Letters to the Sky

Adam Rizvi & Stephan Downes
  • 5.0 (14)
  • SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Letters to the Sky is a podcast about waking up to what you are. We explore awakening  and nonduality through honest conversation, irreverent humor, and stories drawn from many traditions and our own lives. Instead of fixed answers, we invite listeners into direct inquiry.  Be right where you are. No dogma. Just the ongoing experiment of seeing through illusion and resting in what remains.

  1. JAN 8

    Pema Chodron's Comfortable With Uncertainty

    Send us a text Embracing Discomfort: The Practice of Tonglen and Pema Chödrön's Teachings In this episode of Letters to the Sky, Stephan and Adam delve into the transformative teachings of Pema Chödrön's book, 'Comfortable with Uncertainty.' They explore the profound practice of Tonglen and how it serves as a tool for spiritual awakening and a deepening connection to all beings. With heartfelt reflections and guided meditations, they discuss the existential discomfort inherent in being human and the importance of equanimity in facing life's challenges. Join them for a meaningful conversation that touches on the core of waking up and embracing the full spectrum of human experience. 00:47 Discussing Pema Chödrön's Comfortable with Uncertainty 02:41 Exploring Lojong and Mind Training 08:45 Understanding Tonglen Practice 19:04 The Path of the Bodhisattva 29:32 Understanding Resistance and Ego 29:51 Meditation and Letting Go 30:58 Weather as a Metaphor for Life 32:24 The Illusion of Perfection 33:59 Exploring the Six Realms of Being 37:14 Heaven and Hell: A Zen Perspective 41:27 Practicing Tonglen Meditation 50:15 Personal Reflections on Tonglen 55:07 Final Thoughts and Takeaways Support the show Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

    57 min

  2. 12/01/2025

    Love Does Not Know Death by Adam Rizvi

    Send us a text In this special episode, Adam takes the spotlight as Stephan interviews him about his newly published book, 'Love Does Not Know Death.'  The conversation delves deep into Adam's unique perspective as a neurocritical care doctor who has seen countless patients at the end of their lives. They discuss the inspiration behind the book, touching on themes of spiritual transformation, the physical and emotional aspects of dying, and the profound insights that have come not only to Adam in his practice, but to the patients themselves as they reach the end of their lives.  Stephan and Adam also explore the challenging yet rewarding process of writing the book, offering a glimpse into Adam's own spiritual journey and how he uses storytelling to convey powerful truths. An enlightening discussion for anyone intrigued by the intersections of medicine, spirituality, and the human experience of death. Here's a link to purchase your own copy of Adam's book: https://a.co/d/5FZ6r7e 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:49 Adam's New Book: Love Does Not Know Death 04:30 The Journey of Writing a Book 05:24 A Memorable Patient Story 09:44 Lessons from Death and Forgiveness 14:02 Challenges in Healthcare and Healing 19:10 The Deeper Meaning of Healing 23:10 Facing Mortality and Embracing Life 31:09 Embracing the Messiness of Terminal Diagnoses 33:03 Healthy Responses to Death 34:35 Guilt and Burden in Facing Death 37:40 The Power of Self-Love in Facing Death 38:45 The Transformative Process of Writing 45:24 Insights on Writing and Creativity 53:55 Conclusion Support the show Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

    56 min

  3. 11/11/2025

    Where Does Spiritual Authority Come From?

    Send us a text In this episode, Stephan and Adam crack open one of the trickiest questions on the spiritual path: Who gets to claim authority — and why do we keep giving it away?  From childhood conditioning to teacher-student dynamics, we explore how spiritual authority forms, how it collapses, and how it can finally return to its rightful place: your own direct knowing. With warmth, humor, and a few gentle provocations, we look at the subtle ways we outsource our inner clarity and how to recognize the voice that was always yours. A grounded, liberating conversation for anyone walking the line between devotion, discernment, and awakening. Support the show Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

    56 min

  4. 09/15/2025

    Embody Enlightenment Now with Adyashanti's The End of Your World

    Send us a text Exploring Adyashanti's 'The End of Your World' Stephan and Adam dive into Adyashanti's 'The End of Your World' and share their honest thoughts and personal experiences about the long process of embodying enlightenment after moments of realization. From the pitfalls of spiritual awakening to the simple beauty of being present, they cover it all with warmth, humor, and a sprinkle of cheekiness. Tune in to find out what it's like when spiritual journeys go off script and how honesty can be the game-changer you didn't know you needed. Grab your favorite drink, sit back, and enjoy this adventure through the world of spirituality with a side of laughs. 00:00 Reconnecting 00:54 Discussing 'The End of Your World' by Adyashanti 03:10 Dissolution and Reality 05:08 Challenges and Realizations in Awakening 09:37 Waking Up is Like a Rocket 11:14 Personal Awakening Experiences 16:57 The Importance of Honesty 26:38 Traps and Pitfalls on the Spiritual Path 31:58 The Ego's Voice: Convincing You That Now is Not Okay 32:43 The Simplicity of 'I Am': Insights from Adyashanti 33:31 Questioning Reincarnation: A Personal Reflection 35:23 The Trap of Concepts: How They Shape Our Lives 36:40 Understanding Adyashanti: Background and Teachings 40:42 Awakening in the Present Moment 43:06 The Impact of Future Obsession on the Present 46:36 Practical Advice for Overcoming Future Obsession 54:45 Final Thoughts and Reflections Support the show Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

    56 min

  5. 08/25/2025

    The Work that Reconnects - A Tribute to Joanna Macy

    Send us a text Honoring Joanna Macy: Love, Grief, and the Dance of Life Welcome back, folks! Join Stephan and Adam as they dive into a heartwarming tribute to the incomparable Joanna Macy. They chat about her life, her profound contributions to spiritual ecology, and her legacy of promoting interconnectedness and compassion. Explore grief, love, and how we can be Shambala warriors, embracing powerful, love-driven action in today's world. Shoutout to Dayton for the episode inspiration! If you have an episode recommendation on a book or topic related to awakening and spirituality, and to sign up for our email list, email us directly at: letterstotheskypodcast [ at] gmail.com 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:54 Tribute to Joanna Macy 01:26 Joanna Macy's Life and Work 03:04 Emotional Connection and Grief 04:16 Spiritual Ecology and Interconnectedness 14:41 The Shambala Prophecy 22:52 Taking Action from Love 29:09 Misconceptions About Awakening 30:16 The True Meaning of Awakening 31:24 Mind-Made Weapons and Their Undoing 33:35 The Power of Love Over Hate 35:36 Feeling Without Pathologizing 47:47 Joanna Macy's Reverence for Life 51:49 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Support the show Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

    54 min

  6. 07/17/2025

    Drop All Resistance To Your Life the Way It Is - Zen Enlightenment

    Send us a text Email Stephan and Adam at letterstotheskypodcast[at]gmail.com. We love to hear from you and hear your ideas for episode topics. Well, here we go again! Stephan keeps trying to lock Adam in the basement, but somehow he always escapes. Join the delightful duo as they navigate formalities and dive into the incredible origins of Zen. This episode unfolds the mind-blowing history of Bodhidharma, the first Zen Patriarch, who spent nine years staring at a wall (seriously, nine years!) and also helped shape Shaolin Kung Fu. The journey continues to Sengcan, the third patriarch, and the profound depth of the Hsin Hsin Ming. Stephan and Adam ponder the nuances of preferences, tension in existence, and how to naturally flow through life like a river. Is there any resistance in this moment? Well, let's find out together. Plus, discover meditative practices and brainwave science with a sprinkle of Adam's doctorly insight.  Email Stephan and Adam at letterstotheskypodcast[at[gmail.com Ram Dass reading the Hsin Hsin Ming: https://www.ramdass.org/ram-dass-reads-the-third-chinese-patriarch/ Ziran (the natural, spontaneous way): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziran 00:00 Introduction and Banter 00:32 Starting the Episode 01:13 Discussing the Third Zen Patriarch 01:53 Origins of Zen and Bodhidharma 04:10 Zen vs Tibetan Buddhism 06:10 Bodhi Dharma's Teachings and Legacy 08:41 The Profound Teachings of the Shin Shin Ming 12:37 Exploring Preferences and Awareness 15:58 The Role of Preferences in Enlightenment 25:19 Naturalness and Spontaneity in Action 27:10 Understanding Preferences and Misinterpretations 27:31 Natural Actions and Harmony 29:06 The Grind vs. Natural Flow 32:11 Meditative Practices and Brainwaves 36:16 Exploring Resistance and Allowing 38:40 The Metaphor of Layers 45:26 Final Thoughts Support the show Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

    49 min

  7. 07/11/2025

    How to Turn the Mind into a Sword of Awakening

    Send us a text Hey everyone, it's Stephan here! Ever wondered how to use your mind as a tool for awakening? Dive deep with me as I share insights, personal experiences, and some practical tips to train your mind on this incredible journey. From discussing the paths of devotion and meditation, to emphasizing the importance of dissolving beliefs, this video tackles the discomforts and blissful moments of the path to enlightenment. Get ready to cut through false beliefs and embrace a greater understanding. No beliefs are ultimately true, but some can be more useful than others on this journey. Join me and let's start cutting! Support the show Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

    19 min

  8. 07/10/2025

    Ruin Everything With These Two Simple Steps!

    Send us a text 👀 Join Adam and Stephan as they dive deep into the spiritual journey with a sprinkle of humor and a whole lot of wisdom. Beating their previous record of six months of not recording they’re back after only a week to unpack the secrets of doing the most damage to your spiritual path with the least amount of effort. They've even got book recommendations and analogies stacked on analogies for days. So come for the laughs, stay for the enlightenment, and remember, take it easy! Support the show Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

    48 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Letters to the Sky is a podcast about waking up to what you are. We explore awakening  and nonduality through honest conversation, irreverent humor, and stories drawn from many traditions and our own lives. Instead of fixed answers, we invite listeners into direct inquiry.  Be right where you are. No dogma. Just the ongoing experiment of seeing through illusion and resting in what remains.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Rizvi & Stephan Downes
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Letters to the Sky
  • Show Website
    Letters to the Sky

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