Almost Awakened

Today Bill and Mekael sit down with Author Spencer Wright regarding his book “How to think”. The discussion revolves around how we humans can be more rational with the beliefs we hold. We discuss at length the feasibility of completely shedding Ego and yet the merits of shedding some portions of ego in order to have the critical thinking skills necessary to shed false absurd beliefs when those beliefs make benefit us emotionally and are central to our identity.Resources:“How To Think” by: Spencer Wright“Understanding the Tao Te Ching” by: Spencer WrightCritical Thinking6 Critical Thinking Skills You Need to Master NowCan I Learn to Think More Rationally?A User’s Guide to Rational ThinkingRational Thinking as a ProcessHow to Train Yourself to Be a More Rational ThinkerWhy Rational Thinking Is Not All It’s Cracked Up To BeDon’t for get to check out our sponsor RED ROCA COFFEE and type in the code AWAKE for a discount on your order.Our logo Concept was created by Kelsey Jones Subscribe on Itunes, Stitcher, and other third party apps. And be sure to leave us a positive review.You can donate to the podcast by Clicking Here

Today Mekael and Bill talk about what has gone on over the last month.  The passing of a loved one, what they and their lovers are reading, the saving of a baby and essentially just catching the listeners up after a month of chaos.  They also spend a few minutes to talk about entering the drinking culture as a 40 year old adult. Resources:Sex At Dawn Bill Rescuing a baby and it making National News Don’t for get to check out our sponsor RED ROCA COFFEE and type in the code AWAKE for a discount on your order. Our logo Concept was created by Kelsey Jones Subscribe on Itunes, Stitcher, and other third party apps. And be sure to leave us a positive review. You can donate to the podcast by Clicking Here

Today Bill records an episode on his own giving Mekael a break. Bill had been in Ohio for two weeks sitting by the bedside of his mother who was in the final stage of her battle with Cancer. Today’s episode revolves around Bill’s confronting the death of his mom along with dealing with how we in this country handle the dying, Euthanasia, and if we are doing the best things to relieve suffering.

Today Bill and Mekael tackle SEX, namely Negotiating Sexuality within a relationship responsibly. Within ethical and legal constraints, we all have the right to push for what we want from our partner (and to suffer the consequences for pushing too hard). Similarly, we also have the right to deny our partner’s requests (and to suffer the consequences for shutting them down). But we need to remember that nothing in a relationship happens in a vacuum—it is influenced by what came before, as well as what else is going on in the relationship. So generosity can be rewarded (and bad behavior can be punished) in more ways than one. Therefore, we have to keep the bigger picture in mind—what price am I willing to pay for this? If it’s worth it, then it’s worth it, but since life and relationships involve compromise and sacrifice, we have to consider the potential ripple effects.Episode based on this post https://www.reddit.com/r/AlmostAwakened/comments/dcd3mg/i_have_been_thinking_a_ton_about_sexuality_and/ RESOURCES: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sex-matters/201704/negotiate-sexual-differences-part-1-what-we-dohttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sex-matters/201704/negotiate-sexual-differences-part-2-how-often-we-do-ithttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-apes/201908/how-couples-negotiate-frequency-sexhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sex-matters/201704/difficult-sexual-negotiationshttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-the-erotic-code/201602/caught-negotiating-the-discovery-your-man-s-pornhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/so-happy-together/201703/negotiate-don-t-compromisehttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201301/twelve-rude-revelations-about-sexhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201906/how-the-most-satisfied-couples-balance-sex-and-powerhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200601/lust-the-long-haulhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201701/the-radical-thrill-intimacy Don’t for get to check out our sponsor RED ROCA COFFEE and type in the code AWAKE for a discount on your order. Our logo Concept was created by Kelsey Jones Subscribe on Itunes, Stitcher, and other third party apps. And be sure to leave us a positive review. You can donate to the podcast by Clicking Here

Today we just riff discussing some shadow work we faced this week. Bill’s was his wife’s mechanism of feeling like she took something away from someone and then trying to force the person she feels she hurt into righting the ship for her and then punishing them when they don’t help her right her perceived wrong. For Mekael it was her interaction with a friend who challenged her to stop compromising herself to please others. The conversation traverses across things that should be helpful for all humans to consider and wrestle with. We end revealing that next weeks episode will revolve around SEX and around how humans are navigating this arena and how you balance the need to be yourself in its fullest expression while also not having it lead to hurting others Don’t for get to check out our sponsor RED ROCA COFFEE and type in the code AWAKE for a discount on your order. Our logo Concept was created by Kelsey Jones Subscribe on Itunes, Stitcher, and other third party apps. And be sure to leave us a positive review. You can donate to the podcast by Clicking Here

Ben Brown, grew up in a fundamentalist religious sect and deconstructed multiple systems to understand human behavior. Topics discussed include escaping toxic religious beliefs, upgrading our thinking and beliefs, understanding human behavior and compassion, the impact of mind chatter on personal growth, and choosing to live a good story.

Today we discuss a handful of signs that one is in the awakening process. Discussing the reduction of mind chatter, the sense of timelessness and being present, intimate human connection, and a increase in Empathy and compassion. We also hit on Mekael’s HOTT New Swimsuit (Shown Below). RESOURCES:10 Ways to Tame Your Monkey Mind and Stop Mental Chatter5 Tricks That Will Calm Your Mind And Quiet Mental Chatter12 IDEAS FOR BEING MORE PRESENT IN YOUR LIFE Simple Ways to Be More Present in Our Everyday Lives8 Easy Tricks to Be More PresentSilencing Your Inner CriticEmbracing UncertaintyDon’t for get to check out our sponsor RED ROCA COFFEE and type in the code AWAKE for a discount on your order. Our logo Concept was created by Kelsey Jones Subscribe on Itunes, Stitcher, and other third party apps. And be sure to leave us a positive review. You can donate to the podcast by Clicking Here

Today we discuss the stories that are in our head. All the mind chatter and the real damage it can do. We also spend some time on the book “Talking to Strangers” by: Malcolm Gladwell. We hit on my mom’s visit and cognitive glitch and a couple of fun parties where Human behavior was in full view. Don’t for get to check out our sponsor RED ROCA COFFEE and type in the code AWAKE for a discount on your order. Our logo Concept was created by Kelsey Jones Subscribe on Itunes, Stitcher, and other third party apps. And be sure to leave us a positive review. You can donate to the podcast by Clicking Here

Today we take on the topic of overcoming our Bigotry and Prejudice. We all grow up with stories handed to us about others. Often those stories not only fall short of capturing their actual stories and experience. When we tell another’s story inaccurately we often cause harm and trauma. When we carry these false beliefs about others unknowingly or even intentionally, this is often falls into the arena of bigotry and prejudice. Today we talk about the stories we grew up with and how the two of us and humanity collectively can lean into a better framing. RESOURCES: How to Knock Down the Wall of Bigotry and Hate What Leaders Must Do to Battle BigotrySpeak Up: Responding to Everyday BigotryOvercoming PrejudiceWays to Reduce Racial BiasStrategies for Reducing Racial and Ethnic Prejudice

Today we take on the complex topic of Shadow Work. What is Shadow Work? How does one begin to lean into working with one’s Shadow side? What does Shadow work look like? Beneath the social mask we wear every day, we have a hidden shadow side: an impulsive, wounded, sad, or isolated part that we generally try to ignore.  The Shadow can be a source of emotional richness and vitality, and acknowledging it can be a pathway to healing and an authentic life. psychotherapist Steve Wolf Shadow Self is any aspect of ourselves, including thoughts, feelings, needs, desires, behaviors, and personality traits, that are unconscious. Carl Jung RESOURCES:What is shadow WorkHow to do Shadow WorkWhy do Shadow WorkIntroduction to Shadow WorkWorking With ShadowShadow Work: Transforming Emotional Suffering into FreedomSimple Starter Guide for Shadow WorkThe Ultimate Guide to the Human Dark SideShadow Work: A Complete GuideShadow Psychology Don’t for get to check out our sponsor RED ROCA COFFEE and type in the code AWAKE for a discount on your order. Our logo Concept was created by Kelsey JonesSubscribe on Itunes, Stitcher, and other third party apps. And be sure to leave us a positive review. You can donate to the podcast by Clicking Here