x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Awareness Explorers

Jonathan Robinson & Brian Tom O"Connor

If you want to awaken peace and love in daily life, pure awareness is always available as the background of all experience. Jonathan Robinson and Brian Tom O"Connor explore ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our true nature.

religion & spirituality spirituality

All Episodes

48:23

210: The Problem of Compartmentalization

Awareness Explorers ·

2026/04/10

Awareness Explorers episode 210: The Problem of Compartmentalization In this episode we explore the problem of compartmentalization and how applying spiritual awareness to some areas of life (such as meditation), but not others (such as money or relationships) creates a spiritual identity that fails to integrate shadow material, thereby inhibiting the cultivation of non-dual awareness alongside engagement in ethical, human action. • Includes a guided meditation helping you to visualize a challenging

en

01:10:36

209: Neelam, Guest Explorer

Awareness Explorers ·

2026/03/27

Awareness Explorers episode 209: Neelam, Guest Explorer In this episode we talk to Neelam about her awakening with H.W.L. Poonja, known as Papaji, the role of trust in awakening, how the nervous system's capacity to be present is the "missing link" between a desire for truth and the ability to experience it, and how a true feeling of "okayness" enables us to rest in our true nature. •Includes a guided meditation leading us to the direct experience of presence by noticing the spaciousness that is

en

01:05:04

208: Trina Dawn, Guest Explorer

Awareness Explorers ·

2026/03/13

Awareness Explorers episode 208: Trina Dawn, Guest Explorer In this episode, we talk to Trina Dawn about the "seeker" identity as a mind-created story, which perpetuates suffering by resisting the present moment. •Includes a guided meditation using questions to help you notice what's shining right here, right now without any effort, and without words or labels, and that's already awake. To learn more about Trina Dawn, please visit: https://www.trinadawn.com/ Or watch on these platforms: YouTube:

en

01:12:15

207: Tani Thole and Leslie Rogers, Guest Explorers

Awareness Explorers ·

2026/02/27

Awareness Explorers episode 207: Tani Thole and Leslie Rogers, Guest Explorers In this episode we talk to Tani Thole and Leslie Rogers, founders of the Light Dark Institute, about their philosophy of integrating shadow work for spiritual growth, by bringing love to the most unloved parts of the self, which are the source of internal and external conflict. • Includes a guided meditation from Tani inviting you to explore some part of yourself that you struggle with or reject, to notice the drain on

en

41:40

206: Preparation for Meditation

Awareness Explorers ·

2026/02/13

In this episode, Jonathan and Brian debate the value of pre-meditation rituals for enhancing meditation. We outline several practices to enhance meditation, and we also contrast pre-meditation rituals to create deep experiences, versus viewing meditation as simply allowing "what is." • Includes a guided meditation helping you to transition from your busy day by breathing into any part of your body that is tense or contracted, and by putting aside any story going on in your head. Don't forget to

en

47:17

205: Back to Basics with Ramana and Nisargadatta

Awareness Explorers ·

2026/01/30

In this episode we review the core non-duality teachings of Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj, including their inquiries into the nature of the Self. These teachings have been among the most influential in the present-day satsang and nonduality movements in the West. • Includes a guided self-inquiry meditation to trace the "I" thought to its source as the knower of all experience, and to help the listener identify as pure, choiceless, allowing, loving awareness. A good place to get a feel

en

48:23

204: Relationship, Awakening, and MDMA

Awareness Explorers ·

2026/01/16

In this episode we explore relationships as a path to awakening that reveals obstacles to love, and how MDMA can serve as a catalyst to open-heartedness. The book we discussed in this episode is Ecstasy for Couples: How MDMA Therapy Can Create More Love and Less Conflict In Your Relationship To learn more about Ecstasy for Couples, please visit: https://xtcforcouples.net/ For more information about the amygdala, which was mentioned in this episode:

en

01:06:07

203: Kate Alvo, Guest Explorer on Tension and Trauma...

Awareness Explorers ·

2026/01/02

In this episode, we talk to Kate Alvo about Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) how they can release tension held in the body from stress and from traumas of the past, as well as how releasing stored tension naturally quiets the mind, offering a physical pathway to presence that can facilitate awakening. • Includes a guided meditation to help listeners tune into their bodies and notice direct present-moment experience without judgement. To learn more about Kate Alvo, please visit:

en

01:04:56

202: The Future of Transformational Technologies

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/12/19

In this episode, we explore how technology is accelerating human transformation and consciousness, and we outline the five key areas that are driving this shift: psychedelics, nootropics, gadgets, new techniques, and AI coaching. • Includes a guided meditation leading us to recall a specific, highly awakened or peaceful experience and how to amplify the feeling with deep breaths and visualization. Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our

en

01:06:18

201: Amy Islip, Guest Explorer

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/12/05

In this episode we talk to Amy Islip about her experiences with guided MDMA therapy, the profound spiritual awakening that ensued, and the resulting embodiment of spacious, open-hearted, love. • Includes a guided meditation leading us first, to rest in what is, free from stories and plans, allowing our bodies to soften, dissolve, and expand, and then, leading us to draw that expansiveness back into our bodies, minds, and the roles we play in everyday life. To learn more about Amy Islip, please

en

56:53

200: Recurring Themes

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/11/21

In this episode, we respond to ChatGPT's summary of the top 15 recurring themes throughout the 200 episodes of Awareness Explorers to date, and elaborate on the ways they point to the realization of our true nature as infinite awareness. • Includes a list of Brian's Key Principles of Awareness, which can serve as a guided meditation. And here is a link to Pamela Wilson's "Cave of the Heart" meditation that we talked about in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1ONEN_h__8 Don't forget to

en

47:01

199: Guru Pros and Cons

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/11/07

In this episode we discuss gurus and spiritual teachers and explore the potential benefits as well as the potential risks involved in following a guru. • Includes a guided meditation leading us toward finding our inner guru and asking a deep personal question. Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our true nature. To learn more about Awareness Explorers, and to listen to all of our podcast episodes, please visit:

en

54:50

198: Beth Miller, Guest Explorer

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/10/24

In this episode we talk with Beth Miller, author of Awakening is Not for the Faint of Heart: Risk Everything for Love, about her profound shift in consciousness, the integration of therapy and spirituality, and insights from long COVID, which was ultimately a gift, providing deep healing and spiritual growth, and requiring intense presence, surrender, and trust in life. To learn more about Beth Miller, please visit: BethMillerPhD.com https://www.bethMillerphd.com/ Or email her at

en

56:40

197: Michael McCord, Guest Explorer

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/10/10

In this episode we talk to Michael McCord, president of San Francisco Zen Center, on bringing Zen practices into daily life and work, and how enlightenment is seen as an ongoing process of increasing awareness, not a fixed end state to achieve. • Includes a guided meditation introducing the Zen practice of breath counting. To learn more about Michael McCord, please visit these San Franciso Zen Center pages: https://www.sfzc.org/

en

57:14

196: Stephen Zerfas, Guest Explorer

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/09/26

In this episode we talk to Stephen Zerfas, co-founder of Jhourney, which offers retreats facilitating rapid access to jhana meditation states, described as positive feedback loops between attention and emotion, offering profound states of gratitude, peace and non-duality. • Includes a guided meditation focusing on relaxing the body while turning our attention to positive concepts such as gratitude and wishing for the well-being of all others. To learn more about Stephen Zerfas, please visit:

en

41:39

195: How to Be with Bad News

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/09/12

In this episode we discuss strategies for handling bad news as an awakening person, balancing awareness and action.. • Includes a guided meditation addressing the dichotomy between taking action and acceptance, and how to bring these two seeming opposites into a workable equilibrium. Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our true nature. NEWS: Awareness Explorers has made the following top listener charts on Goodpods: # 6 in the Top 100

en

42:59

194: Embracing the Middle Way

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/08/29

In this episode we discuss the concept of the Middle Way and explore how to move beyond polarities in spiritual practice and daily life, thus finding a balance between extremes and recognizing the interconnectedness of all things. • Includes a guided meditation in which we bring two opposite energies together to sense how they are intertwined and to feel a balance and a gentle equilibrium as we use breath to weave the two together. Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to tap into the

en

54:41

193: Kat van Oudheusden, Guest Explorer

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/08/15

In this episode, we talk to Kat (Katrijn) van Oudheusden, author of Seeing No-Self, and Beyond Illusion, about discovering the illusion of separation, and her set of essential inquiries that use empirical investigation of direct experience to point to our true nature. To learn more about Kat van Oudheusden, please visit: https://katoudheusden.com/ Don't forget to subscribe for more ingenious ways to tap into the ever-present stillness and joy of our true nature. NEWS: Awareness Explorers has made

en

58:19

192: Samuel Jacob, Guest Explorer

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/08/01

In this episode we talk to Samuel Jacob, a contemporary spiritual teacher specializing in radical self-inquiry. He emphasizes the immediate availability of awareness, completeness, and happiness in the present moment. • Includes a guided meditation focusing on being aware that all appearances arise “here” without effort, and emphasizing the relaxation of any attempt to arrive here, which is where the I, awareness is. To learn more about Samuel Jacob, please visit: https://www.samueljacob.org/ or on

en

41:20

191: Inward and Outward Paths

Awareness Explorers ·

2025/07/18

In this episode we explore the concepts of the inward and outward facing paths. They are presented as different approaches in various traditions that, if pursued to their core, eventually arrive at a direct experience of a unified life. • Includes a guided meditation that extends the ancient neti neti practice of excluding all concepts of what you conceive yourself to be, and then re-including all so-called outer experience, thereby seeing that all is awareness and not separate from your true self

en

211 results

Similar Podcasts

Jeff Haygood, Pastor

PodPoint

PASTOR ALVARO VALENCIA

Pastor Alvaro Valencia

Grace Life Church CT.

Joseph Levesque

Pleasant View Church

Ted Nance

Christian Heritage Church"s Podcast

PodPoint