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Email Stephan and Adam at letterstotheskypodcast[at]gmail.com. We love to hear from you and hear your ideas for episode topics.

Well, here we go again! Stephan keeps trying to lock Adam in the basement, but somehow he always escapes. Join the delightful duo as they navigate formalities and dive into the incredible origins of Zen. This episode unfolds the mind-blowing history of Bodhidharma, the first Zen Patriarch, who spent nine years staring at a wall (seriously, nine years!) and also helped shape Shaolin Kung Fu. The journey continues to Sengcan, the third patriarch, and the profound depth of the Hsin Hsin Ming. Stephan and Adam ponder the nuances of preferences, tension in existence, and how to naturally flow through life like a river. Is there any resistance in this moment? Well, let's find out together. Plus, discover meditative practices and brainwave science with a sprinkle of Adam's doctorly insight.

Email Stephan and Adam at letterstotheskypodcast[at[gmail.com

Ram Dass reading the Hsin Hsin Ming: https://www.ramdass.org/ram-dass-reads-the-third-chinese-patriarch/

Ziran (the natural, spontaneous way): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziran

00:00 Introduction and Banter
00:32 Starting the Episode
01:13 Discussing the Third Zen Patriarch
01:53 Origins of Zen and Bodhidharma
04:10 Zen vs Tibetan Buddhism
06:10 Bodhi Dharma's Teachings and Legacy
08:41 The Profound Teachings of the Shin Shin Ming
12:37 Exploring Preferences and Awareness
15:58 The Role of Preferences in Enlightenment
25:19 Naturalness and Spontaneity in Action
27:10 Understanding Preferences and Misinterpretations
27:31 Natural Actions and Harmony
29:06 The Grind vs. Natural Flow
32:11 Meditative Practices and Brainwaves
36:16 Exploring Resistance and Allowing
38:40 The Metaphor of Layers
45:26 Final Thoughts

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Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

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Hey everyone, it's Stephan here! Ever wondered how to use your mind as a tool for awakening? Dive deep with me as I share insights, personal experiences, and some practical tips to train your mind on this incredible journey. From discussing the paths of devotion and meditation, to emphasizing the importance of dissolving beliefs, this video tackles the discomforts and blissful moments of the path to enlightenment. Get ready to cut through false beliefs and embrace a greater understanding. No beliefs are ultimately true, but some can be more useful than others on this journey. Join me and let's start cutting!

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Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky

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👀 Join Adam and Stephan as they dive deep into the spiritual journey with a sprinkle of humor and a whole lot of wisdom. Beating their previous record of six months of not recording they’re back after only a week to unpack the secrets of doing the most damage to your spiritual path with the least amount of effort. They've even got book recommendations and analogies stacked on analogies for days. So come for the laughs, stay for the enlightenment, and remember, take it easy!

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Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky