Basic Approach and Teachings
Each moment of life, with all its
apparent imperfections and shortcomings, is complete, perfect,
and sacred just the way it is. Nothing need be added, subtracted,
or changed in any way--nothing, that is, except our perception,
our point of view. Throughout history, all the great masters
and sages have realized this essential truth. As simple as this truth may seem, however, it tends to elude
us because we've been conditioned to view life in terms of
the apparent separate self we imagine ourselves to be. From
this point of view, which is grounded in time, life is a struggle
to survive in a difficult, imperfect world.
The spiritual "journey" involves awakening from
this dream of separation and realizing the peace and happiness of
our essential nature, which is pure wakefulness or presence,
untouched and undisturbed by the struggles and circumstances
of life. Sometimes this awakening occurs spontaneously--and then it
can be invaluable to have a seasoned teacher or
counselor who knows the terrain themselves to help guide us
through the process. More often, this awakening can be ignited
and clarified by a relationship with such a teacher, someone
who is grounded in wakefulness and devoted to nurturing it
in others.
In addition, both before and after awakening, numerous issues
and challenges arise on the journey that invite us to look
more deeply at our conditioned patterns of thinking and behaving
and loosen our identification with our beliefs, stories, and
familiar self-concepts. For this, a skilled counselor trained
in both Western psychology and nondual wisdom can be an extraordinary
resource.
»Learn more about Stephan
»Read the latest teachings on Stephan's blog
Note on Mindfulness and Awakening: Present moment awareness (also known as mindfulness) has some powerful real-life benefits for relieving stress and depression and increasing overall health and well-being--and it can also be a doorway to spiritual awakening. If you're drawn to meditate, then by all means meditate. My new audio program offers detailed guidance, including meditations of various lengths and other mindfulness exercises.
Spiritual Counseling and Mentoring
The individual counseling sessions I offer by phone are a dynamic, intimate blend of the nondual wisdom of Zen, Dzogchen, and Advaita Vedanta and the techniques and insights of Western psychology. The purpose of these sessions is to support you in realizing the truth of your being while inquiring into the stories and patterns of thinking and behaving that cause you suffering.
Our work together invites a glimpse of your essential nature by pointing directly to your inherent purity and freedom, the silent aware presence beyond the mind. At the same time, we engage your problems on a relative level by
supporting you in welcoming and exploring your experience exactly the way it is, including difficult emotions and mind states that may have previously seemed unworkable and impervious to truth. (To learn more, click here.)
»Read an excerpt from Stephan's book Wake Up Now
»Listen to a recent satsang
School for Awakening 2013
Designed and led by a teacher of awakening in the nondual wisdom lineage of Suzuki Roshi, Jean Klein, and Adyashanti, the School creates intimate, small-group environments--including retreats, teleclasses, and the eight-month program--in which the direct experience of our limitless, unconditioned true nature can be nurtured and deepened.
In addition to focusing on awakening to the absolute, nondual dimenion of being, we actively explore the conditioned, habitual patterns and stuck places that prevent us from fully living the truth we know ourselves to be. In this way, we address not only awakening, but awakened embodiment and psychospiritual transformation as well. (To learn more about the annual eight-month School, now in its seventh year, click here. For more on satsangs and teleclasses, click here.)
»Listen to a lively interview with Stephan on Wisdom's Soft Whisper
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