service, drawing from personal experiences and the concept of karma yoga. Cultivating contentment involves self-a...

The next five episodes of the Grit and Zen podcast will explore the Nyamas, observances in the 8-limbed path of yoga. The first Niyama, Sacha, emphasizes purity and detachment from the physical body. This detachment allows for a deeper connection with the divine and a focus on spiritual growth. The concept of purity and cleanliness extends beyond physical hygiene to encompass mental and spiritual...

The podcast episode explores the yogic principle of Aparigraha, or non-possessiveness, as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The host, Kurt Armstrong, discusses how practicing Aparigraha can lead to a deeper understanding of one’s life and reduce suffering by letting go of attachments to possessions, people, and outcomes. Armstrong shares personal anecdotes about his journey towards embraci...

The Grit and Zen podcast, hosted by Kurt Armstrong, explores the path of Raja yoga, emphasizing its depth beyond physical practice. This episode delves into the fourth Yama, Brahmacharya, often associated with celibacy but more accurately understood as moderation and energy conservation. The commentary highlights the importance of preserving vital energy for spiritual growth and healthy relationsh...

The podcast episode explores the yogic principle of Asteya, or non-stealing, as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The host delves into the concept of non-stealing, emphasizing that it extends beyond material possessions to include ideas, opportunities, and even the natural world. The commentary highlights the importance of contentment, sharing, and using resources responsibly, suggesting t...

The Grit and Zen podcast, hosted by Kurt Armstrong, explores his journey of self-improvement and accountability. This episode focuses on the yogic philosophy of Raja yoga, specifically the second yama, Satya, or truthfulness. Kurt emphasizes the importance of aligning with one’s true self and the transformative power of honesty, drawing from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The speaker emphasizes the...

The host, Kurt Armstrong, shares his journey towards a Zen-like state of mind, emphasizing personal accountability and the importance of love over fear. He introduces the Yamas and Nyamas, ethical restraints and personal observances in yoga philosophy, as guidelines for living a fulfilling life. The first Yama, Ahimsa, is explored as nonviolence and non-injury towards all living beings, including...

The host, Kurt Armstrong, shares his journey of personal growth and self-love, emphasizing the importance of shedding societal labels and embracing one’s true self. He discusses his past mistakes, including substance abuse and a violent background, and his commitment to personal development, including sobriety and self-reflection. Kurt also shares his upcoming trip to care for his father, who is b...

Kurt Armstrong, host of the Grit and Zen podcast, discusses viewing the world as a work of art. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude and appreciation for all creations, whether natural or man-made. Armstrong shares his personal journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, highlighting the role of practices like meditation, yoga, and psychedelic work in achieving a deeper connection with th...

Kurt Armstrong, host of the Grit and Zen podcast, discusses his personal journey, including his struggles with sobriety and a recent relapse on cannabis. He reflects on the importance of being present in the moment and his commitment to his spiritual journey, which includes a nine-month meditation program. Armstrong also shares his gratitude for his healing toe and his determination to stay accoun...

The podcast host believes all answers to life’s questions, from diet to spirituality, are within us and the collective consciousness. He argues external sources, often profit-driven, mislead us into believing we need their guidance. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry and intuition to determine what works best for each individual’s unique body and experience. The speaker recounts...

The speaker recounts a profoundly positive psychedelic experience, contrasting it with a previous negative one. After a year of sobriety, the speaker, seeking answers, took a higher dose of LSD than intended, leading to an intense and unexpected trip. The experience involved a thousand-headed being and a journey into a different realm, leaving the speaker with a deep spiritual understanding. The n...