The Direct Path: A Conversation with Sam Harris

In this conversation, Sam and Stephan discuss the direct approach to self-realization, a path of awakening that draws from nondual wisdom traditions of Zen, Dzogchen-Mahamudra, and Advaita Vedanta, and bypasses elaborate belief systems or self-improvement techniques. 

They also discuss Stephan’s experience learning and teaching Zen meditation, becoming a monk, Stephan’s experience of awakening and integration thereafter, sudden vs. gradual awakening, common misunderstandings about the direct path, and the connection between meditation and ethics as it relates to student-teacher relationships.

Q&A

Deepening Practice

Interview with Phil Goldberg and Dennis Raimundi for their Spirit Matters podcast.

Interview with Michael Taft for the Deconstructing Yourself podcast in which we explore the fascinating connection between the qualities that characterize narcissism—exaggerated sense of self-importance, lack of empathy, entitlement, and exploitation—and the role of the spiritual teacher. Many of the teachers who have abused their power have been identifiably narcissistic, and narcissists seem to be drawn to the position just as they’re drawn to be politicians, entrepreneurs, and CEOs.