How to awaken in the paradox: Neo-Vedanta & progressive paths - Daniel Ingram
Episode 497, released 9th April 2025.
This week's show is with Dr. Daniel M. Ingram, MD MSPH, a retired emergency medicine physician who works to improve the global relationship of science, clinical practice, mental health and the public to the phenomena that might be referred to as spiritual, meditative, energetic, mystical, psychedelic, magical, and related phenomena.
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Transcript is here: episode497transcript
To those ends, he is currently the founder, philanthropic supporter, and volunteer CEO and Board Chair of the Emergence Benefactors registered charity, and chief organizer and co-founder of the global Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium.
He is currently involved in neurophenomenological research of advanced meditative states with colleagues at Harvard and has been a participant in numerous fMRI and EEG studies of advanced meditators, including at Harvard, Yale, U Mass, and Vanderbilt. He has published scientific articles in Pediatrics, Child Abuse and Neglect, and the Journal of Medical Toxicology. He is the author of Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha, co-author of The Fire Kasina, and co-founder of the Dharma Overground. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Esquire, Vice, Wired, BBC Radio 4, Evolving Dharma, American Dharma: Buddhism Beyond Modernity, Dan Harris’ 10% Happier Podcast, Slate Star Codex Blog, Buddha at the Gas Pump, Meaning of Life TV, Deconstructing Yourself, Spiritual Explained website, Guru Viking, Buddhist Geeks, Cosmic Tortoise, Startup Geometry, Imperfect Buddha Podcast, and many others.
In this conversation, Lian and Daniel explore what awakening really means, weaving between the modern non-duality and Neo-Vedanta ideas such as "you're already awake" and the more structured progressive paths, filled with stages, techniques, and deepening insights. They gently reveal the hidden challenges and the powerful gifts each path offers, opening up a conversation that's both timeless and deeply relevant.
Lian shares how awakening can happen spontaneously, profoundly reshaping lives, while Daniel draws from his extensive experience in various spiritual communities and traditions. Together, they explore the subtle nuances of spiritual growth, shadow integration, and the vital practice of staying present to this very moment. Their personal experiences effortlessly blend with mythic and traditional wisdom, highlighting the beautiful paradox of human growth.
They also discuss practical tools like the five Buddha families, attachment styles, and why working with our shadows is essential. Daniel stresses how important personalised practice and honest community feedback are on this journey. Their conversation gently challenges the seductive myth of spiritual perfectionism, offering instead a grounded, compassionate invitation towards continual transformation and deeper self-awareness.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this week's show—please leave a comment below and let's continue this conversation together.
What You'll Learn From This Episode:
How clearly seeing the strengths and limits of modern non-dual teachings and progressive spiritual approaches helps you create a spiritual practice that's deeply meaningful, nourishing, and aligned with who you really are.
Why recognising and embracing your shadows—those hidden emotional patterns and parts of yourself—is essential for reclaiming your wholeness, bringing more emotional freedom and a deeper sense of authenticity.
How using personality frameworks like the five Buddha families and attachment styles can help you personalise your spiritual journey in a way that genuinely honours your unique nature.
Resources and stuff spoken about:
If you want to focus on Daniel’s scientific work related to spirituality and the organisation he helps support:
If you want to focus on Daniel’s work related to meditation practice and its effects:
For Books:
Fire Kasina: The Fire Kasina Meditation Site for books and more on meditation
Daniels Personal Website: Integrated Daniel
Daniels Online Community: The Dharma Overground
Emerge Wiki: emergewiki.org
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Thank you!
Lian & Jonathan