Rahul N Singh host of The Bearded Mystic Podcast explores the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta or Nonduality in a very simple, direct and practical way. Epis...
The Complete Guide to Shadow Work and Self-Realization
Send us a textIn this episode of The Bearded Mystic Podcast, host Rahul N Singh delves into the concept of shadow work and its importance in the journey toward self-realization and enlightenment. He argues that shadow work must be done before enlightenment to prepare the mind for understanding one's true nature. Rahul discusses the four prerequisites required for spiritual growth and sheds light on how shadow work helps in recognizing and dealing with unconscious patterns, emotional attachments, and psychological shadows. He explores the role of discernment, detachment, mastery of senses, and the desire for liberation in overcoming these shadows. By integrating Advaita Vedanta teachings, the podcast provides a comprehensive guide to dealing with inner turmoil and recognizing the true self that exists beyond the mind's narratives.00:00 Introduction to The Bearded Mystic Podcast00:13 Understanding Shadow Work02:02 The Role of Vivek in Spirituality05:40 Dealing with Psychological Shadows08:01 Practicing Detachment13:33 Mastering the Mind and Senses19:10 Withdrawing from Distractions22:16 Enduring Pain and Discomfort23:35 Expressing and Managing Anger25:54 Faith in the Teachings and Path26:48 Inner Focus and Stillness28:12 Desire for Liberation29:58 Practical Scenarios and Responses36:34 The Importance of Shadow Work41:07 Final Thoughts and ConclusionJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/hnRf7wESwX Visit my website: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/Buy The Bearded Mystic Podcast Merch: https://thebeardedmysticpodcast.myshopify.com/Want a one-on-one spiritual discussion with The Bearded Mystic - book here: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/p/spiritual-discussion/Subscribe to The Bearded Mystic Podcast channel: https://www.youtube.com/ @TheBeardedMysticPodcastBecome a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/thebeardedmysticpodcastRahul on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/beardedmystic.bsky.socialSupport the show
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42:42
God Isn't Gone: The Surprising Case for Devotion in Non-dual Spirituality
Send us a textAbandoning the concept of God in spirituality can lead to a dead end, but understanding Ishvara as the bridge between duality and non-duality creates a clear path to self-realization. This episode explores why the personal God remains essential in Advaita Vedanta, even as we progress toward recognizing Brahman as our ultimate reality.• Ishvara serves as an intermediary reality helping us cross from apparent duality to non-duality• Bhakti (devotion) purifies the mind, making it receptive to higher knowledge• Surrendering to Ishvara naturally dissolves the ego and sense of doership• The personal God provides emotional, psychological, and spiritual support during challenges• Even realized masters maintain reverence toward Ishvara out of gratitude, not ignorance• Devotion and self-inquiry are complementary paths, not contradictory approaches• Ishvara is the conscious administrator of karma, bringing moral significance to our actions• Without devotion, non-duality risks becoming dry, abstract, and misinterpreted as nihilism• Logic alone doesn't transform the seeker – grace flowing through Ishvara does• Seeing your guru as the embodiment of Ishvara can accelerate spiritual growthIf you're feeling stuck in your spiritual practice or facing obstacles on your path to self-realization, may Ishvara deal with those obstacles and provide you the guidance to move forward.Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/hnRf7wESwX Visit my website: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/Buy The Bearded Mystic Podcast Merch: https://thebeardedmysticpodcast.myshopify.com/Want a one-on-one spiritual discussion with The Bearded Mystic - book here: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/p/spiritual-discussion/Subscribe to The Bearded Mystic Podcast channel: https://www.youtube.com/ @TheBeardedMysticPodcastBecome a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/thebeardedmysticpodcastRahul on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/beardedmystic.bsky.socialSupport the show
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57:17
Vedanta Sara: Verses 13 - 14
Send us a textExploring Vedanta Sara verse 13 and 14, we examine the purpose of spiritual actions and worship in preparing the mind for self-realization while distinguishing between practices that purify and those that lead to ultimate liberation.• Daily rituals, austerities and penances primarily serve to purify the mind (chitta shuddhi)• Worship practices directed toward Saguna Brahman help enhance mental concentration• Even profound mystical experiences are insignificant compared to ultimate self-realization• Secondary results like attaining higher realms still operate within duality, not liberation• True liberation comes from recognizing our nature as formless awareness, not from rituals• Western interpretations often overlook the crucial role of the heart and devotion in non-duality• Self-realization requires both knowledge that points to awareness and surrender through devotion• A guru helps by both paving the path and guiding you to walk it toward liberationIf you're striving for enlightenment, a better life, or any other goal, put your full faith and focus into it. Whatever brings you peace, may that be what you strive for and may it be fruitful.Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/hnRf7wESwX Visit my website: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/Buy The Bearded Mystic Podcast Merch: https://thebeardedmysticpodcast.myshopify.com/Want a one-on-one spiritual discussion with The Bearded Mystic - book here: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/p/spiritual-discussion/Subscribe to The Bearded Mystic Podcast channel: https://www.youtube.com/ @TheBeardedMysticPodcastBecome a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/thebeardedmysticpodcastRahul on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/beardedmystic.bsky.socialSupport the show
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18:30
From Form to Formless: Transcending Duality in Devotion
Send us a textBhakti yoga involves transcending the forms we worship to reach the formless divine essence; persistent duality becomes an obstacle when it creates a new ego identity based on being "the devotee."• The ultimate goal is to dissolve the separation between worshipper and worshipped• Emotional highs in devotional practices can be beautiful but shouldn't become attachments• Fear of ego death prevents many devotees from complete surrender• Even identifying as a "servant of God" can become a subtle form of spiritual pride• True surrender is not emotional declaration but dissolution of identity• Devotional activities without self-inquiry become distractions• Bhakti without knowledge (jnana) leads to stagnation• True devotion matures from "I love God" to "What am I?" to "I am this formless awareness"• Jnana and bhakti are two wings of the same bird - both essential for spiritual freedomJoin me on Discord to continue the discussion. Like this video, comment, subscribe, and share your thoughts or questions.Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/hnRf7wESwX Visit my website: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/Buy The Bearded Mystic Podcast Merch: https://thebeardedmysticpodcast.myshopify.com/Want a one-on-one spiritual discussion with The Bearded Mystic - book here: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/p/spiritual-discussion/Subscribe to The Bearded Mystic Podcast channel: https://www.youtube.com/ @TheBeardedMysticPodcastBecome a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/thebeardedmysticpodcastRahul on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/beardedmystic.bsky.socialSupport the show
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26:46
The Illusion of Chemical Enlightenment
Send us a textPsychedelics cannot lead to enlightenment according to the Advaita Vedanta framework, as true awakening is the recognition of one's nature as formless awareness rather than a temporary experience. Enlightenment is not a mind-altered state but the realization of what you already are, which requires clarity rather than chemical substances.• Enlightenment in Advaita Vedanta means resting in formless awareness and recognizing oneself as Brahman• Psychedelics create altered states that give the illusion of awakening but remain temporary mind experiences• True realization is not an experience but the recognition of your ever-present nature that doesn't come and go• The Vedantic path requires shravanah (listening), manana (reflection), and nididhyasana (abiding as awareness)• Ego dissolution during psychedelic experiences is not the same as recognizing the non-existence of the ego• Chasing spiritual highs through substances creates another form of desire that keeps one bound to suffering• Alternatives like bhakti yoga, scriptural study, and self-inquiry provide more authentic paths to realization• Your true nature as awareness is already present and accessible without any substance or altered stateTry bhakti yoga instead of psychedelics – it's a much better gateway to spiritual realization without the potential pitfalls.Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/hnRf7wESwX Visit my website: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/Buy The Bearded Mystic Podcast Merch: https://thebeardedmysticpodcast.myshopify.com/Want a one-on-one spiritual discussion with The Bearded Mystic - book here: https://www.thebeardedmysticpodcast.com/p/spiritual-discussion/Subscribe to The Bearded Mystic Podcast channel: https://www.youtube.com/ @TheBeardedMysticPodcastBecome a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/thebeardedmysticpodcastRahul on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/beardedmystic.bsky.socialSupport the show
Rahul N Singh host of The Bearded Mystic Podcast explores the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta or Nonduality in a very simple, direct and practical way. Episodes include discussions into eastern scriptures like The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads etc and discussions about everyday spirituality. Rahul has been on the spiritual path for over 20 years and has an open-minded approach to spirituality and finds that there is no one size fits all approach. Subscribe to the channel and don’t miss out on a single episode.
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