Podcasts about Gangaji

"Just as you are right now, present yourself fully, nakedly with all of your imperfections and no hope of cleaning them up. Then see what is, see what welcomes you just as you are." As human beings, we have a natural egoic desire to improve ourselves. It is part of our survival mechanism, but when that desire turns into an endless search for perfection, we overlook what is already whole.  What if for one moment you consciously choose to stop all efforts of self-improvement and simply meet yourself just as you are? What fear arises to be met?  In this recording Gangaji reads a letter that dives into this essential invitation to stop. It is an opportunity to see through the lie that "something is missing” and recognize the true depths of who you truly, already are. Learn more about Finding Home, Gangaji's new six-part audio documentary about her life story, her schedule of online and in-person events, and as well as how you can support this podcast with your donation.    gangaji.org

  “I would never suggest that you get rid of the longing. Meet the longing, fall into the longing, and you are laughing, laughing, laughing.”   Perhaps you have had an experience of longing that won't go away no matter how you try to satisfy it or get rid of it. That very desire may actually be pointing to a deeper desire—a longing for truth, for freedom, for resolution. In this episode of Being Yourself, Gangaji shares how we can meet the longing directly and in that recognize the longing is actually you calling yourself home.    Learn more about Finding Home, Gangaji's new six-part audio documentary about her life story, her schedule of online and in-person events, and as well as how you can support this podcast with your donation.    gangaji.org  

We were honored to welcome Unmani as our April 2025 Satsang guest. Her conversation with Anja Janssen was both inspiring and insightful, offering profound reflections that resonated deeply with our community.About UnmaniMeeting with Unmani is meeting with yourself in the most real and alive way. Unmani is originally from the UK, but has lived in many countries around the world. Since she was a child, Unmani didn't identify with being a separate individual, but assumed there was something wrong with her, until she came across the expression of Satsang and nonduality. Truth has always been her passion. Unmani had teachers including Osho, Dolano, Nathan Gill, Tony Parsons, Gangaji and several other amazing people who are not considered ‘teachers'.In 2013 she met her husband, the wonderful musician, and courageous lover of life, Robert Hanuman. In 2015 their son, Sky, was born. On 3rd January 2018, Robert Hanuman died suddenly from a heart attack while they were in India. Robert Hanuman's presence deeply influenced Unmani's teaching, and in the time they were together it evolved into a more human expression of the courage to live the paradox of the Absolute, living as this human. Robert put Unmani's words to his beautiful classical guitar music and Unmani still plays his songs at her meetings.Unmani has been holding meetings and retreats all over the world for since 2003, and in this time people have been deeply touched by her work: She meets each person exactly where they are at, and in whatever they need at the time, while at the same time holding them in the truth of who they really are beyond it all. This combination, and paradox, of the personal and impersonal, brings so much depth, openness and healing to people's lives. They wake up to who they really are, and discover how this is lived and integrated into their daily lives.Unmani has written 3 books “I am Life itself“, “Die to Love” and “The Courage to Come Alive”. Unmani holds regular meetings and retreats several times a year as well as monthly webinars on different themes.For more information about Unmani's work go to: ⁠www.die-to-love.com⁠Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Unmani⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/unmani⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/unmani_hyde/⁠Robert Hanuman's music can be downloaded on iTunes here: ⁠https://music.apple.com/nl/artist/robert-hanuman/1329878840?l=en⁠Love podcasts? You might also enjoy one of the programs listed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://awakening-together.org/interact/podcasts/

“I don't have confidence in my personality, but I do have absolute, total confidence in the Truth of who I am. And that is available for you because it is the same I Am.” Quieting or shutting down the voice of self-hatred running in our minds often brings us to the spiritual search, and in that, it can be an ally. We may fear thoughts or feelings of self-hatred, but if we don't want that merciless voice to rule our lives, we must question it, challenge it, and ultimately meet it directly. In this episode, Gangaji shares her own meeting with self-hatred and her great discovery.  Just in this episode: Gangaji joins host Barbara Denempont to introduce this potent monologue from the archives. She also announces a new six-part audio documentary, Finding Home, that traces her journey to realizing true freedom. It will be released in the With Gangaji Media Library on May 5.  Learn more about Gangaji, her schedule, and programs including Finding Home at gangaji.org. 

“True inquiry is examining all of those places where you have assigned your identity. One of the spiritual identities is the one who is enlightened now, finally.” For millennia, human beings from all walks of life have sought after what has been referred to as “enlightenment.” In this potent monologue, Gangaji offers a fresh inquiry into the nature of enlightenment, the trap we fall into when we seek it, and the possibility of recognizing what is more essential than any state of enlightenment and unenlightenment. Learn more about Gangaji, her schedule of events, and program at gangaji.org

Ganga means one who speeds up our journey or evolution and who unites us with the Goal OF life. She flows from Brahmaji's kalash to Vishnu Bhagwan's foot during the Vamana Avatar and from there to the jata of Shivji before flowing on the earth due to Bhagirath's penance. So she is symbolic of Jnana, Bhakti and Seva.She is held by Bhagawan Shiva in his jata symbolic of humbling of her pride and power of Shiva ji's tapasya. Another symbolism is Gangaji is symbolic of Brahmavidya or the knowledge of the Self which is very subtle & difficult to understand. Bhagawan Shiva is the Adi Guru who has realised this knowledge through tapas or austerity and brings this knowledge to the disciples in small understandable doses. Har Har Gange.#ganga #shiva #riverganga #river #vedanta #oneness #puranas #bhakti #seva #jnana #jnanayoga[ganges, austerity, peace, tradition, guruparampara, vedas, vedic wisdom]

Trigger warning:In honor of Joshua's life, Nicholas Fontana agreed to film with PBTR a few years ago to share his experience of losing his adopted friend Joshua to suicide. I ran into Nicholas at a mutual friends party a few weeks ago. Everything fell away as we began to speak about the effort to heal and all of the ways he has made progress. I asked Nicholas if he would be willing to be on the podcast to talk about the ideas he shared during our conversation. This led me to think about how to deal with our diverse levels of pain in a way that I have never considered before. His inspiration for self exploration came from; Gangaji, Alan Watts. Adyashanti, Eckhart Tolle and Terrence McKenna.It is important to understand that the people who love adopted people hurt when we hurt. Adoption is not a singular event that happens to one person. Adoption loss extends out from us; it affects our relationships, our parenting and our ability to feel worthy. In reintroducing you to Nicholas and Joshua we hope you feel inspired by the courage, friendship and the bond they shared. We honor Joshua and his brave battle, we honor all of the warriors we have lost. Remember you are worthy in fact you are spectacular! -Joshua Samuel Kukla -Father, friend, musician, brother, son, adopteeClick here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/bookhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Papaji said, “It takes one twelfth of a second, and then your life is never the same.” Our spiritual search often begins with a causeless moment of true revelation that stops us in our tracks. In just a split second, what is whole and permanent is immediately recognized.  As the powerful feelings, insights and emotions connected to that sublime moment subside, we often begin our search again hoping for the impossible—to repeat that experience. As this exchange demonstrates, inquiry can show us the way out of that mental maze to discover what doesn't come and go.    Learn more about Gangaji, her calendar of events, and other programs at gangaji.org. 

“If you are willing to surrender for a moment any definition of yourself that arises however high or low, you will directly discover what lies underneath.” Is there a relationship between our self-definitions and the desire to control? What happens when we set aside our definitions, is it freeing or frightening? In this monologue and exchange, Gangaji encourages us to set aside all definitions in a moment of self-inquiry to discover what is free of all definitions—you. Learn more about Gangaji and her monthly online gatherings and free community video screenings. 

“Universal, limitless consciousness has no problem with feeling bad or feeling good.”  When we experience challenging emotions or exacting mental states we may imagine we are “losing our enlightenment.” A day may start with oceanic feelings of bliss, but in the next moment, fear or rage or sadness appear. Are we really losing our enlightenment? What are we overlooking in our quest for the “good feelings?” In this relatable and lively exchange Gangaji imparts the task Papaji gave to her: Find out what doesn't come and go. Learn more about Gangaji at gangaji.org Visit our "Moments" page where we share powerful moments of realization from the global community.  You can support the programs that send Gangaji's message of peace around the world and behind prison walls. All donations are tax-deductible. Make your donation on the giving page.            

In reference to the beautiful interview with Gangaji: https://youtu.be/kmUYR2Higcc?si=EZs5QwwvRuQQPHfX Timestamp 48mins "something that was really being searched for and then accepting that to know that you want that is the proof that it's here you. You can't search for something if there's not a reference point and the reference point is the truth of your identity." Wow! Lets discuss this reference point and how seeking outwardly just keeps you going in the totally wrong direction. Looking for a Reiki community? I run a monthly free Sunday Reiki healing meditation: https://www.reiki-centre.com/reiki-class/monthly and a weekly members community: https://www.reiki-centre.com/community For those interested in a deeper dive into Reiki for self-care, please see my short course here which includes 6 self-attunement meditations you can download: https://online.reiki-centre.com/courses/reiki-for-self-care For those interested in the full online Reiki 1 course for beginners, please see here: https://online.reiki-centre.com/courses/reiki-1

“Thought is a beautiful power that arises in Awareness. If that power is worshipped or if it is hated, then it grows into a tyranny.  You are Awareness, not the thought of Awareness, but the reality of Awareness.” When we identify with the thoughts and feelings arising in our mind and body, we overlook our true face—awareness itself. Habitually following thoughts with more thoughts is the root of unnecessary suffering. In this monologue, Gangaji shares how it is possible to effortlessly discover that who you are in reality, is free and unthought. Learn more about Gangaji, her schedule, and programs at gangaji.org

Ever wondered what it truly means to “wake up” spiritually?   In this episode, I sit down with Loch Kelly, an award-winning author, licensed psychotherapist, and recognized leader in the field of meditation, to explore the journey of awakening and how we can make it part of our everyday lives. We talk about how true growth combines both spiritual awareness and personal development, helping us find peace wherever we are.   Loch takes us through simple techniques he calls “Glimpses” live in the episode so that we don't just conceptually know, but tap into a deeper knowing.   He also unpacks how to do psychological work combining embodiment practices with Internal Family system "Parts Work,” which allows us to understand and accept all parts of ourselves.    He guides us from Head to Heart so that we have an “embodied awareness,” moving from constant overthinking to a deeper, heart-centered focus. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to deepen it, this episode offers valuable insights and tools for real, grounded transformation.   ===   Join our ICF-Accredited Coach Certification Program, the Institute for Coaching Mastery, designed to help you become a highly skilled + confident coach at the top of your game, in any niche.   Whether you're Brand New wanting to shortcut the learning curve, or you're Experienced looking to back higher fees with real value, we offer trauma-informed Trainings + Tools, Live Coaching, and a Customizable 6-figure + Beyond Signature Roadmap to take your income + impact to the next level.   If you want to create lasting change in your life and feel confident in helping others do the same, while having a thriving business...   Click this link to Learn More + Apply Today: https://www.alyssanobriga.com/applynow    ===   EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:  00:00 - Intro 03:12 - Defining Awakening and Its Stages 06:45 - Embodying Awakening: Practical Tools and Techniques 10:44 - The Importance of Unity Mind and Flow Consciousness 15:10 - Thawing Out Repressed Parts for True Integration 19:33 - Misconceptions and Psychological Overpasses 23:09 - Embracing All Parts Through Internal Family Systems 26:46 - Finding New Safety and Grounded Presence 30:08 - Practical Glimpses of Awakening: Head-to-Heart Exercise 35:58 - The Benefits of Heart-Based Awareness and Trust 40:46 - The Nourishing Power of Presence and Connection 45:18 - Unity Mind and Panoramic Flow: Integrating Left and Right Brain 47:06 - Living from Heart Mind: Loch's Experience with Long COVID 1:02:49 - Connect with Loch Kelly   ===   GUEST LINKS  Instagram: @lochkelly_ Website: http://www.lochkelly.org 14-Day Free Trial for Mindful Glimpses App: https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpses Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQTlKxfVk5o6B5SvbvYdSZQ   ===   Have you watched our previous episode with Gangaji?   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ytZInchxoag   ====   Alyssa Nobriga International, LLC - Disclaimer This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or any other qualified professional. We shall in no event be held liable to any party for any reason arising directly or indirectly for the use or interpretation of the information presented in this video. Copyright 2023, Alyssa Nobriga International, LLC - All rights reserved.    === Website: alyssanobriga.com Instagram: @alyssanobriga  TikTok - @alyssanobriga Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6b5s2xbA2d3pETSvYBZ9YR  Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healing-human-potential/id1705626495

“When you're willing to be still…to stop this forward thrust of accumulation, of a lifestyle, you can give your life, the attention of your life, to discovering what is life.” When we begin a search for peace or happiness, we may simply be looking for better circumstances, or wanting to feel less lonely, or hoping to release feelings of guilt or sorrow. As we walk that path we may fall into just another lifestyle or we may discover a much deeper truth—the truth of who we are, consciousness itself. How can we honor that discovery, honor our lives as we live each day? What does it mean to live a true life in the wake of recognizing the truth of who one is? Learn more about Gangaji's events and programs at gangaji.org

On this Being Yourself Podcast Extra you are invited to "look inward." Take just a few minutes to drop into a brief selection taken from The Sacred Fire of Death: Reflections on the Katha Upanishad. It is the newest installment in the Sacred Text Series with Gangaji and Chris Mohr. Along with their conversation about the Katha Upanishad itself, there are also readings from what is one of the most beloved and sacred texts of India.  The complete 82-minute audio download of The Sacred Fire of Death: Reflections on the Katha Upanishad is available to purchase at Gangaji's online store.  Read an interview with Chris Mohr about the Katha project, In the Waiting Room of Death.  You can also read this short article from Being Yourself host Barbara Denempont, A Taste of the Katha Upanishad. 

“There is a possibility of meeting the Satguru which is death – the final great teacher of us all. Not as an escape from life, just an opening to what is inevitable, to what is here.” Genetically, human beings are designed to survive, to avoid death. The fear of death is natural. But when we are willing to consciously meet death, to investigate its depths and reality, we have a life-changing opportunity to shift our attention from our relative existence to the eternal nature of being. Then, we can live our lives from the ground of being, rather than the fear of death. This the gift of Ramana's inquiry into “Who dies?”    Learn more about Gangaji and her programs at gangaji.org

“Regardless of those people who depend on you, it is possible for you to be true to who you are. Compassionately, ruthlessly true to who you are. . . true to the open heart.” The most common question Gangaji receives at the end of a retreat is, “How can I trust myself to be true to the truth of who I am while living my daily life?” How do we raise children, pay the bills, go to work, or sustain a marriage and be true to who we are? Is it really a question of trust? In this episode, Gangaji speaks to what is actually closer, and more essential than trust.   Learn more about Gangaji, her schedule of events, and programs at gangaji.org. 

“The mistake is overlooking what is effortlessly, choicelessly, always here.” How is it that we actually overlook the truth of ourselves? When we pursue sublime states of mind to attain “unity” on our spiritual path, we can go down a path that instead delivers an experience of separation. Gangaji invites us to simply be, and in that, discover what cannot be “done” and who you truly are.   Learn more about Gangaji, her schedule of events, and program for the incarcerated at gangaji.org.    

The intention of the Healing & Human Potential Podcast is to share practical + powerful tools for you to transform your life, and this episode is just that.    Alyssa gets vulnerable and does a live demo using a real situation from her own life when she felt a deep need to be liked so that you can see how it's done and apply it to your own life. Follow along as we dive into "The Work" + discover just how powerful questioning our thoughts is + how it leads to the a freedom beyond the mind.   Today's very special guest is, Byron Katie, one of Alyssa's spiritual teachers + dear friends, who's a renowned author, speaker, and has touched the lives of millions around the world! Join us as we discuss how Katie went from agoraphobic to enlightened and hear about Alyssa's honest reaction to her husband telling her he loved her for the first time.   Uncover just how powerful an open mind + the role of curiosity can be in your life and feel the immediate shift that happens when we begin to use our triggers to get free. Enjoy!   ===   EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro 5:54 - Journey of Awakening 9:54 - Finding Freedom In Questioning Your Judgments 15:40 - Reframe on Reality 22:22 - 3 Type of Business 24:01 - The Power of The Work + Divine Timing 26:49 - Connection Ritual For Couples to Do The Work Together 31:31 - Alyssa's Live Demo of the One Belief Worksheet 43:12 - Authentic Turn Arounds to the Original Belief   ===   In 1986, at the bottom of a ten-year spiral into depression and self-loathing, Byron Katie woke up one morning in a state of joy. She realized that when she believed her stressful thoughts, she suffered, but that when she questioned them, she didn't suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Her simple yet powerful process of self-inquiry, which she calls The Work, consists of four questions and the turnaround, which is a way of experiencing the opposite of what you believe.   Byron Katie has been bringing The Work to millions of people for more than thirty years. Please join her at athomewithbk.com for At Home with BK on Zoom every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9-10 a.m. Pacific Time.   Her books include the bestselling "Loving What Is" now in a revised edition, "I Need Your Love—Is That True?," "A Thousand Names for Joy," and "A Mind at Home with Itself." For more information, visit thework.com.   Instagram & Threads @byron.katie Facebook theworkofbyronkatie YouTube TheWorkofBK   ===   Have you watched our previous episode with Gangaji?   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ytZInchxoag?si=9k59OubxEE1yDLcI   ====   Alyssa Nobriga International, LLC - Disclaimer This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or any other qualified professional. We shall in no event be held liable to any party for any reason arising directly or indirectly for the use or interpretation of the information presented in this video. Copyright 2023, Alyssa Nobriga International, LLC - All rights reserved.     === Website: alyssanobriga.com Instagram: @alyssanobriga TikTok - @alyssanobriga Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6b5s2xbA2d3pETSvYBZ9YR Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healing-human-potential/id1705626495    

Do you often ask yourself questions like “Who am I?” or “Why am I here?” Today's guest is spiritual teacher and author Gangaji who discusses her book “The Diamond in Your Pocket – Discover Your True Radiance.” Gangaji talks about how we are naturally conditioned to look outside of ourselves for food and shelter, so we continue to look there for answers. Eventually we discover that we cannot find peace and fulfillment outside and we need to turn inward. We seek and acquire knowledge, but some things can only be found inside. We can stop looking outside for the next book, the next teacher, the next escape. It's so simple, yet revolutionary. Inside there's potential for great creativity. She explains that it's no longer “seeking” but “discovering.” It's impossible to find lasting happiness outside. All pleasure fades, but lasting fulfillment can be found inside. Growing up in Mississippi, with the given birthname Toni Roberson, she felt something was missing in her life. She shares the story of finding her spiritual teacher Papaji. She is a very Western woman and never thought she would seek out a guru. She reached a point in her life where she realized she needed a teacher. She prayed and intended for one, then found herself in India six months later. Papaji was very welcoming. She recognized that this was the answer to her prayer. She found grace and radiance in his teachings. He suggested that she stop seeking and look inside for the truth. She was fearful to stop, as she thought she may lose what she had gained. She didn't know what the outcome would be. He taught her to stop following the mind. If a thought arises, let it go. For a moment, turn your attention away from what you want. As she eventually did, she was overwhelmed with love and peace. She found peace and fulfillment exists already. She experienced stillness and it was scary at first. She learned to “see what is” and discover “what's already here.” It's our beingness. It's consciousness. Some dislike what they see when they look inside. That's all part of the process. Some people feel anguish or fear and other negative emotions. We suppress those feelings, or we can be in constant states of desire, looking for the next thing, and then the next. She suggests we just stop and take a moment. This takes vigilance, but then we can live life from that place. We can stop looking outside for satisfaction. So much energy is free. Gangaji also discusses the idea that “you are not who you think you are.” These thoughts continue and change. Stillness is beyond thought, but it's your real self, your true self. Everything else is a story which can cause negative feelings. This Presence of “All That Is” is not something we have to “do” to experience. It's crucial to realize we are in our thinking minds. We can experience this if we just “be.” It's natural. Our minds will help us with survival. Peace is the nature of your heart. When there's suffering, you must be present with the pain in your heart. She suggests that even though the whole body fights to survive, we can find peace in our hearts. We can discover it deeply after we get through the fear. It's counter-intuitive, but it will pass. We can recognize that states come and go but inner “knowing” and stillness are always there. We can experience this peace. Gangaji teaches the willingness to learn that we are all connected. Destructive global events are tragic yet offer a way for us to discover the limitlessness of our own hearts. She also discusses the work she does within the prison environment, teaching people to learn to experience peace. We can all support one another. If we are willing to care, we can learn greater levels of love. Info: Gangaji.org.

“The secret of freedom is giving up the choice to escape yourself.” A prison inmate's letter inspires this month's podcast. In one of the most loved monologues in the archives, Gangaji speaks of the essential choice to face what has been feared or run from for most of our lives. When we give up any idea of healing and directly experience the woundedness,  we discover a deeper truth—the truth of who we are.   Learn more about Gangaji and the Gangaji Foundation Prison Program. 

Delve into this poetic meditation and let its resonance awaken the depths of your being. Each word is crafted to echo in the quiet spaces of your soul, uncovering truths that gently whisper to your knowingness - that you are ok, you are enough, you are what you seek.  This experience invites you to explore the living landscapes within, reconnecting you with the essence of who you are. Cultivated from the more feminine-rooted teachings of nonduality, this affirmation touches on elements of ecopsychology and nature-based healing, helping you remember your innate, inherent, and ever-present wholeness. Thank you for listening. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for allowing me to walk with you today. Love SezPurchase the Script to this meditation to use in your own practice or with your clients - SCRIPTSJoin our Substack CommunityNot on social media :)Support the Show.

At some point in our lives, we will experience a loss of innocence. Whether that disillusionment is with ourselves, our family, or with life itself, there is a choice that arises in the midst of loss. Will we fall into cynicism and self-betrayal? Or do we meet the pain of that loss directly and in that, discover the innocence that was never lost.    Visit the website to learn more about Gangaji and the Gangaji Foundation Prison Program. 

Will you venture down to the very bottom -- with Gangaji Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“You are free to discover yourself as Truth. You are free to rest in that Truth. You are free to be happy, regardless of your body, your thoughts, emotions, or circumstances.”   In this month's podcast, Gangaji begins with a clear exposition on how it is absolutely possible to discover yourself as Truth, no matter your past history. Then in the lively exchange that follows, she speaks to how we deny the truth of ourselves and instead, cling to an identify rooted in our thoughts, emotions, and relative circumstances. Do you dare give up your self-denial?   Learn more about Gangaji, her programs, and event schedule at gangaji.org.

In this episode, Alyssa is joined by spiritual teacher and author Gangaji for a deep conversation around self-realization + enlightenment. Gangaji invites you to fully recognize the absolute freedom and unchanging peace that is the truth of your being.   Discover the most important inquiries to sit with, why you don't need to heal to fully awaken, and the power of stillness. She unpacks how becoming free is quite simple, yet the simplicity is what makes it challenging.   If you're searching for something more, desiring peace in your life, or you want to more fully embody your wholeness, this conversation is filled with wisdom and guidance pointing you on the path to freedom.   ===   Want one of the most Powerful Tools to Support you in Awakening & Manifesting Your Dream Life from the Inside Out (for Free)?   Learn how to live to your full potential without letting fear get in the way of your dreams.   Here's How to Get Your Gift: Step 1: Just head over to Apple Podcast or Spotify + leave a review now Step 2: Take a screenshot before hitting submit Step 3: Then go to alyssanobriga.com/podcast to upload it!   ===   EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:   0:00 Intro 2:30 Discovering my first spiritual teacher 5:00 Common blocks during the self-realization process 6:20 Yearning for More 10:20 True Freedom 12:00 Gangaji's Spiritual Journey 22:00 The Wisdom Sourced in Silent Retreats 23:00 Asking yourself, Who Am I? 28:30 2 Important Practices 31:05 The Narratives that You Play Out 34:00 The Illusion of Knowledge 37:00 The Feeling of Not Good Enough 39:00 The Intelligence in Suffering 42:50 Common Stages of the Awakening Process 50:10 The Intersection of Psychology and Spirituality 54:00 The Misunderstanding that you Need to Heal to Awaken 57:50 Will Spirituality Play a Role in the Evolution of Humanity     ===   GUEST LINKS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gangajicommunity/ Website: https://gangaji.org/   ===   Have you watched our previous episode on Understanding the Enneagrams?   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24dpxyZoONo   ====   Alyssa Nobriga International, LLC - Disclaimer This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or any other qualified professional. We shall in no event be held liable to any party for any reason arising directly or indirectly for the use or interpretation of the information presented in this video. Copyright 2023, Alyssa Nobriga International, LLC - All rights reserved.   ===   Want 3 Life-Changing Tools you can use on yourself (or your clients) from inside our Accredited Coaching Certification? Click here to get them for Free: https://www.alyssanobriga.com/tools   === Website: alyssanobriga.com Instagram: @alyssanobriga TikTok - @alyssanobriga Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6b5s2xbA2d3pETSvYBZ9YR Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healing-human-potential/id1705626495

“There is no problem with pain. There is pain. If you are seeking something to avoid pain, that's the suffering. That's the search that must be called off.” It takes effort to avoid our emotional pain. We can try to avoid it, but ultimately the common strategies of withdrawing, protecting, and dissociating from feelings of hurt actually turn emotional pain into unnecessary suffering. This lively exchange taken from the Gangaji archives offers a clear demonstration of how we can recognize the strategies we use and then choose to give up the power to suffer.   Learn more about Gangaji, her in-person and online events, Prison Program, and more at gangaji.org.  To make a donation to support this podcast or other programs that support the recognition of the inherent peace alive in all being and the ending of unnecessary suffering, please visit our giving page.  With gratitude..

“If you stop thinking about how to get out of the body that may be painful or how to keep the body that is pain free, you get to experience the truth.” Physical pain is an essential aspect of life that serves the survival and well-being of the body, but we can easily turn that necessary pain that alerts us to injury and illness into unnecessary suffering. What is the difference between pain and suffering? What can physical pain reveal to us when we meet it directly?   To learn more about Gangaji visit gangaji.org  

Where is the life you want? As much as we can fear death, we can also fear living a full and vibrant life. In this exchange, Gangaji helps a woman get to the root of what keeps her fear of vibrancy running. This conversation demonstrates how each of us has the capacity to discover how to live a true and full life.      Learn more about Gangaji at gangaji.org    

“The strategies and avoidance around the experience of “not being” or death are what keep you from the experience of eternal life.” As a young boy of 16, Ramana chose to stop running from what he feared and turned to face death directly. In that moment of inquiry, he opened his mind asking, “Who dies?”  All of us share that same opportunity to stop running and inquire into what we fear most—the end of “me.” In the willingness to investigate death itself, we can discover what cannot die, we can truly rest in the peace that is present here and now.   Learn more about Gangaji at gangaji.org

In this episode I speak with author Lisa Carrillo about her latest book, 'An Unprincipled Life: Living from the Unknown'.. This book delves into profound introspection, sparking contemplation on the essence of being, the confines of human comprehension, and the liberating experience of relinquishing control. Lisa, drawing from a wealth of personal encounters and a profound sense of existential awe, demonstrates how principles -initially perceived as necessary aspects of life, can transform into restrictive chains constraining our perception and comprehension of the true nature of reality. As we talk about what her book is trying to convey, we dive into various related topics.. Lisa's incredible book also contains loving strategies to deal with things like; relationships, money, health, and more which we talk about as well... Drop in! www.experiencingthetrueself.comLisa Carrillo Bio:Lisa had a sudden shift into peace and freedom when, in 2009 during a silent retreat, she experienced nothing but one benevolent flow of being. She saw her previous identity as a mere collection of thoughts. When those thoughts returned, she questioned them using these techniques, dissolving the ideas of a vulnerable separate self and returning to a stable experience of the one benevolent flow.Some have asked about her life experiences. As a child, she focused on spiritual growth as a paramount interest. She excelled in school and earned a B.A. in Mathematics and English, then an M.S. in Chemical Engineering and worked for a few Fortune 100 companies. She then earned an MBA and transitioned to product management. She continued graduate studies in divinity and then in psychology. After 12 years, she left the corporate world to study and then teach relationships. She was influenced by teachers like Adyashanti, Byron Katie, A.H. Almaas, Leonard Jacobson, Isaac Shapiro, and Gangaji. Life has carried her through the U.S., Mexico, South America, and Europe as well as Turkey, Israel, and Russia. Finally she studied diagnostic medical ultrasound, which enabled her and her husband to settle in a small coastal town in the hiking paradise of northern California. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“It was a fire. It was really a fire because it was a razor's edge. All of sudden there are these huge groups. And if I identified even the slightest negatively or positively…I am sliced on this razor I am living on. It was really a necessary fire. I had to be quiet. I had to be still.” This month we share the soundtrack to a special 30th anniversary video honoring the community of volunteers and donors. The video begins with Gangaji's first meeting with Papaji in 1990. After Gangaji speaks about her earliest experiences of teaching, we see what unfolded through community efforts in the years that followed. Includes featured music from Jami Sieber, Kirtana, and Amber Terrell.   To watch the video version or learn more about Gangaji and the Gangaji Foundation visit  gangaji.org.   

Gangaji speaks about the role spiritual practice plays in our lives and invites us to discover what we are practicing when we “get off our cushion and the chanting stops.” What do our spiritual practices give us? What do we hope they will give us? What can they never give us?     Learn more about Gangaji at gangaji.org  

In this episode, Adam and Budi discuss their seventh choice for the Theatre of Others Book Club, You Are That by GangajiGangaji, born Toni Roberson, grew up in Mississippi. Like many of her contemporaries, she searched for fulfillment through relationships, careers, motherhood, subculture experiences, political activism, and spiritual practice. While she had never planned to go to India, it was on the banks of the Ganges River that her search ended. In 1990, Gangaji met her teacher, Sri H.W.L. Poonja, known as Papaji. Papaji gave Toni the name Gangaji and asked that she bring his teaching to the West. He said, “The Ganga now will flow in the West.”Today, as a teacher and author, Gangaji speaks to people from all walks of life inviting them to fully recognize the absolute freedom and unchanging peace that is the truth of one's being.She is the author of The Diamond in Your Pocket: Discovering Your True Radiance, Freedom and Resolve: The Living Edge of Surrender, Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth in Your Life Story, and You are THAT. She and her husband Eli Jaxon-Bear live in Ashland, OR.Support the showIf you enjoyed this week´s podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. To submit a question: Voice- http://www.speakpipe.com/theatreofothers Email- podcast@theatreofothers.com Support the Theatre of Others - Check out our Merch!Show Credits Co-Hosts: Adam Marple & Budi MillerProducer: Jack BurmeisterMusic: https://www.purple-planet.comAdditional compositions by @jack_burmeister

“It's a lie that any thing gives you fulfilling, true, deep joy. Joy is your nature.” We can feel deeply conflicted when following our hearts doesn't line up with what we or others think we should be doing. When we reach the proverbial and often frightening “fork in the road,” we have a choice to be true to ourselves. Gangaji begins this meeting speaking about the difference between being normal and being natural, and then shares one of the key “fork in the road” moments she experienced in her life.         Learn more about Gangaji at gangaji.org  

“Universal, absolute awareness is who you are." How is it possible to be “certain” of who we are? In the wake of an essential and undeniable experience of our true nature as pure consciousness, doubt usually arises—“Did that really happen? Is it real?” Then, we often look to our thoughts for the answer. In this powerful dialogue, Gangaji helps us see past the efforts of the rational, conditioned mind to grasp to the doubtless recognition of what is always here.     Learn more about Gangaji, her events, and programs at gangaji.org. 

“The error is that you are not what can be thought, or perceived, or felt.  You are that in which all thoughts, all perceptions, all feelings, appear in.” In countless ways, we search for a “better” identity to replace who we think we are. This month, Gangaji speaks to the trap of misidentification. How is it possible to see your true face? Where are you looking for yourself?   Learn more about Gangaji at gangaji.org

“Incarcerated for life in a maximum security prison in Alabama and not using that as an excuse, refusing to use that as an excuse.  In fact, using that as a vehicle.” Gangaji reads a powerful letter of realization from a prisoner serving life without parole in an Alabama prison. Learn more about Gangaji at gangaji.org Support/Learn more about the Gangaji Foundation Prison Program here  

“This is not psychotherapy. This is not anti-psychotherapy. This has nothing to do with fixing you. This has to do with discovering fully and completely what is always here and was always here in the worst moments, in the best moments.” In this monologue recorded during a recent retreat at Fallen Leaf Lake, Gangaji delineates the crucial difference between psychotherapy and self-inquiry and the distinct purposes they play in our lives.    Learn more about Gangaji, her programs, and schedule of events at gangaji.org Donate to the Prison Program here

“This is an invitation to stop. To not create who you are. To simply be yourself with no idea or memory of who or what that is. Just to be. Then to see, how vast this just is.” Our lived experience in a human body gives rise to a wide range of phenomena that include thoughts, feelings, and images of ourselves. Thoughts, feelings, sensations, or memories are not a problem unless that is how we define or identify who we are. In this potent inquiry, Gangaji points to the complex subtleties of ego that perpetuate human suffering. She invites us to stop overlooking the source of all phenomena to discover our true face and “the absolute simplicity of peace.”   Learn more about how to support prisoners in their spiritual inquiry by donating to the Gangaji's prison program here.  Learn more about Gangaji and all of her events and programs on gangaji.org.   

“When you know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you are this stillness, that you are this awareness, then it doesn't matter what is on the surface.”   Human beings have a profound desire to realize a lasting peace. The question is where are we looking, and what desire are we actually chasing? In this very relatable exchange, we see how recurring desires to avoid pain, end confusion, or gain clarity are simply the play of the mind. True and lasting peace remains undisturbed by any phenomena, and we can discover that in our willingness to simply meet what is arising.       Learn more about Gangaji and her programs at gangaji.org

In this episode we talk to Gangaji about her teacher Papaji, how to bring freshness to the teaching, as well as surrender, vigilance, and getting free of the narrative self. • Includes a guided meditation inviting us to see through our story, dissolve habitual thought, and experience reality directly. To learn more about Gangaji, please visit https://gangaji.org/ To listen to her podcast, Being Yourself: Self-Inquiry with Gangaji, please visit https://gangaji.org/podcasts Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our true nature. NEWS: Awareness Explorers has made the following top listener charts on Goodpods: #3 in the Top 100 Spirituality chart #5 in the Top 100 Religion & Spirituality chart Feedspot calls Awareness Explorers one of the "Best Spiritual Podcasts on the Planet." Here's their list of the Top Spiritual Podcasts: https://blog.feedspot.com/spiritual_podcasts/ To learn more about Awareness Explorers, and to listen to all of our podcast episodes, please visit: https://www.awarenessexplorers.com/ If you want to listen to the meditations alone, you can find all of our meditations excerpted either in this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLThffcko0gAVvivvVVGNfQgJxbWB6dF6Z Or on our Awareness Explorers website: https://www.awarenessexplorers.com/meditations To Support Awareness Explorers, please consider clicking the "Donate" button on any AwarenessExplorers.com page, or becoming a Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/awarenessexplorers To learn more about Jonathan Robinson and Brian Tom O'Connor, please visit https://findinghappiness.com/ and https://www.playawarenessgames.com/ You can listen to all of our episodes on this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLThffcko0gAXyaArC4OyY0y84CZ8uSb_n Enjoy, Jonathan and Brian 

“To be nothing, to be nobody, is to realize who you are.” This month on Being Yourself, we share one the first meetings Gangaji held in Byron Bay, Australia. This is the land of the Arakwal Bumberlin people, who have lived in the coastal landscape around the Byron Bay area for at least 22,000 years. Gangaji begins by acknowledging how the ancient Aboriginal peoples have blessed our lives. Then she invites us to end our search for spiritual superiority to simply be who we truly are—no “thing” at all.

Discovering the truth of who you are doesn't require a certificate of realization. You don't need to understand Sanskrit or Advaita to know the truth of who you are. The only requirement is the willingness to investigate the thought of who you are. This month on Being Yourself, Gangaji shares what she calls a “sutra from the streets”— a teaching story about the power of inquiry and what is possible for all.     PROGRAM NOTES Learn more about Gangaji and her programs and events at gangaji.org Learn more about the Gangaji Foundation Prison Program Donate to the Prison Program here.     About Gangaji Like many of her contemporaries, Gangaji searched for fulfillment through relationships, career, motherhood, subculture experiences, political activism, and spiritual practice. In 1990, Gangaji met her teacher, Sri H.W.L. Poonja on the banks of the Ganga River. Today, Gangaji invites people from all walks of life to fully recognize the absolute freedom and unchanging peace that is the truth of one's being.  She is the author of The Diamond in Your Pocket: Discovering Your True Radiance, Freedom and Resolve: The Living Edge of Surrender, Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth in Your Life Story, and You are That Volume 1 & 11.      About Kenny Johnson After living behind bars for over 20 years, Kenneth Johnson went through a spiritual awakening that changed his life radically and ended his life as a criminal. Released from prison in 1997, Kenny later founded This Sacred Space, a non-profit organization dedicated to self-discovery. He is the author of The Last Hustle.  Kenny@thissacredspace.org or 415-342-4807  

This month on Being Yourself, we return to the summer of 1993 in Boulder, Colorado. Gangaji speaks about the opportunity to break the trance of fear by directly experiencing fear itself. “This is a kind of contraction against life. Direct experience is the medicine, the remedy. You really experience fear, and fear is not fear.”

Take a dive with a double Gemini into the nature of destiny, what's beyond the veil, and how everything is medicine and everything serves. Be ready to enjoy heartfelt depth delivered by lyrical prowess and divine wisdom.    In this episode, we meet Ash Ruiz. Ash and Debra met at a memorial for a mutual friend, which Ash shares about in this podcast. An immediate Gemini-to-Gemini connection was sparked, and the rest is history… with the future ever so bright together.    Ash details his life thus far, having performed in his teens for millions of screaming fans across the planet with Latin-sensation band, Menudo, which led him to experiences in Peru that changed everything.   With an intensely vivid clarity spiked by constant spasms of rolling laughter, Ash's workshops, talks, plant medicine ceremonies and music have been featured at The United Nations, on ABC's Good Morning America, and in large spiritual communities and performance venues throughout the World. He has shared the stage with Deepak Chopra, The Oracle of Tibet, Neale Donald Walsch, Byron Katie, Ravi Shankar, Adyashanti, Gangaji, Rev. Michael Beckwith, Don Miguel Ruiz ... and now he is here, delighted to be of service to your ever-opening heart, on your adventurous freefall into vivid clarity.   You'll walk away from this “hitchhiking trip” with Ash and Debra with a more peaceful perspective, and a yearning for more truth knowing destiny is directing the show, not the ego.    Enjoy more of Ash in Debra's Astrological Immersion, happening now through early February! http://astrologicalimmersion.com  Key Highlights From The Episode Five bullets from the episode that will really stick out for the listener How the energy of Neptune has influenced Ash's life Bite-sized musings on the nature of destiny Finding magic in the mundane moments Everything has a place in the Universe What Debra calls “13th zodiac sign” Timestamps [01:03] Introducing the podcast and Ash Ruiz [02:34] Viewing Ash's chart (see our video upload on YouTube for Ash's chart) [04:41] How Ash and Debra met [05:14] Ash's poem in memorial of a dear friend he shared with Debra [08:11] The beginning of Ash's story [10:54] How a lack of language around sexuality in Latin culture manifested during Ash's time in Menudo [11:45] Ash's experience in knowing his sexuality at a young age and how his father was like his personal Jesus [14:10] More on Ash's experience in his younger life within and after Menudo [17:22] Ash's enlightening experience at Machu Picchu [19:47] The evidence of unwavering peace [21:15] The only thing that is real [21:47] Ash's entrance into knowing plant medicine [23:52] Debra's invitation to “hitchhike” with Ash [25:10] Ash's musings on fame [25:37] Ash's return to Peru where he stayed for two years [27:42] A trip to the veterinarian for Ash's pet monkey presents an incredible ayahuasca opportunity [29:47] Ash's intention for his ayahuasca journey [30:27] Details of Ash's plant medicine journey [31:22] “What about this moment is the same?” [32:43] Ash's love in sharing and connecting with the awareness of others [33:30] What Debra calls “the 13th sign” [34:30] The invitation in this moment for simplicity [35:25] What Ash focuses in his offerings to others [37:01] Evolutions and shifts in society and thought [37:39] How your storyline is an invitation from your soul to bring you home [38:52] Some of Ash's teachers [39:20] The option of kindness [40:08] Musings on the nature of illusion [40:53] The only ingredient in the cosmos [41:33] The truth of consciousness and continuity [42:04] What meditation doesn't require [42:40] Summarizing Ash's story and its major points [43:55] In this lifetime, you're preparing for your next one [44:38] The definition of being in love as told by Debra [44:55] Ash breaks into song and poem [49:00] Debra speaks to what you may be thinking after indulging in this podcast trip with Ash [49:47] Everyone has a permission slip to find their way, powered by Astrology [50:27] Ash and Debra's common perception and how it plays out  [51:08] Ending with gratitude

A timeless message from Gangaji as we begin a new year. Plus an invitation to join her for an upcoming online gathering on Saturday, January 7 at 11AM PT. Learn more at gangaji.org. 

“For our purpose, which is the purpose of discovering the truth of who one is, let us forget why one is and discover who.” We often are seeking answers to our questions of “why” and “how.” Gangaji invites us to turn our attention to the most important question we can ask ourselves on the spiritual path, the question that can lead to self-recognition and the endless discovery of the depths of who one truly is.

This month we are happy to share a selection from Jami Sieber and Kim Rosen's new album Feast of Losses. Their new album takes a deep dive into that sacred space where grief and gratitude meet. Their collaboration offers a transmission of such beauty that it stops the mind and opens the heart! This selection from the album features What the Living Do by Marie Howe, with music by Jami Sieber and spoken word by Kim Rosen. Read about their inspiration for this work on the Gangaji Commnuity Blog.  Purchase a download of the complete album at jamisieber.com/feast-of-losses

“If your attention is on the story of how you do not deserve what is being offered, this is the continuation of self-denial.  There is an open door in this jail, in this prison.” When we seek freedom on the spiritual path, it is often freedom from our mind or mental activity. In this podcast, we focus how we can lock ourselves up inside a mental prison, not recognizing the door that is always open.