069. Michael Hall, Ph.D.

Michael HallA clinical psychologist in private practice in Binghamton, NY, Michael studied and practiced Zen Buddhism for many years beginning in 1978. An initial experience of non-dual awareness emerged in 1982. Like virtually all first glimpses, this experiential awareness was fleeting. Still, the appetite for an enduring awakening had taken hold, as well as an absolute faith in the spiritual truths reported by Shakyamuni Buddha and the Zen teachers of ancient China and Japan. Years of frequent silent meditation retreats allowed this awareness to deepen and expand, yet there was still searching for true liberation. The continuous experiential Knowing that this is it emerged many years later after an apparent surrendering of the desire to become anything at all. With this much deeper and more pervasive understanding, there arose simultaneously a reconnection with his childhood roots in the Christian tradition. Michael now shares this knowledge of Self with a growing number of students. The teaching is consistent with the truths taught by awakened teachers of all religious traditions. He teaches awakening and the integration of non-dual awareness into daily life. Over 30 years of full-time psychological practice has provided a unique perspective on the roots of suffering and the end of it. He draws on the writing and teaching of contemporary and historical awakened teachers, joining the common threads in Christian, Buddhist, Advaita, and Non-Dual traditions to share a message of the possibility and promise of personal transformation and liberation from egoic illusion.

Email:       WayBeyondPsychotherapy@gmail.com
Blog:          AwakenToTruth.BlogSpot.com

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded 5/22/2011

Audio and video below and as a Podcast.

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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