Journals of Spiritual Discovery by spiritualteachers.org

Journals of Spiritual Discovery by spiritualteachers.org

By Shawn NevinsReligion & SpiritualitySpirituality
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Journals of Spiritual Discovery by spiritualteachers.org episodes

  • Paul Rezendes Interview

    When Paul Rezendes was kind enough to write a blurb for the back cover of Images of Essence, my book collaboration with Bob Fergeson, I had no idea there was anything more to Paul than being a talented nature photographer and wildlife tracker.  A few years later, a friend recommended I watch of series of videos featuring him.  I was immediately hooked by Paul Rezendes’ unique way of presenting self inquiry as “tracking the mind.”

    I hope you enjoy this interview, as it brings to light the passion for truth that Paul Rezendes’ life exemplifies and which he emphasizes with those he meets.

    • Listen to the interview on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play.
    • Stream by clicking here, or download after you follow the link by using right-click and then “save as.”
    • If you enjoy the podcast, leave a tip in the tip jar, buy a gift from CorazonGifts, or join my monthly supporters.  Your help is appreciated.

      • Supporter Options
      Excellent : $5.00 USD – monthlyAwesome : $10.00 USD – monthlyOutstanding : $20.00 USD – monthly



      QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

      Selected Links and Notes from this Episode

      • The Mindful Tracker videos. [3:33]
      • In Paul’s late 20’s he had a “wake-up call” about his life.  [4:15]
      • Most of the time we’re looking for self-gratification, but if the Truth becomes more important than that there is a possibility of something to happen. [5:40]
      • Paul was the leader of two different motorcycle gangs! [8:20]
      • One of his first questions was “What’s fear?” [10:00]</
        • 1 hr 21 min
      • Tess Hughes Interview

        With a spiritual search spanning fifty years, Tess Hughes has a wealth of practical experience on the spiritual path.  Her search blossomed in its last five years when she encountered the TAT Foundation and learned of the possibility of awakening in this lifetime.  A science teacher for many years, Tess Hughes seemingly can’t get enough of teaching and currently facilitates several groups in Ireland.  To learn more about Tess Hughes, visit TessHughes.com, and buy her book This Above All.

        • Listen to the interview on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play.
        • Stream by clicking here, or download after you follow the link by using right-click and then “save as.”
        • If you enjoy the podcast, leave a tip in the tip jar, buy a gift from CorazonGifts, or join my monthly supporters.  Your help is appreciated.

          • Supporter Options
          Excellent : $5.00 USD – monthlyAwesome : $10.00 USD – monthlyOutstanding : $20.00 USD – monthly



          QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

          Selected Links and Notes from this Episode

          • It was in the last five years that Tess Hughes’ search became a conscious seeking for answers. [2:40]
          • On how becoming a “person of character” was an excellent background for launching a spiritual path. [3:14]
          • What is a person of integrity? [4:44]
          • Psychology of Man’s Possible Evolution by P.D. Ouspensky. [7:52]
          • How the Catholicism and poverty of Tess’ youth combined to give a sense of the transcendent in everyday life. [9:53]
          • Moving to the United States after her first marri
            • 1 hr 28 min
          • Anima Pundeer

            “I really wonder what God feels like?” That’s the question that finally drove Anima Pundeer to awakening.  To really wonder, and be open to whatever answer may come, rather than demanding God take a certain form or feeling — that is a startlingly rare place to find oneself.

            I hope you find this interview with Anima Pundeer as simple and direct as I did.  If you are inspired to reach out to Anima (who lives in Houston, TX), contact her at apundeer at gmail dot com.  You can see Anima in the film Meetings With Remarkable Women, as well.

            • Listen to it on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play.
            • Stream by clicking here, or download after you follow the link by using right-click and then “save as.”

              • QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

              Selected Links and Notes from this Episode

              • How the contrast of moving from India to North America was an advantage in Anima’s spiritual search. [01:45]
              • Many people in India go through religious rituals, but don’t think about the meaning. [3:55]
              • The beginning of Anima’s spiritual search. [4:36]
              • Looking for relief from misery. [5:45]
              • Committing to try any practice for at least 40 days.  [8:25]
              • The realization that there would always be problems in life and a problem-free life wasn’t the ultimate goal. [13:00]
              • The lowest point in her life. [16:25]
              • Walking as a spiritual practice.  [17:35]
              • Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now and A Course in Miracles. [18:34]
              • Meeting Art Ticknor. [20:22]
              • “My purpose in life is to find something permanent.” [21:35]
              • Noticing the mechanical nature of the body and mind. [24:32]
              • What is self-inquiry? [29:29]
              • The changing nature of self-inquiry over time. [39:00]
              • There is no path.  [41:17]
              • Anima’s pet peeve: “letting go.” [45:27]
              • “I really wonder what God feels like?” The question that opened the door to realization.  [48:37]
              • The fallacy of trying to recreate the circumstances of other people’s realizations.  [51:00]
              • The double-edged sword of self-inquiry.  [53:43]
              • Living in a state of awe. [1:02:22]
              • Are there important practices other than self-inquiry?  Working with a group. [1:03:25]
              • What to do when you don’t know what to do.  [1:06:20]
              • One book that made a huge difference in taking away the “doer”: Collision with the Infinite.  [1:14:36]
              • If you enjoy the podcast, leave a dollar in the tip jar.  I will appreciate the thought and use the money to buy this Tascam recorder so I can do face-to-face interviews.
                • 1 hr 20 min
              • Bob Cergol Interview
                Our conversation tackles Advaita misconceptions, Bob's time with Richard Rose, his own awakening experience, and even includes Bob's "cheat sheet" for the spiritual search.
                1 hr 51 min
              • David Scoma Interview

                If you think you are ready for serious spiritual work, sit with this hardcore David Scoma interview and see if you are still interested.

                Stop seeing through the faulty filters you’ve been looking through all your life.

                David Scoma is one of the hardest-working spiritual teachers I know.  Visit David Scoma’s justperception.net for more information.

                If you enjoy the podcast, consider supporting the show.  Your support will go towards buying this Tascam recorder so I can do face-to-face interviews.

                • Listen to it on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play.
                • Stream by clicking here, or right-click and choose “save as” once the link opens.

                  • QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

                  Selected Links and Notes from this Episode

                  • The beginning of David’s spiritual search. [01:49]
                  • The Dark Night of the Senses and looking into monastic life. [10:41]
                  • The Dark Night of the Spirit and the Dark Night of the Soul. [18:25]
                  • The end of the spiritual search and the beginning of a new life story. [36:45]
                  • Avoiding comparisons of spiritual experiences. How beliefs become blocks. [43:00]
                  • The trigger of death. [45:15]
                  • “David” is just an idea. This is not a neo-Advaita mind game.  This is death. [47:45]
                  • Maps tend to end at the unitive state. [50:14]
                  • The death of the one who cares. [56:30]
                  • Misconceptions about enlightenment. [1:02:00]
                  • Relationships [1:07:45]
                  • Having the time to be a spiritual teacher. [1:14:30]
                  • Core practices. [1:24:20]
                  • Students who have come to the end of their search. [1:33:25]
                  • Charging for teaching. [1:37:10]
                  • What is transmission? [1:45:20]
                  • I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj [1:54:13]
                  • Ramana Maharshi‘s writings [1:55:00]
                  • The Real Christ by Bernadette Roberts [1:55:44]
                  • The film American Beauty [1:57:50]
                  • Lessons on motive and intent from Into the Wild and No Country for Old Men [1:58:50]
                  • Terance Malick’s The Tree of Life [2:00:30]
                  • The most spiritual film ever aimed at a young audience: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban [2:01:20]
                  • The fall from grace as shown in Batman Begins [2:02:57]
                  • What is “inquiry”? [2:04:40]
                  • The truth is unbelievably simple, but that doesn’t mean it is easy. [2:11:25]
                    • 0 min
                  • Paul Constant Interview

                    Shake up your preconceptions about spiritual awakening and enlightenment by joining my guest, Paul Constant.  Paul is a frequent presenter at TAT Foundation retreats, as well as holding events of his own on the East Coast.

                    I hope you find this episode inspiring and informative.

                    • Listen to it on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play.
                    • Stream by clicking here, or download after you follow the link by using right-click and then “save as.”

                      • QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

                      Selected Links and Notes from this Episode

                      • TAT Forum articles by Paul Constant. [02:14]
                      • The beginning of Paul’s spiritual search. [03:00]
                      • “Waking Sleep” and Ouspensky’s In Search of the Miraculous. [04:06]
                      • The Fourth Way by P.D. Ouspensky. [04:40]
                      • Think on These Things by Jiddu Krishnamurti [06:34]
                      • The two camps of seekers: those drawn to the mystical and those repulsed by life. [06:50]
                      • Studying psychic phenomena. [08:07]
                      • Being raised a Catholic. [09:47]
                      • On the value of a wholesome life. [11:00]
                      • Feeling the need to meet other people involved in the spiritual life. [13:49]
                      • Meeting Richard Rose. [15:50]
                      • Reaching a spiritual plateau. [21:10]
                      • The value and beauty of the spiritual journey. [24:30]
                      • Friendship as one of the messages of the TAT Foundation. [26:01]
                      • Spiritual realization happening in stages. [30:14]
                      • Paul’s realization of Nothingness. [32:06]
                      • The simplicity of the answer could not be accepted. [37:23]
                      • Meeting a Shakti-oriented teacher awakened Paul’s “Tin-Man” heart. [38:22]
                      • Paul’s last teacher, who systematically undercut every concept about enlightenment. That Grand Mal Enlightenment is another concept. [41:30]
                      • Becoming Everything. [44:37]
                      • Is there an end to spiritual seeking? [49:12]
                      • Shifting into awareness versus observing thoughts. [55:25]
                      • Life is the contact between our true nature and the relative. [1:06:00]
                      • The most common blocks to achievement. [1:17:43]
                      • Rapport retreats. [1:23:30]
                      • “I’m not a teacher. I don’t go in with the attitude that I have something that you don’t.”[1:26:35]
                      • Psychology of the Observer by Richard Rose [1:29:55]
                      • It’s Time to Wake Up Now by Don Oakley [1:31:30]
                      • I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj [1:32:20]
                      • Books by the TAT Foundation [1:33:00]
                      • Brain book [1:33:40]
                      • The film Closer Than Close [1:34:35]
                      • The dramatic change in relationship to people. [1:36:00]
                      • Come to a TAT meeting. [1:38:50]
                      • Paul’s website
                        • 1 hr 45 min
                      • Bob Cergol Interview

                        Bob Cergol (racergol at tatfoundation.org) is a deeply profound spiritual teacher yet lesser known. His words are based in practical experience and grounded in wisdom.  I have listened to this interview several times now, and it keeps getting better. Our conversation tackles Advaita misconceptions, Bob’s time with Richard Rose, his own awakening experience, and even includes Bob’s “cheat sheet” for the spiritual search.

                        After our interview, Bob emailed me a couple of comments.

                        Regarding that question you asked about the effect of realization on my (in one’s) life – I feel I may have under-stated the impact. Yes, it does not change too much of anything to an external observer – my wife told me I seemed more distant after I told her “something” had happened – but it changes everything in one’s interior life. Not a day goes by that I am not affected in some way, or think about something in a certain way, that absent the realization would not be the same – and less somehow. So my life is enriched in a way that I can’t very well describe since it’s not enriched in conventional terms.

                        and

                        I ran across the quatrain from the Rubaiyat that I had in mind last Saturday but just couldn’t recall it.  It pretty much encapsulates my predominant mood.  I strongly picked up the same mood from Richard Rose, and it comes through in many of his poems, too:

                        Ah, Love! Could you and I with Fate conspire

                        To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things entire,
                        Would not we shatter it to bits-and then
                        Re-mold it nearer to the Heart’s Desire!

                        Sure, and of course – everything is perfect as it is – but I agree with Rose that “The Night is cold, and Truth is too thin a blanket.”

                        I hope you enjoy this interview with Bob Cergol.

                        • Listen to it on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play.
                        • Stream by clicking here, or download by right-clicking once you follow the link and choose “save as.”

                          • QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

                          Selected Links and Notes from this Episode

                          • The transcendence of self that Bernadette Roberts writes about. [04:01]
                          • Awareness does not belong to the thing that has a sense of being alive. [08:59]
                          • The traumatic realization that Richard Rose wrote about in Three Books of the Absolute. [15:06]
                          • You can’t get enlightened.  The personality can’t have this experience. [16:06]
                          • Giving up on the spiritual path. [26:15]
                          • Alfred Pulyan [50:34]
                          • The mind and body are inseparable. [58:38]
                          • Our whole life experience is a reflection of us. [1:26:00]
                          • Beginner’s level meditation. [1:27:00]
                          • The process of Going Within. [1:29:53]
                          • People cannot conceive of removing themselves from the equation of the spiritual path. [1:30:30]
                          • The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam [1:34:34]
                          • <
                            • 1 hr 51 min

                          About Journals of Spiritual Discovery by spiritualteachers.org

                          From the publisher's feed

                          Interviews with profound, yet down-to-earth spiritual teachers. Hear their life stories and nuggets of wisdom that you can apply to your spiritual search. If the great mysteries of life intrigue…