Awakening Together, Relaxing into Happiness with William Cooper, Master of Theology, Licensed Professional Counselor

168 The World is a Mess - What To Do? Part 2

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In her review of our last podcast, "167 - Why Do People See The World So Differently?" Catrin writes, "Thank you William, for this helpful and clarifying talk. However, what to do then? I mean, to change to a more harmonious and sustainable living on this planet, I think especially now on the environment and all the wars and conflicts, we really need to find ways to work together, not against one another. There is only one planet, as we know, and I think the planet Earth will survive, but probably not the civilization, if it continues like now. I have stopped reading and watching the news since several years back, and I try to do what I can in my circle of life, but it feels a bit helpless at times. But in any case, thank you again for all your wonderful talks and the help and hope you provide us all."

We address Catrin's thoughtful questions concerning the last podcast in this podcast. If you haven't listened to 167, although there is a review here, might be more continuity if you did.

These podcasts are best when listened to in sequence from podcast one forward because each is built on the last.

Though I am a psychotherapist, these podcasts are offered to be spiritually helpful, not psychotherapy. Please reach out to one if ever needed.

These podcasts are meant to supplement your personal path of awakening whatever that might be. They are a compilation of what I have found to be the most helpful over the last 50 years on my path of awakening. I feel these podcasts are most powerful when listened to in sequence from podcast one forward because each is built on the last. Though they, also, all stand on their own. Since we are each a bit different, if anything does not resonate, please disregard it and follow your heart. All my podcasts and website are free. Enjoy!

Though I am a psychotherapist, and these podcasts are offered to be spiritually helpful, they are not psychotherapy. If psychotherapy is ever needed, please reach out to a psychotherapist.

www.williamecooper.wordpress.com for more support. You may, especially, enjoy the short contemplations and the resource page which gives you some supportive material.

167 Why Do People See The World So Differently? Part 1

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

William Cooper reflects on the surprise and division surrounding recent U.S. presidential elections and uses them to explore why people can hold such different views despite living in the same society. He introduces psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of six stages of moral development, which range from avoiding punishment and pursuing self-interest to following universal ethical principles. Cooper explains that people progress through these stages sequentially and can generally understand lower stages they have passed through, but struggle to comprehend perspectives more than one stage above their own. He argues that this framework helps reduce judgment of others, explains social and political disagreements, and sheds light on why people often dismiss those with different views using labels or stereotypes. Ultimately, he sees Kohlberg’s model as a useful tool for fostering understanding, compassion, and clarity about human behavior, though not as a complete explanation of it.

166 Ho'oponopono Healing and Release

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0400

Many of you are familiar with the ancient Hawaiian practice for healing, Ho'oponopono. The literal translation of Ho'oponopono is "to correct a mistake" or ""make it right". This simple, heart based practice releases negative emotions and negative karmic patterns. Experientially, it opens us up.. Simply repeat silently, "I am sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you, I love you." Since this is an intuitive practice there is nothing to "figure out". Let your heart be your guide. It can be directed to somebody, to oneself, or repeated like a mantra as many times as feels right during the day. Experiment and "see" what happens.

165 What Happens After You Die? Q & A

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0500

This podcast offers encouragement when so many of us have and are experiencing the heart break of losing those close to us. One listener has shared how difficult it was for her when her mother passed. Recently her heart broke when her 24 year old step daughter also passed. She reached out with a beautiful request, "Please speak more about what happens after we die, based on what you gathered in your spiritual and psychotherapy practices."

This recording of a live Q & A has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

164 The Power And Art Of Flowing Into Awakening, A Magic Q & A

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Listener comments and questions made this truly a Magical Q&A! We discussed the power and art of Flow as the key to Awakening, Enjoying the Journey, Hurry Sickness, Nature of "Evil", Experiencing Love, Death, Stuck in the Story, Are we the sky or the clouds...or both?, Grieving, being pulled into emotions, the wisdom of going slow....baby steps, melting troubles, etc.

This recording of a live Q & A has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

163 Relaxation Now! 2nd Stress Relief Meditation With No Intro

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500

This second meditation for rapid stress relief and deep relaxation also helped my mother dramatically. It can be helpful for all kinds of stress and tension. Sometimes life can be so intense. We just need to rest our nervous system and "Get out of the pounding surf". Awakening is a process, and today resting is what you may need. Listening to yourself when it is time to rest is being "Aware". This guided meditation has no intro and goes directly into relaxation, so please be resting comfortably in a safe place and not driving or active in any way. This is simply about letting go and resting now. Enjoy!

162 Stop, Breathe, Reflect, And Choose

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Take refuge in the Buddha, your inner Self. Stop, Breathe, Reflect (Be Aware of what is going on inside and out), and Choose to respond. Choose to Flow rather than react. The flight, fright, or freeze Limbic (reptilian) part of our brain only knows to protect us. It knows speed not Happiness. When we are caught in reactivity we are in our reptilian brain, reacting rather than responding. As an alternative to jumping into our reptilian brain, consider this simple practice. Stop, Breathe, Reflect, Choose. It only takes seconds to remain resting in Refuge as the Buddha and/or Christ that you are.

161 Instant Stress Relief Now! Guided Meditation With No Intro

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Sometimes life can be so intense. We just need to rest our nervous system and "Get out of the pounding surf". Awakening is a process and today resting is what you may need. Listening to yourself when it is time to rest is being "Aware". My mother asked me to make this guided meditation when she was under a lot of stress and her blood pressure was very high. Though everyone is different, this meditation helped dramatically and I want to share it with you. It can be helpful for all kinds of stress and tension. This guided meditation has no intro and goes directly into relaxation so please be resting comfortably in a safe place and not driving or active in any way. This is simply about letting go and resting now. Enjoy!

160 Melting Into Beauty and Releasing All Else

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 21:00:00 -0500

If the first step in Purifying the mind is enjoying Beauty, the second step in Awakening is to let everything else go until all that remains inside is Beauty. Please enjoy this brief and simple reminder. If you are new to these podcasts, it could be helpful to know that the previous podcasts offer practical "How To" open up and let go into Awakening.

159 The Awakening Process - "The Lord Is My Shepherd" - Q & A

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 22:00:00 -0500

In this Q & A we looked at Awakening in terms of Knowing vs believing and faith in context of the 23rd Psalm. How do we develop the deep trust experience by the lamb for the "Shepherd"? Then, we discussed the inner movements of Awakening based on one listener's practice of the "Awakening Meditation" and her unexpected experience in a crystal shop. Also, the experience of another listener with the surfacing of implicit foreboding holiday feelings and, happily, with Yogananda's reenergization exercises. Etc..

This recording of a live Q & A has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

158 Flow and Let Go

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 13:00:00 -0500

Awakening is about flow. Flow of love, peace, happiness, ease, relaxation, joy, etc. Awakening is about being who you truly are. Tension is about blocking your self from who you are. Cut off from your Flow of Happiness and Peace you experience Anger, Hurt, unfulfillment, Fear, Anxiety, etc. Flow responds and dances with life. Contraction and tension react against life because it all hurts. In this simple practice we say yes to any love, peace, happiness, ease, relaxation, joy, etc. we feel inside so it can grow.....and we look at how to let everything else go. In your inner garden you water what you would like to grow....and you let the rest go. Enjoying the flow of your Beautiful Life!

157 Flowing Light, Happy, Prayer, Drama, News, Stress, Q&A

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 18:00:00 -0400

In this Q & A we enjoyed a great discussion about the direct experience of Light streaming from our body, the Happiness & Power flowing through us, the creative and destructive power of stories, how to not be attached to stories, how to withdraw our senses, how to navigate negative energy coming from others, do we lose ourselves when we dissolve into Light?, giving burdens to our higher power, is it good to listen to the news in these dark times?, anxiety attachment, the direct experience of the world strobing in and out of existence, awakening, etc.

This recording of a live Q & A has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

156 Loving Your Self - Even If You Don't Feel You Do

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 13:00:00 -0400

This is a very personal story about when I felt so alone. Depressed and anxious I felt so unloved. Abandoned by the universe and all in it. It was around 1978, and I had just escaped from a Christian cult. I was enrolled in a 4-year Master of Theology program looking for answers. I was, also, taking refuge. My life was upside down. Perhaps you have felt despair, anxiety and depression. Maybe you feel despair now. If so, I offer you what I found then. As I sat still, suddenly, in my despair, I saw that I felt so intensely bad because I cared about myself. If I didn't care I would not feel so bad. Yes, feeling bad is not a good way to love oneself. It was maladaptive but I did love myself. I wanted better for my life. That is why I felt so bad about the way it was. My direct experience that I was loved became a foot hold out of the dark pit. I baby stepped my way back into health. Perhaps my plight and what I did can be helpful to you. Maybe the preceding podcasts as well. That is why I made them. If you are really feeling bad, please consider seeing a psychotherapist or minimally reaching out to friends or those that can help.

155 World And Inner Peace, Channeling, Procrastination - Q & A

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this Q & A we noted that 11/21 is United Nations World Peace Day celebrated all over the world. When we are at peace within we see and experience peace all around us. Gandi wrote that "If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change." Peace within flows into the world. How did Jesus and Buddha feel? One listener asked about her procrastination, another about my experience after my guru said I should go out on my own. We talked about channeling Angels and other High Beings. Also about my core feeling that keeping awakening as one's center focus brings clarity. And in clarity all else that is good can come quite effortlessly as side effects.

154 Enjoying Yes

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0400

The practice of Awakening is that of saying Yes to your Self and letting everything else go. When you experience the qualities of your Being, i.e., Love, Peace, Joy, Fulfillment, Happiness, etc. for any reason during your day, say Yes and let Your energy flow. When anything other than these qualities of your Being comes up, let them go. Let them expend their energy, unwind, start to release, look around and notice all is well now, soak up this direct experience of safety and wellness, melt, and then affirm your truth in the moment....what you are truly feeling. "I am Happiness, or I am Peace, or I am Joy, etc." This "Yes" practice supports Clearly flowing with life and releasing rather than reacting against triggered emotions, thoughts and perceptions. Enjoy the flow of Yes and let everything else go!

153 Toxic Society, Awakening, Miracles, Healing, Neuroplasticity, Reconciliation - Q & A

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 15:00:00 -0400

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

Wonderful discussions on Awakening and various traditions as all describing the Infinite as expressing through us, how neurobiology is affected by the path of growth and awakening, neurons that fire together wire together and when they don't they don't. the brain can always heal and change. One was concerned with living in an unkind world controlled by separation, astrological cycles affecting culture, awakening, healing, and miracles, why do people of light suffer with disease, how the rational mind can dismiss intuition, reconciling with an estranged previously toxic parent, etc.

152 Paths of Devotion, Prayer, and Clarity, Awakened Chakras, Multiple Paths? Q & A

Mon, 19 May 2025 20:00:00 -0400

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

Because much of these podcasts follow the jnana path of clarity, they are most powerful when listened to in sequence. However, in this discussion we started with the path of devotion and one of prayer. We discussed that Ramana felt that Jnana (clarity) and Devotion were two equally important paths with each eventually turning into the other. Bhagavan felt the easiest path was one of prayer. Let the Divine figure it out for you. Later we discussed where and how one experienced one's "I Am". Also, how many paths can one experience at the same time. Another explained the deep meaning to them of the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdeline in terms of equality within society and the masculine-feminine relationships. Etc.

151 Cosmic Jolt, Awakening Cycles, Centered, World Peace - Q & A

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 15:00:00 -0400

In this Q & A, questions and discussion covered how to experience a glimpse of awakening now for encouragement, How to remain in our core Being in difficult circumstances, How to be in touch with our guru nature and let problems go from there, Cycles and Awakening, Our Inner Light, Accension and Awakening, etc.

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

150 Enjoying Our Infinite Self, Healing Karmic Relationships, Q&A

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:00:00 -0500

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

We discuss how to identify your core essence, engage with stillness, and embrace the simplicity of being happy while letting go of life's troubles.

Enjoying who you truly are involves peeling back layers of distractions to reveal the light within. Discovering the light within that shines like the sun—unclouded and constant. By connecting with the lives of enlightened beings like Ramana Maharshi and Buddha, we unravel the essence of our pure selves through chakras, love, silence, and joy. Explore the art of letting go, freeing ourselves from distractions and troubles that dim our inner radiance, and learn how this practice can transform our life experience.

Inner peace and fulfillment are within reach. With personal stories and insights, we connect with the simplicity of life, much like the serene existence of gentle sheep. Reflect on the trust and peace conveyed in the 23rd Psalm and discover the power of poetry, especially the works of Rumi, as a gateway to tuning into our true nature. Through meditation, we unravel the subtle awareness behind our thoughts, transcending beyond the realm of right and wrong, and understanding our deepest self.

Embrace the journey of personal growth and healing as we explore how releasing repressed emotions can be a painful yet liberating path to joy. Personal anecdotes and cosmic phenomena remind us of the importance of clearing suffering to reveal our true selves. Discover how personal clarity enhances relationships, even the challenging ones, and learn the significance of kindness in transforming perceptions. we discuss how to identify your core essence, engage with stillness, and embrace the simplicity of being happy while letting go of life's troubles.

• Awakening as an everyday practice of self-discovery
• The intrinsic connection between happiness and true being
• Different chakras resonate with various qualities of existence
• Engaging with nature to shift our perspective
• Sitting in stillness as a path to inner clarity
• The impact of inner healing on outer relationships
• The collective journey toward communal harmony and self-awareness

149 Humility and Awakening, Bhakti vs Jnana Yoga, Letting Go, Embracing Inner Peace - Q & A

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0500

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

This episode dives into the core concepts of humility and awakening, contrasting true humility with false pride. We, also, explore the balance between Bhakti and Jnana yoga. We discuss letting go, self-awareness, and embracing both the light and shadow within ourselves as we navigate our unique spiritual journeys.
• Examining humility in the context of spiritual awakening
• Distinguishing false pride from authentic humility
• Sharing personal experiences to open the hearts of others
• Bhakti yoga and Jnana yoga as pathways to awakening
• The role of letting go in deepening self-awareness
• Recognizing the impact of personal drama on our spiritual paths
• Understanding the nature of trust in ourselves and the universe
• Embracing the journey of awakening without linear expectations

148 Practices When Busy, Relationship vs Single, Achieving vs Stillness, Chaos to Clarity, Q & A

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 01:00:00 -0500

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

Great discussion in this Q & A. Topics included 3 doable practices when days are busy, an 84 yr old remarked how for the first time she has felt helped significantly and attributed it to these podcasts, non-attachment, letting go, relationship vs single, achievement vs stillness, value of chaos in the world, our problems are our radiance, etc.

147 Awakening Happiness, Healing Trauma, Transforming Perspectives, Listener Q & A

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

Discovering the essence of being in the world but not of it permeates our exploration of spiritual awakening. We discuss how we create internal obstacles that block our joy, why letting go is essential, and practical steps to reconnect with our fundamental state of happiness.

• Exploring the meaning behind "Be in the World but Not of It"
• The analogy of consciousness as a sunbeam
• Understanding how we block our own happiness and well-being
• Key methods for letting go of emotional burdens and repressed feelings
• Recognizing and dealing with trauma in the healing process
• The impact of societal pressures on personal narratives
• Affirming that joy is inherently ours despite circumstances

146 Holy Days And Light, Addicted to Spirituality?, Self Acceptance, Etc Q& A

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:00:00 -0500

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness. Topics discussed include: The Light of Holy Days represent your Light, seeing and dissolving assumptions, use of visualization to dissolve blocks, we exist on many levels, Is it possible to be addicted to spirituality, I love my life and it's issues, how to experience self acceptance, etc.

145 Self Care, Awakening, Trust vs Wisdom, Etc - Q & A

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 18:00:00 -0500

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness. Topics discussed include: Kindness and self care, Hurry Sickness, triggered by family, gratitude journaling, Lack of trust is directly proportional to separation from Self, Awareness of Awareness, loneliness and codependency, teaching children self trust vs wisdom in a dangerous world, letting go, is productivity easier when we are anxious?, etc

144 Giving Yourself Grace, Your Awakening, Etc - Q & A

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 19:00:00 -0500

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness. Topics discussed include: Giving yourself grace, how to let distress melt out of us, how not to freeze problems within us, Experiencing who we are - Awareness of Awareness, Unforgiveness, healing our core wounds, etc.

143 Thawing Your Frozen Radiance - part 2

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 19:00:00 -0500

Part 2 is a deeper examination of the issues we discussed in part 1.
Your Being is pure Radiant Light just as powerful as any guru. Why doesn't it feel that way? Most of us have taken a vast portion of our light and siphoned it off by creating repressed problems, attitudes, and delusions. We are Awareness and all Awareness is love, peace, and joy. Just as we can freeze life giving water into a destructive shape such as a frozen ice knife, we can freeze Awareness into problems. How? We focus our destructive attitudes into free flowing Awareness and freeze it into an thought emotion object that hurts us and others. Ice melts when it emits its cold. A psychological object melts when it emits it's attitude.
These podcasts are here to support your personal path of awakening whatever that might be. I feel they are most powerful when listened to in sequence from podcast one forward because each is built on the last. Though they, also, all stand on their own. If anything does not resonate, please disregard it and follow your heart.

142 Thawing Your Frozen Radiance - part 1

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:00:00 -0500

Your Being is pure Radiant Light just as powerful as any guru. Why doesn't it feel that way? Most of us have taken a vast portion of our light and siphoned it off by creating repressed problems, attitudes, and delusions. We are Awareness and all Awareness is love, peace, and joy. Just as we can freeze life giving water into a destructive shape such as a frozen ice knife, we can freeze Awareness into problems. How? We focus our destructive attitudes into free flowing Awareness and freeze it into an thought emotion object that hurts us and others. Ice unfreezes when it emits its cold and melts. A psychological object melts when it emits it's attitude.
These podcasts are here to support your personal path of awakening whatever that might be. I feel they are most powerful when listened to in sequence from podcast one forward because each is built on the last. Though they, also, all stand on their own. If anything does not resonate, please disregard it and follow your heart.

141 Mastering Hard Times - Q & A

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:00:00 -0500

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.
Lately many have been experiencing distress both inside and outside. Current events have been difficult for many. Much of the discussion in this Q & A centered around living in awareness with these many levels of distress. Topics included, "Starting by getting out of the pounding surf." Also, do I cause my own problems by bringing my perspective to what would be a happy event inside and out? Do awakened people always know they are awake? Ways to comfort another, How to be kind to myself, Do I need to control myself and my circumstances in order to awaken? Etc.
We also noted that these podcasts are here to support your personal path of awakening whatever that might be. I feel they are most powerful when listened to in sequence from podcast one forward because each is built on the last. Though they, also, all stand on their own. If anything does not resonate, please disregard it and follow your heart.

140 Meditation For Deep Relaxation

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 18:00:00 -0400

So many of us are experiencing lots of inner and outer stress. This is a brief, effective, and easy guided meditation for relaxation and to release stress. Since it could be dangerous when coupled with other activities, please do not listen to this guided meditation when you are driving or doing any other activity. This meditation is done when sitting or lying down when you are ready to completely focus and let go so that you can deeply release.

139 Intensity Without the Attitude is Your Awakened Radiance

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

We have all experienced intensity. Unfortunately, often times it is because of layers of stress, problems, and difficulties. Yet it is that same intensity that is the intensity of Love, Peace, and Joy in Awakening....in experiencing our true Selves. There is only one intensity. Consciousness is like life giving water. It can be frozen into sharp edges such as an ice knife that can hurt. When it melts back into the healing flow of water it gives life. Likewise, Intensity without the attitude is Awakened Radiance flowing with its qualities of peace, love, joy and happiness. The overwhelming intensity one feels emanating through an awakened Being is the same intensity that we feel. Its just that ours is often twisted with an attitude of stress and theirs is not. Our spiritual practices are ways to let our maladaptive attitudes go. We keep the intensity and radiance and let the attitude go as we awaken. This podcast details deep letting go which is not recommended until you are ready. Our spiritual practices help us let go a little at a time in manageable ways.

138 Flow vs Tension, My Experience, Real Time Releasing Q & A

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:00:00 -0400

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness. We discussed that in the Awakening process there is only flow and tension. To the degree I am tense in any way I am blocking my innate and eternal Light which is flow. Light, flow, and tension. I described my process here and more deeply in all of these podcasts. Since each podcast builds on those before, it is most powerful to start at 1 and work forward. Another asked if dissolving pain in meditation might reveal deeper pain. Jesus appearing to me. Most religions attempt to express the same truth but use different words and concepts. And is listening to music while practicing the Awakening meditation ok? Best to not meditate at night? How to release tension and pain in real time as we go through our day so that we aren't repressing it. Etc

137 Living Light, How to Let Go, Raising Kids, Forgiveness, Anger, Spirits - Q & A

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 14:00:00 -0400

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness. In this lively exchange, we discussed some of the hows in experiencing our Selves as Light. At some point we let go deeply and flow happens. We discuss some hows of letting go. We also discuss forgiveness, how to help our children spiritually in todays world, releasing deep anger, can we feel malevolent beings in other realms and what to do, experiencing our Selves as the Infinite, etc.
Though I am a psychotherapist and these podcasts are offered to be spiritually helpful, they are not psychotherapy. If psychotherapy is ever needed, please reach out to a psychotherapist.

136 Experiencing Light, Childhood Trauma, Opening to Love Again, Healing Chronic Illness - Q & A

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0400

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness. By way of encouragement I shared with the group how I am experiencing my Self as LIght these days. Also discussed how relaxation and tension apply to the process of Awakening and how to release blocks. Participants asked how to release childhood trauma, how to respond rather than react, How to open one's heart to love again, ideas on how to work with a chronic illness, The Growth Formula, etc.

135 Releasing, Tension, Negative Thoughts and Influences, Nothingness - Q&A

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 14:00:00 -0400

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness. We discussed how relaxation and tension apply to the process of Awakening and how to release blocks. A participant asked for perspective on experiencing herself as "nothing". Others asked about negative thoughts in meditation, can we be dealing with feelings we have absorbed from others rather than created ourselves, etc.

134 Restoring Flow, Halting Self Hurt, Broken Relationship Q & A

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:00:00 -0500

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness. Participants heartfelt questions and experiences guided our discussion. We discuss how to release our blocks and let them melt, stopping hurting ourselves, the importance of "getting out of the pounding surf" as a basic step in our path of awakening, some grief is from biological separation as well as past and present obstacles. Another noticed that he absorbed depression sitting next to a depressed man, etc.

133 Experiencing What We Are

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 20:00:00 -0500

To a seeker, Ramana said, "Before you ask out 'your life', find out who 'You' are." Good advice. In this podcast we place our attention on what we are. What is always here and remains when everything goes? We place our attention on Awareness or our "Buddha nature". It is like a rainbow and is experienced beyond creation as a full nothing and, in creation, as Light, Love, Peace, Happiness, Joy, etc. We place our attention on Awareness so that we can experience our Selves rather than just understand our Selves. We talk about why some experience them Selves as Peace while others as Love, or Joy or Happiness or All. Though not the focus, we talk briefly about how to release what distracts and blocks us and why. We also note that much more information on releasing and the whole process of awakening is available for free on this platform. All podcasts stand on their own yet each rests on those before. Best to start at number 1 and move forward unless you find a title compelling now.

132 Seeing What We Are Not

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 22:00:00 -0500

There can be no ultimate joy living a life that is false and deluded. Therefore, let's see clearly what we are not. Knowing what we are not, we can, also, more easily experience what we are. Let's let go of what we are not and enjoy the radiant Peace, Love and Joy of who we are. From contemplation number 2 on my website, www.williamecooper.wordpress.com

131 Releasing Inner Blocks, Past Lives, Modifying Practices, Fear of Death - Q & A

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 20:00:00 -0500

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness. We discuss that so many are suffering these days, how to melt the obstacles that block our happiness, daily consistency in taking baby steps, the fear of death, past lives, and that it's ok to modify spiritual practices.

130 To See Is To Be Free

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 18:00:00 -0500

Meditation, exercise, nutrition, yoga, psychotherapy, energy work, philosophy, etc all can be important in our awakening process. Yet seeing clearly can melt the delusions that may be causing much of our problems. When I see that the deadly cobra in my room is actually only a rope all of my issues regarding that "deadly" event melt away quickly. No psychotropic drugs or psychotherapy needed for my previous dread and anxiety. No meditation, no philosophy, nothing is needed. All done. While all of the above can be vital at different times, "To See Is To Be Free." From my contemplation number 1 on my website, www.williamecooper.wordpress.com

129 Melting Inner Ice, Nonattachment, Opening Chakras - Q & A

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:00:00 -0500

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for length and clarity. We discuss how we freeze free flowing consciousness into painful inner obstructions and how to melt them. Also, nonattachment, how to open the chakras, how to "Be Here Now", etc.

128 Be Still And Know

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 18:00:00 -0500

Contemplation and reflection on,
"Be Still and Know that I am God", Psalm 46:10
"Trying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Do you have the patience to wait? Be still and allow the mud to settle." , Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching.

From my contemplation number 26 on my website, www.williamecooper.wordpress.com

127 Letting Go, My Healing Heals My Child?, Jesus Appears, Q & A

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 20:00:00 -0500

In this recorded live Q & A we discussed the 3 steps in letting go of That which keeps us from Awakening and enjoying life fully, What happened when Jesus appeared to William, question about Catholic guilt and how to let it go and know Jesus as a friend. A mother asked if her awakening could help her troubled child. Lots more as well.

126 "Leave It As It Is", Tibetan Wisdom with Longchenpa

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

What if wrestling with life and trying to control every aspect is precisely what's keeping you from the peace and happiness you seek? Join me as we unlock the ancient wisdom of Tibetan Dzogchen master, Longchenpa, and explore his profound suggestion to 'leave it as it is.' This episode is a heartfelt invitation to let go of the exhausting grip we so often maintain on our lives. In this short 3-minute meditative talk, you can experience the art of allowing and surrender, illuminating how these concepts can help uncover the ever-present radiant bliss within us. Together, we'll navigate the idea of letting go, exploring how this act of surrender can reconnect us with our inner peace and happiness. Even on days when allowing seems too difficult, there’s no shame in embracing where you are. Let's relax, rest our weary hearts, and find solace in the present moment. Take a break from the relentless need to control and discover the peace that comes with simply being. I look forward to sharing more insights with you next time. Take care.

You can find my contemplation number 13 under contemplations on my website, www.williamecooper.wordpress.com

125 Let Your Light Shine

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500

If we lived in a dark world that was without light we might try to cope and understand through philosophy, science, relationships, psychotherapy, thinking, emoting, talking, etc. Yet nothing would help us all as much as a single person lighting a candle.

From my contemplation number 14 on my website,
www.williamecooper.wordpress.com

124 Heart Shining Through

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500

Your heart shines through and around emotional layers and colors. I describe a large painting I did where the white canvas shines through just like your Being shines through. This is from my contemplation number 15 on my website, www.williamecooper.wordpress.com

123 Non Attachment - "The Great Way"

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500

How is non attachment is possible? Short of repression we only will let go if we trade for something better. Ultimate non attachment, therefore, is only possible in Awakening. In Oneness we are All. Everything has become us. From my contemplation number 19 on my website. The story about the Abbott recounted as heard on a podcast by Jack Kornfield. Thank you!

www.williamecooper.wordpress.com.

122 "Why Aren't My Blocks Dissolving? Christianity Fear, Angels, Trust" Q & A

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500

In this Q & A somebody asks why their Blocks are not dissolving in meditation, they are afraid of Christianity, want to talk to angels. We also talk about letting go in general and the importance of trust and how to experience trust. Another asks if they have to experience their negative stories in order to let them go. Etc.
Though I am a psychotherapist and these podcasts are offered to be spiritually helpful, they are not psychotherapy. If psychotherapy is ever needed, please reach out to a psychotherapist.

121 Relaxing Into Happiness

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0500

You are Happiness (Being) right now and always. Nothing to do but enjoy. Yet we often feel blocked from our Selves by our troubles. We develop preferences to protect us from being triggered and feeling our repressed pain blockages. Our life becomes small. What to do? Let's do the opposite repression. When we become triggered or feel our tensions or pain in anyway, just relax and let it flow. The pain will come up, release its energy and dissipate....gone. As more and more troubles release you become clearer and can feel and experience your innate Joy once again. Who would you be without your troubles? This "Relaxing into Happiness" Practice may be all you need. It is simple yet profound. If you would like to explore this practice more deeply you can listen to any or all of my previous podcasts, "Awakening Together, Relaxing into Happiness". They are thorough and very good. I recommend starting with number one. Also Michael Singer's books, "Untethered Soul", "The Surrender Experiment", and "Living Untethered" are all fun, easy, deep and so worth your while. His free recorded talks on the Temple of the Universe site are excellent as well.

120 - Opening to Joy - Q & A

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 20:00:00 -0500

In this dynamic Q & A we discussed the relationship between trust and clarity, meditation, "Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?". Another asked, now that she experiences unfathomable joy why does she feel like shutting down as she did when experiencing negative emotions? Another asked
how to cope with anger?
Though I am a psychotherapist and these podcasts are offered to be spiritually helpful, they are not psychotherapy. If psychotherapy is ever needed, please reach out to a psychotherapist.

119 How Do I Stop My Thoughts and Stay in the Present? Q & A

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:00:00 -0400

A beginning meditator is working her way through these podcasts starting at 1, the introduction, and moving forward. She wrote in asking how to stop her thoughts and her mind from roaming and how to stay in the present? Though I am a psychotherapist and these podcasts are offered to be spiritually helpful, they are not psychotherapy. If psychotherapy is ever needed, please reach out to a psychotherapist.

118 Release, Awakening, Clarity, Teachers, Addiction, Forgiveness - Q & A

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Great Q & A! We discussed Awakening, How to Release into Clarity, Addiction, Forgiveness, What is Source, Some good Teachers and Radiant Beings, Living with and loving Narcissistic family members, etc. Though I am a licensed Psychotherapist, none of these podcasts are psychotherapy or a substitute for psychotherapy. They are meant to be helpful on your spiritual path. If you ever suspect you need a psychotherapist, please reach out to one. Often they offer a free first consultation to see what might be helpful to you.

117 - You're Shining Always, Living with a Narcissist - Q & A

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 21:00:00 -0400

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness. Great Q & A! Your Being is Always shining as Love, Peace, and Fulfillment. Sometimes we are either too distracted or possibly too blocked by our repressed pain to experience our Selves. "I'm Awakened" and don't want to be entangled by too much information. What to do? "I live with a Narcissist." Etc....
Though I am a psychotherapist and these podcasts are offered to be spiritually helpful, they are not psychotherapy. If psychotherapy is ever needed, please reach out to a psychotherapist.

116 Center, Connect, Awaken and Shine - Q & A

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In this live Q & A we discussed resting in our ever present radiance without the need to jump out of our center. We often can become twisted and unhappy when we are lost in tasks beyond our skill levels. What does "Being in the Now" really mean? In the "Now" with an active mind? Being completely open and flowing with all emotions. What is the relation of connection to Peace and Well Being. What are we to do in life? Losing the fear of panic attacks. Etc.

Each podcast in this series on awakening stand on their own. However they also build on each other so are are most powerful if listened to in sequence from the first one and on.

Though I am a psychotherapist and these podcasts are offered to be spiritually helpful, they are not psychotherapy. If psychotherapy is ever needed, please reach out to a psychotherapist.

115 Hurry Sickness - Waiting To Feel Good? Live Q & A

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 22:00:00 -0400

Beneath thoughts and emotions are our "positions or postures" in life. These are our unconscious assumptions. They guide the emotions and thoughts that occur from them. One posture is that I will feel good when I accomplish my goal. By holding that posture one has to squelch their innate joy of Being which always feels good in order to wait until that task is fulfilled. This can include spiritual practices. " I will feel good after my meditation". Implying I can't just feel good now. Lots of implications and aspects come out in this live discussion.

114 Gurus, Jesus, Awakening, Process To Release Suffering - Live Q & A

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 21:00:00 -0400

Great questions asked in this live Q & A we discussed the process of awakening and it's relation to releasing suffering. How to release suffering. How is suffering useful. Is it better to be spontaneous or do step by step practices? Is it possible to awaken using guided meditations? Are they helpful and how? Can gurus take your suffering? Can one experience awakening and know one's true Self? How? Etc.

113 Guru Bhakti, PTSD, Teacher Attachment - Q&A

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:00:00 -0400

In this live session we start with Guru Bhakti. Devotion to the guru as a method of awakening. We talk about what to do when you are attached to your teacher. Someone with PTSD who is no longer traumatized by it yet still affected by it. We discuss how to heal and release that PTSD. We also discussed that psychotherapy can be highly effective.

112 Can Gurus Give Awakening Transmissions Now? Who? Where? How? Q & A

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0400

In this live session we discuss transmissions for awakening, love, healing, and powers. Gurus that give them, how to contact them and how it works. Yes William first started meditating in 1973. He is a licensed psychotherapist who has a 4 year Masters of Theology, but he has also experienced these transmissions thousands of times. He uses this experience and one grounded in years in India spread over 14 visits where he sat with 100s of awakened Beings, Bhutan, Brazil, and Thailand to give context to this discussion.

111 Who am I? Letting Go, Toxic Home, Pain Can help - Q & A

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 22:00:00 -0400

Live Q & A to supplement and deepen our spiritual growth regardless of our personal path. We discussed, "Who am I?", How to grow in a toxic home environment, How can I let go?, Pain can help, etc.

110 There are only Two things Inside - Q & A

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Live session Q & A. Some topics discussed are, there are only two things inside....Being and tension. Any tension is not you and does not flow from your Being. How to let it go? Inner Joy. Be as a joyful child. Do I need a teacher or can I sit still with my Self and my Truth? Do I need to visualize or can I trust that life is unfolding perfectly for me? Why Baby steps? One asked, "Why don't I feel joy? While another reported that suddenly she does feel Joy!" Etc.

109 Letting Go, Awakening Meditation, Miracles, Spirit Guides - Q & A

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400

In this live Q & A, we discussed Spirit guides and different ways to interact with them. How they can be helpful but not necessary to one's path of awakening. For full awakening best to transcend them rather than be attached to them. Manifestation and miracles, ego dissolution, etc were also discussed. All in service of becoming clear, letting go of what is not you as you relax and become familiar with You. Self Realization....Awakening.

108 Awakening - Light Dissolving Guilt, Dissociation, Suffering - Q & A

Mon, 22 May 2023 11:00:00 -0400

These Live Q & A sessions are to clarify, support, encourage each other on our spiritual paths...all centered around awakening. We discussed Awakening, dissociation, why we suffer, being captured by our thoughts and emotions in meditation, dissolving quilt, changing our behaviors to be helpful to us, others, and to support our awakening.

107 Happiness, Releasing, Work, Beginning Meditation, Vulnerability - Q & A

Thu, 11 May 2023 16:00:00 -0400

In this live Q&A we discuss any issue related to our Awakening Path. How to be Happy, how to get unstuck, how to approach a new job when anxious, where to turn for good instruction in beginning meditation, the difficulty of healing our shadow side and bringing it back into our active life, living from vulnerability.

106 You Can Awaken! My Personal Practice - Q & A

Wed, 03 May 2023 22:00:00 -0400

Topics discussed in this Live Q & A are How to work with Negative thought Loops, Why are we here in the world, Can I be in the world but not of it, What is my personal practice now, Can you be awakened, Is pain the same as your Radiance? Etc.

105 Guided Meditation to Manifest

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

A short powerful guided meditation to manifest. Learn and then do on your own. Create and experience the vibration of already having and enjoying your desire. The universe will then rush in to manifest (create) in reality what matches this vibration that you are now experiencing. The vibration of your dreams and desires. To make this meditation more powerful do two additional things. First make a plan and start to do things in this world to accomplish this vision. Take a step and let Grace complete the other 999 steps to make your dreams happen. Taking practical steps activates all of your nervous system, body and mind to be congruent with your vision and transmutes vision into creation. Baby steps though. Be easy. Second, write down vision and/or create a vision board. See, write, and do..... and Grace manifests for you.

104 Awakening, Jesus, Healing Trauma - Q & A

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Lots of warm sharing. Live discussion on steps on our path of Awakening. Other topics included Suffering, Jesus Love vs Christian guilt, Healing Trauma or PTSD, Awakening Books, Internal Family Systems, connection, letting go etc.

103 Walking Meditation

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

What is the value of a walking meditation? How does it work? Why do we walk slowly? Do we have to? How is walking meditation different than a seated meditation? We explore these questions and others as we prepare to do a walking meditation.

102 Clarity, Manifestation, Politics and Light, India Q & A

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Topics discussed in this live cast included, what to do when you feel overwhelmed and confused, Is manifestation a doing or an automatic flow? Light, darkness, action and stillness in politics? What was India like on our recent trip?

101 Supportive Meditation

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In this podcast we learn to enjoy being supported by all the loving energy around us. We first connect, relax, and enjoy our root chakra soaking up the love around us. From our root we move up our spine and enjoy that same connection one chakra at a time all the way to our crown and back.

100 Ego dissolution, Awakening, PTSD - Q & A

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 17:00:00 -0400

First live session since India. Discussion around awakening, experiencing yourself as Light, Love, Peace, etc and letting go of the rest. How to gently dissolve the ego. What is awakening like? Dissolving PTSD and other emotional blocks that just do not release. Why Baby steps and how? How and what melts exiled emotions? Etc.

99 Practicing Infinite Flow Meditation

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The universe and beyond is us. All flows through our body naturally. In this meditation we enjoy the universe flowing from above down through our crown then our third eye and back up to our crown and out, then our throat and back up to our crown and out, heart, solar plexus and back up to our crown and out, genital area and back up to our crown and out, base of our spine and back up to our crown and out. Then back up from the base of our spine nicely up to our crown and out back through each of our chakras. Let's practice together : )

98 Practicing Chakra Dhyana Meditation

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

We practice this meditation together in order to activate our 7 energy centers or chakras that are located from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each chakra is vibrated with a different Sanskrit Beeja mantra which resonates with that particular chakra. Beeja mantras are root mantra which have special powers. This meditation is another way to open you up and let your energies flow naturally.

97 Practicing 3 Body Based Meditations for Healing and Awakening

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

We often use our body to store painful thoughts, emotions, habits, and tensions. Our body can reflect this burden with shutting down blocking your full awakening and expressive flow in the universe. This clamping down on our body can cause high blood pressure and various other health issues. In this podcast we practice 3 different body-oriented meditations to release and cleanse the body and its posture of holding these old troubles. First is a release through tension, second is toning, third is placing a smile energy in each body part internally.

96 Practicing the Awakening Meditation

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In this podcast we review and practice the Awakening Meditation. This meditation is much like a mantra meditation except there is no verbal mantra. Instead, the mantra is your Being. You stay connected and aware of your Being while you watch everything else and let it either pass or dissipate and melt back into the same Bliss that you are. Let go of thoughts, emotions and melt back into your Self.

95 Practicing a Mantra Meditation - Part 3

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In this podcast we explore and practice one type of mantra meditation. This is a very easy yet powerful meditation and a great starting meditation for those new to meditation. This meditation utilizes mantras or sounds that have no meaning, therefore, the mind can't get involved with them. Sit down, relax, take a nice breath with your eyes closed and repeat your mantra silently. Now every time a thought comes up, rather than become involved with it you simply repeat your mantra instead and let both your mantra and your thought go. Since you are not being captured by your thoughts you are free to relax deeper and deeper into your Being. Other variations on this meditation are the "Relaxation Response" and the Christian version called "Centering Prayer".

94 Mantra Meditations - Part 2

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

We explore power of mantra content, vibration, effects, and give examples. Seed Mantra meditation to open your chakras and centering prayer with your personal mantras. Mantras to replace negative self-talk, mantras to manifest, Toning for healing, Root mantras, etc. We discuss Ramana's suggestion for use of mantras and all spiritual practices. We'll practice some of these mantra based meditations in the following podcasts. You pick which ones work best for you.

93 Mantra Meditations - Part 1

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500

What are mantras and how do we use them? First, in part 1 we explore one kind of mantra meditation and its' use of mantra sounds with no meaning. Next we look at the awakening meditation's use of mantras from the heart. Sathya Sai Baba observed, "A pure thought from a pure heart is better than a mantra". We explore this heart mantra in relation with the Unity Church mantra, "There is one presence and one power moving in and through us - in divine and perfect order." We'll practice some of these mantra based meditations in the podcasts following part 2. You pick which ones work best for you.

92 Awakening and Psychotherapy? Free?

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Psychotherapy is not awakening but it can help release places inside that are blocking Awakening. Carl Jung, Ramana, and Carl Rogers and spiritual bypasses are discussed. For those who feel that therapy could be useful different ways of access are discussed including free methods of co-counseling not limited to Reevaluation Counseling, Co-counseling international, al anon, adult children of Alcoholics, psychotherapeutically assisted psychedelics, Enneagram, etc. All designed to give everyone options based on need and usefulness to themselves. Finally, remember local spiritual groups for support as well. Great place to meet others and to support you on your path.

91 Two simple Awakening truths

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:00:00 -0500

After years of intensive practice, I discovered two very obvious and simple truths of Awakening. The first is that the deepest part of me is beyond existence so can't be found through the mind or senses. I can only know this deepest aspect of my center through my intuition. Not knowing this I looked in the wrong places including aspects of my personality. Second, awakening in the body requires me to let go of every vibration that is not happiness, peace, or love. Awakening through my body flows with qualities of Being. Match what I feel, hold on to, and flow with what I Am. Let everything else go. I explain all this in this podcast.

90 Amazing Books that Awaken

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This is a discussion and listing of a number of powerful books that help you on your path of awakening. Examples are, The Infinite Way, The Untethered Soul, The Surrender Experiment, Living Untethered, Autobiography of a Yogi, In Search of a Secret India, I am That, Pointers from Nisargadatta, Any book by Thich Nhat Hahn, Tao Te Ching, Bhagavad Gita, Essential Rumi, Tibetan book of Living and Dying, Power of Now, There is a River, and Loving What Is. Not included in the podcast but good, easy, and fun is Ram Das's book, "Be love now"

89 Discovering Your Life's Purpose

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 19:00:00 -0500

Many have been and are interested in the purpose of their life. Is there such a thing? Bhagavan has said that, "Life is for living" and "Life is relationships" and "To see is to be free". Joseph Campbell suggests that we match our heartbeat with that of the universe, match our nature with Nature. Bhagavan feels that whatever is destined will happen regardless of your efforts. Jesus and Buddha have their perspectives as well. We look within to find our own answers and harmonize all these and other observations.

88 Inauspicious Awakening, Release vs Repression, etc - Q & A

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500

This recording of a live session has been edited for length, clarity, and to be helpful.

In this last live question and answer session before India we discussed the usefulness of being triggered during the holidays to see and work on one's reactions, shadow work, journaling, forgiveness, psychotherapy is different yet complimentary to awakening, inauspicious awakening, difference between release and repression, working with the inner child, treating our inner self the way Jesus treated me when he appeared to me, Possibility of live sessions from India on insight timer, etc.

87 Releasing "Christian" Guilt and Fear

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 17:00:00 -0500

Unfortunately millions of people experience "Christian" fear and guilt. As a college student I came to church with an open heart hoping and trusting for a deeper opening and Christian support. Love quickly turned into guilt and fear of what I was taught could be a severe and punishing God. After two years I knew something was wrong so I enrolled in a 4 year residential theological program at Harding School of Theology to sort things out. There, I received an incredibly high-quality education culminating in a Masters of Theology. In this podcast I relate what helped me release my Christian guilt and go deeper on my path to eventual awakening.

86 Layers of Awakening, Monkey Mind, Losing Awakening - Q & A

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 14:00:00 -0500

This is an edited recording of a live Q & A which continued some of the topics of the previous Q & A podcast. This podcast is another great discussion about the experience of awakening including the awakening experience of one of the participants. Also, about meditation and the monkey mind, layers of awakening, the experience of awakening and then "losing awakening", shadow work, Jesus's experience leading to awakening, worshiping God, cultural aspects of religion, etc.

85 Creating your own God

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500

You can't connect deeply to a God you fear. Bhagavan suggested that there are two paths to awakening, Spiritual practices or simply praying to God to do the work and awaken you. For you to ask God to awaken you, you have to be able to connect to that God. Since God is infinite, God can be seen in a way that bypasses your psychology. So if you love women and are afraid of men, have a female God. The growth formula, prayer, gods, etc are discussed. I think this podcast will make a lot more sense once you have listened to it than it likely does now. See what you think.

84 Existence of God?

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500

What is God and does "God" exist? Many have been stuck on their path of awakening because they haven't known how to address this question. Many feel alone in an absurd meaningless universe. Camu and Sartre founded the existentialist and absurdist philosophies based on this predicament. If this is a concern and one has existential angst in life one might not even be aware of where it is coming from. Nonetheless, this anxiety can shut down the personality to life and, therefore, awakening. Let's explore some possible answers to what an essential question for some may be.

83 What is Awakening Like? Q & A

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0500

In this recording of a live session, participants asked, "What it is like to be awakened, what kind of spiritual practices and meditation do I do, why are their meditations not deep". We talked about beneficial guidance from angels, Jesus, my guru, etc. Its helpful but we can go beyond all of that. What is it like to awaken through a guru and do you need a guru?

82 - Relaxing into your Radiance

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Your innate nature is incredible radiance of peace, love, and joy. Nothing you have to do. It is flowing through you now just as strongly as it flowed through Jesus and Buddha. But why doesn't it feel so? Because we have frozen much of it into pain. Just look inside and feel what you feel. Look outside and see the world you have created. Pain emits lots of radiance. Even a life of pain is born of love....even if maladaptive. How to let it all melt back into recognizable and enjoyable love and wellness? Let's explore together.

81 Archangel Michael and Jesus Appear, Inner Trust - Q & A

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0400

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

This live session was open to all and designed to support your awakening process. A participant asked William to recount his surprise experience with Archangel Michael and Jesus. Separately but related we talked about Inner Trust.

80 Traveling India 4 (practical tips)

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

So many on the path to awakening are curious about traveling to India. Many would like to go but are not sure how or what to do once there. This four-part series is designed to give you a starting place. We describe a bit of the spirit and culture of India. What to expect and possibly where to start if you decide to travel to India. Interesting even if you do not. William has been to India 14 times averaging 12 weeks per visit. He has also explored spirituality in Bhutan, Thailand, and Brazil. He gives a general description of travel in India in parts 1 - 3 and practical tips for travel in this part 4.

79 Traveling India 3

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

78 Four Aspects of Awakening, India, Bhutan - Q & A

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 15:00:00 -0400

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

In this live session, participants sent in questions concerning their process of awakening. We discussed four aspects of awakening, experiencing your Being, trusting that the universe is you and knows what to do....the personality does not have to know all, releasing all that you are not, and letting your body open into this infinite trust and flow with the qualities of your Being, Peace, Love, Wellbeing, Happiness. Discussed India, Bhutan, and powerful ashrams in the US.

77 Traveling India 2

Sat, 08 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

76 Travel to India? 1 of 4

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

So many on the spiritual path are curious about India. Many have considered going but it can seem like a daunting task. Where to begin? Where to go? This is the first of a 4 part series on traveling to India. I have traveled to India 14 times for around 12 weeks per trip. In these podcasts I give you my sense of India, perspective and a place to start. In the last of this series I give you practical travel tips. The book that best conveys my experience in India is "A search for a secret India" by Paul Brunton. And of course, there is the old classic, "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Yogananda. I would read them in that order.

75 Dissolving Trances, Awakening with a Guru or Not? - Q & A

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

This is a recording of a Live Q & A which has been edited for clarity, length, and helpfulness.

The live sessions are an opportunity for anyone to ask questions that come up during their awakening process. It supports the previous 74 podcasts but does not require that you have listened to them. We discussed the 3 steps of awakening meditation, the process of awakening, various practices, the hypnotic trances we live and how to dissolve them, awakening through a guru or not, mantra meditation, etc.

74 Transforming into Happiness

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

We are fractured into 1000 inner voices and personalities. When one comes up, step into it and own it. Then let it update its files and notice that something has changed since it was created. Life is much better, and You (it) are the ground of all Being....Peace, Happiness and Love. Ask your small inner hurting personality if that is better or worse than when it was created under painful circumstances. If it says yes, then invite it to drink it in and melt into Your Well Being. Take baby steps and pendulate from the hurt to the wellness until all that was hurting melts into Your (its) Wellness. The intensity of the pain is the same intensity as the radiance it melts and transforms into. As always, if things are too intense consider a psychotherapist to give you balance in your transformation. Otherwise, baby steps. Easy does it.

73 Awakening, Illusion vs Delusion, Manifestation, Letting go - Q & A

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 15:00:00 -0400

Periodic live Q&A sessions are to give the listeners a forum to ask questions they have about their process of awakening. In this edited session we discussed the process of awakening, letting go, Maya, illusion vs delusion, grief, trust, manifesting those things you want and don't want, books supporting the awakening process, etc. "The Infinite Way" by Joel Goldsmith on seeing clearly. And, "In Search of a Secret India" Paul Brunton, "Bhagavad Gita", Jack Hawley. Etc.

72 Centered

Sun, 04 Sep 2022 20:00:00 -0400

As we meditate and go through our day how do we keep from getting lost in our dramas. It is easy to escape through our daydreams, thoughts, wallowing in our emotions, relational drama, etc. It is one thing to be aware of our dramas and it is another to be captured in our dramas. How can we be in this world but not of it? Enjoying everything yet being attached to nothing. How can we stay in our center?

71 Inner Pain, No Awakening, Gurus, Psychedelics - Q & A

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Edited recording of live session to support our path of awakening. Listeners submit questions during this live podcast that they have regarding their path or the previous 70 podcasts. Questions included, how to cope with great inner pain, why no awakening after decades of meditation, use of marijuana, psychotherapy assisted psychedelics, do I need a guru, how to find a guru, etc.

70 The Whole Universe Surrenders to a Still Mind

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 16:00:00 -0400

"To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders." Lao Tsu. In awakening is clarity and in clarity the power of You (the One and infinite) shines through. Creation reforms around your clarity in a whole and flowing way. We explore clarity and creation in this podcast. In this podcast I referred to one of my writings called "Miracles". In it I describe "Miracles" I have personally experienced. This writing is on my website www.williamecooper.wordpress.com under the writings tab.

69 Connect to Awaken

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Is it necessary to meditate to awaken. Nope! The common theme of most awakening practices is one of connection. Connecting to nature or your breath or your feelings. Or, best, connecting to everything.....life as it is.

68 Does The Unconscious Exist? Best Way to Meditate - Q & A

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Does the unconscious mind exist? What happens in meditation? What's the best way to meditate? What dissolves in meditation? How? This is an edited version of a live Q & A with these and other questions discussed supporting past podcasts and/or one's individual path of awakening.

67 Why Am I Regressing?

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

In this podcast William responds to a listener who wrote, "I am on my awakening journey. It has been amazing the last few months. Deep awareness during waking hours. The silence has been so beautiful. Now I seem to have regressed. Meditation continues to be amazing flowing with acceptance, surrender and kundalini, etc. But when my eyes are open, I'm procrastinating, avoiding doing things, etc. Why can I experience myself as Awareness during meditation but not when I am active? I seem to be holding back or something. It used to be so easy."

66 - Two Types of Meditation, Nonattachment, Painful Meditation - Q & A

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 11:00:00 -0400

Edited live session where listeners participated in questions and answers supporting their practice. All of these podcasts are designed to enhance and support the listeners path to awakening whatever that might be. In this podcast we addressed the main two types of meditation and how to do them. Meditation for calmness and meditation for awakening. Also, we address the nature of the observer. Additionally, what are the effects of simply ignoring troubles and focusing on Awareness versus experiencing troubles and Awareness together. Another asked the meaning and experience of "Being in the world but not of it". And another asked why meditation is so hard and not peaceful.

65 Standing as Your Self

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 17:00:00 -0400

You are always a Radiant awake Being! But why don't we feel that we are? Because we cover up our radiance. We are innately happy but we postpone allowing ourselves to experience our Happiness. Can we simply stop postponing and stand as who we are....as Awake, Happy Beings? Ramana said, "The only difference between you and me is that I know I am awake and you don't know that you are." Awake is not the issue. Knowing it is. What? Have a Listen : )

64 Awakening, Deconstruction, Psychedelics - Live Q & A

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 14:00:00 -0400

An edited recording of a live session with questions from participants concerning their path of awakening. Great information but sound quality on this recording is only adequate.
Topics covered were psychedelic drugs and awakening, awakening is us without our "problems", meditation, deconstruction of old mental emotional constructs that are now blocking awakening, passing of SivaShakti, etc.

63 - Balance

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 01:00:00 -0400

We can relax into life because it is all as it should be. Our life is being handled by us, the Infinite. We can trust because the One is Love and is us. We love ourselves and will take care of us. All is happening as it should. Let life figure it out while we relax. Are we ever called to do anything then? Yes because we are part of the One. We are guided by our intuition or our fear depending on where we are in our awakening. This and more.

62 - Do we have Free Will?

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 01:00:00 -0400

What is our role in society and our lives?. Does the personality have free will? Who is running our lives? Do we disappear as individuals when we "awaken"? Are we God? Why do some people choose evil?

61 India, Releasing negatives, Medications, Psychotherapy? - Q & A

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

This edited question and answer session supports one's path of awakening. Among questions discussed were how to let go of negative thoughts, are medications helpful or harmful to awakening, Where is a good place to start in one's travels to India, is psychotherapy helpful, etc. Great info but audio quality is only adequate.

60 Social Action and Awakening

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 01:00:00 -0400

With so much hurt and pain around us how are we to respond? "Evil abounds when good men do nothing." Is social action called for or not? War? Protest? Prayer? How are we to be in our world? Does awakening or meditation change to world?

59 The Process of Awakening, Where to Start? Q & A

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

This edited recording of first question and answer live event held. Designed to address questions on our path of Awakening. It also supports these awakening podcasts, Awakening Together. Topics include what happens on the path of awakening and what is a good way to start one's spiritual path. Great information but audio quality only adequate.

58 - Living as the Infinite

Tue, 31 May 2022 01:00:00 -0400

What happens when we open up into our Selves......when the Divine becomes us and we mostly disappear? Do we find ourselves "In the world but not of it?" How do we experience life from here? Let's talk!

57 - Relaxing into Trust

Tue, 24 May 2022 01:00:00 -0400

Life can be so stressful when we feel that it is up to us to get everything right. What if it turns out that the entire universe is conspiring to help us? Why? Because it is us. And it is Love so we love ourselves naturally. We explore the power of the Infinite guiding and supporting us.

56 Trusting My Problems

Tue, 17 May 2022 01:00:00 -0400

As we continue to explore different ways to fall into Trust, we look at a current problem in our lives as a portal into our awakening. How can problems be helpful to us? Join me as we take a look.

55 - Illusion, Delusion, and Trust

Mon, 09 May 2022 01:00:00 -0400

Everything is ok in our world and lives, yet it does not always feel that way. Is the world an illusion or a delusion? To see is to be free. What happens as the delusion melts? Trust happens.

54 - Trust, duality and Oneness

Sun, 01 May 2022 01:00:00 -0400

As we continue to deepen in our Trust, we open and relax into Oneness. Here we explore the question of why is the world as it is. It seems that the perfect has created the imperfect. How can we trust that? How can we approach living in this kind of world?

53 - How to Experience Trust

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0400

To awaken deeply we must open completely. To open completely we must trust completely. In complete Trust is complete opening. In complete opening there is only oneness. How do we start to Trust that deeply? Start by trusting what is. Let's stop and notice our experience now. The direct experience of our thoughts and feelings now. As we trust this simple action do we open some,....into our deepest Being? That's a start.....let's see where it takes us.

52 - Melting Problems

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0500

Often, we are haunted by old emotions and thoughts. We can't seem to release them. We explore this phenomenon of being stuck with our "past". And then we explore some simple steps to dissolve our troubles. We are multidimensional Beings, and each dimension requires and responds to a different kind of tool. In this podcast we explore one of these deep and powerful tools. This is not psychotherapy or a substitute for it.

51 - Astrological Cycles and Awakening

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -0400

A couple of simple observations on Astrology and Awakening taken from my experiences in India. Astrology is very important in India. Every event is scheduled around auspicious times based on astrology. The fundamentally important principle is one the Light of Being dispelling the darkness of ignorance. As our solar system comes closer and is illuminated by the star Sirius, we are in the Satya Yuga or age of truth. Everyone is enlightened effortlessly. When we are in the Kali Yuga we are in the age of darkness and far from the light from the star Sirius. At the end of the Mayan Calendar around December of 2012 we transitioned from being as far away as we could be from Sirius into going back towards Sirius. It doesn't take much light to be able to see again. A match will light a dark room. Now we see how bad it has been but also notice that lots of us are attracted to meditation and yoga suddenly as we seek to be guided by our inner Light. We discuss this and more in light of this phenomena.

50 - Your Multidimensional Awakening

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0400

You are a vast multidimensional Being. As your blocks release you open and see multiple aspects of your Self incarnated. You experience both a core awakening as well as multiple localized awakenings all through your incarnation. Awakening flows down through all of you as you experience awakenings in your chakra system, body, mind, emotions, boundaries, Oneness, clarity into clairvoyance, other Beings and realities, nutrition, etc. Often awakening is mistakingly discussed in a 2-dimensional fashion when it is experienced as multidimensional.

49 - Guided Meditation for Forgiveness

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0400

This Guided Meditation for Forgiveness stands alone and also supplements the previous guided meditation on Forgiveness and Release as well as podcast 47 on Forgiveness. In this guided meditation you are guided to relax, picture the person that you want to forgive, feel what comes up for you, let it burn off a bit and then soak up the healing power of your Being, Divine, etc. As you relax into your healing depth and all tensions, hurts, thoughts, etc. release you begin to see the person who has hurt you shrink into a small child. You see their wounds and gain a perspective on why they have acted the way they have. From there, if you chose, you let the love you are now overflowing with flow into their wounds and heal them. You look them in the eyes and say, " I forgive you". Now you chose how to interact with this person or not. Do not drive and only listen when you are sitting or lying down fully attentive. You can stop anytime if this meditation arouses too many deep feelings.

48 - Guided Meditation for Forgiveness and Release

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0400

This Guided Meditation for Forgiveness stands alone and also supports the previous podcast on Forgiveness and Awakening. In it you are guided to relax, picture the person that you want to forgive, feel what comes up for you, let it burn off until you are no longer affected by those bad actions of the other. From there what is left to forgive? You are free. They are recognized as having the problem rather than you. At the same time you do not condone the malign actions of the other and implement appropriate boundaries if necessary. If you wish to continue a relationship with this person you do so from a freer and clearer place. Do not drive and only listen when you are sitting or lying down fully attentive. You can stop anytime if this meditation arouses too many deep feelings. This is not psychotherapy. If you ever feel it would be helpful to you, please consult a psychotherapist.

47 - Forgiveness and Awakening

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 19:00:00 -0400

You are a shining Light....Radiance and Love itself. To the degree we don't experience this we are covered and crusted over. Jesus was an amazing example of letting his Light shine. As he said, "Don't cover your Light with a basket. Let it shine". We explore forgiveness as maybe the major lynch pin for opening up and letting go of the blocks that cover us up.

46 - Guided Meditation for Relaxation

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 03:00:00 -0400

Guided meditation to melt into the Peace that we are. Our Being is Peace and our creations such as tensions, thoughts, and emotions can melt back into that Peace until there is only Peace. This meditation guides us back into our Being, the Peace that passes all understanding. Please do not practice this meditation while driving or any activity except sitting or lying down ready to enjoy letting go into relaxation.

45 - Easy and Happy

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 20:00:00 -0400

This week our practice is Being rather than doing. So often we are afraid to connect to life and ourselves because we don't know what to do once we do connect. How do we act with others? What do we say? How do we deal with our own stories? With our guilt, fear, shame, anger, hurt, etc.? So, we dissociate from life, from others and from our selves. When we walk on the beach, we just are....there is nothing to figure out. So, we experience our Happy Being easily. In this practice we explore connecting to life fully from our Happy Being without feeling that we have to do anything more than connect. No skillset required. So, we can be freed to enjoy our Selves and our connections without worry.

44 - Finding and Opening into your Yogic Heart Path.

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0400

The blocking mind is fragile and thin. The Awe and happiness experience when you are in contact with the slightest beauty or success is your true Being. It is always present behind the thin veneer of ego. There and many paths to opening including yogic ones. Which are yours?
What are the mechanics of opening and staying open? We explore these topics in this podcast.

43 - Connect and your Beauty flows!

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0400

Knowing your Being and connecting to all else is essential for awakening. So often we think the spiritualized mind is our Being and get stuck in using the mind to awaken the mind. Additionally, we can spend years "watching" the mind rather than connecting with it. While watching is helpful to detach, connecting is essential to transform and heal. They are vastly different. In this podcast we explore knowing our Being as well as understanding and healing through connection.

42 - Life is your Guru

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0400

Life is your Guru. We close off because of trauma or attachment. Being closed off to ourSelves we experience hurt, fear and anger which we repress in our minds, emotions and ultimately our bodies. Closed and in pain we do not flow happily. All the pain that is repressed emits a vibration of hurt and life resonates in kind. The law of complimentary vibrations. Awareness is curative and life gives us something such as a problem or person to bring our awareness back to that pain that had been repressed. Life can't be fooled. If we block then live moves to removes those blocks so we can experience Love, Peace and Happiness again.

41 - Gurus and Awakening?

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0400

What is the role of the Guru in awakening? Can they take your karma? Can they give you awakening energetically? Do they do anything more than simply guide you? Do you need a Guru? William discusses his deep "awakening" experiences with Gurus.

40 - This Too Shall Pass

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0400

If your having a difficult day, this podcast will be very powerful for you. We discuss one of the most powerful spiritual truths that, "This Too Shall Pass". No matter how bad things seem right now, it can be so encouraging to know that they will pass...absolutely. In fact one of the four noble truths is that all things are impermanent.
www.williamecooper.wordpress for more.

39 - Manifesting from Oneness (Manifesting part 3)

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0400

In these 3 podcasts we discuss 5 different paths of manifesting in our lives. In the first podcast we explore, Manifesting through following your bliss and Manifesting through prayer. In the second podcast, law of attraction, law of complimentary vibrations. In this podcast, Oneness and creation that flows from awakening. There is an overlap between all of these but the first three are primarily manifestation from the position of separation. The fourth from either separation or Oneness and the fifth from Oneness. For more, read "Ramana, prayer and the law of attraction?" under the "writings" tab at www.williamecooper.wordpress.com

38 - Laws of Attraction and Complimentary Vibrations for Manifesting (part 2)

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 01:00:00 -0400

In this podcast we discuss manifestation through the law of attraction and law of complimentary vibrations. This is the second part of this 3-part series on manifesting. If you like this podcast you may want to check out the podcast before and after which include other paths to manifestation. For more, read "Ramana, prayer and the law of attraction?" under the "writings" tab at www.williamecooper.wordpress.com

37 - Heart and Prayer for manifesting (Manifesting part 1)

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 20:00:00 -0400

In the following podcasts we discuss 5 different paths of manifesting in our lives. In this podcast we explore the first two. Manifesting through following your bliss and manifesting through prayer. Later, law of attraction, law of complimentary vibrations. Finally, Oneness and creation that flows from awakening. There is an overlap between all of these but the first three are primarily manifestation from separation. The fourth from either Oneness or separation and the fifth from Oneness. For more, read "Ramana, prayer and the law of attraction?" under the "writings" tab at www.williamecooper.wordpress.com

36 - Past Lives and Awakening?

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Let's discuss past lives. Do we have past lives? Are they important? Why? Do we need to believe in past lives to awaken? Can they be proven? Hypnosis and past lives. Does Christianity prove reincarnation? Psychology and past lives. Etc.

35 - Karma and Awakening

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 01:00:00 -0400

Let's discuss Karma. What is Karma? Can it be mitigated? Does positive karma cancel out negative karma? What is karma's role in awakening? Can Karma be dissolved? What is meditation's relation to Karma. Can meditation dissolve and heal Karma?

34 - Hurry vs Happiness

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 01:00:00 -0400

Many of us are anxious, stress, time pressured, and not fully present to the joys of our life. In our Un awakened state we feel lacking and pressed to accomplish the next task in order to feel more complete. But then there is the next task and the next. We never really rest, and we can never feel complete by what we do because we are incomplete inside. That is the Un awakened state. We explore our plight and the way back out in this podcast.

33 - Trusting again

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 23:00:00 -0400

We are always One with all. In Oneness we experience complete trust because we are All and, therefore, trust our Selves directly. In Oneness we are Happiness, Love, Peace, Well Being and Trust. We are every good thing. All our former discordant thoughts and tensions have relaxed, released and are gone. Sometimes we do not feel One with All because we have formed emotional barriers. One crucial way to begin melt our delusions of separation is to connect to all that we come into contact. Why do we stop ourselves then?

32 - Relaxing into Happiness

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 01:00:00 -0400

In the realm of awakening there are only two things, our Being and our blocks. Being in touch with our Being and our blocks are equally important. Awakening is Relaxing into Happiness. The path of awakening is one of opening up and relaxing into our ever-present Being. That is felt as the joy of release and relaxation. Our use of yoga or any other techniques should always open us up and feel joyful. If we use a technique in a way that causes us tension, then that technique is closing us to awakening in that moment.

31 - Loving you

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 14:00:00 -0400

Have you ever felt insecure and unloved? Often we are separated from our true loving nature. We may be haunted by feelings of abandonment reflected in our relationships. We don't know how to more fully experience our Loving center. You can though. This podcast explores the how. This is a completely different take on things. You will very quickly be able to verify this within your own self. It's so different that you may have to listen to this podcast a couple of times. It's a game changer. Very practical, powerful, and simple.

30 PTSD Part 5 of 5 - Melting Into Oneness With Internal Family Systems

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 20:00:00 -0400

This is part 5 of a 5 part introduction to PTSD and what I have found helpful in working with PTSD on my path of Awakening.

Another powerful approach to PTSD is Internal Family Systems. This podcast is a brief introduction to this approach so that you will be familiar with it. In the podcast I reference my website resource page, www.williamecooper.wordpress.com where you can find further very helpful supportive information including an audible book by Richard Schwartz walking you through his process. Often, in meditation, we watch our thoughts and emotions. Many of them come and go but some personalities seem stuck. In this episode, we modify some of the thoughts with tools uncovered by Richard Schwarz in Internal Family Systems. He noticed we have many voices and, indeed, personalities inside of us. One part feels one way and another feels another way. We are actually a collection of multiple personalities. Happily, these personalities can reintegrate by relaxing back into our One Being.

Since these podcasts are not psychotherapy, if you ever feel you need more support please contact a psychotherapist. If it's concerning PTSD be sure to ask if the psychotherapist is trained and experienced in working with PTSD.

29 PTSD Part 4 of 5 - Letting Go Beyond Meditation - Somatic Releasing.

Wed, 26 May 2021 01:00:00 -0400

This is part 4 of a 5 part introduction to PTSD and what I have found helpful in working with PTSD on my path of Awakening.

This episode supplements episode 28. The muscle tensions, Brain and Nervous system cramps are best met in a way that meditation and traditional therapy often miss. We explore some simple Somatic releasing as a supplement to your meditation. Videos found at www.williamecooper.wordpress.com on the resources page supplement this information. Please work with this material slowly and gently. Should be suitable for most but if you feel it is too much, please call a therapist.

28 PTSD Part 3 of 5 - Practical Steps To Heal PTSD and Trauma.

Thu, 20 May 2021 16:00:00 -0400

This is part 3 of a 5 part introduction to PTSD and what I have found helpful in working with PTSD on my path of Awakening.

Often, we become stuck and shut down in a way that meditation and other spiritual practices just don't touch. In this episode we discuss PTSD and how to flow again and open up into Oneness. This episode is centered around Peter Levine's work and his book "Healing Trauma" For links to a very helpful powerful supplemental video, etc go to my "resources" page at www.williamecooper.wordpress.com. All free.
To begin to unlock PTSD two steps are especially important. First "Easy does it" go slowly so you don't retraumatize or deepen the existing trauma. Second, the trauma is living in that past and experiencing that past trauma. Let it update it's files as you embody the trauma and shift into the safety and goodness of today rather than then. You '"pendulate" back and forth gently a bit at a time until the contracted trauma can relax into the safe reality of today.

27 PTSD Part 2 of 5 - "Is My Bruised Psyche Blocking My Awakening?"

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 01:00:00 -0400

This is part 2 of a 5 part introduction to PTSD and what I have found helpful in working with PTSD on my path of Awakening.

You are a relaxed beautiful radiant loving Being flowing effortlessly with love......but often we don't feel that way much. Why? We absorbed a "bruise" of inadequacy, fear, discontent, or some other equally untrue feeling. This became our underlying felt sense of ourselves and because it did not feel right we started trying to think our way out of our predicament in order to solve our suffering. But this bruise can't be solved with thought. It is a neurobiological problem and requires different tools. Since we can't solve it, we incessantly hallucinate about it. We can't stop our thoughts....ever...until this bruise is released. We explore some of the steps you can take in your own inner healing.

26 "My Brain is Frozen and I'm Stuck!" PTSD? Part 1 of 5

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 19:00:00 -0400

This is part one of a 5 part introduction to what I have found helpful in working with PTSD. If you find you need more information or help, please consider exploring more deeply outside of this introduction.

Some of us have meditated for decades but are still not awake. Others are radiantly and blissfully awake yet experience anxiety or depression. Why? The brain and or the nervous system possibly have "kindled" or seized up like a muscle cramp and no amount of spiritual practices are helping. Muscle cramps respond to a different approach. We explore the problem in this podcast and the solutions in the podcasts to follow.

25 - Integration - Relaxing into your Awakening

Sat, 22 Aug 2020 15:00:00 -0400

Perhaps one of the most important and overlooked aspects of awakening is integration of the old personality from the inside out. Receiving and relaxing into Happiness is crucial. The traumatized part of our personality was created while we were experiencing separation and alienation. Those files have to be updated with the very simple approach discussed in this podcast. Though powerful, these podcasts are not to be considered psychotherapy. Please find a good therapist if you would like one.

24 - Baby steps - Listening to your Self.

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Awakening is often a two part process. We extract ourselves from all of our distractions and put our attention back on our Selves. We take our foot off the brake and accelerate. In this podcast our attention is on accelerating at our own pace. Baby steps and we'll get there. Let's stay connected with any happiness, peace or well being that we can find. Let's listen primarily to our Selves. What works for us? We are setting the stage for future podcasts where we will explore different practices to facilitate our melting into our beautiful Selves.

23 - You are Oneness and Happiness now.

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 18:00:00 -0400

Taking a pause from practices we look at what we are now and always. We are One. In fact there is no us....only Happiness. There is no connection because there is no two and, therefore nowhere to flow and connect to. There is only the hum of bliss which is everything....creation. And the other side of the same coin which is everything beyond creation. In this podcast we don't postpone experiencing our Self now.

22 - Inner Exploration

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 01:00:00 -0400

We do a meditation to start to explore and be in touch with all the Energy, Bliss, Peace, Love, Happiness, etc that we are....even if it is in a trapped state at the moment. In our meditation we explore what might loosen the bounds of our infinite radiance inside. We will continue this exploration in various future podcasts....especially the ones on PTSD but this is a start to loosen things up inside. This is not psychotherapy in any way and if you could benefit with psychotherapy, then please find a good therapist. It all helps and works together.

21 Notice how you are, then be how you want to be.

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 16:00:00 -0400

Close your eyes and feel your self. What is going on inside? Do you feel tension? Pain? Hurt? Stress? Nothing? Racing thoughts? Troublesome emotions? Anticipation? Love and Peace? What are you experiencing? Don't change anything just notice what you are feeling. You are the infinite energy of Being and always will be. We are using this moment to get a snapshot of how you are choosing to use your clear explosive energy of Bliss and Love. This is the world you are creating. No one else is creating it but you. You are the only one inside of you. Why is it important to look? Because at one time what ever you are feeling now made sense. You created habits of tension, stress, anxiety, etc because you love yourself and it was protective and adaptive at one time. Now that you are stopping and looking you have an opportunity to see if it still serves you. Is it what you want today? You can update your files and make them current. Notice how you treat yourself and others. Are you ever harsh? That's you doing that so you can stop and begin to treat yourself in a way that feels better and that is aligned with the qualities of Being that you are discovering in meditation. Adi Shankara, the 8th century Indian saint who consolidated Advaita Vedanta said that the infinite and the world are one. The world is not an illusion but is experienced as a delusion. Awakening is coming to clear seeing and from there, clear experiencing and relating. We are addressing awakening on many levels because it is happening on many levels. Sometimes it is best to step out of the way of the bus. Let's begin to love our personalities and love others through them because we are Love and that is what feels best. Because it is real. The next podcast is a short meditation to put into experience these principles.

20 - Noticing what's happening in your awakening

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 16:00:00 -0400

We discuss a combination of things that are or will happen in your awakening at this stage in our podcasts. We will explore most parts of this combination much more deeply in future podcasts but are exploring the broad strokes now in this podcast.
We are radiantly One with All. It is only connection. No you or me...only connection....Oneness. Radiant Love, Peace, and Joy. In our path to this normal state of connection or "awakening" we will usually experience a combination of things that melt our separation away.
First we are the only ones that are causing suffering inside of us. We have to stop it or it will not stop.
Second, we have to stop the carrot stick approach many of us use. "I will not relax until I complete my goal." This blocking approach many of us employ is not true to our nature and is very harmful to our health and well being. Third, Awareness is curative so we stop (meditate) and experience more deeply who we are (Being) and the qualities of our Being (Peace, joy, love). We also see through our old structures and let these thoughts and emotions dissolve and dissipate under the bright light of our awareness. Fourth, under these thoughts and emotions is tension felt as a block. It is the block of separation. This block only releases when we are both aware of it and let it "soak up" relaxation and update it's files. It is stuck in a past time and place and will usually not release unless it soaks up the relaxation emanated from the Peace of your Being. Finally, we work with energy meditations to open up the flow between us and all around us. Separation dissolves and all is One. "The Father and I are One.", Oneness, etc.

19 - Letting go of what troubles you

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 18:00:00 -0400

Exploring the importance of letting go in ways that work vs counterproductive letting go. We are looking at how to dissolve inner thought and emotional structures in this and the podcast that follow. Later, we will look at how to integrate our psychology with our Being.

18 - But what about my life, Ramana?

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 17:00:00 -0400

We all want to find our True Selves...why is it so hard? And how do we "find" our True Selves?

17 - Recapping thus far and pulling it all together

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 17:00:00 -0400

Let's pause for a moment and pull together what we have covered thus far. So many meditate for years without much progress. Usually this is because they do not have a clear vision of what they are doing and how to do it. Clear seeing is very important. Ramana used to say that before you figure "your" life out, know who "You" are. Stopping to let everything settle out into clarity is called mediation. Clear seeing gives direction and meditation brings that clarity to our life.

In mediation we stop, relax, and watch everything that we are not melt away. We are left with the pure us.....Happiness, Contentment, Love, and Peace. We relax into the Happiness that we always have been.

16 Importance of Physical Releasing in Awakening

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 11:00:00 -0400

We hold so much tension and stress in our body. It is one of the places we store repressed material, blocks, distress, etc. Often meditation and other spiritual exercises can't reach this material stored in the body nearly as well as physical yoga can. I have found that meditation followed by Yogananda's 39 Energization Exercises is an extremely powerful combination on the path of awakening. You can go to YouTube and search Yogananda's Energization Exercises for instruction. Other types of releasing yoga are briefly mentioned in this podcast.

15 The Unawakened Personality and the Enneagram

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 18:00:00 -0400

The unhealthy personality is not us but, rather, the thoughts and emotions that we have created to get what we mistakenly think we do not have. Because we are separated from our Being we no longer fully experience true Love, Peace, and Happiness. Though we get glimpses from time to time. In order to try to regain Love, Peace, and Happiness we form a getting machine called personality made of tools called thoughts and emotions. There are only 9 ways to form a personality. The enneagram describes these 9 ways. 3 personality types are centered around anger, 3 around abandonment, 3 around fear. The personality that forms tries to get satisfied by manufacturing or capturing, getting, Love, Peace, and Happiness. The harder it tries the more cut off we become. There are many free enneagram tests and description on the internet. Google and see if this info would be helpful but don't get lost in it all. Thankfully we are not our personality and the pain it often causes both within and without. Yes, the personality can be a maladaptive way to try to get what you already are. However it doesn't have to be. Instead we can form and flow into a healthy personality. Our healthy personality can express our Being which is Love, Peace and Happiness.

14 - How Thoughts And Emotions Work

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 10:00:00 -0400

An exploration on both the creative and blocking aspects of thoughts. The utility of using them when they are helpful and letting them go with they are not. How thoughts and emotions work and what they do.

13 - You are a Love Explosion

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 17:00:00 -0400

We connect to who we are. How is Awareness (Being) experienced in clarity? Like a rainbow. One end stretches beyond creation in what might be called empty/fullness. As you come into creation there is an explosion of Light then sound, then bliss, joy, love, happiness and peace. This is what is aware of everything else in meditation. Thoughts and emotions are just structures we have created. They don't think or feel. Once their job is done its best to let them release the energy with which they were created back into their original energy of love, peace and happiness. This is why we meditate.

12 - Coherence Therapy explains why meditation works?

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 17:00:00 -0400

We explore the basic principle behind successful therapies and, more importantly, awakening meditation as found in Coherence Therapy. We can't hold two opposing viewpoints at the same rime. The less true will dissolve away. When we stay as who we are, Being, we can let everything else burn away leaving just Us. That's awakening and Happiness. Pure Being is pure Happiness and Love.

11 - Counteractive Positivity can have its problems.

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 16:00:00 -0400

Direct experience dissolves beliefs yes. But often we resort to counteractive positivity or counteractive actions to distract, relax, relieve, suppress, or repress symptoms. We overlay something on the problem rather than dissolve the problem to start with. Meditation and spiritual practices can be this way.

10 We're Hypnotized! What to do?

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 19:00:00 -0400

Following up on the last Podcast. Our psychological thoughts are endlessly running because they are fueled by the hurt, fear, and anger underlying them. The hurt fear and anger is launched because we have betrayed ourselves. We have become separated from our heart and that shows up as tension and blocks. We have accepted a notion or our selves that is not true....we have actually been hypnotized to believe other than what we are. We are not seeing clearly. When we are separated from ourselves we feel pain.

9 Direct experience vs beliefs - and the anatomy of suffering

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 15:00:00 -0400

Listen to your self and have your own direct experience...question everyone and thing. Believe only if you don't really know. In this podcast we are going to begin to look more deeply at our Being and what motivates our thoughts. Hurt, fear, anger which are made of tension. We are stopping long enough to look for ourselves. We are suffering....how are we making our own suffering? What do we do. To see is to be free. This is one of the first steps into clarity and awakening.

Hey, no one became an astronaut by simply sitting on the couch praying. Many realities are happening all at the same time. Let's be clear and see. Right doing flows from right seeing...

8 Practicing the Awakening meditation together with a bit more instruction

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 19:00:00 -0400

Practicing the Awakening meditation together again. This time a little longer. Continued instruction....just to make sure we are confident in our meditation. We, also, talked some about not leaving our center which is the radiance that we are. From awareness we simply let everything be and experience it as it is. Acceptance really. As we stay in Awareness everything else burns away until all there is is radiant awareness and connection to all around. Oneness. "The Father and I are One"

7 Lets meditate correctly... starting to experience the Awakening Meditation

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 01:00:00 -0400

In this podcast we are making sure we are meditating correctly. This will be a balance of principles of meditation and meditation itself. More meditation in the next podcast.

6 - Some thoughts about the Awakening Meditation

Sat, 13 Jun 2020 20:00:00 -0400

Let's talk about the Awakening meditation and go over some details to build confidence so you know you are doing it properly, On the next podcast we will meditation together and I will talk you through it. By then you will have some experience to evaluate the guidance that you have considered in this podcast.

This meditation starts to burn off all that covers your radiant Being so that you begin to experience yourself as the happiness, peace, well being, love, and bliss that you are.

5 "Why Can't I Meditate Easily?" How Meditation Works.

Sat, 13 Jun 2020 15:00:00 -0400

Our Being is always intensely happy. But we don't always feel powerfully happy and Calm. Why? And can meditation help dissolve what is blocking us and feeling so bad? How? Most are meditating mistakenly thinking it should peaceful and calm and it is not. So we no longer continue. Let's correct some basic misinformation before we actually begin our awakening meditation in the next podcast. Let's start right...even if we are just scratching the surface.

4 Experiencing the truth of who we are

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 19:00:00 -0400

In the last episode we looked at who we are not. Now we begin to look at who we are! We are taking a step by step approach in our awakening into our Selves. Our awakening into Happiness.

3 Seeing our inner clutter

Thu, 28 May 2020 21:00:00 -0400

Before talking deeply about and experiencing awakening let's look at how we experience our inner selves. Let's look at who we are and what we are not. So we can begin to clear out the clutter to better see and appreciate our clear Being. Awakening!

2 What Is Our Endpoint?

Wed, 27 May 2020 19:00:00 -0400

This podcast lays out the direction we will be going. We will be experiencing our true Selves and dissolve the false. We explore the basis of meditation and an Awakened life where we will begin to flow into a more integrated personality that better serves us. More fully Awakened and flowing.

Please note that as you open up and release pains it can be very painful. Consider taking baby steps and stopping each day and resting rather than pushing too hard and becoming overwhelmed. You'll get there in your own time and way. Be kind to yourself.

1 - Introduction - Awakening Together, Relaxing into Happiness

Tue, 26 May 2020 16:00:00 -0400

This is an introduction to the series, Awakening Together, Relaxing into Happiness with William Cooper, Master of Theology, Licensed Professional Counselor. In this series we are exploring a distillation of what he has found most helpful on the path of Awakening over the last 50 or so years. William has experienced everything he talks about in these podcasts. Because truth is timeless and universal his direct experience is supported by timeless teachings. Many have found his clear step by step pointers a game changer.

William has been to India 14 times, Bhutan, Brazil Thailand, etc. He spent 4 years and seminary. He is a licensed psychotherapist and blends East and West into what works for many.

The podcasts are pretty short to start so give them a try and a chance. I can't imagine them not being helpful or supportive in some way....even if you are already experiencing your Self clearly. Always nice to hear how others explain things. I feel it is supportive and deepening.