Turning Towards Pain: Dr Mark Williamson on Real Happiness

In this episode I’m joined by Dr Mark Williamson, co‑founder and director of Action for Happiness and author of Make Life Happier: 23 practical ways to feel better, find meaning and make a difference. Mark shares the story of walking away from a “successful” corporate career after debilitating back pain forced him to confront the stress and approval-seeking driving his life, and how simple practices like mindful breathing opened the door to a completely different way of being. We explore looking inside – turning towards pain rather than running from it, softening the inner critic, and moving from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation – as well as looking outwards: social fitness, active listening, relationships as a path to consciousness, and the ripple effects our everyday actions have on the people around us.👉 Work with me - book a free 15 minute 1:1 consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-mundie-intro-callBuy Mark's book: https://www.bonnierbooks.co.uk/news-and-media/make-life-happier-finding-meaning-with-dr-mark-williamson/👉 Where Awakening Meets Real Life substack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/👉 My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmSimonMundie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My wife Alex - a Reiki master, Sound healer, Yoga Nidra practitioner and spiritual wellness journalist - has taken over the podcast for this episode to share a Yoga Nidra designed to help anyone going through exam stress. So - if you have kids or know anyone in exam season - please do share this episode. It could really help!And please do consider subscribing to my wife's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR1yee6gLUo&t=991s Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this short episode, I ask pioneering physicist and microprocessor inventor Federico Faggin to unpack my recent awakening experience.We explore being “empty of self,” feeling lived by the universe, and how free will fits into a non‑dual view of reality.If you’ve ever wondered what really happens in awakening, this conversation offers a rare bridge between deep spirituality and cutting‑edge physics.👉 Free Webinar on Tuesday 19th @ 7pm: Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/oHmSlGr0Q1GfnX4wO-CTvA👉 Work with Simon - free 15 minute 1:1 consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-mundie-intro-call👉 Where Awakening Meets Real Life substack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmSimonMundie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

👉 Work with Simon - free 15 minute 1:1 consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-mundie-intro-call👉 Free Webinar on Tuesday 19th @ 7pm: Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/oHmSlGr0Q1GfnX4wO-CTvA👉 Where Awakening Meets Real Life substack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmSimonMundieMost spiritual seekers have tried everything – meditation, self-inquiry, satsangs – and yet still feel stuck, still abandon themselves, and still live from old conditioning. In this episode I share why intention is so often the missing piece.00:00 – The missing key in awakening: intention01:30 – How intention led me all the way to kensho03:55 – How intention transforms self-inquiry07:30 – Awakening vs self-abandonment10:14 – Intention lessons from my 104 year old Gran Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The mind is not invited to the party' - Henry Shukman and Simon Mundie discuss Kensho.Henry Shukman and I discuss spiritual awakening, the dark night of the soul, and why the thinking mind can’t grasp what awakening really is. Drawing on my own direct experience, this is about what happens when identification with thought falls away—and awareness recognises itself.For 1:1 coaching with Simon book a free 15 minute consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-mundie-intro-callFor a gift of 30 free meditation sessions on Henry's app 'The Way' - click here: https://the-way.app.link/simonFor more information on The Way head here: http://thewayapp.com/simonSubstack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the first mistakes the ego makes is to confuse approval with love. From early childhood, we learn to feel good when we’re praised and uncomfortable when we’re not. Without noticing, we start organising our lives around being approved of rather than being true to ourselves.That’s how we end up:· People-pleasing instead of setting boundaries· Staying small instead of taking risks· Needing others to respond a certain way before we can feel okayI call this the demon of approval.And you can’t be free of it until you can clearly see it.Tonight I’m running a free live session on this — how to see the pattern clearly, feel what comes up when you stop feeding it, and begin acting from something deeper than the need for approvalIf this resonates, you’re very welcome to join - register here: ESCAPE THE DEMON It starts at 7pm UK time and I will start with a short meditation to show how approval keeps the ‘me mind’ hooked. There will also be plenty of time for questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a conversation with the author of Notes on Nothing - The Joy Of Being Nobody.The author - J - experienced a shift that prompted him to write his excellent book, which describes awakening beautifully.I read it before and after my own kensho - and invited the author on to discuss what a shift is like from both our perspectives.Work with me - free 15 minute 1:1 consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-mundie-intro-callRegister for my free webinar on Tuesday April 21st @ 7pm UK time: https://zoom.us/j/97714908602?pwd=8lnBbAIMp8bFS4YGeZrBABYqG1eF11.1Substack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/For a gift of 30 free meditation sessions on Henry Shukman's meditation app 'The Way' - click here: https://the-way.app.link/simonGet the book: https://www.as-is-press.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Overthinking is a sign we are avoiding our feelings. When I was young, I remember thinking 'I don't know why I don't feel sad'. And the reason was - I had gone into my head to stop from feeling. This is the first way we all learn to escape from our experience, causing a split and beginning the process of self-abandonment.Work with me - free 15 minute 1:1 consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-...Substack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/For a gift of 30 free meditation sessions on Henry Shukman's meditation app 'The Way' - click here: https://the-way.app.link/simonWatch on YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZkugHKi39O0&lc=UgzMqdI4sGKNW3Q8KyB4AaABAg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I've recently seen three clients have an awakening by stopping abandoning themselves. I didn't know it was coming, and nor did they - but it was a privilege to witrness.Doing this work really can take you all the way (or more accurately return you) to the peace and love of your true nature.Work with me - free 15 minute 1:1 consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-mundie-intro-callSubstack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/For a gift of 30 free meditation sessions on Henry Shukman's meditation app 'The Way' - click here: https://the-way.app.link/simon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This short episode reflects on the Louis Theroux manosphere documentary and what it reveals beneath the surface. Rather than judging behaviour, I explore the underlying pattern of avoidance—how we push away sensitivity and what that does to our sense of self. Drawing on my own experience, this points toward a more honest form of masculinity—and ultimately, a path of awakening through integration, not rejection.Free 15 minute coaching consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-mundie-intro-callYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmSimonMundieSubstack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/For a gift of 30 free meditation sessions on Henry Shukman's meditation app 'The Way' - click here: https://the-way.app.link/simonFor more information on The Way head here: http://thewayapp.com/simon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.