Is It Possible to Uproot All Anxiety and Anger? Steve Armstrong Says Yes.

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Dec 14, 2025

In this enlightening discussion, Steve Armstrong, a longtime dharma teacher and former Buddhist monk, shares insights from his deep meditation practice. He explains the emotional turbulence that can arise during meditation and how understanding the 'stages' of insight can help us navigate challenges. Steve highlights the significance of equanimity as a powerful tool and discusses the pitfalls of mistaking transient bliss for true liberation. His compassionate guidance offers hope and clarity for anyone facing the complexities of meditation.

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INSIGHT

See Causes Behind Experience

The second knowledge is seeing conditionality: things arise due to causes and conditions rather than randomly.
Noticing intentions and dependent links reveals that mind and body co-arise.

INSIGHT

Three Characteristics Revealed

The third knowledge reveals the three characteristics: impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and non-self.
Realizing that pleasurable states change exposes the inherent instability behind craving.

ANECDOTE

Fireworks Of Arising And Passing Away

Steve describes the arising-and-passing-away phase as fireworks where the mind sees experiences speed by rapidly.
He warns these peak experiences (pseudo-nibbana) often feel like enlightenment yet can trap practitioners in indulgence.

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Meditation can be gorgeous… and it can be absolutely bewildering. If you've ever wondered, "Am I doing this right?" or "Why does this feel so intense?", this conversation is for you.

In this vintage conversation from 2016, Dan sits down with legendary dharma teacher Steve Armstrong for a clear, compassionate walkthrough of the progress of insight—including why meditation sometimes gets harder before it gets easier, how to navigate the so-called "dark night" phases, and how to keep going without getting lost in the weeds of self-doubt.

Steve Armstrong, our dear friend, teacher, and the founder of Vipassana Metta Dhamma Sanctuary, passed away peacefully at home on December 23, 2025. His wife and teaching partner, Kamala, was by his side. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the fundraiser we shared, and held Steve and Kamala in their hearts. Your generosity made it possible for Steve to receive the 24-hour care he needed in his final months, allowing him to remain at home with comfort and dignity. Your support also helped ease the many practical and emotional burdens Kamala carried during this time. Steve devoted more than 40 years to teaching the Dhamma and to building Vipassana Metta Dhamma Sanctuary as a place for deep and sustained practice. His wisdom, kindness, and unwavering commitment to the path touched countless lives and will continue to live on through this work. Any future donations to this fundraiser will go toward supporting Kamala as she moves through this period of grief and transition, and as she continues the work at Vipassana Metta Dhamma Sanctuary that she and Steve began together.

If you feel moved, you can find the GoFundMe at this link. Our company has also made a significant contribution to support Steve and Kamala.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why meditation can sometimes trigger emotional turbulence
How to understand the "stages" of insight (without clinging to them)
Practical ways to stay steady when your practice feels chaotic or confusing
How to distinguish between a genuine opening and plain old overwhelm
Why equanimity isn't passive—it's powerful

Steve has spent decades helping people wake up. This episode is a chance to receive that wisdom—and, if you're able, to reflect it back with your support.

Related Episodes:

Get Happier Without Losing Your Edge | Kamala Masters

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