A New Way of Being

What actually happens in the brain when you awaken – when “you” fall away and only presence remains? In this episode, pioneering neuroscientist Dr Andrew Newberg helps me unpack my own spiritual awakening (Kensho) and maps it onto decades of research into enlightenment, meditation and non‑duality.
I share my experience of two weeks of bliss, non‑separation and a resulting “thin” Simon who can't seem to leave the present moment, while Andrew brings in neurotheology, brain imaging and the science of spiritual transformation.

In this episode we explore:
My Kensho: bliss, non‑separation and why “Simon feels thin” is a classic non‑dual shift
How enlightenment shows up in the brain – parietal and frontal lobes, the thalamus, dopamine and serotonin
The difference between altered states and altered traits after awakening
Dr Newberg’s own “infinite sea of doubt” and why radical not‑knowing can be deeply peaceful
How meditation, prayer, retreats and psychedelics can rewire perception and behaviour
The role of surrender, flow states and hypofrontality in losing the sense of a separate doer

👉 WORK WITH SIMON - free 15 minute 1:1 consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-mundie-intro-call
👉 OCTOBER DAY RETREAT with Simon & Alex — a full day of inquiry, presence and practice: https://shift-happens-retreat.subscribepage.io/
👉 WEBSITE (including endorsements): https://www.simonmundie.com
👉 FREE COURSE: https://www.simonmundie.com/courses

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shannon had read the books and understood non-duality “in her head” – but was still suffering and abandoning herself. In this short client conversation, she describes the quiet shift into a stable sense of presence where emotions still arise but no longer consume her.
If you resonate with knowing the concepts but not yet living them, this is the heart of my 1:1 coaching.

👉 WORK WITH ME - free 15 minute 1:1 consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-mundie-intro-call
👉 WEBSITE with more endorsements and retreat info: https://www.simonmundie.com

👉 YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmSimonMundie
👉 SUBSTACK: https://simonmundie.substack.com/

👉 FREE COURSE: 'Freedom from the 'Me Mind' - https://www.simonmundie.com/courses
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your harshest inner critic isn’t the enemy, but a confused part of you that’s desperately trying to keep you safe?
In this episode, I speak with Loch Kelly – non-dual teacher and psychotherapist – about how to transform self-attack into genuine inner support.
We explore:
Why big spiritual openings don’t automatically heal shame, anger or insecurity
How the inner critic is actually a protective part, not a defect
The trap Loch calls the “witness protection programme” – when mindfulness makes you numb, not free
How to relate to fear, shame and anger with real compassion, without bypassing
Moving from head to heart and living from what Loch calls awake loving flow
Loch also guides a couple of short “glimpses” you can follow along with, to experience this shift directly as you listen.
If you’ve done “the work” but still feel hijacked by your inner critic, this one’s for you.

👉 WORK WITH SIMON - free 15 minute 1:1 consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-mundie-intro-call
👉 OCTOBER DAY RETREAT with Simon & Alex — a full day of inquiry, presence and practice: https://shift-happens-retreat.subscribepage.io/
👉 WEBSITE: https://www.simonmundie.com
👉 LOCH'S ONE DAY WORKSHOP in London on September 12th: https://www.alternatives.org.uk/event/experience-effortless-mindfulness
👉 Get 20% off LOCH'S MINDFUL GLIMPSES APP: https://mindfulglimpses.com/specialoffer/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A conversation with Britain's incoming Prime Minister. Note: This conversation with Andy Burnham was recorded a few years ago now (2019) - during my 'what sport can teach us about life' days.

In this conversation, Andy Burnham shares why he sees sport as a “miracle cure” for a divided world. We talk about his emotional Boston Marathon run for the Manchester Arena families, the pivotal Hillsborough anniversary that changed his life and politics, and how football, cricket and rugby can heal cities, challenge injustice and shape public policy. We also explore sport as “intensified life” – touching on racism, mental health and social prescribing

simonmundie.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

👉 Free Webinar on removing fear from the body - Tuesday June 23rd @ 7pm - REGISTER: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/w11nYiYKSpqQkNj72g3L3Q

👉 Work with Simon - free 15 minute 1:1 consultation: https://calendly.com/simon-wgw/simon-mundie-intro-call

👉 Website: https://www.simonmundie.com (including free course)

👉 Where Awakening Meets Real Life substack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/

---

Follow Simon:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simon.mundie
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonmundie
Substack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.