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Deconstructing Yourself Podcast

michael taft

Deconstructing Yourself Podcast

Welcome to the Deconstructing Yourself Podcast, hosted by meditation teacher and author Michael Taft. Dedicated to liberation in all its forms, this podcast is passionate about fearlessly investigating, practicing, and reviewing all things related to awakening, meditation, mindfulness, brain hacking, and beyond.

Michael interviews some of the most radical and original thinkers, authors, and spiritual practitioners in the world. Topics include Dzogchen, Advaita Vedanta, nondual Shaiva Tantra, post-traditional Buddhism, entheogens, artificial intelligence, philosophy, neurofeedback, and the neuroscience of the self. Whether you’re a longtime practitioner or just beginning your journey, you’ll find illuminating conversations on self-inquiry, consciousness, and spiritual transformation.

Listen to the Latest Episodes​

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Some Popular Recent Episodes You May Enjoy

Practicing with the Diamond Sutra, with Ken McLeod
Ken McLeod brings decades of translation and practice experience to this rich conversation on the Diamond Sutra. He and Michael explore how this classic Mahayana text dismantles our ordinary sense of self and world, revealing a reality that defies conceptual grasping. A deeply philosophical and practice-rooted dialogue on emptiness, perception, and liberation.

Can You Learn Meditation from an AI? – with Shinzen Young
Pioneering meditation teacher Shinzen Young returns to discuss his work combining mindfulness with cutting-edge AI. Together with Michael, he delves into real-time feedback systems, scalable awakening, and the future of personalized meditative instruction. A must-listen for anyone interested in the convergence of inner science and machine learning.

A Conversation with Sam Harris
In this rare, in-depth conversation, Sam Harris and Michael Taft explore the subtleties of nondual awareness, Dzogchen, psychedelic insight, and the interface between rigorous practice and modern life. They discuss the limitations of traditions, the promise of direct experience, and the art of living without a solid self.

Reverse Meditation with Andrew Holecek
Andrew Holecek introduces “reverse meditation,” a Vajrayana-inspired method that involves turning directly toward discomfort, fear, and resistance. Michael and Andrew discuss dream yoga, dark retreats, and using suffering itself as a gateway to realization. A profound dive into advanced shadow work and tantric transformation.

Exploring Nondual Shaiva Tantra with Christopher Wallis
Scholar-practitioner Christopher Wallis (Hareesh) joins Michael for a sweeping tour through the world of traditional Tantra. From nondual Śaiva philosophy to the subtle body, mantras, and ritual, they clarify what Tantra is—and isn’t—while celebrating its view that the world itself is a sacred expression of consciousness.

What Are People Saying

It’s such a gift to get to listen in on Michael Taft’s conversations with other long time meditation teachers. There’s a way in which Buddhism is all about teaching–how do you convince people to try things that will lead them to experiences they haven’t had before? Or ideas they can’t know will benefit them? Michael Taft explores the nuts and bolts of how to learn, teach and think with so much more.
*****An enormous gift
The first three podcasts brought up a number of points that challenged my assumptions about practice and about awakening. They have helped me to reflect on what I’m really looking for and how I’m going about it. Highly recommended!
*****Fascinating and thought provoking
I found myself learning, growing, disagreeing, giggling and mostly really enjoying this podcast. If you are willing to challenge long held assumptions and deconstruct yourself, go ahead and subscribe. You won’t regret it.
*****Exhilarating, mind altering and fun
A witty and wise exploration of the deep end of the consciousness ocean. This podcast makes me laugh out loud and nod in agreement. Fun, fascinating and wonderful.
*****Brilliant!
There are so many conversations out there about meditation that never really get into the nitty-gritty of what it’s actually like to meditate. This goes there in a real way, leaving behind all of the woowoo nonsense mindfulness is usually wrapped up in. It’s a really engaging, enlightening and thought-provoking podcast that will up the ante in your personal practice for sure.
*****Totally worth it
I just listened to the first 3 episodes of the podcasts, u0026amp; I must say that this is a long-awaited u0026amp; refreshing perspective on the practices that lead to liberation u0026amp; awakening. The 3-part interview on Buddhist meditation with Kenneth Folk was informative, funny, u0026amp; bluntly honest regarding meditation practices, unrealistic expectations, and the unglamorous u0026amp; very ordinary results of practice. As so… more
*****A long-awaited perspective on awakening!
Very helpful. This has helped me tremendously!
*****Thank you Michael Taft!
The perfect mix of both brain and soul food. Talk of nirvana and neuroscience.
*****Food for both Brain and Soul
Love this! More please!
*****Mind expanding!

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Support The Podcast

If you enjoy the Deconstructing Yourself podcast, and would like to help others to enjoy it, please consider contributing to it.

Your financial support goes to offset the production costs of the podcast. Very little of it goes to me personally. It pays for studio time, extensive sound editing, a large file transfer bill each month, and such. I also occasionally purchase some sound equipment (microphones, a portable mixer, etc.) that help to give the podcast better audio quality.

Thank you so much for contributing to the Deconstructing Yourself podcast and helping so much to keep it going. It makes a huge difference to me, and to the wider community of fans like you who love the show.

~ Michael

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