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I Am That (Nisargadatta Maharaj): Abide in “I Am,” Non-Dual Awakening & the Fire of Earnestness

In this episode, Dr. Downes and Adam Rizvi discuss Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj’s Advaita Vedanta classic I Am That and his non-dual teaching to “abide in the I AM.” They describe Nisargadatta’s background as a Bombay cigarette vendor, his fiery demeanor, and how he realized freedom after three years of single-pointed trust in his guru’s simple instruction, without mantras or scripture. They explore key ideas from the book’s Q&A dialogues: the “inner teacher” as the witness of mind, the shift from identifying as a body moving through time and space to recognizing all experience arises in awareness, and the importance of repeatedly returning to the immovable sense of being. They also unpack “earnestness” as intense longing—orientation, intensity, sincerity, and consistency—and recommend reading short passages nightly.

00:55 Introducing I Am That

01:19 Who Was Nisargadatta

04:02 Why This Book Matters

05:27 Lineage and Anti Scripture

08:00 Abide in I Am Practice

11:51 Effort and Awareness

14:32 Reading a Key Passage

18:59 Time Space as Experience

25:36 Making It Practical

28:52 Habit of Returning

30:03 Earnestness and Desire

31:34 Inner Renunciation

33:36 Awakening Drive Question

34:30 Earnestness Explained

37:19 Fire for Awakening

41:10 Embers Into Intensity

43:17 Mystics Across Traditions

46:13 Sufi Ishq and Fana

47:55 Quote Off Returns

48:54 Beyond God Concept

54:06 Reading Practice Tips

56:20 Closing and Cigarettes

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Copyright 2026 by Letters to the Sky

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Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: Do You Need a Religion to Wake Up?

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Every spiritual tradition hands you a map. Patanjali's eight limbs. Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle. The Four Noble Truths. Lojong mind training. But here's the question nobody asks: What good is the map if you don't know how to drive a car?

In this episode, Stephan and Adam dig into what spiritual maps are really for, and when staring at one becomes the obstacle itself. They get into why discipline and restraint are the most skipped steps in Western spirituality, what actually happens when the surface mind quiets down (hint: it's not peace), and why the why behind your emotions matters less than you think.

Topics covered:

• Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the eight limbs, and yogas chitta vritti nirodha
• Lojong mind training and transforming difficulty into the path
• Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle and the non-linear nature of the journey
• Sengcan's Hsin Hsin Ming, the Zen case for dropping preferences entirely
• A Course in Miracles on forgiveness as stillness
• Why Neo-Advaita can leave you stuck

Questions, topic ideas, or books you want us to read: [email protected]

00:00 Back After Hiatus
00:21 Lost Episode Story
01:20 Do We Need A Map?
02:57 What Counts As A Map?
05:50 Different Destinations
09:09 Map Versus Road
11:04 Spiritual Stages And Ego
14:13 Inner Roads Of Practice
16:09 Ethics As Foundation
26:54 Meditation Clicks Over Time
30:48 Quiet Mind Brings Pain
34:21 Therapy Versus Inquiry
35:41 Why Knowing Why Fails
36:51 Karma Reincarnation Context
39:17 View Path Fruit Framework
42:40 Mind Training Maps
45:15 Shoes Frustration Practice
48:54 Feel Fully Drop Resistance
53:22 Forgiveness No Preferences
01:00:34 Signs of Progress
01:04:17 Map Question Wrap Up

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In this episode of Letters to the Sky, Stephan and Adam speak with Dave Biggs, a UK-based nondual teacher whose path grew out of a highly controlled religious upbringing, childhood trauma, and years of anxiety, panic disorder, addiction, and a bipolar diagnosis. Drawing on his experience supporting others in distress through the NHS and Samaritans, Dave explores why awakening can become a subtle escape when intense suffering makes the idea of “no self” feel like a final hope—and how that denial eventually crashes.

Together, they unpack the overlooked work of post-awakening integration: the way emotions can become more raw and intense when resistance falls away, why kindness and gentleness still matter, and how labeling and story-making can trap sensations instead of letting them move through. Dave describes an “absolute” ground of unconditioned awareness as a stabilizing landing pad—like a starter before the main course—that makes it possible to face trauma without bypassing the human experience. The conversation closes with Dave sharing brief details of his childhood split between Jehovah’s Witness fear and his father’s atheism, his long search to disprove a malicious God, and the eventual recognition of an unconditionally loving presence, along with ways to connect with him at dualitydetox.com.

00:00 Welcome 

01:00 How They Met Dave: Voice Memos, Nonduality Groups & Shared Language

02:07 Dave’s Background: Trauma, Mental Health, and Teaching Without Bypassing

05:53 The Trap of ‘No One Here’: Spiritual Bypassing, Denial, and the Crash

11:54 Real Self-Realization: Ordinary, Subtle, and Noticed by the Absence of Suffering

13:46 Integration Mechanics: Momentum After Awakening & the ‘Last 5%’ of Work

16:41 Emotions After Awakening: Anger, Grief, Tears, and Feeling It Fully

19:24 Letting Emotions Move: Disney Tears, Accessibility, and Dropping the Labels

22:58 The ‘Child Catcher’ Metaphor: Stop Netting Feelings and Naming Them

27:02 Mind’s Story-Making vs Witnessing: Grasping, Aversion, and Waves Passing Through

30:18 Groundlessness & Ultimate Truth: Returning to What We Are

32:00 The “Landing Pad”: Unconditioned Awareness as the Base

34:08 Starter vs Main Course: Letting Experience Move Through You

37:02 Macbeth, Despair, and Finding the Ground Beneath the “Sound and Fury”

40:32 Post-Awakening Reality Check: Emotions Don’t Disappear

41:49 Why the Ground Makes Healing Possible (and the Hand Analogy Explained)

44:14 Healing Is Reachable: Safety, Integration, and Trauma Unraveling

46:23 When Pain Becomes Identity: The MS Patient Story

49:30 Dave’s Lived-Experience Work & Dropping the Trauma “Performance”

54:40 Dave’s Childhood & Awakening Turning Point (High-Level Story)

59:27 Wrap-Up: Keep Doing the Work + Where to Find Dave

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Embracing Discomfort: The Practice of Tonglen and Pema Chödrön's Teachings

In this episode of Letters to the Sky, Stephan and Adam delve into the transformative teachings of Pema Chödrön's book, 'Comfortable with Uncertainty.' They explore the profound practice of Tonglen and how it serves as a tool for spiritual awakening and a deepening connection to all beings. With heartfelt reflections and guided meditations, they discuss the existential discomfort inherent in being human and the importance of equanimity in facing life's challenges. Join them for a meaningful conversation that touches on the core of waking up and embracing the full spectrum of human experience.

Correction: Ani Pema is American-born.

00:47 Discussing Pema Chödrön's Comfortable with Uncertainty

02:41 Exploring Lojong and Mind Training

08:45 Understanding Tonglen Practice

19:04 The Path of the Bodhisattva

29:32 Understanding Resistance and Ego

29:51 Meditation and Letting Go

30:58 Weather as a Metaphor for Life

32:24 The Illusion of Perfection

33:59 Exploring the Six Realms of Being

37:14 Heaven and Hell: A Zen Perspective

41:27 Practicing Tonglen Meditation

50:15 Personal Reflections on Tonglen

55:07 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

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In this special episode, Adam takes the spotlight as Stephan interviews him about his newly published book, 'Love Does Not Know Death.' 

The conversation delves deep into Adam's unique perspective as a neurocritical care doctor who has seen countless patients at the end of their lives. They discuss the inspiration behind the book, touching on themes of spiritual transformation, the physical and emotional aspects of dying, and the profound insights that have come not only to Adam in his practice, but to the patients themselves as they reach the end of their lives. 

Stephan and Adam also explore the challenging yet rewarding process of writing the book, offering a glimpse into Adam's own spiritual journey and how he uses storytelling to convey powerful truths. An enlightening discussion for anyone intrigued by the intersections of medicine, spirituality, and the human experience of death.

Here's a link to purchase your own copy of Adam's book: https://a.co/d/5FZ6r7e

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:49 Adam's New Book: Love Does Not Know Death

04:30 The Journey of Writing a Book

05:24 A Memorable Patient Story

09:44 Lessons from Death and Forgiveness

14:02 Challenges in Healthcare and Healing

19:10 The Deeper Meaning of Healing

23:10 Facing Mortality and Embracing Life

31:09 Embracing the Messiness of Terminal Diagnoses

33:03 Healthy Responses to Death

34:35 Guilt and Burden in Facing Death

37:40 The Power of Self-Love in Facing Death

38:45 The Transformative Process of Writing

45:24 Insights on Writing and Creativity

53:55 Conclusion

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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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Copyright 2026 by Letters to the Sky