29 What’s Really Blocking Your Spiritual Growth? Addictions, Influences & Self-Awareness

Based on Swaminarayan's Vachanamrut, discussion of outside & negative influences on our spirituality, self-awareness & additions. Live 4.22.20230:00 – Gayatri mantra, reading from "Swamini Vato"2:30 – Discernment & awareness of outside influences on our spirituality, example of spiritual influence of Star Wars on culture a (referenced podcast: "New Age Beliefs in Church and Culture: with Marcia Montenegro - The Alisa Childers podcast)4:40 – Story of not hearing lyrics of Ghost song "Square Hammer" about Freemasonry7:28 – Intro to continuing series of educational readings from Vachanamrutam book for serious spiritual seekers (mumukshus)9:34 – Reading Gadhada 1-18 con't from Class 1 (episode 27) 11:27 – Discussion: Easily addicted to Thailand strip clubs & Japanese sex scene, negative outcomes of addictions19:27 – Reading Gadhada 1-18 con't20:03 – Discussion: Removing bad people from congregation/religious group before group is corrupted by bad influence, bad people are persuasive22:33 – Reading Gadhada 1-18 con't23:13 – Discussion: Keeping bad people in congregation/religious group, evil is contagious and often stronger than good25:45 – Reading Gadhada 1-18 con't29:37 – Discussion: Imitation is not successful if we are empty inside, singer mentioned is Leslie DiNicola, letting our outside reflect our inner growth vs imitating on the outside, imitation based on influence of others which changes us on the inside39:26 – Discernment & awareness is important key to spiritual growthThis podcast was a 2025 People's Choice Podcast Award nominee. On Apple Podcasts it's been the #1 most listened to show in the Philippines, and in the top 20 in France, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Israel, Switzerland and Australia.For independent thinkers who’ve outgrown spiritual, cultural and political fluff, and want more out of life than what society often offers. This isn’t about trends, vibes, or blind devotion. Tune into my live show for unfiltered commentary on politics, culture, music, religion, and society from a rational, historical and politically conservative perspective.I’m Aaron Joy in Portland, Maine, USA (also known in spiritual circles as Premanand Das Bhagat). I'm a writer, musician, ultra-runner, and former thespian. Visit my website for my books. I'm also trained as an Integral Vedic Counselor, Certified Spiritual Life Coach and Ayurveda Specialist and follow the spiritual path of Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) of the Ramanuja lineage.Email: [email protected]: https://linktr.ee/aaronmjoyLive show available on YouTube, Bitchute, Rumble, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, allfeeds.ai, Audacy, ca.radio.net, Castbox, Chromecast, Everend, fyyd.de, Goodpods, Listen Notes, Panoply Podcast Network, People Ai, Pocket Casts, Podbay, Podcast Addict, Podcast Ranking, Podcast Republic, Podcastai, Podcast.app, Podchaser, Poddtoppen, Podscan.fm, Podtail, Rephonic, Zeno.FM