Deconstructing Yourself

Host Michael Taft talks with teacher and author Ken McLeod about his insights into Vajrayana, spiritual practice as "choosing a way to live," the Tibetan idea of lam khyer, the power of prayer as a kind of raw, naked stance, why the seeds of spirituality need to be nurtured in secret, difficulties Westerners face when attempting to work within traditional Asian religious systems, and the true meaning of spirituality.Ken McLeod began his study and practice of Buddhism in 1970 under the eminent Tibetan master Kalu Rinpoche. After completing two three-year retreats, he was appointed as resident teacher for Kalu Rinpoche’s center in Los Angeles, California, where he developed innovative approaches to teaching and translation. After his teacher’s death in 1989, Ken established Unfettered Mind, a place for those whose path lies outside established institutions. His published works include The Great Path of Awakening, Wake Up to Your Life, An Arrow to the Heart, Reflections on Silver River, and A Trackless Path. Ken's website: Unfettered MindContribute to Michael’s Patreon or directly to help fund the creation of more of these podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Michael Taft talks with meditation teacher and author Tina Rasmussen about ways to understand nondual awareness and the progress of nondual meditation, including her own unique comparison between the Formless Realms of early Buddhist meditation and the Boundless Dimensions taught by Hameed Ali (aka Almaas) of the Diamond Approach.Tina Rasmussen, Ph.D., began meditating at age 13, and has practiced in the Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist traditions for over 30 years. In 2003, she completed a year-long solo retreat, was later ordained as a Buddhist nun and became the first Western woman authorized to teach by renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw. Tina has been studied by the Yale Neuroscience Lab, and is the co-author of Practicing the Jhanas, as well as several books on human potential.Tina Rasumussen’s website: luminousmindsangha.comContribute to Michael’s Patreon or directly to help fund the creation of more of these podcasts.Show Notes00:44 - Intro03:30 - Thecore four practices of Buddhism that help us with the current crisis: shamatha,vipassana, heart, and self-transcending practices06:19 - HowTina teaches shamatha (the Theravada way: anapanasati and brahmaviharas)09:08 - The difference between anapanasati and pranayama11:45 - The similarities and differences between the Theravadan and Tibetan practices16:18 - How Tina teaches a hybrid set of Theravadan and Tibetan practices on retreat18:44 - Shamatha is needed for stability20:44 - Thedifferent flavors of nonduality (unity/emptiness)24:37 - The Buddhist map of the realms of existence (form/material realm:physical/brahmaviharas; formless/immaterial realms: 1) boundless space; 2) boundless consciousness; 3) no-thingness/void; 4) neither perception nor non-perception; 5) the Deathless/Absolute/Nameless mystery)28:53 - How ‘awareness’ is more fundamental than ‘consciousness’30:55 - Comparison of the formless realms in Buddhism and in the Diamond Approach(Ridhwan); how different spiritual traditions focus on different formless realms35:35 – Differing views in Theravada and Vajrayana 37:51 - Integrating boundless love and shamatha practices in Tina’s teachings43:00 - The non-personal practices of the Eastern traditions and the personal practices ofthe Western traditions44:08 - The synergy between spiritual and psychological technologies; the ‘inquiry’ practice46:27 - Tina’s birth trauma and the importance of trauma work53:10 - The inquiry way of working with aversion55:46 - Suffering is optional58:00 - OutroSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shinzen Young, an influential American mindfulness teacher and neuroscience consultant, explores the intersection of meditation and communication. He shares insights on adapting Unified Mindfulness for diverse cultural contexts, like China, especially during the pandemic. The discussion dives into the transformative impact of online mindfulness retreats and how they can enhance communication skills. Shinzen also imagines a future where technology, including AI, fosters deeper human connections and improves cognitive abilities, leading to more meaningful dialogue.

Host Michael Taft talks about the phenomenon of spiritual bypassing, what it is, what it means for our practice, and whether it is as big of an issue as many seem to think, as well as the importance of having a meditation buddy, and the ageless tradition of the “soul friend.” Michael Taft’s websiteContribute to Michael’s Patreon See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Michael Taft speaks with spiritual teacher and author Thomas Hübl about trauma and healing, aspects of collective and cultural trauma, Jungian psychology, meditation, spirituality, and much more.Thomas Hübl is a contemporary mystic, international spiritual teacher, and author whose work seeks to integrate the core insights of the great wisdom traditions with the discoveries of modern science. Thomas’ teachings combine somatic awareness, advanced meditative practices, and analysis of multigenerational and collective trauma with transformational processes that address trauma and shadow issues. Since 2004 Thomas has been leading workshops, multi-year training programs, events and festivals, and is the author of the book Healing Collective Trauma.Thomas Hübl's Website You can support the creation of future episodes of this podcast by contributing through Patreon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Michael Taft speaks with meditation teacher and shamanic practitioner Spring Washam about the "dharma of Harriet Tubman," the inner vs. the outer journey of finding liberation, how the "meditation bubble" can actually block spiritual growth, bringing the wisdom of meditation to activism, the role of plant medicines in healing ourselves and our world, and much more.Spring Washam is a well-known meditation teacher, author, and visionary leader based in California and Peru. She is the author of A Fierce Heart: Finding Strength, Courage, and Wisdom in Any Moment. Spring is considered a pioneer in bringing mindfulness-based healing practices to diverse communities. She is one of the founders and core teachers at the East Bay Meditation Center, located in downtown Oakland, CA.  She received extensive training from Jack Kornfield, is a member of the teacher’s council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in northern California, and has practiced and studied Buddhist philosophy in both the Theravada and Tibetan schools of Buddhism for the last 20 years. In addition to being a teacher, she is also a shamanic practitioner and has studied indigenous healing practices for over a decade. She is the founder of Lotus Vine Journeys, an organization that blends indigenous healing practices with Buddhist wisdom. Her writing and teachings have appeared in many online journals and publications such as Lions Roar, Tricycle, and Belief.net. She has been a guest on many popular podcasts and radio shows. She currently travels and teaches meditation retreats, workshops and classes worldwide.Spring Washam's websiteYou can support the creation of future episodes of this podcast by contributing through Patreon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Science journalist and bestselling author David McRaney talks about how people change their minds, form their view of reality, conspiracy theory, QAnon, cognitive dissonance, and the importance of connection and respect in communication.

Host Michael Taft speaks with meditation teacher Catherine McGee about Soulmaking Dharma; her journey into meditation practice; using the word “soul” in a Buddhist context; working with the energy body; connecting with the imaginal in meditation; what sort of person thrives in the Soulmaking Dharma practice; and expanding beauty and sacredness in our lives. CATHERINE McGEE has been teaching Insight Meditation at Gaia House and internationally since 1997. Her teaching emphasises working with perceptions of the body on the path of awakening and in the healing of the individual and collective crises of our times. She is an advisor to One Earth Sangha and a long term student of the Diamond Approach and collaborated with Rob Burbea in shaping and teaching a Soulmaking Dharma. Listen to Catherine McGee on DharmaseedYou can support the creation of future episodes of this podcast by contributing through Patreon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Depth Psychologist Steve Aizenstat speaks with host Michael Taft about dreams, the living image of dreams and their innate intelligence, the healing and creative power of the deep imagination; how dreams relate to meditation and spiritual practice, and the way that we are "all cyborgs now."Stephen Aizenstat, Ph.D., is the Founder of Dream Tending, Pacifica Graduate Institute, and Academy of Imaginal Arts and Sciences. He is a world renowned Professor of Depth Psychology, an imagination specialist and innovator. He has served as an organizational consultant to major companies, institutions, Hollywood films, and has lectured extensively in the U.S., Asia and Europe. He is affiliated with the Earth Charter International project through the United Nations where he has spoken. Professor Aizenstat is the Chancellor Emeritus and Founding President of Pacifica Graduate Institute. He has collaborated with many notable masters in the field including Joseph Campbell, James Hillman, Marion Woodman and Robert Johnson. Professor Aizenstat's pioneering work has impacted thousands of students, clients, major companies, institutions and influencers through one-on-one sessions, visionary courses, and sold-out lectures, webinars, digital pop-ups and wildly popular global seminars.Steve Aizenstat’s website: dreamtending.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spiritual teacher A. H. Almaas speaks with host Michael Taft about the centrality of love to our spiritual nature, how to tell the difference between emotional love and spiritual love, how the wounds of love can become openings for awakening, various “flavors” of love, and the necessity of love to approach truth. A. Hameed Ali, whose pen name is A. H. Almaas, is founder of the Diamond Approach to Self-Realization, a contemporary teaching that developed within the context of both ancient spiritual teachings and modern depth psychology theories. Almaas has authored eighteen books about spiritual realization, including the Diamond Heart series, The Pearl Beyond Price, The Void, and The Alchemy of Freedom.You can support the creation of future episodes of this podcast by contributing through Patreon.Show Notes00:38 - Intro03:31 - The book ‘Love Unveiled’04:24 - Love vs awareness in spirituality07:11 - Difference between emotional love and spiritual love10:59 - Relationship between consciousness and love12:51 - Love is the maturation of realization14:38 - Difference in the expressions of emotional vs spiritual/essential love16:54 - Spiritual love as a medium and the nectars/flavors of love19:07 - Yearning and desire in different traditions25:37 - Teaching the opening of the heart26:47 - Working with the barriers/obstacles in different qualities of love31:03 - Pointing towards the way into the heart32:20 - Nectars of love34:08 - Phenomenology of love36:09 - The three centers of human beings37:49 - Difficulties with feeling love and loved41:47 - Working with the wounds in the heart44:20 - Hameed’s favorite flavor of love45:18 - The three-volume series on love48:23 - OutroSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.