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In this episode, Stephan and Adam crack open one of the trickiest questions on the spiritual path: Who gets to claim authority — and why do we keep giving it away?

 From childhood conditioning to teacher-student dynamics, we explore how spiritual authority forms, how it collapses, and how it can finally return to its rightful place: your own direct knowing. With warmth, humor, and a few gentle provocations, we look at the subtle ways we outsource our inner clarity and how to recognize the voice that was always yours.

A grounded, liberating conversation for anyone walking the line between devotion, discernment, and awakening.

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Exploring Adyashanti's 'The End of Your World'

Stephan and Adam dive into Adyashanti's 'The End of Your World' and share their honest thoughts and personal experiences about the long process of embodying enlightenment after moments of realization. From the pitfalls of spiritual awakening to the simple beauty of being present, they cover it all with warmth, humor, and a sprinkle of cheekiness. Tune in to find out what it's like when spiritual journeys go off script and how honesty can be the game-changer you didn't know you needed. Grab your favorite drink, sit back, and enjoy this adventure through the world of spirituality with a side of laughs.

00:00 Reconnecting
00:54 Discussing 'The End of Your World' by Adyashanti
03:10 Dissolution and Reality
05:08 Challenges and Realizations in Awakening
09:37 Waking Up is Like a Rocket
11:14 Personal Awakening Experiences
16:57 The Importance of Honesty
26:38 Traps and Pitfalls on the Spiritual Path
31:58 The Ego's Voice: Convincing You That Now is Not Okay
32:43 The Simplicity of 'I Am': Insights from Adyashanti
33:31 Questioning Reincarnation: A Personal Reflection
35:23 The Trap of Concepts: How They Shape Our Lives
36:40 Understanding Adyashanti: Background and Teachings
40:42 Awakening in the Present Moment
43:06 The Impact of Future Obsession on the Present
46:36 Practical Advice for Overcoming Future Obsession
54:45 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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Honoring Joanna Macy: Love, Grief, and the Dance of Life

Welcome back, folks! Join Stephan and Adam as they dive into a heartwarming tribute to the incomparable Joanna Macy. They chat about her life, her profound contributions to spiritual ecology, and her legacy of promoting interconnectedness and compassion. Explore grief, love, and how we can be Shambala warriors, embracing powerful, love-driven action in today's world. Shoutout to Dayton for the episode inspiration!

If you have an episode recommendation on a book or topic related to awakening and spirituality, and to sign up for our email list, email us directly at:

letterstotheskypodcast [ at] gmail.com



00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:54 Tribute to Joanna Macy
01:26 Joanna Macy's Life and Work
03:04 Emotional Connection and Grief
04:16 Spiritual Ecology and Interconnectedness
14:41 The Shambala Prophecy
22:52 Taking Action from Love
29:09 Misconceptions About Awakening
30:16 The True Meaning of Awakening
31:24 Mind-Made Weapons and Their Undoing
33:35 The Power of Love Over Hate
35:36 Feeling Without Pathologizing
47:47 Joanna Macy's Reverence for Life
51:49 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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Email Stephan and Adam at letterstotheskypodcast[at]gmail.com. We love to hear from you and hear your ideas for episode topics.

Well, here we go again! Stephan keeps trying to lock Adam in the basement, but somehow he always escapes. Join the delightful duo as they navigate formalities and dive into the incredible origins of Zen. This episode unfolds the mind-blowing history of Bodhidharma, the first Zen Patriarch, who spent nine years staring at a wall (seriously, nine years!) and also helped shape Shaolin Kung Fu. The journey continues to Sengcan, the third patriarch, and the profound depth of the Hsin Hsin Ming. Stephan and Adam ponder the nuances of preferences, tension in existence, and how to naturally flow through life like a river. Is there any resistance in this moment? Well, let's find out together. Plus, discover meditative practices and brainwave science with a sprinkle of Adam's doctorly insight. 

Email Stephan and Adam at letterstotheskypodcast[at[gmail.com

Ram Dass reading the Hsin Hsin Ming: https://www.ramdass.org/ram-dass-reads-the-third-chinese-patriarch/

Ziran (the natural, spontaneous way): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziran

00:00 Introduction and Banter
00:32 Starting the Episode
01:13 Discussing the Third Zen Patriarch
01:53 Origins of Zen and Bodhidharma
04:10 Zen vs Tibetan Buddhism
06:10 Bodhi Dharma's Teachings and Legacy
08:41 The Profound Teachings of the Shin Shin Ming
12:37 Exploring Preferences and Awareness
15:58 The Role of Preferences in Enlightenment
25:19 Naturalness and Spontaneity in Action
27:10 Understanding Preferences and Misinterpretations
27:31 Natural Actions and Harmony
29:06 The Grind vs. Natural Flow
32:11 Meditative Practices and Brainwaves
36:16 Exploring Resistance and Allowing
38:40 The Metaphor of Layers
45:26 Final Thoughts

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Hey everyone, it's Stephan here! Ever wondered how to use your mind as a tool for awakening? Dive deep with me as I share insights, personal experiences, and some practical tips to train your mind on this incredible journey. From discussing the paths of devotion and meditation, to emphasizing the importance of dissolving beliefs, this video tackles the discomforts and blissful moments of the path to enlightenment. Get ready to cut through false beliefs and embrace a greater understanding. No beliefs are ultimately true, but some can be more useful than others on this journey. Join me and let's start cutting!

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👀 Join Adam and Stephan as they dive deep into the spiritual journey with a sprinkle of humor and a whole lot of wisdom. Beating their previous record of six months of not recording they’re back after only a week to unpack the secrets of doing the most damage to your spiritual path with the least amount of effort. They've even got book recommendations and analogies stacked on analogies for days. So come for the laughs, stay for the enlightenment, and remember, take it easy!

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Effortless Presence: Insights on Spiritual Integration and Letting Go - July 3, 2025

Join Adam and Stephan in a deep and heartfelt conversation about their recent experiences and revelations after reading 'Effortless Being' by David Bingham. They discuss the profound impact of the book on their spiritual journeys, the process of integrating new insights, and the concept of living life with zero resistance. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical explorations, they touch upon themes like the dissolution of self, trusting the present moment, and the pitfalls of seeking wholeness through the ego. This episode is a rich tapestry of wisdom, vulnerability, and practical advice for anyone on the path of spiritual awakening.

Email us at letterstotheskypodcast[at]gmail.com to get in touch and request topics or give feedback!

00:00 Reconnecting After a Long Break

00:31 The Power of Improv and 'Yes, And'

00:45 Life Updates and Inner Work

02:31 The Book That Changed Everything

04:30 Effortless Being and Spiritual Integration

08:18 Trusting the Experience

12:02 Zero Resistance and Trusting the Moment

22:15 The Role of the Mind and Problem-Solving

28:36 Embracing Life's Tasks with Joy

31:10 Embracing the Flow of Life

31:57 The Power of Siestas

35:22 Understanding Pain and Suffering

39:54 The Illusion of Control

47:31 The Search for Wholeness

52:58 The Nature of Definition

53:54 Listener Appreciation and Conclusion

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This week, Adam and Stephan dive into the concepts of validation and self-worth, inspired by the book 'The Courage to be Disliked' by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. They explore the importance of not seeking external validation and the challenge of finding inherent self-worth. With personal anecdotes and deep philosophical insights, this episode aims to provide listeners with a sense of freedom and ease. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion!

00:00 Introduction 
03:05 Book Discussion: The Courage to Be Disliked
04:10 Validation and Self-Worth in the Medical Profession
07:11 Personal Reflections on Validation and Achievement
09:49 Inherent Self-Worth and External Validation
19:30 The Power of Self-Validation
26:42 Conclusion and Gratitude

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If you're new here, we're Stephan and Adam. We bring the greatest wisdom of the past into everyday life.

Adam and Stephan dive deep into how beliefs shape our reality. With personal anecdotes about facing fears around firearms they explore the transformation that occurs when engaging with fear rather than avoiding it. They also highlight the impact of social media algorithms on our belief systems and share practical steps for uncovering and shifting limiting beliefs. Tune in to discover how to turn fear into opportunities for growth and healing.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
01:00 Diving into Beliefs and Spirituality
02:39 Facing Fears: A Personal Journey
08:30 Social Media Shows Us Our Beliefs
12:42 There is No Objective Reality
15:09 Addressing Limiting Beliefs and Meditation
21:02 Practical Takeaways

Contact us directly at letterstotheskypodcast[at]gmail.com to chat, recommend a book, leave feedback, or to get signed up for our newsletters.

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https://www.youtube.com/@letterstotheskypodcast


In this special holiday Postcard, Stephan and Adam share personal stories and insights on how to navigate the emotional challenges of the holiday season. They discuss the importance of being present, setting intentions, and creating space to process emotions. The episode emphasizes the power of non-judgment, awareness, and inner work as tools for healing and finding peace during what can often be a difficult time. They encourage listeners to share their own practices for dealing with holiday stress and highlight the significance of accepting the holiday experience as it is.

PS: Stephan's microphone is breaking and not consistent. We'll fix it ASAP.

Let us know your practices to get through the holidays in the comments! Thank you to our amazing viewers and listeners.

00:00 Holiday Greetings
01:37 Setting Intentions for the Holiday Episode
03:35 Understanding the Holiday Blues
04:30 Family Dynamics and Holiday Challenges
09:14 Coping Strategies for Holiday Stress
14:08 The Power of Presence and Non-Judgment
18:57 Creating Space and Managing Expectations
22:54 Final Thoughts and Holiday Wishes

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Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky