Deep Transformation

Ep. 241 | A deeply engaging conversation in which Alexander Love , adult development expert and coach, and author of the soon-to-be-published trilogy Evolutionary Gestures , introduces us to the post-tragic perspective, with all of its potential to nourish, ground, and open us to a world of possibilities. Alexander explains that post-tragic is not a developmental stage per se, but a dimension available to anyone willing to do the work. It’s part of a triad—pre-tragic innocence, tragic disillusionment, and post-tragic possibilities—encountered in every wisdom tradition, the hero’s journey, and every good story. Post-tragic is not about leaving the tragedy (trauma, pain, loss) behind, but about turning toward it and dropping into a dimension of being that can interface with it in a new way, from a place that isn’t divided or broken. It’s also about asking, what happens next, after the tragedy? How does the story proceed? Shattering our certainty, a tragic event in our lives makes our world more diaphanous, Alexander continues, opening the way for us to lean further into the mystery. Here we encounter the vastness of possibility, the mystery being the first imagined wholeness, the seed of all potentiality, and we begin to see the sacred and the beauty in everything. Though the healing notion of facing our trauma and working through it is not new, Alexander’s pre-tragic, tragic, and post-tragic framework (deeply informed by his own experience) is compelling. With it, he has painted in the entire landscape around the core tragedy or trauma, giving us the full picture, the before and after, and connected us with a dimension of compassion and forgiveness that is liberating and full of promise. A wise, gentle, intense, warm, humble conversation. Recorded April 23, 2026. “It’s not forgive and forget… It’s remember deeply. Become so intimate with what happened, feel every aspect of it, and let it be transformed by love.” Topics & Time Stamps Introducing Alexander Love, adult development expert, coach, acupuncturist & founder of eos, an organization focused on deep transformation (00:52) What brought Alexander to the field of adult development? (02:03) The sacred gap: the space between knower and known (03:46) The alternative to uncertainty and chaos is leaning into the mystery (05:53) Turning away from our traumas deepens our sense of separation (06:59) Meeting with his father’s murderer: an infinite degree of forgiveness is available (09:32) What is forgiveness? (13:00) How do we get closer to our pain? (16:52) Pre-tragic, tragic & post-tragic: innocence, disillusionment, possibility (19:38) Protecting children so they can internalize a sense of fundamental goodness (24:20) With tragic disillusionment our meaning becomes shattered (26:01) Both pre-tragic innocence & tragic disillusionment are within us (33:06) Orienting towards tragedy from an unbroken dimension of being; transmuting our pain by developing relationship (34:15) The arc of transformation requires going beyond awareness of our patterns to embracing them (39:13) The first 3 phases of transformation: fusion, differentiation, relationship (42:20) The post-tragic architecture includes finding sacred beauty in the world (44:20) Primordial purity: even with all the suffering, there is perfection (50:17) The tragic fracturing of meaning makes the world more diaphanous (52:05) Post-tragic possibility is a depth dimension, it’s not just “growing up” (54:04) Compassion is embracing another’s suffering with a quality of loving presence that transmutes the suffering (58:49) The Mystery is the first imagined wholeness, the seed of potentiality (1:04:47) An invitation to be curious, to ask how we are using our capacity to witness (1:07:15) Alexander’s book-in-progress, The Evolutionary Gestures Trilogy (1:13:20) We need a new chapter in history to address the complexity and the horrors of this time (1:17:10) Resources & References Alexander Love , facilitator, developmental coach, acupuncturist, senior faculty at the Newfield Network & founder of eōs wellness center Alexander Love’s The Evolutionary Gestures Trilogy is expected to be published in the fall of 2026 “ The Room: A Story from the Evolutionary Gestures Trilogy ” read by Alexander (YouTube video) Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory: What is the Integral Approach? (Integral Life website) Oscar Mandel, A Definition of Tragedy Judy Schavrien, “Shakespeare’s Cymbeline and the Mystical Particular: Redemption, Then and Now, for a Disassembled World” Frederick Perls, Gestalt Therapy Verbatim Joseph Goldstein, Living on the Spiritual Edge (Deep Transformation podcast) --- Alexander Love, MCC, NCC, M.Ac. is an acupuncturist, developmental coach, and facilitator. He serves as Director of Curriculum Development and Senior Facilitator at the Newfield Network, an international coach training, personal transformation, and leadership development organization, where he facilitates trainings in the United States and leads advanced trainings in Chile. He also teaches with Stages International and is a certified STAGES scorer. Alexander’s forthcoming book, The Evolutionary Gestures Trilogy, is a mythopoetic exploration of the sacred gap — the space between self and world where insight awakens alongside the deep pain of separation. The work is grounded in the story of his father’s murder and the restorative justice dialogue he later held with the man who took his father’s life — an experience that profoundly shaped his understanding of healing, accountability, and reconciliation, and continues to inform his work today. Through magic realist memoir, evocative artwork, and a novel articulation of human becoming, this volume opens toward post-tragic possibility while introducing a distinctive developmental vision. You can learn more about Alexander at alexanderlove.org and newfieldnetwork.com . --- Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 240 | Co-host Roger Walsh found the novel concepts that A. H. Almaas presents in The Inner Journey Home ’s Appendix G so intriguing, he asked Hameed for one last discussion to complete Deep Transformation’s systematic exploration of Hameed’s magnum opus. In Appendix G (and in this conversation), Hameed says that while there are many valid paths of awakening, different paths do not culminate in the same realization or experience. In other words, the Chinese proverb that says there are many ways to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same is not accurate. Each spiritual teaching has its own logos, Hameed explains, its own “logic of experience and logic of practice that will naturally unfold the consciousness to open up to the secrets of reality and the depth of it, according to that particular logos.” This makes it possible for all different types of people, also from very different cultures, to “open to the perfection of reality in a way that liberates and makes sense to them.” The logos of a spiritual teaching is not created by anyone, Hameed continues. This is reality practicing its intelligent, creative, and loving magic by manifesting through an individual or community to provide us with different ways of realizing true nature. When we find the right path, the teaching will “click,” Hameed says, and with time and practice, we may crack the code of the logos of our chosen path and fulfill our spiritual destiny. The conversation weaves in and out of the fascinating implications of Hameed’s teaching, clarifying why Eastern and Western spiritual teachings are so different, and what differentiates the logos of the Diamond Approach. In wrapping up, Roger and John acknowledge that their intensive study of The Inner Journey Home provided them with a transmission—and a transformation. Hameed agrees; by deeply contemplating this book, he says, we open ourselves to the transmission, to the understanding and experiencing of what is presented. Recorded July 16, 2026. “Each path takes a human being deeper, vaster, bigger places… each particular logos can be seen as an expression of the optimizing force of the universe and logos.” Topics & Time Stamps Introducing dialogue #20 in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, focusing on Appendix G of The Inner Journey Home: “Logoi of Teachings” (00:54) Defining “logos”: reality has an order to it, it’s not haphazard (03:13) Each teaching has its own logos, its own order & logic (08:34) Comparing the goals of Mahayana Buddhism & Advaita Vedanta: clarity & emptiness versus beingness (11:27) Getting beyond the idea of the “transcendental unity of religions” (14:59) For the logos to reveal the mystery of the teaching, you have to crack the code (19:31) The optimizing force of the logos: some are aligned with it, most people are not (21:56) Why are Eastern traditions very different from Western traditions? (25:40) Most masters don’t explore other teachings (28:07) Matching the teaching to the student (35:23) The challenge is to find the wisdom path that speaks to you so you can fulfill your spiritual destiny (39:38) Krishnamurti and the pathless path (42:08) The logos manifests through an individual or community; it’s not created by anyone (44:44) The logos of the Diamond Approach does not cloak reality by calling it illusion (45:55) The absolute: the dimension of mystery (49:05) Different traditions emphasize different spiritual qualities; some don’t even mention qualities (51:51) The logos of the shamanic realm (56:18) What differentiates the Diamond Approach’s logos from other traditions? (57:45) Contemplating The Inner Journey Home deeply, it becomes a transmission (1:04:48) The Deep Transformation journey with Hameed will continue (1:09:27) Resources & References A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School , home of The Diamond Approach A. H. Almaas, The Inner Journey Home: Soul’s Realization of the Unity of Reality The Rigveda , the oldest known Vedic Sanskrit text A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Dialogue #15 focuses on the chapter “Logos & Creative Dynamism” in The Inner Journey Home (YouTube video) Mahayana Buddhism , Advaita Vedanta , Dzogchen The Rimé movement , spearheaded by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye in Eastern Tibet Krishnamurti, Truth is a Pathless Land A. H. Almaas, Runaway Realization: Living a Life of Ceaseless Discovery Kashmir Shaivism The Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas (Deep Transformation podcast series) On the qualities of the Diamond Path: A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series Dialogue #4, Discovering the Soul’s Treasures Karen Johnson , co-developer of the Diamond Approach, The Jeweled Path: The Biography of the Diamond Approach to Inner Realization --- The A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series generally follows the sequence of Hameed’s magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home (which John describes as psychoactive and spiritually, psychologically, and intellectually transformative), so listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this exhilarating path of awakening. --- More Conversations with A. H. Almaas to Come Deep Transformation is excited to let you know that our talks with A. H. Almaas will continue. Following this A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series , we plan to release a delightful and deep Jeweled Path Series with Karen Johnson, author of The Jeweled Path , and Hameed Ali together, as co-founders of the Diamond Approach. After that, we plan on exploring Hameed’s Runaway Realization : Living a Life of Ceaseless Discovery , which gets into the further turnings of his teaching, in the same systematic way we have enjoyed exploring The Inner Journey Home . <p...

Ep. 239 | Renowned gerontologist and author Dr. Kerry Burnight is passionate about changing the way we think about aging. Growing older isn’t a bad thing, she emphasizes, let’s look at what gets better as we get older! Early in Dr. Kerry’s career, she marveled at how elderly people with the same degree of physical health could be absolutely miserable or happily engaged with life, and she dug into finding out why. Her research revealed four pillars of aging that together make all the difference in the quality of our well-being. Kerry urges us to adopt these practices as soon as we can, because just like with cardiovascular training, the earlier we start, the more benefit we accrue. In fact, the evidence is clear: research shows that people who have a “decline mindset” about aging die an average of seven years earlier than their counterparts with a “growth mindset.” It seems our beliefs about aging can easily become self-fulfilling prophecies. Finding joy in the second half of life involves not only cultivating connection and growth among other things, but also, very importantly, countering our own internalized ageism. Dr. Kerry gives some telling examples of common derogatory thoughts we have about ourselves as we age, and shows us how we can turn this around and step into our power as older people. In a moving testament to the special beauty and authenticity of the elderly, Kerry expresses gratitude for her opportunities as a gerontologist to be infused with the presence of her patients, in all their humility and greater appreciation of friendships, nature, music, art—of life itself. A poignant, lovely, illuminating, and inspiring conversation with someone who lives her talk and is making a meaningful difference in a culture that has lost its way in its approach to aging and caring for elders. Recorded September 18, 2025. “When we step into our power, we can revolutionize longevity.” Topics & Time Stamps Introducing “America’s gerontologist,” Dr. Kerry Burnight, author of Joyspan, The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half (00:59) What is missing in the field of gerontology in America? (01:52) Lifespan, healthspan…what does “joyspan” signify? (02:44) The multibillion dollar anti-aging industry works on fear (04:57) Stepping into our internalized ageism (06:11) From revering elders for their wisdom to depending on youth to help us with technology (07:38) How is AI dividing us? (10:05) Kerry’s 4 pillars of aging: grow, connect, adapt, give (12:55) The psychological & physical benefits of service & the ripple effects of joy (21:51) Differentiating joy from happiness: practicing soul-centric activities (23:07) Beliefs about aging become self-fulfilling prophecies: the decline mindset vs the growth mindset (27:02) What gets better with aging? (30:23) How to get this research out to people? (33:24) Elder abuse, neglect & exploitation: the critical need to protect elders’ access to healthcare & housing (35:01) World wide poverty and the future for elders (40:47) Leaning into the older version of ourselves (43:37) We will all face tough stuff on this journey… but there are things that get better as we age (44:46) Counter your internalized ageist thoughts! When we step into our power, we can revolutionize longevity (46:56) Resources & References Dr. Kerry Burnight, Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half Roger Walsh, Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind Dr. Laura Mosqueda at UC Irvine (Dr. Kerry’s partner in aging research) M. T. Connolly, The Measure of Our Age: Navigating Care, Safety, Money, and Meaning Later in Life Bernadette Boden-Albala , founding dean of public health at UC Irvine --- Dr. Kerry Burnight , known as America’s Gerontologist, is on a mission to help people fall in love with the rest of their lives. Fed up with the fear-driven, anti-aging hysteria, millions of people turn to her for a proven approach to navigating the new longevity—one based upon a profound truth: the key to good longevity isn’t the length of your life, it’s the quality of your life. Efforts to maximize lifespan, and even healthspan, don’t address the whole picture. Longevity is meaningless if you don’t like your life. In her New York Times best-seller, Dr. Burnight introduces the critical concept of “joyspan,” based on the science of well-being, contentment, connection, meaning, growth, and choice. Dr. Kerry Burnight taught Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology for 18 years at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, where she co-founded and directed the nation’s first Elder Abuse Forensic Center. She currently teaches at the University of Chicago and has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Time Magazine, CBS Mornings, Oprah Daily, CNN, and BBC News . She is the longevity health advisor at Forbes Health and in the TIME 100 Health. --- Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 238 | In this brilliantly articulated and illuminating conversation, renowned international facilitator Thomas Hübl shares his deep understanding of the dynamics of collective trauma as well as practical wisdom about how we can heal the large, often inherited, wounds we carry. Thomas conveys the magnitude of problems created by shoving our collective wounds out of sight and mind, perhaps the worst consequence of which is when we do this, we are destined to repeat the same horrors over again. What we need, Thomas explains, is to develop an architecture that would provide a healing space to deal with our wounds (racism, genocide, and immigration, to name a few). Meeting our collective pain in this way would allow us to mature to a level of forgiveness where we could collaborate globally on urgent issues like AI and climate change. Without this healing, Thomas says, the energy that can forgive remains frozen in the wound. The dialogue becomes profoundly hopeful as Thomas describes someone who has met their pain and healed themselves of individual and collective trauma. Listening is like receiving a transmission—for a moment we feel ourselves to be this person: integrated, authentic, vulnerable, fully attuned to our reality, at peace with both the beauty and the difficulties, free of false hopes and unrealistic dreams. If we could embrace the power of collective healing that Thomas has witnessed again and again in his work, and “melt the permafrost of our collective trauma,” we could step out of the never-ending cycle of violence, cruelty, and misunderstanding that will otherwise continue to haunt us. This conversation goes right to the heart of things: if we recognize our interrelatedness and find a way to practice interdependence, we can grow beyond our individual and collective pain into a tremendously more hopeful future. Recorded October 30, 2025. “Unconscious information is destiny. Conscious information has a choice, has a future.” Topics & Time Stamps Introducing teacher, author & facilitator Thomas Hübl, who offers a deep understanding of collective trauma—and collective healing (00:49) How is Thomas able to stay attuned and hold this large field he works with? (02:43) Attunement is another way to say interdependence (05:56) A grounded spiritual practice helps to hold the space & learn from the process, rather than direct the process (06:57) How does Thomas understand the healing process? (10:51) Bringing awareness to a collective wound allows it to give its gift (14:03) Has Thomas found a way of working with the Israel/Gaza situation? (16:03) Hot trauma is different from historical or ancestral trauma (21:55) Without processes to deal with large wounds, the repetition compulsion will keep happening (23:00) How to deal with authoritarian regimes whitewashing history? (25:47) Huge trauma wounds in the U.S.: racism, genocide, and now immigration (27:07) We need a collective healing space; everybody who is alive has been born into this legacy and it has become normalized (28:22) In this global village, there is no “them” anymore (30:25) Cultural amnesia allows us to live with violence; nonviolence is a natural consequence of realizing interdependence (32:06) Ethics and health are inherently interrelated (34:17) You cannot erase history; it’s a felt experience in our bodies (36:14) The exaggeration of separation & self-righteousness by social media (37:11) The reality we create with each other is painful; hope lies in a sense of agency (40:16) How can we forgive horrific violations of life? Melting the permafrost of our collective trauma (42:58) What does a person look like who has faced these deep issues and healed? (49:08) The power of healing collectives is very hopeful for accelerating social transformation (55:58) Resources & References Thomas Hübl’s website: https://thomashuebl.com/ Thomas Hübl’s podcast: Point of Relation Thomas Hübl, Healing Collective Trauma Thomas Hübl, Attuned: Practicing Interdependence to Heal Our Trauma—and Our World Thomas Hübl & Richard Schwartz (founder of Internal Family Systems ), Releasing Our Burdens: A Guide to Healing Individual, Ancestral, and Collective Trauma Global Restoration Institute , promoting global interconnectivity & long-term peace through integrating innovative trauma-informed practices with conflict resolution & prevention methods --- Thomas Hübl, PhD, is a renowned teacher, author, and international facilitator who works within the complexity of systems and cultural change, integrating the core insights of the great wisdom traditions and mysticism with the discoveries of science. Since the early 2000s, he has led large-scale events and courses on the healing of collective trauma. Thomas is the author of Attuned: Practicing Interdependence to Heal Our Trauma—an d Our World , Healing Collective Trauma: A Process for Integrating Our Intergenerational and Cultural Wounds , and most recently, co-author of Releasing Our Burdens: A Guide to Healing Individual, Ancestral, and Collective Trauma , with Richard Schwartz. Hübl has served as an advisor and guest faculty for universities and organizations, as a coach for CEOs and organizational leaders, and is currently a visiting scholar at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University. --- Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 237 | In the 19th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, an exploration of the final chapter of The Inner Journey Home , Hameed Ali looks at the evolution of Western culture and how it happened that soul, world, and God became divided as the culture developed. Hameed explains this was a necessary evolutionary step, an inherent part of our development, and though we lost our spiritual footing in the process (with secularization came a “gaping emptiness, meaninglessness, a lack of true fulfillment”), the separation of science and Church freed science and later psychology to take off on their own trajectories, leading to great strides in our understanding of our physical world and psychological make-up. The secularization of society turned out to have plenty of benefits, including improving the physical and economic well-being of many. But where does that leave us now, and what does the future hold? Will there be an integration of these disparate parts, where spiritual ground becomes a foundational piece of our next stage of evolution? Can the scientific perspective, with its precision and clarity of mind, be brought to bear on our inner life of spiritual inquiry as well as the outer nature of reality? In realizing that our soul needs life’s encounters to mature—meditation alone is not enough—will we find the lost “pearl beyond price” individually and possibly collectively or in small groups? Hameed concludes by telling us that the Diamond Approach is about redeeming the mind: integrating the diamond clarity of the intellect with spiritual depth. He shares his vision of fully realized scientists merging a spiritual perspective with precise and penetrating inquiry, and ends with the wish for all human beings to know: “People who are listening… it’s possible for you.” Recorded June 11, 2026. “The spiritual ground that science doesn’t deal with is needed to complete the story.” Topics & Time Stamps Introducing dialogue #19 in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, in which Hameed Ali explores the final chapter of The Inner Journey Home (00:45) The development of Western culture & the idea that soul, God, and world are separate (03:27) The separation of God, soul & world was a necessary evolutionary step (05:39) This secularization of society allowed the scientific point of view to develop (09:15) The bifurcation happened also in the field of psychology, especially with the influence of Freud (14:49) Our inherent spirit of inquiry came to be applied to the outer world instead of the inner; with secularism, the spiritual perspective was left behind (17:50) With secularization came meaninglessness; capitalism & communism focused on economics (26:16) Will integration happen? Can secularization find its spiritual depth? (30:08) What does the future hold? Hameed thinks humanity’s enlightenment is a LONG way off (34:47) Valuing autonomy is an outer reflection of the valuing of the uniqueness of the individual, the pearl beyond price (36:06) Gurdjieff thought humans don’t live long enough to grow spiritually (40:12) Finding the lost pearl: the soul matures through encounters in life—not just in meditation (42:24) The complete pearl integrates the compassion, love & intelligence of boundless awareness: the personalization of the absolute (45:00) What are the possibilities of developing a cultural pearl or a species pearl? (47:00) The Fermi paradox, the future, AI, and the importance of personal experience (51:20) Can we teach AI to make truth the #1 priority? (56:22) Roger reads the epilogue of The Inner Journey Home , a beautiful distillation of the soul’s journey (57:17) Having a few spiritual individuals living their true nature is what keeps humanity alive (59:49) Redeeming the mind: this teaching integrates the diamond clarity of the intellect with spiritual depth (1:00:23) Hameed’s wish for all human beings (1:05:49) Resources & References A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School , home of The Diamond Approach A. H. Almaas, The Inner Journey Home: Soul’s Realization of the Unity of Reality Roger Penrose , prize-winning physicist & philosopher of science Isaac Newton’s occult studies , Hermeticism Bertrand Russell , philosopher, logician, mathematician Ken Wilber, Quantum Questions: Mystical Writings of the World’s Greatest Physicists Kieran Fox, I Am Part of Infinity: The Spiritual Journey of Albert Einstein G. I. Gurdjieff, Beelzebub’s Tales to His Grandson: All and Everything A. H. Almaas, The Pearl Beyond Price: Integration of Personality into Being: An Object Relations Approach The Fermi paradox asks why, given the vast number of potentially habitable planets in our observable universe, there is no clear evidence of extraterrestrial civilizations --- The A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series generally follows the sequence of Hameed’s magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home (which John describes as psychoactive and spiritually, psychologically, and intellectually transformative), so listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this exhilarating path of awakening. --- Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation Listeners If you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed’s team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/ . And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign up. --- Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general. Hameed’s process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the...

Ep. 236 | In The Call of the Cosmos , cosmologist and astronomer Stephan Martin brings a new and revelatory perspective into play on Deep Transformation, sharing his profound knowledge of the evolving cosmos and its relationship with consciousness. To cover the immensity of the mystery we are involved in, Steve explains, we need to look at both the inner dimension—consciousness—and the outer mystery, the cosmos. Steve does a remarkable job of explaining the psychological, spiritual, and ethical implications of living in an evolving universe, and draws fascinating parallels between cosmic evolution and human evolution, and the manifestation of being and cosmos. Steve teaches that we can expand the concept of self from separate, small self to ecological self to planetary self, and beyond—to cosmic self. Steve says the fundamental essence of the universe is creativity, and invites us to heed the call of the cosmos and align ourselves with cosmic creativity by expressing the whole through our individual modes of being. “What is the causal cosmic chain that leads to our allurement to do a certain thing?” he asks, adding, “13.8 billion years of cosmic evolution have led to this moment.” The universe is participatory, Steve has discovered, and we live in a relational reality. Put on your paradigm shifting hat for this lively, wise, and impassioned conversation. Your relationship with the cosmos will be illuminated for sure, and quite possibly entirely transformed. Steve is also a gifted author; you can explore more in his books Cosmic Conversations, This Playful Universe, Becoming the Change , and soon, Traveling in the Shadow of the Moon . Recorded August 21, 2025. “If you look at the universe through telescopes, you see stars and galaxies… However, if you engage in a relationship with the universe through, say, devotional or contemplative practices, you discover other qualities.” Topics & Time Stamps Introducing astronomer & cosmologist Stephan Martin, author of Cosmic Conversations and This Playful Universe (00:46) The relationship between cosmos and consciousness (03:34) What does it mean to be part of an evolving, dynamic universe? (05:09) Einstein’s “greatest blunder” (08:18) The emergence of complexity theory & the idea of the self-determining universe (09:48) Thomas Berry’s 1st universal dynamic: differentiation; every being is a unique mode of the universe (14:29) Is consciousness an emergent part of the universe? Thomas Berry’s 2nd dynamic: subjectivity (18:07) The universe is participatory (22:06) What quantum theory brings crashing down is the idea of a static universe; reality is relational (26:39) Cosmic leadership: the intuitive callings we feel… do they come from the universe? (30:10) The earth is what’s in charge here and, by extension, the cosmos is what’s in charge (31:54) What is the causal cosmic chain that leads to a creative impulse? (33:15) Expanding the concept of self to a cosmic dimension (34:43) The fundamental essence of the universe is creativity; the cosmic imperative is aligning with that (38:32) Are ethics a mind-made construction, or are they tied with something deeper? Thomas Berry’s third dynamic: the principle of communion (42:46) The concept of ego is Newtonian static cosmology internalized (51:10) The manifestation of being parallels the manifestation of the cosmos (53:12) Are we living in a multiverse? (57:34) What does the universe desire? (01:01:32) Are we living in an AI simulation? Is our universe a hologram? (01:05:07) Is there life on other planets? What types of “life” haven’t we considered yet? (01:11:34) Looking for other humans to talk to: the era of cosmic loneliness (01:15:52) What is the current edge for cosmologists? (01:20:16) Stephan’s new books: Becoming the Change with Carol Kilby & Traveling in the Shadow of the Moon (available for pre-order) (01:26:32) Resources & References Stephan Martin, director of the Deeptime Leadership Program Stephan Martin, Cosmic Conversations: Dialogues on the Nature of the Universe and the Search for Reality and This Playful Universe (audiobook narrated by Michael Toms) Stephen Martin & Carol Kilby, Becoming the Change: Evolutionary Rituals and Practices for Everyday Emergence Stephan Martin, Traveling in the Shadow of the Moon: A Deep Cosmology Journey in Baja (available for pre-order) Edwin Hubbell and the discovery of the Andromeda Galaxy Georges Lemaître , first physicist to argue the recession of galaxies is evidence of an expanding universe, who also made the first formulation of the Big Bang theory Erich Jantsch, The Self-Organizing Universe , The Evolutionary Vision Thomas Berry , theologian and evolutionary thinker, The Great Work: Our Way into the Future Panpsychism A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series (Deep Transformation podcast series) Ken Wilber introduced Integral Methodological Pluralism in his book Integral Spirituality Carlo Rovelli , Helgoland: Making Sense of the Quantum Revolution The Copenhagen interpretation Brian Swimme , co-founder of the Center for the Story of the Universe Matthew Fox , Creativity: Where the Divine and Human Meet A. H. Almaas’ Diamond Approach <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_constant" rel="noopener...

Ep. 235 | In the 18th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series , Hameed Ali delves into the fascinating subject of how the physical world is related to the absolute. From a nondual perspective, reality includes the physical world, he explains; the world cannot be reduced to an illusion. Material reality is every bit as compelling as the spiritual perspective, he continues. How we perceive it depends on where we find our stance, what we are immersed in—in the formless or the world of form. Hameed recognizes and honors physical reality, while describing material objects as expressions, or glimmerings, of the ground of being—the physical and the ground of being inseparable, whether pure presence or pure emptiness. And how does the relationship between creator and creation relate to the individual? Hameed presents his mystical theology: a triadic reality formed by God, the individual, and the physical world, where each maintains its own truth. Because the absolute is inherently not self-aware, it needs an individual to become aware of itself, he explains. We are its “knowing instruments.” Hameed’s mystical theology, establishing the relationship between the human being, the world, and God, or true nature, is both elevating and grounding, enlightening and somehow comforting. The essential puzzle pieces of reality fitted together, creating unity. From atoms and quarks to what happens after death and how all dimensions can possibly exist in exquisite harmony when there is so much disharmony in the world, this conversation is far ranging, stimulating, and punctuated with laughter, as Hameed, Roger, and John continue to explore The Inner Journey Home . Recorded May 14, 2026. “When we experience the absolute, we see it as the truth of everything, the nature of everything—all are glimmerings of the absolute.” Topics & Time Stamps Introducing dialogue #18 in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, an exploration of the chapter titled “Reality” in Hameed’s magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home (00:49) Hameed explains how the Path of Love Series relates to the The Inner Journey Home/Wisdom Series (04:51) Seeing the physical world from the perspective of the absolute (06:10) Why do we experience the world as so very solid? (09:28) From the absolute perspective, material objects are glimmerings of the ground of being (11:49) From the scientific perspective, the physical world is “rock-level real” (14:45) The physical world should not be reduced to an illusion; it has properties that cannot be denied (18:13) In the physical world, death means no longer alive; spiritually, death is a transformation (21:50) Does the individual soul continue after death? (25:04) Why isn’t everyone awakened if we’re all part of the absolute? (26:40) Standing in the absolute, all dimensions are inseparable, existing in exquisite harmony, but this does not negate people’s experience of disharmony (30:38) The absolute is inherently not self-aware, that’s why it needs an individual to become aware of itself (32:56) The divine coma is the entry to the absolute (35:38) The relationship between the human being, the world, and God (38:59) Is there a personal God? (41:47) You can be an individual without being separate (47:33) God fulfillment & soul fulfillment are one and the same (50:36) The concept of service has many stages (52:57) Hameed’s mystical theology: a triadic reality, each with its own truth (57:06) The dimension of energy (01:04:26) Reality appears differently from different perspectives; this teaching is from the nondual perspective (01:06:10) Dzogchen & Hameed both give an inherent meaning to life; traditions espousing illusion do not (01:09:19) Individual creativity gives voice to the creativity of the universe (01:12:24) Resources & References A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School , home of The Diamond Approach A. H. Almaas, The Inner Journey Home: Soul’s Realization of the Unity of Reality Advaita Vedanta Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj , I Am That Beginning of a famous Hadith Qudsi: “I was a hidden treasure and wanted to be known…” Sufi master Ibn Arabi , “God needs a soul just as much as a soul needs God.” A. H. Almaas, The Pearl Beyond Price: Integration of Personality into Being: An Object Relations Approach The Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas , Deep Transformation podcast series Meister Eckhart , German Catholic priest, theologian, philosopher & mystic Ramana Maharshi , Hindu sage and liberated being Longchenpa , Dzogchen poet --- The A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series generally follows the sequence of Hameed’s magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home (which John describes as psychoactive and spiritually, psychologically, and intellectually transformative), so listeners may want to get a copy of this book, to study and follow along on this exhilarating path of awakening. --- Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation Listeners If you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed’s team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/ . And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign up. --- Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general. Hameed’s process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the Enneagram: How to Unlock the Highest Potential of Every Personality Type, The Unfolding...

Ep. 234 | Renowned thought leader, speaker, and prolific author Warren Farrell has a passion for getting the truth out about issues that matter deeply—issues with enormous human consequences that might begin to heal if people better understood the forces driving these trends: the boy crisis, fatherlessness, the cultural tendency to vilify men, and the lack of healthy and effective communication between men and women. Warren has authored several data-driven bestselling books that go right to the heart of these matters, and in this conversation his expertise is clearly evident, right alongside his dedication to do everything he can to shift the evolution of the harmful idea that women are good but men are bad. Warren has put himself on the line time and again to stand up for fatherless boys. He puts out a clarion call to couples to communicate with care, so that a father can be involved with the raising of a child, and in his books and workshops, Warren offers concrete steps to minimize children’s trauma, such as his four must-do’s after a divorce and the caring and sharing practices he teaches couples around accepting criticism without getting defensive. Immensely insightful, immensely practical, Warren points the way forward through a territory that has become murky, difficult, and hateful. Guaranteed, you will learn things about our contemporary culture you didn’t know before, and be inspired to do what you can to heal the disastrous divide between the sexes. Recorded September 25, 2025. “We’re all in this together. We’re all in the same family boat.” Topics & Time Stamps Introducing Warren Farrell, outstanding feminist, intellectual father of the men’s movement, champion of gender role innovations & prolific author (00:54) How did Warren come to champion the women’s movement? (02:33) The opposite of power & privilege: what men are giving up (05:35) Toxic masculinity (11:05) Why do men commonly trade put-downs? (14:29) Misinterpreting male behavior & the need for dialogue between men & women (18:29) Sexual harassment and the “believe women letter” (22:01) After a divorce, the child’s needs need to come first (26:04) Speaking up about the importance of father involvement in raising boys changed Warren’s professional trajectory (30:29) Death from overwork, called kuroshi in Japan (33:55) Fatherless children have issues in 55 different areas, and the biggest predictor of male suicide is lack of father involvement (37:10) The idea that women are good, men are bad (38:26) Biological effects of lack of father involvement (40:22) 4 must-do’s after divorce to minimize children’s trauma (41:37) Rough-housing is a gift (44:07) A father’s unconditional love incorporates conditions (49:07) Teasing, one of the 7 important contributions that fathers make (50:31) Couples counseling: why is criticism so hard to handle? (54:04) Teaching couples to communicate effectively is the most important way to prevent the boy crisis (58:03) The relation between dad-deprived youth, gang membership, prison & being a victim of sexual molestation (58:53) The worst thing you can do after a divorce (01:05:11) The biggest hole in my heart and the best decision of my life: John Lennon (01:09:16) The ramifications of dad-deprivation in 1965 and currently (01:17:40) A closer look at gender differences in income (01:21:57) The feminist argument against Warren (01:31:00) When only one sex wins, both sexes lose (01:36:06) What can men do to help boys? (01:38:37) We need to work toward equality while recognizing our evolutionary differences (01:40:50) Our bias about men being full-time dads (01:45:06) Important skills Warren teaches in his Role Mate to Soul Mate book & his online course (01:51:48) Warren’s current book-in-progress, The Man Crisis (01:57:17) Roger’s summary of the extraordinary impact Warren has had on our culture (01:59:00) Resources & References Warren Farrell’s website, https://warrenfarrell.com/ , and YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/drwarrenfarrell Warren Farrell & John Gray, The Boy Crisis: Why Our Boys Are Struggling and What We Can Do About It Warren Farrell, Why Men Are the Way They Are , The Myth of Male Power , Why Men Earn More: The Startling Truth Behind the Pay Gap – and What Women Can Do About It Warren Farrell, From Role Mate to Soul Mate: The Seven Secrets to Lifelong Love National Organization for Women (NOW) National Coalition for Men (NCFM) , a non-profit educational & civil rights organization that addresses sex discrimination against men and boys Marilyn French, The Women’s Room John Gottman , The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work Spotlight , movie about the Boston Globe uncovering a massive child molestation scandal within the local Catholic Archdiocese The Boy Crisis TEDx talk with Warren Farrell The 1965 Moynihan Report on the huge population of black, dad-deprived youth Gloria Steinem , leader of second-wave feminism in the U.S. The Boy Crisis: Cancel Warren Farrell (YouTube documentary) Mankind Project: Initiation Weekend + Integration Training Boys to Men Mentoring , co-founded by Joe Sigurdson Young Men’s Ultimate Weekend , founded by Mark Schillinger Big Brothers Big Sisters of America John Gray, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex --- Warren Farrell, PhD , has been chosen by the Financial Times of London as one of the world’s top 100 thought...

Ep. 233 | In the last episode of the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, Hameed explores the themes he introduced in the later chapters of his new book, The Inner Beloved . Hameed clarifies the role of mind on the path of heart (the mind is bedazzled and awed; the heart open), and details what happens when we reach the beloved, like “falling in love with everything” and experiencing the absolute as a “coming home” (even though there’s no one there!). We learn that, on the path of love, no matter what we do or don’t do, a heart-driven force beyond the mind is pulling us onward. Once we arrive, we realize the beloved has always been there—which is why our heart has been longing for the beloved all along. Hameed explains that on the path of love, nonduality becomes intimacy—reality itself is pure intimacy, he says—and in fact, the nonbeingness of the beloved is the ultimate truth of reality. In a state of mystical poverty, we discover that all we are and have ever been has been borrowed from the beloved. The culmination of this Path of Love Series ends very beautifully, the love and intimacy of the beloved pervading Hameed’s words and the images he conjures for us. “The world is simply the luminosity of the beloved,” Hameed says. In listening to him, we share in some of the wonderful sense of coming home he experienced, a little of the radiant luminosity, too, and his own ongoing excitement over the ever unfolding mystery of the divine. Recorded April 9, 2026. “We can be in the lap of the beloved and still enjoy life—loving everything from that place.” Topics & Time Stamps Introducing the 4th dialogue in the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, focusing on the role of mind and the culmination of the path (00:49) On the path of love you are heart-driven by forces that mind cannot fathom (01:39) Hameed’s experience of falling in love with everything and experiencing the absolute as if “coming home” (03:00) The mind is bedazzled by the Mystery and recognizes its limitation in relation to the heart (08:20) When you get there, you realize the beloved has always been there (11:46) Emptiness beyond normal emptiness: Hameed calls this “absence” (13:05) The great liberation: where there’s nothing more to dissolve (17:18) As we are pulled, the love deepens & intensifies; we drown in the passion (22:06) Mystical poverty: the soul recognizes all of its qualities are borrowed from the beloved (25:05) What is right relationship between the realized heart and a healthy mind? (25:51 ) Krishnamurti would talk about no mind—but he was always using mind (28:40) Cutting through illusion & Hameed’s transmission from Manjushri (30:29) True mind: knowing in the moment (38:43) Dissolving dichotomies into wholeness: the world is simply the luminosity of the beloved (43:31) The ultimate truth of reality: the nonbeingness of the beloved (50:21) When tantra is enhanced by real love, then you can dissolve into the vastness (53:30) Stabilizing the realization is the second stage, actualizing the realization and not going back to the “doer” is the third stage (58:51) The dissolution of self doesn’t necessarily last: humility is an important step towards making the realization more constant (01:00:46) Nonbeing is the essence of intimacy: being completely one with the inner beloved (01:03:43) On the path of love, nonduality becomes intimacy; reality itself is pure intimacy (01:06:22) For fans of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, the Wisdom Series, based on Hameed’s book The Inner Journey Home , will be continued in June 2026. Resources & References A. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart’s Journey to Divine Unity Previous Deep Transformation Path of Love dialogues: Entering the Path of Heart , Emptying the Heart of All that Obscures the Inner Beloved & Dissolving into Bliss: The Ecstasy of Ego Death Kabir , Indian mystic and poet, Songs of Kabir Rumi, The Book of Love: Poems of Ecstasy and Longing Fakhr al-Din Iraqi , Persian Sufi poet, Divine Flashes St. John of the Cross , The Dark Night of the Soul Krishnamurti , Indian spiritual figure, speaker, and writer Manjushri , bodhisattva of discriminating wisdom, wielding the sword of discrimination Avalokiteśvara , principle bodhisattva in Buddhism, associated with Great Compassion Vajrapāṇi , principal bodhisattva in Mahayana & Vajrayana Buddhism, embodying the condensed power, energy, and strength of all the Buddhas Jigme Lingpa , a central figure in the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism Proclus , Neoplatonic philosopher who hierarchically structures all levels of reality, including the complex subdivisions of the intellect Huston Smith , “The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder,” from Beyond the Post-Modern Mind --- Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali’s Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love , and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved , published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book , to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest . --- Special Diamond Approach Course Discount...

Ep. 232 | In this potent and profound conversation, Zen teachers, Integral Facilitators, and conflict mediators, Diane Musho Hamilton and her student and co-author Gabriel Wilson , eloquently reveal the practical benefits of a life founded on contemplative practice. What they bring home so effectively—both in this conversation and in their new book, Waking Up and Growing Up— is how much we have to gain from an interface of traditional Zen and contemporary knowledge. “Buddhist practice is the most genius way to work with human suffering,” Diane says, and grounded in awareness of the fundamental oneness is where we want to be when engaging in social or political activism, or when facing any kind of conflict. “It’s the evolution of consciousness and the attendant set of skills to support that,” she continues. We can awaken to an awareness of our true nature, and then take up the gauntlet of growing up—“straight up maturation, straight-up ego development.” In fact, what Gabe calls Diane’s “experiment” is nothing less than evolving the 2,500-year-old tradition of Zen, preserving and innovating, holding on to the wisdom, power, and grace of the tradition while bringing in the contributions of the West: psychology, shadow work, neuroscience, emotional development, and stage-appropriate interpersonal skills. Also, how to make sense of power dynamics, work with authority, and allow being pushed out of our comfort zone. A testament to Diane and Gabe’s own inner work, this groundbreaking conversation is inspiring and impactful, punctuated with deep, personal, experiential wisdom from both guests that speaks directly to how we can best wake up, grow up, and show up in this challenging world of ours. Recorded July 24, 2025. “There’s nothing like sitting with what is to prepare you to be with what is.” Topics & Time Stamps Introducing Zen teachers, authors, and Integral Facilitators, Diane Musho Hamilton & Gabriel Wilson (00:44) What drew Gabe to Zen, and what lack did he feel Waking Up and Growing Up would fill? (01:35) Evolving the Zen tradition: what do we need, particularly in western Buddhism, that we’re not finding? (05:26) Using Ken Wilber’s framework of waking up and growing up (08:50) What does “waking up” really mean? (10:02) Practice IS enlightenment: the awakened mind is only found in the here and now (12:23) There’s nothing like sitting with what is to prepare you to be with what will come (17:30) The realization that there’s no big opening to be had (23:05) What does “growing up” mean? (24:07) Providing students with interpersonal skills to accommodate their evolving levels of development (27:00) Writing for the younger generations: how to make sense of power dynamics, work with authority & allow being pushed out of your comfort zone (31:15) The wisdom of learning from those who have gone before us (34:49) Growing the capacity to deal with intensity in the moment (38:59) The example of John Lewis: being inclusive of the ego but not limited by it (44:29) How do we respond to what’s happening without imagining it shouldn’t be happening? (49:15) Holding the vision that we are fundamentally one when we engage in social activism (51:18) Be wary of using aggression in the name of love (54:11) Within the container of conventional religious traditions, developmental tasks are different for each stage (59:40) The teacher/student relationship cuts both ways (01:07:21) Preserving and evolving the Zen tradition for today’s world (01:08:55) Buddhist practice is the most genius way to work with human suffering (01:13:40) Looking to the future: are we innovating too much? (01:16:24) A lot of technology is racing us to the bottom of our brainstem; where we put our attention is important (01:20:32) Resources & References Diane Musho Hamilton , co-founder of Two Arrows Zen Center Gabriel Wilson , founder of Freedom & Fairness Diane Hamilton & Gabriel Wilson, Waking Up and Growing Up: Spiritual Cross-Training for an Evolving World Diane Hamilton, The Zen of You and Me: A Guide to Getting Along with Just About Everyone Diane Hamilton, Gabriel Wilson & Kimberly Loh , Compassionate Conversations: How to Speak and Listen from the Heart Ken Wilber , Welcome to the Integral Approach (Integral Life website) Ken Wilber, Finding Radical Wholeness (where Ken expounds his “waking up, growing up, cleaning up, showing up” model Deep Transformation’s A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series Dōgen Zenji , “Practice is enlightenment” (from the Fukan zazengi ) Joanna Macy (1929-2025), environmental activist, author, and scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory & deep ecology Sam Harris , philosopher, neuroscientist, author & podcast host John Lewis interview with On Being’s Krista Tippett: Love in Action What is Buddha? Zen koan (case 21) in The Gateless Gate: Classic Book of Zen Koans The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women , edited by Zenshin Florence Caplow, Reigetsu Susan Moon Tristan Harris , co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology --- Diane Musho Hamilton is an award-winning mediator and a teacher of Zen meditation. Diane served as the Director of Dispute Resolution for the Utah Judiciary from 1994 – 1999, mediating many matters, from simple neighborhood disputes to complex, multi-party negotiations. She was most recognized for her skills in facilitating difficult conversations about race, gender, and religion in Utah. She began working with Ken Wilber and the Integral Institute in 2004 and has held transformative containers for people interested in their development for more than twenty years. Diane is the co-founder of Two Arrows Zen, a Buddhist practice center in Utah, and is the author of four books: Everything Is Workable , The Zen of You & Me, Compassionate Conversations , and, most recently, Waking Up and Growing Up: Spiritual Cross-Training for an Evolving World . --- Gabe Wilson is the founder of Freedom & Fairness, an executive coach, facilitator, and conflict mediator whose work sits at the intersection of organizational leadership, adult development, and contemplative practice. He is a monk in the Soto Zen lineage at Two Arrows Zen Center and a certified Integral Facilitator. Gabe co-authored...

Ep. 231 (Part 2 of 2) | In Part 2 of Deep Transformation’s third dialogue in the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas , Hameed Ali relates what happens on the path of return, after we have experienced dissolving into the radiance of the absolute. In following the path of heart (as opposed to the path of mind), we discover that in addition to pure emptiness, the absolute has (in its beingness aspect) a quality of consciousness that is pure intimacy. “The beloved is intimate with all things in the universe: intimate with people, with the rocks, with the stars… because its nature pervades everything.” Upon returning to the world, we find the universe has become the radiance of the beloved and ordinary life becomes full of love. That said, we may experience a great fear of losing our awakened realization, Hameed adds, which can further stir up old woundings which still need to be faced. Back in the world, as the embodied beloved, do you feel compassion for other people’s suffering? co-host John Dupuy wonders. The extent of the compassion is almost unimaginable, Hameed answers. There is vast empathy for all the suffering in the world, and especially for the deep suffering underlying it all that is caused by people not knowing their inner truth. It is by giving the beloved the opportunity to appear and know itself as we live our lives that we love and serve the inner beloved, Hameed continues. He explains that awareness is the beloved witnessing its creation, and that the emptiness aspect of the beloved, emphasized in Buddhism and on the path of mind, brings a searing clarity to our experience. A beautiful conversation, in which co-host Roger Walsh remarks that the presence of the inner beloved seems to be increasingly reflected in these dialogues as they unfold. Perhaps you will feel it too. Recorded January 29, 2026. “Regardless of what we think and feel, at our essence we are love.” ​ Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2 The path of return: the fear of losing the beloved (00:34) Old wounds come up bringing more fear; you have to welcome all the wounding (01:24) Upon return, ordinary life becomes full of love—can this be translated into a scientific or mathematical theory? (02:26) Service is giving the inner beloved the opportunity to appear & know itself (04:47) The depth of compassion felt for the suffering of the world is almost unimaginable (06:50) If you don’t work things out, you can’t live in this world as the deity (10:47) The beloved is intimate with all things in the universe because its nature pervades everything (11:49) The primal cavity: the deep wish to go into dark, black emptiness (15:39) What is the relation between love and compassion? (19:36) The heart is just there for the beloved—the throne of the beloved (22:15) The more hatred and aggression, the more the disconnection (25:05) Witnessing: awareness is the beloved witnessing its creation (26:48) Realizing the emptiness: the radiance of the darkness is the essence of awareness (28:07) The feeling tone of these dialogues increasingly reflects the presence of the inner beloved (29:50) There is a lot more in the book The Inner Beloved, including conversations with Hameed’s students & exercises, that hasn’t been discussed (31:07) At our essence we are love: moving towards heart is the inherent potential of humanity (32:23) Resources & References – Part 2 A. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart’s Journey to Divine Unity Previous Deep Transformation Path of Love dialogues: Entering the Path of Heart , Emptying the Heart of All that Obscures the Inner Beloved & Dissolving into Bliss Ramakrishna , Hindu mystic “ I was a hidden treasure and wanted to be known ” is the beginning of probably the most famous hadith qudsi or extra-Qur’anic Word of God Longchenpa: A Guide For Readers (Shambhala) Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali’s Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love , and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved , published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book , to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest . Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation Listeners If you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed’s team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/ . And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign up. --- Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general. Hameed’s process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the Enneagram: How to Unlock the Highest Potential of Every Personality Type, The Unfolding Now: Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence, and more. --- Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 230 (Part 1 of 2) | The third dialogue in the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas opens with co-host Roger Walsh commenting that in reading Hameed’s most recent book, The Inner Beloved , he is struck by how different the Diamond Approach’s path of love is from those in other traditions. Hameed explains that, indeed, his path is different in that it addresses the sequence of events on the path of love systematically, using contemporary psychological language to describe the difficulties and barriers that arise, and further, that he includes not only obstacles that come up in the mind (concepts and beliefs), but emotional pain and woundings, abandonments and betrayals, which is something other traditions don’t often talk about. Why are our hearts not open? Because opening to such painful emotions is scary; our fear blocks us from opening to the vastness of divine love. The secret to moving forward on the path of love, Hameed says, is to love more intensely, more deeply. Love itself is the fuel that gets us through the obstacles to union with the inner beloved. Hameed speaks of the “death wish” that happens along the path, referring to our desire to dissolve completely into the beloved. “The deep heart loves the prospect of melting away and being nothing, being annihilated, completely absorbed into the beloved,” he explains. The death wish is a common reference in other paths of love, too—the Buddha calls this annihilation of self “emptiness”—and interestingly, Freud recognized it as a universal human characteristic, calling it the nirvana principle. “A deep intuition resides in every human heart,” Hameed continues, “a need for unification with what we love.” This can be small things—chocolate ice cream, our cell phone—which are legitimate objects of love, but in the end, only the inner beloved calls. Once again, Hameed gifts us with an illuminating teaching about the path of love, our desire for nonbeing, the hidden essence of love, and the integration of all we have let go of that happens after we awaken—all coming directly from his own lived experience. Recorded January 29, 2026. “It is inherent to the human being… the movement to dissolve into bliss, into the beloved.” Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1 Introducing the 3rd dialogue in the Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas, where we continue to explore Hameed’s latest book, The Inner Beloved (00:41) How Hameed’s path of love differs from other traditions (02:03) One difference is Hameed addresses the sequence of events on the path of love systematically, using psychological language to describe the difficulties & barriers that arise (05:27) On this path, obstacles are not just in the mind but include woundings that occur in relationships (08:09) After union with the beloved comes integration; here is where the nondual connection between the beloved and the world comes in (09:52) The state of desirelessness (10:36) The death wish: the yearning to be completely absorbed into the beloved (11:58) Freud called this deep, universal death wish in humans the nirvana principle (13:53) Buddha called this annihilation of self “emptiness” (18:28) The secret to moving the process along is to intensify our love (20:26) A deep intuition resides in every human heart: a need for unification with what you love (22:46) There is a kind of love where the yearning and wanting is just as ecstatic as loving itself—this is the hidden essence of love (26:45) Why are some called to the path of love yet others keep grasping for more substitute gratification? (28:50) There are 4 paths of yoga but the end is the same; the 4 suits of the tarot tell the stages of each yoga path (30:27) Coming out of the divine “coma,” the whole world is ablaze with love (33:02) The descent is not a loss of the realization, it is a further integration of what we have let go of (35:10) Resources & References – Part 1 A. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart’s Journey to Divine Unity Previous Deep Transformation Path of Love dialogues: Entering the Path of Heart & Emptying the Heart of All that Obscures the Inner Beloved Plato’s Symposium Freud’s nirvana principle was introduced in Beyond the Pleasure Principle His Holiness the Dalai Lama & Thubten Chodron speak about the absence of inherent existence in Searching for the Self Ken Wilber’s core text on substitute gratification is in The Atman Project: A Transpersonal View of Human Development The 4 paths of yoga : Karma, Bhakti, Raja and Jnana (Yoga Easy) Mystical Origins of the Tarot by Paul Huson St. John of the Cross writes about ascent in Ascent of Mount Carmel and descent in The Dark Night of the Soul --- Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali’s Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love , and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved , published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book , to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest . --- Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation Listeners If you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed’s team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/ . And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign...

Ep. 229 (Part 2 of 2) | In part 2 of our What is Real Greatness Series podcast with Margaret Cullen, author of Quiet Strength , Margaret continues to enlighten us about equanimity: its power, its wisdom, and its practice. She relates some of the history of equanimity—first considered a supreme virtue in Stoicism, then passed on to Sufism and Judaism—and explains that throughout time, equanimity (and humility) have always been an integral part of people who have made a true difference in the world. Margaret talks about how humor can break the spell of our trance (“when we lose equanimity, we get caught in a trance, believing in something that has us prisoner—humor breaks the spell” ), and, in the spirit of “The Serenity Prayer” (“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference”), she encourages us to make peace with what we can realistically do and let the rest go. While Part 1 of this dialogue focuses on the power of equanimity in relation to the big picture and what is going on now politically, in Part 2 Margaret looks at practicing equanimity in personal relationships and in our individual lives. She marvels at Thoreau’s equanimous approach to his own death, and shares that she has found forgiveness to be the most important equanimity tool in relationships. “We reclaim our wisdom when we say ‘I’m sorry,’” Margaret explains. Margaret’s deep and nuanced understanding of the power and practice of equanimity is inspiring and illuminating, and bringing this virtue to our attention as a pragmatic tool we can use is also incredibly timely, leaving us with a sense of hope and empowerment. Recorded January 14, 2026. “What aids in my equanimity more than anything else is self-forgiveness.” Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2 Welcome teacher, what am I supposed to be learning? (00:59) How humor can break the spell that holds us prisoner (03:03) The relationship between equanimity and peace (05:17) The praise and blame algorithm has exponentially increased our reactivity (08:14) Equanimity was a supreme virtue in Stoicism; the Stoics passed it on to the Sufis, who passed it on to Judaism (11:11) Thoreau’s equanimous approach to death (12:24) Nature’s effect on one’s equanimity (13:29) Equanimity is an integral part of true change makers, also humility (14:27) What practice would Margaret most recommend to cultivate equanimity? (17:19) Making peace with what you can do and letting the rest go (21:03) Practicing equanimity in relationships (22:13) Using self-forgiveness as an equanimity tool (23:44) In relationships, softening where we’re most triggered helps more than imposing ideals of how we should be (26:25) One key flavor of equanimity is non-defensiveness (28:51) Resources & References – Part 2 Margaret Cullen, Quiet Strength: Find Peace, Feel Alive, and Love Boundlessly Through the Power of Equanimity Swami Beyondanda on the Deep Transformation podcast: Laugh Yourself Sane, Enlighten Up & Awaken to Cosmic Comic Consciousness Maimonides introduced the concept of equanimity to Judaism Stoicism , a philosophical movement & practical guide to living originating in ancient Greece When asked about facing death, Thoreau said, “One world at a time.” Henrietta Christian Wright, American Men of Letters Sri Aurobindo, The Synthesis of Yoga Sufi teacher Habīb Boerger , “Rather than making the ego your boss, make it your personal assistant” The Serenity Prayer (Reinhold Niebuhr’s original version) Richard Davidson & Daniel Goleman, Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body Paul & Eve Ekman’s Cultivating Emotional Balance training “We could not help contrasting the equanimity of Nature with the bustle and impatience of man. His words and actions presume always a crisis near at hand, but she is forever silent and unpretending.” – Henry David Thoreau --- Margaret Cullen , a Licensed Psychotherapist (MFT), has been at the cutting edge of translating contemplative trainings into universal and accessible formats in mainstream settings ranging from elite military to maximum security prisons. She was one of the first certified Teachers of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR); is the founder of Mindfulness-Based Emotional Balance; and is co-developer of Compassion Cultivation Training at the Stanford School of Medicine (with Thupten Jinpa). Margaret also co-developed Mindfulness Based Attention Training for military spouses with neuroscientist Amishi Jha at the University of Miami, and is the founder of Compassion Corps, offering free compassion and mindfulness programs to under-resourced communities around the world. Margaret is a Fellow of the Mind & Life Institute. --- Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 228 (Part 1 of 2) | In part 1 of our second What is Real Greatness Series podcast, Margaret Cullen , author of the newly published book Quiet Strength: Find Peace, Feel Alive, and Love Boundlessly Through the Power of Equanimity, explains there is far more power in the virtue of equanimity than we may have thought. Because equanimity is associated with non-reactivity, people often confuse it with a neutral sort of feeling, a dampener of emotions, when actually, equanimity allows us to expand our capacity to feel; it widens our tolerance and empowers us to be comfortable with change. “Equanimity is big enough to include our broken, despairing hearts,” Margaret says. “We can hold a vision of equanimity that is completely inclusive of the human experience.” Practicing equanimity allows us to deepen our love—for the world and for others—without becoming attached. Margaret shares practical ways we can access equanimity—ways we can achieve conceptual clarity or a “wedge of spaciousness” when a moment has been hijacked by out-of-control emotions; how we can learn to turn directly and fully to what is arising in the moment; and how we can unhook from reactivity by not taking things too personally. “How can we respond heroically to the times we live in?” co-host John Dupuy asks. Margaret shares what she has learned teaching military units and special forces to cultivate equanimity—equanimity can save lives—and describes a compassion cultivation training program that has been established for police officers in California. Takeaways from this discussion may have important, powerful, timely effects on your life—and all of our lives; as John put it, “Never before have we had such a need for the medicine Margaret brings us.” Recorded January 14, 2026. “How do we care about this world that is in so much trouble without feeling overwhelmed? The answer is equanimity.“ Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1 Introducing podcast #2 in our What is Real Greatness Series with Margaret Cullen, psychotherapist, meditation & compassion cultivation trainer, author of Quiet Strength: Find Peace, Feel Alive, and Love Boundlessly Through the Power of Equanimity (00:48) What is equanimity and how did Margaret begin to experience it? (03:07) Coming to understand we don’t have control over the happiness of our loved ones (07:27) Finding a way to deepen our love without attachment (11:21) How can we respond heroically to the times we live in? (13:21) Equanimity is wisdom; wisdom is equanimity (17:16) Equanimity is big enough to include our broken, despairing hearts—we can hold a vision of equanimity that is completely inclusive of the human experience (18:11) Ways to access equanimity: perspective taking (22:12) Remembering the reality of impermanence (26:18) Unhooking from reactivity: Am I taking things too personally? (26:31) Cultivating equanimity in the military can make a huge difference—it can save lives (30:55) Compassion cultivation training program for police officers (32:51) The reframing technique & the power of turning directly to what is arising in the moment (37:31) Emotions are packed with important information for us; we gradually learn we can turn towards an emotion and survive it (38:28) Studies show that when subjected to provocative stimuli, practiced meditators actually feel more than other people (40:03) Resources & References – Part 1 Margaret Cullen, Quiet Strength: Find Peace, Feel Alive, and Love Boundlessly Through the Power of Equanimity Margaret Cullen founded Compassion Corps , offering free compassion & mindfulness training to under-resourced communities around the world; co-developed Compassion Cultivation Training at Stanford University, and is a founding faculty of the Compassion Institute Chögyam Trungpa , preeminent teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, founded Naropa University Sharon Salzburg , co-founder of the Barre Insight Meditation Society Dr. Dan Siegel ’s window of tolerance is described in ​​ The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are Joseph Goldstein , co-founder of the Barre Insight Meditation Society, on Deep Transformation: Living on the Spiritual Edge Amishi Jha & Elizabeth Stanley , pioneers of bringing mindfulness into the military Courageous Heart, compassion cultivation training program for police officers in California Chief Ryan Johansen & former officer Chris Orrey on Deep Transformation: Enlightened Ways to Make Policing Work For Everyone Paul & Eve Ekman’s Cultivating Emotional Balance training Richard Davidson & Daniel Goleman, Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body James Baraz on the Deep Transformation podcast: Awakening Joy --- Margaret Cullen , a Licensed Psychotherapist (MFT), has been at the cutting edge of translating contemplative trainings into universal and accessible formats in mainstream settings ranging from elite military to maximum security prisons. She was one of the first certified Teachers of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR); is the founder of Mindfulness-Based Emotional Balance; and is co-developer of Compassion Cultivation Training at the Stanford School of Medicine (with Thupten Jinpa). Margaret also co-developed Mindfulness Based Attention Training for military spouses with neuroscientist Amishi Jha at the University of Miami, and is the founder of Compassion Corps, offering free compassion and mindfulness programs to under-resourced communities around the world. Margaret is a Fellow of the Mind & Life Institute. --- Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 227 (Part 2 of 2) | In Part 2 of Deep Transformation’s second Path of Love Series dialogue, A. H. Almaas explains that the inner beloved is at work in our hearts, pulling us irresistibly nearer as we venture forward on the path of love. The force comes and pulls us, he says, melts us and overwhelms us—sometimes with wounding and sometimes with ecstasy. Our great love for the inner beloved ultimately dissolves our attachments to other, smaller beloveds, which can be big things—family, friends, teachers—or little things: ice cream, cake, our favorite movie star. But our heart isn’t going to be happy until it meets the beloved face to face, Hameed assures us. Then, after emptying our heart, when we finally behold the inner beloved, love becomes the nature of the whole universe. Now our relationships are expressions of the inner beloved, and we find we love everything. What makes the Diamond Approach’s path of love unique is that it uses love and inquiry combined to penetrate the obstacles that arise along the path. Thus, obstacles are not only burnt away through sheer devotion but also understood and recognized for what they are. Hameed also explains the difference between spiritual poverty of the soul and mystical poverty of the heart, between realization of the absolute via the path of mind versus the path of love, that nonduality is an outer expression of the inner beloved, and describes his own astonishing experience of “thunder and lightning in the heart” on this path. Towards the end of the conversation, Hameed reminds us that when we feel love, that is the beginning. Take the love itself rather than the object of the love, he says, and let it get bigger, let it get deeper, see where it takes you. Recorded January 8, 2026. “The beloved is the source of love and what loves everything.” Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2 The path of love also has many joys and rewards (00:30) The experience of the absolute on this path is distinctly about love (02:41) The Diamond Approach’s inquiry practice allows us to understand the obstacles that arise (05:11) Relationship can be a path on its own, but it’s not the same as the path of love, where outer relationships are disengaged from (09:30) Mystical poverty: when the heart has nothing left in it, only the inner beloved (12:53) The inner beloved is a jealous lover (13:44) When we finally behold the inner beloved, we find we love everything (14:18) Hameed’s experience of thunder & lightning in the heart (15:23) The inner beloved is the source of love, the source of the universe (17:10) Nonduality is an outer expression of the inner beloved (17:40) Love has a magnetic component to it; the inner beloved wants to be one with us (21:19) Mystical poverty is a relinquishment of all competing loves; love is what melts the attachments (23:46) Mystical poverty of the soul is not the same as mystical poverty of the heart (25:40) We need to remember the mystery of the inner beloved (28:05) The soul is an experiential lens for perceiving inner truth (28:52) When we feel love, that’s the beginning; let it get bigger, let it get deeper, see where it takes you (30:22) Love is the most powerful force in the spiritual universe (30:44) For fans of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, the Wisdom Series, based on Hameed’s book The Inner Journey Home , will be continued later this spring. Resources & References – Part 2 A. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart’s Journey to Divine Unity Poet Longchenpa only rarely talks about love and beauty, Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind Ramakrishna , Hindu mystic devoted to Kali Advaita Vedanta A Course in Miracles , a path which focuses on relationships St. John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel , The Dark Night of the Soul --- Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali’s Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love , and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved , published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book , to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest . --- Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation Listeners If you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed’s team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/ . And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign up. --- Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the...

Ep. 226 (Part 1 of 2) | In Part 1 of Deep Transformation’s second Path of Love Series dialogue with A. H. Almaas , we learn what a spiritual journey on the path of love entails: particularly, emptying our heart so it can discover the deepest inner truth, the inner beloved. “Most of the path of love has to do with emptying the heart with love and yearning combined to burn through all the idols which stand for the inner beloved,” Hameed says. “The heart knows it loves something deeper than itself… and it pains it that it is separate from it.” There are other paths of awakening, for example, the Buddhist way is largely the path of mind, but for Hameed it was the path of heart that took center stage and revealed its secrets. The path of love is not methodical or intentional—it just happens, Hameed continues. The beloved works on the heart, works on the soul, and throws itself nearer—and it’s in this nearness that you encounter all the obstacles that keep you from uniting with the beloved. Longtime practitioner, co-host Roger Walsh mentions that the exercises included in Hameed’s latest book, The Inner Beloved , intended to help us remove our blocks to perceiving the inner beloved, have worked a treat for him, opening him up in a new way to where his practice feels more flowing and easeful than before. “Love is sorely needed these days on earth,” Hameed concludes, “as our hearts are full of garbage—wounding, hatred, envy. But there is an organ in the soul—the heart—which has its own dynamic: yearning, love, intensity, and passion that penetrate the barriers and dissolve them.” Another deeply moving and illuminating conversation with co-founder of the Diamond Approach, Hameed Ali. Recorded January 8, 2026. “Love is a much bigger force for a human being than any other thing.” Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1 Introducing the 2nd dialogue in the Path of Love Series , focusing on A. H. Almaas’ latest book: The Inner Beloved (00:40) Most of this path towards discovering our inner nature has to do with emptying the heart (02:48) There are other paths of awakening, but for Hameed the path of love took center stage (06:53) Getting a taste of the inner beloved early on can become the seed of our inner longing (08:41) Can we have a second person relationship with the inner beloved? (09:55) The path of love has to do with yearning and with feeling “ nearer ” —some traditions even have words for different degrees of nearness (11:16) Even after realizing absolute truth, the heart continues to need emptying; we haven’t yet recognized the inner beloved (14:47) The path of love isn’t for everybody; for Buddhists, it’s the path of the mind (18:04) In Hameed’s book, there are powerful exercises to remove blocks to perceiving the inner beloved—these worked a treat for Roger (19:07) The heart is a subtle organ of the soul with its own dynamic: yearning, love, intensity & passion that penetrate the barriers and dissolve them (22:34) The suffering people go through is inevitable without pursuing the spiritual path to its final stages (25:21) Great fears come up: of losing our love for our loved ones & our love for the world (29:26) We encounter our deep woundings on the path of love; it’s not an easy path (33:00) The path of love is not methodical or intentional—it just happens (33:46) The beloved throws itself nearer, and in that nearness you encounter all your obstacles (34:41) Our hearts are full of garbage… love is sorely needed these days on earth (35:10) For fans of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, the Wisdom Series, based on Hameed’s book The Inner Journey Home , will be continued later in the spring. Resources & References – Part 1 A. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart’s Journey to Divine Unity A. H. Almaas, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart A. H. Almaas, Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality Rumi, The Book of Love: Poems of Ecstasy and Longing Abraham Maslow wrote about meta-motives and meta-pathologies in Toward a Psychology of Being and The Farther Reaches of Human Nature Poet Longchenpa only rarely talks about love and beauty, Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind Ramakrishna , Hindu mystic devoted to Kali --- Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas begins with an overview of Hameed Ali’s Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love , and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved , published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book , to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. Also, if you are interested in taking a course on The Inner Beloved in the fall of 2026, you can register your interest here: https://da.pages.ontraport.net/inner-beloved-interest . --- Special Diamond Approach Course Discount for Deep Transformation Listeners If you are interested in taking a course offered by Diamond Approach Online, Hameed’s team at the Ridhwan School have offered a special 20% discount for Deep Transformation listeners. You can access the Course Catalog here: https://online.diamondapproach.org/catalog/ . And enter the code DTP20 to receive your discount when you sign up. <p...

Ep. 225 (Part 2 of 2) | In Part 2 of our eloquent, passionate, and humorous, dialogue with comedian John Fugelsang , author of the important and irreverent book, Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, we come to understand what fundamentalism is, and what it signifies for our culture, our politics, and our future. John outlines five common features that characterize fundamentalism across religious traditions, pointing out that fundamentalist Christians have more in common with fundamentalist Muslims than they do with moderate and liberal Christians. “I go after fundamentalists of all religions,” John says, “because it’s turning people off to faith—ruining Christianity, ruining Islam, ruining Judaism.” This is the tragedy for John and what fuels his passion for calling out the hypocrites who do hateful things in the name of religion. John also enlightens us as to what Christian nationalism is all about, starting way back: “In the U.S., our history of Christianity is inseparable from our history of white supremacy.” Christian nationalism’s religion is power—a gospel of domination over love. Authoritarian leaders and their followers all worship power, he continues, and fills us in on how Christian nationalism is playing out in Russia now. John’s own message is not hateful; his intention is to make it clear that Jesus always taught love and kindness; to suggest that if the Church wants to survive, it needs to go back to the teachings of Jesus; and to help us come together in a common understanding of fundamental values. “It’s hard to love the bigot in your family,” John says. But we can “…hold to the deepest values, the most love, and do what needs to be done with love. We can’t hate the haters back, but we have to beat them without hating them—that’s the challenge.” Recorded December 18, 2025. “The greatest tragedy to me is when people think that something is religion and don’t realize it’s just fundamentalism.” Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2 Fundamentalist Christians have more in common with fundamentalist Muslims than they do with moderate & liberal Christians (00:39) 5 common features of fundamentalism across traditions: women are inferior, violence is okay, punishment over healing & a victimhood complex (00:51) MLK was deeply unpopular at the time of his death—just like Jesus (03:43) Every generation there’s a new word to smear the virtues of love, empathy & caring for others (05:01) Christian nationalism: a gospel of domination over love (07:59) Prosperity gospel: God will reward you if you give to our Church (09:50) Christian nationalism in Russia (13:47) Authoritarian leaders & followers all worship power (15:34) If the Church wants to survive, they need to go back to the teachings of Jesus (17:28) Recreating Jesus as a white guy led to centuries of racism and cruelty (19:55) Using the Bible as camouflage: most people haven’t read it & figure others haven’t either (21:06) What weirdness in the Bible stands out most for John? (26:02) Growing up, it seemed normal that Christianity was about love & helping people who don’t look like you (29:45) It’s hard to love the bigot in your family (30:58) We can’t hate the haters back, but we have to beat them without hating them—that’s the challenge (33:04) Abortion has redefined Christianity, but the Bible never mentions anything against it (34:35) Resources & References – Part 2 John Fugelsang, Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds John Fugelsang’s SiriusXM show: Tell Me Everything John Fugelsang’s podcast: The Sanity-Cast King in the Wilderness , documentary about Martin Luther King focused on the final two years of his life Jerry Falwell , televangelist & conservative activist Freedom From Religion 2026 Convention Prosperity theology Matthew 25 Sharon Salzberg , renowned meditation teacher --- John Fugelsang is the author of the New York Times bestseller SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND HATE: A Sane Person’s Guide To Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds . He has been murdered on CSI and picketed by the Westboro Baptist Church. John is a Drama League–nominated actor, comedian, and broadcaster, who’s hosted many TV shows and podcasts, including the acclaimed Tell Me Everything series on SiriusXM Progress. He got George Harrison to give his final performance on VH1, debated Jerry Falwell and David Duke, and made many appearances on MSNBC, FOX News, and CNN. His epic PBS road trip film on the American Dream, Dream On , directed by Roger Weisberg, was named Best Documentary at the New York Independent Film Festival. Fugelsang lives in New York City with his family. --- Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 224 (Part 1 of 2) | John Fugelsang , author of the brilliant, irreverent book, Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, talks eloquently about the difference between true Christianity as taught by Jesus and the hateful teachings of Christian nationalists and televangelists who are in it for the power and the money. John grew up with a clear notion of what Christianity should look like; his parents lived their faith grounded in peace, love, empathy, and service, dedicating their lives to helping people in need, no matter their color or differences. So John set out to take the Bible back from “small-minded, right-wing, nationalist racists,” because he finds it tragic that vast numbers of people are being alienated from faith altogether, and he wanted to give his readers arguments they could use to face off with right-wing Christians about what the Bible really says. Christians and atheists have told him his book validates all of their beliefs, and he has inspired crowds of atheists to cheer loudly for Jesus. John is an actor, comedian, and talk show host, and his quick wit and well-informed, well-intentioned intellect make for a fast-paced, enjoyable, and educational foray into subjects such as how right-wing nationalists have made Christianity out to be a religion of condemnation and domination; how they quote Saint Paul, with all of his sex hangups and homophobia, rather than Jesus; and how it’s always been the Christ followers pushing back against authoritarian Christianity—adding that Jesus’ teachings are as threatening to authoritarian power today as they were 2,000 years ago. This is a timely, very important conversation about a subject that involves all of us: reclaiming the foundational values of love, humility, open-mindedness, and service. Recorded December 18, 2025. “Jesus is not about condemnation or domination; his whole movement is about transformation.” Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1 Introducing John Fugelsang, award-winning actor & comedian, author of Separation of Church and Hate (00:40) Feeling your religion of peace and love has been hijacked by small-minded, right-wing, nationalist racists (02:59) What was John’s experience writing Separation of Church and Hate ? (05:15) How could a religion of love be the same as the fundamentalist stuff we hear on televangelical TV? (08:58) Religion didn’t invent hate, but hate has always found a home in religion (11:25) It’s always been the Christ followers who push back against authoritarian Christianity (14:26) It was Saint Paul—not Jesus—who was anti-woman, anti-gay, and a persecutor of Christians (16:51) Hypocrisy is what outraged Jesus (21:51) Right-wing Christianity does not care about the teachings of Christ, only about conservative Christian power (23:47) The media never covers all the ways people of different religions get along just fine (26:29) Showing our right-wing Christian relatives that Jesus is not an immigrant-hating homophobe in the Bible does more good than calling them out for being immigrant-hating homophobes (29:34) Using scripture & nonviolence to shame frauds out of the Christian nationalism racket (31:50) In the Bible, you can find anything you want to justify your actions (33:29) How has John’s book been received? (35:46) Fundamentalism in any religion means you know that God thinks you’re better than other people (38:19) Fundamentalism is rooted in a particular stage of development where absolute beliefs—black & white, right & wrong—are what’s most important (40:13) Resources & References – Part 1 John Fugelsang, Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds John Fugelsang’s SiriusXM show: Tell Me Everything John Fugelsang’s podcast: The Sanity-Cast Dietrich Bonhoeffer , pastor who gave his life resisting Nazi Germany’s Christian nationalism Paul the Apostle was born Saul of Tarsus Bishop John Shelby Spong of Newark Matthew 25 Senator Raphael Warlock uses scripture & nonviolence to shame frauds out of the racket of Christian nationalism --- John Fugelsang is the author of the New York Times bestseller SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND HATE: A Sane Person’s Guide To Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds . He has been murdered on CSI and picketed by the Westboro Baptist Church. John is a Drama League–nominated actor, comedian, and broadcaster, who’s hosted many TV shows and podcasts, including the acclaimed Tell Me Everything series on SiriusXM Progress. He got George Harrison to give his final performance on VH1, debated Jerry Falwell and David Duke, and made many appearances on MSNBC, FOX News, and CNN. His epic PBS road trip film on the American Dream, Dream On , directed by Roger Weisberg, was named Best Documentary at the New York Independent Film Festival. Fugelsang lives in New York City with his family. --- Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Ep. 223 | Four solid years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, integral thinkers Kateryna Yasko and Vytautas Bučiūnas relate what life in Ukraine is like—emotionally, physically, spiritually. Far from what you might expect of a conversation about the state of Ukraine after four years of war—far from being battered and downtrodden—this is a story of resilience, resourcefulness, courage, and accelerated human development. Kateryna likens Ukraine to a living laboratory of transformation—with everyone united in the fight to preserve democracy and their identity as a nation, “the social fabric is strong, the resilience is astonishing…heroes receive a lot of gratitude from the people they serve.” On a personal level, Kateryna and Vytas share how they have grown in ways they wouldn’t have expected: capacities have widened, appreciation of life has deepened, and experiences of profound joy arise in giving their all, together with their compatriots, for the future of the next generation. Leadership in Ukraine is in an evolutionary elevator, Vytautas, an integral leadership development consultant, tells us. Leaders no longer have the option to be reactive or habitual, and this has generated extraordinary creativity and courage in leadership in the military, business, politics, and social groups. Kateryna, a pedagogical psychologist, points out that human rights, democracy, and freedom are foundational for spiritual growth. People need to understand how to manifest their political self, she says, because if they don’t, they will tend to escape into spirituality in a form of spiritual bypassing. “What can we do to help? co-host John Dupuy asks. “Come to Ukraine!” Kateryna and Vytas respond. Come experience and co-create the vertical development happening in this living laboratory of modern crisis. Recorded February 8, 2026. “The best way to practice spirituality is human rights assurance and activism; all the rest is secondary.” Topics & Time Stamps Introducing from Kyiv, Kateryna Yasko, pedagogical psychologist & Vytautas Bučiūnas, integral coach & leadership development consultant (01:01) What is the psychological and physical weather in Ukraine after 4 years of war? (03:36) Russia is using this very cold winter as a weapon, deliberately targeting infrastructure that supplies electricity & heat (04:08) The social fabric is strong, the resilience is astonishing (06:34) There’s no choice—surrendering is not an option; the war would not end (12:10) Transformation has to include politics: assuring free speech and democracy comes before spiritual work (14:12) What forces are keeping Ukrainians together? (18:14) Humor is a big help (22:15) Leadership in Ukraine is in an evolutionary elevator (24:38) Courage, creative thinking, and gaming logic in the military (27:17) In Kyiv, with guns everywhere, the level of crime is very low (33:14) Putin is hostage to this war now; there are up to 50,000 Russian casualties per month (35:09) John shares his Ukraine! song and the accompanying YouTube video, created by Kateryna’s daughter (36:44) Come to Ukraine! Experience the vertical development happening in this living laboratory of modern crisis (42:10) Measuring teenagers’ developmental levels: Ukrainians are maturing faster, evolving faster (43:59) Donations are welcome (see recommended options under Resources below) (46:04) Passing the 1,418 days of war mark: this war has now run longer than Russia’s “Great Patriotic War,” so glorified after WWII (47:28) Resources & References James Hillman & Michael Ventura, We’ve Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy and the World’s Getting Worse Keeping the Soul of Ukraine Alive: Maintaining Personal & National Ideals while Under Fire in Ukraine (Deep Transformation podcast) Валерій Пекар, Бесіди майстра Хай Тао про стратегію (Master Hai Tao’s Conversations About Strategy by Ukrainian Integralist Valeriy Pekar – as of this writing, this book is not yet available in English, but here is a YouTube interview with the author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btADES9iwfY Ukraine! Song by John Dupuy (YouTube video) Daniel Kirkpatrick, At The Edge of Democracy: A Pacifist’s Visit to Ukraine Robert Kegan’s Stage Theory of Adult Development Susanne Cook-Greuter, Stages of Human Development (Elevating Consciousness podcast YouTube video) Recommended Donation Sites – Support Ukraine! United24 , the official fundraising platform of Ukraine initiated by President Zelenskyy, founded to protect, save, and rebuild Ukraine Come Back Alive , the Foundation for Competent Assistance to the Army You are also welcome to donate to a cause of your choice (i.e., evacuating soldiers from the front lines, buying rifles, saving Ukrainian culture, and more, through Kateryna’s PayPal email below, full transparency guaranteed. Support via PayPal --- Kateryna Yasko (Ukraine) is a psychologist and business trainer specializing in the development of emotional intelligence, trust, cooperation, effective communication, and peaceful conflict resolution. She is the co-founder of the civic and cultural initiatives Embassy of Ukrainian Sense-making and Prōstory. Her academic background includes degrees in international relations and law (MSc), business administration (MBA), and psychology (MSc). Kateryna’s programs are grounded in Integral Theory developed by Ken Wilber, Nonviolent Communication created by Marshall Rosenberg, Speech Act Theory, and the commitment-based organizational culture approach of Fernando Flores. She holds certifications from the Center for Nonviolent Communication, Spiral Dynamics Integral, Harthill Consulting (Leadership...

Ep. 222 (Part 2 of 2) | A. H. Almaas’ teachings on spiritual love and the inner beloved are based on his own experience, he explains in Part 2 of the first dialogue in the Path of Love Series . “In this path, experience is almost everything,” he says. Spiritual experience created the Diamond Approach—it isn’t a philosophy. What makes Hameed’s path of love unique and different from other paths of love, like the Sufi and the bhakti paths? First off, it is the methodology: the practice of inquiry. Inquiry combines both mind and heart, Hameed explains. It adds a means of discernment that helps to keep the force of love from going astray on its own; it brings understanding to our experience, and shows us our obstacles. “[This path] has in it the sensibilities of modern mind and modern life and how to live it from the perspective of the heart.” Another unique feature of A. H. Almaas’ path of love is how we experience drawing closer and closer to the inner beloved. Hameed describes the experience of approaching the inner beloved as a heartrending mixture of “sweetness, passion, ecstasy, drunkenness… many stages of melting, surrender, effulgence, fullness, radiance… all intertwined with yearning and pain and the feeling of being separate” from one’s heart’s true desire. With his customary concise eloquence, Hameed also answers several of the co-hosts’ questions: How does Hameed see contemporary society in the light of this vision of love? Does he think humanity will wake up? What is a fulfilled life? Hameed concludes by telling us that the question this path of love is designed to answer is, how do you live your life while also engaging in the way of the heart? Recorded December 11, 2025. “The mind asks the questions, the heart finds the answers. The mind gets clear, the heart melts.“ Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2 The difference between Hameed’s approach and other paths of love is the methodology: inquiry (00:32) Truth is a quality of the heart, not the mind; the heart knows truth, the mind doesn’t (05:43) Spiritual experience created Hameed’s teaching—it isn’t a philosophy (09:08) The union between inquiry and the force of love (11:19) The heart is patterned by our history, especially our history of love (15:39) Two common misunderstandings: attributing love to an external source, and believing there is only one manifestation of spirit (17:51) Nearing the inner beloved, there are many stages of melting, surrender, passion, ecstasy, all intertwined with yearning and pain, the feeling of separation (18:49) How does Hameed see contemporary society and its many discontents in the light of this vision of love? (20:53) Is humanity going to wake up? (23:03) What is a fulfilled life? (27:29) On the path, the ego self becomes not just secondary—it’s gone (31:11) The death wish: to dissolve into the inner beloved (32:07) A possible future series by Hameed: What happens after you’re enlightened? (34:21) How do you live your life and follow the way of the heart? (35:57) Resources & References – Part 2 A. H. Almaas, The Inner Beloved: The Heart’s Journey to Divine Unity A. H. Almaas, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart A. H. Almaas, Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality Bhakti , a concept common in Indian religions, may refer to loving devotion for a personal God, a formless ultimate reality, or an enlightened being Seven Levels of Being, Sufi Path of Love Ken Wilber, The Spectrum of Consciousness Exploring Gurdjieff’s Insight: Man as a Machine (Gurdjieff Central) Sri Ramana Maharshi , Who Am I? --- Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series with A. H. Almaas Deep Transformation’s Path of Love Series begins with an overview of Hameed Ali’s Love Trilogy — Love Unveiled, Nondual Love , and The Inner Beloved — to orient us on the spiritual path of love unique to Hameed Ali and the Diamond Approach, then delves into the profound and deeply touching topics Hameed addresses in his most recent book, The Inner Beloved , published in February 2026. Listeners may want to get a copy of this book , to study and follow along on this extraordinary path of awakening. --- Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him to inquire into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature rather than the physical nature of the universe. He left the academic world to pursue an in-depth journey of inner discovery, applying his scientific precision and discipline to personal, experiential research. This included study with different teachers in different modalities, extensive reading, and continuous study of his own consciousness in an effort to understand the essential nature of human experience and reality in general. Hameed’s process of exploration led to the creation of the Ridhwan School and, with his colleague Karen Johnson, resulted in the founding and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach. He is the author of 20 books, including Nondual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality, Love Unveiled: Discovering the Essence of the Awakened Heart, Keys to the Enneagram: How to Unlock the Highest Potential of Every Personality Type, The Unfolding Now: Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence, and more. --- Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell