Michael A. Rodriguez is a spiritual teacher who works with people in meetings, retreats, and private sessions on a full-time basis in the United States and abroad. He holds four academic degrees, including a master's degree in comparative religion from Harvard and a Ph.D. in English literature from Florida State University; taught at the university level for well over a decade; and has lived long-term in two monasteries. Drawing always from his direct experience, Michael illuminates the undivided nature of Life or Consciousness with great clarity and compassion, pointing to reality in a way that is free from dogma, ritual, or adherence to any particular tradition.

Michael draws skillfully from the world's wisdom traditions and also integrates Jungian psychology, literature, music, and art into his work to address the full range of human potential. His book--Boundless Awareness: A Loving Path to Spiritual Awakening and Freedom from Suffering--distills the essence of his teaching and is now available on Amazon.

Website: BoundlessAwareness.org

Book: Boundless Awareness: A Loving Path to Spiritual Awakening and Freedom from Suffering

YouTube Channel

Michael in a panel discussion on the direct vs. progressive paths.

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded 10/20/2016

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Background

00:03:44 - The Glimmer

00:06:58 - The Depths of Literary Texts

00:10:16 - The Path of Literature and Teaching

00:13:38 - The Source of Absolute Knowledge

00:17:09 - Zen and Spiritual Teachings in Academia

00:20:33 - Literature and Spirituality

00:23:29 - The Limitations of Academic Education

00:26:31 - The Disconnect Between Education and Spiritual Development

00:29:48 - Rediscovering Wonder and Imagination

00:32:37 - Finding Moments of Stillness in Daily Life

00:35:51 - The Importance of Effective Practice

00:38:57 - Becoming More Earnest About Spirituality

00:41:48 - Facing Fears and Following Your Truth

00:45:00 - Being True and its Impact on Society

00:48:29 - The Societal Implications of Understanding Conscious Presence

00:52:11 - The Aliveness of Consciousness

00:55:59 - The Non-Dual Awareness of Jesus and "Do unto others"

00:59:33 - Marinating in the Felt Sense of Being

01:02:31 - The Gift of Sitting with Conscious Beings

01:05:55 - The Invitation of Suffering

01:09:26 - Being Consciousness, Not Conscious

01:12:46 - Seeking Abiding Contentment

01:15:40 - The Shift to Pure Awareness

01:19:11 - Returning to the Natural State

01:22:13 - Embracing the Perfection of the Moment

01:25:45 - The Relaxed Journey of Awakening

01:29:04 - The Flow of Experience and Consciousness

01:32:11 - Influential Teachers in the Journey of Self-Realization

01:35:28 - A Journey of Self-Awareness

01:38:34 - Enhancing the Spiritual Resource

Save

Save