Adventures in Awareness

Amir Giles
  • 4.9 (12)
  • Spirituality

Conversations and meditations on self, the nature of reality, & consciousness. With meditators, philosophers, mystics and scientists we examine non-duality, exploration of mind and the phenomena of altered states, traits and beyond. adventuresinawareness.substack.com

  1. The physics of a living universe - with Oxford trained Jude Currivan, PhD MSc

    Jun 20

    The physics of a living universe - with Oxford trained Jude Currivan, PhD MSc

    The physics of a living universe - with Oxford trained Jude Currivan PhD MSc Dr Jude Currivan, (PhD MSc CMA), is a cosmologist, planetary healer, futurist, and author. She has an master's in physics from Oxford, a PhD in archaeology, and senior business experience ranging from the UK Stock Exchange to international corporations including HMV and Scholl. Based on research in multiple fields, she contends that the universe is a finite, has purpose, and you're part of it! A thought emerging from eternity, and holographic such that there are patterns guiding both the planets, the atoms and our lives, the microcosms of the wider mind. She will be joining Bernardo Kastrup in conversation which you can join live here: https://www.withrealityinmind.com/entropy-and-purpose/ Or as a one-off event here: https://dandelion.events/e/u3tc6 The discussion paper mentioned can be found here: The Unitive Science of a Living Universe https://www.clubofrome.org/publication/the-unitive-science-of-a-living-universe/ also published by the World Academy of Arts and Sciences: https://worldacademy.org/the-unitive-science-of-a-living-universe/ and UNESCO: https://bridges.earth/news/post/fifth-elements-discussion-paper-series-unitive-science-living-universe To join future events, newsletter and access ad-free event recordings go to: https://adventuresinawareness.com Your contributions support future content, and are greatly appreciated:- https://adventuresinawareness.com/membership- One-off PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adventuresin Follow the Adventure:- Subscribe to us on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresinawareness- Twitter: https://x.com/AdvInAwareness- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-awareness/id1535917754 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jiebSpdVu9YbpLOtWlKYU - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventuresinawareness 00:00 Jude's recent work with Iain McGilchrist 02:16 What links your diverse studies and work? 03:56 The moral implications of emerging physics 06:27 How materialists distorted Darwin 08:55 How random mutations have been debunked 09:45 Confirmation from Michael Levin's work 12:36 The scientific revolution recognised by the Club of Rome 14:12 What is your personal experience of non-duality? 18:00 Why Jude always speaks her truth 20:00 Heartbreak leads to heart opening 24:20 What’s the evidence for a living universe? 30:20 Do the laws of thermodynamics indicate an evolving universe? 36:50 Entropy is the story increased complexity, not chaos 48:00 Is the universe coming to an end? 52:43 The universe as a thought emerging from eternity 1:02:48 Interdependence as the key for global and local relations 1:05:59 Communication with other realms? 1:10:22 NO evidence for infinites in physics 1:14:00 Take love seriously This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

    1h 16m
  2. Delson Armstrong - questioning tradition & the primacy of consciousness

    May 15

    Delson Armstrong - questioning tradition & the primacy of consciousness

    Delson Armstrong is a meditation teacher and author of A Mind Without Craving, known for his detailed experiential knowledge of advanced meditation states, including jhāna, samādhi, cessation, and TWIM practice. His knowledge spans early Buddhist meditation, Kriya Yoga, and contemporary conversations in contemplative science, where advanced absorption states are increasingly being studied through phenomenology and neuroimaging. In this conversation, Delson brings a rare depth of first-person insight into meditation and awakening in the context of modern life. He also contributes his views on the debate between idealism and emptiness. Is consciousness primary, as is posited by Advaita Vedanta and similar non-dual traditions, or is it empty of inherent existence, just like everything else, dependent on causes and conditions, as argued by some Buddhist schools. https://www.delsonarmstrong.com/events The cessation meditation mentioned: https://youtu.be/P2kHWJd2jX4?si=Xl6GbzSnAU8HiCyF To join future events, newsletter and access ad-free event recordings go to:https://adventuresinawareness.com Your contributions support future content, and are greatly appreciated:- https://adventuresinawareness.com/membership- One-off PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adventuresin Follow the Adventure:- Subscribe to us on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresinawareness- Twitter: https://x.com/AdvInAwareness- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-awareness/id1535917754 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jiebSpdVu9YbpLOtWlKYU - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventuresinawareness Banner art by https://www.instagram.com/jadewade/ 0:05:00 Dogma and tradition0:09:40 awakening0:10:00 questioning tradition 0:14:20 Rob Burbea0:17:30 the path is individual0:21:30 emotions & awakening0:25:00 Delson’s path0:38:00 idealism vs emptiness0:58:00 cessation vs anaesthesia vs nirvana1:05:00 cessation vs jhanas vs wisdom1:10:00 no-self = no agency? 1:15:00 is self needed for motivation1:21:00 permanent realisation?1:27:00 spiritual bypassing in early buddhism1:30:00 the future of dharma This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

    1h 36m
  3. Facts don't change minds, friendships do

    Mar 5

    Facts don't change minds, friendships do

    To join future events, newsletter and access ad-free event recordings go to:https://adventuresinawareness.comDr Sarah Stein Lubrano https://www.sarahsteinlubrano.com/https://sarahsteinlubrano.substack.com/https://www.instagram.com/sarahsteinlubrano Sarah has a background in feminist, mutual aid, and other local organising as well as teaching in prisons. She holds a PhD from the University of Oxford and a Master’s degree from the University of Cambridge. Her thinking often reaches the public through the Sense and Solidarity Initiative and the Future Narratives Lab. She was previously the Head of Content at The School of Life and wrote obituaries. She regularly appears on public radio and a variety of podcasts. Her first book is, Don’t Talk About Politics: Changing 21st Century Minds is out now with Bloomsbury. Your contributions support future content, and are greatly appreciated: - https://adventuresinawareness.com/membership - One-off PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adventuresin Follow the Adventure:- Subscribe to us on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresinawareness - Twitter: https://x.com/AdvInAwareness - iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-awareness/id1535917754 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jiebSpdVu9YbpLOtWlKYU - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventuresinawareness Banner art by https://www.instagram.com/jadewade /0:00:00 Sarah PhD & academic background 0:03:30 Identity and politic views 0:04:00 why facts don’t change minds 0:08:30 friendships change minds 0:09:40 experiences change minds 0:11:00 the problem of social isolation 0:15:20 enemies of social infrastructure 0:17:00 towards a healthy democracy 0:18:00 the contradiction of liberalism = individuality 0:22:00 shared activity reduces prejudice 0:25:44 technology & women’s rights 0:31:00 developing new language for new rights 0:32:00 how we rationalise being forced 0:39:00 predictive processing & politics 0:44:00 Isolation restrict our ability to think 0:47:00 the internet increases isolation 0:49:00 shared goals is fundamental to shared reasoning 0:53:00 democracy must involve thinking in action 0:55:00 dangers of social isolation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

    58 min
  4. Life's Journey in Norse Mythology with Andreas Kornevall

    Jan 12

    Life's Journey in Norse Mythology with Andreas Kornevall

    The Serpent, the Eagle, the Labyrinth and the Dragon I get story-teller Andreas Kornevall to draw out how the images of Norse Mythology can guide the big moments of our lives, from depression to transcendence and beyond. I love how he breathes fresh life into familiar stories, integrating their wisdom with contemporary life, Buddhist dharma and nondual understanding. Northern European mythology is rich with symbolism and wisdom to navigate the journeys of life; the journey of soul represented by the serpent, confronting life’s shadows, upheavals, challenges and wounds, and the spirit journey, represented by the eagle, in which we find transcendence, and their eventual integration. Andreas Kornevall is a Swedish author, storyteller and ecologist whose work brings Norse myth, folklore and landscape-based storytelling into contemporary life. He has told stories for BBC radio, collaborated with organisations including the Sussex Archaeological Society and the National Trust to “re-story” local places, and has lectured on myth and Norse traditions across UK learning settings. He directs the Earth Restoration Service charity and is the author of Waking the Dragons: Norse Myth, Runes and Magic.https://www.kornevall.com/Eagle, Serpent, Spirit, Soul: Life’s journey in Norse mythology0:00:00 The Serpent & Eagle Journeys 0:12:00 The Dragon: Symbol of balance and integration0:18:30 The Labyrinth: Navigating life’s initiations0:20:00 Wounding0:28:00 Learning from grief, depression, & love 0:36:00 You are never lost in the labyrinth 0:40:00 Power of symbols0:42:00 Meditation, shadow & integration 0:46:00 The mythic images constantly re-enliven0:50:00 Why religions change0:58:00 Buddhism, Nonduality & Norse myth1:06:00 Course in Norse mythology1:19:24 Labyrinth vs Maze1:20:00 Departing prayer This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

    1h 21m
  5. Dr Shamil Chandaria: The body as a full path to awakening

    12/17/2025

    Dr Shamil Chandaria: The body as a full path to awakening

    Dr Shamil Chandaria is a senior research fellow at the centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford. He is also a research fellow at the Institute of Philosophy, London University, where he focuses on philosophical issues in neuroscience and well-being; a research fellow at Imperial College in the neuroscience of psychedelics; and a bye-fellow at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University. He has multi-disciplinary research interests spanning computational neuroscience, machine learning & artificial intelligence, and the philosophy and science of human well-being. He is currently working on computational theories of consciousness and meditation. Shamil has been a meditator for 38 years and has contemplative training in early Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta and Kashmir Shivaism.To join future events, newsletter and access ad-free event recordings go to:https://adventuresinawareness.comYour contributions support future content, and are greatly appreciated:- https://adventuresinawareness.com/membership- One-off PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adventuresin Follow the Adventure:- Subscribe to us on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresinawareness- Twitter: https://x.com/AdvInAwareness- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-awareness/id1535917754 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jiebSpdVu9YbpLOtWlKYU - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventuresinawarenessBanner art by https://www.instagram.com/jadewade/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

    1h 3m
  6. How to discover new minds - Michael Levin

    12/14/2025

    How to discover new minds - Michael Levin

    To join future events, newsletter and access ad-free event recordings go to:https://adventuresinawareness.comYour contributions support future content, and are greatly appreciated:- https://adventuresinawareness.com/membership- One-off PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adventuresin Follow the Adventure:- Subscribe to us on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresinawareness- Twitter: https://x.com/AdvInAwareness- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-awareness/id1535917754 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jiebSpdVu9YbpLOtWlKYU - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventuresinawarenessBanner art by https://www.instagram.com/jadewade/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

    1h 10m
  7. Blind spots of higher states & navigating pain | Andrew Holecek part 2

    09/01/2025

    Blind spots of higher states & navigating pain | Andrew Holecek part 2

    Workshop with Andrew Holecek 4th Sep: https://dandelion.events/e/w0dr9 Full discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcUOXFASQm4 To join future events, newsletter and access ad-free event recordings go to:https://adventuresinawareness.com Your contributions support future content, and are greatly appreciated:- https://adventuresinawareness.com/membership- One-off PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adventuresin Follow the Adventure:- Subscribe to us on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresinawareness- Twitter: https://x.com/AdvInAwareness- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-awareness/id1535917754 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jiebSpdVu9YbpLOtWlKYU - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventuresinawarenessBanner art by https://www.instagram.com/jadewade/ 0:00:00 Blindspots of highers states Jhanas | cessation 0:10:00 Enlightenment is expansion 0:14:00 Questioning awakening 0:15:00 the goal posts are always moving 0:18:00 How to stay open and focus0:26:00 abiding in the light 0:31:00 dealing with pain 0:39:00 suffering = pain + resistance 0:49:00 total equanimity in pain 0:50:00 plans for workshop on luminous awareness 0:55:00 idealism vs emptiness 1:07:00 one vs none 1:10:00 cessation vs idealismaduality vs nonduality Jay Garfield vs Bernardo Kastrup This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

    1h 18m
  8. Andrew Holecek: 3-year meditation retreat, therapy, shadow and reality

    08/30/2025

    Andrew Holecek: 3-year meditation retreat, therapy, shadow and reality

    Workshop with Andrew Holecek 4th Sep: https://dandelion.events/e/w0dr9To join future events, newsletter and access ad-free event recordings go to:https://adventuresinawareness.comYour contributions support future content, and are greatly appreciated:- https://adventuresinawareness.com/membership- One-off PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adventuresin Follow the Adventure:- Subscribe to us on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresinawareness- Twitter: https://x.com/AdvInAwareness- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-awareness/id1535917754 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jiebSpdVu9YbpLOtWlKYU - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventuresinawarenessBanner art by https://www.instagram.com/jadewade/00:00 Intro6:40 Schools of Tibetan Buddhism10:00 Buddhism as a description of reality10:40 3 Turnings of the wheels in Buddhism14:00 Pixilated nature of reality = reduce suffering17:40 Andrew’s path into Tibetan Buddhism23:20 The value of understanding before realisation31:00 Three Year Retreat35:00 Lucid dreaming and sleeping38:40 Are the best teachers in the east? 46:00 Blindspots in the east48:00 What is the goal of life? Waking / Play55:00 Path of freedom vs Path of fullness56:00 Limitation of radical nonduality 58:00 Transcend and include59:00 You both need therapy1:01:00 Scandals and abuse in spirituality This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

    1h 9m
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4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Conversations and meditations on self, the nature of reality, & consciousness. With meditators, philosophers, mystics and scientists we examine non-duality, exploration of mind and the phenomena of altered states, traits and beyond. adventuresinawareness.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Amir Giles
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Amir Giles
  • Show Website
    Adventures in Awareness

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