Giovanni Dienstmann is a spiritual practitioner and teacher, and the creator of Live and Dare, one of the top five most visited meditation blogs on the planet. As an author, meditation coach and speaker, Giovanni helps people overcome anxiety and stress to live a more calm and centered life, through spiritually-inspired personal development work. Since the age of 14, spirituality has been the center of his life. In his journey, he practiced over 9,000 hours of meditation, tried 70 different techniques, and nearly became a monk twice.

His spiritual thirst and eclectic approach led him to be formally initiated into the traditions of Zen Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, Raja Yoga, and Mantra Yoga—by the masters Moriyama Roshi, Lakshamana Swami, Shivarudra Balayogi, and Nikhileshwarananda (respectively). In February 2010 he experienced a powerful awakening in the presence of Mooji in South India, and that has been a point of no return in his path.

Giovanni is the author of the best-selling book Practical Meditation: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide, which has been translated to 5 different languages and has popularly been called “The Meditation Bible”. As a coach, Giovanni’s clients range from stay at home parents to entrepreneurs, C-level executives and pro athletes.

In the field of meditation, he brings a contemporary and pragmatic approach to help both meditation novices and spiritual seekers alike. In his role as a spiritual writer, he balances deep reverence for traditional teachings with critical thinking and a comparative study of spiritual traditions.

To learn more about Giovanni and his work, visit LiveAndDare.com.

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Summary and transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded April 20, 2019.

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introducing Buddha at the Gas Pump

00:04:43 - Different Meditation Techniques

00:09:24 - Discovering Zen and Meeting the Roshi

00:14:05 - The Zen Tradition and Lineage

00:18:51 - Disappointment and Closure in Zen Practice

00:23:24 - Doubts on Enlightenment and the Value of Knowledge

00:27:25 - The Value of Reading and Studying in Spiritual Paths

00:31:38 - Integrating aspects of the human experience

00:35:45 - The Path of Advaita and Integration

00:40:32 - Surrender to the Lord within

00:45:15 - Neo Advaita: Mistaking Temporary Realization

00:49:57 - Different Categories of Spiritual Practitioners

00:54:45 - The Role of Practice and Spiritual Bypassing

00:59:01 - Tuning in to Spiritual Books

01:03:33 - The Enjoyment of Spiritual Practice

01:07:48 - Benefits of Lowering Stress and Relieving Depression

01:12:10 - The Silence and Self-awareness

01:17:13 - A Powerful Milestone in my Spiritual Journey

01:22:02 - Maintaining Discernment in Spiritual Teachings

01:26:34 - The Importance of Purification and Discernment in Self-Realization

01:30:45 - The Dangers of Following Gurus

01:35:11 - Concentrating the Mind with Objects

01:39:26 - The Importance of Having Different Levels of Teachers

01:43:31 - Exploring Different Spiritual Paths

01:47:43 - The Bodhisattva and Continuing Existence

01:52:02 - The Concept of Leela in Tantra

01:56:35 - The Importance of Choosing the Right Meditation Practice

02:00:39 - The role of charging for meditation and spirituality

02:04:46 - The Role of Dakshina in Spiritual Exchange

02:09:09 - The Responsibility of Siddhis and their Role in Science and Society

02:13:26 - Demonstrating Siddhis through Scientific Means