James Wood Teachings

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…