Spirit X

Santa Cruz Vibes Media, LLC

Step into a conversation for our global and digital age. Guided by Nikola Ristic, Spirit X explores the 69 Principles—a spiritual framework that draws wisdom from East, West, North, and South. It weaves together ancient traditions, rational thought, culture, science, and technology into a path toward greater unity, peace, freedom, love, and fulfillment. In times of crisis, Spirit X is both a vision and a call: reminding us that genuine spirituality is no longer just a personal choice but a cultural and evolutionary necessity. Each episode invites listeners to engage with teachings that aim to nurture inner balance and collective awakening. May Spirit X inspire the sanity, happiness, and awakening of all.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    Why We Need Better Education In A Complex World

    What if the cure for a chaotic world isn’t less schooling but better learning? We step off our usual path and wrestle with education’s current crisis, making a clear case that wiser, deeper, more human-centered education is the lever that turns complexity into clarity and fear into curiosity. The argument rests on three pillars: the world’s accelerating complexity, the sheer amount of time children spend in school, and our innate, unbreakable drive to know. First, we explore the everyday reality of diverse workplaces and communities—multiple cultures, identities, beliefs, and ways of life—and why untrained minds tend to contract under that pressure. Education’s job is to widen our capacity so difference becomes an asset rather than a trigger. Second, we follow the hours: if students spend most of their waking day in school and after-school programs, the quality of that time shapes character, resilience, and social health. Weak schooling doesn’t just fail individuals; it feeds the broader political, economic, and spiritual metacrisis. Third, we reach into philosophy and spirituality. Drawing on Jürgen Habermas’s insight that Homo sapiens cannot not learn, and the Hindu triad of being, consciousness, and bliss, we argue that learning is our species-level impulse. Good education aligns with our urge to live, to understand, and to find joy in meaning and mastery. From there, we sketch a practical upgrade: systems thinking to map causes and effects, intercultural fluency to navigate plural worlds, ethical reasoning grounded in real dilemmas, and contemplative practices that steady attention and build compassion. We close with a short reflective exercise—an invitation to trace your own learning lineage, from family and school to life’s toughest lessons—and to feel gratitude for the growth it made possible. If this conversation resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for more applied spirituality, and leave a review with one change you’d make to education today. Your ideas help us shape future episodes and push the learning forward.

    14 min
  2. 2D AGO

    Claiming Your Spiritual Birthright To Freedom And Happiness

    What if freedom and happiness aren’t goals at the end of a long road, but a built‑in endowment you can claim right now? We dive into the idea of spiritual birthrights and why recognizing them changes how we relate to work, family, culture, and our own minds. Drawing from East and West—from the Buddha’s insight to Stoic resilience—we explore the “inner fortress” that doesn’t depend on conditions, and how to strengthen it with simple daily practices. I share how to spot the difference between civil rights and spiritual birthrights, and why that distinction matters when life feels chaotic. We look at practical ways to claim freedom on the inside through breath, posture, and attention, then take that stability into the world with clear boundaries, better agreements, and elegant pressure for healthier teams and relationships. You’ll hear how this shift dissolves the endless chase for approval and control, turning feedback into information rather than a verdict on your worth. To make it concrete, we close with a short guided practice to sense the quiet space beneath thought and the “bliss of being” that doesn’t hinge on outcomes. From there, everyday choices become cleaner, courage grows in small acts, and contribution feels natural instead of draining. If you’re ready to stop outsourcing your peace and start living from your inner endowment, this conversation offers a grounded, hopeful path you can use today. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a steadier center, and leave a review telling us how you claim your freedom and happiness.

    12 min
  3. 2D AGO

    Already That Which You Seek

    What if the finish line you’re chasing has been inside you the whole time? We dive into spiritual empowerment through the lens of the Upanishads and the radical pointer “Thou art that,” reframing growth from a linear quest into a lived recognition. Instead of pushing from point A to point B, we look at how attention itself can relax back into its source—what many traditions call God, awareness, or consciousness—and how that simple pivot reveals the peace and quiet joy we try to earn through effort. We unpack why conventional models of success don’t translate to inner life, and how the identity that hustles for worth can soften when you stop outsourcing wholeness to outcomes. You’ll hear a clear explanation of Atman and Brahman in everyday language, along with the paradox that you already are what you’re seeking. Then we get practical. We guide a short attention exercise—starting from an external focus and moving inward to breath, thoughts, and the sense of spacious awareness—so you can taste the stillness that doesn’t depend on perfect circumstances. This conversation is for anyone navigating modern noise—careers, kids, stress—who suspects that fulfillment can’t be chased like a credential. We explore practice, effort, and grace; what it means to peel the onion of identity; and how to make this recognition useful in real relationships and work. Expect grounded, compassionate guidance that respects both the depth of Vedantic insight and the realities of everyday life. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a breather, and leave a quick review so more people can find it. Turn your attention within, try the exercise, and tell us what shifted for you.

    12 min
  4. 2D AGO

    Namaste For Modern Life

    What if a simple bow could reset your whole day—and your trajectory? We explore a clear, grounded practice for modern life: saluting yourself, others, and the world. Not a military gesture, but a psycho-spiritual honoring that helps you move from complaint to gratitude, from isolation to community, and from confusion to purpose. We start by reframing human life as precious and workable. With palms together, we acknowledge the gift of being born in this form and the responsibility that comes with it. That small ritual interrupts negative programs, steadies attention, and reminds us that growth happens here and now. From there, we turn to relationships. People can give us heaven or hell, and both can be teachers. We talk about building a sangha—like-minded community that multiplies courage—and how friction can become fuel, illustrated by the counterintuitive wisdom of being grateful for setbacks that become catalysts. Then we widen the lens to the world itself. Do you experience reality as friendly? Not naive optimism, but a stance that the world is a gym for the soul—a place to train attention, compassion, and skill across family, career, creativity, and service. We explore how this view unlocks better choices, cleaner boundaries, and a steadier heart, without denying pain or complexity. To make it practical, we end with a brief namaste practice you can use anytime: honor the self, honor others, honor the world; breathe, bow, begin again. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Tell us: what will you honor today?

    15 min
  5. 11/18/2025

    How Training Your Attention Transforms Your Day

    Ever notice how your mind leaps from thought to thought like a monkey swinging through trees? We take that restless energy and turn it into calm, clear focus with a simple, human approach to attention training. Drawing on hands-on work in middle and high schools and insights from contemplative traditions, we share practical exercises that move from outer objects to inner awareness—no jargon, no pressure, just steps you can try in minutes. We start by reframing mindfulness as deliberate attention to what’s happening outside and inside, then show how that act reliably increases presence, peace, and kindness. You’ll learn why attention is a trainable faculty of the mind, not a fragile resource you’re doomed to lose. Through playful yet effective drills—gazing at a finger, centering on a cup, settling into the breath, and sensing the alive presence within—you’ll feel how single-minded focus softens the “monkey mind,” relaxes the body, and restores mental energy. It’s a practical antidote to digital overload and the self-critical chatter that erodes confidence. As we guide you through external and internal anchors, you’ll notice a pattern: focused attention is relaxing, and relaxation makes focus sustainable. That feedback loop unlocks better choices, steadier moods, and a kinder way of meeting the world. We close by mapping a path forward—small daily reps, gentle returns when you drift, and an invitation to let attention rest in its source, where clarity and ease naturally arise. If you’re ready to reclaim your focus and feel more awake in your own life, press play and practice with us. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs calm, and leave a review with one word that describes how you felt after the exercises.

    8 min
  6. 11/18/2025

    Quiet Power: Conscious Breathing

    What if the fastest way to slow down is already with you—every moment of your life? We take a clear, practical look at conscious breathing as a simple tool for radical relaxation, steadier attention, and the first real steps of a spiritual life. Without jargon or heavy theory, we unpack why most of us breathe automatically yet rarely feel it, and how shifting to breath awareness can calm the nervous system, ease anxiety, and open a sense of presence you can trust. We begin with a quick recap of the holy pause and move into the core idea: let the breathing breathe itself. You’ll be guided through two short practices designed for busy people. First, basic breath awareness that often relaxes the body in under thirty seconds. Then, belly breathing with a hand on the abdomen to encourage diaphragmatic movement and deeper calm. Along the way, we highlight psychological and spiritual benefits—equanimity, focus, gentle joy—and touch on the wider impact of making silence and inner focus normal at school, work, and home. These are practices you can repeat anywhere: before a meeting, after tough news, or as a daily reset. We share personal insights from years of teaching and practicing, plus simple ways to integrate breath into your routine without force or fuss. If you’ve wanted a grounded way to start or deepen your inner life, this is a friendly map you can put to use immediately. Press play, breathe with us, and see what shifts. If the practices help, share the episode with a friend, subscribe for future guides, and leave a review so more people can find this work.

    10 min
  7. 09/22/2025

    Slowing Down, The Gateway to Spiritual Awakening

    The hamster wheel of modern life leaves little room for deeper awareness. But what if spiritual awakening doesn't require tragedy, finding a guru, or abandoning your daily routines? What if it simply begins with a pause? This episode explores the profound concept of the "holy pause" – that magical moment when we intentionally slow down the karma of body, mind, and world. When we're constantly busy with work, family, money-making, and digital distractions, the deeper dimensions of our being remain hidden. Yet through deliberate pausing, we create space for spiritual unfolding to naturally occur. Rather than viewing spirituality as separate from modern living, we discover how these dimensions can beautifully complement each other. The episode offers three powerful, practical techniques for creating holy pauses throughout your day: returning to sensory awareness, closing your eyes to access inner vastness, and asking yourself profound existential questions. These simple practices bring you immediately into presence and open doorways to deeper consciousness. Spiritual traditions worldwide recognize our need for rhythmic breaks from ordinary awareness – whether through Sabbath observance, meditation retreats, or community practice. When we regularly step off life's hamster wheel, even briefly, transformation begins. The stillness, stability, authentic happiness and inner peace we seek become increasingly available, not just during our pauses but throughout our everyday experiences. Ready to discover what lies beyond constant busyness? Join us for this transformative exploration and let this podcast become one of your regular holy pauses – a gateway to spiritual awakening in the midst of modern life.

    17 min
  8. 09/15/2025

    Spirit Meets World

    Dive deep into the foundations of SpiritX, a spiritual teaching crafted specifically for our global and digital era. As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, our spiritual development struggles to keep up – creating dangerous imbalances in how we navigate the world. This episode reveals the five core principles that define SpiritX as a transformative spiritual approach. What makes SpiritX different from traditional spiritual teachings? Unlike ascetic traditions that encouraged withdrawal from worldly affairs, SpiritX promotes deep engagement with life's challenges. The philosophy combines Eastern concepts of spiritual liberation with Western ideals of personal freedom, creating a practical synthesis accessible to modern practitioners. At its heart lies a simple yet profound understanding: we have bodies, we have minds, but we are essentially spirit. The most revolutionary aspect of SpiritX might be its emphasis on experience over intellectual understanding. As we demonstrate through a guided meditation, recognizing the spiritual dimension within ourselves doesn't require years of study – it requires practice. "Doing two minutes of meditation is better than reading two hours about meditation." This experiential approach invites you to discover the alive presence dwelling within, the awareness that observes your thoughts and sensations without being them. Ready to move beyond spiritual theory into spiritual practice? Listen, experience, and transform with us.

    18 min
  9. 09/02/2025

    Your Journey Begins

    Humanity stands at a crossroads. The global pandemic revealed a stark truth many of us suspected: those with spiritual practices navigated chaos more skillfully than those without inner resources. This inaugural episode of the Spirit X podcast introduces host Nikola Anandamali Ristic and his vision for exploring life's deepest dimensions through a psycho-spiritual lens. What makes spirituality not merely helpful but necessary in today's world? Ananda Mali presents three compelling reasons. First, we are inherently three-dimensional beings—body, mind, and spirit. While modern society has developed sophisticated approaches to physical and mental well-being, our spiritual development often lags behind. Second, as humanity undergoes dramatic transitions marked by both progression and regression, spiritual practices offer both individual resilience and collective wisdom needed to "rise to the occasion." Finally, and perhaps most powerfully, spiritual freedom represents our fundamental birthright—the peace, fulfillment, and joy we ultimately seek beneath all our material desires. The episode culminates in a guided meditation that introduces listeners to direct awareness of body, mind, and the witnessing consciousness that holds both. This experiential component highlights the podcast's core philosophy: "Sometimes it's better to breathe for 10 seconds than to talk about breathing for 10 seconds." Future episodes will explore the 69 principles from Ananda Mali's book "Spirit X: Spirituality for the Global and Digital Age," applying spiritual wisdom to environmental issues, sports, relationships, and other aspects of contemporary life. Subscribe now to embark on a journey that combines thoughtful discussion with transformative practice—because discussing spirituality is valuable, but experiencing it is essential.

    17 min

About

Step into a conversation for our global and digital age. Guided by Nikola Ristic, Spirit X explores the 69 Principles—a spiritual framework that draws wisdom from East, West, North, and South. It weaves together ancient traditions, rational thought, culture, science, and technology into a path toward greater unity, peace, freedom, love, and fulfillment. In times of crisis, Spirit X is both a vision and a call: reminding us that genuine spirituality is no longer just a personal choice but a cultural and evolutionary necessity. Each episode invites listeners to engage with teachings that aim to nurture inner balance and collective awakening. May Spirit X inspire the sanity, happiness, and awakening of all.