Grit and Zen Podcast

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...

The host, Kurt Armstrong, recounts his journey from a troubled past to a regenerative life. He shares his experiences with psychedelics, including a negative one that led to a profound transformation. Armstrong emphasizes the importance of responsible psychedelic use and the potential for personal growth and spiritual awakening. The narrator recounts a pivotal experience from the past ten years, d...

Kurt discusses the importance of staying present in the moment and avoiding dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. He emphasizes the benefits of focusing on one task at a time, rather than multitasking, and highlights the connection between this practice and various spiritual and philosophical teachings. Kurt encourages listeners to embrace the present, let go of negative thoughts, and...

Kurt Armstrong, the host of a podcast about personal growth and spiritual development, discusses his journey towards a more selfless and service-oriented life. He reflects on his past mistakes and the various paths he has explored, including Eastern philosophy and spiritual practices. Kurt is currently in the process of selling and giving away his possessions to detach from materialism and focus o...

Kurt Armstrong, the host of the Criton Zen podcast, discusses his spiritual journey and beliefs. He emphasizes the importance of unconditional love and compassion, drawing parallels between his practices of Raja yoga and teachings of Jesus Christ. Armstrong highlights the need for understanding and acceptance across different religions, emphasizing that they all aim to promote love and understandi...

The podcast host, Kurt, discusses the challenges of navigating life after a spiritual awakening, including losing friends who don’t align with his new path and grappling with past actions, such as violence and substance abuse. He acknowledges the need for accountability and personal growth, while also dealing with feelings of loneliness and disappointment when friends cancel plans to visit. Kurt e...

The host, Kurt Armstrong, recounts his experience with smoking marijuana, highlighting its negative impact on his mental clarity and ability to control his mind. He emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in consuming various substances, including food, music, and media, and how they can influence our well-being and life direction. Armstrong shares his journey of self-discovery and the techniques...

Surrendering control and having non-attachment to outcomes is a powerful concept. By accepting challenges as opportunities for growth and embracing a spiritual awakening, one can find peace and clarity in decision-making. Ultimately, letting go of ego-driven desires and trusting in a higher power leads to a more fulfilling life. The speaker discusses their approach to life’s challenges, emphasizin...

The podcast host, Kurt Armstrong, discusses his journey with yoga, which he discovered while in jail. He emphasizes the importance of the eight limbs of yoga beyond just physical postures, highlighting its philosophy of self-reflection and personal growth. Armstrong plans to start trauma-based yoga teacher training, reflecting his own experiences and the transformative power of yoga. The speaker r...

The speaker reflects on a recent incident where they became upset about losing a computer, realizing they were caught up in future worries rather than staying present. They discuss the importance of surrendering to a higher power and practicing faith, sharing a personal experience of praying and finding peace. The speaker also touches on financial struggles and commitments to their children, empha...

The narrator recounts a transformative experience during meditation last summer. Focusing on the seven chakras and repeating “glory be to God,” the narrator felt a surge of energy, likening it to a lightning bolt from God. This experience, which occurred during a period of isolation, led the narrator to share their journey and beliefs about spirituality and the divine. The narrator recounts a prof...