The Jason Gregory Podcast

In this podcast, we will explore the wheel of life and the cycles of Samsara in our own lives that bind us to the wheel. In Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism there is a belief in the many lifetime's theory. This view of cyclical time and existence is based on nature and includes our sense of self, which experiences life after life until there is an abiding in that which is beyond the wheel. But how can we abide in our pure nature beyond the wheel when the Samsaric waves of life continue to pull us back into the illusion of separation? That is where a deep understanding of the wheel of Samsara framework is needed. We will explain this framework and the tools necessary for breaking this cycle of Samsara.

Explore the ancient fasting the mind teachings and how it impacts habits and calmness. Discuss the importance of balance, dedication, and simplicity in cultivating a spiritual lifestyle. Delve into the concept of rational thinking and individualism, questioning their benefits. Explore the suppression of heart cognition and the value of living in harmony with others. Discover the significance of letting go and cultivating space for inner peace.

In this episode of Enlightenment Today, I will explain the Taoist cannibal thief Robber Zhi found in the Zhuangzi text. Robber Zhi is one of the least known and understood in the Zhuangzi text. He is the embodiment of the Taoist attitude towards life, but people confuse this passage with historical events rather than seeing it as a parody. In the story, the moralist Confucius seeks to change Robber Zhi's rebellious behavior. Confucius believes that someone as charismatic and handsome as Robber Zhi should take on an aristocratic title. When Confucius arrives, Robber Zhi is having a snack of human livers, symbolizing his complete contempt towards Confucian morality. What unfolds in this exchange is one of the greatest intellectual beatdowns within any Taoist text. Though Robber Zhi may appear gross and absurd in this passage, he is an example of the Taoist attitude towards life and how one should follow one's nature. How can a cannibal thief be a Taoist? It depends on if you understand the depth of the parody. Find out more.

In this podcast, we will explore the fundamental question of our existence, what am I? When Westerners first started translating ancient Eastern texts, this question was framed incorrectly into "Who am I?" which has affected our way of understanding the depth of Eastern philosophy. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism are spiritual paths designed to go beyond the person, beyond the "Who am I" to the fundamental question of What am I? This subtle transition of thinking takes us to the deepest level of our existence where the I itself disappears. What remains when the dissolution of I occurs? We will attempt to answer this fundamental question.

In this podcast, we will explore the path and practice of renunciation in the Eastern spiritual traditions. Renouncing the world is often thought of negatively by people who feel we should acquiesce to a role and be part of society. But the problem with this form of social submission is it is counterproductive to one's spiritual process if one has not been sufficiently trained in the meditative practices and philosophy of any of the great Eastern traditions. Essentially, socialization impedes spiritual progress. This is why the great masters headed for the mountains to live in harmony with nature. But it was not only this form of renunciation that was a central practice in the East because in the end, the ultimate renunciation of worldliness is an internal process that begins when we begin to renounce our own mind, which coincidentally is the world. Find out how your mind is the world.

Reincarnation within Taoism is not as clear-cut as within Hinduism and Buddhism. If one has not explored the Taoist tradition at length then ideas of reincarnation seem vague, especially if one is only familiar with the Tao Te Ching and the Chuang-tzu text. In this episode of The Sacred Word, I will explore the later teachings of Lao-tzu in a text you've probably never heard of. This secret text holds the key to understanding reincarnation and if there are any similarities to Hinduism and Buddhism.

In this podcast, we will explore the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti and David Bohm. Both Krishnamurti and Bohm dedicated their lives to understanding the oneness of reality from a philosophical and scientific viewpoint. Their groundbreaking work brings to light the view of the Eastern spiritual traditions that the individual is an illusion, albeit a persistent one. We dive deep into both of their lives and teachings, guiding one to understand the oneness of reality and how the experience of that reality is eclipsed by our sense of individuality.

In this podcast, we will explore the concept of evil and Universalism from an Eastern spiritual perspective. There is a common Western view that the concept of evil is a universal concept in all of the world's spiritual traditions. This view began when Westerners started to translate Eastern spiritual scriptures through their own Western individualistic oriented cognition which is based on one life and not the Eastern view of many lives. Universalism essentially began with the Western cultural assumption that evil exists and is inherent within some individuals. But are Western cultural assumptions related to Eastern culture? Do they even exist in the East? Find out!

Many people on the spiritual path are often perplexed as how to raise a child in the modern world, considering all of the falseness and hypocrisy that has become our materialistic culture. This is something I'm sure we all struggle with and I know many people who have children struggle to raise a child in such a false world. In this episode of Ask Jason, I will answer an interesting question about how Lao-tzu, the Buddha, and Ramana Maharshi would raise a child in the modern world.

In this podcast, we will explore how the great Taoist sages Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu would deal with a pandemic. One thing which has been revealed during this current pandemic is the state of mind within the world which is quite alarming. Some countries have been unified in their response and dealt with the situation a lot better than other nations who are seemingly divided based on their view that the current pandemic cares about our individual rights. Taoism can teach us how to respond spontaneously with intelligence, no matter how dire the situation is. But for Taoist wisdom to shine, we need to see each and every situation as it is and not according to our personal beliefs of how we think it is. The wisdom of Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu will allow the world to go back to what it was before, but we have to grow up and stop fighting each other and complaining about the situation and realize there are a lot of people really doing it tough in the world, especially in Third World nations. We have a great responsibility to each other and our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate and cannot support themselves in this pandemic. The lessons of Taoism will give you a natural strategy and remedy for dealing with the current pandemic. (This podcast was first released on YouTube July 26, 2020).