Riyaz passed away in May, 2025. Here's a video he recorded a month before his death with his friends Adyashanti, Jonathan Gustin, and John Prendergast.

Born in Kenya, and of Indian ancestry, Riyaz came to North America when he was ten years old (growing up in Canada, and then moving to the United States as an adult). Each of these lands, peoples, and cultures has informed and shaped his expression and sensibilities. He is a product of both East and West.

Most of his adult life has been devoted to the study and practice of both psychotherapy and spirituality. And both of these disciplines have been integral to a path of healing and awakening. Professionally, his life’s work has been to bring together Eastern wisdom with Western science and psychology in a synergistic alliance.

After 26 years of mainly practicing as a psychotherapist, and many years of teaching and supervising students and interns in a transpersonally oriented graduate school (CIIS in San Francisco), he has shifted his work in a more explicitly spiritual direction. He now leads individuals and groups in spiritual work through groups, and day-long and multi-day retreats.

In April 2023, he received dharma transmission and the blessing of his teacher, Adyashanti.

Website: riyazmotan.com

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded November 26, 2024

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 Embracing Vulnerability in Teaching  

00:03:24 Transition to Spiritual Teaching  

00:06:25 The Unexpected Lung Cancer Diagnosis

00:10:10 Embracing Life’s Challenges as Spiritual Lessons

00:13:24 Philosophy of Evolution and Suffering  

00:17:23 Embracing Mortality and Living Fully

00:20:23 Wisdom from Sri Ramakrishna: Always Be Learning

00:23:25 Navigating Cancer Treatment Challenges

00:26:34 Embracing Alternative Healing Methods  

00:29:41 Embracing Non-Western Healing Approaches  

00:33:01 The Profound Experience of Near-Death and Out-of-Body Events   

00:36:32 Personal Transformations Through Marriage  

00:40:30 Embracing Earthly Spirituality

00:45:53 The Impact of Spirituality as an Escape Mechanism

00:49:46 Cultivating Presence for Emotional Healing

00:53:54 The Power of Group Consciousness

00:57:45 The Toll of Being a Spiritual Teacher  

01:01:07 Embracing Vulnerability in Teaching

01:05:08 The Evolution of Spiritual Teaching Methodologies

01:08:57 Evolution of Teacher-Student Dynamics in Education  

01:12:51 Importance of Preparatory Spiritual Practices  

01:16:26 Lack of Spiritual Development and Global Issues

01:19:34 Humanity’s Crisis and Opportunity for Change  

01:22:26 Awakening of a New Consciousness

01:26:27 Exploring Neurodivergence and Enhanced Perception

01:30:28 Transformative Power of Psychedelics and Nature  

01:33:46 Ayahuasca Experience: A Catalyst for Awakening  

01:36:57 Spiritual Awakening through Nature and Retreats  

01:40:52 Exploring the Hero Dose: Insights from Adyashanti  

01:43:41 Transition from One-to-One Work to Spiritual Mentoring

01:47:33 Upcoming Guests and Spiritual Experiences