Meditation Changes Everything

“Awakening is the discovery of consciousness without limits, of a self without limits. It's the discovery that what we are is much vaster than our mind can contain. So if we're attached to a small little story of self that we're invested in maintaining, there's no room and there's no way for us to really open to and let go into the enormity of the super consciousness that is our true nature.”
—Craig Hamilton

This episode is the first in our "Obstacles to Awakening" series, where we explore the most common challenges to deep meditation and how to overcome them. Craig begins by diving into what many view as the greatest barrier on the spiritual path—the human ego.

We’ve all heard that having a healthy, strong ego is essential for living a productive, fulfilling life. So, why, then, does the ego get such a bad rap when it comes to our spiritual path?

In this episode, Craig offers practical insights into how our attachment to self-image can hinder our growth, awakening, and even our perception of reality. Tune in to learn how to move beyond this internal obstacle and discover new ways to deepen your meditation practice and spiritual journey.

If today’s episode has you curious about what you can do to break free from the grip of the ego, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called: The Key to Evolving Beyond Ego — How to Make the Change that Changes Everything. In this workshop, he'll share essential tools and practices that have helped thousands make the leap out of ego and into the kind of spiritual life they’ve always sensed is possible. Register for free at: evolvebeyondego.com.
https://evolvingwisdom.com/ie/global/integralenlightenment/free-online-class/

“When we're in touch with the higher spiritual potential of our lives, it’s natural that we want to express that potential as fully as we possibly can. We’re no longer worried about what that will demand from us or what others will think about us. Our heart is now yoked to this greater possibility that we’re called to realize. We’re awake to the great mystery of universal consciousness and that is going through a process of higher evolution that we have to participate in to be true to it.”
—Craig Hamilton

Most of us are on the spiritual path not just to feel differently but to show up differently in the world. So, what does spiritual awakening really look like in a human life?

In this episode, Craig explores the concrete ways in which meditation and spiritual awakening can transform our everyday lives beyond the inner experiences of peace, clarity, or love. While those moments are inspiring, the real transformation happens when awakened consciousness influences how we show up in the world. 

Craig discusses how meditation can be a powerful tool for unlocking enlightened qualities like strength, wisdom, and courage, shaping the way we handle life’s challenges. 

Tune in to “A Transformed Life: Meditation as a Catalyst for Exponential Growth” to learn how spiritual awakening can revolutionize your everyday life.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s approach to meditation, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at: FreeMeditationWorkshop.com

Spiritual awakening is the discovery of a sacred dimension of our own being that is unconditional, meaning it’s not dependent on something else. We’re discovering that life, existence, our very own being, who we are in our essence is sacred, divine, extraordinary, and beautiful beyond comprehension. When we accept that that’s what this life always already is, it transforms our entire experience of being alive.
—Craig Hamilton

In this episode, Craig dives deep into the true meaning of happiness. Our happiness usually seems to fluctuate depending on our circumstances or how we feel. But what if genuine happiness didn’t depend on anything outside of us? 

Imagine being so deeply aligned with the fundamental "Yes" at the heart of life that nothing could overshadow your profound sense of well-being. This radical possibility, which Craig refers to as “unconditional happiness,” is the essence of true spiritual freedom. He explores this concept, showing how meditation can help us move beyond the fleeting highs and lows of conditional happiness into a stable awareness of the inherent goodness of life itself.

Toward the end of the episode, Craig guides you through a short meditation, helping you to step directly into this experience and align with the deeper truth of spiritual freedom through your practice.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s approach to meditation, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at: FreeMeditationWorkshop.com

Non-dual spiritual practice and non-dual spiritual awakening isn’t only about coming to know awareness or consciousness in its pure form. That’s just the first step. Ultimately, real non-dual practice and non-dual awakening is a practice of recognizing that everything that arises in your meditation is equally an expression of that sacred essence. Everything that arises in your meditation is already enlightened. It’s a manifestation of the enlightened mind.
—Craig Hamilton

In “Beyond Duality: Seeing the Sacred in Everything,” Craig takes us on a journey into the heart of spiritual awakening—the realization that the sacred is always present, not just in extraordinary moments, but in every moment.

Many of us have glimpsed a sublime, sacred dimension of being, only to feel it slip away in the rush of everyday life. These extraordinary moments often seem distant from the ordinariness of our daily routines. However, as we deepen our meditation practice, we begin to realize that even the most mundane aspects of our experience are infused with that same sublime essence.

In this episode, Craig guides us in understanding that this realization—known as “nonduality”—is not something we stumble upon by chance. Through a specific set of practices, we come to see that every experience can be a gateway to the infinite, revealing the sacred essence that is always present in every moment.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s approach to meditation, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at: FreeMeditationWorkshop.com

Discover More about Craig’s Awakened Life Membership Program
https://craighamiltonglobal.com/awakened-life/

“Emptiness doesn’t mean there’s not a self. It doesn’t mean you’re not a person. It’s the discovery that what we really are is an interdependent web of complex processes that arise in our body, in our emotional being, in our minds and in the cultural patterns in which we are enmeshed. We tend to experience ourselves as a solid, stable, independent self. But the practice of emptiness shows us that we are part of a much greater process of interdependencies that are constantly changing, moving, evolving into something new.”
—Craig Hamilton

In “The Practice of Emptiness: Dissolving the Illusion of Solidity,” Craig explores the spiritual practice of Emptiness, examining its ancient wisdom and contemporary relevance to enrich both meditation and everyday life.
The concept of emptying out or becoming empty of self finds its origins in Christianity and Buddhism. Yet for many of us today, the idea of Emptiness might initially seem unappealing, conjuring images of a cold, meaningless void. However, in this episode, Craig dispels these misconceptions and emphasizes that the true essence of Emptiness is far from nihilistic or devoid of significance.

When properly engaged, the authentic practice of Emptiness serves as a powerful tool for breaking down our thought structures and dissolving their illusion of solidity. This act of emptying out creates a sacred space within, making way for an overflowing sense of fullness, depth, and sacredness to emerge. Through this practice, we can connect more deeply with our spiritual selves and the world around us.

This episode includes a guided meditation exploring this technique, so we encourage you to find a time to listen when you won’t be interrupted.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s approach to meditation, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at: FreeMeditationWorkshop.com

Discover More about Craig’s Awakened Life Membership Program
https://craighamiltonglobal.com/awakened-life/

Awakened consciousness is none other than our own true nature. It’s never anywhere but right here. You can’t get to it somewhere in the future.  The part of you that imagines it’s somewhere in the future will never be ready for it. So, let all of that go and give yourself to your meditation always with the fundamental position that this is it. This is the moment of awakening.
—Craig Hamilton

In this episode, Craig explores one of the great paradoxes of the spiritual path.
While spiritual practices like meditation can help prepare us for awakening, true awakening is about recognizing that the essence of who and what we are is already enlightened.

Craig explains how this transformative realization can shift your relationship to spiritual practice, allowing you to stop pushing your awakening into the future and embrace your true nature in the present moment, right now.

To access the full transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the episode page on https://www.MeditationChangesEverything.com.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s approach to meditation, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at: FreeMeditationWorkshop.com

This is a concentration practice that you can have in your spiritual toolkit for when you're in a period of intense distraction with a lot on your mind. If you ever have difficulty staying focused during meditation, you can turn to this practice to help you deepen your focus, your absorption, your ability to be fully present and focused on the practice. — Craig Hamilton

Welcome to part three in our series on the foundations of meditation!
Many of us struggle with maintaining focus during our meditation practice, leading to inconsistent and frustrating results. This often happens because we skip over the essential foundations that support and shape our meditation.

That’s why Craig is dedicating time to examine these pillars of practice in our “Foundations of Meditation” series.

In "Foundations of Meditation - Part Three: Concentration Practice," Craig explores the importance of developing a reliable concentration practice to support our ability to focus during meditation.

If you ever struggle to stay present and attentive during meditation, you’re not alone. In our world of constant distractions, many of us find it increasingly challenging to give all of our attention to anything.

Concentration is a valuable tool, especially during times of intense distraction or when the mind feels overwhelmed. By incorporating concentration exercises, you can enhance your ability to stay present and fully absorbed in your meditation.

This episode introduces a simple concentration practice that can provide immediate and noticeable improvements in your meditation focus and consistency.

Join Craig and learn why having a reliable concentration practice can be a valuable tool in your spiritual toolkit.

To access the full transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the episode page on https://www.MeditationChangesEverything.com.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s approach to meditation, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at: FreeMeditationWorkshop.com

“When we are on a path of spiritual awakening, we are going to be required at some point to take a leap of faith. The spiritual path is a path of learning to trust in something that we cannot see, that our mind cannot know, that we cannot control. From one point of view, trust and faith are the entire path.”
—Craig Hamilton

In “The Leap of Faith: How Trust Transforms Your Spiritual Path,” Craig explores the concept of trust and the leap of faith often associated with spiritual awakening. The journey of spiritual transformation is closely tied to our ability to trust in a mystery that our minds can never fully grasp. But for many modern seekers, the idea of spiritual faith is laden with skepticism and doubt.

In this episode, Craig examines the fundamental questions: Who or what exactly are we being asked to have faith in? In an unpredictable cosmos, what can we truly trust? He explores what living a life of deep faith and trust looks like in practice and addresses why fear and resistance are natural responses. He also addresses how these emotions play a role in our spiritual journey.

Additionally, Craig shares an approach to meditation practice that can help cultivate the kind of trust and faith that supports a spiritually awakened life in action.

This episode includes a contemplation exercise, which can also be done as a journal exercise, so you may want to have a piece of paper and a pen ready before you tune in.

To access the full transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the episode page on https://www.MeditationChangesEverything.com.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s approach to meditation, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at: FreeMeditationWorkshop.com

“From one point of view, the only reason our thoughts are a distraction in meditation is that we're interested in those thoughts. We're more interested in thought than we are in what's beyond thought. We're more interested in the mind than in discovering who we are beyond the mind. So, the key to liberating ourselves from the prison of the mind is to become genuinely interested in that which is beyond thought entirely. When we fall in love with the unknown, the mystery of awakening will overtake us.”
—Craig Hamilton

Starting a meditation practice often means dealing with an endless stream of thoughts. It can feel almost impossible to break free from this thought stream that seems to dominate both our meditation and our life. We might even see our mind as a wild, unruly animal that needs to be tamed.

But what if there’s a different way to understand our mind and thoughts? One where the endless thought stream no longer captures and dominates our attention.

In “A Mind Like Water,” Craig explores one of the most liberating meditation practices we can undertake: the practice of allowing our mind to flow freely without giving it any attention.

As we awaken, we start to see that thoughts are not reality—they’re just constructs in our mind. When thoughts lose their grip on us, we can let our mind flow like water and allow the thought stream to do what it does.

Maybe you’ve already had a glimpse of what it feels like to have a free, fluid, and flowing mind. In this episode, Craig will demystify that experience and guide you in cultivating a mind like water, creating a completely new—and awakened—relationship to life.

We've also included a 12-minute guided meditation to help you experience this for yourself. Be sure to tune in when you can find a quiet space and won’t be interrupted.

To access the full transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the episode page on https://www.MeditationChangesEverything.com.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s approach to meditation, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at: FreeMeditationWorkshop.com

“When we let go of our attachment to the separate self, we can begin to discover who and what we really are, which is so much bigger, so much deeper, so much more extraordinary than we could have imagined. At that point, a much larger, more meaningful life begins to unfold through us that’s no longer a personal journey of accumulation and achievement. It’s an experience of flowing with and participating in something grand. We discover that we are a fluid, dynamic piece of this much greater unfolding life process, which is the opposite of a materialistic orientation.”
—Craig Hamilton


In this episode, "Freedom from Spiritual Materialism," Craig explores a common hurdle in meditation and spiritual growth: how our natural desire to achieve something through practice—like personal improvement, existential relief, or blissful experiences—can actually block our progress.

True spiritual growth is about letting go, not acquiring more. This can be difficult to accept because it challenges some deeply ingrained ways we relate to life. As spiritual seekers, we aim to awaken and tap into the profound potentials of meditation.

However, we often approach the spiritual path—and life itself—with a tendency to grasp, hold on to, and accumulate experiences for self-enhancement and self-confidence. In doing so, we miss the true essence of spiritual awakening.

So, what's the solution? To reach our deepest spiritual aspirations, we need to approach meditation and spiritual growth differently—essentially 'wanting it without wanting it.' This might sound tricky, but in this episode, Craig shares key insights on how to shift your mindset from one of achievement and acquisition to one of receptivity and surrender. From this subtle shift, the deeper dimensions of meditation and awakening will unfold.

To access the full transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the episode page on https://www.MeditationChangesEverything.com.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s approach to meditation, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at: FreeMeditationWorkshop.com