PODCAST · religion
Awareness Explorers
by Jonathan Robinson & Brian Tom O'Connor
If you want to awaken peace and love in daily life, pure awareness is always available as the background of all experience. Jonathan Robinson and Brian Tom O'Connor explore ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our true nature.
Episodes
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223: Katharine Pincham, Guest Explorer
Awareness Explorers episode 223: Katharine Pincham, Guest Explorer In this episode Katharine Pincham shares her background studying Vedic and Yogic scriptures in the Himalayas and her transformative spiritual opening. She also delves into the three gunas—fundamental tendencies of nature—that can...
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222: Mystery and Motivation
Awareness Explorers episode 222: Mystery and Motivation In this episode we discuss motivations for spiritual practice, contrasting suffering-based motivation with curiosity and the desire for truth, especially around anomalous and miraculous experiences. • Includes a guided meditation helping you...
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221: Rupert Spira Encore
Awareness Explorers episode 221: Rupert Spira Encore We're on vacation! So today we're offering an Encore presentation of our interview with our first guest, Rupert Spira, in 2018. In this episode we talk to Rupert Spira about happiness, and how he leads people to the recognition of our true…
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220: Shadow Work
Awareness Explorers episode 220: Shadow Work In this episode, we explore various approaches to shadow work, that is, becoming conscious of hidden parts of the psyche and bringing them to awareness, which helps reveal and release emotions stored in the body that might otherwise cause trouble in…
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219: Fooled into Dualism
Awareness Explorers episode 219: Fooled into Dualism In this episode, we explore how language, culture, and survival instincts create a dualistic view of the world, which is at odds with the underlying reality of interconnectedness and oneness. • Includes a guided meditation helping us to see...
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218: Scott Flynn, Guest Explorer
Awareness Explorers episode 218: Scott Flynn, Guest Explorer In this episode we talk to Scott Flynn, about how non-dual teaching helps people let go of their false sense of individual identity by recognizing that the ego is just a collection of thoughts that can be dissolved through self-inquiry...
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217: Tracy Lease, Guest Explorer
Awareness Explorers episode 217: Tracy Lease, Guest Explorer In this episode, we talk to Tracy Lease, a yoga, Pilates, Qigong, and mindfulness teacher who discusses the integration of body awareness practices with spiritual development. • Includes a guided moving meditation from Tracy combining...
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216: Types of Thought
Awareness Explorers episode 216: Types of Thought In this episode, we discuss different types of thoughts and how to distinguish between helpful and harmful thinking patterns. We cover practical thoughts versus emotional ruminations, the importance of intuitive wisdom versus egoic thinking, and…
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215: Luciano Melo, Guest Explorer
Awareness Explorers episode 215: Luciano Melo, Guest Explorer In this episode we feature Luciano Melo, a PhD researcher on awakening who shared his transformative journey from depression into non-dual awakening, and how these experiences led to a complete deconstruction of his sense of self…
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214: Approaches to Spiritual Growth
Awareness Explorers episode 214: Approaches to Spiritual Growth In this episode, we discuss different models of spiritual growth, exploring the advantages and disadvantages of each, and sharing our personal experiences across multiple approaches, including books, coaching, religion, satsang, peer...
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213: Eric Zimmer Guest Explorer
Awareness Explorers episode 213: Eric Zimmer Guest Explorer In this episode we talk to Eric Zimmer, host of the podcast, "The One You Feed," about his new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life, his approach to personal transformation combining both...
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212: Life Force
Awareness Explorers episode 212: Life Force In this episode Jonathan and Brian explore the nature of life force energy, two paths to access the life force, and possible obstacles to its full expression. • Includes a guided meditation focusing on how we can get out of its way and allow the…
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211: Salvadore Poe, Guest Explorer
Awareness Explorers episode 211: Salvadore Poe, Guest Explorer In this episode we talk to Salvadore Poe, a spiritual teacher and author who shared his journey from rock musician to spiritual awakening, and described his concept of "having a holiday," that is, recognizing pure being without fixing...
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210: The Problem of Compartmentalization
Awareness Explorers episode 210: The Problem of Compartmentalization In this episode we explore the problem of compartmentalization and how applying spiritual awareness to some areas of life (such as meditation), but not others (such as money or relationships) creates a spiritual identity that...
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209: Neelam, Guest Explorer
Awareness Explorers episode 209: Neelam, Guest Explorer In this episode we talk to Neelam about her awakening with H.W.L. Poonja, known as Papaji, the role of trust in awakening, how the nervous system's capacity to be present is the "missing link" between a desire for truth and the ability to...
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208: Trina Dawn, Guest Explorer
Awareness Explorers episode 208: Trina Dawn, Guest Explorer In this episode, we talk to Trina Dawn about the "seeker" identity as a mind-created story, which perpetuates suffering by resisting the present moment. •Includes a guided meditation using questions to help you notice what's shining…
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207: Tani Thole and Leslie Rogers, Guest Explorers
Awareness Explorers episode 207: Tani Thole and Leslie Rogers, Guest Explorers In this episode we talk to Tani Thole and Leslie Rogers, founders of the Light Dark Institute, about their philosophy of integrating shadow work for spiritual growth, by bringing love to the most unloved parts of the...
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206: Preparation for Meditation
In this episode, Jonathan and Brian debate the value of pre-meditation rituals for enhancing meditation. We outline several practices to enhance meditation, and we also contrast pre-meditation rituals to create deep experiences, versus viewing meditation as simply allowing "what is." • Includes a...
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205: Back to Basics with Ramana and Nisargadatta
In this episode we review the core non-duality teachings of Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj, including their inquiries into the nature of the Self. These teachings have been among the most influential in the present-day satsang and nonduality movements in the West. • Includes a guided...
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204: Relationship, Awakening, and MDMA
In this episode we explore relationships as a path to awakening that reveals obstacles to love, and how MDMA can serve as a catalyst to open-heartedness. The book we discussed in this episode is Ecstasy for Couples: How MDMA Therapy Can Create More Love and Less Conflict In Your Relationship To...
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203: Kate Alvo, Guest Explorer on Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE)
In this episode, we talk to Kate Alvo about Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) how they can release tension held in the body from stress and from traumas of the past, as well as how releasing stored tension naturally quiets the mind, offering a physical pathway to presence that can...
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202: The Future of Transformational Technologies
In this episode, we explore how technology is accelerating human transformation and consciousness, and we outline the five key areas that are driving this shift: psychedelics, nootropics, gadgets, new techniques, and AI coaching. • Includes a guided meditation leading us to recall a specific,...
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201: Amy Islip, Guest Explorer
In this episode we talk to Amy Islip about her experiences with guided MDMA therapy, the profound spiritual awakening that ensued, and the resulting embodiment of spacious, open-hearted, love. • Includes a guided meditation leading us first, to rest in what is, free from stories and plans…
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200: Recurring Themes
In this episode, we respond to ChatGPT's summary of the top 15 recurring themes throughout the 200 episodes of Awareness Explorers to date, and elaborate on the ways they point to the realization of our true nature as infinite awareness. • Includes a list of Brian's Key Principles of Awareness,...
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199: Guru Pros and Cons
In this episode we discuss gurus and spiritual teachers and explore the potential benefits as well as the potential risks involved in following a guru. • Includes a guided meditation leading us toward finding our inner guru and asking a deep personal question. Don't forget to subscribe for more...
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198: Beth Miller, Guest Explorer
In this episode we talk with Beth Miller, author of Awakening is Not for the Faint of Heart: Risk Everything for Love, about her profound shift in consciousness, the integration of therapy and spirituality, and insights from long COVID, which was ultimately a gift, providing deep healing and...
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197: Michael McCord, Guest Explorer
In this episode we talk to Michael McCord, president of San Francisco Zen Center, on bringing Zen practices into daily life and work, and how enlightenment is seen as an ongoing process of increasing awareness, not a fixed end state to achieve. • Includes a guided meditation introducing the Zen...
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196: Stephen Zerfas, Guest Explorer
In this episode we talk to Stephen Zerfas, co-founder of Jhourney, which offers retreats facilitating rapid access to jhana meditation states, described as positive feedback loops between attention and emotion, offering profound states of gratitude, peace and non-duality. • Includes a guided...
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195: How to Be with Bad News
In this episode we discuss strategies for handling bad news as an awakening person, balancing awareness and action.. • Includes a guided meditation addressing the dichotomy between taking action and acceptance, and how to bring these two seeming opposites into a workable equilibrium. Don't forget...
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194: Embracing the Middle Way
In this episode we discuss the concept of the Middle Way and explore how to move beyond polarities in spiritual practice and daily life, thus finding a balance between extremes and recognizing the interconnectedness of all things. • Includes a guided meditation in which we bring two opposite...
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193: Kat van Oudheusden, Guest Explorer
In this episode, we talk to Kat (Katrijn) van Oudheusden, author of Seeing No-Self, and Beyond Illusion, about discovering the illusion of separation, and her set of essential inquiries that use empirical investigation of direct experience to point to our true nature. To learn more about Kat van...
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192: Samuel Jacob, Guest Explorer
In this episode we talk to Samuel Jacob, a contemporary spiritual teacher specializing in radical self-inquiry. He emphasizes the immediate availability of awareness, completeness, and happiness in the present moment. • Includes a guided meditation focusing on being aware that all appearances…
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191: Inward and Outward Paths
In this episode we explore the concepts of the inward and outward facing paths. They are presented as different approaches in various traditions that, if pursued to their core, eventually arrive at a direct experience of a unified life. • Includes a guided meditation that extends the ancient neti...
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190: John Travis, Guest Explorer
In this episode, we interview John Travis, founding teacher of Mountain Stream Meditation Center, exploring his spiritual journey and teachings, and his emphasis on the importance of integrating mind, heart, and body in spiritual practice. • Includes a guided meditation grounding attention in the...
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189: Trauma and Awakening
In this episode, we discuss the relationship between trauma and spiritual awakening, and how trauma can not only obscure awareness but can also catalyze awakening. We also describe some effective trauma healing approaches. • Includes a guided meditation helping us to see an upsetting incident…
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188: Exploring Intuition
In this episode we discuss intuition, its nature, how to access it, and its relationship to awakening. • Includes a guided meditation helping you to cultivate the open receptivity required for intuition. Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and...
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187: Robert Rugg, Guest Explorer
In this episode we talk with Robert Rugg, author of Awakening to Effortless Being: Realizing Your Infinite Self, about his spiritual journey, his teachings on effortless being, his approach to self-realization, and how to incorporate the principles of wholeness into daily life and interactions…
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186: Rituals
In this episode we explore the topic of rituals and their impact on experiencing deeper peace, love, and joy in life. • Includes a guided meditation in which we reflect on past meaningful ritual experiences, imagine new possibilities for personal rituals, and consider timing and context for...
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185: Pernille and Todd Lent Damore, Guest Explorers
In this episode we talk to Pernille and Todd Lent Damore, founders of the Awakening Curriculum, about the Wheel of Identification, which is their framing of the Ten Buddhist Fetters, as well as practical applications to wake up moment to moment in the midst of everyday life. Their focus is on...
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184: What Makes an Ideal Human?
In this episode we look at twenty-five possible qualities of being an ideal human, and explore their relevance to awakening. • Includes a guided meditation taking several qualities of an ideal human, and sending them in a circle from fully imagining them to be your experience, through letting…
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183: Amy Albright and Drew Pierson, Guest Explorers
In this episode, we discuss neurofeedback, consciousness, and practical techniques for achieving higher states of awareness with Dr. Amy Albright and Dr. Drew Pierson , founders of Holon, a blend of science, technology, and spirituality. • Includes a guided practice combining breath awareness…
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182: Kat Adamson, Guest Explorer
In this episode, we talk to Kat Adamson, widow of the late non-duality teacher Sailor Bob Adamson, about his life, teachings, legacy, and Bob's core message: There is no separate self, only awareness expressing through various forms. • Includes a guided meditation helping us to relax into present...
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181: The Gift of Aging
In this episode we talk about the negative associations of aging but also how it can be a doorway to the gifts and spiritual opportunities that come with growing older. • Includes a guided meditation leading us to an appreciation of the wisdom and lessons we've learned as an entrance into this...
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180: Craig Hamilton, Guest Explorer
In this episode we talk to Craig Hamilton about his "direct awakening" approach to meditation that aims to immediately connect with one's true nature. He also emphasizes the importance of integrating awakening insights into daily life through specific practices and radical surrender to a higher...
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179: Everything You Don't Like is Your Guru
In this episode we talk about how the things in our lives that we don't like can show us where we are resistant and attached, and can trigger new ways to transcend and learn from those daily occurrences. • Includes a guided meditation that shows us how we can hold two opposites in our minds...
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178: Beyond the Mind and Into the Mystery
In this episode we explore methods for entering into a state of mystery and wonder through specific questions and contemplations. • Includes a guided meditation that uses questions to direct you into an experience of mystery, humility, and awe. Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to...
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177: Cindy Teevens, Guest Explorer
In this episode, we talk to Cindy Teevens, author of Alchemy, How to Feel Good No Matter What, as well as The Happiness Lie—which challenges the belief that external factors control our happiness—about her "explosion of love" experience of intense bliss and joy for no external reason, eroding the...
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176: Favorite Movies and Books to Inspire
In this episode, we share a gift bag of movies and books that have inspired us over the years and talk about how they can be powerful tools for inspiration and spiritual growth when approached with an open, receptive mindset. Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to tap into the...
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175: Saja Fendél, Guest Explorer
In this episode, we talk to Saja Fendél, founder of Thought Dojo, about forgiveness, and explore practical methods for realizing unconditional happiness, and how, through a lack of resistance to experience, all experience is seen as being one with awareness. • Includes a guided meditation helping...
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174: Alex Shailer, Guest Explorer
In this episode, we talk to Alex Shailer about fully experiencing feelings as a way to release them, identifying with our true nature as consciousness, and resting as open awareness, rather than trying to forcefully cultivate positive states. • Includes a guided meditation helping us to turn our...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
If you want to awaken peace and love in daily life, pure awareness is always available as the background of all experience. Jonathan Robinson and Brian Tom O'Connor explore ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our true nature.
HOSTED BY
Jonathan Robinson & Brian Tom O'Connor
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Awareness Explorers have?
Awareness Explorers currently has 224 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Awareness Explorers about?
If you want to awaken peace and love in daily life, pure awareness is always available as the background of all experience. Jonathan Robinson and Brian Tom O'Connor explore ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our true nature.
How often does Awareness Explorers release new episodes?
Awareness Explorers publishes regularly with 224 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Awareness Explorers?
You can listen to Awareness Explorers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Awareness Explorers?
Awareness Explorers is created and hosted by Jonathan Robinson & Brian Tom O'Connor.
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