069. Michael Hall, Ph.D. - a podcast by Rick Archer

A clinical psychologist in private practice in Binghamton, NY, Michael studied and practiced Zen Buddhism for many years beginning in 1978. An initial experience of non-dual awareness emerged in 1982. Like virtually all first glimpses, this experiential awareness was fleeting. Still, the appetite for an enduring awakening had taken hold, as well as an absolute faith in the spiritual truths reported by Shakyamuni Buddha and the Zen teachers of ancient China and Japan. Years of frequent silent meditation retreats allowed this awareness to deepen and expand, yet there was still searching for true liberation. The continuous experiential Knowing that this is it emerged many years later after an apparent surrendering of the desire to become anything at all. With this much deeper and more pervasive understanding, there arose simultaneously a reconnection with his childhood roots in the Christian tradition. Michael now shares this knowledge of Self with a growing number of students. The teaching is consistent with the truths taught by awakened teachers of all religious traditions. He teaches awakening and the integration of non-dual awareness into daily life. Over 30 years of full-time psychological practice has provided a unique perspective on the roots of suffering and the end of it. He draws on the writing and teaching of contemporary and historical awakened teachers, joining the common threads in Christian, Buddhist, Advaita, and Non-Dual traditions to share a message of the possibility and promise of personal transformation and liberation from egoic illusion.

Email:       WayBeyondPsychotherapy@gmail.comBlog:          AwakenToTruth.BlogSpot.com

Transcript of this interviewInterview recorded 5/22/2011

Audio and video below and as a Podcast.YouTube Video Chapters:


00:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Michael Hall00:05:08 - Joining a Zen Meditation Group
00:07:29 - Discovering Anger and Blood Pressure00:10:19 - Awakening and Zen Training
00:12:46 - A Journey of Awakening and Disillusionment00:15:24 - The Ceasing of Identity
00:18:29 - Effort and the Final Threshold00:21:21 - Surrendering the Ego
00:24:16 - The practice of seeing and releasing automatic beliefs00:26:49 - The Illusion of Selfishness and the Power of Conditioning
00:29:34 - Letting Go of Feelings00:32:10 - Finding Your Own Path
00:34:28 - Finding What Works for You00:36:17 - Shift in Identity: Michael Hall to Universality
00:38:22 - The Dark Night and Inner Transformation00:41:25 - The Dark Night of the Soul and Radical Reorientation
00:44:13 - Letting Go of the Past and Embracing the Present00:46:49 - The Difference Between Channeling and Being Adyashanti
00:50:33 - A Zen Book Awakening00:55:00 - The Progressive Deepening of Realization
01:00:16 - Stages of Enlightenment01:03:58 - Embracing Challenges and Growth
01:07:41 - The Indescribable Nature of God01:11:19 - Increased Effectiveness in Therapy
01:13:28 - Transformation through Empty Glass01:15:16 - The Value of Ordinary People in Spiritual Awakening
01:18:18 - Living a Skillful and Less Stressful Life01:21:45 - Paradigm Shifts and Awakening Consciousness
01:24:25 - Faith in Your Ability to Realize Truth01:27:06 - Conclusion and Next Interview Announcement

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