Elevating Consciousness

Artem Zen

Elevating Consciousness is a podcast that brings you mind-expansive conversations into the heart of what matters most.  Join us as we host emerging thought leaders in psychology, spirituality, and philosophy, sharing paradigm-shifting perspectives and insights.

  1. 12/19/2025

    Daljeet Peterson - Demystifying the Ancient Art of Astrology for the Modern World

    Daljeet Peterson is an astrologer, Human Design analyst, and author exploring how ancient and modern systems of meaning can guide us through times of transformation.  His work bridges astrology, Human Design, and the Gene Keys as complementary maps of consciousness—tools for aligning with one’s deeper purpose and participating more consciously in the collective evolution of our species. A former television editor turned cosmic cartographer, Daljeet brings a storyteller’s sensibility to the study of archetypes, weaving together myth, history, and contemporary culture.  He’s the author of Collective Souls: Generations, Astrology, and the Future of America, which explores how generational astrology reveals the hidden cycles shaping our nation’s destiny—and the emerging potentials of a new Aquarian era. You can find his writings and upcoming offerings on his Substack called Mutable Fire. In this episode, we explore how astrology was discovered, its foundational principles, common misconceptions, and how to distinguish good astrology from bad astrology. We also touch on Human Design, & the Gene Keys, and how they tie into Astrology. Finally, Daljeet shares some of the main ideas from his new Book Collective Souls, advocating for intergenerational communication and understanding of time that is chronological and astrological. 🔗[Links & resources] 🔗 Daljeet’s siteSubscribe to Daljeet’s SubstackCollective Souls by Daljeet PetersonDaljeet’s Astrology 101: Blueprint of the Soul seriesCosmos & Psyche by Richard Tarnas 🕰️[Time stamps] 🕰️ 0:00 - Introduction  4:38 - Daljeet’s journey into astrology 8:22 - How astrology was discovered  16:27 - Is astrology a religion? 21:55 - Common misconceptions of astrology  26:06 - How to distinguish good astrology from bad astrology  28:58 - The foundational principles of astrology 39:52 - What is the mechanism behind planetary effects? 45:00 - The limits of falsifiability, science, and left-brain ways of knowing  51:22 - Unpacking Human Design & Gene Keys  1:01:56 - Holding modalities with curiosity and humility  1:06:27 - Collective Souls: Generations, Astrology, and the Future of America 1:13:00 - The unique gifts & challenges of the four generations (Baby boomers, Gen X, Millennials & Gen Z)  1:20:51 - Calls to action for the four generations *Subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch the video versions of the Elevating Consciousness Podcast  *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional lens

    1h 31m

  2. 12/05/2025

    Natureza Gabriel - Decoding The Neurobiology of Connection

    Natureza Gabriel is an ancestral neuroscience pioneer, the developer of Autonomics, and the founder of Hearth Science—an organization & community offering tools, trainings, and practices that help people cultivate nervous system fluency and deepen their experience of well-being. At the heart of his work is Autonomics: an animist cartography of living autonomic physiology. This framework has been shaped by over three decades of collaboration with more than one hundred mentors and advisors across 25 healing traditions and 24 cultures, many indigenous. It is considered one of the first accurate maps of the living Autonomic Nervous System in modernity.  His Autonomics trainings have been sought out by the United Nations, a division of NATO, global social and ecological movements, and elite firms in executive coaching and leadership development. He is the author of many books, including Restorative Practices of Well-Being, Finding Home in Your Nervous System, Autonomic Triage, and The Neurobiology of Connection. In this episode, we speak about the origins of Gabriel’s autonomic model and how it diverged from Polyvagal Theory, the 13 autonomic states, what entails a healthy nervous system, the limits of HRV and the future of diagnostics, practices to rebalance the nervous system, the limitations of modernity, and pathways towards civilizational wellness. 🔗[Links & resources] 🔗 Gabriel’s personal site Gabriel’s autonomic trainingsGabriel’s clinicRestorative practices portalThe Neurobiology of Connection by Natureza GabrielGround: How Modernity Disconnected from the Earth, Why it Matters & How to Fix It by NaturezaFinding Home in Your Nervous System by Natureza GabrielAwakening Human Connection by Natureza Gabriel 🕰️[Time stamps] 🕰️ 0:00 - Introduction  3:52 -  The origins of autonomics (bridging neuroscience and autonomic physiology)  7:53 - Stephen Porges, polyvagal theory and moving beyond a two-system autonomics  21:44 - The 13 Autonomic States  31:31 - Neuroception, Neurology & Neurochemistry  34:55 - What is a healthy autonomic nervous system? 42:39 - The limits of HRV and the future of autonomic diagnostics  49:17 - The importance of restorative practices  52:00 - How to rebalance a hyper-activated nervous system  1:01:09 - How to rebalance a shut-down nervous system  1:05:47 - The importance of community in healing and processing grief  1:11:45 - The limitations of modernity  1:14:55 - Ground: How modernity disconnected us from the Earth  1:24:10 - The challenges of running a company in a culture of domination  1:33:52 - How do we bridge power & wisdom? (Becoming a mycelium network) 1:45:10-  The disconnection that underlies the techno-optimist worldview 1:48:33 - Pathways towards civilizational wellness *Subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch the video versions of the Elevating Consciousness Podcast  *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional lens

    2h 1m

  3. 11/14/2025

    Pema Dragpa - Integral, Buddhism and the Future of Wisdom Traditions

    Pema Dragpa is a dharma teacher, author, and ordained Tibetan Buddhist  Lama. He graduated with honors in Philosophy and Religious Studies from New York University in 2002.  Since 2004, Dragpa has served as a resident teacher at Padma Samye Ling, a meditation retreat center founded by the Nyingma Dzogchen masters, Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche. In 2010, he was formally ordained as a Lama by the Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches.  He is also a senior editor of more than 25 books on Buddhist philosophy and the author of An Integral View of Tibetan Buddhism: Preserving Lineage Wisdom in the 21st Century. Dragpa regularly travels to lead Padmasambhava Buddhist Center events, where he bridges traditional Tibetan wisdom with contemporary approaches to meditation and the path of awakening. In this episode, we discuss an integral approach & developmental stage, balancing spirituality & money, disagreements with Ken Wilber, unity in diversity & the shadow of Integral, core tenets of Vajrayana Buddhism, the intersection of politics & spirituality, and so much more. 🔗[Links & resources] 🔗 An Integral View of Tibetan Buddhism: Preserving Lineage Wisdom in the 21st Century by Pema DragpaListen to Pema Dragpa’s dharma talksPadmasambhava Buddhist CenterKhenpo Tsewang Dongyal RinpocheKhenchen Palden Sherab RinpocheJohn Churchill on the Elevating Consciousness PodcastKen Wilber 🕰️[Time stamps] 🕰️ 0:00 - Introduction  3:32 - Pema Dragpa’s journey into Tibetan Buddhism  7:20 - A deep taste of samsara and the impact of the Khenpo Rinpoches  16:18 - The monastic vs the householder path  18:51 - Balancing spirituality with money and practical concerns  26:56 - Unpacking the Integral view/stage   33:01 - Disagreements with Ken Wilber (Is Vajrayana Integral?) 43:26 - An integrative approach to transformation 47:47 - Unity in diversity and the shadow of Integral  56:36 - John Churchill’s Sacred Humanism 59:33 - There is no definitive answer, system, or theory (experimenting in fail-safe mode)  1:09:31 - The importance of communities of practice & syncing up with lineage wisdom   1:15:49 - Be wary of a Purtian Dharma 1:16:34 -  The core tenets and frames of Vajrayana Buddhism  1:24:11 - Pema shares a Tibetan prayer  1:28:54 - We need more ways of being in touch (healthy integrative mode)  1:32:04 - The importance of going deep in one tradition  1:33:17 - The fourth turnings of Buddhism simplified  1:34:09 - The perfect practice for a degenerative age  1:42:24 - Do we need more politically engaged spiritual teachers? 1:47:53 - Making change at a meso scale  1:50:56 - Integral, the notion of absolute truth & freedom from samsara   1:57:32 - Final message *Subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch the video versions of the Elevating Consciousness Podcast  *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional lens

    2h 2m

  4. 10/17/2025

    Peter McEwen - Transform Yourself Through Inner Fire Practice & Deity Yoga

    Peter McEwen is an ordained Nyingma yogi, meditation coach, and founder of an organization called The Field, where he teaches tantric methods to practitioners navigating contemporary life demands.  Since 1993, he's studied under Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Tulku Orgyen P'huntsok, Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche, and Bruce Tift, and has completed the traditional Vajrayana three-year retreat curriculum. Peter writes The Current on Substack, sharing essays and tools from thirty years of integrating contemplative practice with daily life. His work focuses on embodied presence and nervous system fluency, offering methods that survive the actual pressures of work, relationships, and daily complexity.  Grounded in three decades of traditional training, Peter brings Vajrayana into direct conversation with the realities of modern life. In this episode, we discuss Peter’s initial experiences of awakening, balancing personal, interpersonal & spiritual work, Tantra, Tummo, Deity Yoga, and how to get the most out of practice as a householder. 🔗[Links & resources] 🔗 Peter’s personal site The Field meditation training Upcoming Tummo course Subscribe to Peter’s Substack Bruce Tift on the Elevating Consciousness podcast Dzongsar Khyentse RinpocheTulku Orgyen P'huntsok Lama Pema Dorje RinpocheJohnny MillerDonald Hoffman 🕰️[Time stamps] 🕰️ 0:00 - Introduction  2:38 - Initial experiences of awakening and getting into Buddhism  8:01 - Balancing personal, interpersonal & spiritual work  23:17 - The impact of working with Bruce Tift  27:15 - What is Tantra? 34:59 - Selecting the appropriate practice for your developmental stage  44:32 - What is Tummo and how does it work? (Inner fire practice) 54:45 - Peter guides a Tummo meditation  1:10:25 - How Tummo focuses the mind  1:12:28 - Visualization vs feeling in Tummo  1:16:00 - What is Deity yoga & how does it work? 1:22:22 - Do traditional Deity forms work for Western minds? 1:28:51 - How to get the most out of practice as a householder 1:41:49 - Peter’s upcoming Tummo course  *Subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch the video versions of the Elevating Consciousness Podcast  *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional lens

    1h 43m

  5. 09/12/2025

    David Rug - Integrating Ancient Wisdom with Modern Technology to Heal Fragmentation

    David Rug is a metaphysician, civilizational theorist, and visionary storyteller on a journey of transmuting childhood wounds of social fragmentation into memetic medicine for the human family.  Sensitized to the pains of social division and disconnect early in life through his parents' divorce and the increasingly political fracturing of his family field, he set out on a quest to understand the root causes of conflict and miscommunication. While completing his bachelor's degree in physics at Heidelberg University, he discovered GameB and adjacent movements. Through the extraordinarily clear thinking shared by thought leaders in that space, he realized there was, in effect, a "physics of communication"—principles that could be understood and applied to address the challenges he cared most about. This insight led him to found Project Liminality—an open-source communication and co-creation layer designed to reshape how we share and organize around ideas. A central focus of this work is developing the InterBrain, a novel digital medium aimed at flipping the vector of conflict and fragmentation toward unity and wholeness.  His work combines systems thinking, visionary storytelling, and a deep exploration of the kinds of shared ideas and narratives that can inspire humanity to unite in addressing our greatest challenges and creating the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.  In this episode, we speak about false progress, psychological warfare, developing a memetic immune system, returning to the spoken word, going from personal knowledge management to collective knowledge gardening, and David’s Interbrain project, which aims to bridge ancient wisdom with modern technology to end fragmentation. 🔗[Links & resources] 🔗 Support Project Liminality and the Building of the InterbrainProject Liminality YouTube channelThe Interbrain - How Collective DreamWeaving Can Heal the WorldDialectical thinkingJordan Hall in conversation with David Rug 🕰️[Time stamps] 🕰️ 0:00 - Introduction  3:15 - Early experiences of fragmentation and discovering the liminal web   13:47 - The polarities of fragmentation and finding the third attractor  21:10 - The solution has to come from a higher dimension of consciousness  25:22 - False progress, psychological warfare, and developing a memetic immune system  34:52 - A Course in Miracles, Fear vs Love, Specialness vs Uniqueness  41:54 - Building trust networks, returning to the spoken word, and problems of scale  51:21 - From personal knowledge management to collective knowledge gardening  1:08:35 - Reflecting on David’s big insights ( the primacy of symbols, written vs spoken word ) 1:14:50 - The practicalities of the Interbrain (how it would work)  1:26:30 - Critiques and challenges of building the Interbrain  1:31:21 - Moving from independence to deep interdependence  1:36:42 - Revolutionizing journalism & politics 1:44:06 - The process of DreamWeaving  1:52:55 - Support David’s work  *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional lens *Add me on Facebook

    1h 54m

  6. 08/29/2025

    Dr. John Churchill - A Full Spectrum Path to Planetary Awakening

    Dr. John Churchill is a psychologist, dharma teacher, and the founder of Planetary Dharma – an integrally informed community embracing the vows and path of the Bodhisattva, committed to elevating human consciousness and collective transformation. John holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from William James College and is also a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. His journey into Buddhist psychology began as a monk at Samye (sam-yay) Ling Monastery in Scotland, where he undertook an in-depth study of Buddhist contemplative practice. He later spent 15 years training and teaching “Great Seal” (Mahamudra) meditation within an Indo-Tibetan Mahayana lineage under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel P. Brown. John is a founding member of the Integral Institute, led by transpersonal philosopher Ken Wilber, and has received advanced training in attachment therapy, hypnosis, positive psychology for peak performance, and the “Pointing Out” style of Mahamudra meditation. He is also the author of Becoming Buddha: Buddhist Contemplative Psychology in a Western Context. For the past 25 years, John has been developing what he calls the Fourth Turning Planetary Dharma—a full-spectrum psychospiritual approach that integrates the great Indo-Tibetan traditions with psychodynamic healing and adult development. In this episode, we discuss the vision of a 4th turning dharma, John’s differences with his teacher Dan Brown, navigating the traditional vs progressive polarity in spirituality, connecting to sacred world, moving into the transrational, transitioning from Buddhism to Sacred Humanism, and so much more.  🔗[Links & resources] 🔗 Learn more about Planetary DharmaFollow Planetary Dharma on InstagramFollow Planetary Dharma on Facebook Planetary Dharma’s Medicine Dharma CourseDan BrownKen WilberA.H. AlmaasHamilton SoutherLama Mike Crowley 🕰️[Time stamps] 🕰️ 0:00 - Intro  3:29 - Unpacking the four turnings of Buddhism  9:58 - Further distinguishing the fourth turning  16:09 - Artem’s experience participating in the Planetary Dharma introductory retreat  17:27 - Planetary Dharma’s emphasis on the imaginal and self-image  25:25 - John’s differences with his mentor and teacher Dan Brown  37:56 - Navigating the traditional vs progressive polarities in spirituality  49:01 - Transitioning beyond Buddhism into Sacred Humanism 55:15 - Why modern minds are disconnected from Sacred World  1:02:46 - The pre-trans fallacy and navigating the trans-rational  1:16:17 - The role of psychedelics on the psychospiritual path  1:28:00 - What’s needed to build out a fourth turning academy  1:37:40 - The constraints of a householder and the future of Dharma  1:50:37 - Planetary Dharma offerings *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional lens *Add me on Facebook

    1h 52m

  7. 07/25/2025

    Ali Tataryn - Emotional Processing with a Somatic Alchemist

    Ali Tataryn is a counselor, somatic educator, and coach who guides clients through somatic-emotional release and helps them map their internal emotional landscapes for healing and self-development.  She is the founder of Relational Dojo, a welcoming space where kind humans come together to co-create curious and courageous conversations. Ali is also the co-founder of Sacred Somatic Events, a sober somatic dance experience that warmly invites participants into full-spectrum self-expression. Her primary training is in Counseling, Expressive Arts, and Somatic Education. Ali has completed over 260 hours of Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training and is a trained as T3 Circling Facilitator through the Integral Center.  She is also a meditation teacher certified under Upasaka Culadasa and Junpo Roshi, with extensive personal practice in the Namgyal-Kagyu tradition under teachers such as Lama Lodro, Lama Sidney, Lama Rodney Devinish, and her mother, Dr. Darlene Tataryn. Ali proudly collaborates with her father, clinical psychologist Dr. Douglas J. Tataryn, facilitating and coaching through his Bio-Emotive Framework. In this episode, we explore Ali’s journey growing up with parents deeply immersed in emotional and spiritual work, her path as an actress and how acting became a form of spiritual practice, navigating identity as an artist, the Bio-Emotive framework and the art of emotional processing, how relational, emotional, and spiritual work come together and so much more.  🔗[Links & resources] 🔗 Ali’s personal siteThe Bio-Emotive FrameworkFollow Ali on SubstackFollow Douglas Tataryn on SubstackHow to Process Emotions with Douglas Tataryn on the Elevating Consciousness PodcastDiane Musho HamiltonLeonard CohenWhat is Circling by Artem Zen 🕰️[Time stamps] 🕰️ 0:00 - Introduction  4:00 - Growing up with cycle breakers  7:06 - Good enough parenting and an imperfect life 10:08 - Navigating the self vs other polarity  16:18 - How does a bodhisattva deal with a narcissist? 22:00 - Reconnecting to the good, true, and the beautiful  24:50 - Acting as a spiritual practice vs acting as a career  37:45 - Becoming aware of suffering  40:27 - The thin line between awakening & Psychosis 44:25 - Navigating identity as an Artist  57:02 - The Bio-Emotive Framework & the art of emotional processing  1:08:07 - Emotions are not logical but they are lawful  1:10:57 - Balancing intellectual with emotional and relational development  1:15:49 - Circling (relational work) vs emotional processing vs deconstruction  1:31:43 - What is between me and love/truth? *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional lens *Add me on Facebook

    1h 36m

  8. 07/11/2025

    Delson Armstrong - Awakening Beyond Spiritual Idealization

    Delson Armstrong is a maverick meditation teacher and author. At the age of 16, disillusioned with conventional life, he embarked on a pilgrimage to the Himalayas, where he spent 6 to 8 hours a day practicing various forms of meditation, studying sacred texts, and receiving guidance from masters across multiple lineages. Through this intensive training, Delson developed the rare ability to enter nirodha-samāpatti—a meditative state marked by the complete cessation of perception and feeling—for extended periods of time. These claims have been rigorously examined through neuroscience research, with findings published in a 2023 paper titled Cessation of Consciousness in Meditation. He is also the author of A Mind Without Craving and a five-volume series on dependent origination. Delson currently teaches the Optimal Mind System, a synthesis of diverse practices designed to align the body, mind, energy, heart, and consciousness to catalyze deep insight and transformation. Although deeply informed by traditional models of awakening, Delson takes a universal approach and does not adhere to any single doctrine or path. He believes that idealized systems rooted in specific cultural norms and structures must be reimagined and innovated to meet the needs of our modern world. In this episode, we explore Delson’s experience working with and integrating different traditions and spiritual practices, how coming across integral theory has helped him recontextualize the spiritual path, whether it’s possible to end suffering, the relationship between psychedelics & meditation, the pro’s and con’s of being open about spiritual attainments, creating healtheir dynamics with spiritual teachers and going beyond spiritual idealization.  🔗[Links & resources] 🔗 Delson’s personal siteListen to Delson’s Dharma talks on his YouTube channelA Mind Without Craving by Delson ArmstrongDependent Origination series by Delson ArmstrongDelson Armstrong, Guru Viking interviewsTales from Nibbana with Dor Konforty & Delson ArmstrongEnding Guru Worship for True Liberation by Delson Armstrong 📝[Show Notes] 📝 0:00 - Introduction  2:43 - Artem’s experience following Delson’s journey  7:02 - Sutra, Tantra, and going beyond traditional teachings  13:29 - The impact of cultural context on spiritual practices 22:28 - The fallacy of the superior path  27:50 - Letting go of idealistic views  33:31 - The Impact of Integral Theory (Integrating no self and true self)  37:12 - Is there an end to suffering? 50:47 - Delson’s desire to master and integrate a wide variety of teachings 56:42 - Rigpa vs Cessation  1:02:38 - The micro-phemenology of cessation  1:04:21 - The relationship between psychedelics, spirituality, and meditation  1:22:00 - The pros and cons of being open about spiritual attainments  1:29:11 - Creating healthier dynamics between spiritual teachers and students  1:37:44 - Final message *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional lens *Add me on Facebook

    1h 39m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Elevating Consciousness is a podcast that brings you mind-expansive conversations into the heart of what matters most.  Join us as we host emerging thought leaders in psychology, spirituality, and philosophy, sharing paradigm-shifting perspectives and insights.

Information

  • Creator
    Artem Zen
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Elevating Consciousness
  • Show Website
    Elevating Consciousness

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