Deep Psychology

We tend to assume other people are separate and independent from us. But what if this was simply a useful assumption or paradigm, not the be all end all?Do other people exist? My conclusion: well... kind of.Resonate with my work? Fortnightly updates & free 20-min coaching taster: https://deep-psychology.com

I propose that the materialistic paradigm is deeply flawed. While it is extremely useful and explanatory, it is underpinned by some highly questionable assumptions. In this snippet from last week's episode Is The World Physical?, we address those assumptions.

There are very good reasons why materialism is the standard philosophical paradigm in the modern world, and here I outline them in a practical way.

There are three simple, essential critiques of materialism that seriously jeopardise its legitimacy.This is a snippet from yesterday's episode, Is The World Physical?

There's no shortage of big questions this month, and today we discuss whether the world is physical or not.This is part of my February philosophy series in which I aim not to promote a creed or doctrine but to honestly explore and inquire into these questions and encourage this in you.

This is a snippet from last week's episode on Does An External World Exist?In this part, we cover naive realism, assumption v reality, and why naive realism is an assumption.

This month we get very existential and I start with a big question: does the external world exist? That is, is there a physical, permanent, 3D world beyond your current experience?"You do not know the external world because there is no external world" - me!

"Effort accumulates to the point where it is unstoppable."We round off this month with a distilled, concise summary of all the best principles and tips I know for setting goals and following through on them.We discuss goal-setting keys, long-term vs short-term, exponential change, developmental psychology, hockey sticks and pianos.Subscribe to my newsletter for fortnighthly updates: http://eepurl.com/iQjAiw

Episode 2 of my January series of Why NY's Resolutions Fail.We cover a lot of ground today, from the top 3 learning myths, the source of these myths, to the fundamental assumption of pre-Achiever levels of development, to the keys to learning and success, to why talent is false, and more.Key insight: Before Achiever levels of ego development, the self is seen as fixed.Free 20-min coaching session: https://deep-psychology.com

This month, we discuss why New Year's resolutions fail, beginning with a little-known but crucial insight: that achievement requires particular, developmentally guided inner machinery that many people lack.Find out more about my coaching for deep psychological insight: https://deep-psychology.com

Let's discuss how to celebrate Christmas like a mystic - how to maintain and develop your spiritual practice throughout the Christmas period.

Let's look at the deeper, embodied meaning of three crucial Christmas symbols: the Christmas Star, the Baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary."Your true nature is ultimately completely empty... but is also everything at the same time."P.S. I hope you found this alternate format interesting, and next week I'll be back on Wednesday.Try a free coaching session: https://deep-psychology.com

In December, we are looking at Christmas from the point of view of spiritual truth, revealing the ultimate purpose behind this century-old, widely misunderstood tradition.Today we cover who or what is Christ or Jesus? We answer this question not from a traditional, Christian perspective, but from the point of view of spiritual truth and transformation.And once we step beyond shallow expressions and cultural traditions, it's really quite simple.In terms of spiritual truth, Christ simply means your true nature. Jesus Christ is the human embodiment of your true nature.Try a free coaching session: https://deep-psychology.com

In December, we are looking at Christmas from the point of view of spiritual truth, revealing the ultimate purpose behind this century-old, widely misunderstood tradition.Though for most people it is simply an opportunity for a day of hedonism or the ultimate celebration of the Christian faith. But once we step beyond shallow expressions and cultural traditions, it's really quite simple.What is Christmas? Christmas means "Christ's mass" or the "mass of Christ". In terms of spiritual truth, Christ means your true nature.In other words, Christmas is a celebration of your true nature.Try a free 20-minute coaching session: deep-psychology.com

We round up this month's series on intimate relationships by covering the key psychological principles for mastering your relationship life.

Responsibility is one of the two key factors guiding the quality of your intimate relationship.In today's edition of my November series we cover what responsibility means in intimate relationships. You will see its importance in grounded, everyday examples and learn how to take full responsibility for your speech, communication, behaviour, emotions and thoughts.

This is a critical principle for deepening and growing your intimate relationship: your partner sees all of you. The great, the ghastly and everything else - they see your entire psyche at work.

In episode 2 of my November series on intimate relationships, we discuss a critical aspect of long-term companionship: romantic infatuation. We look at what it is, how we typically view it, how we should view it, and what the traps are.

Welcome to my Wednesday series for November, where we'll cover all you need to know about the psychology of intimate relationships and how to use them to master your self-awareness and communication skills.Get a free discovery call with me: https://deep-psychology.com

We wrap up our October series on Integral Spirituality with the key points behind how to know whether you are at the integral stage of development or not.Today I keep it very down to earth and practical, and please note that these points are based on my opinion, research and experience!Master the levels of consciousness with my Master Spiral Dynamics book: https://deep-psychology.com/master-spiral-dynamics-ebook/

Today we talk about the topic of Spiral Dynamics tests and why doing them can be deceptive. Learn a bigger, more nuanced view on this topic, and learn the key question to ask to determine how developed you are.My books on Spiral Dynamics:Master Spiral DynamicsSpiral Dynamics Embodied

In episode 3 of my October series on Integral Spirituality, we discuss what spiritual practice looks like at this level.At the end, I give you five clear criteria for identifying whether a teacher, system, or practitioner is operating from this stage.Master the levels of consciousness with my Master Spiral Dynamics book: https://deep-psychology.com/master-spiral-dynamics-ebook/

Today I discuss/rant about the topic of spiritual paraphernalia and why it is crucial that you avoid it if you want to make serious progress in this work.In short, if you get lost in paraphernalia related to yoga, the East, or anything else, you are selling yourself way short of your capabilities and missing out on transformative insight.Free 30-minute discovery call for meditation coaching: deep-psychology.com

Today we begin to look deeply at Integral Spirituality, discussing specifically how we view and relate to divinity at this stage.Free 30-min Discovery Call for coaching on meditation, mentality or habits & goals, or executive coaching: deep-psychology.comMaster the levels of consciousness with my Master Spiral Dynamics book: https://deep-psychology.com/master-spiral-dynamics-ebook/

It's time to debunk these four damaging meditation myths once and for all. These aren't just cute little cultural myths that have no real impact on meditators – they will stop you dead in your tracks as you attempt to build a daily meditation practice.In fact, they will prevent you reaching deep territory with this practice, leaving you stuck and frustrated, believing that you simply aren't up to it.Let's bust these four meditation myths.Free discovery call for meditation, habits & mentality, developmental, or executive coaching: deep-psychology.com.

The first episode in my series on Integral Spirituality, where we learn about this fascinating stage of spiritual development that is currently emerging.Today, we cover the most essential points, including when integral spirituality appears in individuals and society, how it relates to evolution, how it differs from the prior stages, and how to recognise it in yourself.Get a free intro coaching call with me: https://deep-psychology.comMaster the levels of consciousness with my Master Spiral Dynamics book: https://deep-psychology.com/master-spiral-dynamics-ebook/

A crucial part of learning how to learn is becoming acutely aware of the obstacles that block our path to excellence.Here we look at three dysfunctional characters – the Dabbler, the Hack, and the Obsessive. These are the three learner profiles you want to avoid. Together they’ll give you a spookily accurate assessment of how you prevent yourself reaching true competence and expertise.This is an example video from my free, open-access course Master Autodidactism, available on my site.Get a free intro coaching call with me: https://deep-psychology.com

In the final episode of this series, we discuss progressive spirituality, one of the main levels of spirituality active in the world today, and one that you have likely experienced.By learning about it you will have a much deeper grasp of your spiritual life and human spiritual development.Master the levels of consciousness with my Master Spiral Dynamics book: https://deep-psychology.com/master-spiral-dynamics-ebook/

The defining attribute of this archetype is that it directs its aggression to a noble cause and does all it can to ensure it prevails.This archetype is an action taker. Buoyed by a strong sense of purpose, it’s able to persist and fight through obstacles when others would thro w their purpose overboard. In this role, it doesn’t take no for an answer, and takes great risks in pursuit of its target.Book a free 30-min intro call with me: deep-psychology.com

Let's continue with the levels of spirituality, covering the second major stage, called Secular Spirituality.Steve McIntosh calls this "aspirituality" because it is defined by its denial of the reality of anything transcendent. Master the levels of consciousness with my Master Spiral Dynamics book: https://deep-psychology.com/master-spiral-dynamics-ebook/

It’s common nowadays to feel modern malaise. In men, this looks like reaching 30 or 40 years old and not feeling like you’re a man yet. You feel restless, purposeless. These archetypes point us towards healthy, empowered modern manhood. And the result of integrating and activating the four archetypes is masculine confidence, power and inner security.

Today we explore the traditional level of spirituality. Though this level has shaped society for millennia, it is facing rapid decline in the West.This is organized religion—think Christianity, Islam, Judaism— and is rooted in mythic-literal belief. It is conservative, ritual-driven, and community-focused, teaches black-and-white morality, divine judgment, and salvation. While fostering devotion, guidance, and belonging, it resists modern science, is dogmatic, and appeals mainly to older generations.Master the levels of consciousness with my Master Spiral Dynamics book: https://deep-psychology.com/master-spiral-dynamics-ebook/

This is an introduction to the AQAL framework from Ken Wilber's Integral Theory in the context of self-transformation. We cover the four quadrants, lines, levels, states and types, along with how my work fits into this model.[Yes, my site used to be called The Great Updraft]This is the most holistic model of reality and human psychology I know of. Learn the pillars of Wilber's AQAL framework from Integral Theory and how you can use it to boost your self-improvement efforts.Get my Integral Theory Condensed book here: https://deep-psychology.com/integral-theory/Get coaching with me: https://deep-psychology.com

This is an overview of the levels of spirituality and their significance in our lives.In September I am releasing a series of episodes on the Levels of Spirituality, focusing on the three that are most visible at this time in history: Religious, Secular and Progressive.Come back each Sunday to learn deeply about each stage.Master the levels of consciousness with my Master Spiral Dynamics book: https://deep-psychology.com/master-spiral-dynamics-ebook/

Let's discuss the conscious and subconscious minds: what they are, how they differ from one another, and some of the nuances of this topic.Read more: Understand the Conscious and Subconscious MindsBook coaching with me: https://deep-psychology.com/#startjourney

Wow! It's the final episode of August Wisdom! And we finish on a high, discussing the concept of rapid speed of implementation, critical for any project you are undertaking.Get coaching with me: https://deep-psychology.com

Don't ask the elm tree for pears... What?! Granted, it sounds a lot better in Spanish, but this is a wise expression that I appreciate and find to be very useful.

Here's why people at higher levels of consciousness look weird to those at lower levels, and how this can help you navigate your relationships.

I have an unusually positive view of AI, and in this episode, I share it.

Here is a taste of the evolutionary view of history: that everything is always moving towards unity, if only we zoom out enough on the chaos.

Today we discuss the problem of guru projection, why it happens, and how to avoid it!Get coaching with me: https://deep-psychology.com/psychospiritual-coaching/

Here is why when we self-correct our speech, we reveal traits that are in the shadow.

Let's talk about why it takes 10 years of work to reach authentic non-dual realisation, and why we cannot simply recite and regurgitate the teachings.Get 25% off coaching until end of August: https://deep-psychology.com/#startjourney

It's day 23 of August Wisdom, and today we continue talking about why we must set big goals.

In episode 22 of August Wisdom, we cover why it is crucial to set big goals.

Today we discuss a deep, deep topic in short form. Life is an dewdrop in infinite consciousness, outside of which there is nothing but pure, lucid awareness.My upcoming book is called: The Non-dual Body: Discover Your Infinite Essence. Soon I will officially announce its release.25% off coaching with me if you book by the end of August: https://deep-psychology.com

In this episode of August Wisdom, we cover why prayer is real, what God is, and how to develop your prayer, all from a non-fundamentalist, post-rational perspective.

A crucial part of learning how to learn is becoming acutely aware of the obstacles that block our path to excellence.In day 19 of August Wisdom, we look at the Beginner's Hump – the early period in the learning journey when we feel clumsy and incompetent. Our new pursuit seems impossible, and we wonder how we'll ever get there.Know that this is temporary. You will get through it, and we'll look at some tried-and-tested strategies for navigating this challenging period.Get coaching with me: https://deep-psychology.com

The wonderful thing about Integral Consciousness (stages Teal and Turquoise in Integral Theory) is that we realise we are continually evolving individuals in a continually evolving world. As such, we can consciously participate in our own growth. We make conscious the unconscious process of stage development as it unfolds decade to decade, year to year, week to week, and moment to moment.From this perspective, Integral Consciousness is not an end, but a means, a practice. And the four practices we look at today will assist you in your own consciousness project. Over time, these practices for embodying Integral Theory will positively alter your modus operandi.Practice 1: See The Necessity of All StagesPractice 2: See The Spectrum of Stages in YourselfPractice 3: Zoom Out on LifePractice 4: Love Thy NeighbourGet my book Integral Theory Condensed - https://deep-psychology.com/integral-theory/Get coaching with me: https://deep-psychology.com

Stop looking for fancy techniques, and start doing things as though you could already do them, until you finally can.