The mind wants to be number one, to win at everything, and always hold first place. To be the first to explore uncharted lands, to be the first one to witness great wonders. Go on adventurous expeditions to places where no foot has stepped before. We take pride at being the first, at truly anything. Being the first in line, taking the front row on a roller coaster, the first to jump, the first to come back and the first to go out. The first to have the newest gadget and the first to drive the newest car. The best...

When Siddhartha was asked, “and you? What can you do?” he replied – “me? -- I can think, I can fast and I can wait.” Most of us can’t really think. We think that we do. But in truth, it’s our thoughts that are thinking us and not so much the other way around. Most of us are trained in compulsive thinking. An incessant flow of thoughts running one after the other with little to no space in between. Our process of thinking is truly running the show. As if there is an inside radio commentator that has to describe...

Notice your breath, focus on this flame and recite this mantra. Stand on your head, tuck in your stomach and bring your awareness to your third eye. We are often guided to “meditate” by focusing or fixing our attention on one spot. Whether that spot may be a sound, a body part or any external phenomena. If you ever go to a Yoga conference or an intensive workshop, you'd be bombarded by so many meditation techniques, methods and practices. Many forms, or ways to practice “quieting” the mind or coming into peace. The word focus implies a sense of particularity....

Enlightenment, Satori, Moksha, Nirvana... many names for the one non-describable state of reality. If there's one thing we consistently find across human history is humanity's attempt to transcend the mundane state of being. A desperate search for purpose and an undeniable sense of emptiness leading to the pursuit of happiness. I've been seeking after this illusive state of being for over twenty-five years now. Practicing literally every religion and spiritual tradition known (and unknown) to man. I've studied numerous scriptures, met more teachers and gurus than I can possibly count. I've been teaching non-dual consciousness for over ten years now,...

As we go down the rabbit hole in the pursuit of spiritual awakening, we are often encouraged to explore our shadow. Delve into our vices and weaknesses. Places within our consciousness that need to be brought out into the light. To be examined, understood and eventually transcended. We are taught that evolution, spiritual change, implies walking away from what we consider negative behavior or thought patterns and the embracing of what we consider positive ones. It seems very logical. Since our negativity and harmful behaviors cause us pain and in some way even destruction, it is only but the next...