Stew Glick: Meditative Inquiry, Stillness, and Oneness

What remains when you question everything? Stillness, says Stew Glick.In this episode of The Spiritual Context Podcast, Stew shares a practice that began with radical questioning—questioning religion, tradition, ritual, belief, hierarchy, labels, and even the sense of being a separate self. Pared down to the essential, his approach is what he calls "wondering": an open, curious awareness that doesn't seek to change experience, improve the self, or arrive anywhere else. Even the impulse to seek becomes something to be seen.Through this wondering, Stew has discovered an ever-present stillness, not separate from the world, but as the ground of all experience.In our conversation, we explore:The experience of stillness and what gets in the wayHow to work with "sticky" thoughts and emotionsThe difference between seeking and open inquiryLiving with the "me-circuit" versus living from awarenessPracticing open inquiry in relationshipsWhat truly matters in our brief time hereThe stillness Stew speaks of is present in this conversation. My hope for you, the listener, is not simply to understand what is being said here, but to touch that stillness, as I did while sitting with Stew. Listen for what is between, beneath, and beyond the words.About Stew Glick:Stew's journey began over fifty years ago at the Rochester Zen Center under Philip Kapleau, where he also served on staff. He later worked closely with Toni Packer, helping establish the Springwater Center for Meditative Inquiry. Though no longer on staff at Springwater, he continues to facilitate retreats and meditation groups.Learn more about Stew Glick: https://www.springwatercenter.org/teachers/stew-glick/Timestamps00:00 Stillness: The Highest Realization04:16 How can I discover this Stillness?10:20 Wondering: When sticky things come up in meditation14:35 Bringing Awareness to Desires18:58 What is the objective of "wondering"?21:29 Awareness and the "Me Circuit"32:01 Awareness and Sleep36:44 Who am I?: The Discovery of Stillness49:28 Love: "We are not separate"57:20 Practicing with Questions01:06:52 The Important Thing is the Presence Beyond the Words01:11:52 Effort and Effortlessness01:14:14 Clarifying Meditative Inquiry01:23:53 Practicing Inquiry in a Relationship01:29:46 Awakening01:44:26 The power of conditioning and the Light of Awareness01:47:16 Sitting with the Prospect of One's Death01:52:01 I Don't See Myself as a Teacher01:55:10 What's Most Important in the Brief Time We HaveTranscript Edit Assistance: Brodie MartinMusic: Ben Bigelow (https://www.youtube.com/@BenBigelow3)