UndoTheEgo's podcast

An overview of some of the philosophies that underpin various spiritual approaches. This show aired May 25, 2021.

What we think of as our own body is life being supported by other life, rather than something we "own". It's hard to separate our body out from all the other life supporting it. The concept of a separate "I" based on a separate body is false. Adding to the May 4, 2021 show. This show aired May 11, 2021.

This is a radical concept that can be hard to hear. It can also be very effective in helping to let go of the ego. What if it were true - that life is living us - meaning there isn't an ego, and there can't even be an individual I? This show aired May 4, 2021.

It's a difficult thing to do! Changing how we look at just one principle - that the physical world is strong than we are and controls us - makes a huge difference.

Looking again at the experiences we have and how they are more created by the mind than the body's senses - our mind tricks us into thinking our senses have told us about the world.

A continuing of a hopefully simple explanation of non duality (not-two). A key part of our seeing the world as duality (many things) lies in the use of the body as our boundary between ourselves (me) and the rest of the world (not me.) But is this a valid way to decide that there is a me, separate from all else?

Asked by a listener to provide an every day, "layman's" guide to understanding non-duality - a challenge! This is part 1, and it focuses almost entirely on understanding the role of awareness. Part 2 (planned for next week) will talk about the more abstract facets of non-duality, all of which come from the recognition of awareness. This is a non-scholarly attempt to explain non-duality from the inside out.

Even though the words, "Direct Path" imply there is ONE direct path to enlightenment, in reality there are many paths considered "Direct Path" with differing orders of magnitude of difficulty.   Defining a Direct Path is not necessarily exact. There are many definitions. A Direct path usually has no Holy Text (but there are exceptions to that) and no church, ashram or sangha to attend (again, with exceptions.) A Direct Path is supposed to lead you directly to enlightenment - a quick pathway, but perhaps a hard path to follow. Without the support of a church or community, the seeker is left to seek on his or her own. Of the variations of Direct Paths, some are considered to be progressive or intermediate. A progressive path works to improve the human psychological condition at the same time as working towards the realization of enlightenment. An intermediate path is one which has set out steps, or levels of achievement or knowledge. Another variable is the lack of definition of enlightenment or awakening. Without a clear end goal, choosing a path can be difficult. Different teachers offer different approaches, and in the end, no one path is better or worse than another.

We've learned (and chosen) to believe that we are limited, and these beliefs draw our attention away from our own awareness. In fact, without your awareness you would have no experience at all. The two are inextricably interlinked. Your awareness never changes, it never ages, it never grows tired. As such, it can be said to be eternal and changeless - attributes we also give to God. Your awareness is always there, ever-present - also like God. What happens when you become aware of your own awareness? By doing so, are you getting in touch with God?

The ego and the Absolute cannot be compared, as the Absolute is not definable. It is ironic that we spend so much time studying or training to come enlightened, when the Absolute is always there, and always has been.

If the concept of past/ future is integral and needed for the ego to exist, so too is the concept of comparison. Choiceless awareness is the alternative. Podcast only version that does not appear on 92.5 the X.

Ever wondered what it would mean to be devoted to your God, or to your spirituality? What it would mean to be dedicated to God? This is a podcast-only version, as CFBX radio, where the show normally airs, is on hiatus over the Christmas season.

Another look at time and the ego - a slightly different look at the same principle.   Aired Dec. 17 2020 as a follow up to the Dec. 10, 2020 show

By dividing time into past, present and future, we move out of the present moment. Our brains then decide that if we existed in the past, and we exist in the present moment, there must be an "I" that will exist, into the future - and the ego is born.

A loving society would be one that is built with love for others as the criterion in every matter. Can we build this? What would it take? To start with, your personal commitment to love for all.

Are you finding it hard to be loving in a negative world? Is it hard to be positive when you see natural disasters, crime, plague and other terrible issues affecting the world? The climate crisis, climate change deniers, political polarization, and more... how does one stay positive and loving with all that going on? Some suggestions in this show.

What if the major similarity between the world's major religions, was at the core, nothing but love?

The ego is addicted to itself, the ego. Is it possible to use a 12 step process with the addiction to the ego, just as we use a 12 step process for many other addictions? 

Surrendering the ego is never easy. "Letting go" may be a short cut to surrender. Both "letting go" and surrender achieve the same end goal - the lessening of the ego and greater happiness in life.

Considering compassion can help us become more compassionate. This show suggests three different, but interlinked ways to consider and increase your compassion. All decrease the ego. Special emphasis on information from the book, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, by Karen Armstrong.

Questioning the spiritual concept that "we don't need to change the world" is confusing to many people. What? We shouldn't help the homeless or help out in a natural disaster? These people are working off karma and we should just let them work it off? The answers may be just as confusing, as they appear to be both complex and applying differently at differing levels of spiritual consciousness. To someone at a very high level of consciousness, who fully understands that we are spirit, not bodies, other people are also spirits, not bodies and do not need help. Yet the idea that pulling together in a natural disaster joins us as one in a common goal is both spiritually compelling and compassionate. It seems cruel to simply walk away and ignore the great need. Closer to home, you may be confronted with a homeless person, a drunk or an addict, all crying out for help. Does ignoring them (aka leaving them to their karma) feel compassionate? Does it add negative karma to you if you walk away from someone needing help? These confusing questions don't seem to have easy answers. Is this the pathway through the confusion? Kindness, discernment, and surrender.

A follow up show to the August 27th show on the ego being brain function. It's useful to understand how the ego got started, the value of lessening it, how the ego resists spirituality and some simple tips on lessening the ego.

Written by Gerald Jampolosky, MD, the book is an engagingly simple set of 18 steps called 'Shortcuts to God". Despite the use of the term 'shortcuts' none of these steps are simple to implement although the description of what is needed is valuable.  For example, forgiveness (the first shortcut) is a crucial way to God, but the book does not suggest a means to forgive, just that we should forgive. The benefit is in the consideration of forgiveness as a way to God, and the reader being inspired to forgive.

An overview/book review of the Choose Again Toolbox. 

How does one move closer to God, if you don't know what God is? A discussion of what God could mean, and how one could express the dedication of moving closer to God. Perhaps the question, How do I move closer to God, should really be, How do I uncover that which is already within me?

We've considered the ego as a built up sense of self; in effect a psychological self and an illusion. Take this a step further. The ego is nothing more than brain activity. Basically, the ego is the mind thinking about itself and setting up what the minds thinks of as a person.

There is an inverse relationship between trust and judgment. The more you trust God; the less you judge. The more you judge, the less faith you have in the world and God. When you judge, you are trusting the ego.

Judgment is often, well, judged as bad in spiritual circles. The reality is that we all have to make choices. We can make them with discernment or with judgment. 

What is trust? How do we trust? Trust is a social construct, of an image that we believe in. This includes our spirituality. We trust our concept of the spiritual.

It's not always easy to just watch your mind (being mindful), especially when you are just learning to be mindful. Rather than pure vipassana (insight clarity) meditation, you can go through your day, watching the mind, by throwing your ego a bone. We throw a dog a bone to keep it busy. You can do this with your ego, by suggesting that there are specific things going on in your ego that can be watched for. This show discusses a few 'bones' to offer your ego, to keep it busy and stop it from pulling you back and away from mindfulness. Due to covid 19 restrictions, all shows are now pre-recorded and air on Thursdays at 10AM. 

A summary of Chapter 31 of A Course In Miracles.

The Untethered Soul, by Michael A. Singer is well worth this second look. The first look at the book, recorded some time ago, offered more of a chapter by chapter viewpoint. This episode tries for more of an overview approach.

1st in a series on those who appear to be enlightened but are either not well known or who appear to go on with life of spirituality. The Peace Pilgrim lived a quiet life of service, walking the country to spread awareness of peace.

The Course In Miracles supplement, the Song of Prayer, turns our ideas of prayer, forgiveness and healing upside down.

A brief look at some of the principle tenets of Advaita: duality, division, conflict as a result of division, the ego, that which was never split does not have to re-join itself, and the Absolute. The show aired June 18, 2020

Nothing lasts forever. Everything has a beginning and an end : until you look at the Absolute and see clearly that there is that, which all things arise from and subside into. Show aired June 11 2020

A brief look at spirituality and racism. A great deal more could be said. 

Inter-relatedness, aka inter-dependency, is an essential spiritual viewpoint. All things are temporary and depend on conditions to arise and fall away, including ourselves. Any sense of separation is just a mind set.

What do you see as the basic underpinnings of your spiritual beliefs? Understanding this will help you remain true to your spirituality.

Faith is having complete trust or confidence in someone or something. It's both an operative belief and a limitation. It's a habit and a force to be reckoned with/ What do you have faith in?

An ego that has been quarantined may not be a pretty thing. But are egos ever pretty? Some thoughts on being quarantined with your ego.

A brief look at Chapter 30 of A Course In Miracles - you are not your body but unlimited, everlasting spirit.

Taking a closer. more specific look at fear in the time of Covid-19. Show aired April 16 2020

Fears seems to be the biggest response to Covid-19. It's a great test of your spirituality. It's prime time for fear, as though our society has been carrying a lot of fear that is now being expressed as a group. The first of three planned shows on cover-19 and spirit, this show is general in nature. 

Taking a quick look at the work of Fred Davis, and then the questions: should you pay to be enlightened, can someone enlighten you, and if so, what is a reasonable rate? This has to be a personal decision; my "opinion" does not matter.

Some time ago, Thomas Wakechild (www.ACourseInMiraclesForDummies.com) published a toolkit for creating change in your life. Dealing with your responses to life, it promises to end fear and improve your relationships.

We're taking a look at the book, Secular Meditation. Focusing primarily on the first section on Loving-Kindness, and then on another meditation: Yes! We Have No Bananas. While not truly a meditation in the sense of sitting for 30 minutes, Yes! We Have No Bananas is a tool that you can use throughout your day to change your viewpoint from stress to acceptance.

Does the saying, 'The spirit lives on after death' seem to be a bit too general for you? What happens to your thinking if you replace the word 'spirit' with 'awareness'? The show is based on Rupert Spira's use of the words 'awareness' and 'consciousness' as the recognition of the part of you that lives forever (the real you) or the big S Self as Ramana Maharshi used to say. This show builds on concepts introduced and discussed over the last year.

A summary of Chapter 29 of A Course In Miracles.

Are consciousness and awareness the same thing? Is consciousness a focusing of awareness? Is it awareness that underlies everything?