Why Most Awakening Stops Halfway (and How to Go All the Way) with Michael Taft

After many months of baby-induced ego death, I’m kicking off a new season of the pod with someone who has profoundly shaped my spiritual life: Michael Taft.

We sat down for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from enlightened wizards and psychedelic dismemberment to the very practical art of recognizing awake awareness in daily life. It’s one of my favorite episodes I’ve ever recorded.

Michael Taft is a longtime meditation teacher and author whose work integrates nondual wisdom traditions, classical Tantra, and modern neuroscience. He’s the host of Deconstructing Yourself and has guided thousands of practitioners into deeper recognition through his Dharma talks, guided meditations, and retreats.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How a soul-annihilation psychedelic experience in Japan sparked his initial awakening

• Why he refused to teach for years — and what ultimately changed

• How he trained with “enlightened wizards” in India

• Nondual 1 vs. Nondual 2, and why most awakening stops halfway

• How to recognize awake awareness on demand in daily life

• The unseen pitfalls of highly altered-state retreats

• How to build confidence in awakening through direct recognition

• Why he believes awakening is ultimately about God, death, and not missing the point of being alive

Toward the end, Michael guides a direct, real-time glimpse into what he calls Nondual 2 — the shift from transcending the world to waking up in the world.

If you’re new to Michael’s work, I highly recommend checking out his YouTube channel: ‪@MichaelTaft108‬. Start with his beginner nondual series. Do the full sit, then listen to the Dharma talk and Q&A later in the day to integrate the insight.

Learn more about Michael: https://deconstructingyourself.com/

Do this for 30 days and let me know what you notice.

Hosted by Alex Olshonsky

Read my essays + full transcript: https://deepfix.substack.com

Work with me (coaching): https://alexolshonsky.com/coaching

Join my men’s groups + retreats: https://sonsofnow.com