Meditation Changes Everything

The Paradox of Practice: When Effort Becomes the Obstacle


Listen Later

“From one point of view, spiritual practice is always a postponement of awakening, because awakening is about embracing our true nature exactly as we are right now. Yet, from another point of view, if we don’t practice with intensity, if we don’t undertake a conscious effort to embrace the truth of our inherent freedom, then awakening is probably only going to ever show up in fleeting glimpses because the habit of denying our true nature is so strong.” 
—Craig Hamilton

For so many of us on the spiritual path, practice is everything. We meditate, we cultivate mindfulness, we refine our character—trusting that these efforts will lead us to awakening. And yet, in rare moments of profound clarity, we may glimpse a surprising truth: the very idea that we need to ‘get somewhere’ might be the only thing keeping us from seeing what’s already here.

This episode examines the delicate balance between effort and surrender, discipline and grace, and how to engage in practice without turning awakening into a future goal. Craig shares how we can approach this paradox in a way that makes space for awakening to happen naturally.

He also leads a guided meditation on surrender—an invitation to let go of striving, release resistance, and recognize the profound simplicity of being. Working with this practice offers a deeper understanding of how to embrace meditation while staying rooted in the truth that awakening is always, already here.

To access the full transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the episode page on 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

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

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Meditation Changes EverythingBy Craig Hamilton

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

64 ratings


More shows like Meditation Changes Everything

View all
Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

1,825 Listeners

Buddha at the Gas Pump by Rick Archer

Buddha at the Gas Pump

624 Listeners

The One You Feed by iHeartPodcasts

The One You Feed

2,517 Listeners

Hay House Meditations by Hay House

Hay House Meditations

1,194 Listeners

Untangle by Untangle

Untangle

826 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,573 Listeners

Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

2,404 Listeners

The Awakened Way by Mind Body Spirit.fm

The Awakened Way

243 Listeners

Commune with Jeff Krasno by Commune

Commune with Jeff Krasno

603 Listeners

Angels and Awakening by Julie Jancius: Spiritual Guide, Intuitive Reiki Healer, Psychic Medium, Teacher (God, Intuition, Manifest, Soul, Higher + Highest Self, Spirit Guides, Grief, Consciousness, Life After Death)

Angels and Awakening

1,739 Listeners

Eckhart Tolle: Essential Teachings by Oprah and Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle: Essential Teachings

3,783 Listeners

Michael Singer Podcast by Michael Singer

Michael Singer Podcast

1,310 Listeners

Take Back Your Mind by Michael B. Beckwith

Take Back Your Mind

699 Listeners

Why Isn't Everyone Doing This? with Emily Fletcher by Emily Fletcher

Why Isn't Everyone Doing This? with Emily Fletcher

454 Listeners

The Gary Zukav Podcast by Exploring The New Consciousness

The Gary Zukav Podcast

35 Listeners