In this episode, guest Garret Kramer, an author, coach, and consultant with 28 years of experience, discusses his journey of self-exploration and the relevance of non-duality to performance and psychology. They explore topics like the limitations of mainstream coaching and therapy, societal obsession with individual identity, and the importance of shifting focus from external seeking to knowing one's true self.
True peace and fulfillment come from identifying with our true nature beyond the limitations of the personal self.
Seeking external objects or accomplishments as a source of fulfillment is an illusion; true peace can only be found within ourselves.
Relying on labels and seeing ourselves as separate entities perpetuates disharmony and disunity; true peace comes from realizing our shared being and interconnectedness.
Deep dives
The Journey towards Self-Realization
The podcast episode explores Garrett Kramer's journey towards self-realization and his interest in non-duality. As a young child, Kramer had an inkling that there was something more to existence than just his personal identity. However, he kept suppressing this feeling in pursuit of societal expectations and achievements. It wasn't until later in life, when he encountered a sports psychologist, that he realized the limitations of external strategies and techniques. This realization sparked his mission to bring this understanding to the world of performance. Through self-inquiry and exploring the essence of being, Kramer discovered that peace and fulfillment do not come from external objects or achievements, but from identifying with our true nature beyond the limitations of the personal self.
The Illusion of Seeking and the Power of Presence
Kramer highlights the common pattern of seeking and how it prevents us from experiencing true peace and happiness. He explains that seeking external objects or accomplishments as a source of fulfillment is an illusion, as true peace can only be found within ourselves. He encourages individuals to stay present and recognize that the cessation of seeking is what brings relief and a sense of coming back home to our true nature. By understanding that all things arise within us and are made of consciousness, we can release the need for external coping strategies and find clarity and wisdom from within.
Questioning Identity and Labels
The podcast delves into the topic of identity and challenges the belief that labels are essential for organizing our human experience. Kramer suggests that relying on labels and seeing ourselves as separate entities is an illusion that perpetuates disharmony and disunity. He points out that true peace and understanding can only come from realizing our shared being and interconnectedness. By questioning and letting go of the attachment to labels, we can cultivate a greater sense of unity and love, ultimately leading to a more peaceful world.
The Journey to a More Peaceful and Loving World
Kramer acknowledges the challenges in embracing self-realization and the skepticism that arises when confronted with a different perspective. However, he emphasizes that recognizing our true nature and our shared being is not only practical for personal growth but also essential for a more peaceful and loving world. By shifting our perspective from a limited, separate self to an understanding of our infinite and eternal nature, we can transcend seeking, ego-driven behaviors, and find peace and harmony within ourselves and with others.
The Importance of Questioning Authority and Finding Self-Knowledge
In this podcast episode, the speaker emphasizes the significance of questioning authority and encouraging young people to think for themselves. He highlights the importance of recognizing that individuals are the 'knower' and have the power to determine what is true for themselves. By understanding that all things arise within consciousness, people can overcome the burden of seeking external validation and tap into their true essence. The speaker discusses the current state of society, suggesting that there is a growing interest in this message and a potential awakening happening. He believes that society must come to the realization of who we truly are at our core, and that this shift is essential for a more peaceful world.
The Exercise of Exploring Inner Perspective and the Essence of Self
In this podcast episode, the speaker suggests an exercise to explore inner perspective and the essence of self. He advises asking the question of whether experiences, such as interactions with loved ones or objects, arise at a distance from oneself or within the mind of consciousness. By playing with this inquiry and tapping into the experience of the inside of one's own being, individuals can gain insight into their true nature. The speaker recommends starting with loved ones as it can be easier to recognize the interconnectedness and learn from those relationships. This exercise aims to bring individuals closer to the truth of who they are, leading to a greater sense of freedom and ease in life.
This week I speak with Garret Kramer, an author, coach and consultant with over 28 years of experience helping athletes, actors, and business leaders.
What started as an inkling in the back of his mind that life was more than it was cracked up to be, Garret's work has led him on a path of self-exploration, discovering non-duality on the way and its relevance to performance, happiness, and psychology.
Garret shares:
When he realised that conventional, 'fix-the-self' coaching wasn't his path
Mainstream coaching and therapy vs the path of non-duality
