Deep Transformation

Ep. 235 | In the 18th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali delves into the fascinating subject of how the physical world is related to the absolute. From a nondual perspective, reality includes the physical world, he explains; the world cannot be reduced to an illusion. Material reality is every bit as compelling as the spiritual perspective, he continues. How we perceive it depends on where we find our stance, what we are immersed in—in the formless or the world of form. Hameed recognizes and honors physical reality, while describing material objects as expressions, or glimmerings, of the ground of being—the physical and the ground of being inseparable, whether pure presence or pure emptiness.And how does the relationship between creator and creation relate to the individual? Hameed presents his mystical theology: a triadic reality formed by God, the individual, and the physical world, where each maintains its own truth. Because the absolute is inherently not self-aware, it needs an individual to become aware of itself, he explains. We are its “knowing instruments.” Hameed’s mystical theology, establishing the relationship between the human being, the world, and God, or true nature, is both elevating and grounding, enlightening and somehow comforting. The essential puzzle pieces of reality fitted together, creating unity. From atoms and quarks to what happens after death and how all dimensions can possibly exist in exquisite harmony when there is so much disharmony in the world, this conversation is far ranging, stimulating, and punctuated with laughter, as Hameed, Roger, and John continue to explore The Inner Journey Home. Recorded May 14, 2026.“When we experience the absolute, we see it as the truth of everything, the nature of everything—all are glimmerings of the absolute.”Topics & Time StampsIntroducing dialogue #18 in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, an exploration of the chapter titled “Reality” in Hameed’s magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home (00:49)Hameed explains how the Path of Love Series relates to the The Inner Journey Home/Wisdom Series (04:51)Seeing the physical world from the perspective of the absolute (06:10)Why do we experience the world as so very solid? (09:28)From the absolute perspective, material objects are glimmerings of the ground of being (11:49)From the scientific perspective, the physical world is “rock-level real” (14:45)The physical world should not be reduced to an illusion; it has properties that cannot be denied (18:13)In the physical world, death means no longer alive; spiritually, death is a transformation (21:50)Does the individual soul continue after death? (25:04)Why isn’t everyone awakened if we’re all part of the absolute? (26:40)Standing in the absolute, all dimensions are inseparable, existing in exquisite harmony, but this does not negate people’s experience of disharmony (30:38)The absolute is inherently not self-aware, that’s why it needs an individual to become aware of itself (32:56)The divine coma is the entry to the absolute (35:38)The relationship between the human being, the world, and God (38:59)Is there a personal God? (41:47)You can be an individual without being separate (47:33)God fulfillment & soul fulfillment are one and the same (50:36)The concept of service has many stages (52:57)Hameed’s mystical theology: a triadic reality, each with its own truth (57:06)The dimension of energy (01:04:26)Reality appears differently from different perspectives; this teaching is from the nondual perspective (01:06:10)Dzogchen & Hameed both give an inherent meaning to life; traditions espousing illusion do not (01:09:19)Individual creativity gives voice to the creativity of the universe (01:12:24)Resources & ReferencesA. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of The Diamond ApproachA. H. Almaas, The Inner Journey Home: Soul’s Realization of the Unity of RealityAdvaita VedantaSri Nisargadatta Maharaj, I Am That Beginning of a famous Hadith Qudsi: “I was a hidden treasure and wanted to be known…”Sufi master Ibn Arabi, “God needs a soul just as much as a soul needs God.”A. H. Almaas, The Pearl Beyond Price: Integration of Personality into Being: An Object Relations ApproachThe Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, Deep Transformation podcast seriesMeister Eckhart, German Catholic priest, theologian, philosopher & mysticRamana Maharshi, Hindu sage and liberated beingLongchenpa, Dzogchen poet---The A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series generally follows the sequence of Hameed’s magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home (which John describes as psychoactive and spiritually, psychologically, and intellectually transformative), so listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this exhilarating path of awakening.---Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation ListenersIf you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed’s team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/. And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign up.---Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general.Hameed’s process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the Enneagram: How to Unlock the Highest Potential of Every Personality Type, The Unfolding...

Ep. 221 (Part 1 of 2) | Deep Transformation is excited to release the first episode in our new Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, in honor and celebration of Hameed Ali’s latest book, The Inner Beloved. The series begins with Hameed sharing his motivation for writing all three of the books in his Love Trilogy (Love Unveiled, Nondual Love, The Inner Beloved), namely, when he realized his prior books had omitted to teach specifically about the role of love on the spiritual path. Love is the energy, the driving force toward union with our inner nature, Hameed explains, and it is love that dissolves the obstacles that remain towards the end of the path. It is the path of heart that gets you all the way.Hameed orients us with an overview of the Diamond Approach’s experiential path of love, gifting us with some tremendous teachings on love as a prelude to delving deeply into his newest book, The Inner Beloved. When asked, What is the inner beloved? he responds, The beloved is not just love. Love serves the beloved, love is the way to the beloved. The inner beloved is what our deepest heart longs for. The path of the heart is painful at times, he continues, because we feel separate from what we yearn to become one with. At the end of the dialogue, Hameed shares that with his path of love teachings, he wants us to know there is a way to address our longing, our yearning. There is a way for it to complete itself, he assures us. Recorded December 11, 2025.“The beloved is the deepest nondual truth you can experience.”Topics &amp; Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing A. H. Almaas and his trilogy of books on love: Love Unveiled, Nondual Love, and The Inner Beloved (00:48)Hameed’s motivation to write about love came when he realized his prior books had omitted teaching about the role of love on the spiritual path (04:27)The first book in the trilogy, Love Unveiled, talks about 3 kinds of love important in human life and in spiritual practice (07:01)The second book, Nondual Love, talks about the boundless dimension of universal love (09:05)The third book, The Inner Beloved, is about the path of love—the movement toward our fundamental nature through the heart (10:59)Roger points out that Hameed’s teachings on love go far beyond other spiritual teachings (12:20)The beloved is not just love: love serves the beloved, love is the way to the beloved (13:35)We all have 3 centers of operation: head, heart &amp; belly—each one is a spiritual brain of its own (16:24)Love is the most explicit motivator for the spiritual journey (18:08)The Diamond Approach is not about being liberated or free from suffering, it’s about loving to know the truth (20:40)The path of the heart is painful because we feel separate from what we yearn to become one with (24:13)Emptying the heart of all other loves (26:01)The inner beloved is the most jealous of beloveds (30:21)Was there a certain point of surrender for Hameed? (33:04)Love’s function is to move us towards the inner beloved (35:55)(For fans of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, the Wisdom Series, based on Hameed’s book The Inner Journey Home, will be continued later in the spring.)Resources &amp; References – Part 1A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series on Deep Transformation, based on Hameed’s book The Inner Journey HomeA. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart's Journey to Divine UnityA. H. Almaas, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened HeartA. H. Almaas, Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of RealityA. H. Almaas, The Point of Existence: Transformations of Narcissism in Self-RealizationA. H. Almaas, The Pearl Beyond Price: Integration of Personality into Being: An Object Relations ApproachA. H. Almaas, The Void: Inner Spaciousness and Ego StructureRam Dass, renowned spiritual teacher, psychologist, and authorBhakti, a concept common in Indian religions, may refer to loving devotion for a personal God, a formless ultimate reality, or an enlightened beingSri Ramana Maharshi, Who Am I?Kabir, Indian mystic and poet---Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general.Hameed’s process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the Enneagram: How to Unlock the Highest Potential of Every Personality Type, The Unfolding Now: Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence, and more.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by <a

Ep. 219 (Part 1 of 2) | Constitutional Law expert and Ethics professor Mark Fischler joins Deep Transformation again, to help us make sense of the slide towards authoritarianism happening in the United States today. Mark’s vast knowledge of the law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court, his deep comprehension of ethics and morality, his Integral understanding, and his profound contemplative awareness all make for an extraordinary exploration of what is going on in this country at levels we don’t often consider. Beginning with examples of events in 2025 that are representative of various facets of authoritarianism, Mark goes on to discuss how the very crassness of the current Administration is undermining democracy: “We need to demand civil, fact-based discussion from our leaders, but we’re all accepting it’s okay to act like toddlers and dehumanize each other.”Mark cites some stunning figures illustrating the widespread ignorance of democratic processes and institutions among the populace in this country, and describes why a lack of civic understanding makes us susceptible to authoritarians coming in and taking over. He also acknowledges that progressives are at fault for marginalizing conservatives, and calls on us to recognize the honor and dignity of all people, regardless of their politics—this is part of the solution, he explains. Mark’s passionate caring, wanting the best for all people and all beings, is a current that flows throughout, grounding the discussion in a beautiful way, while also making for a heartbreaking contrast relative to the chilling events happening in the political arena now. Recorded December 4, 2025.“An ignorant people can never remain a free people.” – Thomas JeffersonTopics &amp; Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing a frequent guest on Deep Transformation: Ethics, Law &amp; Criminal Justice professor Mark Fischler, to help us make sense of our deteriorating democracy (00:43)The trajectory of Trump’s presidency: the devolution of democracy towards authoritarian government (01:51)John presents defining characteristics of fascism according to A. I. (04:01)How does Mark define authoritarianism? (07:24)Mark offers examples of 12 hallmarks of authoritarian government that happened in 2025, beginning with the stifling of dissent and speech (08:12)Statistics on how U.S. citizens feel our democracy is performing (16:51)What surprises Mark the most? The crassness &amp; crudeness of the Trump Administration (18:15) The deterioration in the greater culture at large: who and what is responsible? (21:19)Deflecting our attention using whataboutism breeds cynicism &amp; corrodes our democracy (24:45)We need to demand civil, fact-based discussion from our leaders, but we’re all accepting it’s okay to act like toddlers and dehumanize each other (30:00)Recognizing the humanity &amp; inner dignity of everyone is part of the solution (31:16)Progressives on their side are at fault for marginalizing conservatives (33:38)The red meme mentality (Spiral Dynamics) that is taking place (39:24)Why pervasive civic ignorance in the U.S. is a very significant problem (41:57)Resources &amp; References – Part 1Professor Mark Fischler, Plymouth State UniversityThe Integral Justice Warrior series, co-hosted by Mark Fischler and Corey deVos (Integral Life website)NY Times Editorial Board, Are We Losing Our Democracy? (Oct 2025)Judge Michael Luttig, President for Life (The Atlantic, Dec 2025)Tom Nichols, A Confederacy of Toddlers (The Atlantic, Nov 2025)Supreme Court Justice David SouterKen Wilber’s prime directive: protect and promote the well-being of the whole developmental spiral of consciousness, rather than privileging just one level or worldview, A Theory of EverythingMona Charon, Whataboutism Is Rotting Our Brains, Our Consciences, and Our Politics (The Bulwark, June 2025)David Brooks, What if We’re the Bad Guys Here? (NY Times Opinion, Aug 2023)Don Beck &amp; Christopher Cowan, Spiral Dynamics, Mastering Values, Leadership and ChangeKen Wilber, BoomeritisJustice David Souter’s speech at UNH’s Franklin Pierce School of Law: Constitutionally Speaking: How Does The Constitution Keep Up With The Times---Mark Fischler is a professor of Ethics, Constitutional Law, and Criminal Procedure at Plymouth State University. Prior to joining the Plymouth State faculty, he practiced law, representing poor criminal defendants for the New Hampshire Public Defender’s Office. Mark left the law after being guided by the Universe to focus on his Spiritual Awareness for almost two years. Upon his return, he was called to become a teacher and accepted a job at Plymouth State in 2003. Since then, Mark has worked extensively with alternative theoretical models in law, constitutional law, and higher education, and has published on integral applications to teaching, being a lawyer, and legal theory. In his time at the university, he’s been a chair, Dean, and Interim VP. His focus in the classroom is ethics and criminal procedure and constitutional law. He is well respected for a teaching...

Ep. 217 (Part 1 of 2) | In the 17th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali explores the classic spiritual theme: the journey of descent. What happens after we awaken, having had a realization of the deepest kind? The path of descent, where we retain the awareness of what came with our experience of the absolute, and bring it into our life, expressing it with every aspect of our being. Many teachings talk about the ascent (the journey of awakening) and the descent, Hameed explains, but when they talk about the descent, they interpret it as an individual coming down the mountain with their great realization. Hameed thought this was how it happened too, he laughs. But then it became clear to him following his own descent that it is not an enlightened individual who descends back into the world—it’s the absolute. In Christian terms, it’s the father who comes, appearing as the son.What was it like for Hameed as he descended, living in the absolute dimension at the same time as living in the everyday world? co-host John Dupuy asks. Something transcendent lives through the body with the individual as the organ of perception, Hameed responds. “The entire universe becomes subtle shimmerings…like the waves in quantum theory; the blackness so extreme that it shines—and that sheen is the world.” Different from the classic Eastern spiritual path, where what is significant is living the transcendent rather than living regular life, in the Diamond Approach (Hameed’s path), actualization is the goal, coming back to the everyday world and living life as an expression of the Absolute. Recorded November 13, 2025.“It is inherent to true nature for it to be lived in the world.”Topics &amp; Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the 17th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, focusing on the journey of descent: actualizing the realization of the absolute (00:39)The path begins with the journey of ascent, then comes realization, then the path of descent: actualization, living your realization (04:46)Being in the world and not of it is an important principle of the Diamond Approach (06:44)What was it like for Hameed as he descended, living in the absolute dimension and the everyday world simultaneously? (08:17)It’s not the individual who descends but the Absolute (14:45)Differentiating from the Eastern spiritual path, where what’s important is living the transcendent rather than living life (19:33)Are there obstacles to the descent? (20:44)In descent, the entire universe becomes subtle shimmerings… like the waves in quantum theory (25:04)Something transcendent lives through the body; the individual is the organ of perception (27:06)Hameed was already a spiritual teacher, sharing about the journey of ascent, before he experienced the journey of descent (29:49)Can a person experience a series of cycles of ascent and descent? (31:06)In Christian language, the descent is the father coming into this world, appearing as the son (33:14) Authenticity: the practice is to be your experience, abide in it, and let it reveal its truth (34:29)The quintessence is the full integration of all the dimensions (36:13)The absence of substance is what gives the Absolute its power (37:46)Resources &amp; References – Part 1A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of The Diamond ApproachA. H. Almaas, The Inner Journey Home: Soul’s Realization of the Unity of RealityRamana Maharshi, Hindu sage and liberated beingCynthia Bourgeault, modern-day mystic, author, retreat leaderSri Nisargadatta MaharajArnold Toynbee’s cycle of withdrawal and return, A Study of HistoryDzogchenMahamudraDharmakāyaThe A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series will generally follow the sequence of Hameed’s magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home (which John describes as psychoactive and spiritually, psychologically, and intellectually transformative), so listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this exhilarating path of awakening.---Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general.Hameed’s process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the Enneagram: How to Unlock the Highest Potential of Every Personality Type, The Unfolding Now: Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence, and more.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 215 (Part 1 of 2) | The first of Deep Transformation’s What is Real Greatness Series, this conversation with world-renowned meditation teacher Jack Kornfield is filled with beautiful teachings touching into the sacred at the heart of our lives and the point of our whole spiritual journey: to remember and embody our innate capacity to awaken and experience the reality of our own innate dignity and nobility. Respecting ourselves at the deepest level is what transforms us and transforms society too, Jack explains. “Do you hold yourself with nobility and respect?” he asks. “Can you remember your own beauty and dignity? Can you see it in others?”The topic of greatness—real greatness—is woven throughout the dialogue, as Jack recounts the seed events of his own spiritual journey and ruminates on Roger’s question, what is the sacred question at the center of your life? This is a question Jack often asks his own students, and we are inspired to ponder it for ourselves, along with, if you were to write your own bodhisattva vow, what would it be? Jack is a master at inspiring us to live our ideals, to broaden the possibilities of our lives, and to remember the miracle of our existence. A warmly personal, deeply profound discussion. Recorded October 2, 2025.“The beautiful thing about the bodhisattva ideal is that it becomes your intention… it becomes the setting of the compass of your heart.”Topics &amp; Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing the first of Deep Transformation’s What is Real Greatness? series (00:38)Introducing renowned meditation teacher, prolific author, and clinical psychologist Jack Kornfield (03:09)In discussing real greatness, Jack advises not to throw out money &amp; power as being unworthy (04:47)The story of Emperor Ashoka, who shifted from seeking outer greatness to seeking inner greatness: peace of mind and heart (07:49)How the Buddha turned the Hindu caste system on its head, honoring young monks for their innate nobility (13:17)Can you remember your own beauty &amp; dignity? Can you see it in others? (16:19)Each of us has a sacred question at the center of our lives, what’s been Jack’s? (17:30)Jack’s first draw to Buddhism: suffering and the relief from suffering (21:08)The seeds of our sacred journeys: the path doesn’t go from here to there but from there to here (24:15)It’s completely weird that we exist! (25:40)King Ashoka &amp; other historical figures, good candidates for the What is Real Greatness Series (27:13)Do we ask ourselves, “How do I live?” (28:28)The beautiful thing about the bodhisattva ideal is that it becomes the setting of the compass of your heart (31:32)The prayer with which the Dalai Lama begins his day (36:37)Ideals illuminate the possibilities of how we might live (38:39)If you were to write your own bodhisattva vow… what would it be? (40:47)Sometimes it’s suffering and sometimes it’s an awakening experience that draws us to spirituality (44:28)Jane Goodall, interspecies bodhisattva, and the story of Joanna Macy’s wake (47:37)Resources &amp; References – Part 1Jack Kornfield, founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center and the Insight Meditation Society Mind &amp; Life Institute, bringing science &amp; contemplative wisdom together to better understand the mind and create positive change in the worldJack Kornfield, A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual LifeJack Kornfield, The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist PsychologyJack Kornfield, No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You AreEmperor Ashoka the Great is credited with an important role in spreading Buddhism across ancient AsiaDr. Wing-tsit Chan, Chinese scholar and professorT. S. Eliot, “…the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time, ” from Eliot’s 1942 poem “Little Gidding”Meditations of Marcus AureliusShantideva, 8th-century CE Indian philosopher, Buddhist monk, poet &amp; scholarDiane Ackerman’s poem “School Prayer,” “In the name of daybreak… I offer myself humbly as a guardian of nature…”The Sufi tradition of SohbetTrudy Goodman, founding teacher of InsightLA and co-founder of the Institute for Meditation and PsychotherapyRemembering Jane GoodallJoanna Macy, beloved environmental activist, author &amp; scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep...

Ep. 213 (Part 1 of 2) | The 16th dialogue of the&nbsp;A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series&nbsp;is about the absolute, the source dimension of all manifestation, deeper than any other dimension, the vastness beyond vastness. In Part 1, Hameed gives a wonderful description of the majesty and the blackness of the absolute, and tells the story of when he first experienced being one with the absolute himself. When Roger Walsh asks him, what are the doorways to the absolute, Hameed talks about mystical poverty and also the way of the heart. “When the true beloved shines through the heart, it’s an amazing ecstasy… a mindblowing kind of beauty,” he says. He discusses the fear people often feel as they approach cessation of all perception, and the need for the basic trust we were born with (which often gets clobbered as we grow up) to proceed. What changes after an experience of the absolute? John Dupuy asks. If one abides in this realization, it cleanses the soul of all impurities, and our action embodies the virtues, Hameed answers.In Part 2, which will be released December 25th, Hameed delves into the paradox of the absolute (the absolute is the elimination, the annihilation, the cessation of all things—and the source of all things), the nonduality of emptiness and awareness, and explains that mystery is the essence of the absolute: the absolute IS mystery, he says. There is laughter all around when Hameed says you can never completely “get” it, because there’s nothing there to get! Your mind disappears as you’re trying to get it. Towards the end, the conversation relaxes so deeply into the subject of the absolute, you can just about feel its presence. We become intimate with everything in the absolute, Hameed says. It is the soul’s final resting place, our true home, where the search ends. Recorded October 9, 2025.“The absolute itself is majesty, and the universe that emerges is beauty.”Topics &amp; Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing dialogue #16 in the&nbsp;A.H. Almaas Wisdom Series, focusing on the source dimension, the apex of Hameed’s book&nbsp;The Inner Journey Home&nbsp;(00:41)“By simply witnessing the process of manifestation… the soul experiences itself as a vast silent witness… discovering a dimension deeper than any other, the absolute” (02:18)Being the absolute, one experiences an emptiness so empty there is no sensation (05:29)Cessation of perception, as the Buddha called it, was exactly Hameed’s experience (09:57)Neglected teachings of Nisargadatta: awareness that is not aware of itself can be experienced as “rock-like” (11:26)The story of Hameed’s first experience of the absolute (15:19)Is the absolute the destination?&nbsp;What is cessation? Is it the same as the absolute?&nbsp;(16:47)What changes after an experience of the absolute? (21:00)&nbsp;The absolute is majesty, the universe that emerges is beauty (23:18)The flowering of virtues follows true realization&nbsp;(24:24)The spiritual path has two sides: knowing who you are and living it (26:03)Moving towards cessation, people feel terror (26:53)Trust is essential; the more we are loved as an infant, the more we trust (28:25)What are the doorways into the realization of the absolute? (32:02)Mystical poverty is one doorway; the recognition&nbsp;that the soul has nothing of its own—it all comes from the Source (35:29)There is also the way of the heart, finding the true beloved within (38:03)Resources &amp; References – Part 1A. H. Almaas&nbsp;(Hameed Ali), founder of&nbsp;The Ridhwan School,&nbsp;home of&nbsp;The Diamond ApproachA. H. Almaas,&nbsp;The Inner Journey Home: Soul’s Realization of the Unity of RealityA. H. Almaas,&nbsp;The Inner Beloved: The Heart’s Journey to Divine UnityRamana Maharshi, Hindu sage and liberated beingDzogchen’s&nbsp;dharmakāyaThe black light in Sufism (see Henry Corbin’s&nbsp;The Man of Light in Iranian Sufism&nbsp;and others)Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj,&nbsp;I Am That, “I am rock-like; awareness that is not aware of itself”Advaita VedantaSt. John of the Cross talks about black light in&nbsp;The Dark Night of the SoulErik Erikson,&nbsp;Childhood and Society : The Landmark Work on the Social Significance of ChildhoodIbn Arabi, Sufi mystic, poet, philosopher, “… look for me in the heart of my lovers”The A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series will generally follow the sequence of Hameed’s magnum opus,&nbsp;The Inner Journey Home&nbsp;(which John describes as psychoactive and spiritually, psychologically, and intellectually transformative), so listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this exhilarating path of awakening.---Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas)&nbsp;was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general.Hameed’s process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including&nbsp;Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality,&nbsp;Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the Enneagram: How to Unlock the Highest Potential of Every Personality Type, The Unfolding Now: Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence, and more.&nbsp;---Podcast produced by...

Ep. 211 (Part 1 of 2) | Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo are not only the founders of the longstanding and highly regarded Science &amp; Nonduality Conference (SAND), but also brilliant filmmakers, producing stunning documentaries about the injustice and suffering occurring in Palestine and elsewhere, as well as films that feature the eternal wisdom of elders from Indigenous communities around the world. Zaya and Maurizio are clearly passionate about their work, and co-host Roger Walsh points out they do a beautiful job of intertwining the personal, professional, and spiritual into an offering that meets the needs of our time. As Maurizio says, “There is no spiritual work. Period. Everything is spiritual work! It’s life.”In Part 1 of this episode, lively and inspired, Zaya and Maurizio share what they’ve learned about life, spirituality, trauma, healing, guidance, and the deep-time perspective of the Maori. They relate the trajectory of SAND’s evolution from featuring male-dominated nondual teachings to including an understanding of trauma, somatic healing, feminine, earth-oriented teachings, and Indigenous wisdom. “Healing never ends; it’s a lifelong journey—there’s no modern solution that will ‘fix’ you,” Zaya tells us. Also, “We are constantly being guided if we just listen.”In Part 2, Zaya and Maurizio describe the making of their 2021 documentary about the tragic mistreatment of Palestinians in the West Bank, a beautiful, heartbreaking film called&nbsp;Where Olive Trees Weep. Also their film&nbsp;The Eternal Song, an ongoing project to bring forth Indigenous teachings, so valuable and timely for us now in our chaotic, disconnected world. This whole conversation is thought provoking, delightful, profound, paradigm shifting, and inspiring all at once. Recorded October 16, 2025.“There is no spiritual work without trauma work.”Topics &amp; Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing Zaya &amp; Maurizio Benazzo, documentary filmmakers &amp; founders of the Science &amp; Nonduality Conference (SAND) (00:57)Tracing the trajectory of Zaya &amp; Maurizio’s work, beginning in India (02:24)What was Nisargadatta Maharaj’s legacy? (03:47)Putting science and mystics together: the seed that created SAND (06:35)How SAND evolved from male-dominated nondual teachings to include the body, an understanding of trauma, and female &amp; Indigenous teachers (08:18)Feminizing spiritual teachings: women mystics &amp; their connection with the Earth (12:38)SAND focuses on educating the audience to be open, ask good questions, rather than uplifting particular teachers (16:09)How the film&nbsp;The Wisdom of Trauma&nbsp;with Gabor Maté went viral (20:08)All of life is spiritual work, and there’s no spiritual work without trauma work, but spiritual bypassing was very real at SAND (24:13)With Maté’s understanding about trauma, people find they’re not alone and they don’t need to “fix” the pain&nbsp;(26:39)Healing is a lifelong journey; trauma is systemic and intergenerational (32:08)The deep-time perspective and how the Maori trace their ancestors back to the stars (33:22)Indigenous teachers say we heal backwards and we heal forwards; nothing is individual, we are all interconnected (34:54)Now is the time for the Long Dark, not the time for the search for the light (38:52)We are all here for a purpose, and we are constantly being guided if we just listen (42:31)The suffering of today’s youth, isolated and without elders (45:00)Resources &amp; References – Part 1Zaya &amp; Maurizio Benazzo, founders of the&nbsp;Science &amp; Nonduality ConferenceZaya &amp; Maurizio’s first movie together:&nbsp;The Rays of the Absolute: The Legacy of Sri Nisargadatta MaharajSri Nisargadatta Maharaj,&nbsp;I Am ThatDr. Gabor Maté,&nbsp;The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic CultureThe&nbsp;A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series&nbsp;(on the Deep Transformation podcast)The Wisdom of Trauma featuring Gabor Maté, produced by Zaya &amp; Maurizio BenazzoMauri: The Vital Essence of All Beings, produced by Zaya &amp; Maurizio BenazzoFrancis Weller: The Long Dark&nbsp;(YouTube video)Arnold Toynbee,&nbsp;A Study of History&nbsp;(the cycle of withdrawal and return)Where Olive Trees Weep, produced by Zaya &amp; Maurizio Benazzo---Maurizio and Zaya Benazzo&nbsp;merged their lifelong passions for science and mysticism when they met in 2007, and their first project together was filming the documentary&nbsp;Rays of the Absolute&nbsp;on the life and teachings of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. This project sparked their next level of creation and collaboration: SAND, a global community inspired by the timeless wisdom traditions, informed by modern science, and grounded in direct experience.&nbsp;Together they have produced and directed several award-winning documentaries including&nbsp;The Wisdom of Trauma,&nbsp;The Art of Life,&nbsp;Rays of the Absolute,&nbsp;Where Olive Trees Weep,&nbsp;Mauri,&nbsp;and&nbsp;If an Owl Calls Your Name.&nbsp;Zaya and Maurizio live, work, and play on the unceded ancestral lands of the Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo people, in Sebastopol, California.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos&nbsp;and Show Notes by&nbsp;Heidi Mitchell