James Wood Teachings

The ego is defined by self-motivated desire, or compulsively asking “what’s in it for me?” Paradoxically, this habit often shows up more subtly as a desire for spiritual awakening, which tends to prevent its occurrence. Close observation of desire’s mechanism reveals the futility of self-seeking and allows a more peaceful relationship to life and the…

Why would you not? Suffering is a fact of life. Why wouldn’t you want to be free of it? In this podcast episode, Aly and I have a conversation about Spiritual Freedom and what keeps us from wanting it, what keeps us from having it, and conditions that are conducive to its Realization.

Our experience of life is often chaotic and turbulent. How do we maintain a sense of calmness in the face of constant change? In this podcast, Aly and I discuss awakening and consciousness by using the ocean as a metaphor, with depths and waves symbolizing the deep and superficial aspects of life.

Thanks for your questions! It helps to know what topics you are interested in. In this podcast, Aly and I discuss two submitted questions and their answers, each dealing with specific issues related to awakening and consciousness. Here are the questions. Both have been edited for clarity: (Begins at 00:30) Nothingness is beyond everything. Sahaj…

Here is a podcast that Aly and I recorded recently in answer to the following question: When a student asks a question to a spiritual teacher it implies separation because it involves an independently “real” student asking a question to an independently “real” teacher. The teacher then responds validating the separateness of the student. Are the teacher…

Here is a preview of a podcast that Aly and I recorded recently in answer to the following question: When a student asks a question to a spiritual teacher it implies separation because it involves an independently “real” student asking a question to an independently “real” teacher. The teacher then responds validating the separateness of…

It is important not to make a problem out of existential pain. The pain of existence is an internal sense of not being enough. It feels like an ache, sadness, or depression. Most people try to alleviate this feeling through some distracting activity. It doesn’t work. The way out of existential pain is to be…

Awakening is now more common, but still rare. You have to decide that you’re going to beat the odds and wake up. You’re the one. If you think, “It’s kind of rare, I don’t know,” it’s probably not going to happen for you. A helpful attitude is that you will either wake up from the…

It’s harder to relate to another person when you are generating your own negativity. All you can really do is be with that content. Witness it nonjudgmentally to the degree you can. If you can’t, notice that and forget about how long it might take. If your practice is good, it may not take that…