In this video, we dive deep into the life and transformative journey of Eshwar, a good friend of mine who struggled with addiction, and ultimately experienced a profound spiritual awakening. His story isn’t just about survival—it’s about transformation, surrender, and seeing beyond the mind.We talk about:🔥 The comfort of the known vs. the courage to let go🔥 The dark night of the soul and the journey beyond addiction🔥 The illusions of identity and the surrender into truth🔥 The role of anger, resentment, and self-compassion in awakening🔥 Why the unknown is where true freedom liesIf you’re feeling stuck, struggling, or searching for deeper meaning, this conversation is for you.📌 Follow Eshwar🌍 Website:https://sensewithoutmind.com📺 YouTube: @SenseWithOutMind 00:00 Introduction01:24 Eshwar's Early Life in Guyana03:55 Transition to Life in the United States05:52 Struggles with Addiction09:37 Seeking Help14:59 The Process of Healing and Awakening21:03 Understanding and Managing Anger28:24 Self-Compassion and Identity33:21 A Journey Inward34:22 Seeking Answers in Spiritual Teachings36:00 A Profound Realization40:01 The Aftermath of Awakening43:28 Living with a New Perspective48:41 The Nature of Experience and Insight56:49 Guidance and Community01:05:50 Final Thoughts and Contact Information✨ Discover how to live more mindfully with these resources: • The Gentle Trail to Presence: A 5-day course to help you navigate your inner world with clarity and ease. Start your journey athttps://gentletrail.com • The Cabin: Join gentle mindfulness for natural awakening community to connect with others on their journeys. Explore The Cabin athttps://awakenyourmyth.com • 1:1 Coaching: Need support untangling from unhelpful thought patterns? Book a coaching session with me:https://erikireland.com📬 Discover more resources and inspiration:Find free tools and learn more athttps://erikireland.com.Disclaimer:Hi there! I’m a certified mindfulness teacher, and I create these videos to support anyone seeking clarity, presence, and connection with their true nature. While the practices and reflections I share are intended to inspire and guide your journey, they are not a substitute for therapy, medical care, or professional advice.The insights and meditations offered here can bring about profound shifts in how you experience yourself and the world. If you’re currently navigating a mental health challenge or feel overwhelmed, please prioritize your well-being and reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or trusted resource for support. If you’re in crisis or at risk of harming yourself or others, contacting a suicide hotline, a trusted professional, or emergency services is the best step to take right now.These teachings are a gentle invitation to explore your inner world, not a prescription for how to live. Take what resonates, move at your own pace, and always approach this work with kindness toward yourself.Wishing you peace on your journey. 💛

What if awakening is simpler than we’ve been told? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. James Cook, neuroscientist, author, and researcher, to discuss the nature of consciousness, shadow work, and awakening. Dr. Cook shares his incredible journey from a teenage awakening to his groundbreaking work bridging science and spirituality. We dive deep into: •What awakening really is (and what it’s not) •How science explains consciousness and suffering •The importance of shadow work and embodied integration •Why awakening doesn’t require belief or dogma •The role of synchronicity and intuition in our paths 🔍 Explore Dr. Cooke’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrJamesCooke 📖 His Book – The Dawn of Mind: How Matter Became Conscious and Alive → https://www.drjamescooke.com 🌐 Inner Space Institute – Free resources & community for awakening → https://innerspaceinstitute.org 💡 More from Dr. James Cooke – Articles, podcasts, and insights → https://drjamescooke.substack.com ✨ Explore more tools for your journey: • The Gentle Trail to Presence: A 5-day course to help you navigate your inner world with clarity and ease. Start your journey at https://gentletrail.com • The Cabin: Join gentle mindfulness for natural awakening community to connect with others on their journeys. Explore The Cabin at https://awakenyourmyth.com • 1:1 Coaching: Need support untangling from unhelpful thought patterns? Book a coaching session with me: https://erikireland.com 📬 Discover more resources and inspiration: Find free tools and learn more at https://erikireland.com. Disclaimer: Hi there! I’m a certified mindfulness teacher, and I create these videos to support anyone seeking clarity, presence, and connection with their true nature. While the practices and reflections I share are intended to inspire and guide your journey, they are not a substitute for therapy, medical care, or professional advice. The insights and meditations offered here can bring about profound shifts in how you experience yourself and the world. If you’re currently navigating a mental health challenge or feel overwhelmed, please prioritize your well-being and reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or trusted resource for support. If you’re in crisis or at risk of harming yourself or others, contacting a suicide hotline, a trusted professional, or emergency services is the best step to take right now. These teachings are a gentle invitation to explore your inner world, not a prescription for how to live. Take what resonates, move at your own pace, and always approach this work with kindness toward yourself. Wishing you peace on your journey. 💛

In this episode, we explore the delicate interplay between belonging and becoming, using my recent experience of starting a public Facebook group as a launching point for discussing how we navigate fear, intuition, and personal transformation.

Key Topics:

• The relationship between fear and intuition in decision-making
• How early experiences of unworthiness can shape our life choices
• Different approaches to mindfulness practice and why gentleness matters
• The role of curiosity, compassion, and gentleness in personal transformation

Core Concepts Discussed:

Three Pillars of Mindfulness Practice:

1. Curiosity - Gives the mind something constructive to do instead of creating stories about who we are
2. Compassion - Opens our heart to the felt sense that we're all in this together
3. Gentleness - Brings the whole practice together, allowing us to approach our experience without force

Mindfulness as a Lens:

• Functions like "goggles" that allow us to simulate awareness before it becomes natural
• Defined as non-judgmental awareness of the present moment in service of self-knowledge

Practical Applications:

• Using mindfulness in daily activities (driving, washing dishes, walking)
• Working with resistance and unworthiness
• Building a supportive community for personal growth
• Moving beyond the mind-identified sense of self

Resources Mentioned:

New Facebook Group: "Awaken Your Myth, A Journey to Belonging and Becoming"

Main Takeaway:

True belonging and becoming emerge not from pushing away our fears or trying to be perfect, but through bringing gentle curiosity and compassion to our present moment experience. This approach allows us to move beyond our conditioned patterns and connect with our authentic nature.

Join our community at the Awaken Your Myth Facebook group for ongoing discussions about mindfulness, personal mythology, and the hero's journey.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/awakenyourmyth