Tantra Illuminated with Dr. Christopher Wallis

Unbounded Freedom with Ruben Laukkonen

Aug 30, 2024

Ruben Laukkonen, an accomplished researcher in meditation and altered states of consciousness, shares his transformative journey from a skeptical childhood to spiritual awakening. He explores the profound impact of intense meditation, emphasizing the illusory nature of suffering and the bliss of awareness. Discussions also touch on the balance between joy and suffering, the significance of impermanence, and collective enlightenment. He advocates for engaging with emotions authentically, revealing how interconnectedness can enhance our understanding of spiritual truths.

01:46:56

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Episode guests

Ruben Laukkonen

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Quick takeaways

Dr. Ruben Laukkonen discusses his transformative journey into understanding consciousness, catalyzed by early experiences and a pursuit of truth.

The importance of meditation and contemplation is emphasized as essential tools for navigating altered states of consciousness and deepening self-awareness.

A central theme is that true freedom exists within the fabric of consciousness, challenging misconceptions of enlightenment as a personal achievement.

Deep dives

Journey into Consciousness

The discussion begins with Dr. Ruben Laukonen sharing his journey into understanding consciousness, highlighting an early experience that sparked his quest for truth. Growing up in a Christian household, he began questioning the nature of reality around the age of sixteen, leading him to explore various philosophies and scientific perspectives. His pivotal encounter with psychedelic experiences at the age of nineteen profoundly changed his worldview, offering insights into Eastern traditions like Buddhism and Taoism that deeply resonated with him. This transformative moment catalyzed his commitment to pursuing truth through direct experience, an exploration that would shape his academic and personal life.

Intro

3min

A Journey to Spiritual Awakening

26min

Awakening to Bliss and Beyond

19min

Embracing Impermanence and Freedom

19min

Exploring the Essence of Satchitananda and Spiritual Interdependence

5min

The Pursuit of Perfection and Collective Enlightenment

6min

Navigating the Inner Journey: Embracing the Golden Thread

2min

Exploring Enlightenment and Interconnectedness

25min

Exploring Non-Dual Shaiva Tantra: A Journey of Knowledge and Gratitude

2min

This week's episode features Dr. Ruben Laukkonen, an accomplished researcher in meditation and altered states of consciousness. With a PhD on insight experiences from the University of Queensland and postdoctoral work on the neuroscience of meditation at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Ruben now serves as an assistant professor at Southern Cross University. His research investigates some of the rarest states of consciousness available to human beings, utilizing methods like neuroimaging and phenomenology. A recipient of multiple awards, Ruben combines an eclectic contemplative background from traditions such as Zen, Advaita, and Theravada with a deep experiential understanding of altered states of consciousness, meditation, and awakening. In our discussion, Ruben shares insights from his personal journey and his experience of reality throughout it.

Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.

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