Deep Transformation

Ep. 170 (Part 1 of 2) | An emotionally powerful and deeply inspiring conversation with renowned embodiment and trauma educator Mark Walsh from the U.K. and Ukrainian psychologist and trauma trainer Kristina Obluchynska, where we learn about effective ways of treating trauma in the middle of an ongoing war, what trauma therapists are left holding, and how beautiful is the human spirit when it embraces right action. When Russia commenced its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Mark went to Ukraine, located willing psychology students, educated them in body-oriented trauma therapy and training, and with Kristina and several other trainees co-founded Sane Ukraine, with the urgent mission of preventing an epidemic of trauma disorders in Ukraine. Beginning with applying trauma first aid and teaching resilience skills in places like the local railroad station where people were coming in from the front lines, and in bomb shelters, Kristina and several other psychologists have now educated thousands of people about trauma—active duty soldiers, veterans, survivors, wives of combatants, and first-line responders such as doctors, teachers, and social workers—and trained hundreds of them to become trauma trainers themselves. It is an honor to bear witness to Mark’s courageous actions and the humble heroism of Kristina and her team in the face of the devastation being leveled on Ukraine and Ukrainians. “We don’t grieve,” Kristina tells us, “because grief comes after safety. We don’t even use the word safe anymore,” she continues, “only relatively safe.” Mark points out that modern warfare is not just running around with guns—drones hunt civilians and if you move, they kill you. “Do we all have PTSD?” the soldiers ask. With Sane Ukraine, there is someone to answer their questions and teach them what they can do to help themselves and each other. Resilience comes from relationship—from connection to self, others, nature, and spirit. Does the concept of post traumatic growth even apply considering the intensity of this war? co-host Roger wonders. At the end of this extraordinary, heartfelt conversation, when asked what we could do to help, Kristina advises, “Help the army. We are talking here about healing, but what we really need is to survive.” Recorded January 9, 2025.“There is nothing that can prepare human psychology for modern warfare.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing Mark Walsh, trauma trainer, author, founder & CEO of Embodiment Unlimited, and Kristina Obluchynska, clinical psychologist & trauma therapist, who together co-founded Sane Ukraine to provide training in trauma therapy and resilience skills to professionals, soldiers, combatants’ families and more (01:03)What compelled Mark to get involved in Ukraine and found Sane Ukraine? (02:33)How did Kristina get involved with Mark’s trauma training? (06:29)It requires 3 hours a day of body/mind practice to keep trainees in a state where they can learn something in between running to the bomb shelters (08:30)Trauma training started happening in person all over the place: Lviv is now the world’s most trauma-informed city (11:11)When Kristina and her team were invited to do combat resilience training, they were told, “We have 2,000 soldiers, please do something for them!” (13:11)Training psychologists, social workers, veterans, and wives of combatants (14:01)Elements of the 3-day training: tactic, tactic medicine, psychological resilience (15:42)Combatants ask, “Do we all have PTSD?” (17:44)What are the symptoms of trauma? (18:28)Nothing can prepare human psychology for modern warfare (20:06)Now it’s all about exhaustion, because the only way out is to be injured, or dead (22:55)Meaning is a resilience factor: Man’s Search for Meaning is the most sold book in Ukraine, ever (25:10)The importance of relationship: connection to self, to others, to the land, to spirit (28:08)Healing mountain trips for veterans have a dramatically positive effect (29:27)What are trauma therapists like Kristina and her team holding? (31:49)We don’t use the word safe anymore—only “relatively safe” (34:24)Using humor and selling trauma therapy (36:41)Using Stephen Porges’ traffic light model (39:09)Resources & References – Part 1Mark Walsh, Kristina Obluchynska, co-founders, Sane UkraineMark Walsh, founder and CEO of Embodiment UnlimitedKristina Obluchynska can be contacted through Deep Transformation Podcast’s support emailMark Walsh, The Body in Coaching and Training: An Introduction to Embodied Facilitation,* Embodied Meditation: Mindfulness, the Body, and Daily Life*Mark’s Embodiment Coaching PodcastPolyvagal theoryStephen Porges, The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe*EMDR UkraineViktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning*Colorado’s Huts for Vets, wilderness therapy for veterans and active-duty service membersThe traffic light model, Dr. Stephen Porges: What is the Polyvagal Theory? (YouTube video) * As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---“Mr Embodiment” (Mark Walsh) is the author of The Body in Coaching and Training: An Introduction to Embodied Facilitation and Embodied Meditation. Mark hosts The Embodiment Coaching Podcast (3 million+ downloads), and led the world’s largest Zoom event, The Embodiment Conference. He founded the Embodied Facilitator Course, and has trained over 2,000 embodiment coaches in over 40 countries. Mark went to Ukraine twice during the recent conflict and set up saneukraine.org, a charity now run solely by Ukrainian professionals to provide trauma and embodiment training to trainers, therapists, and coaches. Mark has worked in war zones, and entertained over 50,000 children. He has headlined International Coach Federation events, taught at Moscow State University, and lived with the circus in Ethiopia. Mark is an aikido black belt, and has 25 years of experience in other martial arts, yoga, bodywork, improv comedy, conscious dance, and meditation. Embodiment is his obsession, life’s work, and frankly, at this point, he couldn’t get a job doing anything else. ---Kristina Obluchynska is a clinical psychologist, in the process of training to be a psychotherapist with a medical background. In her practice, Kristina integrates gestalt and body-oriented psychotherapy with trauma therapy methods, and uses nature-based therapy as well. Kristina’s main work is done with combatants and veterans and their families, as well as with first-line responders in Ukraine, such as doctors and social workers. Together with her colleagues and with Mark Walsh’s help, she co-founded Sane Ukraine, a charity foundation with more than 60 trainers that provides knowledge about trauma and psychological first aid to combatants and civilians. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine caught Kristina and her colleagues when they were Master’s Degree students at Ukrainian Catholic University, and Kristina is now an assistant at the Department of Clinical Psychology, sharing knowledge about psychological trauma and how to work with it using various approaches. Kristina loves and believes in Ukraine—she participated in the Revolution of Dignity and actively supports the Ukrainian army via psychological trainings and volunteer work.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

In part two of the discussion, Keith Witt, a seasoned psychologist and author, shares his deep passion for relationships. He explores achieving a 'post-issue consciousness' where love prevails over conflicts. Keith emphasizes the triad of modern marriage: friendship, romance, and conflict resolution. He advocates for compassion during anger, highlighting the need to transform defensive states into empathy. The conversation dives into the importance of meaningful dialogue and the therapeutic relationship, offering rich insights into personal and relational growth.

In this insightful discussion, Keith Witt, a Licensed Psychologist with a wealth of experience in therapy and relationships, shares his passion for human connection. He introduces the transformative concept of 'post-issue consciousness,' where couples can transcend obstacles to love. Keith emphasizes the three pillars of modern marriage—friendship, romance, and issue resolution—and discusses the role of emotional intelligence in navigating conflicts. His engaging insights on social learning and personal development shed light on how early relationships shape our ability to grow together.

Ep. 167 (Part 2 of 2) | In the 7th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali enlightens us as to the nature of presence. Our path begins with the recognition that spirit is presence, he explains, an insight which all spiritual traditions share; this is where most of their focus lies. But this is not the end of the story, Hameed tells us—discovering spirit is only half the work. The other half is actualizing presence by clarifying and purifying our souls. Presence works as an agent of transformation in this process; appearing in our souls as curiosity and a love of truth, it leads us home. The discussion turns to virtues, the fruition of realization, and how it is that realized teachers can behave in entirely unethical ways: “realization is no guarantee of ethical behavior.”This conversation is packed with insights regarding many related topics: how ethics most importantly concern our relations with others, that kindness becomes spontaneous for the true master, the distinction between universal grace and specific grace, how inner spaciousness or emptiness is the other side of the coin from presence or fullness, and the question arises, “Why is it that some people are interested in going deeper and others not?” Hameed also speaks of his own experience of unilocal realization, where all time and space are found in the center of the heart and accessing information from the future is possible. It is not so much I am this or that, he says, it’s simply I am. This warm, illuminating discussion has a fascinating flow and sparks many instances of quiet laughter on all sides. Recorded December 12, 2024.“True nature is a real magician; to know yourself as that magician is true realization.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Living ethically is conducive to realization (00:50)True mastery means your kindness is spontaneous (02:15)Ethics apply more at an ego level; spirit has its own principles (04:28)Feeling the pain of being constricted is one way the spiritual impulse arises (05:59)Why do some people want to go deeper than others? (06:40)The love of truth leads us home: the dynamic of realization (09:14)Unilocal realization: experiencing all time and space in the heart (11:10)Hameed can learn from his future self and from people who have died (12:26)Trusting ourselves, and the distinction between universal grace and specific grace (16:28)Practice helps make us grace-prone; most people need a teacher or guide (19:24)Presence is the fullness and inner spaciousness the emptiness side of things (21:50)True nature is a real magician; to know yourself as that magician is true realization (26:52) Space/time emanates from our true nature (29:02)Ethics are relative to our time and culture; but essential ethics are timeless (31:24)Selflessness and concern for the well-being of all has grown over time (33:35)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 RealityAbraham Maslow’s term metamotivation, the motivation of people who are self-actualizedRangjung Rigpe Dorje, 16th KarmapaSri Atmananda Krishna MenonDzogchen RinpocheDōgen Zenji, founder of the Sōtō school of ZenA. H. Almaas, The Void: Inner Spaciousness and Ego StructureDzogchen, a tradition of teachings in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and Bön aimed at discovering and continuing in the ultimate ground of existenceThe 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

Ep. 166 (Part 1 of 2) | In the 7th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali enlightens us as to the nature of presence. Our path begins with the recognition that spirit is presence, he explains, an insight which all spiritual traditions share; this is where most of their focus lies. But this is not the end of the story, Hameed tells us—discovering spirit is only half the work. The other half is actualizing presence by clarifying and purifying our souls. Presence works as an agent of transformation in this process; appearing in our souls as curiosity and a love of truth, it leads us home. The discussion turns to virtues, the fruition of realization, and how it is that realized teachers can behave in entirely unethical ways: “realization is no guarantee of ethical behavior.”This conversation is packed with insights regarding many related topics: how ethics most importantly concern our relations with others, that kindness becomes spontaneous for the true master, the distinction between universal grace and specific grace, how inner spaciousness or emptiness is the other side of the coin from presence or fullness, and the question arises, “Why is it that some people are interested in going deeper and others not?” Hameed also speaks of his own experience of unilocal realization, where all time and space are found in the center of the heart and accessing information from the future is possible. It is not so much I am this or that, he says, it’s simply I am. This warm, illuminating discussion has a fascinating flow and sparks many instances of quiet laughter on all sides. Recorded December 12, 2024.“Presence is both the inner nature and the elixir of transformation.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 7th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series (01:01)The basic spiritual insight common to all schools is the recognition of what spirit is: a palpable presence, a substrate of all reality (01:37)The path begins with recognizing presence and then goes on (03:49)Presence is being, the way we experience our true nature (05:55)Exploring the essential qualities of the soul is an important tool to expose and dissolve components of the ego (07:55)Recognizing true nature doesn’t mean we express it in our life (09:09)Discovering spirit is only half the work, the other half is purifying the soul (10:50)Great traditions don’t get into actualization; psychology is what allowed us to develop practices like inquiry that help to release ego structures (13:02)How realized teachers can be angry, or sadistic (17:18)Animal soul, human soul, angelic soul: most of us operate from the animal soul (19:40)Working on character (21:43)Realization and teaching skill are quite different (23:36)There’s no guarantee a realized person will behave ethically (27:01)Virtues are the impact of spiritual presence on the soul (28:17)An important part of ethical behavior is in relationship (28:59)“Objective conscience” supports us in living a life of truth (29:22)Liberation is different from realization; with liberation there are no imprints of time left in you (32:38)The inner child is an imprint of the past, the structure doesn’t last (33:45)Getting beyond victimhood (34:44)Guilt versus true sorrow (36:12)Resources & References – Part 1A. 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 Reality*Fritz Perls, founder of Gestalt Therapy, “Awareness in itself is healing.”Frederick Perls, Ralph Hefferline, Paul Goodman, Gestalt Therapy* A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Dialogue 4, “Discovering the Souls Treasures,” is where Hameed talks about the specific qualities of the soul (YouTube video)Dilgo Khyentse & Orgyen Tobgyal, The Life and Times of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi LodröThe 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.* As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---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

Ep. 165 (Part 2 of 2) | Tami Simon, founder of the highly regarded multimedia publishing company Sounds True, covers a lot of inspiring ground in this heartening, lively, candid conversation. She tells the extraordinary story of how she came to devote herself to disseminating spiritual wisdom; about finding the edges and growing into them on her own path of awakening; the spiritual teachers she has encountered whose teachings have affected her the most; the wholeness of spiritual vision and psychological health; and discovering that, like all of us, spiritual leaders can be both luminous and in need of healing at the same time. Tami is an ardent torchbearer for the conscious business movement, explaining that business can be the way we give our gifts—that the endeavors of an inspired entrepreneur can be expressions of love and provide an incredible way of connecting with other people.What is so striking throughout is the depth of Tami’s clarity about what matters in life and her unwavering commitment to acting with integrity. Tami has a remarkable ability to translate her spiritual insights and principles into action—as co-host Roger Walsh points out, she is a beautiful example of a karma yogic life, where being of service is the fuel, the inspiration, and the content of her life, as she continuously works towards furthering both her own spiritual awakening and the awakening of all. Tami offers a lovely, poetic rendering of the effects of living a true and meaningful life: “The litmus test is always somebody’s wake, the ripples of their life, how they’ve impacted others . . . the beauty, love, and justice that live in the wake of a person.” A genuinely engaging, illuminating, memorable conversation. Recorded October 17, 2024.“What I feel I owe people is the truth.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2What are some of the people and ideas that really stand out to Tami? (01:14)Every podcast guest has given a gift (02:01)Learning somatic practices from Reggie Ray (03:30)Meeting Adyashanti, the ‘goodest’ human Tami ever met (04:31)A. H. Almaas’ Diamond Approach: the possibilities for expanding knowledge in the spiritual universe (06:10)Coming into the notion of original voice with Clarissa Pinkola Estes; Caroline Myss’ illumination of shadow work (06:45)Discovering that spiritual teachers can be luminous and also have parts that are harmful and need healing (09:52)How spiritual vision & psychological health seamlessly come together in the Diamond Approach (13:38)Psychotherapist Bruce Tift’s idea that we alternate between spiritual vision and the developmental work of psychology (16:00)The litmus test is what lives in the wake of a person (17:13)Tami’s practice: asking what is needed now, moment by moment (19:26)Paying attention to what is being said to us by others and our environment (23:58)The Integral movement: we benefit from having it in our consciousness (25:43)The Internal Family Systems (IFS) movement: the notion of being self-led in any given moment: compassionate, courageous, curious, calm (27:14)Conscious business: the movement for business to be a crucible for personal growth (29:05) What were the darkest times for Sounds True? (33:40)What does it mean to be true? That’s what matters (37:22)Resources & References – Part 2Tami Simon, founder of multimedia publishing company Sounds TrueTami’s podcast, Insights at the EdgeTami Simon, Being True: What Matters Most in Work, Life & Love (audio program)Reggie Ray, The Awakening Body: Somatic Meditation for Discovering Our Deepest Life*, The Practice of Pure Awareness: Somatic Meditation for Awakening the Sacred*Adyashanti, spiritual teacher, Open Gate SanghaA. H. Almaas, founder of The Diamond Approach, see also Deep Transformation podcast’s A. H. Almaas Wisdom SeriesClarissa Pinkola Estés, About Original and Wild Voice in Speaking and Writing Caroline Myss, The Shadow Course, Part 2, with Andrew Harvey and Tami SimonA. H. Almaas, The Inner Journey Home*Bruce Tift, Buddhist psychotherapist, Already Free*Sally Kempton, Meditation for the Love of It: Enjoying Your Own Deepest Experience*What is the Integral Movement? (Integral Life YouTube video)Richard Schwartz, The Founder of Internal Family Systems* As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---In 1985, at 22 years of age, Tami Simon founded Sounds True, a multi-media company dedicated to disseminating spiritual wisdom. She is also the founder of the Sounds True Foundation which creates equitable access to Sounds True’s programs and the Inner MBA, an immersion learning program that teaches the inner skills of conscious business. Tami hosts a popular weekly podcast called “Insights at the Edge,” where she interviews Sounds True authors, delving deeply into their discoveries and personal experiences. With Sounds True, she has released the audio program “Being True: What Matters Most in Work, Life, and Love.” Tami lives with her wife of twenty-three years, Julie M. Kramer, and their two spoodles, Raspberry and Bula, in British Columbia.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 164 (Part 1 of 2) | Tami Simon, founder of the highly regarded multimedia publishing company Sounds True, covers a lot of inspiring ground in this heartening, lively, candid conversation. She tells the extraordinary story of how she came to devote herself to disseminating spiritual wisdom; about finding the edges and growing into them on her own path of awakening; the spiritual teachers she has encountered whose teachings have affected her the most; the wholeness of spiritual vision and psychological health; and discovering that, like all of us, spiritual leaders can be both luminous and in need of healing at the same time. Tami is an ardent torchbearer for the conscious business movement, explaining that business can be the way we give our gifts—that the endeavors of an inspired entrepreneur can be expressions of love and provide an incredible way of connecting with other people.What is so striking throughout is the depth of Tami’s clarity about what matters in life and her unwavering commitment to acting with integrity. Tami has a remarkable ability to translate her spiritual insights and principles into action—as co-host Roger Walsh points out, she is a beautiful example of a karma yogic life, where being of service is the fuel, the inspiration, and the content of her life, as she continuously works towards furthering both her own spiritual awakening and the awakening of all. Tami offers a lovely, poetic rendering of the effects of living a true and meaningful life: “The litmus test is always somebody’s wake, the ripples of their life, how they’ve impacted others . . . the beauty, love, and justice that live in the wake of a person.” A genuinely engaging, illuminating, memorable conversation. Recorded October 17, 2024.“If our spiritual vision doesn’t translate into treating ourselves and other people, and the environment and the world well, and building a just society, I’m not interested in it.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing founder of the multimedia publishing company Sounds True, author, entrepreneur & popular podcast host, Tami Simon (00:53)What is the spirit or ideal animating Tami’s venture? Broadcast awakening! (02:20)Tami was given 3 words right at the start: disseminate spiritual wisdom (03:47)The origin of Sounds True: synchronicities, altered state experience, and the concept of transformational economy (05:30)How Vipassana retreats changed Tami (10:10)Tami wanted to understand Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory in her body, in her bones (12:24)Meditation felt like a homecoming, a sense of belonging as never before: this is how it feels to feel okay (15:03)Sounds True has been Tami’s “ground of growth,” an incredible crucible—because it’s so stressful (18:12)Heart opening experiences keep on going (20:20)Entrepreneurial endeavors as an expression of love (23:05)Service is inherent in the energy of the human heart (26:30)Integrity is critical: a grace field rooted in the central part of the body (30:29)Responding to the many problems of contemporary media and our media-ted lives (36:43)What is the most strategic and economic way I can serve? (41:20)Technological change and Tami’s willingness to adapt (42:33)Resources & References – Part 1Tami Simon, founder of multimedia publishing company Sounds TrueTami’s podcast, Insights at the EdgeTami Simon, Being True: What Matters Most in Work, Life & Love (audio program)Eugene Gendlin, Focusing*Karen Johnson, The Jeweled Path: A Biography of the Diamond Approach to Inner Realization*S.N. Goenka, Vipassana MeditationTami’s interviews with Ken Wilber: Kosmic ConsciousnessDr. Gunapala Dharmasiri, one of Sri Lanka’s foremost Buddhist scholars, Fundamentals of Buddhist Ethics* Melissa Bernstein, Entrepreneur in Residence of Sounds True’s The Inner MBA certification programRoger Walsh, Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind*Wallace Black Elk, Native American shamanic teacher, Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of a Lakota*The Social Dilemma (docudrama)The A.I. Dilemma (Aspen Institute YouTube video)* As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---In 1985, at 22 years of age, Tami Simon founded Sounds True, a multi-media company dedicated to disseminating spiritual wisdom. She is also the founder of the Sounds True Foundation which creates equitable access to Sounds True’s programs and the Inner MBA, an immersion learning program that teaches the inner skills of conscious business. Tami hosts a popular weekly podcast called “Insights at the Edge,” where she interviews Sounds True authors, delving deeply into their discoveries and personal experiences. With Sounds True, she has released the audio program “Being True: What Matters Most in Work, Life, and Love.” Tami lives with her wife of twenty-three years, Julie M. Kramer, and their two spoodles, Raspberry and Bula, in British Columbia.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 163 (Part 2 of 2) | In the sixth dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali tells us that whereas pure consciousness is already perfect and does not change or grow, individual consciousness is an impressionable organism—alive, changing, moving, developing. Hameed explains that because the soul is impressionable, the impacts of experience are imprinted upon it, shaping our very consciousness. Ego structures form from repeated impressions, and although they are necessary for survival and to function in a relational world, these structures make it difficult to experience the living presence of our true nature. We experience the ego self instead, mistaking our self-image for what we truly are. When we loosen our conditioning, with help from practices like inquiry and bodywork, our soul becomes free of its imprint and our true potential arises naturally, along with greater compassion and other qualities of the soul. Simply and clearly, Hameed brings us to a deeper understanding of our soul, elucidating what holds us to our limited self-identity and describing what we have to look forward to as the myriad imprints hammered into us by experience become diaphanous, and new impressions no longer make indelible imprints. Hameed also delves into the different ways various traditions talk about the soul, the difference between ordinary knowledge and “knowing,” or gnosis, and tells us that sudden enlightenment and gradual enlightenment are an artificial dichotomy, sharing a story of a sudden enlightenment experience of his own. Once again, Hameed transmits an extraordinary amount of wisdom in a relatively short time, and we emerge brighter, hopeful, and inspired as to our boundless spiritual potential. Recorded November 14, 2024.“When the soul becomes free of its original imprint, it becomes open to its inner potential – and inner potential is mostly spiritual potential.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Relaxing the tension in the soul and body is important: working with body armor (00:49)Mature impressionability: when the soul is more free, impacts don’t leave lasting imprints (03:16)When the soul becomes free of its original imprint, it opens to its inner potential (08:34)The enlightenment drive and our spiritual potential (11:41)Psychology and spirituality are not separate in our consciousness (13:51)The different ways different traditions and psychology talk about the soul (15:43)Unique particularity becomes very important in Zen: a flower is a flower (20:43)Gnosis: I know myself without reflection, without memory; I know what I am (23:13)Nonconceptual and transconceptual knowing (25:24)Sudden enlightenment and gradual cultivation are an artificial dichotomy (28:21)What does gradual enlightenment mean? (30:51)Hameed relates an experience of “sudden enlightenment” (31:21)How the evolution of the universe relates to awakened consciousness (33:40)Roger’s acknowledgment of this conversation as uniquely impactful (36:48)Resources & ReferencesA. 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 Reality*Wilhelm Reich, Reichian therapy, Reich’s Segmental Armouring Theory (Energetics Institute) Alexander Lowen, developer of Bioenergetic AnalysisStan Grof & Christina Grof, Holotropic Breathwork: A New Approach to Self-Exploration and Therapy*Abraham Maslow, Toward a Psychology of Being*Carl Rogers’ fully functioning person, On Becoming A Person: A Therapist’s View of Psychotherapy*Bruno Bettelheim, Freud and Man’s Soul: An Important Re-Interpretation of Freudian Theory*The Chittamatra or “Mind Only” School of Mahayana BuddhismThe 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe DorjeDogen, founder of the Sōtō School of Zen, “A blade of grass is a blade of grass.”GnosisPhilip Kapleau, The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment*The 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.* As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.---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

In this enlightening discussion, Hameed Ali, founder of The Ridhwan School and author on consciousness, unravels the intricacies of the soul and ego. He reveals how our individual consciousness is shaped by experiences, forming limiting ego structures that obscure our true essence. Hameed explains the importance of loosening these imprints through practices like inquiry and bodywork, allowing our innate compassion and potential to emerge. He also explores the relationship between self-beliefs and spiritual growth, offering a fresh perspective on the journey to awakening.

Ep. 161 (Part 2 of 2) | In this profoundly moving and inspiring conversation, GRIP Training Institute CEO, Kim Moore, and facilitator/trainer Fateen Jackson, Sr., also a GRIP graduate, educate us as to the power and magic of the GRIP prison movement, based on Jacques Verduin’s model: Leaving Prison Before You Get Out. This yearlong trauma healing and accountability program is unique in the degree of radical transformation it aims for—and delivers. It is about freeing minds, and as Kim points out, goes beyond the duality of teacher/student, inmate/not inmate, victim/offender to where everyone joins in a mutual journey of healing, transformation, and liberation.The program is so transformative that ripple effects from GRIP students can be felt throughout the prison, and GRIP graduates often struggle with how little emotional intelligence and trauma healing work the rest of us have done when they get out.Kim and Fateen shine a bright light on the inestimable value of a caring, compassionate community, pointing out that deep personal transformation and taking responsibility doesn’t happen in isolation. They share illuminating stories of their own experiences, and the dedication and gladness they exude in this talk is itself impactful and inspiring. There is something in this conversation, maybe because it touches our deepest brokenness and then lifts it up and redeems it, that reaches right into one’s heart and infuses it with inspiration, hope, compassion, and love. Recorded November 21, 2024.“Who have you left out of your heart? How can you expand your sphere of human concern?”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Roger acknowledges the power of GRIP’s processes (01:20)What are the most impactful processes that participants go through? (02:18)Transforming shame into remorse: you are not your crime (05:17)The importance of self-care for facilitators: what practices do Kim & Fateen do? (06:39)Reminding participants who they truly are: you can give love and you can receive love (10:36) Moving beyond the duality of giver/receiver, victim/offender, teacher/student (12:31) Transforming belief systems: You are not in prison because of what you did, but because you believed the thoughts that justified the actions you took (14:06) A longing to hear a genuine apology (16:40)Opening your heart to every offender, no matter what they’ve done (18:25)The transformational power of this work: engendering hope, compassion, redemption, wisdom (21:22)GRIP graduates struggle with how little emotional intelligence and trauma healing work the rest of us have done when they get out (24:25)Can people accept that you are a changed, transformed individual? (25:03)The diversity of this program: everyone is welcome, everyone learns from everyone else (26:29)Meditation: stopping the violence with awareness (29:40)The wisdom that is born in these groups goes way beyond prison (32:56)If you would like to be part of the GRIP family (34:12)What is the vision for GRIP’s future? GRIP’s scaling strategy; connecting with incoming lifers from day one (35:15)Resources & References – Part 2Guiding Rage into Power program, the GRIP Training Institute (where you can watch a moving and impactful short video of a group in process)Jacques Verduin, founder of GRIP, Leaving Prison Before You Get Out: A Transformational Healing Journey for Incarcerated People to Learn How to Guide Their Rage Into Power (GRIP)john a. powell, director of The Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, advancing groundbreaking approaches to transforming structural marginalization and inequalityMC Hammer, Pray (Just to Make it Today), YouTube music video---Kim Moore has spent more than two decades working to make the San Francisco Bay Area a more just and equitable community through her work as a community organizer on issues of affordable housing, healthcare, immigration, violence prevention, and criminal justice reform. She has dedicated the last eight years to The GRIP Training Institute, a restorative justice organization serving hundreds of incarcerated individuals across seven California prisons, where she serves as Executive Director, and the entirety of her career to advancing justice and building a Beloved Community. A strong believer in the principle, “The first revolution is internal,” Kim considers meditation and the Dharma the foundation of her work for justice in the community. Kim is also a Buddhist chaplain in the Theravada tradition, and holds degrees in anthropology from Stanford University and Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.---Fateen Jackson, Sr, is from Long Beach, California, and currently resides in Northern California. Fateen completed the GRIP program as a student while still in San Quentin, in 2013. After graduation, he went on to facilitate several groups while still inside. He performed a spoken word piece called the Apologetic Salute, at a TEDx event, which was held at San Quentin in 2016. The spoken word piece was dedicated to the people who have suffered violence at the hands of another person. Fateen regained his freedom in 2019 after former governor Jerry Brown commuted his sentence. He joined the GRIP staff the same year, and is now a Senior Facilitator as well as the Senior Facilitator Trainer/Coordinator for the GRIP organization. He goes inside several institutions to deliver the GRIP program and to train people in the work.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell