Riyaz passed away in May, 2025. Here's a video he recorded a month before his death with his friends Adyashanti, Jonathan Gustin, and John Prendergast.
Born in Kenya, and of Indian ancestry, Riyaz came to North America when he was ten years old (growing up in Canada, and then moving to the United States as an adult). Each of these lands, peoples, and cultures has informed and shaped his expression and sensibilities. He is a product of both East and West.
Most of his adult life has been devoted to the study and practice of both psychotherapy and spirituality. And both of these disciplines have been integral to a path of healing and awakening. Professionally, his life’s work has been to bring together Eastern wisdom with Western science and psychology in a synergistic alliance.
After 26 years of mainly practicing as a psychotherapist, and many years of teaching and supervising students and interns in a transpersonally oriented graduate school (CIIS in San Francisco), he has shifted his work in a more explicitly spiritual direction. He now leads individuals and groups in spiritual work through groups, and day-long and multi-day retreats.
In April 2023, he received dharma transmission and the blessing of his teacher, Adyashanti.
Website: riyazmotan.com
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group
Summary and transcript of this interview
Interview recorded November 26, 2024
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 Embracing Vulnerability in Teaching
00:03:24 Transition to Spiritual Teaching
00:06:25 The Unexpected Lung Cancer Diagnosis
00:10:10 Embracing Life’s Challenges as Spiritual Lessons
00:13:24 Philosophy of Evolution and Suffering
00:17:23 Embracing Mortality and Living Fully
00:20:23 Wisdom from Sri Ramakrishna: Always Be Learning
00:23:25 Navigating Cancer Treatment Challenges
00:26:34 Embracing Alternative Healing Methods
00:29:41 Embracing Non-Western Healing Approaches
00:33:01 The Profound Experience of Near-Death and Out-of-Body Events
00:36:32 Personal Transformations Through Marriage
00:40:30 Embracing Earthly Spirituality
00:45:53 The Impact of Spirituality as an Escape Mechanism
00:49:46 Cultivating Presence for Emotional Healing
00:53:54 The Power of Group Consciousness
00:57:45 The Toll of Being a Spiritual Teacher
01:01:07 Embracing Vulnerability in Teaching
01:05:08 The Evolution of Spiritual Teaching Methodologies
01:08:57 Evolution of Teacher-Student Dynamics in Education
01:12:51 Importance of Preparatory Spiritual Practices
01:16:26 Lack of Spiritual Development and Global Issues
01:19:34 Humanity’s Crisis and Opportunity for Change
01:22:26 Awakening of a New Consciousness
01:26:27 Exploring Neurodivergence and Enhanced Perception
01:30:28 Transformative Power of Psychedelics and Nature
01:33:46 Ayahuasca Experience: A Catalyst for Awakening
01:36:57 Spiritual Awakening through Nature and Retreats
01:40:52 Exploring the Hero Dose: Insights from Adyashanti
01:43:41 Transition from One-to-One Work to Spiritual Mentoring
01:47:33 Upcoming Guests and Spiritual Experiences