Andrew Hewson and I discussed devotion this month. We opened with a definition of devotion, as distinct from belief. Devotion as a surrender, a non-doing allowing that sprouts naturally. (My opening statements were a little too black and white & based on my experience alone. I adjusted as we progressed.)
Topics included: Breaking open the heart, before and after awakening. Personal and impersonal. The importance of healing in this process. The progressive opening to the Divine. Cautions. The awakening of faith. Suffering and happiness. Follow the bliss. Teacher relationship issues. Taking shelter. Support of the sages. Non-dual devotion. Devotional relationship.

on YouTube
Transcript
Prior conversations with Andrew
Davidya
Last Updated on October 8, 2023 by Davidya

This month, Andrew and I did a live conversation with an online audience. We reviewed the stages and discussed the role of Healing in Divine Unfoldment. A Q&A followed.
My recording was faulty, but Andrew had a backup that addressed most issues. My audio is out of sync. If you find that distracting, close the eyes or listen to the podcast version.

on YouTube
Transcript
Prior conversations with Andrew
Davidya
Last Updated on October 7, 2023 by Davidya

In our latest conversation, Andrew and I explore the current collective transition in consciousness, purification, and healing.

on YouTube
Transcript
Prior conversations with Andrew
Davidya
Last Updated on October 6, 2023 by Davidya

In our latest conversation, Andrew and I explored the nature and unfolding of nonduality or oneness. Also some of the perspectives and underestimations of it’s potential.

on YouTube
Transcript
Prior conversations with Andrew
Davidya
Last Updated on October 5, 2023 by Davidya

Dr. Jack Purcell, a philosophy professor at Middle Tennessee State University, invited me to speak to his eastern philosophy class. I’m introduced by his son, Rishi.
I offer a little history and a broad overview of the Vedic perspective, mention a few prominent teachers (*sage Vasishtha is before Vyasa), and the importance of applied philosophy so we can live it.
About 20 minutes in, I spoke a bit about my process, then answered questions.

On YouTube
Transcript
Davidya
Last Updated on October 4, 2023 by Davidya

In our latest conversation, Andrew and I explored Householder and Renunciate approaches to life, the masculine and feminine emphasis, the gunas, relationships, and the role of devotion.

on YouTube
Transcript
Thanks to the generous support of subscribers, I’ve been gradually upgrading the equipment for better quality recordings. Some tuning is still needed, but it’s coming along.
Prior conversations with Andrew
Davidya
Last Updated on October 3, 2023 by Davidya

In our latest conversation, Andrew and I explored the value and process of resolving our unhealed parts, along with some of the challenges and hazards.

on YouTube
Transcript
Dorothy Rowe’s process, mentioned in the conversation.
Prior conversations with Andrew
Davidya
Last Updated on October 2, 2023 by Davidya

In our recent conversations, Andrew and I discussed Awakening (Self Realization or Cosmic Consciousness) with it’s refined compliment God Consciousness then Unity stage and Brahman stage with their Refined versions. In this conversation we’re discussing the ParaBrahman stage, pure Divinity. We also touch on how we each see the world becoming.

On YouTube
Transcript
The poem Andrew recited at the end. (at the bottom)
Prior conversations with Andrew
YouTube Playlist of the series
Last Updated on October 1, 2023 by Davidya

In our last two conversations, Andrew and I discussed Awakening (Self Realization or Cosmic Consciousness) with it’s refined compliment God Consciousness then Unity stage with Refined Unity. In this conversation we’re discussing the Brahman stage (Void) and Refined Brahman.

On YouTube
Transcript
Prior conversations with Andrew
Last Updated on September 30, 2023 by Davidya

Andrew and I have been having a series of conversations on the stages of enlightenment. Our prior discussion was on Self Realization and GC. In this conversation, we explore Unity stage and it’s related refinement. Andrew outlines an alternative sequence that can arise if the refinement (feminine) process is dominant, as discussed in the prior conversation. If you’re not familiar with the stages, please review the above links first.

on YouTube
Transcript
A few related links:
The “world as illusion” barrier to Unity
The Stages of Unity
Prior conversations with Andrew
Update: it’s worth noting a distinction between:
a) a strong God Consciousness (GC) process with refinement and heart opening followed by Unity where masculine and feminine aspects of consciousness are recognized as one. This is the more typical sequence, lead by consciousness/ masculine that I talk of.
and
b) a GC process evolving into Refined Unity with a taste of Brahman, followed by the Divine Union of Unity (m & f again) that Andrew describes in the conversation. This path is dominated by devotion and refinement, the feminine.
A glorified version of the first is not the same as the second. Same underlying process but the sequence is a bit different due to the emphasis.
Last Updated on September 29, 2023 by Davidya

After the Yoga Sutra talk, I did a Q&A with students. These were on the broader implications of Yoga philosophy.
To simplify the permissions process for making this public, I’ve placed a graphic over everyone but Andrew and I. If you find this annoying visually, you can listen to the audio version below.


On YouTube
Transcript
Last Updated on September 26, 2023 by Davidya

Dr. Shelley Thomas, a language professor at Middle Tennessee State University, offers a class on awakening. They cover some of the primary world literature on the topic. Previously, they’ve invited academics to speak on the texts, but this session have invited awake people. Andrew Hewson had spoken to a prior class and suggested me for the Yoga Sutra. He also introduces me.
I review the structure, main points, and key places where the text is often misunderstood.

On YouTube
I often quote from the Yoga Sutra and have been considering compiling an illustrated version, so I have a spreadsheet with several translations. I compiled my version for the class.
Yoga Sutra of Patanjali – draft (pdf)
Main Points (pdf)
Transcript
The talk was followed by an extended Q&A with diverse questions. That’s now posted here.
YouTube Talk & Q&A Playlist
Davidya
Last Updated on September 17, 2023 by Davidya