Deep Transformation

In a heartfelt discussion, filmmakers Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo share insights from their documentary, Where Olive Trees Weep, which exposes injustices faced by Palestinians. Zaya emphasizes that this crisis transcends politics—it's a fundamental human issue demanding our attention. The pair stress the importance of dignity, food, and rights as pathways to alleviate suffering. They also reveal their ongoing project, The Eternal Song, aimed at sharing indigenous wisdom. Their work challenges the spiritual community's silence and encourages dialogue on justice and compassion.

Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo, documentary filmmakers and co-founders of the Science & Nonduality conferences, passionately explore the intersection of spirituality, social justice, and trauma healing. They discuss the evolution of SAND, emphasizing the shift from male-dominated narratives to inclusive, earth-oriented teachings. Their film work highlights the plight of Palestinians and the importance of addressing trauma as a collective and intergenerational issue. They advocate for listening to guidance in life's spiritual work, emphasizing the need for community and youth connection.

A. H. Almaas, a spiritual teacher and founder of the Ridhwan School, explores the evolutionary dynamics that drive spiritual growth. He discusses the creative force that transforms beings, comparing it to a caterpillar evolving into a butterfly. Almaas identifies a soul's desire for liberation, termed bodhicitta, as key to spiritual development. He reflects on why some seek truth while others remain distracted by daily life, emphasizing the importance of inner discovery over external searching. The conversation highlights how realizing the inner Logos can enrich our existence.

Ep. 209 (Part 2 of 3) | In Part 2 of the 15th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali delves into the very creation of reality by the logos, the source of all life. Logos (an ancient Greek term) is often considered to mean “word,” but Hameed uses it in its deeper sense, where logos is not only the word but also the speaker—the living field of manifestation. The soul is very similar to the logos, Hameed adds, with the same sense of flow, dynamism, and creativity. Hameed points out that the universe could have been created haphazardly, but because it was created in an orderly fashion, it allows for our lives to be meaningful. And, he continues, it is the dimension of love implicit in the logos that brings a beautiful sense of harmony, love, and gratitude to the human soul.What about all the disharmony in the world? co-host Roger Walsh asks. How can genocide happen in a world that is divinely harmonious? To help explain this, Hameed uses the human body as an example of two perspectives that co-exist: from the perspective of time, we die, he says, but from the perspective of the particle, all is perfect. Hameed also describes his personal experience of being aligned with the creative dynamism of the logos, creating himself and the world anew each moment, like the way frames in a movie are constantly being replaced. The more we live this, he says, the more we bring harmony to the world. Join us also for Part 3 of this deep and intriguing dive into the nature of reality, where Hameed continues to talk about creative dynamism and the logos, and explains how this pertains to our own individual spiritual evolution. Recorded September 11, 2025.“For the divine all is harmony, but for us human beings, it looks like mayhem.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2The soul is very similar to the logos, with the same sense of flow, dynamism & creativity (00:42)Quantum theory says the field is generated by physical phenomena—but the logos is created out of spiritual mass, it’s the living field of manifestation (01:25)The universe is alive and the logos is the source of all life (05:25)Creative dynamism is a nondual dynamism that brings order to the universe; this creative order is what makes our lives meaningful (05:50)An intelligence has created the universe so that it knows itself (09:42)All forms in the nondual are basically noetic forms, and the logos is an unfoldment of these forms (11:30)If the dimension of love is implicit in the logos, it brings a beautiful sense of harmony, love & gratitude to the human soul (12:35)What about all the disharmony in the world? For the divine all is harmony, but for us human beings, it looks like mayhem (13:24)Take the example of the human body: from the perspective of time we die, from the perspective of the particle it’s all perfect (14:47)Hameed’s experience of creating himself and the world each moment (17:01)The dualistic world is not an illusion; it’s one way the logos manifests reality (21:18)Direct transmission: the Black Hat Ceremony of the 16th Karmapa (22:30)In the Diamond Approach, transmission happens through words; the word is not separate from the state (25:59)The word transmission is a misnomer; it’s a direct invocation (28:53)Resources & References – Part 2A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of The Diamond ApproachA. H. Almaas, The Inner Journey Home: Soul’s Realization of the Unity of RealityFederico Faggin, Italian-American physicist, engineer, inventorThe Great Perfection, Center for Contemplative ResearchAdvaita VedantaRangjung Rigpe Dorje, 16th Karmapa, the Black Hat CeremonyThe A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series will generally follow the sequence of Hameed’s magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home (which John describes as psychoactive and spiritually, psychologically, and intellectually transformative), so listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this exhilarating path of awakening.---Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general.Hameed’s process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the Enneagram: How to Unlock the Highest Potential of Every Personality Type, The Unfolding Now: Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence, and more.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

A. H. Almaas, a spiritual teacher and founder of the Diamond Approach, dives into the dynamic force of our reality. He explains how change operates in a nondual world, asserting that all dimensions—physical, mental, and spiritual—are continually recreated. Almaas discusses the logos, revealing its role in this ongoing creation and how it intertwines with love. He challenges traditional notions of free will and choice, presenting a fresh perspective on agency rooted in our interconnected nature. His insights illuminate the vibrant, ever-changing fabric of existence.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Jerry Brown, a veteran California politician and environmental advocate, dives into pressing global issues. He emphasizes the importance of personal inquiry and reflection, linking it to the necessity of cohesive democracy. Brown tackles underreported nuclear dangers, driven by fear and greed, and critiques current leadership's focus on winning over thoughtful governance. He encourages grassroots activism against nuclear threats and reflects on his Jesuit upbringing that fostered his skeptical inquiry, inspiring listeners to embrace uncertainty and engage actively with the future.

Former California Governor Jerry Brown, a seasoned activist and elder statesman, dives deep into critical global issues. He emphasizes the importance of truth-seeking and the challenges of achieving consensus in a fragmented democracy. Brown tackles the existential threats of nuclear war and climate change, advocating for collective action amid societal chaos. His reflections on Jesuit training and Zen practices reveal a profound understanding of navigating uncertainty. This engaging conversation balances urgency and optimism, highlighting the need for personal and political transformation.

In this engaging dialogue, spiritual teacher A. H. Almaas delves into the essence of pure awareness and the challenges of transcending conceptual dichotomies. He explains how pure awareness operates from compassion while freeing us from attachments and self-identification. Almaas further explores the nuanced relationship between being and non-being, and how recognizing our ordinary awareness can lead to awakening. He emphasizes that true understanding transcends concepts, allowing love and ethical behavior to flourish beyond traditional frameworks.

In a captivating dialogue, A. H. Almaas, spiritual teacher and founder of the Diamond Approach, dives into the essence of pure awareness. He challenges our understanding of self and mind, exploring how concepts shape our perception. Almaas discusses the fear surrounding the death of the doer, emphasizing the importance of letting go. He explains how action can manifest without a personal doer, offering insights on achieving nonconceptual awareness in daily life. This thought-provoking conversation invites listeners to transcend their mental constructs and embrace a deeper experience of existence.

Father David McCallum, SJ, a Jesuit priest and executive director of the Program for Discerning Leadership, dives deep into the art of discernment. He explores how this practice is vital for individual and communal decision-making in today's complex world. Father David shares insights into Pope Francis's environmental vision, linking morality to ecology. He analyzes the dangers of outsourcing judgment to AI, urging critical thinking amid tech's rise. The discussion also touches on using righteous anger for constructive activism and the role of contemplation in daily life.