“Many of us begin the spiritual path because we simply want to feel better. And this desire to feel good can take us some distance on the path. It will get you meditating daily, it will get you into workshops and retreats, and you’ll start to grow and change and evolve as a result. But, ultimately, spiritual awakening requires much more from us. It requires us to let go of the need to feel any particular way. It’s not possible to truly awaken, to really go all the way on our path when we’re trying to get there just for ourself. And so, in the end it all points us to, how do we awaken to a greater motive for being on the path that’s not about us, that’s connected to something much greater than our personal happiness.” —Craig Hamilton

Many of us begin the spiritual journey with a heartfelt longing—to feel more peaceful, more whole, more connected to something greater. And often, spiritual practice delivers on that promise. It brings relief, insight, and a sense of calm amidst the storms of life.

But what if the very practices meant to awaken us are quietly being used to help us avoid the uncomfortable, messy work of transformation? In “Obstacles to Awakening - Part Three” Craig explores the subtle and often unconscious phenomenon known as spiritual bypassing—when we use meditation, teachings, or spiritual states to sidestep pain, unresolved issues, or the real work of growing up.

Rather than judging these tendencies, Craig opens up a space of inquiry. What happens when the longing to feel good gives way to something greater—a calling to serve the whole, to be an instrument of awakening in a world that so deeply needs it. And in that moment, our practice takes on a new quality.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your practice is leading you deeper—or just helping you escape—this episode offers a powerful and compassionate lens for reflection.

To access the full transcript of this episode and discover more resources, visit the episode page on MeditationChangesEverything.com. You can also sign up here for Craig’s weekly newsletter.

For a deeper experience of Craig’s approach to meditation, consider joining our Awakened Life membership program which offers in-depth guidance, a meditation workshop, and a live online retreat with Craig. Register today to receive your first month for 50% off at AwakenedLifeMembership.com.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s meditation experiments, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at FreeMeditationWorkshop.com.

If you would like to share your experience of the podcast or have questions about Craig's teachings, please feel free to email us at support@craighamiltonglobal.com.

“Meditation is ultimately about getting out of the way so that a greater intelligence and a higher set of capacities can begin to show up within us. We meditate so that we can unlock a deeper care, a deeper strength, a deeper willingness to trust and ultimately a completely different order of consciousness than anything we can cause through our willful effort. As we awaken, this higher consciousness then begins to express itself in all kinds of ways organically and naturally in every aspect of our life.”
—Craig Hamilton

In this episode, Craig explores a challenge many of us face—how to bridge the gap between meditation and daily life.

When we meditate, we step outside the usual flow of life. For a time, we pause, let go, and rest in stillness. In those moments, we may touch something vast—something free. But as soon as we return to daily life, we often find that everything shifts. Responsibilities pull us in, challenges arise, and the ease we felt in meditation can feel suddenly out of reach.

Many of us try to bring meditative awareness into everything we do, hoping to sustain a sense of clarity and presence. But no matter how much effort we make, it often feels unnatural—like trying to hold on to something delicate in a world that doesn’t quite accommodate it.

So how do we bring awakening into action? How do we allow the deeper intelligence we touch in meditation to move through us effortlessly, shaping how we respond, engage, and act in the world?

In Awakening in Daily Life, Craig offers a fresh perspective on this dilemma—one that goes beyond trying to impose meditative states onto life and instead reveals how awakening can naturally express itself in what we do.

To access the full transcript of this episode and discover more resources, visit the episode page on MeditationChangesEverything.com. You can also sign up here for Craig’s weekly newsletter.

For a deeper experience of Craig’s approach to meditation, consider joining our Awakened Life membership program which offers in-depth guidance, a meditation workshop, and a live online retreat with Craig. Register today to receive your first month for 50% off at AwakenedLifeMembership.com.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s meditation experiments, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at FreeMeditationWorkshop.com.

If you would like to share your experience of the podcast or have questions about Craig's teachings, please feel free to email us at support@craighamiltonglobal.com.

In a world where uncertainty, conflict, and emotional triggers seem to be everywhere, staying rooted in stillness can often seem out of reach.

In Unlocking the Power of Stillness: Equanimity Meditation, Craig explores how meditation can become a powerful ally in helping us stay centered and grounded, even in the midst of life’s most difficult challenges.

This quality of inner balance is often called equanimity. And it doesn’t mean staying calm all the time, or acting like we’re unaffected by life’s ups and downs.

True equanimity empowers us to stay grounded in the unshakable depths of our own being, allowing us to engage fully with whatever life brings, without losing our center.
If you’ve ever wondered how to hold steady when life is swirling around you, this episode offers both insight and practical guidance for unlocking the transformative power of equanimity through meditation.

To access the full transcript of this episode and discover more resources, visit the episode page on MeditationChangesEverything.com. You can also sign up here for Craig’s weekly newsletter.

For a deeper experience of Craig’s approach to meditation, consider joining our Awakened Life membership program which offers in-depth guidance, a meditation workshop, and a live online retreat with Craig. Register today to receive your first month for 50% off at AwakenedLifeMembership.com.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Craig’s meditation experiments, you’re invited to tune in to a 90-minute online workshop Craig will be hosting called Meditation 2.0 – The Miracle of Direct Awakening. Register for free at FreeMeditationWorkshop.com.

If you would like to share your experience of the podcast or have questions about Craig's teachings, please feel free to email us at support@craighamiltonglobal.com.