Awaken Your Myth

Rick Hanson, psychologist and bestselling author known for neuroplasticity and contemplative practice, shares his journey from a lonely teenager to a leading voice in healing. He explores why meditation works, contrasts sudden awakenings with gradual cultivation, outlines seven qualities of awakened beings and their neural roots, and offers a simple Let Be, Let Go, Let In model for transformation.

I'd been wanting to meet Alma ever since I saw her in an interview on Angelo Dilullo's YouTube channel. That interview actually gave me my first real taste of awakening. In this conversation, Alma shares her journey from years of spiritual seeking and anxiety to a genuine awakening at 19, guided in part by the teachings of Jeff Foster and a pivotal encounter with Angelo.We talk about the heat that builds before awakening, the role of inquiry, shadow work, facing fear without turning away, and what it actually looks like to live this out in an ordinary life.This one goes deep. I hope it finds you at the right moment.Topics we explore:How both of our journeys began (including cults, atheism, and a Costco that nearly ended my awakening)Jeff Foster, Angelo, and the teachers who pointed the wayThe inquiry process and how it actually worksShadow work — what it is and why it takes so longFear, dissociation, and the choice to turn toward what's realThe Hero's Journey as a map for awakeningFind free resources for awakening (and sleep) at https://erikireland.comMy book, Awaken Your Myth, comes out on March 31, 2026. You can order it at https://aymbook.comDisclaimer:Hi there! I’m a certified mindfulness teacher, and I create these videos to support anyone seeking clarity, presence, and connection with their true nature. While the practices and reflections I share are intended to inspire and guide your journey, they are not a substitute for therapy, medical care, or professional advice.The insights and meditations offered here can bring about profound shifts in how you experience yourself and the world. If you’re currently navigating a mental health challenge or feel overwhelmed, please prioritize your well-being and reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or trusted resource for support. If you’re in crisis or at risk of harming yourself or others, contacting a suicide hotline, a trusted professional, or emergency services is the best step to take right now.These teachings are a gentle invitation to explore your inner world, not a prescription for how to live. Take what resonates, move at your own pace, and always approach this work with kindness toward yourself.Wishing you peace on your journey. 💛Erik

In this video, we dive deep into the life and transformative journey of Eshwar, a good friend of mine who struggled with addiction, and ultimately experienced a profound spiritual awakening. His story isn’t just about survival—it’s about transformation, surrender, and seeing beyond the mind.We talk about:🔥 The comfort of the known vs. the courage to let go🔥 The dark night of the soul and the journey beyond addiction🔥 The illusions of identity and the surrender into truth🔥 The role of anger, resentment, and self-compassion in awakening🔥 Why the unknown is where true freedom liesIf you’re feeling stuck, struggling, or searching for deeper meaning, this conversation is for you.📌 Follow Eshwar🌍 Website:https://sensewithoutmind.com📺 YouTube: @SenseWithOutMind 00:00 Introduction01:24 Eshwar's Early Life in Guyana03:55 Transition to Life in the United States05:52 Struggles with Addiction09:37 Seeking Help14:59 The Process of Healing and Awakening21:03 Understanding and Managing Anger28:24 Self-Compassion and Identity33:21 A Journey Inward34:22 Seeking Answers in Spiritual Teachings36:00 A Profound Realization40:01 The Aftermath of Awakening43:28 Living with a New Perspective48:41 The Nature of Experience and Insight56:49 Guidance and Community01:05:50 Final Thoughts and Contact Information✨ Discover how to live more mindfully with these resources: • The Gentle Trail to Presence: A 5-day course to help you navigate your inner world with clarity and ease. Start your journey athttps://gentletrail.com • The Cabin: Join gentle mindfulness for natural awakening community to connect with others on their journeys. Explore The Cabin athttps://awakenyourmyth.com • 1:1 Coaching: Need support untangling from unhelpful thought patterns? Book a coaching session with me:https://erikireland.com📬 Discover more resources and inspiration:Find free tools and learn more athttps://erikireland.com.Disclaimer:Hi there! I’m a certified mindfulness teacher, and I create these videos to support anyone seeking clarity, presence, and connection with their true nature. While the practices and reflections I share are intended to inspire and guide your journey, they are not a substitute for therapy, medical care, or professional advice.The insights and meditations offered here can bring about profound shifts in how you experience yourself and the world. If you’re currently navigating a mental health challenge or feel overwhelmed, please prioritize your well-being and reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or trusted resource for support. If you’re in crisis or at risk of harming yourself or others, contacting a suicide hotline, a trusted professional, or emergency services is the best step to take right now.These teachings are a gentle invitation to explore your inner world, not a prescription for how to live. Take what resonates, move at your own pace, and always approach this work with kindness toward yourself.Wishing you peace on your journey. 💛

What if awakening is simpler than we’ve been told? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. James Cook, neuroscientist, author, and researcher, to discuss the nature of consciousness, shadow work, and awakening. Dr. Cook shares his incredible journey from a teenage awakening to his groundbreaking work bridging science and spirituality. We dive deep into: •What awakening really is (and what it’s not) •How science explains consciousness and suffering •The importance of shadow work and embodied integration •Why awakening doesn’t require belief or dogma •The role of synchronicity and intuition in our paths 🔍 Explore Dr. Cooke’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrJamesCooke 📖 His Book – The Dawn of Mind: How Matter Became Conscious and Alive → https://www.drjamescooke.com 🌐 Inner Space Institute – Free resources & community for awakening → https://innerspaceinstitute.org 💡 More from Dr. James Cooke – Articles, podcasts, and insights → https://drjamescooke.substack.com ✨ Explore more tools for your journey: • The Gentle Trail to Presence: A 5-day course to help you navigate your inner world with clarity and ease. Start your journey at https://gentletrail.com • The Cabin: Join gentle mindfulness for natural awakening community to connect with others on their journeys. Explore The Cabin at https://awakenyourmyth.com • 1:1 Coaching: Need support untangling from unhelpful thought patterns? Book a coaching session with me: https://erikireland.com 📬 Discover more resources and inspiration: Find free tools and learn more at https://erikireland.com. Disclaimer: Hi there! I’m a certified mindfulness teacher, and I create these videos to support anyone seeking clarity, presence, and connection with their true nature. While the practices and reflections I share are intended to inspire and guide your journey, they are not a substitute for therapy, medical care, or professional advice. The insights and meditations offered here can bring about profound shifts in how you experience yourself and the world. If you’re currently navigating a mental health challenge or feel overwhelmed, please prioritize your well-being and reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or trusted resource for support. If you’re in crisis or at risk of harming yourself or others, contacting a suicide hotline, a trusted professional, or emergency services is the best step to take right now. These teachings are a gentle invitation to explore your inner world, not a prescription for how to live. Take what resonates, move at your own pace, and always approach this work with kindness toward yourself. Wishing you peace on your journey. 💛

Explore the fascinating dynamics of fear and intuition in decision-making. Discover how early feelings of unworthiness influence life choices. Delve into the three pillars of mindfulness: curiosity, compassion, and gentleness. Learn how mindfulness acts as a lens for self-awareness and applies to everyday moments. Engage with the idea of building a supportive community around personal growth. Ultimately, find out how true belonging comes from embracing our authentic selves without force.

In this reflective guided meditation and talk, you'll immerse yourself in a practice of gentle curiosity and present-moment awareness where you'll learn to: Tap into the sensations of your body with mindfulness Develop a keen awareness of your senses including smell, sight, hearing, taste, and thought Differentiate between 'what' and 'who' inquiries from 'why' and 'how' to unlock deeper insights Maintain a sense of beingness and consciousness that transcends sensory experiences Approach life's challenges and discomfort with an open and non-conceptual attitude Gain valuable insights into observing your thoughts, emotions, and sensations without attachment. Integrate these practices into your daily life for a more profound connection with your true self. Explore the power of being present and the transformative effects of curiosity and awareness. For a deeper dive into mindfulness and personal growth, join The Cabin, our vibrant online community at https://awakenyourmyth.com.

In this transformative guided meditation, you'll embark on a journey of self-inquiry and present-moment awareness, discovering how to: Calm your mind through simple breath-counting techniques Explore the nature of your thoughts and their relationship to your sense of self Use inquiry as a tool to deepen your understanding of your true nature Cultivate a sense of open awareness that embraces all aspects of your experience Access a state of gentle curiosity towards your thoughts, emotions, and sensations If you've ever felt trapped by your personal narrative, struggled to find peace amidst mental chatter, or yearned for a deeper connection with your authentic self, this meditation offers a path forward. By learning to observe your thoughts with compassionate curiosity and ask questions about your identity, you can unlock the transformative power of self-inquiry and present-moment awareness. I guide you to connect with your breath, thoughts, and the spaciousness of open awareness. You'll gain valuable tools and perspectives for: Distinguishing between thoughts about yourself and your true nature Recognizing the ever-present awareness that exists beyond your personal story Embracing the unknown and allowing your experience to unfold naturally Integrating self-inquiry into your daily life for greater peace and clarity Cultivating a deeper sense of connection with your authentic self Remember, developing a strong practice of self-inquiry is a gradual process of learning to rest in the simplicity of what is, beyond the stories we tell about ourselves. By approaching this exploration with gentleness, curiosity, and compassion, we create the conditions for profound insight and transformation. This meditation is an excerpt from a recent live Campfire Gathering, where we dive deep into the hero's journey of personal growth and self-discovery through mindfulness and awakening our personal myths. If you feel called to explore the depths of your inner wisdom and unlock your potential for presence and authenticity, I welcome you to join our vibrant online community. In this safe and supportive space, you'll find the tools and guidance to navigate your own hero's journey and transform your life from the inside out. To learn more, visit https://awakenyourmyth.com

In this powerful guided meditation, you'll embark on a journey into the present moment, discovering how to: Connect with the simplicity of your immediate experience, free from the mind's constant chatter Explore the nature of awareness and its relationship to sensory perceptions Use the breath as an anchor to deepen your connection with consciousness Cultivate a sense of equanimity by embracing all aspects of your experience Access a state of loving-kindness towards your thoughts, body, and sense of self If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the complexity of life, struggled to find peace in the present moment, or yearned for a deeper connection with your authentic self, this meditation offers a path forward. By learning to settle into the simplicity of your immediate experience with compassionate awareness, you can unlock the transformative power of present-moment consciousness and self-acceptance. I guide you connect with your body's wisdom and the spaciousness of awareness. You'll gain valuable tools and perspectives for: Distinguishing between direct experience and the stories we tell about it Recognizing the ever-present nature of awareness amidst changing sensations and thoughts Embracing the unknown and allowing your experience to unfold naturally Integrating mindfulness into your daily life for greater peace and clarity Cultivating a deeper sense of connection with yourself and the world around you Remember, developing a strong connection to present-moment awareness is a gradual process of learning to rest in the simplicity of what is. By approaching this exploration with openness and patience, we create the conditions for profound insight and transformation. This meditation is an excerpt from a recent live gathering in The Cabin, where we dive deep into the hero's journey of personal growth and self-discovery through mindfulness and awakening our personal myths. If you feel called to explore the depths of your inner wisdom and unlock your potential for presence and authenticity, I welcome you to join our vibrant online community. In this safe and supportive space, you'll find the tools and guidance to navigate your own hero's journey and transform your life from the inside out. To learn more, visit https://awakenyourmyth.com

In this powerful episode, we explore the intersection of trauma and mindfulness, offering both insight and practical tools for healing. I share a personal experiences and guide listeners through the landscape of trauma responses and how mindfulness can help. We end with a guided meditation practice that you can use when you're facing a trauma response in your own life. Key points covered: Understanding trauma events vs. trauma reactions The concept of "window of tolerance" in trauma work How mindfulness can navigate intense emotional responses A guided "5-4-3-2-1" sensory awareness meditation Practical tools for grounding during trauma responses Join us for this transformative journey into mindfulness and trauma, and discover how to find calm amidst the storm of past experiences. For more support, join us at The Cabin, our online community with the tools and support to help you awaken to your full potential: https://awakenyourmyth.com

Join us as we dive into the theme of overthinking and explore how mindfulness can help us break free from the cycle of constant mental chatter. In this excerpt from a live gathering in The Peace & Prosperity Circle at https://awakenyourmyth.com, you'll discover how to: • Understand the somatic and cognitive aspects of overthinking • Greet your thoughts with curiosity and gentleness • Use mindfulness to ground yourself in the present moment • Shift from mind identification to a holistic awareness of your experience If you've ever felt trapped by your thoughts, struggled with anxiety, or found it challenging to stay present, this video offers practical insights and techniques to help you navigate these experiences. By learning to greet your overthinking with compassionate awareness, you can start to break the cycle and find greater peace and clarity. I also lead a mindfulness meditation designed to help you connect with your body and bring awareness to your thoughts. You'll gain valuable tools and perspectives for: • Recognizing the physical sensations that accompany overthinking • Using mindful awareness to shift out of the overthinking loop • Embracing the present moment with all its sensations and experiences • Developing a more compassionate relationship with your mind Remember, overcoming overthinking is a journey, and each step you take towards mindful awareness helps you build a more peaceful and present life. By approaching this practice with openness and patience, you create the conditions for deep insight and transformation. This video is also part of the Overthinking Challenge, which you can dive into at https://challenges.awakenyourmyth.com. It’s a self-guided journey designed to help you break free from the cycle of overthinking at your own pace, unlocking a gateway to mental clarity and inner peace. If you feel called to delve deeper into mindfulness and learn how to navigate your inner landscape with greater ease, I invite you to join our supportive online community. In this safe and nurturing space, you'll find the tools and guidance to embark on your own hero's journey and transform your life from within. To learn more, go to https://awakenyourmyth.com.