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. 234 | Renowned thought leader, speaker, and prolific author Warren Farrell has a passion for getting the truth out about issues that matter deeply—issues with enormous human consequences that might begin to heal if people better understood the forces driving these trends: the boy crisis, fatherlessness, the cultural tendency to vilify men, and the lack of healthy and effective communication between men and women. Warren has authored several data-driven bestselling books that go right to the heart of these matters, and in this conversation his expertise is clearly evident, right alongside his dedication to do everything he can to shift the evolution of the harmful idea that women are good but men are bad.Warren has put himself on the line time and again to stand up for fatherless boys. He puts out a clarion call to couples to communicate with care, so that a father can be involved with the raising of a child, and in his books and workshops, Warren offers concrete steps to minimize children’s trauma, such as his four must-do’s after a divorce and the caring and sharing practices he teaches couples around accepting criticism without getting defensive. Immensely insightful, immensely practical, Warren points the way forward through a territory that has become murky, difficult, and hateful. Guaranteed, you will learn things about our contemporary culture you didn’t know before, and be inspired to do what you can to heal the disastrous divide between the sexes. Recorded September 25, 2025.“We’re all in this together. We’re all in the same family boat.”Topics & Time StampsIntroducing Warren Farrell, outstanding feminist, intellectual father of the men’s movement, champion of gender role innovations & prolific author (00:54)How did Warren come to champion the women’s movement? (02:33)The opposite of power & privilege: what men are giving up (05:35)Toxic masculinity (11:05)Why do men commonly trade put-downs? (14:29)Misinterpreting male behavior & the need for dialogue between men & women (18:29)Sexual harassment and the “believe women letter” (22:01)After a divorce, the child’s needs need to come first (26:04)Speaking up about the importance of father involvement in raising boys changed Warren’s professional trajectory (30:29)Death from overwork, called kuroshi in Japan (33:55) Fatherless children have issues in 55 different areas, and the biggest predictor of male suicide is lack of father involvement (37:10)The idea that women are good, men are bad (38:26)Biological effects of lack of father involvement (40:22)4 must-do’s after divorce to minimize children’s trauma (41:37)Rough-housing is a gift (44:07)A father’s unconditional love incorporates conditions (49:07)Teasing, one of the 7 important contributions that fathers make (50:31)Couples counseling: why is criticism so hard to handle? (54:04) Teaching couples to communicate effectively is the most important way to prevent the boy crisis (58:03)The relation between dad-deprived youth, gang membership, prison & being a victim of sexual molestation (58:53)The worst thing you can do after a divorce (01:05:11)The biggest hole in my heart and the best decision of my life: John Lennon (01:09:16)The ramifications of dad-deprivation in 1965 and currently (01:17:40)A closer look at gender differences in income (01:21:57)The feminist argument against Warren (01:31:00)When only one sex wins, both sexes lose (01:36:06)What can men do to help boys? (01:38:37)We need to work toward equality while recognizing our evolutionary differences (01:40:50)Our bias about men being full-time dads (01:45:06)Important skills Warren teaches in his Role Mate to Soul Mate book & his online course (01:51:48)Warren’s current book-in-progress, The Man Crisis (01:57:17)Roger’s summary of the extraordinary impact Warren has had on our culture (01:59:00)Resources & ReferencesWarren Farrell’s website, https://warrenfarrell.com/, and YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/drwarrenfarrellWarren Farrell & John Gray, The Boy Crisis: Why Our Boys Are Struggling and What We Can Do About ItWarren Farrell, Why Men Are the Way They Are, The Myth of Male Power, Why Men Earn More: The Startling Truth Behind the Pay Gap – and What Women Can Do About ItWarren Farrell, From Role Mate to Soul Mate: The Seven Secrets to Lifelong LoveNational Organization for Women (NOW)National Coalition for Men (NCFM), a non-profit educational & civil rights organization that addresses sex discrimination against men and boysMarilyn French, The Women’s RoomJohn Gottman, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage WorkSpotlight, movie about the Boston Globe uncovering a massive child molestation scandal within the local Catholic ArchdioceseThe Boy Crisis TEDx talk with Warren FarrellThe 1965 Moynihan Report on the huge population of black, dad-deprived youth Gloria Steinem, leader of second-wave feminism in the U.S. The Boy Crisis: Cancel Warren Farrell (YouTube documentary)Mankind Project: Initiation Weekend + Integration TrainingBoys to Men Mentoring, co-founded by Joe SigurdsonYoung Men’s Ultimate Weekend, founded by Mark SchillingerBig Brothers Big Sisters of AmericaJohn Gray, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex---Warren Farrell, PhD, has been chosen by the Financial Times of London as one of the world’s top 100 thought...

Ep. 233 | In the last episode of the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, Hameed explores the themes he introduced in the later chapters of his new book, The Inner Beloved. Hameed clarifies the role of mind on the path of heart (the mind is bedazzled and awed; the heart open), and details what happens when we reach the beloved, like “falling in love with everything” and experiencing the absolute as a “coming home” (even though there’s no one there!). We learn that, on the path of love, no matter what we do or don’t do, a heart-driven force beyond the mind is pulling us onward. Once we arrive, we realize the beloved has always been there—which is why our heart has been longing for the beloved all along.Hameed explains that on the path of love, nonduality becomes intimacy—reality itself is pure intimacy, he says—and in fact, the nonbeingness of the beloved is the ultimate truth of reality. In a state of mystical poverty, we discover that all we are and have ever been has been borrowed from the beloved. The culmination of this Path of Love Series ends very beautifully, the love and intimacy of the beloved pervading Hameed’s words and the images he conjures for us. “The world is simply the luminosity of the beloved,” Hameed says. In listening to him, we share in some of the wonderful sense of coming home he experienced, a little of the radiant luminosity, too, and his own ongoing excitement over the ever unfolding mystery of the divine. Recorded April 9, 2026.“We can be in the lap of the beloved and still enjoy life—loving everything from that place.”Topics & Time StampsIntroducing the 4th dialogue in the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, focusing on the role of mind and the culmination of the path (00:49)On the path of love you are heart-driven by forces that mind cannot fathom (01:39)Hameed’s experience of falling in love with everything and experiencing the absolute as if “coming home” (03:00)The mind is bedazzled by the Mystery and recognizes its limitation in relation to the heart (08:20)When you get there, you realize the beloved has always been there (11:46)Emptiness beyond normal emptiness: Hameed calls this “absence” (13:05)The great liberation: where there’s nothing more to dissolve (17:18)As we are pulled, the love deepens & intensifies; we drown in the passion (22:06)Mystical poverty: the soul recognizes all of its qualities are borrowed from the beloved (25:05)What is right relationship between the realized heart and a healthy mind? (25:51)Krishnamurti would talk about no mind—but he was always using mind (28:40)Cutting through illusion & Hameed’s transmission from Manjushri (30:29)True mind: knowing in the moment (38:43)Dissolving dichotomies into wholeness: the world is simply the luminosity of the beloved (43:31)The ultimate truth of reality: the nonbeingness of the beloved (50:21)When tantra is enhanced by real love, then you can dissolve into the vastness (53:30)Stabilizing the realization is the second stage, actualizing the realization and not going back to the “doer” is the third stage (58:51)The dissolution of self doesn’t necessarily last: humility is an important step towards making the realization more constant (01:00:46) Nonbeing is the essence of intimacy: being completely one with the inner beloved (01:03:43)On the path of love, nonduality becomes intimacy; reality itself is pure intimacy (01:06:22)For fans of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, the Wisdom Series, based on Hameed’s book The Inner Journey Home, will be continued in June 2026.Resources & ReferencesA. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart’s Journey to Divine UnityPrevious Deep Transformation Path of Love dialogues: Entering the Path of Heart, Emptying the Heart of All that Obscures the Inner Beloved & Dissolving into Bliss: The Ecstasy of Ego DeathKabir, Indian mystic and poet, Songs of KabirRumi, The Book of Love: Poems of Ecstasy and LongingFakhr al-Din Iraqi, Persian Sufi poet, Divine FlashesSt. John of the Cross, The Dark Night of the SoulKrishnamurti, Indian spiritual figure, speaker, and writerManjushri, bodhisattva of discriminating wisdom, wielding the sword of discriminationAvalokiteśvara, principle bodhisattva in Buddhism, associated with Great CompassionVajrapāṇi, principal bodhisattva in Mahayana & Vajrayana Buddhism, embodying the condensed power, energy, and strength of all the BuddhasJigme Lingpa, a central figure in the Nyingma School of Tibetan BuddhismProclus, Neoplatonic philosopher who hierarchically structures all levels of reality, including the complex subdivisions of the intellectHuston Smith, “The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder,” from Beyond the Post-Modern Mind---Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. AlmaasDeep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali’s Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love, and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved, published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest.---Special Diamond Approach Course Discount...

Ep. 232 | In this potent and profound conversation, Zen teachers, Integral Facilitators, and conflict mediators, Diane Musho Hamilton and her student and co-author Gabriel Wilson, eloquently reveal the practical benefits of a life founded on contemplative practice. What they bring home so effectively—both in this conversation and in their new book, Waking Up and Growing Up—is how much we have to gain from an interface of traditional Zen and contemporary knowledge. “Buddhist practice is the most genius way to work with human suffering,” Diane says, and grounded in awareness of the fundamental oneness is where we want to be when engaging in social or political activism, or when facing any kind of conflict. “It’s the evolution of consciousness and the attendant set of skills to support that,” she continues. We can awaken to an awareness of our true nature, and then take up the gauntlet of growing up—“straight up maturation, straight-up ego development.”In fact, what Gabe calls Diane’s “experiment” is nothing less than evolving the 2,500-year-old tradition of Zen, preserving and innovating, holding on to the wisdom, power, and grace of the tradition while bringing in the contributions of the West: psychology, shadow work, neuroscience, emotional development, and stage-appropriate interpersonal skills. Also, how to make sense of power dynamics, work with authority, and allow being pushed out of our comfort zone. A testament to Diane and Gabe’s own inner work, this groundbreaking conversation is inspiring and impactful, punctuated with deep, personal, experiential wisdom from both guests that speaks directly to how we can best wake up, grow up, and show up in this challenging world of ours. Recorded July 24, 2025.“There’s nothing like sitting with what is to prepare you to be with what is.”Topics & Time StampsIntroducing Zen teachers, authors, and Integral Facilitators, Diane Musho Hamilton & Gabriel Wilson (00:44)What drew Gabe to Zen, and what lack did he feel Waking Up and Growing Up would fill? (01:35)Evolving the Zen tradition: what do we need, particularly in western Buddhism, that we’re not finding? (05:26)Using Ken Wilber’s framework of waking up and growing up (08:50)What does “waking up” really mean? (10:02)Practice IS enlightenment: the awakened mind is only found in the here and now (12:23)There’s nothing like sitting with what is to prepare you to be with what will come (17:30)The realization that there’s no big opening to be had (23:05)What does “growing up” mean? (24:07)Providing students with interpersonal skills to accommodate their evolving levels of development (27:00)Writing for the younger generations: how to make sense of power dynamics, work with authority & allow being pushed out of your comfort zone (31:15)The wisdom of learning from those who have gone before us (34:49)Growing the capacity to deal with intensity in the moment (38:59)The example of John Lewis: being inclusive of the ego but not limited by it (44:29)How do we respond to what’s happening without imagining it shouldn’t be happening? (49:15) Holding the vision that we are fundamentally one when we engage in social activism (51:18)Be wary of using aggression in the name of love (54:11)Within the container of conventional religious traditions, developmental tasks are different for each stage (59:40)The teacher/student relationship cuts both ways (01:07:21)Preserving and evolving the Zen tradition for today’s world (01:08:55) Buddhist practice is the most genius way to work with human suffering (01:13:40)Looking to the future: are we innovating too much? (01:16:24)A lot of technology is racing us to the bottom of our brainstem; where we put our attention is important (01:20:32)Resources & ReferencesDiane Musho Hamilton, co-founder of Two Arrows Zen CenterGabriel Wilson, founder of Freedom & FairnessDiane Hamilton & Gabriel Wilson, Waking Up and Growing Up: Spiritual Cross-Training for an Evolving WorldDiane Hamilton, The Zen of You and Me: A Guide to Getting Along with Just About EveryoneDiane Hamilton, Gabriel Wilson & Kimberly Loh, Compassionate Conversations: How to Speak and Listen from the HeartKen Wilber, Welcome to the Integral Approach (Integral Life website)Ken Wilber, Finding Radical Wholeness (where Ken expounds his “waking up, growing up, cleaning up, showing up” modelDeep Transformation’s A. H. Almaas Wisdom SeriesDōgen Zenji, “Practice is enlightenment” (from the Fukan zazengi)Joanna Macy (1929-2025), environmental activist, author, and scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory & deep ecologySam Harris, philosopher, neuroscientist, author & podcast hostJohn Lewis interview with On Being’s Krista Tippett: Love in Action What is Buddha? Zen koan (case 21) in The Gateless Gate: Classic Book of Zen KoansThe Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women, edited by Zenshin Florence Caplow, Reigetsu Susan MoonTristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology---Diane Musho Hamilton is an award-winning mediator and a teacher of Zen meditation. Diane served as the Director of Dispute Resolution for the Utah Judiciary from 1994 – 1999, mediating many matters, from simple neighborhood disputes to complex, multi-party negotiations. She was most recognized for her skills in facilitating difficult conversations about race, gender, and religion in Utah. She began working with Ken Wilber and the Integral Institute in 2004 and has held transformative containers for people interested in their development for more than twenty years. Diane is the co-founder of Two Arrows Zen, a Buddhist practice center in Utah, and is the author of four books: Everything Is Workable, The Zen of You & Me, Compassionate Conversations, and, most recently, Waking Up and Growing Up: Spiritual Cross-Training for an Evolving World.---Gabe Wilson is the founder of Freedom & Fairness, an executive coach, facilitator, and conflict mediator whose work sits at the intersection of organizational leadership, adult development, and contemplative practice. He is a monk in the Soto Zen lineage at Two Arrows Zen Center and a certified Integral Facilitator. Gabe co-authored...