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Such an important conversation to counter today’s grifter-like spirituality.

I really enjoyed this conversation. Thank you both!

You very thoroughly describe and analyse why all animals are so very lovable and loving and why all children and most of us adults feel very much related to animals, not because they do not respond to the environment (they do) but because they observe their environment and only react when a need has to be fulfilled. The rest of the time is spent in the blissfulness of silence, falling back into their innermost deeper Self. It is a lesson for us humans to live more in what the Greeks called 'theorein' . the root of our word 'theory': to subspend our judgment and simply look at the way the world is developing. The animal does not put its self between himself and the world. It only looks and responds in the moment.

Oh wow, « your mind is your karma » that speaks such a truth to me! 🙏🏻❤️

Great interview. I do wonder how Robert came to the knowledge that we live in a material world. Perhaps he misspoke around the 10 minute mark, but the ontological nature of matter and consciousness is still a very real philosophical problem taken seriously by professionals who I wouldn't be quick to call "deluded" for positing serious inquiry about it.

Thanks fellow Being for sharing awareness and insights with us out loud

Thank you so much Shiv❤ That's exactly what I needed to hear today! How often do we forget the essentials when we are swept away by the everyday madness of modern society.

Wonderful Shiv. Totally YES! I dont know what else is there. 👌 Thank you for the clarity and preciseness. 🙏🏻

So true, I've always had a sensitive physiology and the stimulation in the world was too much for it. I found workarounds and balancing tricks to keep functioning in a world that didntreally suit me. I so wanted to fit in especially in my teens, 20's and thirty's. The ways of the world resemble a self sustaining machine feeding on itself and yet I can still access the peace of just Being by sitting silently and watching the world pass by. A good lesson for all and for me currently.

good stuff Shiv. When I look back even 50 years ago, we used to go outside in the evening after dinner or on the weekends and just sit outdoors, or on the porch. Sometimes with a cup of coffee or a glass of ice tea, and just watch nature. Watch the sun start to set and the chickens walk to their hooch, getting ready roost for the night. It's not that we didn't speak, but it was a more relaxed time when everything was just as it is. In today's world it seems that we have been socially conditioned to only look at technology. At artificial "things" and when we talk we talk about things created in other minds. unreal things. When I sit in the morning I never time it because that would be oxymoronic. I look forward to my time in nature, just watching without any purpose or expectations. no enlightened fireworks. To steal a quote from the Christian bible. "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding," resonates.

Having been into this a number of years ago, I still follow BTC and other coins peripherally on occasion. I’m surprised to see just how much it has become institutionalized having been co-opted by institutions. Sure, regulation is necessary to protect investors I get that but … I wonder how this form of tech helps societies (your average joe) other than marginalizing people even more who don’t understand it and also aiding in the creation of an even wider wealth gap. What’s the point other than the narrative answered by BTC cultists?

Hi Steven, if you read this and may care to reply. What do you say about the small percentage of Wallets that holds a major amount of the existing BTC. Could this not be compared to the situation we have nowadays with Governments printing money. If one of these giant wallets will make a move it could have a very similar effect. Kind regards

Great discussion especially about the alleged conflict between our thoughts and attempting to either stop them or change them in some way. Over the years I have found that I really don't have to "do" anything about these thoughts and the emotional turmoil that seems to follow them. Nowadays I simply enjoy really watching them without judgement, (which would be just another thought), but rather looking with curiosity in order to just see what I can see.

It seems we have gone from navel gazing to face gazing ...

You're a better person than I am in attempting to explain this natural phenomenon. This also happens to me when I sit outside in the morning, except with no mirror, I wouldn't have a clue how to really describe it, and I would think that many folks would overthink my attempt to describe this. Good job in trying to put this into words.

The ground or foundation of being that you have discovered is the same ground Douglas Harding discovered and wrote about over many years. He even shared a similar mirror experiment. This is the insight that has meant the most to me over the last 50 years. Douglas used to say, "Don't overlook the looker!" And the looker is identical in each one of us. It has no features. It is your original face, as opposed to your reflected face, which appears in your mirror and in the view of others.

We don't have to be anything including addicted to Mindless conformity🎉😂😢😅😊 Ben is my fave bipolar snap dragon 🐲🐉🀄❤ Let me Oouuut. Little bastage 🤡

there is no answer and no need to answer. Why, how, who, what, where, when? Somehow your post came up in my subscription.

Might be the most intelligent conversation on the entire CZcams, so far !;) ofc. Ben smythe layed the ground work for more intelligent 'seekers' :p Thanks

Spirituality is seeking the essence of GOD or the essence of Nature.This can be compared to Taoism or The Way which is epitomised in Taoism's teachings and symbols

A suggestion Shiv, stop doing commentary and monologuing after everyone speaks. Ask to let others chime in and make it an actual discussion. Otherwise you risk becoming what you write about.

🐳🐳🐳

GREAT INTERVIEW!!!

Really from all the spiritual guys UG Krishnamurti really seems to be one in whom "the ordinary" human needs are not required anymore like they usually do. I'm against worshipping and he is probably also just a freak of nature, yet I haven't come across anybody who could reasonably explain this man to me.

Thanks for these words!

Great conversation. The mystic/awaken experience needs to be reclaimed from the claws of "spirituality" and integrated as another basic but key biological experience, in the context of a mature philosophy of life, which for me is the biggest challenge humankind faces, as any major human problem nowadays is due to human stupidy and tribalism, not lack of knowledge or resources as it was the case until very recently.

Defined Dao is not Dao

So glad i found you guys..what a great convo!!🎉❤😊

❤❤ Hey there! I appreciate your discussion and resonate with the human experience of facing the day. I understand the thoughts and feelings like the fear of death, aging, and skepticism towards spiritual leaders. But here’s a thought - why hold onto the concept of the self (the “Me”) so tightly? Why even discuss establishing oneself as a husband, father, or writer? Yes, these roles emerge, but they don’t need to be so closely attached to the concept of self - it’s more of an illusion than we often realize. I acknowledge that grasping this concept can be incredibly challenging, and the way Tony and Jim persistently discuss it might seem a bit glib, smug, or circular at times. However, an increasing number of people are beginning to grasp the essence of their message. It’s important to note that their “message” isn’t driven by commercial interests, nor is it a false promise to address the impermanence of the self. For whatever it’s worth to you…

Advaitaholics! 😂 I love it.

17:20 made a lots of sense ❤ reminded me about the book देवताओं का मौन by rajiv mudgal which reaches the same conclusions. Where can I order your book in India.

❤ good stuff 😮 selling water to others besides the river…

It sounds like this Benjamin Smythe believes that the lights are out after death. There’s nothing else. That’s it.

It's karma Some. Of us pay the price of past life karma in this.

I love how you guys say "nirvana and other cookies are just a promise of the future" but 10 minutes later "oh death, well maybe if you die then everything will end and finally it will be okay, should I die or have a cup of coffee."

Benjamin Smythe is such a beautiful and highly intelligent mind in his own unique way. A real pleasure listening to this fascinating interview. Thank you so much, Shiv, for uploading it here for public viewing.🥇👍💯

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❤ I have added a heart symbol, because my keyboard was locked up. I am writing now to you, a reader. I listened to this. So near the end of the talk Robert talks about a clear mind. Clear mind! Just two words, but one is the adjective of the other, which implies the opposite, can be true too. Be honest, gentle and radical about this for a moment and the idea of clearing or getting clearer might emerge in your mind. Change is possible here in this world. Clarity is a beautiful idea, and, yes and, getting personal is my suggestion, so perhaps using an ancient fellow like Robert Stalzman en-light-ens your mind with simple clarity. I am not stating that he is the clarity, don't make my message crazy like that. I heard clarity coming through him and the fellow he was talking to. Some really great stuff in this video. Thanks for sharing guys.

I love Robert so much, glad you had him on. But seriously - has anyone seen the man blink? Ever? I have never caught his eyes closed even once in many videos. Is it blindness? A condition? a sign of enlightenment ? 😂

I never wanted to escape suffering, nor did i know it existed. Until,,, i,,, heard about "non duality" "non ur momma"

Would your books "help" someone with no spiritual experience? I ask, for most i know. Interested in your work, and im most intrigued by your most recent. Whos next on the interview? Lol.?

Thanks for organsing this Shiv, wonderful conversation!

Appaisant 😔

Life may be a nightmare, it may be a nice dream, it is nonetheless a dream. The pain is real and frequent but is that inherently bad? 🤔

LOVE YOU JUDY! My favorite iconoclast.

Great conversation. Loved it. Love your zendo, too….although you need some chairs since not everyone can sit cross-legged, but it’s a beautiful space and I love that you’re doing it for the community. Really inspiring!

Love it !! I’ve listened twice already and feel a third run incoming. Thank you 💚

you should read emil coiran

Errr wait, German isn't the most beautiful language for you foreign people aswell??

Gorgeous and inspiring.