591. Rabbi Rami Shapiro

Non-Dual Judaism, Reincarnation, and Shadow Work

Summary: A wide-ranging conversation about mystical Judaism, perennial wisdom, and the difference between tribal religion and direct spiritual realization. The discussion also explores death, reincarnation, shadow work, Divine Mother, and why authentic practice matters for both inner awakening and social action.

Questions This Interview Explores

• How can Judaism be understood through a non-dual, mystical lens rather than a tribal one?
• What do death, reincarnation, and out-of-body experiences suggest about consciousness?
• Why is spiritual practice important for engaging social justice without becoming drained or ego-driven?
• How do shadow work, addiction, and the body-heart-mind-soul-spirit dimensions fit into awakening?

A Jewish practitioner of Perennial Wisdom, Rabbi Rami Shapiro is an award–winning author of over thirty-six books on religion and spirituality. He received rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a PH.D. in religion from Union Graduate School. A rabbinic chaplain with the USAF for 3 years, a congregational rabbi for 20, and a professor of religious studies for 10, Rabbi Rami currently co-directs the One River Foundation, is a Contributing Editor at Spirituality and Health magazine, and hosts the magazine’s bi-weekly podcast, Essential Conversations with Rabbi Rami.

Website: rabbirami.com

Books:

• Recovery―The Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice (The Art of Spiritual Living)
• Holy Rascals: Advice for Spiritual Revolutionaries
• Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent: Sacred Teachings―Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations)
• The World Wisdom Bible: A New Testament for a Global Spirituality
• Surrendered―The Sacred Art: Shattering the Illusion of Control and Falling into Grace with Twelve-Step Spirituality (The Art of Spiritual Living)

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript, summary, and key takeaways from this interview

Interview recorded March 14, 2021

YouTube Video Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
• 00:03:06 – Introductions and Background
• 00:05:41 – Transitioning to Buddhism and Zen Rabbi
• 00:08:31 – The Resurrection of the Mother and the Collapse of Civilization
• 00:12:30 – Three Scenarios for the Future
• 00:16:06 – Shifting Consciousness and the Fourth Alternative
• 00:19:40 – The Hugging Saint, Amma
• 00:22:36 – Mistaken Identity
• 00:26:22 – The Life-Changing Power of Meditation
• 00:29:55 – The Delicate Balance of Humility and Spiritual Practice
• 00:36:09 – The Yearning for God
• 00:40:13 – The Four Points of Awakening in Judaism
• 00:44:12 – The Fallibility of Teachers and Their Teachings
• 00:47:28 – Spirituality and the Behavior of Spiritual Teachers
• 00:51:52 – The Tribal Jingoism of Judaism
• 00:56:16 – Facing the Fear of Death
• 01:01:42 – Perspectives on Reincarnation
• 01:05:59 – The Ego and Reincarnation
• 01:09:44 – The Limitations of Perception and Consciousness
• 01:13:28 – Out-of-Body Experiences and the Survival of Consciousness
• 01:16:26 – The Essence of Spiritual Development
• 01:20:10 – Developing Practices on all Dimensions
• 01:24:07 – Experiencing Divine Mother Manifestations
• 01:28:03 – Communing with Lady Wisdom (Chochma)
• 01:33:14 – The Essential Non-Duality
• 01:37:40 – Shifting modes of functioning and integration
• 01:42:59 – The Allure of Salt, Sugar, and Fat
• 01:47:49 – Holy Rascals and Mystics of History
• 01:53:47 – Embracing the Dark Side of Consciousness
• 01:58:51 – Embracing the Dark Side
• 02:02:26 – Farewell and Thanks