Deconstructing Yourself
Michael W. Taft
Dedicated to liberation in all its forms, Deconstructing Yourself is passionate about fearlessly investigating, attempting, and questioning all things to do with awakening, meditation, mindfulness, brain hacking, consciousness, neurofeedback, and more.Your host Michael W. Taft interviews some of the most interesting thinkers, authors, and teachers around, as well as other offerings. In this hard-hitting, radical, and fun podcast we look at secular post-, non-, un- Buddhism, Vajrayana, nondual Hindu Tantra, philosophy, the neuroscience of the sense of self, neurofeedback and the consciousness hacking movement, aspects of artificial intelligence, entheogens, and much more.If you’re looking for fresh directions, free from dogma and conformism, think of the Deconstructing Yourself podcast as the radical cafe where you can hear from the most interesting luminaries either from the outside edges of dharma, or a fresh take from more traditional teachers. If you’re interested in more, check out the Deconstructing Yourself website at https://deconstructingyourself.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
36 snips
Oct 7, 2024 • 1h 11min
Meditation and Memory with Anthony Metivier
Michael Taft chats with Anthony Metivier, founder of the Magnetic Memory Method and author of The Victorious Mind. They delve into how memory techniques can boost meditation practices. Anthony explains the ancient Memory Palace method and its ties to vivid imagery for better recall. The conversation covers his journey from atheism to spiritual exploration and the memorization of sacred texts, enhancing both cognitive abilities and emotional health. Listeners gain insights into making memorization personal and integrating it with mindfulness.
49 snips
Jul 24, 2024 • 47min
Practicing the Diamond Sutra with Ken McLeod
Buddhist teacher Ken McLeod discusses the significance of the Diamond Sutra, exploring translation challenges and ancient texts. He emphasizes embodying spiritual practice, daily mindfulness, and engaging with the sutra through oral recitation. The episode also includes announcements of meditation retreats and ways to support the podcast.
24 snips
Jul 9, 2024 • 57min
Original Love with Henry Shukman
Meditation teacher Henry Shukman discusses original love vs. original sin, the purpose of life as experiencing love, and the four zones of love. He shares insights on deep meditation training, the benefits of guided meditation, discipline, and approaches to meditation guidance.
59 snips
Jun 25, 2024 • 54min
Practicing Tummo with Peter McEwen
Meditation coach Peter McEwen and host Michael Taft discuss practicing Tummo, deity yoga, subtle body, challenges of Tummo practice, bliss, and staying with disturbing experiences. Peter shares insights on body energetics, benefits of Tummo practice, and importance of accurate teaching to prevent harm.
34 snips
May 1, 2024 • 42min
Jhanas, Technology, and Tradition with Stephen Zerfas
Entrepreneur and meditator Stephen Zerfas discusses using technology to enhance learning of Jhanas, his background in meditation and jhana practice, and scaling jhanas globally. They delve into his journey, training with jhana teachers, and the fusion of technology and tradition in meditation practice.
Mar 6, 2024 • 52min
Embodying the 21 Taras with Chandra Easton.
The podcast dives into the 21 manifestations of Tara in Tibetan Buddhism, with a focus on 'Demolition Tara.' Host discusses Chandra Easton's new book, her deep connection to Tara, and the significance of embodying empowered qualities in real-life figures like Oprah Winfrey.
106 snips
Feb 6, 2024 • 1h 1min
Can You Learn Meditation from an AI? - with Shinzen Young
American mindfulness teacher and neuroscience research consultant, Shinzen Young, discusses his dream of computer-based meditation instruction and the creation of an AI-based expert system. They explore the intersection of math, science, meditation, and AI and the potential benefits for society. The chapter explores the concept of network science and its consequences. The role of AI in guiding meditation and spiritual growth is discussed, along with the potential benefits of AI as educational assistants and companions in meditation practice.
14 snips
Jan 22, 2024 • 50min
A Conversation with Jeffrey Kripal
Author and professor Jeffrey Kripal discusses his fascination with extreme religious states, the value of embracing the unknown, the misalignment of religion with modern values, Kerry Mullis' profound worldview shift after an alien abduction experience, the broader aspects of the UFO phenomenon, the power of optimism and hope, and ways to support the podcast and access free resources.
33 snips
Dec 31, 2023 • 1h 10min
Transgression with Erik Davis
Author and journalist Erik Davis talks with host Michael Taft about the power of partaking in the forbidden, psychedelics becoming normalized, Tantric and Christian modes of transgression, power relationships and the guru, hedonism, rule-breaking, desire for safe spiritual practice environments, the role of risk in spiritual development, the medium of blotter paper and its connection to LSD, the concept of transgression in Hindu society, adapting meditation traditions to the modern West, complexities of contemporary spirituality, symbolic organizing of chaos and anomalies, the power of taboos in society, and exploring tantric spirituality.
109 snips
Dec 2, 2023 • 1h 1min
A Conversation with Sam Harris
Author, philosopher, and neuroscientist Sam Harris discusses aspects of meditation, the fusion of vipassana and nondual practice, insights into selflessness through mindfulness and concentration, personal experiences with MDMA and psilocybin, the role of psychedelics in spiritual introspection, concerns about misuse of psychedelics, and more.
