In this podcast Jimmy Wightman & Stephen Mugen Snyder Sensei discuss the reality of authentic awakening, also known as kensho or satori. In this context, awakening refers to an event that happens in consciousness that reveals the nondual truth of reality. It’s a dramatic shift that goes right to the locus of identity, opening to nonduality.

Jimmy & Stephen get specific about what awakening means within different traditions & how awakening is expressed within consciousness. They also discuss the pitfalls of awakening and how the personality can change after an awakening experience. They also talk about the post-awakening state and what you should do after a life-changing shift in consciousness in order to integrate and embody the realisation.

Finally, the pair discuss Stephen's new book: Liberating the self - Buddhist Practices for an Authentic Life.

Jimmy Wightman is the host of this podcast. The guest, Stephen Snyder, is a meditation teacher who began practicing in 1976. Stephen is a recognised master of the Jhanas, which are the absorption states entered through deep concentration taught by the Buddha. He’s also a Zen master, authorised to teach in both the Soto & Rinzai schools of Zen.

Stephen Snyder links:

Website: https://awakeningdharma.org

Stephen’s Interview series: https://youtu.be/bE9oaKl_hPc?si=MrjnWJ_tYKEvhGi8

Jimmy Wightman links:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Delve_Deep_Meditation

Instagram: @that_meditation_guy

Website: https://www.delvedeep.com

The guided meditation starts at 05:00. In this guided meditation I'll show you how to cultivate exquisite presence by effortlessly holding the entire body in awareness. This is a simple and effective practise that will increase your mindfulness knowledge and skill. This is a great way to develop access concentration, which is the level of concentration needed to enter Jhana (the Jhanas are the deep states of absorption taught by the Buddha). This is also a fantastic way to calm the mind-body system, release stress and tension, and learn how to feel emotions without reacting to them.

In the intro (teaching part) of this meditation I explain the 5 most common blockages or obstacles in mindfulness. I also give advice on how to overcome them. This will help you to sit longer and feel more in control during your practise. The Buddha also taught about these blockages. In the Pali cannon they are known as the 5 hindrances to mindfulness.

I hope you enjoy this practise. Feel free to contact me and let me know how it feels for you.

Instagram: @that_meditation_guy

Website: https://www.delvedeep.com

The guided meditation starts at 04:00. Before that is the explanation. In this guided meditation I will show you how to contact and rest in the pure I AM sense. That's the fundamental alive presence that is there before any ego identity is conjured by the mind.

When you say "I AM" the mind will often add something on that defines you. For example: "I am hungry" or "I am a good person" or "I am a Mum."

This meditation is all about learning to disidentify from all the constructed mental identities added to the "I am" in order to become fully immersed in the open, alive, awake sense of presence that has (and will) always be here. This can lead to awakening and a direct experience of nonduality.

You will like this style of meditation if you enjoy the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, Jack Kornfield, Adyashanti, Angelo Dillulo, Shinzen Young, Michael Taft, Gangaji, Sam Harris, Henry Shukman and Loch Kelly.

Enjoy.

Instagram: @that_meditation_guy

Website: https://www.delvedeep.com