Teachings

Jon points to the difference between being caught in one’s story and expressing oneself in the space of true listening; how conscious dialogue can facilitate release from one’s limiting condition; and the fire of transformation we enter when speaking and listening become imbued with energy. Recorded 4/19/2010 in San Francisco.

Jon discusses the nature of learning and growth; how consciousness evolves as we deepen in the spiritual process; and how true learning leads us to gradually allow ourselves to become fully available to awakening. Recorded 4/10/2010 in Santa Cruz.

How is it possible to not do ? How is it possible to allow the self to fall away? This week Jon recommends resting in awareness, rather than trying to be aware; describes resting as “awareness in action”; and suggests that every moment of awareness is a moment of no-self. Recorded 4/12/2010 in San Francisco.

This week Jon suggests that the fastest way to freedom is truly to love oneself; and that the main requirement for loving oneself is becoming truly available to one’s own experience. Recorded 1/18/2010 in San Francisco.

Jon discusses getting the mind of out our way; how stopping and truly allowing silence can show us the illusory nature of identity; and how dropping our search for awakening can instead allow awakening to find us. Recorded 3/29/2010 in San Francisco.

This week Jon discusses the process of becoming cognizant of what was previously unconscious; finding out how to let go even where we’re not consciously aware we’re holding on; and points out that taking time to stop and pay attention can reveal that we’re still moving forward even when it feels like we’re standing still.…

Jon discusses the integration of human and being, and how that shift of perspective is the beginning of true compassion for the human condition; the taste of truth that helps us find our own way to freedom; and the joy of being that arises naturally when one is able to be truly open. Recorded 3/13/2010…

In a talk given just before Christmas, Jon discusses the miraculous nature of even so-called negative experiences; reminds us that adversity is often a doorway to liberation; and emphasizes that allowing the dark is allowing the light. Recorded 12/21/2009.

In a talk given just before Thanksgiving, Jon discusses how appreciation and gratitude can open the heart; how awakening is not limited by conventional notions of perfection, but encompasses the full range of human experience; and the extraordinary ordinariness of the awakened life. Recorded 11/23/2009.

Jon describes the deep acceptance facilitated by the movement into awareness; the mysterious ways that life and consciousness evolve; and how, in the words of Brother David Steindl-Rast, “the purpose of spirituality is to become fully human.” Recorded 2/13/2010 in Santa Cruz.