Ari Nielsen - Discover Radical Freedom and Effectiveness in Any Situation

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Oct 25, 2024

Ari Nielsen, a practitioner skilled in Reichian Breathwork, Cybernetics, and Dzogchen, shares insights from his eclectic spiritual journey. He reflects on living in Adi Da's community and the complexities of the guru model. The conversation delves into 'Searchless Responsiveness,' highlighting intrinsic happiness and non-duality. Ari also discusses unconventional parenting strategies, encouraging autonomy in teenagers, and challenges traditional educational systems. His unique perspective on emotions emphasizes adaptability and spontaneity for personal liberation.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Navigating Spirituality and Identity

01:56 • 29min

Exploring Mental Health: Option Method vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

31:06 • 4min

Intrinsic Happiness and Non-Duality

35:13 • 17min

The Fluidity of Self and Identity

52:03 • 9min

Navigating Emotions: The Journey to Liberation

01:01:05 • 24min

Navigating Teen Parenting: Insights and Approaches

01:24:38 • 9min

Navigating Education: A Personal Journey

01:33:29 • 6min

Embracing Searchlessness and Spontaneity

01:39:03 • 4min

Ari Nielsen is a practitioner with an eclectic background that spans Reichian Breathwork, Cybernetics, Unschooling, Dzogchen & Improv. He spent over a decade living in the heart of the community surrounding the prime representative of California New Age spirituality of the 1970's, Adi Da. He also edited the collected works of Bruce Di, Marsico, an existential therapist whose philosophy can be summed up as “Be Happy, and Do What you Want.” Currently, he writes a publication on Substack that elucidates a radical liberating orientation to life which he calls “Searchless Responsiveness. In this episode, we explore Ari’s experience living in Adi Da’s community, the guru model of spirituality, the option method for happiness, self & identity, unconventional approaches to parenting and so much more.

🔗[Links & resources] 🔗

📝[Show Notes] 📝

0:00 - Intro
2:03 - Ari’s journey into spirituality
9:00 - Living in Adi Da’s community and other pivotal teachers & teachings
20:10 - The guru model (risks & rewards)
27:51 - Bruce Di Marsico and The Option Method for Happiness
35:43 - Dzogchen and Searchless Responsiveness
38:48 - Challenging perennialism and non-dualism
45:00 - Agenda without compulsion
49:04 - Unhappiness as motivation and the ideal state
53:18 - Self and identity
1:02:45 - The evolution of Ari’s meditation practice
1:04:18 - Khorde Rushen retreat with Keith Dowman
1:12:46 - Greatness, wholeness & desire through the lens of Searchless Responsiveness
1:19:58 - Letting go of perfectionism
1:21:41 - The importance of changing up your meditation practice
1:25:27 - Unconventional approaches to parenting
1:39:29 - A simple practice to taste Searchless Responsiveness

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