Almost Awakened – Almost Awakened

Bill & Britt sit down with Jessa Bangerter to go over the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a model of the human psyche which is principally understood and taught as a typology of nine interconnected personality types. Understanding these types and where you are and where those in relationship with you are can be helpful to creating empathy and understanding for their humanityENNEAGRAM TESTS :https://globalleadershipfoundation.com/rheti/test.htmlhttps://www.truity.com/af/doyle.evan_2710315https://www.yourenneagramcoach.com/a/21487/QgAGbeCNhttps://cloverleaf.me/ https://s.crys.io/s/1RIzRwENNEAGRAM RESOURCES:https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/https://www.theenneagramworkshop.com/free-resourceshttp://inspireenvisioning.com/2017/05/01/favorite-enneagram-resources/https://www.yourenneagramcoach.com/free-resourceshttps://www.mormonmatters.org/podcast-item/521-524-the-enneagram-for-mormons/ App:EnneaApp in the app storeBooks:‘the enneagram of belonging’ – Chris Heuertz‘the wisdom of the enneagram’ – Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson‘the road back to you’ – Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile‘personality types: using the enneagram for self-discovery’ – Don Richard Riso‘the complete enneagram’ – Beatrice Chestnut PhD

The number one question heard by us from those who after having committed to stepping away from their religious system is “How am I going to raise healthy, wise, responsible children post religious deconstruction?” The answer to that is now easy…. UPLIFT. Britt and Bill sit down with Jon Ogden, one of the creators of “Uplift”, a program designed to give your kids an inner compass utilizing resources designed to create weekly spiritual experiences that build wonder, resilience, and compassion without feeling the need to adhere to any religious dogma or belief system. RESOURCES: https://upliftkids.org/ https://upliftkids.org/our-approach/ https://upliftkids.org/lessons/

Britt does a deep dive into soul work through the story of Jonah and the Whale. She discusses the four existential fears, the places humans avoid most of all. Dive into the story and into your own fears to see what peace comes on the other side.

Britt and Bill sit down with author and the host of the “Secular Buddhism” Podcast, Noah Rasheta, and discuss second half of life principles and how secular Buddhism can be utilized to lean into growth and compassionate living. RESOURCES:No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C31XJGP/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0Secular Buddhism: Eastern Thought for Western Minds – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M7Y7953/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1The 5-Minute Mindfulness Journal: Daily Practices for a Calmer, Happier You – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1641523050/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2Secular Buddhism Podcast – https://secularbuddhism.com/Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening – https://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-Without-Beliefs-Contemporary-Awakening/dp/1573226564Buddhism for Beginners: Jack Kornfield – https://www.audible.com/pd/Buddhism-for-Beginners-Jack-Kornfield-Audiobook/B002V8OFZ0

Britt and Bill sit down with Cami Hurst, host of the podcast “Sex Therapy 101” and discuss common issues within intimacy and relationships. Her podcast can be found at https://camihurst.com/sex-therapy-101-podcast. Cami’s Bio: As a personal counselor I operate from a place of compassionate curiosity. I will help you visualize and own what you are wanting in life, explore blocks keeping you from attaining it, and walk with you towards realizing your personal power and internal authority. As a couples counselor I operate from a blend of attachment and differentiation based models. I believe our opportunity in relationships is to continue to grow and mature as individuals. It is appreciating our partner’s differences that make for long term fulfilling partnerships – not striving for sameness. As a sex therapist, I specialize in Female Sexual Development, Mutual Sexual Satisfaction for couples, Sexual Education for Premarital/Newlywed couples, Sexual Orientation and Identity congruence for individuals and their families (I do not offer conversion therapy), Affair recovery, and Post-addiction relationship recovery. I believe that sexuality is part of our wholeness. My focus is on creating mutual pleasure and sexual health within your own value system. I also specialize in spiritual issues such as faith crisis, faith reconstruction or transition, and mixed-faith marriages.

Bill’s wife Amanda fills in for Britt today and Bill and Amanda dive into a conversation about Miguel Ruiz’s book, the Four Agreements.Agreement 1: Be Impeccable With Your WordAgreement 2: Don’t Take Anything PersonallyAgreement 3: Don’t Make AssumptionsAgreement 4: Always Do Your Best And we wrap up talking about his book the Fifth Agreement which is Agreement 5: Be skeptical, but learn to listen

Bill and Britt sit down with Teri Hales, a certified religious transition and trauma recovery coach, and the host of the Emancipate Your Mind Podcast to discuss multiple components of the deconstruction process and to talk about the skills and tools that one can lean into to create a healthier better second half of life. https://emancipateyourmind.org/

Brittney and Bill sit down with David Peck Ph.D (Sufi al-Hajj Daud) to discuss sufism and its wisdom & value to the awakening soul. Sufism is among the most ancient spiritual traditions in the world. Sufism traces its origins back thousands for years through a golden chain of individually guided meditation and mystical practice. The modern stream of the Sufi tradition, called Universal Sufism, is growing globally, especially in the West. Universal Sufism invites all souls––from any faith tradition and background, or from no faith tradition or background–– to join with us on the Journey of Becoming. RESOURCES: https://www.ofsaintsandsufis.com/

In the Yoga tradition, there is a state of consciousness called, Atma Darshan, which simply means, “Glimpsing the Soul”. In todays episode we sit down with Philip McLemore as he shares preparatory “direct awareness” practices that have helped individuals “Glimpse their Soul”, which either motivated them to establish a practice or gain a vision of what the practice is intended to help them realize. The idea is to help the individual’s “taste” or “touch” his/her inner being or essential nature, in a simple, practical way, that doesn’t require months or years of practice. Today we give you the tools to glimpse your own soul which can be a catalyst for a deeper awareness and a more awakened life. We end discussing psychoactive substances as Tools to “glimpsing the soul”The Meditation Practices:1.) Gazing into a mirror to lookinto one’s own eyes to awaken awareness of a deeper or stable “Presence/Self” in self and others. Or Gazing into the eyes of another while asking the question, “What is the difference between you and me?” See Another’s Humanity and see yourself within them2.) To awaken awareness of a continuity of a deeper or stable “Presence/Self” using a practice called “Life Review”, one examines how life and self have been experienced throughout one’s developmental stages in 5-to-10-year increments from as far back as one can remember to the present. One realizes that despite monumental physical, mental, and emotional changes throughout life, there has always been an unchanging, stable “Presence/Self”. – This process can be reversed and sometimes unveils repressed emotions, the source of “shadow” tendencies, and an understanding of how one’s essential nature has been limited or restricted by normal, human, developmental stages.3.) To awaken awareness of an expanded self beyond time and space. – Sky or Star Gazing in such a way as to transfer the perception and experience of Infinity into oneself.4.) Self-Inquiry or the Via Negativa. – Through contemplation of a series of questions, one “subtracts” the changing and temporal aspects of one’s “self” to discover what remains. – The question, “Who (or What) am I?”, is contemplated after reflection on a progressive series of questions such as, “Am I the body?” (Am I my arm, eyes, hands? ect… “Am I my thoughts?”; “Am I my emotions?”; and so forth, ie. personality characteristics, life circumstances, etc.5.) To awaken awareness of the deeper “I” behind the “Me” using the the “Me” vs “I” contemplation.6.) To awaken awareness of “the” or “a” deeper reality in self. – Difficult for traditional LDS, the “God (or Creative Energy of the universe) IN Me; God (or Creative Energy of the universe) AS Me” contemplation7.) To awaken awareness of deeper “life” within or expanded “life” beyond self. – Use of vibration, chanting, or music. – Use of breath and/or “life force” within then without. – Use of breathing techniques like, Wim Hof Breathing, that can stimulate production of DMT.

Britt and Bill dive into the Hero’s Journey. The discuss the various elements and the ways in which those elements connect with the human world in reality. RESOURCES: ted.com/talks/matthew_winkler_what_makes_a_hero?language=en https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/458496650/the-heros-journey

Britt flies solo today doing deep dive into nihilism, when deconstruction goes too far, and how to rebuild from the ashes.

Britt and Bill take a deep dive into the topic of Consent. What is consent, How does it operate in our society in formal ways such as Medical consent or consent within research. What about Consent within the topics of Marriage, raising a family, and yes even Sex? Britt & Bill help the audience to sense that Consent when understood affects so much of how we show up for others such as our kids and grandkids and even on Karaoke night ! RESOURCES:https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/planning-managing/informed-consent/what-is-informed-consent.html#:~:text=Informed%20consent%20is%20a%20process,questions%20before%20procedures%20and%20treatments. https://www.rainn.org/articles/what-is-consent https://www.healthline.com/health/guide-to-consent https://www.girlscouts.org/en/raising-girls/happy-and-healthy/happy/what-is-consent.html https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/06/01/728398532/how-to-talk-about-sex-and-consent-4-lessons-from-the-kink-community https://www.npr.org/transcripts/972452455 https://www.npr.org/2021/03/01/972452455/navigating-consent-is-all-about-communication-heres-where-to-start https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/consent-or-coercion-revisiting-choices-we-made-when/id1548073775?i=1000527015014

Britt and Bill sit down with American humanist speaker and co-author of the book “Why I Left, Why I Britt and Bill sit down with American humanist speaker and co-author of the book “Why I Left, Why I Stayed: Conversations on Christianity Between an Evangelical Father and His Humanist Son” and discuss Deconstruction, Reconstruction and the future of Religion and humanity. Part one focused on the deconstruction of religion while part 2 delves into reconstruction from a humanist perspective. RESOURCES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Campolo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Campolohttps://americanhumanist.org/what-we-do/grassroots/start-humanist-group-area/ https://ehrmanblog.org/my-interview-with-erstwhile-evanvgelist-now-secular-humanist-bart-campolo/

Britt and Bill sit down with American humanist speaker and co-author of the book “Why I Left, Why I Stayed: Conversations on Christianity Between an Evangelical Father and His Humanist Son” and discuss Deconstruction, Reconstruction and the future of Religion and humanity RESOURCES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Campolo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Campolo https://ehrmanblog.org/my-interview-with-erstwhile-evanvgelist-now-secular-humanist-bart-campolo/ Are You Humanist?

Today the Almost Awakened Podcast is revamped and goes through an upgrade and we share with all of you the improvements and the redesign.

Today we delve into three stories of experiences that I was present for where something occurred and I was given by the universe an opportunity to respond. I will be bragging a bit but with the hope that you can each learn something that equips you to respond better in the world. Visit us at https://almostawakened.org/ Our reddit page https://www.reddit.com/r/AlmostAwakened/

This was an episode to another Podcast hosted by Bill Reel but there was so much in this episode that would pertain to the Almost Awakened audience that it has been published here as well. Bill Reel sits down with Jared Anderson to discuss the inner work of Transformation. Along the way they hit on ideas of Consciousness, Tools that alter consciousness, human development, spiral dynamics, Men’s work, and leaving unhealthy systems. They cover a lot of ground and the conversation is insightful. If you wish to contact Jared you can email him at [email protected] or visit his website linked below.  You can watch the video version of this episode here https://youtu.be/a4LcQx88wj0 RESOURCES: https://www.jaredandersoncoaching.com/ Integral Theory

Bill Sits down with Brittney Hartley, Jana Spangler and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 12 and the final session of Jack Kornfield’s series in an effort to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and its contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” In Episode 12 We wrap up our series discussing “The Buddha’s Last Teachings” and how you the listener now need to go off and engage in the practice. Brittney Hartley is the author of Mormon Philosophy Simplified. She has a masters degree in the Future of American Religion and is in training as a spiritual director with the Center for Non-religious Spirituality. Her work focuses on rebuilding spiritual health after religious trauma. Jana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities.Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability. Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening. RESOURCES:Jack Kornfield – Buddhism for Beginners – https://www.audible.com/pd/Buddhism-for-Beginners-Jack-Kornfield-Audiobook/Eckhart Tolle – A New Earth – https://www.amazon.com/New-Earth-Awakening-Purpose-Selection/dp/0452289963The Urban Monk by: Pedram Shojai- https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Monk-Eastern-Success-Happiness/dp/1623366151John Horga – Rational Mysticism: Spirituality Meets Science in the Search for Enlightenment – https://www.amazon.com/Rational-Mysticism-Spirituality-Science-EnlightenmentDon Miguel Ruiz JrThe Five Levels of Attachment: Toltec Wisdom for the Modern World Hardcover – https://www.amazon.com/Five-Levels-Attachment-Toltec-Wisdom/dp/1938289080Rob Bell – Everything Is Spiritual: Finding Your Way in a Turbulent World – https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Spiritual-What-Were-Doing-ebook/dp/B0867R7P5JThis: Becoming Free – Michael Gungo – https://www.amazon.com/This-Becoming-Free-Michael-Gungor/dp/1944903615Finding God in the Waves: How I Lost My Faith and Found It Again Through Science – Mike McHargue – https://www.amazon.com/Finding-God-Waves-Through-Science-ebook/dp/B01A4B1QIYBathing With God – Glenn Ostlund – https://www.amazon.com/Bathing-God-Playfully-Engaging-Divinity/dp/1735605905 Falling Upward, Richard Rohr – https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Upward-Spirituality-Halves-Life/dp/0470907754Faith After Doubt – Brian McLaren – https://www.amazon.com/Faith-After-Doubt-Beliefs-Stopped/dp/1250262771/Living Buddha Living Christ- Thich Nhat Hanh – https://www.amazon.com/Living-Buddha-Christ-20th-Anniversary/dp/159448239XThe Power of Myth interview series with Bill Moyers & Joseph Campbell – https://billmoyers.com/series/joseph-campbell-and-the-power-of-myth-1988/The Wisdom Jesus, Cythia Bourgeault – https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Jesus-Transforming-Mind-Perspective/dp/1590305809 Turning to the Mystics podcast with Jim Finley – https://www.amazon.com/Turning-Mystics-James-Finley/dp/B08JJRR1KQLearning How to See podcast with Brian McLaren – https://cac.org/podcast/learning-how-to-see/Michael Singer – The Untethered Soul / The SurrenderSearching for Sunday – Rachel Held Evans – https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Sunday-Loving-Leaving-Finding/dp/0718022122

Bill Sits down with Brittney Hartley, Jana Spangler and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 11 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and its contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” In Episode 11 We discuss “The Ten Perfections of the Heart” and how these positive attributes seem to show up naturally when we are being present. Brittney Hartley is the author of Mormon Philosophy Simplified. She has a masters degree in the Future of American Religion and is in training as a spiritual director with the Center for Non-religious Spirituality. Her work focuses on rebuilding spiritual health after religious trauma. Jana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities.Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability. Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening. Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability. Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening. RESOURCES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%81ramit%C4%81 https://www.learnreligions.com/the-perfections-of-theravada-buddhism-449617 https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/study/perfections.html The Ten Perfections https://studybuddhism.com/en/advanced-studies/abhidharma-tenet-systems/comparison-of-buddhist-traditions/the-ten-perfections-in-theravada-mahayana-and-bon

Bill Sits down with Jana Spangler and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 10 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and its contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” The goal of this series is to help you to be a more authentic & healthier version of yourself. In part 10 we discuss the Four Elements Earth Fire Air Water Jana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities. Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability. Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening. RESOURCES:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mah%C4%81bh%C5%ABta#:~:text=(Verse%202.12).-,Buddhism,%2C%20water%2C%20fire%20and%20airhttp://buddhistpeacefellowship.org/4-elements-strengthen-us/https://tricycle.org/magazine/the-elemental-self/

Bill Sits down with Jana Spangler and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 9 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and its contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” The goal of this series is to help you to be a more authentic & healthier version of yourself. In part 9 we discuss the Four Abodes. loving-kindness or benevolence (maitrī/mettā) compassion (karuṇā) empathetic joy (muditā) equanimity (upekṣā/upekkhā) Jana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities. Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability. Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening. RESOURCES:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmaviharahttps://www.lionsroar.com/what-are-the-four-brahmaviharas/

Bill Sits down with Jana Spangler, Britt Hartley, and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 8 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and it contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” The goal of this series is to help you to be a more authentic & healthier version of yourself. In part 8 we discuss Buddhist Psychology. Buddhist psychology is primarily about self-knowledge- finding out more about who you are, understanding your decisions, actions, thoughts, feelings, etcJana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Brittney Hartley is the author of Mormon Philosophy Simplified. She has a masters degree in the Future of American Religion and is in training as a spiritual director with the Center for Non-religious Spirituality. Her work focuses on rebuilding spiritual health after religious trauma. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities. Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability. Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening. RESOURCES:WisdomOfTrauma.com http://www.newcollege.utoronto.ca/academics/new-college-academic-programs/buddhism-psychology-and-mental-health/centre-for-buddhism-and-psychology/buddhist-psychology/

Bill Sits down with Brittney Hartley and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 7 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and it contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” The goal of this series is to help you to be a more authentic & healthier version of yourself. In part 7 we discuss the Basic Characteristics of Life as Jack calls it and what is called the 3 Marks of Existence by other sources. Namely that 1.) All things are impermanent, 2.) That Life includes the physical and mental sufferings that follows all through birth, aging, illness, dying; including dissatisfaction from getting what a being wishes to avoid or not getting what one desires to have in that moment, and 3.) that there is no unchanging, permanent Self or soul in living beings and no abiding essence in anything or phenomena, or in other words, everything is always changing and nothing you have or experience is you.Brittney Hartley is the author of Mormon Philosophy Simplified. She has a masters degree in the Future of American Religion and is in training as a spiritual director with the Center for Non-religious Spirituality. Her work focuses on rebuilding spiritual health after religious trauma. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities. Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability.  Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening.  

Bill Sits down with Jana Spangler, and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 6 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and it contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” The goal of this series is to help you to be a more authentic & healthier version of yourself. In part 6 we discuss the Law of Karma and how Us being present with positive intention really does bring something intentional back to us. Jana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities. Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability. Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening. RESOURCES: https://secularbuddhism.com/what-does-it-mean-to-forgive/ https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319 https://www.amazon.com/Fifth-Agreement-Practical-Self-Mastery-Toltec/dp/1878424610

Bill Sits down with Jana Spangler, and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 5 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and it contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” The goal of this series is to help you to be a more authentic & healthier version of yourself. In part 5 we discuss the Five Hindrances of Awakening. Sensual or Sensory Desire, Ill Will or Anger, Apathy And Laziness, Anxiousness or worry, and DoubtJana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities. Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability.  Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening.  RESOURCES: https://insighttimer.com/blog/the-five-hindrances/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_hindranceshttps://private.strategiccoach.com/store/products/186https://anchor.fm/makingpolywork/episodes/Taming-your-Whoosh-eatio3https://anchor.fm/makingpolywork/episodes/The-Art-of-Time-Outs-eav7u4

Bill Sits down with Brittney Hartley, Jana Spangler, and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 4 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and it contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” The goal of this series is to help you to be a more authentic & healthier version of yourself. In part 4 we discuss the four fundamentals of mindfulness. These are mindfulness about BODY, FEELINGS, MIND, and PHENOMENA. Brittney Hartley is the author of Mormon Philosophy Simplified. She has a masters degree in the Future of American Religion and is in training as a spiritual director with the Center for Non-religious Spirituality. Her work focuses on rebuilding spiritual health after religious trauma.Jana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities. Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability.  Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening.  

Bill Sits down with Brittney Hartley and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 3 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and it contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” The goal of this series is to help you to be a more authentic & healthier version of yourself. In part 3 we discuss the 7 Factors of Awakening often referred to as the Seven Factors of Enlightenment which involves the ways we bring perspective and mindset into our present experiencesBrittney Hartley is the author of Mormon Philosophy Simplified. She has a masters degree in the Future of American Religion and is in training as a spiritual director with the Center for Non-religious Spirituality. Her work focuses on rebuilding spiritual health after religious trauma. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities. Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability.  Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening.  

Bill sits down with his wife Amanda and they discuss “TRUE LOVE” or rather the hard work one will do to wrestle with their own ego in an attempt to make safe space for their partner to be their authentic self. And that True Love allows others to be their real self

Bill Sits down with Jana Spangler and Anthony Miller as they present part 2 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and it contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” The goal of this series is to help you to be a more authentic & healthier version of yourself.In part 2 we discuss the 4 Noble Truths which involves 1.) An awareness that suffering exists 2.) That suffering is caused by grasping at making the world different than it is or resisting the world as it is via our attachment to an ideal or expectation of how we would prefer the world to be 3.) That suffering ends when we let go of said attachment, resistance, and grasping and 4.) The the 8 Fold Path discussed in Part 1 is the way to achieve a cessation of suffering in any given present moment.Jana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities. Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability and Awakeness.  Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening.  

Bill Sits down with Jana Spangler, Brittney Hartley, and Anthony Miller and they embark on a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and it contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” The goal of this series is to help you to be a more authentic & healthier version of yourself. In part 1 we discuss the Eight Fold Path which involves a wisdom in how we both perceive the world as well as how we respond rather than react to the world.Jana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Brittney Hartley is the author of Mormon Philosophy Simplified. She has a masters degree in the Future of American Religion and is in training as a spiritual director with the Center for Non-religious Spirituality. Her work focuses on rebuilding spiritual health after religious trauma. Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities. Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability.  Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening.  

Today Bill brings some Buddhism in and discusses the cause of suffering or grasping at how we want the world to be rather than sit with how it is. He explains why argument and conflict start and how they spiral and how good humans can learn to sit with the disturbances early in those conflicts and alter the path those humans are on. Once you understand that the conflict is inside of you and not outside, you are prepared to act differently, leading to avoiding most of the conflict that arises within you.

This conversation is held that involves the following 5 questions as well as other interesting places we take the conversation along the way.1. What is more dangerous for the future of humanity, nihilism or dogmatism? What are the dangers of each? 2. What are the most important aspects of developing a spiritual life out of nothing? 3. How do you involve young children in a spiritual life outside of religion? 4. How do we transfer over spiritual institutions to a secular world (chaplains, churches, pastors, etc.). How do secular leaders make a living doing spiritual work in the world? 5. How do you build communities around secular morals? What are the new innovations in this field? How are people filling spiritual voids after religion?RESOURCES:Esther Perel Where Should We BeginJordan Peterson & Sam Harris Debates

The excitement surrounding the GME Gamestop Stock story for the last week has been palpable. So In today’s Episode of Almost Awakened I explain as simply as I can what the hell is going on with GME Gamestop stock. How did this train get going? What has potentially pumped the stock up, what potentially made it crash down, and what caused it to level off and where are we at today. And as we watch in upcoming days, what will happen to GME and the stocks such as AMC, BB, NOK right behind it? Its going to be fun to watch.RESOURCES:https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/27/business/gamestop-wall-street-bets.htmlReddit Wall Street Betshttps://www.thestreet.com/video/gme-stock-surge-reddit-change-stock-market-pyschologyhttps://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/robinhood-interactive-brokers-restrict-trading-in-gamestop-s.htmlhttps://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/wallstreetbets-reddit-vs-wall-street/index.html100%+ short interest in GameStock stock (GME) – fundamental & technical deep value analysis

Today with sit down with Veronica Funess, Intimacy Coach in Training and we discuss sexual shame that exists within society. We discuss how healthy negotiation of sexuality can look. We discuss kinks, fantasies, and how to incorporate your most vulnerable and healthy self into a healthy relationship with your partner.Veronica is a Graduate in Gender & Women’s studies with minors in Business Administration and Communication. She is passionate about helping others improve their relationships and honor their erotic selves. Veronica is training at the Somatica Institute and Studied Gender and Women’s Studies at The University of Arizona. Past experience includes providing and directing peer education and facilitation for sexual violence and healthy relationships programming, market research and PR internships, and client and customer service positions: boutique fitness membership advising, and serving and bartending at an elevated NYC Vegan comfort food bar.  A reminder when it comes to negotiating sexuality “Within ethical and legal constraints, we all have the right to push for what we want from our partner (and to suffer the consequences for pushing too hard). Similarly, we also have the right to deny our partner’s requests (and to suffer the consequences for shutting them down). But we need to remember that nothing in a relationship happens in a vacuum—it is influenced by what came before, as well as what else is going on in the relationship. So generosity can be rewarded (and bad behavior can be punished) in more ways than one. Therefore, we have to keep the bigger picture in mind—what price am I willing to pay for this? If it’s worth it, then it’s worth it, but since life and relationships involve compromise and sacrifice, we have to consider the potential ripple effects.”RESOURCES:Somatica InstituteThe Erotic MindComing TogetherSex At DawnMating in CaptivityVeronica Funess Linked InVeronica Funess Instagram Page

My friend Phil McLemore comes back on the podcast and this time to debate the question of “What is the life well lived”? We talk about societies and individuals and how freedom versus control makes or inhibits space to be a growing responsible healthy adult who is happy with their life and producing a positive wake through how they move through life. We touch on drugs and sex due to the strong sentiments felt about this two topics and their polarizing nature to set the stage for this deep conversation around what leads to a life well lived and what leads to a wake of trauma, destruction, and self deception. This is one of the best if not the best conversation I have ever been part of and I hope you the listener will benefit from the push and pull as the two of us debate from somewhat different perspectives (and at times extremely different positions) what it means to “Live a Life well lived”Resources: Phil Mclemore and some of his written work Becoming the Beloved PDFHindering the Saints PDFThe Yoga of Christ PDFMormon Mantras PDF

I sit down with my friend, Professor, Podcaster, and Author Jon Westover and we discuss his new book, “The Alchemy of Truly Remarkable Leadership: Ordinary, Everyday Actions That Produce Extraordinary Results”. We talk about what makes a good leader. What toxic leadership looks like. How good leaders foster principles like trust, diversity, inclusivity, and belonging. and Most importantly, I think, how good leaders create an environment for people around them to achieve and succeed. Jon truly is a great leader and you can tell that his words are congruent with his internal character. The world is a better place with humans like Jon around.RESOURCES: Jon’s LinkedIn ProfileJon’s BookJon’s articles on Forbes Jon’s Podcast

Bill talks today about how each of us is quirky, how each of us is seeking validation and acceptance. How we each are weird and have strange thoughts and yet each of us is fighting to reveal our true selves

Holidays tend to bring up things within us and for Bill and his wife Amanda, this Thanksgiving was one of those. From Amanda’s emotional awareness of her daughter moving out of state to take the next step in their own lives, To Bill dealing with the one year anniversary of the loss of his mom, to sensing that life moves one and life doesn’t stop. Today is about how we all deal with life’s constant change.

Phizer just announced and two more companies right behind them announced they have arrived at a vaccine for Covid19. These Vaccines are showing a 95% effectiveness. And yet…. somehow 50% of the population has been turned off of seeing such as a positive. 50% of our population is skeptical about receiving these vaccines. Today on the Almost Awakened Podcast we talk about why people are scared of vaccines, why we perceive a link between vaccines and negative outcomes including Autism, and what Science has to say about Vaccines.  NOT: We humans often have emotional connection to topics like this and such stops us from communicating to each other in ways that we can all listen and learn from each other.  Please be aware of such as you engage the conversation regardless of where you stand.RESOURCES:https://www.historyofvaccines.org/timeline/allhttps://www.immune.org.nz/vaccines/vaccine-development/brief-history-vaccinationhttps://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.24.3.611https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/ensuringsafety/history/index.htmlhttps://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-history/developments-by-yearhttps://www.livescience.com/57488-vaccine-safety-numbers.htmlhttps://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-safety/are-vaccines-safehttps://www.vaccines.gov/basics/safetyhttps://apnews.com/article/us-news-coronavirus-pandemic-177b3ba382517392911c029ecbe74daahttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/11/19/covid-19-vaccines-who-gets-coronavirus-immunization-first/3778098001/

Today Bill discusses Mental Illness and specifically Schizophrenia. Bill uses as the back drop his uncle, who was the first case of mental illness he had ever encountered, a close person who Bill was responsible to help who had some showing of such disturbances, and a recent movie, “Words on Bathroom Walls”, he watched that deeply and honestly displayed the difficulties of Schizophrenia and mental disorder and challenges. Bill ends the discussion asking us all to sit with the challenge of such lives of those who live out these nightmares and those responsible for caring for them.RESOURCES:https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/what-its-like-to-have-schizophrenia#1https://www.verywellmind.com/the-internal-experience-of-schizophrenia-2953095https://www.jnj.com/personal-stories/i-have-schizophrenia-what-its-really-like-living-with-the-mental-illnesshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-H7iJMo4fchttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/not-the-whole-person/201710/what-its-really-live-schizophreniahttps://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/schizophrenia-signs-and-symptoms.htmhttps://www.bridgestorecovery.com/blog/what-its-like-to-live-with-schizophrenia-separating-myths-from-facts/

Glenn and Bill tackle an audio series created by Michael Singer, author of the untethered soul, and use it as a springboard for their own Almost Awakened conversation. This is part 3 and the final part in this multipart series and the conversation in this part covers the actual process one needs to implement to deal with your internal disturbances, that are based on your lifetime of experiences, when they arise. The formula is to RELAX and RELEASE. That when a sensation begins within you because your expectations of what this present moment should look like, how others sghould interact with you or what the outside world should show up as, you just RELAX and RELEASE. We talk about what this looks like and what it means. But in the end it deeply involves you SURRENDERING your expectations of how the world outside of you shows up and you SURRENDER your need to coerce and manipulate the outside world into showing up differently. RESOURCES: Video Describing the “Relax and Release” MethodThe Key to the “Relax and Release” MethodHow to free yourself from negative thoughtsMichael Singer “The Great Breakthrough”OTHER RESOURCES FOR FUTURE GROWTH:https://www.amazon.com/Fifth-Agreement-Practical-Self-Mastery-Toltec/dp/1878424610https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Dawn-Stray-Modern-Relationships-ebook/dp/B007679QTGhttps://www.amazon.com/Waking-Up-Spirituality-Without-Religion/dp/1451636024https://www.amazon.com/Change-Your-Mind-Consciousness-Transcendence/dp/1594204225https://www.amazon.com/Mating-Captivity-Unlocking-Erotic-Intelligence/dp/0060753641

Glenn and Bill tackle an audio series created by Michael Singer, author of the untethered soul, and use it as a springboard for their own Almost Awakened conversation. This is part 2 in a multipart series and the conversation in this part covers ideas such as the baggage we carry with us due to the good and bad experiences that have filled our life. How that baggage or “charges” are preventing us from living present and being at peace. That we are not our thoughts and we are not our feelings and we are not the world outside of us unfolding before us. And once we grasp these charges within us are deeply connected to how we react and respond within the world and often it happens in ways we are not happy with and which are not healthy. This episode is the bridge to the next conversation where we address how to show up in the world different so that we can release these charges and find more inner peace.

Today Bill monologues about human development and some of the human behaviors he notices in others. How we move back and forth between doing good by others and shitting on them. How we manipulate in order to calm our own disruptions. How we struggle to let others be them. And how when we tell stories about others we often do the universe an injustice. Closing song was “Hallucinogenics” by Matt MaesonGood Kisser on netflixLetting others be themselves 1Letting others be themselves 2compersion

Glenn and Bill tackle an audio series created by Michael Singer, author of the untethered soul, and use it as a springboard for their own Almost Awakened conversation. This is part 1 in a multipart series and the conversation in this part covers ideas such as you are not your body, thoughts, or experiences but instead is just the observer behind your senses. That this moment does not belong to you. The marvelous process of how the universe started and how the earth formed and how all life flowed out from this. How we came out of the world rather than come into the world. How awareness affects our agency or “free-will” and if we even have “free-will”. And we end talking about how when our awareness changes we now have opportunities to show up in our world differently. RESOURCES:How the elements were created – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neMEo8ZrwuI&t=11sThe Journey of planet Earth birth to this present moment – https://youtu.be/uHUTbq-j0UUYou are not your thoughts – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QXmmP4psbAThe Creative Energy of the Universe – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcPWU59LuocDeterminism vs Free Will – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCGtkDzELAIThe Peacock Spider’s Mating Ritual

Today I sit down with my friend Glenn Ostlund author of the book “Bathing with God“. Glenn and I both were deep believers in a specific religion. Then we both grew disenchanted with said religion. We deconstructed that religion and deconstructed other systems seemingly walked away from God and religion…. only to, unknown from each other, be on our own re-engaging the big questions and seeking learning from the best books and wisdom voices. This search led us both to awakening and to revisiting our certainties about the world and we in this 2 hour conversation cover so much ground including the multiverse, God being the creative energy in the universe and us being one expression of this energy moving through the universe, the big bang and the beginning of time, memories passed down, being present, the software newborns are born with helping them survive, lizard brain and fight or flight or freeze, Death, Ayahuasca, letting go of Ego, and collectively engage Glenn on his incredible book “Bathing with God“RESOURCES:Bathing With God BOOKBathing With God AudioStored Trauma Memories in our DNA 1Stored Trauma Memories in our DNA 2Stored Trauma Memories in our DNA 3Joe Rogan & Sean Carroll and the MultiverseJoe Rogan & Sean Carroll 1003Joe Rogan & Sean Carroll 1151Joe Rogan & Sean Carroll 1352Joe Rogan & Brian Greene 1428Banned TED Talk: The Science Delusion – Rupert SheldrakeWhat happened before the big bangTime and the Big BangPlants (Specifically Mushrooms) communicate with the world around themThe universe might be one big Neural NetworkThe software newborns are born withMichael Singer: The Untethered SoulLetting Go: The Pathway of Surrender: David R. HawkinsMichael Singer Living From A Place of Surrender

Bill and Phil McLemore sit down and have a conversation around wisdom teachings such as meditation, awareness, being present, ego, the Yoga of Christ, mind chatter, myth, evolution, free will, and death. What an amazing conversation Phil helps us create. RESOURCES:https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/pdf/146-30-45.pdfhttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-kriya-yoga/yoga-and-christ-ukiYPp7E9zG/https://www.thymindoman.com/the-next-chapter-of-thymindoman-com-living-in-the-gift/https://www.facebook.com/groups/meditatewithphil/http://csa-davis.org/sites/?q=node/455

Today Bill dissects a 10 minute audio clip of Alan Watts. The video can be watched HERE and it is recommended you watch the video first before listening to the commentary. The truths being shared here are crucial to the awakened life. Learning to quiet your mind chatter. Learning to see the constructs of your life as something other than reality. Learning to be present rather than lost in past and future. And lastly learning that EGO isn’t really an eternal part of you. youtube.com/watch?v=dYSQ1NF1hvw (Alan Watts on the Illusion of Time, Money, & Ego

Today Bill dives into tribalism. Why do we humans choose to be in tribes? What are the benefits and drawbacks of tribalism? What makes us humans unique and what facets of tribalism have we humans taken advantage of and at what expense? Where did tribalism come from? Can we cling to the benefits while minimizing and eliminating the drawbacks? All this and more is the jumping off point for today’s conversation, a conversation meant to simply get us started. RESOURCES:https://kevindelaplante.com/the-dangers-of-tribalism/https://sensitiveevolution.com/the-limits-of-tribalism/https://soapboxie.com/social-issues/The-Good-and-Bad-of-Tribalismhttps://www.theatlantic.com/membership/archive/2018/10/trouble-tribalism/573307/https://medium.com/@zaiderrr/why-toxic-tribalism-is-destroying-our-society-what-to-do-about-it-e05c3391d143

Today I sit down with a friend who spent roughly a year in prison. What is prison life like? How does an Almost Awakened person perceive and negotiate their time and thoughts and behavior and what observations are made about the system and people around them?RESOURCES:https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/gabrielsanchez/sara-bennett-looking-inside-women-prison-incarceration https://www.themarshallproject.org/2018/07/12/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-prisoner

Today on the Almost Awakened Podcast we talk about how we judge ourselves and judge others and our behaviors as good or bad. But there is a challenge to step back and to see others in their humanity. To comprehend the trauma that is handed down to each one of us and to sit with what that says about us humans collectively and individually. To recognize the kinds of behaviors we humans show up with and to see that no matter how healthy and responsible or how harmful and traumatic we show up is in fact human. That we are each pieces of shit (And we mean that in the nicest way) That we each have had Hundreds of thousands of years of trauma imposed on us and generations of trauma handed to us. And this should move us from judgement of good and bad to acceptance of things as they are an effort to even see the worst of behaviors among us as HUMAN. Rather than to love yourself, what if we could simply accept ourselves and accept others?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Je_vOpolGc Ram Dass Loving Yourselfhttps://www.netflix.com/title/81078802 – Sam Jay – Netflixhttps://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190326-what-is-epigenetics – Trauma in our DNA 1https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/122740-dna-can-carry-memories-of-traumatic-stress-down-the-generations – Trauma in our DNA 2https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/10/trauma-inherited-generations/573055/ – Trauma in our DNA 3