Zen Buddhism, Non-Dual Awareness, and the Ceasing of Identity
In this conversation, clinical psychologist Michael Hall, Ph.D. shares the long arc of his spiritual journey through Zen practice, meditation retreats, and repeated glimpses of non-dual awareness. He describes how serious practice, disillusionment, surrender, and grace eventually led to a more continuous knowing of reality beyond egoic identity. Michael also speaks about the relationship between awakening and psychotherapy, the role of conditioning and automatic beliefs, and why direct experiential realization matters more than intellectual understanding.
He reflects on the dark night of the soul, the ceasing of identity, and the importance of finding what actually works for you rather than trying to imitate someone else’s path. The discussion also touches on Christian roots, the common threads among Buddhist, Advaita, and non-dual teachings, and the possibility of integrating awakening into ordinary life and therapeutic work.
Michael encourages listeners to trust their own capacity to realize truth directly, regardless of age or background, and to keep exposing themselves to teachings and practices that support awakening.
Email: WayBeyondPsychotherapy@gmail.com
Blog: AwakenToTruth.BlogSpot.com
Interview recorded 5/22/2011
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Michael Hall
- 00:05:08 – Joining a Zen Meditation Group
- 00:07:29 – Discovering Anger and Blood Pressure
- 00:10:19 – Awakening and Zen Training
- 00:12:46 – A Journey of Awakening and Disillusionment
- 00:15:24 – The Ceasing of Identity
- 00:18:29 – Effort and the Final Threshold
- 00:21:21 – Surrendering the Ego
- 00:24:16 – The practice of seeing and releasing automatic beliefs
- 00:26:49 – The Illusion of Selfishness and the Power of Conditioning
- 00:29:34 – Letting Go of Feelings
- 00:32:10 – Finding Your Own Path
- 00:34:28 – Finding What Works for You
- 00:36:17 – Shift in Identity: Michael Hall to Universality
- 00:38:22 – The Dark Night and Inner Transformation
- 00:41:25 – The Dark Night of the Soul and Radical Reorientation
- 00:44:13 – Letting Go of the Past and Embracing the Present
- 00:46:49 – The Difference Between Channeling and Being Adyashanti
- 00:50:33 – A Zen Book Awakening
- 00:55:00 – The Progressive Deepening of Realization
- 01:00:16 – Stages of Enlightenment
- 01:03:58 – Embracing Challenges and Growth
- 01:07:41 – The Indescribable Nature of God
- 01:11:19 – Increased Effectiveness in Therapy
- 01:13:28 – Transformation through Empty Glass
- 01:15:16 – The Value of Ordinary People in Spiritual Awakening
- 01:18:18 – Living a Skillful and Less Stressful Life
- 01:21:45 – Paradigm Shifts and Awakening Consciousness
- 01:24:25 – Faith in Your Ability to Realize Truth
- 01:27:06 – Conclusion and Next Interview Announcement
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