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Ep. 235 | In the 18th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali delves into the fascinating subject of how the physical world is related to the absolute. From a nondual perspective, reality includes the physical world, he explains; the world cannot be reduced to an illusion. Material reality is every bit as compelling as the spiritual perspective, he continues. How we perceive it depends on where we find our stance, what we are immersed in—in the formless or the world of form. Hameed recognizes and honors physical reality, while describing material objects as expressions, or glimmerings, of the ground of being—the physical and the ground of being inseparable, whether pure presence or pure emptiness.And how does the relationship between creator and creation relate to the individual? Hameed presents his mystical theology: a triadic reality formed by God, the individual, and the physical world, where each maintains its own truth. Because the absolute is inherently not self-aware, it needs an individual to become aware of itself, he explains. We are its “knowing instruments.” Hameed's mystical theology, establishing the relationship between the human being, the world, and God, or true nature, is both elevating and grounding, enlightening and somehow comforting. The essential puzzle pieces of reality fitted together, creating unity. From atoms and quarks to what happens after death and how all dimensions can possibly exist in exquisite harmony when there is so much disharmony in the world, this conversation is far ranging, stimulating, and punctuated with laughter, as Hameed, Roger, and John continue to explore The Inner Journey Home. Recorded May 14, 2026.“When we experience the absolute, we see it as the truth of everything, the nature of everything—all are glimmerings of the absolute.”Topics & Time StampsIntroducing dialogue #18 in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, an exploration of the chapter titled “Reality” in Hameed's magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home (00:49)Hameed explains how the Path of Love Series relates to the The Inner Journey Home/Wisdom Series (04:51)Seeing the physical world from the perspective of the absolute (06:10)Why do we experience the world as so very solid? (09:28)From the absolute perspective, material objects are glimmerings of the ground of being (11:49)From the scientific perspective, the physical world is “rock-level real” (14:45)The physical world should not be reduced to an illusion; it has properties that cannot be denied (18:13)In the physical world, death means no longer alive; spiritually, death is a transformation (21:50)Does the individual soul continue after death? (25:04)Why isn't everyone awakened if we're all part of the absolute? (26:40)Standing in the absolute, all dimensions are inseparable, existing in exquisite harmony, but this does not negate people's experience of disharmony (30:38)The absolute is inherently not self-aware, that's why it needs an individual to become aware of itself (32:56)The divine coma is the entry to the absolute (35:38)The relationship between the human being, the world, and God (38:59)Is there a personal God? (41:47)You can be an individual without being separate (47:33)God fulfillment & soul fulfillment are one and the same (50:36)The concept of service has many stages (52:57)Hameed's mystical theology: a triadic reality, each with its own truth (57:06)The dimension of energy (01:04:26)Reality appears differently from different perspectives; this teaching is from the nondual perspective (01:06:10)Dzogchen & Hameed both give an inherent meaning to life; traditions espousing illusion do not (01:09:19)Individual creativity gives voice to the creativity of the universe (01:12:24)Resources & ReferencesA. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of The Diamond ApproachA. H. Almaas, The Inner Journey Home: Soul's Realization of the Unity of RealityAdvaita VedantaSri Nisargadatta Maharaj, I Am That Beginning of a famous Hadith Qudsi: “I was a hidden treasure and wanted to be known…”Sufi master Ibn Arabi, “God needs a soul just as much as a soul needs God.”A. H. Almaas, The Pearl Beyond Price: Integration of Personality into Being: An Object Relations ApproachThe Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, Deep Transformation podcast seriesMeister Eckhart, German Catholic priest, theologian, philosopher & mysticRamana Maharshi, Hindu sage and liberated beingLongchenpa, Dzogchen poet---The A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series generally follows the sequence of Hameed's magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home (which John describes as psychoactive and spiritually, psychologically, and intellectually transformative), so listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this exhilarating path of awakening.---Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation ListenersIf you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed's team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/. And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign up.---Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general.Hameed's process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the Enneagram: How to Unlock the Highest Potential of Every Personality Type, The Unfolding...
In this episode of the International Enneagram Association podcast, A.H. Almaas, a spiritual leader and founder of the Ridwan School and the Diamond Approach to Self-Realization, discusses the interconnection between psychology and spirituality within the Enneagram. Rather than treating these as separate parallel processes, Almas explains how the Enneagram reveals them as two inseparable facets of the same consciousness. He explores the Enneagram's nine holy ideas, emphasizing that understanding the holy ideas represents a shift in perspective that transforms how we perceive ourselves, others, and reality itself.Connect with us:Web: internationalenneagram.orgJoin the email list: administration@internationalenneagram.orgA.H. Almaas:Web: diamondapproach.orgIG: @diamondapproachPod: Deep TransformationBooks: shambhala.com/authors/a-f/a-h-almaas.htmlSeth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmorePod: Fathoms | An Enneagram PodcastPod: Awareness to Action Enneagram PodcastPod: Delusional Optimism with Dr. BLindsey Marks:IG: @lindseyfaithdmPod: Fathoms | An Enneagram PodcastLee Fields:Web: enneagrammatic.comIG: @enneagrammaticSeth Abram:IG: @integratedenneagramPod: Fathoms | An Enneagram PodcastFlemming Christensen:Web: flemmingchristensen.comTrainings: flemmingchristensen.com/trainingThe Enneagram Life Theme: flemmingchristensen.com/enneagram-life-theme.htmlBook: “The Enneagram and why your blind type matters”IG: @flemmingchristensencomFB: Flemming ChristensenLinkedIn: Flemming Christensen
Ep. 233 | In the last episode of the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, Hameed explores the themes he introduced in the later chapters of his new book, The Inner Beloved. Hameed clarifies the role of mind on the path of heart (the mind is bedazzled and awed; the heart open), and details what happens when we reach the beloved, like “falling in love with everything” and experiencing the absolute as a “coming home” (even though there's no one there!). We learn that, on the path of love, no matter what we do or don't do, a heart-driven force beyond the mind is pulling us onward. Once we arrive, we realize the beloved has always been there—which is why our heart has been longing for the beloved all along.Hameed explains that on the path of love, nonduality becomes intimacy—reality itself is pure intimacy, he says—and in fact, the nonbeingness of the beloved is the ultimate truth of reality. In a state of mystical poverty, we discover that all we are and have ever been has been borrowed from the beloved. The culmination of this Path of Love Series ends very beautifully, the love and intimacy of the beloved pervading Hameed's words and the images he conjures for us. “The world is simply the luminosity of the beloved,” Hameed says. In listening to him, we share in some of the wonderful sense of coming home he experienced, a little of the radiant luminosity, too, and his own ongoing excitement over the ever unfolding mystery of the divine. Recorded April 9, 2026.“We can be in the lap of the beloved and still enjoy life—loving everything from that place.”Topics & Time StampsIntroducing the 4th dialogue in the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, focusing on the role of mind and the culmination of the path (00:49)On the path of love you are heart-driven by forces that mind cannot fathom (01:39)Hameed's experience of falling in love with everything and experiencing the absolute as if “coming home” (03:00)The mind is bedazzled by the Mystery and recognizes its limitation in relation to the heart (08:20)When you get there, you realize the beloved has always been there (11:46)Emptiness beyond normal emptiness: Hameed calls this “absence” (13:05)The great liberation: where there's nothing more to dissolve (17:18)As we are pulled, the love deepens & intensifies; we drown in the passion (22:06)Mystical poverty: the soul recognizes all of its qualities are borrowed from the beloved (25:05)What is right relationship between the realized heart and a healthy mind? (25:51)Krishnamurti would talk about no mind—but he was always using mind (28:40)Cutting through illusion & Hameed's transmission from Manjushri (30:29)True mind: knowing in the moment (38:43)Dissolving dichotomies into wholeness: the world is simply the luminosity of the beloved (43:31)The ultimate truth of reality: the nonbeingness of the beloved (50:21)When tantra is enhanced by real love, then you can dissolve into the vastness (53:30)Stabilizing the realization is the second stage, actualizing the realization and not going back to the “doer” is the third stage (58:51)The dissolution of self doesn't necessarily last: humility is an important step towards making the realization more constant (01:00:46) Nonbeing is the essence of intimacy: being completely one with the inner beloved (01:03:43)On the path of love, nonduality becomes intimacy; reality itself is pure intimacy (01:06:22)For fans of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, the Wisdom Series, based on Hameed's book The Inner Journey Home, will be continued in June 2026.Resources & ReferencesA. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart's Journey to Divine UnityPrevious Deep Transformation Path of Love dialogues: Entering the Path of Heart, Emptying the Heart of All that Obscures the Inner Beloved & Dissolving into Bliss: The Ecstasy of Ego DeathKabir, Indian mystic and poet, Songs of KabirRumi, The Book of Love: Poems of Ecstasy and LongingFakhr al-Din Iraqi, Persian Sufi poet, Divine FlashesSt. John of the Cross, The Dark Night of the SoulKrishnamurti, Indian spiritual figure, speaker, and writerManjushri, bodhisattva of discriminating wisdom, wielding the sword of discriminationAvalokiteśvara, principle bodhisattva in Buddhism, associated with Great CompassionVajrapāṇi, principal bodhisattva in Mahayana & Vajrayana Buddhism, embodying the condensed power, energy, and strength of all the BuddhasJigme Lingpa, a central figure in the Nyingma School of Tibetan BuddhismProclus, Neoplatonic philosopher who hierarchically structures all levels of reality, including the complex subdivisions of the intellectHuston Smith, “The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder,” from Beyond the Post-Modern Mind---Deep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. AlmaasDeep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali's Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love, and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved, published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest.---Special Diamond Approach Course Discount...
Ep. 231 (Part 2 of 2) | In Part 2 of Deep Transformation's third dialogue in the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, Hameed Ali relates what happens on the path of return, after we have experienced dissolving into the radiance of the absolute. In following the path of heart (as opposed to the path of mind), we discover that in addition to pure emptiness, the absolute has (in its beingness aspect) a quality of consciousness that is pure intimacy. “The beloved is intimate with all things in the universe: intimate with people, with the rocks, with the stars… because its nature pervades everything.” Upon returning to the world, we find the universe has become the radiance of the beloved and ordinary life becomes full of love. That said, we may experience a great fear of losing our awakened realization, Hameed adds, which can further stir up old woundings which still need to be faced.Back in the world, as the embodied beloved, do you feel compassion for other people's suffering? co-host John Dupuy wonders. The extent of the compassion is almost unimaginable, Hameed answers. There is vast empathy for all the suffering in the world, and especially for the deep suffering underlying it all that is caused by people not knowing their inner truth. It is by giving the beloved the opportunity to appear and know itself as we live our lives that we love and serve the inner beloved, Hameed continues. He explains that awareness is the beloved witnessing its creation, and that the emptiness aspect of the beloved, emphasized in Buddhism and on the path of mind, brings a searing clarity to our experience. A beautiful conversation, in which co-host Roger Walsh remarks that the presence of the inner beloved seems to be increasingly reflected in these dialogues as they unfold. Perhaps you will feel it too. Recorded January 29, 2026. “Regardless of what we think and feel, at our essence we are love.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2The path of return: the fear of losing the beloved (00:34)Old wounds come up bringing more fear; you have to welcome all the wounding (01:24)Upon return, ordinary life becomes full of love—can this be translated into a scientific or mathematical theory? (02:26)Service is giving the inner beloved the opportunity to appear & know itself (04:47)The depth of compassion felt for the suffering of the world is almost unimaginable (06:50)If you don't work things out, you can't live in this world as the deity (10:47)The beloved is intimate with all things in the universe because its nature pervades everything (11:49)The primal cavity: the deep wish to go into dark, black emptiness (15:39)What is the relation between love and compassion? (19:36)The heart is just there for the beloved—the throne of the beloved (22:15)The more hatred and aggression, the more the disconnection (25:05)Witnessing: awareness is the beloved witnessing its creation (26:48)Realizing the emptiness: the radiance of the darkness is the essence of awareness (28:07)The feeling tone of these dialogues increasingly reflects the presence of the inner beloved (29:50)There is a lot more in the book The Inner Beloved, including conversations with Hameed's students & exercises, that hasn't been discussed (31:07)At our essence we are love: moving towards heart is the inherent potential of humanity (32:23)Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart's Journey to Divine UnityPrevious Deep Transformation Path of Love dialogues: Entering the Path of Heart, Emptying the Heart of All that Obscures the Inner Beloved & Dissolving into BlissRamakrishna, Hindu mystic“I was a hidden treasure and wanted to be known” is the beginning of probably the most famous hadith qudsi or extra-Qur'anic Word of GodLongchenpa: A Guide For Readers (Shambhala)Deep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. AlmaasDeep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali's Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love, and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved, published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest.Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation ListenersIf you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed's team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/. And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign up.---Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general.Hameed's process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the Enneagram: How to Unlock the Highest Potential of Every Personality Type, The Unfolding Now: Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence, and more.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell
Ep. 230 (Part 1 of 2) | The third dialogue in the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas opens with co-host Roger Walsh commenting that in reading Hameed's most recent book, The Inner Beloved, he is struck by how different the Diamond Approach's path of love is from those in other traditions. Hameed explains that, indeed, his path is different in that it addresses the sequence of events on the path of love systematically, using contemporary psychological language to describe the difficulties and barriers that arise, and further, that he includes not only obstacles that come up in the mind (concepts and beliefs), but emotional pain and woundings, abandonments and betrayals, which is something other traditions don't often talk about. Why are our hearts not open? Because opening to such painful emotions is scary; our fear blocks us from opening to the vastness of divine love. The secret to moving forward on the path of love, Hameed says, is to love more intensely, more deeply. Love itself is the fuel that gets us through the obstacles to union with the inner beloved.Hameed speaks of the “death wish” that happens along the path, referring to our desire to dissolve completely into the beloved. “The deep heart loves the prospect of melting away and being nothing, being annihilated, completely absorbed into the beloved,” he explains. The death wish is a common reference in other paths of love, too—the Buddha calls this annihilation of self “emptiness”—and interestingly, Freud recognized it as a universal human characteristic, calling it the nirvana principle. “A deep intuition resides in every human heart,” Hameed continues, “a need for unification with what we love.” This can be small things—chocolate ice cream, our cell phone—which are legitimate objects of love, but in the end, only the inner beloved calls. Once again, Hameed gifts us with an illuminating teaching about the path of love, our desire for nonbeing, the hidden essence of love, and the integration of all we have let go of that happens after we awaken—all coming directly from his own lived experience. Recorded January 29, 2026.“It is inherent to the human being… the movement to dissolve into bliss, into the beloved.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 3rd dialogue in the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, where we continue to explore Hameed's latest book, The Inner Beloved (00:41)How Hameed's path of love differs from other traditions (02:03)One difference is Hameed addresses the sequence of events on the path of love systematically, using psychological language to describe the difficulties & barriers that arise (05:27)On this path, obstacles are not just in the mind but include woundings that occur in relationships (08:09)After union with the beloved comes integration; here is where the nondual connection between the beloved and the world comes in (09:52)The state of desirelessness (10:36)The death wish: the yearning to be completely absorbed into the beloved (11:58)Freud called this deep, universal death wish in humans the nirvana principle (13:53)Buddha called this annihilation of self “emptiness” (18:28)The secret to moving the process along is to intensify our love (20:26)A deep intuition resides in every human heart: a need for unification with what you love (22:46)There is a kind of love where the yearning and wanting is just as ecstatic as loving itself—this is the hidden essence of love (26:45)Why are some called to the path of love yet others keep grasping for more substitute gratification? (28:50)There are 4 paths of yoga but the end is the same; the 4 suits of the tarot tell the stages of each yoga path (30:27)Coming out of the divine “coma,” the whole world is ablaze with love (33:02)The descent is not a loss of the realization, it is a further integration of what we have let go of (35:10)Resources & References – Part 1A. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart's Journey to Divine UnityPrevious Deep Transformation Path of Love dialogues: Entering the Path of Heart & Emptying the Heart of All that Obscures the Inner BelovedPlato's SymposiumFreud's nirvana principle was introduced in Beyond the Pleasure PrincipleHis Holiness the Dalai Lama & Thubten Chodron speak about the absence of inherent existence in Searching for the SelfKen Wilber's core text on substitute gratification is in The Atman Project: A Transpersonal View of Human DevelopmentThe 4 paths of yoga: Karma, Bhakti, Raja and Jnana (Yoga Easy)Mystical Origins of the Tarot by Paul HusonSt. John of the Cross writes about ascent in Ascent of Mount Carmel and descent in The Dark Night of the Soul---Deep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. AlmaasDeep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali's Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love, and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved, published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest.---Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation ListenersIf you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed's team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/. And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign...
Ep. 227 (Part 2 of 2) | In Part 2 of Deep Transformation's second Path of Love Series dialogue, A. H. Almaas explains that the inner beloved is at work in our hearts, pulling us irresistibly nearer as we venture forward on the path of love. The force comes and pulls us, he says, melts us and overwhelms us—sometimes with wounding and sometimes with ecstasy. Our great love for the inner beloved ultimately dissolves our attachments to other, smaller beloveds, which can be big things—family, friends, teachers—or little things: ice cream, cake, our favorite movie star. But our heart isn't going to be happy until it meets the beloved face to face, Hameed assures us. Then, after emptying our heart, when we finally behold the inner beloved, love becomes the nature of the whole universe. Now our relationships are expressions of the inner beloved, and we find we love everything.What makes the Diamond Approach's path of love unique is that it uses love and inquiry combined to penetrate the obstacles that arise along the path. Thus, obstacles are not only burnt away through sheer devotion but also understood and recognized for what they are. Hameed also explains the difference between spiritual poverty of the soul and mystical poverty of the heart, between realization of the absolute via the path of mind versus the path of love, that nonduality is an outer expression of the inner beloved, and describes his own astonishing experience of “thunder and lightning in the heart” on this path. Towards the end of the conversation, Hameed reminds us that when we feel love, that is the beginning. Take the love itself rather than the object of the love, he says, and let it get bigger, let it get deeper, see where it takes you. Recorded January 8, 2026.“The beloved is the source of love and what loves everything.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2The path of love also has many joys and rewards (00:30) The experience of the absolute on this path is distinctly about love (02:41)The Diamond Approach's inquiry practice allows us to understand the obstacles that arise (05:11)Relationship can be a path on its own, but it's not the same as the path of love, where outer relationships are disengaged from (09:30)Mystical poverty: when the heart has nothing left in it, only the inner beloved (12:53)The inner beloved is a jealous lover (13:44)When we finally behold the inner beloved, we find we love everything (14:18)Hameed's experience of thunder & lightning in the heart (15:23)The inner beloved is the source of love, the source of the universe (17:10)Nonduality is an outer expression of the inner beloved (17:40)Love has a magnetic component to it; the inner beloved wants to be one with us (21:19)Mystical poverty is a relinquishment of all competing loves; love is what melts the attachments (23:46)Mystical poverty of the soul is not the same as mystical poverty of the heart (25:40)We need to remember the mystery of the inner beloved (28:05)The soul is an experiential lens for perceiving inner truth (28:52)When we feel love, that's the beginning; let it get bigger, let it get deeper, see where it takes you (30:22)Love is the most powerful force in the spiritual universe (30:44)For fans of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, the Wisdom Series, based on Hameed's book The Inner Journey Home, will be continued later this spring.Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart's Journey to Divine UnityPoet Longchenpa only rarely talks about love and beauty, Finding Rest in the Nature of the MindRamakrishna, Hindu mystic devoted to KaliAdvaita VedantaA Course in Miracles, a path which focuses on relationshipsSt. John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel, The Dark Night of the Soul---Deep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. AlmaasDeep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali's Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love, and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved, published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest.---Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation ListenersIf you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed's team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/. And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign up.---Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the...
Ep. 226 (Part 1 of 2) | In Part 1 of Deep Transformation's second Path of Love Series dialogue with A. H. Almaas, we learn what a spiritual journey on the path of love entails: particularly, emptying our heart so it can discover the deepest inner truth, the inner beloved. “Most of the path of love has to do with emptying the heart with love and yearning combined to burn through all the idols which stand for the inner beloved,” Hameed says. “The heart knows it loves something deeper than itself… and it pains it that it is separate from it.” There are other paths of awakening, for example, the Buddhist way is largely the path of mind, but for Hameed it was the path of heart that took center stage and revealed its secrets. The path of love is not methodical or intentional—it just happens, Hameed continues. The beloved works on the heart, works on the soul, and throws itself nearer—and it's in this nearness that you encounter all the obstacles that keep you from uniting with the beloved. Longtime practitioner, co-host Roger Walsh mentions that the exercises included in Hameed's latest book, The Inner Beloved, intended to help us remove our blocks to perceiving the inner beloved, have worked a treat for him, opening him up in a new way to where his practice feels more flowing and easeful than before. “Love is sorely needed these days on earth,” Hameed concludes, “as our hearts are full of garbage—wounding, hatred, envy. But there is an organ in the soul—the heart—which has its own dynamic: yearning, love, intensity, and passion that penetrate the barriers and dissolve them.” Another deeply moving and illuminating conversation with co-founder of the Diamond Approach, Hameed Ali. Recorded January 8, 2026.“Love is a much bigger force for a human being than any other thing.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 2nd dialogue in the Path of Love Series, focusing on A. H. Almaas' latest book: The Inner Beloved (00:40)Most of this path towards discovering our inner nature has to do with emptying the heart (02:48)There are other paths of awakening, but for Hameed the path of love took center stage (06:53)Getting a taste of the inner beloved early on can become the seed of our inner longing (08:41)Can we have a second person relationship with the inner beloved? (09:55)The path of love has to do with yearning and with feeling “nearer”—some traditions even have words for different degrees of nearness (11:16)Even after realizing absolute truth, the heart continues to need emptying; we haven't yet recognized the inner beloved (14:47)The path of love isn't for everybody; for Buddhists, it's the path of the mind (18:04)In Hameed's book, there are powerful exercises to remove blocks to perceiving the inner beloved—these worked a treat for Roger (19:07)The heart is a subtle organ of the soul with its own dynamic: yearning, love, intensity & passion that penetrate the barriers and dissolve them (22:34)The suffering people go through is inevitable without pursuing the spiritual path to its final stages (25:21)Great fears come up: of losing our love for our loved ones & our love for the world (29:26) We encounter our deep woundings on the path of love; it's not an easy path (33:00)The path of love is not methodical or intentional—it just happens (33:46)The beloved throws itself nearer, and in that nearness you encounter all your obstacles (34:41)Our hearts are full of garbage… love is sorely needed these days on earth (35:10)For fans of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, the Wisdom Series, based on Hameed's book The Inner Journey Home, will be continued later in the spring.Resources & References – Part 1A. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart's Journey to Divine UnityA. H. Almaas, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened HeartA. H. Almaas, Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of RealityRumi, The Book of Love: Poems of Ecstasy and LongingAbraham Maslow wrote about meta-motives and meta-pathologies in Toward a Psychology of Being and The Farther Reaches of Human NaturePoet Longchenpa only rarely talks about love and beauty, Finding Rest in the Nature of the MindRamakrishna, Hindu mystic devoted to Kali---Deep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. AlmaasDeep Transformation's Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali's Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love, and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved, published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest.---Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation ListenersIf you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed's team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/. And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign up.
Ep. 222 (Part 2 of 2) | A. H. Almaas' teachings on spiritual love and the inner beloved are based on his own experience, he explains in Part 2 of the first dialogue in the Path of Love Series. “In this path, experience is almost everything,” he says. Spiritual experience created the Diamond Approach—it isn't a philosophy. What makes Hameed's path of love unique and different from other paths of love, like the Sufi and the bhakti paths? First off, it is the methodology: the practice of inquiry. Inquiry combines both mind and heart, Hameed explains. It adds a means of discernment that helps to keep the force of love from going astray on its own; it brings understanding to our experience, and shows us our obstacles. “[This path] has in it the sensibilities of modern mind and modern life and how to live it from the perspective of the heart.” Another unique feature of A. H. Almaas' path of love is how we experience drawing closer and closer to the inner beloved. Hameed describes the experience of approaching the inner beloved as a heartrending mixture of “sweetness, passion, ecstasy, drunkenness… many stages of melting, surrender, effulgence, fullness, radiance… all intertwined with yearning and pain and the feeling of being separate” from one's heart's true desire. With his customary concise eloquence, Hameed also answers several of the co-hosts' questions: How does Hameed see contemporary society in the light of this vision of love? Does he think humanity will wake up? What is a fulfilled life? Hameed concludes by telling us that the question this path of love is designed to answer is, how do you live your life while also engaging in the way of the heart? Recorded December 11, 2025.“The mind asks the questions, the heart finds the answers. The mind gets clear, the heart melts.“Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2The difference between Hameed's approach and other paths of love is the methodology: inquiry (00:32)Truth is a quality of the heart, not the mind; the heart knows truth, the mind doesn't (05:43)Spiritual experience created Hameed's teaching—it isn't a philosophy (09:08)The union between inquiry and the force of love (11:19)The heart is patterned by our history, especially our history of love (15:39)Two common misunderstandings: attributing love to an external source, and believing there is only one manifestation of spirit (17:51)Nearing the inner beloved, there are many stages of melting, surrender, passion, ecstasy, all intertwined with yearning and pain, the feeling of separation (18:49)How does Hameed see contemporary society and its many discontents in the light of this vision of love? (20:53)Is humanity going to wake up? (23:03)What is a fulfilled life? (27:29)On the path, the ego self becomes not just secondary—it's gone (31:11)
Ep. 221 (Part 1 of 2) | Deep Transformation is excited to release the first episode in our new Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, in honor and celebration of Hameed Ali's latest book, The Inner Beloved. The series begins with Hameed sharing his motivation for writing all three of the books in his Love Trilogy (Love Unveiled, Nondual Love, The Inner Beloved), namely, when he realized his prior books had omitted to teach specifically about the role of love on the spiritual path. Love is the energy, the driving force toward union with our inner nature, Hameed explains, and it is love that dissolves the obstacles that remain towards the end of the path. It is the path of heart that gets you all the way. Hameed orients us with an overview of the Diamond Approach's experiential path of love, gifting us with some tremendous teachings on love as a prelude to delving deeply into his newest book, The Inner Beloved. When asked, What is the inner beloved? he responds, The beloved is not just love. Love serves the beloved, love is the way to the beloved. The inner beloved is what our deepest heart longs for. The path of the heart is painful at times, he continues, because we feel separate from what we yearn to become one with. At the end of the dialogue, Hameed shares that with his path of love teachings, he wants us to know there is a way to address our longing, our yearning. There is a way for it to complete itself, he assures us. Recorded December 11, 2025.“The beloved is the deepest nondual truth you can experience.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing A. H. Almaas and his trilogy of books on love: Love Unveiled, Nondual Love, and The Inner Beloved (00:48)Hameed's motivation to write about love came when he realized his prior books had omitted teaching about the role of love on the spiritual path (04:27)The first book in the trilogy, Love Unveiled, talks about 3 kinds of love important in human life and in spiritual practice (07:01)The second book, Nondual Love, talks about the boundless dimension of universal love (09:05)The third book, The Inner Beloved, is about the path of love—the movement toward our fundamental nature through the heart (10:59)Roger points out that Hameed's teachings on love go far beyond other spiritual teachings (12:20)The beloved is not just love: love serves the beloved, love is the way to the beloved (13:35)We all have 3 centers of operation: head, heart & belly—each one is a spiritual brain of its own (16:24)Love is the most explicit motivator for the spiritual journey (18:08)The Diamond Approach is not about being liberated or free from suffering, it's about loving to know the truth (20:40)The path of the heart is painful because we feel separate from what we yearn to become one with...
Ep. 218 (Part 2 of 2) | In Part 2 of the 17th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali explores the great freedom we experience when we allow being itself to unfold through us—when we let reality take its course without our egoic selves getting in the way. When we are out of the way, Hameed explains, all the virtues come through us: responsibility, ethics, morality, compassion, caring, sensitivity, and more. These ideals are not human-made, he says, they are expressions of our true nature. In fact, Hameed adds, this is what a true human is; expressing the absolute is the fulfillment of life. Just knowing the absolute does not eliminate all obstacles, Hameed continues. Even as we go very deep, there are “ego islands” that pose ongoing difficulties. But the practice is to be with our experience and let it inform us—allow our life experiences to become the arena for the expression of spirit. All we need to do is abide in the knowing that the absolute is expressing itself through us, Hameed says. And laughs telling a story about the “do nothing” instructions of lamas and Zen teachers, as they attempt to show their students that there is nothing to be done but get out of the way. All manifestation, our lives, even our problems and challenges and getting lost in the illusion is all a play of the absolute, Roger reflects. Another very rich, deeply nourishing conversation with A. H. Almaas. Recorded November 13, 2025.“If we become mature enough to cease and desist, to let reality take its course… when we're out of the way, true nature will come through—that's what a true human is.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Is there such a thing as a false descent? (00:33)Most of the time, a realization of the absolute is incomplete—there are still some issues that haven't been worked out (01:43)Hameed's teachings expanded as his experience expanded (04:22)Even a spiritual teacher with an incomplete realization can be helpful; what causes trouble is when teachers don't acknowledge their knowing is limited (07:26)All we need to do is abide in the knowing that the absolute is expressing itself through us (12:25)The practice is to be with our experience; the ego gets in the way by trying to take over (15:00)The great freedom of allowing reality to take its course: the do nothing meditation (18:02)Our life is fulfilled when we're acting at the behest of the absolute (23:10)Even as we know the absolute, there is always more to be free from (24:17)The central issue of descent is letting go of all identification—of our ego, even of the absolute (28:41)Reality is such an interesting thing—even ignorance is an interesting thing (31:57)True nature is indestructible, incorruptible—at bottom it is...
Ep. 214 (Part 2 of 2) | Part 2 of the 16th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series takes us on a sweet journey farther into our exploration of the nature of the absolute. Hameed Ali discusses the paradox of the absolute, being both source and cessation of all things, the nonduality of emptiness and beingness, these being two sides of the same coin, and explains why many nondual teachings do not touch upon the absolute. He makes sense of the difficult-to-fathom concept of pure emptiness, explaining that the absolute's nature is absence—in contrast with presence—and relates that Mystery is the essence of the absolute, the fundamental essence of the nature of reality. “We are never going to know where it's at, what's happening, what life is about,” he laughs. Our knowledge is but “small islands in the vast ocean of mystery we live in;” mystery cannot be eliminated.In the absolute, the soul finds its final resting place, Hameed tells us. The absolute is our true home—the essence of the meaning of home. All humans are searching for their true home, Hameed says, and they search in many places. But here the search is over. Reflections of the absolute bring us closer to love, like when we are in love, Hameed continues. Being in love with an outer beloved brings us closer to the inner beloved and we see deeper. “The absolute is total intimacy, Hameed finishes. “In the absolute we are intimate with everything.” How do we express this in the world, in our ordinary lives? “It becomes very simple,” Hameed says. “The absolute is the essence of simplicity—so simple, even though there is a profundity…” Recorded October 9, 2025.“You don't have to experience the absolute to know nonduality.” Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Emptiness is nondual with consciousness, two sides of the same thing (01:03)Many nondual teachings don't talk about the absolute (02:50)You don't have to experience the absolute to know nonduality (03:32)There's no sense of individual self, but some teachings take the absolute as the ultimate Self (04:52)Making sense of pure emptiness: the absolute's nature is absence—in contrast with presence (09:47) The absolute is the essence of mystery (12:59)Experiencing all phenomena as projections of the absolute (13:57)The absolute reveals that true nature itself is unmanifest (17:58)Mystery is the nature of the absolute; the absolute IS mystery (19:08)The absolute is the extreme limit of purity; the heart empty of everything except the love of God (23:13)We live in an ocean of mystery; what we know are little islands (25:07)The search ends in the absolute; the soul is home (27:32)Reflections
Ep. 213 (Part 1 of 2) | The 16th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series is about the absolute, the source dimension of all manifestation, deeper than any other dimension, the vastness beyond vastness. In Part 1, Hameed gives a wonderful description of the majesty and the blackness of the absolute, and tells the story of when he first experienced being one with the absolute himself. When Roger Walsh asks him, what are the doorways to the absolute, Hameed talks about mystical poverty and also the way of the heart. “When the true beloved shines through the heart, it's an amazing ecstasy… a mindblowing kind of beauty,” he says. He discusses the fear people often feel as they approach cessation of all perception, and the need for the basic trust we were born with (which often gets clobbered as we grow up) to proceed. What changes after an experience of the absolute? John Dupuy asks. If one abides in this realization, it cleanses the soul of all impurities, and our action embodies the virtues, Hameed answers.In Part 2, which will be released December 25th, Hameed delves into the paradox of the absolute (the absolute is the elimination, the annihilation, the cessation of all things—and the source of all things), the nonduality of emptiness and awareness, and explains that mystery is the essence of the absolute: the absolute IS mystery, he says. There is laughter all around when Hameed says you can never completely “get” it, because there's nothing there to get! Your mind disappears as you're trying to get it. Towards the end, the conversation relaxes so deeply into the subject of the absolute, you can just about feel its presence. We become intimate with everything in the absolute, Hameed says. It is the soul's final resting place, our true home, where the search ends. Recorded October 9, 2025.“The absolute itself is majesty, and the universe that emerges is beauty.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing dialogue #16 in the A.H. Almaas Wisdom Series, focusing on the source dimension, the apex of Hameed's book The Inner Journey Home (00:41)“By simply witnessing the process of manifestation… the soul experiences itself as a vast silent witness… discovering a dimension deeper than any other, the absolute” (02:18)Being the absolute, one experiences an emptiness so empty there is no sensation (05:29)Cessation of perception, as the Buddha called it, was exactly Hameed's experience (09:57)Neglected teachings of Nisargadatta: awareness that is not aware of itself can be experienced as “rock-like” (11:26)The story of Hameed's first experience of the absolute (15:19)Is the absolute the destination? What is cessation? Is it the same as the absolute? (16:47)What changes after an experience of the absolute? (21:00) The absolute is majesty, the universe that emerges is beauty (23:18)The flowering of virtues follows true realization (24:24)The spiritual path has two sides: knowing who you are and living it (26:03)Moving towards cessation, people feel terror (26:53)Trust is essential; the more we are loved as an infant, the more we trust (28:25)What are the doorways into the realization of the absolute? (32:02)Mystical poverty is one doorway; the recognition that the soul has nothing of its own—it all comes from the Source (35:29)There is also the way of the heart, finding the true beloved within...
In this special episode, Tami Simon brings together two visionary teachers for a rare conversation exploring awakening's multiple dimensions. Join Tami and her guests A.H. Almaas—founder of the Diamond Approach—and Zen teacher Henry Shukman for an extraordinary exploration of awakening's multiple dimensions. Discover why spiritual realization isn't one destination but an ongoing revelation of reality's many faces, from blazing emptiness to infinite love.This conversation offers genuine transmission—not just concepts about awakening, but the palpable presence of realized teachers exploring the growing edge of spiritual understanding together. Originally aired on Sounds True One. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ep. 210 (Part 3 of 3) | In Part 3 of the 15th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali speaks about the evolutionary aspect of the creative dynamism of the universe. He explains there is an optimizing, transformative force that is responsible for one form changing to another, like a caterpillar to a butterfly. This developmental force is in alignment with Western concepts of evolution and progress, and applies to spiritual realization, too. There is also an optimizing force specific to the human soul, Hameed tells us, that fuels the hearts that burn with the desire for liberation. This is the force responsible for spiritual development. In Buddhism it is called bodhicitta, the desire for enlightenment.Why do some people have a fierce desire to seek the truth, asks co-host Roger Walsh, but many do not? Hameed replies that most people are busy making a living, doing their best to get by. In this case the transformative force remains a potential but is not actualized. Seekers possessed by the flame of the search turn inward, asking, What is God? What is truth? What is reality? Scientists look at this externally, he says, but it is the inward turn that reveals the source of the inner fire, the logos, the word that speaks through our souls and through our hearts. Towards the end of the conversation, Hameed laughs at how upside down things are with us looking for answers everywhere but within and thinking the logos speaks through who we think we are, not realizing we ourselves actually are the logos. If we realize who we truly are, he says, the world itself becomes richer. Another infinitely inspiring talk with A. H. Almaas, filled with astonishing wisdom and loving humor. Recorded September 11, 2025.“Be attentive to the inner calling. Inner pleasure far surpasses outer pleasure.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 3The developmental aspect of creative dynamism & the Western concept of evolution, of progress (00:39)Development is part of the order, the progression of one form to another, the process of maturation, like spiritual realization (03:36)The universe has an optimizing, transformative force, like a caterpillar to a butterfly (09:02)There is also an optimizing force specific to the human soul, where hearts burn with desire for liberation; this is responsible for spiritual development (11:41) Why do some people have this desire and most do not? (13:44)In the Western world, spiritual realization is a luxury; in the East there is some support for people pursuing realization (17:08)Intensifying & purifying spiritual aspiration with practice: we find pleasure when the soul turns inward (19:13)Be attentive to this inner calling: know thyself (22:40)The flame of the search reveals the source of the inner fire, the logos, the word that is speaking through our souls, our hearts (25:02)Resources & References – Part 3A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of
Ep. 209 (Part 2 of 3) | In Part 2 of the 15th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali delves into the very creation of reality by the logos, the source of all life. Logos (an ancient Greek term) is often considered to mean “word,” but Hameed uses it in its deeper sense, where logos is not only the word but also the speaker—the living field of manifestation. The soul is very similar to the logos, Hameed adds, with the same sense of flow, dynamism, and creativity. Hameed points out that the universe could have been created haphazardly, but because it was created in an orderly fashion, it allows for our lives to be meaningful. And, he continues, it is the dimension of love implicit in the logos that brings a beautiful sense of harmony, love, and gratitude to the human soul.What about all the disharmony in the world? co-host Roger Walsh asks. How can genocide happen in a world that is divinely harmonious? To help explain this, Hameed uses the human body as an example of two perspectives that co-exist: from the perspective of time, we die, he says, but from the perspective of the particle, all is perfect. Hameed also describes his personal experience of being aligned with the creative dynamism of the logos, creating himself and the world anew each moment, like the way frames in a movie are constantly being replaced. The more we live this, he says, the more we bring harmony to the world. Join us also for Part 3 of this deep and intriguing dive into the nature of reality, where Hameed continues to talk about creative dynamism and the logos, and explains how this pertains to our own individual spiritual evolution. Recorded September 11, 2025.“For the divine all is harmony, but for us human beings, it looks like mayhem.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2The soul is very similar to the logos, with the same sense of flow, dynamism & creativity (00:42)Quantum theory says the field is generated by physical phenomena—but the logos is created out of spiritual mass, it's the living field of manifestation (01:25)The universe is alive and the logos is the source of all life (05:25)Creative dynamism is a nondual dynamism that brings order to the universe; this creative order is what makes our lives meaningful (05:50)An intelligence has created the universe so that it knows itself (09:42)All forms in the nondual are basically noetic forms, and the logos is an unfoldment of these forms (11:30)If the dimension of love is implicit in the logos, it brings a beautiful sense of harmony, love & gratitude to the human soul (12:35)What about all the disharmony in the world? For the divine all is harmony, but for us human beings, it looks like mayhem (13:24)Take the example of the human body: from the perspective of time we die, from the perspective of the particle it's all perfect (14:47)Hameed's experience of creating himself and the world each moment (17:01)The dualistic world is not an illusion; it's one way the logos manifests reality (21:18)Direct transmission: the Black Hat Ceremony of the 16th Karmapa (22:30)In the Diamond Approach, transmission happens through words; the word is not separate from the state (25:59)The word transmission is a misnomer; it's a direct invocation (28:53)Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of
Ep. 208 (Part 1 of 3) | In Part 1 of the 15th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali enlightens us about the dynamic, creative force that generates our reality. “Dynamism is constant,” Hameed explains, “it never stops—it is constantly creating what we experience, what we perceive.” Hameed calls this nondual dimension of true nature—of our nature—creative dynamism. How do you explain change, he asks, if it's not happening in time, and all of reality is one fabric, nondual? The dynamism Hameed speaks of, ongoing and total, has a radical implication: the entire universe is re-created, instant by instant. Not only the physical dimension, Hameed adds, but all dimensions—mental, emotional, and spiritual—are re-created anew.As co-host Roger Walsh points out, Hameed's teachings come from direct experience, and Hameed describes his own mind-blowing experience of the moment-by-moment re-creation of himself and the world in Part 2 of this dialogue. Nothing persists, he discovers, movement is not continual. In Part 1, Hameed also explores the subjects of free will, action, and choice as addressed from a nondual perspective, and the fact that we and our actions emerge from the totality of reality. As always, Hameed transmits his joy and exuberance at the mysterious and marvelous ways true nature expresses itself, and it is exciting to realize our own nature is as dynamic, creative, flowing and changing, as the universe. Recorded September 11, 2025.“All of reality is part of one unified fabric, so what does it mean when a bird flies from one place to another?”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing dialogue #15 in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, focusing on the chapter “Logos & Creative Dynamism” in The Inner Journey Home (01:11)How do other spiritual traditions explain change? (03:05)Opening to the fact that our true nature has dynamism and flow (05:51)Where does the word, the logos, come from? (07:07)Radical dynamism: the entire universe is re-created, instant by instant (09:58)Replacement: reality is replaced each instant, just like in the movies when one screen replaces the last (13:13)Not just the physical dimension, but all dimensions—mental, emotional & spiritual—are created anew (18:51)Free will, action, choice addressed from a nondual perspective (21:15)We need to acknowledge our choice-making capacity and the fact that we and our actions are emerging from the totality of reality (24:49)Dynamism shows we don't need the “doer”—the universe is what “does” (27:09)The teaching of transitoriness (30:20)Each soul is a ripple in the ocean, a part of what is being constantly recreated (30:49)Resources & References – Part 1A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of The Diamond ApproachA. H. Almaas,
What does it mean to truly awaken—and how do we live with full awareness in every moment, even in the face of impermanence? Eugene Cash's warm, playful, and deeply sincere style invites us into a rich exploration of mindfulness, death, and the immediacy of life. Drawing from the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Eugene emphasizes the experiential nature of awareness, encouraging us to feel our bodies, notice our breath, and recognize the fleeting nature of each moment. He shares personal stories, including a near-death experience and the dissolution of San Francisco Insight to illustrate how impermanence can be a gateway to freedom.Eugene's teaching is grounded in both classical Buddhist texts and lived experience. He references the Satipatthana Sutta (MN 10), Zen master Dogen, Longchenpa of the Dzogchen tradition, and Shantideva, offering poetic and powerful quotes that illuminate the path to awakening, focusing on:Mindfulness of posture, breath, and bodily elements (earth, air, fire, water)Awareness in all activities—“no one at Safeway has to know you're meditating”The normality of death and the intoxications of youth, health, and lifeAwakening as “springing into being” and “the freshness of reality”The insight that freedom arises when we stop clinging to anythingHe offers us a gentle nudge to wake up to the miracle of being here, now.______________Eugene Cash is the founding teacher of the San Francisco Insight Meditation Community of San Francisco which ended in October 2025 after more than 30 years. He now teaches at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and leads intensive meditation retreats internationally. His teaching is influenced by both Burmese and Thai streams of the Theravada tradition as well as Zen and Tibetan Buddhist practice. He is also a teacher of the Diamond Approach, a school of spiritual investigation and self-realization developed by A. H. Almaas. Learn more at https://www.insightdharmacenter.org/ ______________ To support our efforts to share these talks with LGBTQIA audiences worldwide, please visit https://gaybuddhist.org/There you can: Donate Learn how to participate live Find our schedule of upcoming speakers Join our mailing list or discussion forum Enjoy many hundreds of these recorded talks dating back to 1996 CREDITSAudio Engineer: George HubbardProducer: Tom BrueinMusic/Logo/Artwork: Derek Lassiter
Ep. 205 (Part 2 of 2) | In the fourteenth dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali explores the nonconceptual nature of the dimension of pure awareness, guiding us into the realm that lies beyond conceptual dichotomies such as being/nonbeing, being/doing, duality/nonduality, good/bad, and meaningful/meaningless. Beyond knowing, this dimension exposes and challenges conceptual polarities, and when we arrive at this level of realization we are able to trust letting go of knowingness and wake up to pure awareness. People fear annihilation at the prospect of going beyond concepts, Hameed explains, and it does lead to a death: the death of mind, the death of the doer. But even here beyond knowing, Hameed continues, the nonconceptual always operates from compassion and love. How do we develop a continuity of nonconceptual awareness? Roger and John wonder. One way is when knowing is integrated into being, Hameed answers. Then everything just happens; the doing is funneled through the individual. And there is another way, through developing the “pearl beyond price,” the individual, Hameed adds, but this way is rare. As co-host Roger Walsh says, this is an especially nourishing, stimulating, and intriguing discussion, with Hameed doing a beautiful job of relating how our concepts form the basis of our existence and what it means to transcend them, let go of our mind, deconstruct our perception of ourselves as the “doer,” and wake up to pure awareness. Recorded August 14, 2025.“Conceptual dichotomies are important for the functioning of the human being, they are our building blocks… We need to recognize their usefulness—and also be able to be without them.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2The conceptual dichotomy between good and bad (00:28)The nonconceptual always operates from compassion (02:31)Most spiritual teachings focus on the dichotomy of being/nonbeing (04:40)Non-knowing is a deeper realization; if you become aware of it, you wake up to pure awareness (06:00)Goodness is inherent; Ram Dass understood loving awareness (07:43)The dichotomy of duality/nonduality (11:04)Conceptual dichotomies are important, they are our building blocks; we need to recognize their usefulness and also be able to be without them (13:07)The problem comes when we believe our concepts are fundamentally true and we become locked into our separate identities (18:27)The dichotomy of meaningful/meaningless (19:13)Purpose/purposelessness and the Buddhist idea that our purpose is enlightenment (23:05)Time/timelessness (25:32)Going beyond the concept of God: the universal heretic (26:33)The master of knowledge: you can use the knowledge but you are not bound by it or attached to it (28:01)The view of totality (32:22)Love & compassion are inherent to all spiritual teachings (33:43)Living in pure awareness: the 16th Karmapa (37:45)Hameed, Roger & John discuss Deep Transformation guests Frank Ostaseski of Zen Hospice and former CA governor Jerry Brown (40:16)Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School
Ep. 204 (Part 1 of 2) | In the fourteenth dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali explores the nonconceptual nature of the dimension of pure awareness, guiding us into the realm that lies beyond conceptual dichotomies such as being/nonbeing, being/doing, duality/nonduality, good/bad, and meaningful/meaningless. Beyond knowing, this dimension exposes and challenges conceptual polarities, and when we arrive at this level of realization we are able to trust letting go of knowingness and wake up to pure awareness. People fear annihilation at the prospect of going beyond concepts, Hameed explains, and it does lead to a death: the death of mind, the death of the doer. But even here beyond knowing, Hameed continues, the nonconceptual always operates from compassion and love. How do we develop a continuity of nonconceptual awareness? Roger and John wonder. One way is when knowing is integrated into being, Hameed answers. Then everything just happens; the doing is funneled through the individual. And there is another way, through developing the “pearl beyond price,” the individual, Hameed adds, but this way is rare. As co-host Roger Walsh says, this is an especially nourishing, stimulating, and intriguing discussion, with Hameed doing a beautiful job of relating how our concepts form the basis of our existence and what it means to transcend them, let go of our mind, deconstruct our perception of ourselves as the “doer,” and wake up to pure awareness. Recorded August 14, 2025.“To be in the nonconceptual state, i.e. in sitting meditation, is half of it, but to actualize it is the other half.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 14th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, focusing on nonconceptual awareness & transcending conceptual dichotomies (00:51)Nondual reality, at the heart of The Inner Journey Home, is differentiated into five dimensions, each of which reveals something important about the deconstruction process that happens with spiritual practice (03:41)Nonconceptual means beyond the capacity of knowing (07:34)The experience of pure awareness transcends the dichotomy of existence/nonexistence (10:02)In Dzogchen, rigpa includes knowing—but pure awareness means no knowing, just perception (10:30)The dichotomy of being/doing is often a “sticking place” in our practice (16:10)How do we develop a continuity of nonconceptual awareness? (19:44)People fear annihilation at the prospect of going beyond concepts, and it does lead to the death of mind, the death of the doer (23:03) With this level of realization, we can trust letting go of our knowingness (27:10)What are ways for actualization to occur? (29:20)In true, deep sleep there is cessation, all awareness gone (34:38)When God manifests through the individual, the two dimensions of being and knowing can happen at the same (37:16)Many traditions think the individual is an illusion—it's not an illusion, it's an appearance (39:12)Most human beings get arrested at the ego stage of development, the separate stage (43:14)Resources & References – Part 1A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan...
Ep. 201 (Part 2 of 2) | In the thirteenth dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali delves into the subject of knowing, or basic knowledge, at the deepest level of awareness. Different from ordinary knowledge, basic knowledge is inherent and immediate, an important feature of reality. You can know Being by being Being, he says; know consciousness by being consciousness, know peace by being peace. Being and knowing are the same thing, he explains, two sides of a coin. Some of what Hameed shares here is unique to his Diamond Approach teaching, and not found in other spiritual teachings, such as what he imparts about the origin of mind and the distinction he makes between pure being and pure awareness.Hameed explains that we need our conceptual mind (to do our taxes, he laughs), but that reification—treating concepts as if they were real things—creates obstacles and alienates us from our true nature. The aim of all spiritual practice is to go beyond reification to immediate experience, he says. When Hameed describes the difference between pure presence and pure awareness, John wonders, how does Hameed remember the state of pure awareness when there's no knowing in that state? And what does it feel like to experience no ground of being? Hameed answers in his usual enlightening, gently humorous way, leaving listeners in a state of open-minded wonder. Vastly illuminating, this conversation goes directly to the heart of being and the heart of knowing at the very foundation of true nature. Recorded July 17, 2025.“Mind is not an obstacle. Not an enemy. The obstacle is the reified representation of mind. If we take the knowledge of that mind to be reality, that is the obstacle.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2How does Hameed remember the state of pure awareness when there's no knowing in that state? (00:32)Most spiritual teachings have pure awareness and pure presence as inseparable, but in this teaching they can be distinguished (03:26)The experience of pure awareness: transparency, translucence, freedom (04:02) The world is not an illusion; it is the face of God (06:13)The logos is what makes things manifest (09:48)Connecting the dimensions of pure being and pure awareness: mind is not an obstacle (11:46)Gurdjieff's “stupid saints” (13:14)Mind is not the enemy; it's the reification of knowing that is the obstacle (14:07)Pure awareness is more fundamental than pure being because there are no concepts; freedom is more palpable in pure awareness (17:14)Hameed's multiple kinds of freedom; freedom independent from the ground of being (22:10)What does it feel like to realize there is no ground? (25:02)Transcending conceptual dichotomies: in spiritual liberation dichotomies can be stumbling blocks, like being vs nonbeing (25:20)Will science start to accept the ground of being? (29:38)Is math, the Euclidean theorem, a property of reality? (32:42)Consciousness and quantum theory (34:27)Knowing is fundamental to the universe; it's inherent to our true nature (38:41)There's no reason to have to choose between knowing and being, they're two sides of the same thing (39:51)Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of
In the thirteenth dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali delves into the subject of knowing, or basic knowledge, at the deepest level of awareness. Different from ordinary knowledge, basic knowledge is inherent and immediate, an important feature of reality. You can know Being by being Being, he says; know consciousness by being consciousness, know peace by being peace. Being and knowing are the same thing, he explains, two sides of a coin. Some of what Hameed shares here is unique to his Diamond Approach teaching, and not found in other spiritual teachings, such as what he imparts about the origin of mind and the distinction he makes between pure being and pure awareness.Hameed explains that we need our conceptual mind (to do our taxes, he laughs), but that reification—treating concepts as if they were real things—creates obstacles and alienates us from our true nature. The aim of all spiritual practice is to go beyond reification to immediate experience, he says. When Hameed describes the difference between pure presence and pure awareness, John wonders, how does Hameed remember the state of pure awareness when there's no knowing in that state? And what does it feel like to experience no ground of being? Hameed answers in his usual enlightening, gently humorous way, leaving listeners in a state of open-minded wonder. Vastly illuminating, this conversation goes directly to the heart of being and the heart of knowing at the very foundation of true nature. Recorded July 17, 2025.“Being is the origin of mind.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 13th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, focusing on the basic knowing at the foundation of our awareness & the reified way we see reality (00:46)The work is to recognize that reification is happening (02:55)We need to understand there are two kinds of knowing: ordinary knowing and basic knowing (04:12)There are degrees of how immediate our knowing is (07:55)Where does mind come from? (09:52)The recognition of Being and the knowing of Being are the same thing; this is a basic nondual understanding (11:45)The ground of mind is knowing: without knowing there is no mind (15:20)To know implies a concept: the concept of being (17:25)Reification is a developmental achievement (23:14)The story of Maharishi and the Senate committee (26:50)The aim of all spiritual practice is to go beyond reification to immediate experience (27:43)For the realized individual, basic knowing is primary (29:58)Knowing always means concept (31:56)We can get to an awareness that is free of knowing; what Hameed calls nonconceptual, pure awareness (35:41)Resources & References – Part 1A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of The Diamond ApproachA. H....
Ep. 196 (Part 2 of 2) | n the twelfth dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali guides us into the profound experience of pure being, which lies at the core of all mystical teachings. There are two nondual ways of experiencing the fullness of being, he explains. We can recognize we are infinite and boundless—as if we were the sky, but still experiencing this through our being—or, we can experience the oneness of being from the perspective of all manifestation: the mountain, the rocks, the molecules and atoms... “Wherever you go, physically or mentally, is pure being.” Hameed calls the first recognition “unity,” and the latter “oneness.”Hameed clarifies the paradox of nothingness: “being and nothing are two ways of knowing the same thing; you can feel it as a fullness or you can feel it as an emptiness.” And he explains that being being and knowing being are the same thing, when knowing is understood in its deeper sense as gnosis. “Awakening is knowing our being or our awareness for what it is,” he says. Why is Hameed so uniquely articulate in talking about the experience of pure being? John asks him. This talk is an amazing teaching—visual and sensory, scientific and mathematical, deeply mystical and spiritual—Hameed comes at the subject of pure being from all angles. Recorded June 26, 2025.“Practice is clearing the way, but whether awakening emerges or not is not up to you.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Why Hameed is so uniquely articulate talking about these experiences, and why some teachers don't talk about these things (00:27)The nothingness side of pure presence (04:28)The spaciousness here appears different; it is non-Euclidean (07:44)Being and nothing are two ways of knowing the same thing; you can feel it as a fullness or you can feel it as an emptiness (09:22)What other traditions teach about emptiness (11:34)Awareness is pure beingness too (13:53)Awareness is an ontological reality; it is an “is-ness” we can recognize and it includes knowing (18:14) Being being is the same thing as knowing being; this is gnosis: knowing by being (20:23)Awakening is knowing our being or our awareness for what it is (23:44)Knowing and mind are fundamental, not just intellectual (25:52)Awakened awareness: realizing that awareness is the nature of everything (27:10)Awakening cannot be earned; it is a recognition, but there are obstacles in the way (29:37)We'll get into knowing and reification next time (32:45)This teaching affirms you are a real being, and you are an expression of the being of God (33:55)Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of The Diamond ApproachA. H. Almaas,
Ep. 195 (Part 1 of 2) | In the twelfth dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali guides us into the profound experience of pure being, which lies at the core of all mystical teachings. There are two nondual ways of experiencing the fullness of being, he explains. We can recognize we are infinite and boundless—as if we were the sky, but still experiencing this through our being—or, we can experience the oneness of being from the perspective of all manifestation: the mountain, the rocks, the molecules and atoms… “Wherever you go, physically or mentally, is pure being.” Hameed calls the first recognition “unity,” and the latter “oneness.”Hameed clarifies the paradox of nothingness: “being and nothing are two ways of knowing the same thing; you can feel it as a fullness or you can feel it as an emptiness.” And he explains that being being and knowing being are the same thing, when knowing is understood in its deeper sense as gnosis. “Awakening is knowing our being or our awareness for what it is,” he says. Why is Hameed so uniquely articulate in talking about the experience of pure being? John asks him. This talk is an amazing teaching—visual and sensory, scientific and mathematical, deeply mystical and spiritual—Hameed comes at the subject of pure being from all angles. Recorded June 26, 2025.“One way of experiencing pure being is from within itself; then there is experiencing it from the perspective of all manifestation. This is when we understand form is formlessness and formlessness is form.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 12th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series focused on Hameed's nondual teachings, and experiencing the fullness of being (00:33)The difference between the localized experience of presence and the infinite, boundless experience of presence (01:50)Divine love, pure presence is the precursor of all other qualities (03:15)More fundamental than divine love is the simplicity of pure presence, pure being (06:09)Our alienation from completeness causes a sense of lack in us all (11:19)There are 2 major ways of experiencing the fullness of being, both nondual (15:27)The second way is experiencing it from the perspective of all manifestation; this is when we understand form is formlessness and formlessness is form (22:14) Nonduality is implicit in both experiences—subject and object are the same thing (26:09)If you look a little deeper, you find that formlessness is behind everything (28:17)All manifestations of true nature are an antidote to suffering (28:43)Ordinary mind perceives everything as separate, singular (31:04)Science deals with behavior only; quantum physics comes closest to acknowledging there is something besides the physical (32:59)Can mathematics take us to a realization of pure being? (36:58)It would be possible for scientists to study this if they practiced inquiry into the observer, into the experience (39:50)Resources & References – Part 1A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School
Ep. 190 (Part 2 of 2) | The eleventh Wisdom Series dialogue with A. H. Almaas brings us to the second turning of his teaching, into the boundless dimension of divine love. Hameed explores this nondual dimension in detail: its qualities, what it's like to experience firsthand, and what the effects of such an experience are likely to be. This boundless dimension of loving consciousness is the first of the five boundless dimensions, though love continues to develop throughout them all. Hameed gives a beautiful account of his initial experience with this dimension, when divine love and light permeated all of reality. “Why don't more people experience this if love is always there? asks co-host John Dupuy, and Hameed explains that it's always there in potential form though not always manifest; the experience is there for when we are ripe for it.Having awakened to this dimension, one can't help but want everyone to feel this way, Hameed says, and this is the main reason spiritual teachers teach. Hameed describes the obstacles that prevent us from experiencing the reality of divine love, how it challenges our perceived separateness, and tells us that after experiencing this unity, returning to separateness is not a choice. It turns out that experiencing boundless love is not a panacea for enlightenment, but creates an upwelling of obstacles and a state where our boundedness feels even more restrictive than before. Hameed also relates how hatred and greed can exist in this reality of pure goodness, and tells us that it is here, in the ocean of love and light, that they are transformed. A wonderfully numinous, illuminating conversation. Recorded May 1, 2025.“The love is what makes us human—you can't be really human without heart.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Two ways of functioning: from the perspective of the soul, or from the perspective of the ocean of love (00:35)A third way of functioning is when the ocean manifests the functioning itself (03:58)The ocean of love dissolves all fears (06:06)Love takes forms; this dimension is an example of the formless taking form (07:06)The sense of pure “goodness” in this dimension is unmistakable—you can't help but want everyone to feel this (10:34) Hatred is not a quality of being; it's a distortion of a quality of being (14:37)Hameed's experience of the beast, an inherent part of the ego (17:40)Experiencing Jabba the Hut, who represents greed; greed gets healed in this dimension (21:23)Your curiosity—wanting to know and being willing to experience—is the only way to transform greed or hatred; you can't push them away (29:02)Five steps towards true nature (31:41)The heart (love) keeps developing through all the dimensions (34:20)You can't be really human without heart (35:32)How do we continue to develop and manifest this connection with love? (36:20)Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of
Ep. 189 (Part 1 of 2) | The eleventh Wisdom Series dialogue with A. H. Almaas brings us to the second turning of his teaching, into the boundless dimension of divine love. Hameed explores this nondual dimension in detail: its qualities, what it's like to experience firsthand, and what the effects of such an experience are likely to be. This boundless dimension of loving consciousness is the first of the five boundless dimensions, though love continues to develop throughout them all. Hameed gives a beautiful account of his initial experience with this dimension, when divine love and light permeated all of reality. “Why don't more people experience this if love is always there? asks co-host John Dupuy, and Hameed explains that it's always there in potential form though not always manifest; the experience is there for when we are ripe for it.Having awakened to this dimension, one can't help but want everyone to feel this way, Hameed says, and this is the main reason spiritual teachers teach. Hameed describes the obstacles that prevent us from experiencing the reality of divine love, how it challenges our perceived separateness, and tells us that after experiencing this unity, returning to separateness is not a choice. It turns out that experiencing boundless love is not a panacea for enlightenment, but creates an upwelling of obstacles and a state where our boundedness feels even more restrictive than before. Hameed also relates how hatred and greed can exist in this reality of pure goodness, and tells us that it is here, in the ocean of love and light, that they are transformed. A wonderfully numinous, illuminating conversation. Recorded May 1, 2025.“Full nonduality: not just nonduality between subject and object…but where nothing is separate from anything else—one indivisible medium of loving consciousness.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 11th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, focusing on the first of the five boundless dimensions: the ocean of love and light (00:35)Transitioning to the second turning of the teaching: the dimension of divine love (01:54)Hameed's first experience of boundless love (04:46)This is what Rumi writes about—it's not a unique experience but a potential for everyone (10:30)Full nonduality: not just between subject and object, but where nothing is separate from anything else (12:00)Why don't more people experience this if love is always there? (14:08)All five dimensions (and maybe more) are implicit in nondual consciousness (19:17)Obstacles in the way of experiencing divine love (21:03)We cannot make this experience of presence happen—it is an emergence, a revelation (22:33)The movement back to separateness happens because it has been imprinted in the soul (24:48)The experience of divine love creates an upwelling of obstacles (26:27)Inquiry is the way to surrender your attachment to yourself as an individual (29:11)Our functioning can continue to happen after our boundaries have dissolved (32:35)Two main ego identifications: boundedness & our sense of identity (36:02)This dimension teaches how we can function as an individual expression of boundless love while not being separate from it (37:59)Resources & References – Part 1A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of
Ep. 184 (Part 2 of 2) | In the tenth dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali addresses what co-host Roger Walsh calls perhaps Inner Journey Home's most profound chapter of all, the chapter on True Nature, as well as subjects he writes about in his autobiographical fragment, Luminous Night's Journey. In the second turning of the Diamond Approach teaching, we transition from exploring individual true nature to boundless true nature—the absolute, ground of all manifestation. Following the mystery of truth, you come to absolute truth, Hameed tells us, and you find a mystery that not only liberates but makes everything happen. Hameed describes the absolute as the radiant blackness before the light, its luminosity awareness, and relates how, in the absolute, the feeling of intimacy is palpable. Here, the soul recognizes “I am home.”Hameed relates how being and nonbeing are integrated, and about how time and space emerge out of true nature. Every moment is a new creation, he explains, not formed by the past or present, but new, instant to instant, from nonbeing to being. Hameed says true nature is the essence of freedom, and that in these troubled times the important thing is to recognize “I am free” and ultimately indestructible, and to be ourselves, grounded by the truth of our inner nature. Towards the end of the conversation, co-host John Dupuy asks Hameed, “What motivates you? Why aren't you simply hanging out being true nature?” Hameed laughs and responds, “I am.” Recorded April 10, 2025.“The idea is to be free. Inwardly.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Beingness is what Hameed calls presence; everything is both being and non-being (00:52)Being in the world but not of this world (04:12)The effects of studying Reichian therapy and breathwork on Hameed's experience and way of teaching (06:32)The body needs to be open and at ease to experience presence; this is why yoga is widely practiced in East Indian traditions (09:17)Is having an ego a necessary stage for waking up? (13:01)Space and time are created by true nature, even though it is timeless (14:43)True nature is the essence of freedom; it is “radically unqualifiable” (19:38)The depths of our experience set the limit on our intellectual understanding (22:53)In these troubled times, the important thing is to recognize “I am free” and be ourselves, grounded by the truth of our inner nature (25:07)Profound equanimity allows deeper compassion to emerge (28:29)The values of true nature are fundamental and eternal; how do we manifest these all the time? (29:20)After all the amazing, mind-shattering realizations, life becomes ordinary and simple (32:21)What motivates Hameed now? (35:24)Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of The Diamond...
Ep. 183 (Part 1 of 2) | In the tenth dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali addresses what co-host Roger Walsh calls perhaps Inner Journey Home's most profound chapter of all, the chapter on True Nature, as well as subjects he writes about in his autobiographical fragment, Luminous Night's Journey. In the second turning of the Diamond Approach teaching, we transition from exploring individual true nature to boundless true nature—the absolute, ground of all manifestation. Following the mystery of truth, you come to absolute truth, Hameed tells us, and you find a mystery that not only liberates but makes everything happen. Hameed describes the absolute as the radiant blackness before the light, its luminosity awareness, and relates how, in the absolute, the feeling of intimacy is palpable. Here, the soul recognizes “I am home.”Hameed explains how being and nonbeing are integrated, and about how time and space emerge out of true nature. Every moment is a new creation, he says, not formed by the past or present, but new, instant to instant, from nonbeing to being. Hameed says the essence of freedom lies in the absolute, and that in these troubled and times, the important thing is to recognize “I am free” and ultimately indestructible, and to be ourselves, grounded by the truth of our inner nature. Towards the end of the conversation, co-host John Dupuy asks Hameed, “What motivates you? Why aren't you simply hanging out being true nature?” Hameed laughs and responds, “I am.” Recorded April 10, 2025.“In the absolute, everything dissolves; the absolute is the universal solvent.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 10th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, focusing on The Inner Journey Home‘s chapter, True Nature (00:55)What is the phenomenological experience of presence? (02:07)The soul can feel like presence—but more often it is structured by our history and appears as our ego self (05:14)Presence is the true nature of everything: perfect, complete, totally blissful (06:24)Love of truth naturally appears in the heart along the inner journey (09:04)The concern with talking about true nature is if you describe it, people look for something that isn't it (11:57)Hameed wrote Luminous Night's Journey to elucidate the experience of the soul, the absolute, and how soul and absolute are integrated (13:48)In the second turning of the teaching, we transition from individual true nature to boundless true nature: the absolute, the ground of all manifestation (18:11)The visible and invisible, manifest and unmanifest (19:58)Everything happens not from present to future, but from nonbeing to being (21:04)Everything dissolves in the absolute: it is the universal solvent (21:41)The absolute is the luminous, radiant blackness before the light (24:57)In the absolute, the soul recognizes “I am home” (26:47)Looking into the absolute, there is nothing; looking away from it, you see the manifest (28:48)The concept and experience of cessation (30:44)Hameed's distinction between consciousness and awareness (32:40)Awareness = luminosity + emptiness (34:25)Emptiness is not empty space, it's being and nonbeing unified (36:39)Resources & References – Part 1
Ep. 178 (Part 2 of 2) | In the ninth dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed gives a fascinating account of how four distinctly different wisdom teachings came to him in succession, directly from true nature, embodied in the form of diamonds. “In the beginning, I didn't know…what the hell were these? Is it my imagination?” Hameed laughs. But then his colleagues and students experienced the diamondness too. Like angels of revelation, each diamond vehicle brings a different type of wisdom: the first diamond vehicle, Guidance, brings clarity and initiated the practice of inquiry; the second embodies the wisdom that pleasure is what we are, bringing an understanding of pleasure from a spiritual perspective; the third diamond vehicle holds the wisdom of how to conduct our lives from a place of truth, and the fourth the wisdom of true knowledge—knowing by being—the knowing that is needed for awakening.Not only do we hear marvelous stories of how the diamond-shaped wisdom messengers appeared to Hameed, but he also imparts a wonderfully comprehensive yet succinct rendering of the teachings they brought, and the conversation flows from embodying wisdom to embodying pleasure, the inward turn, and why bliss must be combined with emptiness for enlightenment to occur. Also, how to live a life of truth with the inner compass provided by the third diamond teaching, the pitfalls of the ego's tendency to accommodate others, how being is inseparable from knowing, and lots more. A very full, warm, rich conversation, filled also with humor, sparkle, and delight. Recorded January 30, 2025.“The Diamond Dome brings in the wisdom of true knowledge—spiritual knowledge, knowing by being—the knowing that is needed for awakening.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Emptiness has a bliss to it (00:49)The death tantra and sexual tantra paths to enlightenment (01:06)Emptiness/fullness, being/non-being, unity/particularity: two sides of reality (03:18)We lose track of the particularity when we focus on unity only (05:22)There are many different levels of particularity: ego, body, soul… Each diamond vehicle is a particularity (09:39)The Citadel, the third diamond vehicle, is the essential conscience, the wisdom of how to conduct your life from the perspective of true nature (10:05)Accommodating is part of the behavior of the ego, but in accommodating, most of the time you are selling yourself, compromising (13:20)Living a life of truth brings in the unity and the particularity (15:37)You transition when you become willing to sacrifice comforts, relationships, the supports of the ego, to align only with truth (17:56)On this path, the vehicle first appears then manifests each of its aspects—different shaped diamonds within a diamond (21:31)For Hameed, first Diamond Guidance appeared, then Markabah, then the Citadel, then the Diamond Dome (24:24)The Diamond Dome brings in the wisdom of true knowledge—spiritual knowledge, knowing by being—the knowing that is needed for awakening (25:41)This vehicle brings the knowledge of each aspect; basic concepts are clearly delineated (29:27)True nature informs the individual mind with basic concepts (34:38)Each vehicle highlights certain parts of the ego as obstacles to realization; the dome highlights self-identity, the “I-ness” of the ego (36:26)To embody the Diamond Dome the ego needs to experience cessation (37:43)Resources &...
Ep. 177 (Part 1 of 2) | In the ninth dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed gives a fascinating account of how four distinctly different wisdom teachings came to him in succession, directly from true nature, embodied in the form of diamonds. “In the beginning, I didn't know…what the hell were these? Is it my imagination?” Hameed laughs. But then his colleagues and students experienced the diamondness too. Like angels of revelation, each diamond vehicle brings a different type of wisdom: the first diamond vehicle, Guidance, brings clarity and initiated the practice of inquiry; the second embodies the wisdom that pleasure is what we are, bringing an understanding of pleasure from a spiritual perspective; the third diamond vehicle holds the wisdom of how to conduct our lives from a place of truth, and the fourth the wisdom of true knowledge—knowing by being—the knowing that is needed for awakening.Not only do we hear marvelous stories of how the diamond-shaped wisdom messengers appeared to Hameed, but he also imparts a wonderfully comprehensive yet succinct rendering of the teachings they brought, and the conversation flows from embodying wisdom to embodying pleasure, the inward turn, and why bliss must be combined with emptiness for enlightenment to occur. Also, how to live a life of truth with the inner compass provided by the third diamond teaching, the pitfalls of the ego's tendency to accommodate others, how being is inseparable from knowing, and lots more. A very full, warm, rich conversation, filled also with humor, sparkle, and delight. Recorded January 30, 2025.“For enlightenment to happen, emptiness has to be combined with bliss.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 9th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series: How did the Diamond Approach teaching come to Hameed? (00:53)First came a pure, transparent presence like liquid diamond: clarity itself (04:46)The diamond also came with a sense of precision, of sharp discrimination, of objectivity (08:07)Hameed's vision of the diamond vehicles: like a fleet of ships in black space (11:05)The first diamond vehicle, guidance, brought about the practice of inquiry (12:06)Hameed's near-death experience: looking down upon his body it was a body of diamonds; two diamonds called him back: love and joy (13:23)Recounting this experience to friends later, the diamond vehicle filled the room—the sacred manifest (17:08)Manifest in this one body was the guidance for the teaching, like an angel of revelation but shaped like a spaceship made of diamonds (19:46)Each diamond vehicle brings a different kind of wisdom (20:58)Diamond wisdom can be used as guidance in the scientific field (22:36)It's not just a teaching, but a presence that embodies the teaching; embodying the presence is learning the teaching (25:11)The second diamond vehicle is the vehicle of pleasure, understanding pleasure from the spiritual perspective: the teaching of the inward turn (27:04)Pleasure turns out to be a whole realm, where all aspects appear in their pleasurable form (34:38)Inner guidance is where the truth is from instant to instant, telling you to look here, not there (35:58)Hameed differentiates pleasure from bliss, because pleasure is something ordinary human beings know (37:39)Embodying the wisdom that pleasure is what we are (40:08)All the vehicles are expressions of the essence of consciousness,...
Welcome to the Psychedelic Conversations Podcast!Episode 155:In this episode of Psychedelic Conversations, we dive deep with Fanny Norlin, the creator of Life Force Leadership. We explore the powerful dance between feminine and masculine energies, and how integrating these archetypes can transform leadership, business, and society. Fanny shares her journey through tantric awakening, the layers of feminine wounding, and the critical need for reclaiming female power in a world that has long suppressed it. Together, we unpack topics such as erotic, mystic, and natural intelligences, the role of sisterhood, mother wounds, the rise of non-binary consciousness, and the authentic expression of the masculine. This is a rich, layered conversation on what it truly means to awaken the feminine and navigate today's evolving gender dynamics. Join us as we explore the deep work required to move forward—by going back.Reality Let Loose, with A. H. Almaas:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3aBQgNc9Ne5VKraXASCmUF?si=URSb_5axTIm-ruyRBZbnxQAwakening Feminine Leadership by Lovisa Alsèn:https://www.lovisaalsen.com/signatureprogramAbout Fanny:Fanny Norlin is the creator of Lifeforce Leadership, a groundbreaking approach that explores and integrates the core dimensions of feminine and masculine leadership, revolutionizing network-based and self-organizing organizations by unlocking the full potential of these dynamic forces in a creative and conscious interplay. A pivotal moment in her journey came through an introduction to the work of Lovisa Alsén, which sparked a deep awakening into her body and the feminine. This experience profoundly influenced her path as a leader and woman, unlocking essential keys to succeeding with new paradigm initiatives. For over a decade, she has lived and breathed decentralized networks and communities. She is a pioneer in self-organizing initiatives, bringing 10 years of combined C-level leadership and strategy consulting experience, including leading the marketing and tech team of an e-commerce company operating in 24 markets with 1 billion SEK in revenue. She has also founded two NGOs, facilitated leadership trainings for thousands of leaders, organized several large-scale participatory events, and played a key role in building Sweden's feminine leadership movement. At the heart of her work is a passionate commitment to making the world more alive.Connect with Fanny:Website: https://www.fannynorlin.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C1HmKCDbV/?mibextid=wwXIfrThank you so much for joining us! Psychedelic Conversations Podcast is designed to educate, inform, and expand awareness.For more information, please head over to https://www.psychedelicconversations.comPlease share with your friends or leave a review so that we can reach more people and feel free to join us in our private Facebook group to keep the conversation going. https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychedelicconversationsThis show is for information purposes only, and is not intended to provide mental health or medical advice.About Susan Guner:Susan Guner is a holistic psychotherapist with a mindfulness-based approach grounded in Transpersonal Psychology, focusing on trauma-informed, community-centric processes that offer a broader understanding of human potential and well-being.Connect with Susan:Website: https://www.psychedelicconversations.com/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/susan.gunerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-guner/Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/susangunerTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/susangunerBlog: https://susanguner.medium.com/Podcast: https://anchor.fm/susan-guner#PsychedelicConversations #SusanGuner #FannyNorlin
Ep. 173 (Part 2 of 2) | In this 8th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali gives a clear, colorful description of the three stages we go through on the spiritual path: the journey to presence, the journey with presence, and the journey in presence. “There's much more to the journey than just being free of suffering,” he says, “in the journey with presence, there's a whole universe to discover—unexpectedly we find there is a whole realm of splendor, beauty, freedom, and liberation.” In the third journey, the journey in presence, the stage of actualization, we are swimming in the ocean of presence or we are the presence itself. Hameed relates how impeccability, strong and pure like stainless steel, is an important part of actualizing presence, embodying our essence in our daily lives. “The ‘I am' can function in the world as a person,” he explains, “I can be the vastness, an infinite, black, luminous night, completely formless, but still walk in the street as a person.”Hameed also talks about the “pearl beyond price”—the individuated self that brings a functional capacity to the isness, which is why it is of incomparable price—and the point of existence, point of light, or pure I-ness. He discusses the individuation of the soul and the realization that the nature of the soul is the nature of everything: this is the nondual experience. This dialogue is another treasure trove of spiritual transmission by Hameed—with humor, clarity, precision, and beautiful metaphor, his teachings, even as deeply profound and mysterious as they are, come as wonderful revelations for us to grasp onto, leading us forward on the inner journey home. Recorded January 3, 2025.“Presence is the ground of all reality.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2What is the I in ‘I am that'? A point of light, presence, existence (00:53)I-am-that are three different things (04:25)At some point, the point of light and the pearl beyond price become unified (06:56)The ego self is insecure: that's why there is selfishness (09:04)With the realization of I am that, the “that” changes (12:30)The “I am” can function in the world as a person: I can be the vastness, formless & infinite, but still walk in the street as a person (14:01)In the source dimension, all people are nothing but organs of perception for the absolute (15:05)What brought Hameed back from the absolute? (17:46)Each teaching has their ultimate, but there is more than one ultimate (19:24)There's much more to the journey than just being free of suffering (20:31)Ignorance never ends (21:26)Is there a best way to study spirituality? (22:57)The essentialization of the soul: recognizing that presence is our true nature, essence is a living consciousness (25:21)Realizing the ground of being: the nature of the soul is the nature of everything; this is the nondual experience (27:18)The issues that come up on the journey: psychodynamic, structural, existential & epistemological (33:17)Resources & ReferencesA. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School
Ep. 172 (Part 1 of 2) | In this 8th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali gives a clear, colorful description of the three stages we go through on the spiritual path: the journey to presence, the journey with presence, and the journey in presence. “There's much more to the journey than just being free of suffering,” he says, “in the journey with presence, there's a whole universe to discover—unexpectedly we find there is a whole realm of splendor, beauty, freedom, and liberation.” In the third journey, the journey in presence, the stage of actualization, we are swimming in the ocean of presence or we are the presence itself. Hameed relates how impeccability, strong and pure like stainless steel, is an important part of actualizing presence, embodying our essence in our daily lives. “The ‘I am' can function in the world as a person,” he explains, “I can be the vastness, an infinite, black, luminous night, completely formless, but still walk in the street as a person.”Hameed also talks about the “pearl beyond price”—the individuated self that brings a functional capacity to the isness, which is why it is of incomparable price—and the point of existence, point of light, or pure I-ness. He discusses the individuation of the soul and the realization that the nature of the soul is the nature of everything: this is the nondual experience. This dialogue is another treasure trove of spiritual transmission by Hameed—with humor, clarity, precision, and beautiful metaphor, his teachings, even as deeply profound and mysterious as they are, come as wonderful revelations for us to grasp onto, leading us forward on the inner journey home. Recorded January 3, 2025.“The experience of presence is the defining experience of this path.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 8th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, which focuses on the 15th chapter of The Inner Journey Home: “The Inner Journey” (00:56)Hameed outlines 3 stages of the inner journey: the journey to presence, the journey with presence, the journey in presence (03:00)First, the individual soul, structured through early life experience, begins (with practice) to recognize presence (09:50)Second is the journey with presence: working with the theory of holes before opening to spaciousness (12:22)The second stage is the fun part—when everything is completely new and somewhat miraculous (14:56)Experiencing the true potential of a human being: unexpectedly we find there is a whole realm of splendor, beauty, freedom & liberation (17:59)The third journey is actualization, when we are swimming in the ocean of presence or we are the presence itself: self-realization; the self is the presence (19:55)Impeccability: living in a way that is faithful to our true nature (21:12)Roger's summary of Hameed's points: presence is not static, learning about true nature is an ongoing, marvelous surprise, viewing spiritual maturation along a spectrum, and how realizing presence brings with it the deep desire that all beings experience it (23:34)In other traditions, there isn't much discussion beyond the realization itself (25:56)The world is never “fixed” (28:55)Part of the soul's maturation is individuation; personal-ness turns out to be a quality of presence (30:10)The pearl beyond price (the individuated self) is known also to the gnostics, the Sufis, the Taoists… it is protected by a fearsome monster (the ego) (33:28)The point of light,...
Ep. 167 (Part 2 of 2) | In the 7th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali enlightens us as to the nature of presence. Our path begins with the recognition that spirit is presence, he explains, an insight which all spiritual traditions share; this is where most of their focus lies. But this is not the end of the story, Hameed tells us—discovering spirit is only half the work. The other half is actualizing presence by clarifying and purifying our souls. Presence works as an agent of transformation in this process; appearing in our souls as curiosity and a love of truth, it leads us home. The discussion turns to virtues, the fruition of realization, and how it is that realized teachers can behave in entirely unethical ways: “realization is no guarantee of ethical behavior.”This conversation is packed with insights regarding many related topics: how ethics most importantly concern our relations with others, that kindness becomes spontaneous for the true master, the distinction between universal grace and specific grace, how inner spaciousness or emptiness is the other side of the coin from presence or fullness, and the question arises, “Why is it that some people are interested in going deeper and others not?” Hameed also speaks of his own experience of unilocal realization, where all time and space are found in the center of the heart and accessing information from the future is possible. It is not so much I am this or that, he says, it's simply I am. This warm, illuminating discussion has a fascinating flow and sparks many instances of quiet laughter on all sides. Recorded December 12, 2024.“True nature is a real magician; to know yourself as that magician is true realization.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Living ethically is conducive to realization (00:50)True mastery means your kindness is spontaneous (02:15)Ethics apply more at an ego level; spirit has its own principles (04:28)Feeling the pain of being constricted is one way the spiritual impulse arises (05:59)Why do some people want to go deeper than others? (06:40)The love of truth leads us home: the dynamic of realization (09:14)Unilocal realization: experiencing all time and space in the heart (11:10)Hameed can learn from his future self and from people who have died (12:26)Trusting ourselves, and the distinction between universal grace and specific grace (16:28)Practice helps make us grace-prone; most people need a teacher or guide (19:24)Presence is the fullness and inner spaciousness the emptiness side of things (21:50)True nature is a real magician; to know yourself as that magician is true realization (26:52) Space/time emanates from our true nature (29:02)Ethics are relative to our time and culture; but essential ethics are timeless (31:24)Selflessness and concern for the well-being of all has grown over time (33:35)Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of
Ep. 166 (Part 1 of 2) | In the 7th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali enlightens us as to the nature of presence. Our path begins with the recognition that spirit is presence, he explains, an insight which all spiritual traditions share; this is where most of their focus lies. But this is not the end of the story, Hameed tells us—discovering spirit is only half the work. The other half is actualizing presence by clarifying and purifying our souls. Presence works as an agent of transformation in this process; appearing in our souls as curiosity and a love of truth, it leads us home. The discussion turns to virtues, the fruition of realization, and how it is that realized teachers can behave in entirely unethical ways: “realization is no guarantee of ethical behavior.”This conversation is packed with insights regarding many related topics: how ethics most importantly concern our relations with others, that kindness becomes spontaneous for the true master, the distinction between universal grace and specific grace, how inner spaciousness or emptiness is the other side of the coin from presence or fullness, and the question arises, “Why is it that some people are interested in going deeper and others not?” Hameed also speaks of his own experience of unilocal realization, where all time and space are found in the center of the heart and accessing information from the future is possible. It is not so much I am this or that, he says, it's simply I am. This warm, illuminating discussion has a fascinating flow and sparks many instances of quiet laughter on all sides. Recorded December 12, 2024.“Presence is both the inner nature and the elixir of transformation.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 7th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series (01:01)The basic spiritual insight common to all schools is the recognition of what spirit is: a palpable presence, a substrate of all reality (01:37)The path begins with recognizing presence and then goes on (03:49)Presence is being, the way we experience our true nature (05:55)Exploring the essential qualities of the soul is an important tool to expose and dissolve components of the ego (07:55)Recognizing true nature doesn't mean we express it in our life (09:09)Discovering spirit is only half the work, the other half is purifying the soul (10:50)Great traditions don't get into actualization; psychology is what allowed us to develop practices like inquiry that help to release ego structures (13:02)How realized teachers can be angry, or sadistic (17:18)Animal soul, human soul, angelic soul: most of us operate from the animal soul (19:40)Working on character (21:43)Realization and teaching skill are quite different (23:36)There's no guarantee a realized person will behave ethically (27:01)Virtues are the impact of spiritual presence on the soul (28:17)An important part of ethical behavior is in relationship (28:59)“Objective conscience” supports us in living a life of truth (29:22)Liberation is different from realization; with liberation there are no imprints of time left in you (32:38)The inner...
Ep. 165 (Part 2 of 2) | Tami Simon, founder of the highly regarded multimedia publishing company Sounds True, covers a lot of inspiring ground in this heartening, lively, candid conversation. She tells the extraordinary story of how she came to devote herself to disseminating spiritual wisdom; about finding the edges and growing into them on her own path of awakening; the spiritual teachers she has encountered whose teachings have affected her the most; the wholeness of spiritual vision and psychological health; and discovering that, like all of us, spiritual leaders can be both luminous and in need of healing at the same time. Tami is an ardent torchbearer for the conscious business movement, explaining that business can be the way we give our gifts—that the endeavors of an inspired entrepreneur can be expressions of love and provide an incredible way of connecting with other people.What is so striking throughout is the depth of Tami's clarity about what matters in life and her unwavering commitment to acting with integrity. Tami has a remarkable ability to translate her spiritual insights and principles into action—as co-host Roger Walsh points out, she is a beautiful example of a karma yogic life, where being of service is the fuel, the inspiration, and the content of her life, as she continuously works towards furthering both her own spiritual awakening and the awakening of all. Tami offers a lovely, poetic rendering of the effects of living a true and meaningful life: “The litmus test is always somebody's wake, the ripples of their life, how they've impacted others . . . the beauty, love, and justice that live in the wake of a person.” A genuinely engaging, illuminating, memorable conversation. Recorded October 17, 2024.“What I feel I owe people is the truth.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2What are some of the people and ideas that really stand out to Tami? (01:14)Every podcast guest has given a gift (02:01)Learning somatic practices from Reggie Ray (03:30)Meeting Adyashanti, the ‘goodest' human Tami ever met (04:31)A. H. Almaas' Diamond Approach: the possibilities for expanding knowledge in the spiritual universe (06:10)Coming into the notion of original voice with Clarissa Pinkola Estes; Caroline Myss' illumination of shadow work (06:45)Discovering that spiritual teachers can be luminous and also have parts that are harmful and need healing (09:52)How spiritual vision & psychological health seamlessly come together in the Diamond Approach (13:38)Psychotherapist Bruce Tift's idea that we alternate between spiritual vision and the developmental work of psychology (16:00)The litmus test is what lives in the wake of a person (17:13)Tami's practice: asking what is needed now, moment by moment (19:26)Paying attention to what is being said to us by others and our environment (23:58)The Integral movement: we benefit from having it in our consciousness (25:43)The Internal Family Systems (IFS) movement: the notion of being self-led in any given moment: compassionate, courageous, curious, calm (27:14)Conscious business: the movement for business to be a crucible for personal growth...
Ep. 163 (Part 2 of 2) | In the sixth dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali tells us that whereas pure consciousness is already perfect and does not change or grow, individual consciousness is an impressionable organism—alive, changing, moving, developing. Hameed explains that because the soul is impressionable, the impacts of experience are imprinted upon it, shaping our very consciousness. Ego structures form from repeated impressions, and although they are necessary for survival and to function in a relational world, these structures make it difficult to experience the living presence of our true nature. We experience the ego self instead, mistaking our self-image for what we truly are. When we loosen our conditioning, with help from practices like inquiry and bodywork, our soul becomes free of its imprint and our true potential arises naturally, along with greater compassion and other qualities of the soul. Simply and clearly, Hameed brings us to a deeper understanding of our soul, elucidating what holds us to our limited self-identity and describing what we have to look forward to as the myriad imprints hammered into us by experience become diaphanous, and new impressions no longer make indelible imprints. Hameed also delves into the different ways various traditions talk about the soul, the difference between ordinary knowledge and “knowing,” or gnosis, and tells us that sudden enlightenment and gradual enlightenment are an artificial dichotomy, sharing a story of a sudden enlightenment experience of his own. Once again, Hameed transmits an extraordinary amount of wisdom in a relatively short time, and we emerge brighter, hopeful, and inspired as to our boundless spiritual potential. Recorded November 14, 2024.“When the soul becomes free of its original imprint, it becomes open to its inner potential – and inner potential is mostly spiritual potential.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Relaxing the tension in the soul and body is important: working with body armor (00:49)Mature impressionability: when the soul is more free, impacts don't leave lasting imprints (03:16)When the soul becomes free of its original imprint, it opens to its inner potential (08:34)The enlightenment drive and our spiritual potential (11:41)Psychology and spirituality are not separate in our consciousness (13:51)The different ways different traditions and psychology talk about the soul (15:43)Unique particularity becomes very important in Zen: a flower is a flower (20:43)Gnosis: I know myself without reflection, without memory; I know what I am (23:13)Nonconceptual and transconceptual knowing (25:24)Sudden enlightenment and gradual cultivation are an artificial dichotomy (28:21)What does gradual enlightenment mean? (30:51)Hameed relates an experience of “sudden enlightenment” (31:21)How the evolution of the universe relates to awakened consciousness (33:40)Roger's acknowledgment of this conversation as uniquely impactful (36:48)Resources & ReferencesA. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder...
Ep. 162 (Part 1 of 2) | In the sixth dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali tells us that whereas pure consciousness is already perfect and does not change or grow, individual consciousness is an impressionable organism—alive, changing, moving, developing. Hameed explains that because the soul is impressionable, the impacts of experience are imprinted upon it, shaping our very consciousness. Ego structures form from repeated impressions, and although they are necessary for survival and to function in a relational world, these structures make it difficult to experience the living presence of our true nature. We experience the ego self instead, mistaking our self-image for what we truly are. When we loosen our conditioning, with help from practices like inquiry and bodywork, our soul becomes free of its imprint and our true potential arises naturally, along with greater compassion and other qualities of the soul. Simply and clearly, Hameed brings us to a deeper understanding of our soul, elucidating what holds us to our limited self-identity and describing what we have to look forward to as the myriad imprints hammered into us by experience become diaphanous, and new impressions no longer make indelible imprints. Hameed also delves into the different ways various traditions talk about the soul, the difference between ordinary knowledge and “knowing,” or gnosis, and tells us that sudden enlightenment and gradual enlightenment are an artificial dichotomy, sharing a story of a sudden enlightenment experience of his own. Once again, Hameed transmits an extraordinary amount of wisdom in a relatively short time, and we emerge brighter, hopeful, and inspired as to our boundless spiritual potential. Recorded November 14, 2024.“Self-image is not just in the mind, it actually shapes our consciousness.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 6th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, beginning with chapter 7 of The Inner Journey Home: the impressionability of the soul (00:51)One of individual consciousness' properties is impressionability; without it, there would be no learning (02:39)It's not easy to experience the soul as a living presence because of its impressionability (05:43)The mind is just one of the faculties of the soul (08:10)Like a child, the soul retains affect, feelings, impacts; these traces make it possible for individual consciousness to be structured (10:19)Self-image, self-identity, come from more long lasting types of impressions (12:49)Without impressionability, there wouldn't be trauma (13:23)Painful, pleasurable, or neutral, some impressions become patterns of behavior (13:47)When we study the soul, we can find the ego structures: rigid, unchanging, the impressions have made an indelible imprint (14:29)Self-image affects consciousness by limiting it: the medium of presence is hidden by the accumulation of impressions (17:35)Self-image actually shapes our consciousness: the soul mistakes itself for the self (23:32)The malleability of the soul is responsible for both conditioning and learning (25:31)How open we are depends on our early experience; also, different souls come in with different capacities...
Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo host this captivating conversation into divine and personal love with two modern-day mystics, held dear by SAND from a SAND Community Gaterhing from July 2023. Love, a powerful catalyst for transformation on the spiritual path, resonates at the core of our being. Through this dialogue, we will transcend the limitations of a narrow, individualized perception of love, immersing ourselves in the boundless realm of our true nature—a universal expression of pure love. Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader, Cynthia Bourgeault divides her time between solitude at her coastal home in Maine and a demanding schedule traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian contemplative path. She is the founding Director of both The Contemplative Society and the Aspen Wisdom School. Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas), Founder of the Diamond Approach, was born in the Middle East, but at age 18 he moved to the USA to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics, where he was studying Einstein's theory of general relativity and nuclear physics, when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him more and more into inquiring into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature. Hameed is the founder of the Diamond Approach®—a spiritual teaching that utilizes a unique kind of inquiry into realization. Topics: 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:03 Introducing Cynthia Bourgeault 02:17 Introducing Hamid Ali and Non-Dual Love 03:07 Exploring Non-Dual Love 03:50 Cynthia's Perspective on Non-Dual Love 06:06 Hamid's Perspective on Non-Dual Love 08:44 The Nature of Divine Love 12:46 The Role of Love in Human Experience 18:14 The Transformative Power of Love 28:09 Understanding True Love 47:33 Healing Through Love and Gratitude 01:02:05 Closing Remarks and Reflections Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member
Ep. 159 (Part 2 of 2) | In the 5th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, spiritual teacher and author Hameed Ali discusses the dynamic, ever changing, infinitely creative nature of the universe, and explains that our individual souls are in some sense a microcosm of this energy, with endless potentials and possibilities. We can experience creative dynamism, Hameed says, as “a sense of infinite energy, pulsing and throbbing, where we see the whole universe in continual emergence, every moment new.” Although the soul has boundless potential, we tend to take the limited approach that what we already know is the extent of things; the key to loosening the limits we place upon ourselves is to practice inquiry and remain open to all directions of possibilities. Each individual experiences the dynamism in a different way and expresses the potentiality of reality in a different way, says Hameed. When we are in touch with our true nature, we share in the creativity of the divine. In this conversation, Hameed also talks about death: how we can be curious about it, how it is the ultimate in finality, one more possibility of reality, and that he doesn't presume to know it, only that true nature is the source of time and does not die. Life can be experienced like a fountain rather than a flowing river, Hameed relates. And the more our ego structures are released, the more we can open to its beautiful array of endless possibilities. Another profoundly intriguing, subtly humorous, and absolutely enlightening conversation with Hameed Ali. Recorded October 10, 2024.“We are thoughts in the mind of God, but God's thoughts are not like human thoughts, they are creations.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Ordinary knowledge is a subset of basic knowledge, which is implicit in the beingness of what is manifesting; spirituality has to do with basic knowledge (00:59) What Hameed would like to add to the theory of evolution (04:47)It is possible for the soul to know itself; nothing else we achieve in life will bring total fulfillment (07:44) The logos is manifesting the potential of reality; part of this potential is for true nature to know itself through the organs of perception of the individual soul (10:06)The human being is designed to fill its purpose, but when you get into true nature, purpose doesn't apply (12:08)Beyond Maslow's motivation of self-transcendence: selfless service, transpersonal spontaneity, and the motivation to go beyond what we know (15:14)What about death? Nothing else has the finality of death (21:39)True nature doesn't die; it is the source of time, pure timelessness (24:35)Dogen drops causality: ash is ash, wood is wood; life is life, death is death (26:48)Death is another possibility of reality (29:06)Experiencing life as a fountain rather than a flowing river (31:51)The more ego structures are released, the more we open to a beautiful array of possibilities & potentials (36:29)The ego is not false, it's just limited (40:12)What the human being is free to actualize is to be open to all directions of possibilities (41:16)Resources & References – Part 2
Ep. 158 (Part 1 of 2) | In the 5th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, spiritual teacher and author Hameed Ali discusses the dynamic, ever changing, infinitely creative nature of the universe, and explains that our individual souls are in some sense a microcosm of this energy, with endless potentials and possibilities. We can experience creative dynamism, Hameed says, as “a sense of infinite energy, pulsing and throbbing, where we see the whole universe in continual emergence, every moment new.” Although the soul has boundless potential, we tend to take the limited approach that what we already know is the extent of things; the key to loosening the limits we place upon ourselves is to practice inquiry and remain open to all directions of possibilities. Each individual experiences the dynamism in a different way and expresses the potentiality of reality in a different way, says Hameed. When we are in touch with our true nature, we share in the creativity of the divine. In this conversation, Hameed also talks about death: how we can be curious about it, how it is the ultimate in finality, one more possibility of reality, and that he doesn't presume to know it, only that true nature is the source of time and does not die. Life can be experienced like a fountain rather than a flowing river, Hameed relates. And the more our ego structures are released, the more we can open to its beautiful array of endless possibilities. Another profoundly intriguing, subtly humorous, and absolutely enlightening conversation with Hameed Ali. Recorded October 10, 2024.“The soul is a living expression of the fundamental nature of reality. There's no end to the potentiality.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the fifth A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series with Hameed Ali, focusing on the soul's infinite potential and the creative dynamism of reality (01:07)The soul has boundless potential, but we tend to take the limited approach that what we know already is the extent of things (04:07)We don't have to look for the boundless possibilities—we just need to be open (08:16)The main tool for fostering this openness is inquiry: what is presenting itself? (10:01)We all share the potential; we are all fundamentally connected (12:16)Reality, true nature, is in constant creative dynamism (13:34)The logos of the integration of spirituality and rational knowing can be applied to every field of knowledge (14:33)Imagine a community of scientists who are all realized spiritually, their inquiry powerfully infused by spiritual understanding (15:50)We are just at the beginning of understanding the physical world (18:22)Just because something is true doesn't mean it's complete (21:55)Einstein's theory of relativity and the Riemannian manifold (26:03)The nondual is never separate from the dual (28:25)Distinguishing between the fundamental nature of pure awareness and the nature of the soul (30:27)The close connection between individual potential and creativity and universal dynamism and creativity (32:24)We can experience creative dynamism: a sense of infinite energy, where we see the universe in continual emergence, every moment new...
Ep. 154 (Part 2 of 2) | In this 4th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, spiritual teacher Hameed Ali explains that much of the beginning of the spiritual path is spent clarifying our individual consciousness from the conditioning of the past in order to wake up and discover our true nature. In the Diamond Approach, this is accomplished using the practice of inquiry, and as we inquire deeply within, qualities intrinsic to consciousness emerge in our awareness. These qualities—like truth, courage, steadfastness, curiosity, and love—each have their own particular sensory expression: a certain color, texture, warmth or coolness, varying degrees of sweetness. The more these qualities emerge, Hameed says, the more powerful our practice and the more authentic our life. He calls these qualities treasures of the soul. This beautiful conversation ranges from profoundly moving, as Hameed evokes specific qualities of presence, to humorous, when he tells a funny story about Maharishi Yogi, to intensely illuminating as Hameed talks about the teaching of the first turning, the miracle of ordinary life, what it means to be spiritually mature, the nature of true sorrow, the fact that we are the universe being conscious, and how fundamental nature lies deeper than consciousness, deeper than awareness. It is a multifaceted gem, not to be missed. Recorded September 19, 2024.“The soul is the organ of knowledge of the universe.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2We have to take the dualistic world into account (00:59)Mature spirituality: just live your life; you have to start with ordinary life (02:31)The second (nondual), third & fourth turnings recognize there are other ways that reality appears (05:43)You can be pure consciousness living in a world of matter: in some sense, this is more miraculous than that everything is consciousness (07:01)Courage's presence is like red lava, fiery and ruby red (09:39)Truth is also a quality: when I experience myself as truth, I feel myself as made out of pure gold, the gold of consciousness (10:24)Roger is deeply touched when Hameed evokes the sensory characteristics of the essential qualities; Hameed agrees it is very moving (13:43)To what extent are these sensory experiences specific to Hameed? Or are they universal? (15:02)Sincerity is a quality of presence (17:55)What do all these inherent qualities tell us about the nature of reality? (19:09)Fundamental nature is deeper than consciousness, deeper than awareness: I am is completely indeterminate (20:43)The nature of rational thought, discriminating awareness (24:22)Can we integrate ordinary knowledge with true knowing? (27:15)It's important for people to know that consciousness can appear as a particular quality (29:13)These qualities are the treasures of the soul and the journey of learning about them is a beautiful adventure of discovery (31:41)The word brings out the quality and the quality brings out the word (35:21)Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder...
Ep. 153 (Part 1 of 2) | In this 4th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, spiritual teacher Hameed Ali explains that much of the beginning of the spiritual path is spent clarifying our individual consciousness from the conditioning of the past in order to wake up and discover our true nature. In the Diamond Approach, this is accomplished using the practice of inquiry, and as we inquire deeply within, qualities intrinsic to consciousness emerge in our awareness. These qualities—like truth, courage, steadfastness, curiosity, and love—each have their own particular sensory expression: a certain color, texture, warmth or coolness, varying degrees of sweetness. The more these qualities emerge, Hameed says, the more powerful our practice and the more authentic our life. He calls these qualities treasures of the soul. This beautiful conversation ranges from profoundly moving, as Hameed evokes specific qualities of presence, to humorous, when he tells a funny story about Maharishi Yogi, to intensely illuminating as Hameed talks about the teaching of the first turning, the miracle of ordinary life, what it means to be spiritually mature, the nature of true sorrow, the fact that we are the universe being conscious, and how fundamental nature lies deeper than consciousness, deeper than awareness. It is a multifaceted gem, not to be missed. Recorded September 19, 2024.“Courage, steadfastness, curiosity, and love are all expressions of our pure consciousness appearing as specific qualities.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 4th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, focusing on the soul as “organism of consciousness” (00:59)The distinction between universal consciousness and individual consciousness (03:04)Much of the beginning of the path is spent clarifying individual consciousness from the conditioning of the past (05:50)The practice of inquiry is for the individual consciousness to wake up and discover what it is fundamentally (07:25)Courage, steadfastness, curiosity, and love are all expressions of pure consciousness appearing as specific qualities (11:04)Why we need these essential qualities: the more these qualities emerge, the more powerful the practice (13:21)How can you live your life authentically, without the qualities of integrity, courage, intelligence, clarity, inner peacefulness, and true sorrow? (16:02)True sorrow is a quality of presence—sorrow for the suffering, for what's happening in the world (16:57)These qualities are the closest thing to the Platonic forms, necessary for the spiritual path and necessary for living (19:47)The incomparable or precious pearl at our center and the difference between personal essence and the individual soul (20:58)Psychological individuation is a forerunner for true individuation (23:33)Free of conditioning, we wake up to what we really are (24:59)The essential qualities are implicit in pure consciousness but they become differentiated in the soul (27:24)The teaching of the first turning is that the ordinary world is one way reality manifests—it's not the product of our ignorance; it has its own spirituality (28:37)Ordinary life is miraculous! (34:36)As Parmenides...
Song: Heaven Above, Earth Below Music by: Becky Graber Notes: Becky Graber let her unconscious speak during our conversation, and when I asked what she knows about herself right now, she said, "I am a breath of air on the earth" -- and then laughed a little in surprise and delight. The song she teaches also came from delighted awareness of the place of the body between heaven and earth -- plus a little tai-chi. Becky and I share a wonderfully rambly conversation about shedding old identities and making space, wanting to allow things to bloom rather than push them, and threshold times. We also take a lot of time with this three verse song, including playing with harmonies. You'll hear me making mistakes as I learn and play with harmonies -- but hopefully you won't notice it too much, because you'll be singing right along, too! The goal of this podcast is to encourage you to keep stepping into the power and beauty of your own voice, something Becky Graber has many years of experience at helping people do... Songwriter Info: Becky Graber has lived her life professionally centered around music and storytelling, teaching and performing, and a heart-drive towards healing and coming to centered generosity. She is the founder and director of the Brattleboro (VT) Women's Chorus. Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Becky for recording and/or performing permission. Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:04:58 Start time of reprise: 01:15:20 Links: Becky's website: www.beckygraber.com Brattleboro Women's Chorus website: www.brattleborowomenschorus.org Psychospiritual paths like psychosynthesis – Roberto Assagioli: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosynthesis The Diamond Approach – H.M. Almaas: https://www.diamondapproach.org/ Helen Yeomans: https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/156-we-got-all-the-love Natural Voices Network: https://www.naturalvoice.net/ Lisa Littlebird's library: https://thebirdsings.com/song-library/ Velma Frye: https://www.velmafryemusic.com/ Song “Take Heart, Take Part, with lyrics “Participation is gonna save the human race” – Pete Seeger quote set by Becky Reardon: https://beckyreardonmusic.com/product/take-heart-take-part/ “Spes” by Mia Makaroff – Latin & Sami: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKeikhsVynM Gaia Music Collective in NYC: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/gaia-music-collective-44369305153 Choir! Choir! Choir!: https://choirchoirchoir.com/ Gareth Malone with “The Choir” on BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008y125 Ry Cooder “Jazz” album with red cover and black letters: https://open.spotify.com/album/3Z6RuwMcmDMgBJsZ01Ouhf Buena Vista Social Club: https://www.buenavistasocialclub.com/ Bobby McFerrin: https://bobbymcferrin.com/ Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Major (Ionian), 3 verses Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html
Ep. 150 (Part 2 of 2) | In the third dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali brings us to a deeper understanding of individual consciousness, our true nature, in relation to pure consciousness. Once we come to know what consciousness is, he says, our spiritual experience truly begins. The conversation flows through many illuminating teachings: how true nature manifests itself in many ways—there is no one way, no final way; reality is only what we perceive it to be—there is no hard and fast reality “out there;” and the ego is not some sort of developmental mistake—it only becomes a problem if we become fixated on it. Psychology helps us see how the soul became the ego, Hameed explains, and psychodynamics reflect how our individual consciousness becomes imprinted by experience, the effects of which can be unraveled through spiritual inquiry. When asked how he is able to write so remarkably clearly and concisely, fine-cut like a diamond, Hameed explains that the teachings articulate themselves as he writes by becoming his direct experience in the moment. He is not channeling, nor is his individual self expressing an opinion, the teaching simply expresses itself by becoming his true nature. This conversation is inspiring on many levels as consciousness becomes more graspable and because, as Roger says, Hameed's teaching is grounded in our being capable of realizing being. At the end, Hameed gives a beautifully resonant account of why we love freedom. Once again, Hameed's profound teachings come as a transmission and are a joy to receive. Recorded August 8, 2024.“Depth psychology helps us understand how our soul became our ego.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2How Hameed came to think that soul is the best word to describe a human being (00:45) The soul is pure consciousness with an aliveness added to it; the soul is always learning (04:26)Knowing what consciousness is is the true opening to spirituality (05:52)Development of the ego is necessary for physical survival, it is not a mistake unless we become fixated upon it (07:32)Arrested development: bottled up consciousness experiences pressure, a sense of pain & suffering (11:49)The ancient concept of soul was replaced by the idea of a separate self (13:14)Unity, disunity, and beyond (14:37)Psychology helps us understand how our soul became our ego (15:41)Psychodynamics show us how early experience impacts current experience, and it is inquiry that helps us unravel the ego (18:26)Our consciousness is a living organism (22:25)Grasping the nature of our soul is not easy, because it's holographic, dynamic—you can't give it a form (24:46)There is a nondual unity—united in the medium of consciousness—but it is also holographic: each point contains all other points (27:29)The difference between the holographic Huayan Buddhist perspective and the Zen perspective, where individual uniqueness becomes important (30:11)Do different teachings lead to different experiences of freedom? (33:38)Freedom is a sacred right of each individual (36:21)Resources & References – Part 2
Ep. 149 (Part 1 of 2) | In the third dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali brings us to a deeper understanding of individual consciousness, our true nature, in relation to pure consciousness. Once we come to know what consciousness is, he says, our spiritual experience truly begins. The conversation flows through many illuminating teachings: how true nature manifests itself in many ways—there is no one way, no final way; reality is only what we perceive it to be—there is no hard and fast reality “out there;” and the ego is not some sort of developmental mistake—it only becomes a problem if we become fixated on it. Psychology helps us see how the soul became the ego, Hameed explains, and psychodynamics reflect how our individual consciousness becomes imprinted by experience, the effects of which can be unraveled through spiritual inquiry. When asked how he is able to write so remarkably clearly and concisely, fine-cut like a diamond, Hameed explains that the teachings articulate themselves as he writes by becoming his direct experience in the moment. He is not channeling, nor is his individual self expressing an opinion, the teaching simply expresses itself by becoming his true nature. This conversation is inspiring on many levels as consciousness becomes more graspable and because, as Roger says, Hameed's teaching is grounded in our being capable of realizing being. At the end, Hameed gives a beautifully resonant account of why we love freedom. Once again, Hameed's profound teachings come as a transmission and are a joy to receive. Recorded August 8, 2024.“Humanity needs realized individuals, sources of light and understanding, to keep the true spirit of what a human being is alive.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the third dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, focused on the introduction of The Inner Journey Home, a diagnosis of our root challenge: dissociation (01:02)On humanity's capacity to wake up from being asleep to who we really are (04:15)This path is a journey into reality, not focused specifically on relief from suffering (07:00)Reality is only what we perceive it to be (08:31)The main delusion we suffer from is believing the way we experience this world is the only way (10:48)Spiritual work doesn't try to resolve social conflicts—it is for individuals and small groups to transform (13:41)Humanity needs realized individuals, sources of light and understanding, to keep the true spirit of what a human being is alive (15:28)Hameed's experience of writing: the teaching articulates itself and becomes his experience in the moment—that's why there is a transmission (16:42)True nature is the fundamental truth of human beings, the nature of consciousness—it's not physical but at some point the distinction between physical and spiritual disappears (24:27)True nature manifests itself in many ways: there is no one way, no final way (26:00)The journey of ascent and descent: how we come to recognize ourselves as the absolute dimension and how we bring the vastness back into the realm of life (28:47)An individual is not a separate person; the complete human being is one who integrates both heaven and earth (32:45)When did Hameed start...
Ep. 144 (Part 2 of 2) | In the second A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series conversation, Hameed Ali describes how the practice of inquiry can aid us on our spiritual journey, illuminating our understanding of our personal experience and our soul. He uses the example of inquiring into a sense of worthlessness to illustrate what happens as we begin to investigate the terrain of our consciousness. There comes a point when the inquiry leads beyond where a psychologist would normally end—when it slips from psychological into spiritual inquiry. “If you stay with the wounding, something will emerge: a sense of inherent value. You recognize ‘I am presence' and this presence has value—all the way to nondual presence and beyond.” In introducing us to the Diamond Approach's inquiry technique, Hameed covers a rich array of topics: the dynamism of consciousness; the importance of scientific objectivity in our exploration of inner experience; modern psychology's revelation of how our sense of self develops; the essential qualities of curiosity and love of truth; and how understanding the ways in which the past influences the present disentangles it. Hameed is a masterful teacher—with just a few words he can illuminate vast territories of spiritual landscape for the purpose of helping his students learn to live their lives from a deeper, liberated condition. Rather than aiming to transcend our experience, Hameed assures us there is a way through, an unraveling we can do, as we discover never-ending realizations about individual consciousness and the nature of reality. Recorded July 4, 2024.“The soul is a living embodiment of the life force.” (For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Basic trust: fundamentally we are an indestructible nature, but our basic trust can get whittled away (00:50)Feeling the love inherent to reality (05:27)Marrying ancient knowledge of the soul with advancements in modern psychology (06:09) Psychology provides us with answers about how our sense of self develops but not about what gets structured—the soul (09:35)Individual consciousness is impressionable, otherwise learning would not be possible (12:31)The self is nothing but the soul structured through the ego stages of development (14:28)Psychodynamics and the self-liberating quality of the soul (15:29)We need our sense of self in order to survive—and in order to become become illuminated, we need a body (17:21)To stay with the ego self is arrested development, but we can develop further to become conscious of consciousness itself (19:53)We can understand the terrain of experience rather than simply transcend it—we can go through it, unravel it, and open up different dimensions of reality as we go (21:40)As we inquire we go deeper, bringing liberation into ordinary life (24:58)The emphasis in the East is on liberation—the emphasis in the West is on how to fulfill life (26:06)What many nondual teachings don't understand is the individual soul (27:14)The enlightenment drive: motivation beyond ego (30:38)Beyond the enlightenment drive: pure being coming through individual consciousness (34:45)Resources & References – Part 2
Ep. 143 (Part 1 of 2) | In the second A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series conversation, Hameed Ali describes how the practice of inquiry can aid us on our spiritual journey, illuminating our understanding of our personal experience and our soul. He uses the example of inquiring into a sense of worthlessness to illustrate what happens as we begin to investigate the terrain of our consciousness. There comes a point when the inquiry leads beyond where a psychologist would normally end—when it slips from psychological into spiritual inquiry. “If you stay with the wounding, something will emerge: a sense of inherent value. You recognize ‘I am presence' and this presence has value—all the way to nondual presence and beyond.” In introducing us to the Diamond Approach's inquiry technique, Hameed covers a rich array of topics: the dynamism of consciousness; the importance of scientific objectivity in our exploration of inner experience; modern psychology's revelation of how our sense of self develops; the essential qualities of curiosity and love of truth; and how understanding the ways in which the past influences the present disentangles it. Hameed is a masterful teacher—with just a few words he can illuminate vast territories of spiritual landscape for the purpose of helping his students learn to live their lives from a deeper, liberated condition. Rather than aiming to transcend our experience, Hameed assures us there is a way through, an unraveling we can do, as we discover never-ending realizations about individual consciousness and the nature of reality. Recorded July 4, 2024.“What does it mean that ‘I am spiritual in nature' and what psychological constellation prevents us from knowing this?”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas), founder of the Diamond Approach, the Ridhwan School, and author of The Inner Journey Home and many more (00:59)Why inquiry is essential for transformation, beginning with an investigation of our own subjective, personal experience (04:13)Consciousness is a whole terrain of sensations, emotions, thoughts, reactions, images (09:47) First we need to become aware of what is obstructing our awareness, then inquire into why that block is there (10:54)Exploring the content of the self: start from the premise we don't know everything that is going on and be open to finding out (12:57)Two essential ingredients for inquiry: curiosity and a love of the truth for its own sake (14:26)As you get better at inquiry, you learn not to interfere with the experience, to have no end in mind (18:05)Although practiced in the present, inquiry does not deny the impact of the past—it's open to all time and space (21:35)Inquiring into the wound of worthlessness can bring up fear, then hurt—so we inquire into the fear (24:17)Everything is a question—nothing is left as ultimate truth (25:51)Deficient emptiness can turn into spaciousness (27:48)Roger's synopsis of the elements of inquiry that Hameed has discussed so far (30:18)If you stay with the wounding, something will emerge: a sense of inherent value (35:46)What does it mean that I am spiritual nature and what psychological constellation prevents us from knowing...
Hudson guides us in the transformative power of the Enneagram and how it can foster self-awareness, empathy, and personal growth. From his decades of studying this significant framework he shares how it assists us in assessing a spectrum of possible personality types that, when applied to oneself, offers a unique pathway to living a more authentic and fulfilling life. Russ Hudson is a world-renowned teacher, author, and scholar who has dedicated over 30 years to studying and sharing the gifts of the Enneagram. He is the author of The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth For The And Nine Personality Types (coauthor with Don Richard Riso) (Bantam Books 1999) and The Enneagram: Nine Gateways to Presence (Sounds True 2021)Interview Date: 3/22/2024 Tags: Russ Hudson, Enneagram, personality types, self-awareness, empathy, personal growth, transformation, presence, Fourth Way, George Gurdjieff, Oscar Ichazo, Claudio Naranjo, Don Richard Riso, A. H. Almaas, Hameed Ali, David Byrne, Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell, Prince, Philip Glass, John Cage, Merce Cunningham, David Bowie, self-discovery, mindfulness, integration, relationships, work, spirituality, ancient wisdom, symbolism, ego, essence, inner work, guidance, awakening, Personal Transformation, Psychology, Spirituality, Philosophy
In this enlightening and empowering episode, we're joined by the inspirational Michelle Saudan, a beacon of light in the world of healing arts and the founder of Amanzi Wellbeing. Michelle's dedication to transforming lives through trauma-informed approaches, coupled with her mastery in sound healing, breathwork, movement, bodywork, and meditation, brings us a conversation that's both healing and revolutionary. Episode Highlights: Michelle opens her heart about her personal and professional voyage into the realms of healing arts. With her story, she illuminates the path for those of us seeking a deeper understanding of our holistic health. The spotlight of our discussion shines brightly on the topic of stored trauma—how it's often the unseen force disrupting women's health, especially during the pivotal stage of midlife. From hormonal imbalances to a spectrum of other health concerns, Michelle sheds light on the shadows cast by unaddressed trauma. Have you heard of trauma-informed approaches but find yourself mystified by what they entail? Michelle demystifies this term, explaining how such strategies foster a safe environment for healing and liberation from the chains of past hurts. Seeking practical wisdom? This episode is laden with tangible tips and strategies. Discover how integrating sound healing, purposeful breathwork, mindful movement, and meditation into your daily life can act as pillars supporting your health and healing voyage. We wrap up our conversation with a surge of hope and a call to empowerment. Michelle reminds us that it's within our power to nurture our health, rewrite our stories, and step into a life marked by balance and vitality. About Michelle Saudan: Michelle Saudan embodies the essence of holistic healing. Through her groundbreaking work with Amanzi Wellbeing, she has dedicated over a decade to enriching the lives of individuals, especially women navigating the complexities of midlife. Her approach is one that intertwines the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions, offering a roadmap to those eager to heal from trauma and lead a life filled with joy and well-being. Michelle's commitment goes beyond individual healing—she is passionate about fostering community healing, notably through her trauma-informed wellness retreats that spotlight Africa's unique wellness treasures. In Conclusion: Dive deep with us into this life-affirming episode as Michelle Saudan helps us uncover the profound impact of stored trauma on our health and guides us through the pathways of healing. Remember, the power to transform our health narratives is within our grasp, and with the right tools and wisdom, we can emerge stronger, healthier, and more vibrant. Ready to start your healing journey? Join us on The Hormone Prescription Podcast and take the first step towards not just surviving, but thriving. Because your health isn't just about hormones—it's about heart, healing, and harnessing your power. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (00:00): G Mate is quoted as saying trauma is not what happens to you, but what happens inside you. Trauma affects all of us, and it affects our health. If it stays untended, we'll never achieve the brilliant health that's possible for us at midlife and beyond. Stay tuned as Michelle Sudan shares with you, how to use Compassionate Inquiry and other modalities to help ease the trauma that's hurting your health. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (00:27): So the big question is, how do women over 40 like us, keep weight off, have great energy, balance our hormones and our moods, feel sexy and confident, and master midlife? If you're like most of us, you are not getting the answers you need and remain confused and pretty hopeless to ever feel like yourself Again. As an OB GYN, I had to discover for myself the truth about what creates a rock solid metabolism, lasting weight loss, and supercharged energy after 40, in order to lose a hundred pounds and fix my fatigue, now I'm on a mission. This podcast is designed to share the natural tools you need for impactful results and to give you clarity on the answers to your midlife metabolism challenges. Join me for tangible, natural strategies to crush the hormone imbalances you are facing and help you get unstuck from the sidelines of life. My name is Dr. Kyrin Dunton. Welcome to the Hormone Prescription Podcast. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (01:20): Hi everybody, and welcome back to another episode of The Hormone Prescription with Dr. Kyrin. Thanks so much for joining me today as we talk with Michelle Sudan, a beautiful woman I met in Dubai who's going to talk to us about healing the trauma that binds you, that's hurting your health. Whether you know it or not, the majority of us pro, probably pretty much all of us have little T traumas throughout our life. I know we've talked on the podcast and during the Stop the Menopause Madness summits some about this, but we haven't really tackled it in a big way. How do you start to address this in a tolerable way that's compassionate and really helps you to understand how these little overwhelming situations in your childhood and life have affected your health and are affecting your health to this day. So we're gonna talk with Michelle about that. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (02:18): I met her when I was in Dubai. She's from Zimbabwe. She talks a little bit about her story, which is beautiful, as with many of the healers I met in Dubai. She has a multifaceted skill set and is just a gifted human being. And really I think it's her presence that's more healing than anything. You'll see what I mean when you hear her talk. I think she has a healing frequency that just heals people who are in conversation with her or listening to her. That's been my experience with her and I just had to have her on the show. I had some beautiful experiences with her when I was in Dubai. Looking forward to having more. I think you will love this conversation as we really talk about healing the trauma that's binding you that you might not even be aware of, maybe you are, and how to go about doing that. So I'll tell you a little bit about her and then we'll get started. Michelle Sudan is the founder of AM Manzi Wellbeing and a practitioner of healing arts. She's deeply committed to the transformative powers of trauma-informed approaches, found healing, breath movement, body work, and meditation. She's devoted to supporting and holding space for the healing and wellbeing of our global community via trauma-informed wellness retreats with a focus on expanding awareness of Africa's unique wellness assets. Please help me welcome Michelle Sudan to the show. Michelle Saudan (03:45): Thank you, Karen. I'm so happy to be here. It's an honor. Love you energy, and just happy to share. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (03:52): Mutual. I'm so glad that our past crossed when I was in Dubai and really your energy just spoke to me. You have such a calming presence. There's so much talk about trauma and trauma informed therapy. I think the world is really waking up to how we've collectively been traumatized and how it's affecting our health. I know that's been a part of my journey these past 10 years, and you just had a presence and a way of speaking about these issues that was extremely non-threatening and inclusive and compassionate. And I saw people opening up in response to what you shared in a way I hadn't seen before, and I very much appreciated that. I know I participated in inner child healing meditation that you offered at Eva experience in Dubai that was just beautiful and so many other interactions. I so enjoyed hearing you talk about your grandmother and how she would speak to you and speak to just the culture that you come from, the continent that you come from. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (05:15): It's steeped in you in such a beautiful way. And so I was very excited to share you with my community because I think here in the US we women have been traumatized in ways that we don't even realize. And that was a big thing that happened for me in my year and a half travel outside the US was just seeing that, okay, yes, people have trauma pretty much everywhere, but it's very different in the ways in which, and the support systems and cultural differences in other areas that allow people to have a resiliency that I don't necessarily see here in the us. I mean, first off, the fact that it's talked about openly and collectively and discussed is so foreign to my US experience, particularly in the medical field where this really hasn't so much made it into the mainstream. It is starting to show that people are kind of left with not identifying, oh, this is talking to me, not aware particularly as a woman at midlife struggling with hormonal and other health issues. Oh, this is a part of my hormonal healing. Oh, what tools could I use? So you're left with a lot of women googling on doctor go, trying to find answers, maybe finding some answers, but really not a holistic, nurturing, supportive collective approach. So I'm wondering if you can start by talking a little bit about what brought you to trauma work and trauma healing. Hmm. Michelle Saudan (07:10): It's a lovely question. Thank you. Well, Kirin, I started my career as a bodyworker 14, now 14 years ago. And it came up to a point where a lot of my repeat clients would book sessions just to talk. I remember the first client, like it was yesterday, who booked a 90 minutes deep tissue massage. And he sat down and I said, well, you know, it is not first time he knows the protocol, you know, put the bath lay down. But he just sat and he said, no, Michelle, from today onwards, we'll do 15 minutes massage. 75 minutes we are going to talk. It started, and I was so confused because at that time, you know, 22 years old, I, I didn't know that there were such modalities like coaching and counseling and therapy. It doesn't exist in my part of the world in Zimbabwe where I came from. Michelle Saudan (08:09): So I started researching and, you know, came upon all these beautiful modalities and discovered that this was something I could, you know, serve my clients with. And then, then it was the topics that they brought as well, you know, topics such as suicide or harmful habits or, you know, depression, anxiety, which I did not know of, but they just opened up. And so I took it as my responsibility and also curiosity to find out more about these deeply rooted concerns that they were speaking to, and so that I could meet them at least halfway. And then that's how it started and it's been a roll on effect. And I remember watching a documentary called The Wisdom of Trauma by who is now one of my teachers, Dr. Gbo Mate, and his approached Compassionate Inquiry. And when I watched that, I just resonated with his teachings and everything that he spoke to in the world of trauma. And I decided to dive deep into somatic somatic healing when it comes to trauma informed practices and just an overall overarching theme when it comes to looking at trauma. And that's, yeah, that, that's the way it's taken me today. The nutshell. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (09:31): I love that because for so many reasons, the first, well one relates to this quote that you shared with me before we started recording, that I love by a h Almaas, only when compassion is present will people allow themselves to see the truth. I think that's something that I feel from you is from truth, but also peace, truth, inside peace. But the truth to me is peace. And that this man, bless him, , he saw the truth of who you were and he didn't believe, oh, she's just a massage therapist. And he saw that truth in the compassion that you offered him, that came through your hands because you weren't counseling him. And he called that out in you. So he loved and respected himself enough to say, oh no, I see who this woman is. And he also saw what he needed. And then to basically stand for that truth, this is what I need. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (10:34): And so it, it's so beautiful. I do believe that we each have a unique purpose on this planet and a reason for being here. And that part of our health problems are the fact that we haven't recognized or allowed ourselves to know that truth. And particularly in America, we've tried to decide with our minds, oh, what's a good career? How can I make a good living and, and have quote unquote security with a good pension plan and 401k and a home and a car, and all this with our minds. And we haven't listened to our souls to allow us to be called forth from us what our true purpose and calling is. And so I love that story because it says to me, you were attuned and you were listening to what is the universe telling me that I'm here for what I'm good at? And he called that out in you. I just think it's so beautiful. Does that make sense? Michelle Saudan (11:40): It does. It's, it's similar to, you know, when you, when you reflect on the quote, what's so beautiful about it, Karen, is that if, if I came to you and I was pouring my soul and bearing everything that I needed help with, I'm gonna seize to see everything and see things as they are and be willing to accept them and see the truth. And not just the story, but the underlying truth of what's really happening to me. For me, if there is judgment, if I'm being seen to be that which is not right in my life, if I'm being seen through a lens of compassion, then I'm gonna be willing to see all the parts of me, the good and the bad. You know, the comfortable and the uncomfortable. So that truth, seeing the truth of what really is present, seeing the truth of the pain that's underneath, you know, whatever addiction, you know, if there's, because underneath the anger that I hold within my body, within my soma, I'm gonna be willing to see it all and listen to it being mirrored back to me when there's compassion present and I'm willing and I'm ready to open that Pandora's box. Michelle Saudan (12:53): 'Cause when we open that box of healing, so much comes out that sometimes even shocks us. But if there's a compassionate witness or there's that sense of compassion within, then I'm, I'm not gonna be afraid. I'm just gonna be willing to open up that box load, I know what's inside, but I'm gonna be okay with it. 'cause The person in front of me is just mirroring that it's okay. And I think that really embodies what that quote stands for. And thank you for, for reflecting it back. I think it's so important. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (13:27): Yes. And something that has been really a part of my journey was initially I said, well, I want to work with women and help them with their health. So what's the biggest toolbox, most powerful toolbox I can get to access to help women? And so I said, oh, I'll get my medical doctorate. So I went to medical school and then I practiced that for many years. And then I saw that so many women, despite all the prescriptions I gave them and surgeries, I did hysterectomies, things like that, people were still suffering, particularly at midlife, including myself. And I said, well, we're missing something. Something's not right here. And then I discovered something called functional medicine. So that looked at the physiologic, biochemical causes of disease. So I studied that and that helped me transform my health and the women I was working with. But then after a while I started saying, wait a minute, yes, this works but not for everybody and why is that we're missing something. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (14:31): And then kind of went on my own healing journey and realized that the things that you help people with is what I was missing. And now I've realized, well this affects all of us, but very much in the US we have this mindset of, if I'm able to have a family and work at my job and be a productive member of society, this doesn't apply to me. Like there's very much this culture of don't talk, don't trust, don't feel like feelings are the enemy . And I find in working with women with their health, feelings are everything. And that's really what stops us from doing the things that could help us with our physical health is the feelings that we don't feel, the traumatic history that we don't acknowledge, that we don't talk about. But people spend so much time and energy not talking about it and pretending that everything's okay. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (15:39): Put some lipstick on, do your hair, you know, what's that song? I got my hair done, dah, dah, everything's fine. Like that to me says American culture. And so a lot of what I spend time with women doing is trying to help them see that no, everything's not fine 'cause you got your hair done and your nails done. And that really avoids talking about the things that are underneath what's causing you to not follow the diet. You know, you should follow, you know, eating things that I say are not in your best interest. doing things that are not in your best interest and your energy provides kind of, I've seen people open up in a way that, well, and I, I must say that in the Middle East where I encountered you in general, people are more open to being aware of these things. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (16:36): I'm talking about it. And I was amazed to arrive there and find this huge conversation going on in the kind of public that isn't going on in the US particularly. Also, I saw that in South Africa about apartheid and it's very public. And people say to you right away, oh yeah, we talk about this. We have to heal from this as a country. So can you talk a little bit about how people come to realize that this is them? And I'll say one more thing. I know I've said a lot at the retreat that you gave her a treat and you had kind of a conversation with everyone that to my mind was about codependency. But you never said that word . And you had people open up in a way that was so beautiful having this conversation in such a gentle way that women were realizing, oh yeah, this is me, but you never came at it. We come from a, in the US from a very top down perspective, oh, this is what the issue is and you need to da, and then people shut down. And no, that's not me. I'm not codependent. Can you talk a little bit about that? That's Michelle Saudan (17:46): A great question. It's like when you talk to a child, we have to realize that when people go through trauma, you know, like we all have gone through our own stuff, is that it causes us to put walls up and to protect and defend. That's a normal primal state of being when we're, you know, subjected to external forces that are, are not right, that are not safe for our being. So that when people are trying to heal, the last thing you want to do is, like you said, come from the mind because that's not gonna help anyone. It's what got them there. That's not what's gonna take them out. We need to come from the bottom, you know, and but come right from the heart center, that's what's gonna take them out. So in order to work with, with the trauma or to work with any of these circumstances that got people into the limiting states that they're in, then we can't be pointing fingers, for lack of a better word, it's gotta be different. Michelle Saudan (18:51): So that defenses are lowered and then we can work, then we have an open field. We don't have, we are not dealing with an army. You know, we are dealing with a peacemaking operation here that's ready to, to make amends and to see how we can fix things. And with regard to people talking about things you had said, you know, in South Africa, you know, people speak South Africa a little bit differently. That, and I love the movement and the energy, you know, that's building up. I can't say the same thing for other parts of Africa. I'm from Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans and South Africans, even though we share the same border is very different. Zimbabweans are still very much, we are very held back. I think we are 10 steps behind, for so many reasons. There's that fear, you know, that we can't speak, you know, after having, without bringing politics into this conversation. Michelle Saudan (19:51): But, you know, that has largely played a role, you know, lack of freedom of speech. It was never, never present from the time we won independence. But the South Africans had amazing leadership. Look at Nelson Mandela. Mm-Hmm. , you know, that, you know, for them to rely on. But for us, we can't say the same. So it's, we are still stuck in that time zone where people are not so open, at least not yet. And I hope to be one of the people with other sisters and brothers to change that narrative, not just for Zimbabwe, but for the continent as its own. 'cause It's time for us to heal, not just as a country, but just as a people regardless of where we come from. Mm-Hmm. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (20:36): Yes. And so is your approach something that you came by more innately from your origins and your ancestors? Or is it something that you learned? Michelle Saudan (20:49): It is something I would say I learned largely because I grew up in a community where we did not speak and you just had to go and do your job. Just if you had a roof and you had something to eat, whether it was once a day, you, you, you were better off. You just go and you continue because things could be worse. That was the mantra in our homestead. So, but then something happened and I have to thank them. I, I got a youth exchange scholarship at 16 and I went for the first time to the USA and it was such a huge culture shock because we were taught to be quiet, respect the teachers . And if we had an opinion, we kept it to ourselves. And when I went to a public school in Santa Barbara, it was very opposite. Michelle Saudan (21:48): Children spoke their minds. And so it, it really awoke something in me. I said, wow, you know, I mean, if we had a bit more respect, yes we can do it with some respect, but I loved how the children were just open, you know, they spoke the family. I stayed with them. The girls spoke about, you know, their emotions, how they were feeling openly with the parents. And that wasn't something I grew up with. So when I went back to Africa, it ignited something in me and I said, well, you know, I'd like that to be different, you know, 'cause it was nice, you know, we learned, we spoke our truth. Nothing was held and they were still together even though they spoke opinions. So it was a reflection. And then it was also something I learned because I traveled to so many countries in my time and then said, no, well, I've been extracted from what I've known for so long. I think this is where we are missing. We are missing something here as a people, as a culture. And this is hindering us in so many ways, economically, mentally, physically, socially, emotionally. And this is one of the major missing links, at least from the country I know of. I can't speak to others in the world, but from what I know from experience. So to a long-winded answer to your question, yes, it was learned. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (23:19): And so what was the evolution? Because yes, there are, people do speak their minds and opinions in the US and there's this whole reservoir of pain that isn't discussed, the feelings underneath. I'm wondering, coming from what you described in your cultural background and then the kind of eye-opening experience in the US, what was the evolution that allowed you to really have this deep presence and ability to sit with people in their pain and feelings? How did that evolve and how did you learn that? Hmm. Michelle Saudan (23:58): Yeah. Sitting with the deep pain comes from having gone through a lot of deep pain and adversity yourself. So I've gone through my own deep adversities, not just as an individual, but with my family is a lot of pain we've gone through as a collective. And I think watching when that's being mirrored to you as a child growing up. And you can see maybe we were not able to speak about the emotions, but the physical presence of holding space for people was always there is always part of the culture. You sit, there's no words being said, but we sit with the person and we know what's going on, but we sit and we grieve, we hold that space. So seeing that, but also having felt my family hold me and very much the same way and do the same for them is something you could sit with anything. Michelle Saudan (25:00): You know, people came with so many things and my grandmother was a, a nurse by night, but she did traditional African healing in the community, you know, and people were always coming to the home with different things and just sitting, you know, we could, they could be laughing and talking, but you see there was some pain and there'd just be silence, you know, or the body posture, you know, with the rounded shoulders and the heads down and the hands together under the chin as though you really, you know, I I I hear you, I resonate with you. So seeing that it's just been able to, to help me as well, to be able to sit with other people. It's like, no pain is, it is too big for me to be with you. I might not have all the answers to, or, you know, support to help you unpack it, but sitting with you that I can do no matter what. It's, Dr. Kyrin Dunston (25:58): That's so beautiful. Just being present with it. And, you know, my experience in the US is that we can't sit with, with uncomfortability. We gotta turn the TV on, eat that, you know, sweet compulsive avoidance of being present to discomfort, hence all the compulsive ways that we medicate our pain that then affect our health. You know, rates of diabetes, and pre-diabetes are soaring in the US over consumption of sugar, but also caused by stress, which affects how we process sugar, right? It affects our cortisol stress hormone. And it's interesting to me, a big part of what I help women with is the menopause transition. And it's a huge problem in the US but in other cultures it's not as much. And it's partly because of our lifestyle and the things that we reach for and the stress levels that we have. But it's very hard to get people to see this because in a capitalist culture, people profit off of our poor health and our compulsions. And it's such a part of the culture that we're taught when we're literal, oh, you fell and skinned your knee, have a cookie that'll make you feel better. How would you help someone compassionately lean into looking at the ways that they compulsively avoid their pain and feeling their feelings? Hmm. Michelle Saudan (27:31): Yeah. The first one, and I always use this word, is first compassion for yourself where there's no judgment. 'cause What leads us into the, the habits is then now the, you know, finding ways to cope with how bad we feel about ourselves, right? Mm-Hmm, . So it's okay, you know. So first I'll, I'll, I'll, I'll share an acronym that I share with many of my clients and something I use myself. So it's raining. So r stands for just recognize, just recognize what's going on for you. Okay? There's anger within me, there's guilt, or there's shame, or there's deep sadness. So there's grief. Just recognize what's there. And then the next thing is a, is allow, can you allow it to be there? You know, can, can the sadness be there without you trying to change it or whatever it is. And then I am in choir, just get curious, okay, what's really happening for me? Michelle Saudan (28:31): You know? And this creates space, you know, it gives you really a lot of space between the stimulus and you know, your reaction or your response. So get curious, okay, well what's happening? You know, what's triggered that? What's brought this on? And then the last part is to nurture yourself. So by the time you get curious and you say, oh, okay, well it was something someone said, okay, that triggered this belief. You know, there's this, there's something, 'cause this is, this is a pattern. Now there's space. You're becoming more conscious. And as Carl Young says, it's, it's until we make the unconscious conscious, it'll drive our lives and we'll call it fate. So here you are being conscious now, you know, by just doing this, you know, recognizing can you allow it to be with no judgment? Can the grief be there without me saying, oh, enough now, or have grieved for too long, I've been too sad, I've been crying for too long, or I haven't cried enough. Michelle Saudan (29:34): You know, can there be no evaluation on, on, you know, what's present for us? And then we get curious. And then the last part is nurture. Okay, what do you really need besides the cookie, you know, or the ice cream tub, is it a hug? Do I need to talk to someone? What's underlying? Because if it's, if it's a habit that doesn't serve you, it's okay, but let's look at what it's giving you. So when we look at a cookie, what are we getting? You know, we get dopamine, right? We circuits are wiring and firing. So from that, eating that satisfaction from the sugar. So what is that equivalent to? It's equivalent to a hug, quality touch. Yeah. So can I try that instead? And then it doesn't hurt me internally. So that's how the framework I use, it seems like a long little, long checklist. But when it's more conscious, it's just the way of being as opposed to, to doing. I Dr. Kyrin Dunston (30:32): Love that. So rain, recognize our recognize a allow, I was Michelle Saudan (30:39): In choir, so this was curiosity. And then n was is nurture, Dr. Kyrin Dunston (30:46): Right? And that quote from Carl Young, until we make the unconscious conscious, it will drive our lives and we will call it fate. And so many of the women I work with really have the mindset and attitude that my life is the way it is. I only have this health problem, this hormonal problem. Most of the women who come to me. And I just want you to tell me what supplements I need to take, diet to eat, exercise to do, to get rid of these symptoms. And not really seeing how unconscious patterns are playing a role in their health problems. And for so many of us, it is, I know for me, you know, unconscious patterns of this belief of I wouldn't be doing a good job as a doctor if I wasn't bleeding myself in my giving, right? I had to suffer in my giving. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (31:41): And then that caused me to overwork and overdue, which then affected my wellbeing and health. But it was such a compulsive, unconscious belief. And now I've kind of transformed that. 'cause I recognized it and it wasn't serving me. So I guess I kind of did this rain. I inquired this is serving me, oh, it's hurting me. And then I didn't, couldn't show up my best self and then started to nurture myself and say, no, I, you know, I can only really help other women to nurture themselves when I nurture myself. And so I stopped doing that. And I find that a lot of the women I work with have that similar belief. They give till it hurts. What thoughts would you share about that? Michelle Saudan (32:32): My grandmother always used to refer to this. I don't remember the passage, but it was from the Bible and it was about my cup runneth over. And she always used to say, you know, I'm, I'm a nurse, but at the end of the day, you know, my cup has to be four and the extra is what I give you children's, what I give my patients. And that was always something she spoke. And we didn't understand what it meant as an adult, I do now, but when we are giving so much and get into something where we spoke lightly saying compassion fatigue, you know, is giving so much that there is an underlying belief. And that's something that is very old. So it's something we have to look at, you know, within ourselves. It's like, okay, where, where is this coming from? Michelle Saudan (33:27): Because it's okay to give, you know, we're all in this line of service. But when it's, there's an, an agenda because it's a, it's attached to something that, that doesn't serve us where we de be depleting ourselves. So there's some work for us to do. 'cause It shouldn't be that way where when it's, when it comes out that way, there's, there's something where it started is so, so my question would be, where did you learn that you had to give so much of yourself that, or you depended or you placed your value on how much you know you gave. So something you learned. So it's, where did you learn that? And can we look at it from a nonjudgmental lens and see what's happening? Dr. Kyrin Dunston (34:15): So yes, the compassionate inquiry, and I know that you work with Gabor mate and I wanna share a couple quotes that you also shared with me. One from Gabor, which is, trauma is not what happens to you, but what happens inside you and the other from Tara Brock, whom I love the deepest transformations in our lives come down to something very simple. We learn to respond, not react to what is going on inside us. And very much what I hear you talking about is first becoming aware that something's happening. I think this used to be me and, and so many women I work with, we're not, we don't even, we're not, we don't even recognize these internal thought and feeling processes that are happening. And then we try to shut them down because we don't wanna go there. So we don't allow it. And then we're certainly not inquiring because I just need to put my lipstick on and keep it moving. And then we don't really know how to nurture ourselves 'cause we're not in touch with what we're needing and what we're wanting. But this idea of slowing it all down and learning to respond and not knee-jerk reaction, how would you help a woman to start to slow down and to start to respond and not react and really turn towards herself in this way? Michelle Saudan (35:47): It's, I think cultivating or having a practice of your own, you know, a mindfulness practice. And what I mean by that, Karen is not, not everyone needs to light a candle and burn incense and have a meditation cushion. You know, it, it, it can sound like making your own pot shrimp soup on a Sunday. And, and that's your moment and taking all the time. If whatever takes you out from the busyness, you know, of your external and really brings you in, then find that and use it as an anchor. If you love trimming your roses, let that be that moment where you say, okay, I'm gonna try and be as present as I can consciously and use this moment to, to really, I'm trimming the roses, but there's also, it gives me space and time just to be with myself, to slow down, you know, walking your dog, brushing your dog or your horses, just whatever it is, just find something that really anchors you. Michelle Saudan (36:51): We all have it, but maybe we just haven't consciously realized that, hey, that is my thing, you know, but you just unconsciously drawn to it, but you just didn't know that that is your, you know, your, your silver, your golden key to presence. So finding any practices that really bring you into the present moment to really slow down and anchor you can really make a difference. Because it's in those spare moments where you actually think, you know, well no, that didn't go well. What, what's wrong? You start questioning and give you space to contemplate if you are also ready to go there. Sometimes we can have all the space, but if we are not ready to go there, then all we'll have is just space. But, you know, so I hope that that helps. But just finding one's own way of taking that moment. But like you said, self-awareness is just do I realize that something's wrong and or something needs to be changed? Not wrong, I'll, I'll take back that word, but just something that needs to be changed. And if you just have that realization that no, something needs to change, then you have presence, voila, the rest will unfold. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (38:10): Yes, presence and awareness. And it leads me to a question that really has been reframed for me recently, and that is, what is self-love to you? How would you describe that to someone? Because we hear so much, oh, love yourself, love yourself. But really what does that mean on an everyday basis? What does it look like? What does it feel like? What, how do you do that? Michelle Saudan (38:35): Yeah. self-love. I, I think for me when I have a balance between authenticity and attachment, it means that I'm not stretching myself too thin to save the relationships around me. I'm not, I'm not putting myself on a spit as a sacrifice for the relationships I have. There is an element of me nourishing those relationships, but there's also a balance of me nourishing myself in equilibrium that for me, daily, because I'm in a relationship daily as all of us are, it's a very big thing because your relationships really test you. You know, as my young aunt made a joke. She said, well, if you want to get to know your crazy, have relationships or go live on an island, , Dr. Kyrin Dunston (39:30): You . Michelle Saudan (39:32): So it's so self-love is, in what ways are you choosing you even in the daily mundane things? I think it goes beyond, you know, spoiling yourself with a beautiful breakfast and a spa day or meditation treat at a center. But it's just how are you choosing you every day and how are you holding yourself accountable? 'cause It's also gotta be self-Love is also that element of allowing yourself to see your own growing edge, because then there's evolution, you know, that is also self-love. Not just in the ways we give space for, for ourselves, but it's also in recognizing, no, you know, this is where I contributed to this conflict or, you know, I, I wasn't my best here. You know, I could have done better, I could have responded better. That I feel, oh, I believe is also self-love because you are so self-aware and you are growing. So where are you catching yourself to be accountable and responsible for actions that may not have served or hurt somebody else's? Also, self-love, if it makes sense. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (40:44): Yes. I love that. Balancing authenticity and attachment and how you are choosing you every day and holding and holding yourself accountable. So it's kind of like a responsibility to yourself and to others. And how do you hold both of these gently in both hands together? , that's kind of what I heard. You have a beautiful retreat coming up that I would really like to go to. So I'm gonna see if the universe would like me to go. So I'm setting that intention 'cause it would be my 60th birthday, and I've been wondering what do I want to do for my 60th birthday? And then I saw the retreat you have and I said, oh my gosh, what I love, love that. And I try to live my life by what would I love to have happen? Because in this life I only get one . So I try to be guided by that. But do you wanna tell everybody about it in case they might be interested? We'll also have a link to your website that has the details, but tell everyone about it. Michelle Saudan (41:50): Mm-Hmm, . Thank you, Karen. Here, this retreat is called the Ancient Walks of Wisdom. And the intention was to, to really hone in on the holistic, forgotten languages of healing on the continent of Africa. But some of the oldest tribes such as the Himba and the Sam, who we know as the, you know, being the guardians of nature, they only take what they need. You know, they move from different ends of their lands with only what they can carry. But when, if I were to move, I speak to myself, I need a whole moving truck. I cannot carry everything in my hands. And it's a reminder for me, and I hope that it would be a reminder for those that come is that we forget to live lightly and not just externally, but internally. And this was the intention. And just to really look at how they live in unison and community with their children. Michelle Saudan (42:51): For example, one of the tribes we will visit is a Himba tribe. And the woman does not put the child on the ground unless he wants to, to walk and run. But she, he, this baby is latched with the mom 24 hours, you know? And eye contact and holding is something that we've lost in modern society. So this was just for us to come back. We are teaching this, we are learning this now by reeducating with modern studies and trauma, somatic healing. But when we look at it is something we already did in all our tribes, wherever we come from. So this is just to reconnect us, what has always been, but we've just forgotten. And this is what this retreat will embody. And I have one for local women. 'cause One thing I realized was that some of the retreats I was doing, which I canceled most of, was I didn't see my grandmother in who I was trying to represent. Michelle Saudan (43:56): I didn't see my mom or my great-grandmother, and they would have never afforded some of the retreats. And I said, well, I think I need to, to change this. And it gives me so much passion to now do some really low income retreats for just most women. So I'd like most women to be able to come and connect, like what we did at her retreat. I'd like everyone to be able to come because trauma and mental health is how it's seen right now in, in, in Africa is if you've, you know, in a mental health hospital, then that's when you need it. But if you don't do it again, put on the lipstick like you said and carry on. So I'd like to open that up. 'cause Our ancient elders, they did all of this, so they just didn't call it a retreat, but there was that support. So I'd like to bring that back in a way that suits us in the day and age we are living right now. So that's what I have upcoming and I'm really excited to share it and hopefully maybe I will come closer to you in the states and we can do some for, you know, for everyone's. I believe everyone should be able to have this at their fingertips. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (45:13): Oh, that sounds beautiful and I love your consideration for, for inclusivity at all economic levels. It's something that I struggle with in what I offer because to provide the type of services is rather expensive, and that means that some women are left out. And one of the ways that I can be more inclusive is by providing this podcast free. So I love having guests who come on and really I offer as you have this depth and perspective that they're not encountering every day and, and information and inspiration that they can use for healing. I mean, you sharing the rain technique, I invite everyone who's listening to start using that and just maybe keep it in your mind and the next time something happens that is disturbing or troubling or keeps coming to your mind, maybe just spend some time using that rain process of cognize, recognizing, allowing, inquiring and nurturing. That's a place to start. And I invite everyone listening also to look at, at Michelle's website and the offerings that she has, we'll have the link in the show notes that you can click. I thank you so much for just being who you are and for sharing yourself with us and the world. I think you've been a healing presence for me, and I know everyone listening to this show feels that as well. Michelle Saudan (46:50): Oh, thank you, Karen. It's been a joy. Thank you so much. Love to everyone listening and if anything, just remember it didn't start with you. I think we can love ourselves to healing by remembering just that. And yeah, I look forward to seeing you, Karen. If not at the retreat, I see you in Dubai or somewhere where God aligns us. But thank you too for the work you're doing. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (47:15): Thank you. And you know that what you just said, it didn't start with you. That's a whole other conversation, , that we can have. So maybe we'll have that at another date. If you're listening and that intrigues you and you would like us to talk about that, please reach out to me and let me know and we'll see if Michelle might allow us to make that happen. Thank you so much for joining me today. Look forward to hearing your experiences with the rain process, which is really a beautiful process that Michelle has shared with us. Thank you so much. I will see you next week in another episode. Until then, peace, love, and hormones, y'all. Dr. Kyrin Dunston (47:54): Thank you so much for listening. I know that incredible vitality occurs for women over 40 when we learn to speak hormones and balance these vital regulators to create the health and the life that we deserve. If you're enjoying this podcast, I'd love it if you'd give me a review and subscribe. It really does help this podcast out so much. You can visit the hormone prescription.com where we have some free gifts for you, and you can sign up to have a hormone evaluation with me on the podcast to gain clarity into your personal situation. Until next time, remember, take small steps each day to balance your hormones and watch the wonderful changes in your health that begin to unfold for you. Talk to you soon. ► Know more about Michelle Saudan's offerings in the transformative powers of sound, breath, movement, bodywork and meditation. CLICK HERE. ► Are you tired of feeling like you're losing control at midlife? Weight gain, low energy, and a decrease in sex drive are all too common. But it doesn't have to be that way. With our Hormone Balance Bliss Challenge, you can reclaim your youth and feel as amazing as you did in college. Our proven system is designed specifically for women at midlife who want to balance their hormones, reset their metabolism, and start seeing real results. Imagine waking up with more energy than ever before. Feeling confident and sexy in your own body. No more mood swings or uncontrollable weight gain – just pure blissful balance throughout menopause. 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Realizing True Nature: A conversation with Hameed Ali and Tara Brach - Hameed Ali is an author, spiritual teacher and founder of the Diamond Approach to Self-Realization. In this interview we explore ways of approaching awakening to who we are, and look at the importance of befriending the experience of separate self, and actively investigating the blocks - our contracted sense of identity - that obscure the goodness and love of our true nature. Our time weaves in the inspiration of Hameed's most recent book, Nondual Love, (his pen name A.H. Almaas is listed as author.)
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