069. Michael Hall, Ph.D.

A clinical psychologist in private practice in Binghamton, NY, Michael studied and practiced Zen Buddhism for many years beginning in 1978. An initial experience of non-dual awareness emerged in 1982. Like virtually all first glimpses, this experiential awareness was fleeting. Still, the appetite for an enduring awakening had taken hold, as well as an absolute faith in the spiritual truths reported by Shakyamuni Buddha and the Zen teachers of ancient China and Japan. Years of frequent silent meditation retreats allowed this awareness to deepen and expand, yet there was still searching for true liberation. The continuous experiential Knowing that this is it emerged many years later after an apparent surrendering of the desire to become anything at all. With this much deeper and more pervasive understanding, there arose simultaneously a reconnection with his childhood roots in the Christian tradition. Michael now shares this knowledge of Self with a growing number of students. The teaching is consistent with the truths taught by awakened teachers of all religious traditions. He teaches awakening and the integration of non-dual awareness into daily life. Over 30 years of full-time psychological practice has provided a unique perspective on the roots of suffering and the end of it. He draws on the writing and teaching of contemporary and historical awakened teachers, joining the common threads in Christian, Buddhist, Advaita, and Non-Dual traditions to share a message of the possibility and promise of personal transformation and liberation from egoic illusion. Email:       WayBeyondPsychotherapy@gmail.com Blog:          AwakenToTruth.BlogSpot.com Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 5/22/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Michael Hall 00:05:08 - Joining a Zen Meditation Group 00:07:29 - Discovering Anger and Blood Pressure 00:10:19 - Awakening and Zen Training 00:12:46 - A Journey of Awakening and Disillusionment 00:15:24 - The Ceasing of Identity 00:18:29 - Effort and the Final Threshold 00:21:21 - Surrendering the Ego 00:24:16 - The practice of seeing and releasing automatic beliefs 00:26:49 - The Illusion of Selfishness and the Power of Conditioning 00:29:34 - Letting Go of Feelings 00:32:10 - Finding Your Own Path 00:34:28 - Finding What Works for You 00:36:17 - Shift in Identity: Michael Hall to Universality 00:38:22 - The Dark Night and Inner Transformation 00:41:25 - The Dark Night of the Soul and Radical Reorientation 00:44:13 - Letting Go of the Past and Embracing the Present 00:46:49 - The Difference Between Channeling and Being Adyashanti 00:50:33 - A Zen Book Awakening 00:55:00 - The Progressive Deepening of Realization 01:00:16 - Stages of Enlightenment 01:03:58 - Embracing Challenges and Growth 01:07:41 - The Indescribable Nature of God 01:11:19 - Increased Effectiveness in Therapy 01:13:28 - Transformation through Empty Glass 01:15:16 - The Value of Ordinary People in Spiritual Awakening 01:18:18 - Living a Skillful and Less Stressful Life 01:21:45 - Paradigm Shifts and Awakening Consciousness 01:24:25 - Faith in Your Ability to Realize Truth 01:27:06 - Conclusion and Next Interview Announcement Save