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Letters to the SkyDrop All Resistance To Your Life the Way It Is - Zen EnlightenmentSend us a textEmail 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...2025-07-1749 minLetters to the SkyHow to Turn the Mind into a Sword of AwakeningSend us a textHey 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...2025-07-1119 minLetters to the SkyRuin Everything With These Two Simple Steps! - July 10, 2025Send us a text👀 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!Support the showCopyright 2025 by Le...2025-07-1048 minLetters to the SkyEffortless Presence: Insights on Spiritual Integration and Letting Go - July 3, 2025Send us a textEffortless Presence: Insights on Spiritual Integration and Letting Go - July 3, 2025Join Adam and Stephan in a deep and heartfelt conversation about their recent experiences and revelations after reading 'Effortless Being' by David Bingham. They discuss the profound impact of the book on their spiritual journeys, the process of integrating new insights, and the concept of living life with zero resistance. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical explorations, they touch upon themes like the dissolution of self, trusting the present moment, and the pitfalls of seeking...2025-07-0355 min
Jaffari Community CentreThe Prophet’s Guidance Through His Family - Maulana Sayyid Muhammad RizviEid ul MubahilaJune 20th 202523rd Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH– Mubahala is when the Prophet challenged the Najran Christians to invoke God’s curse on the liars.– It happened peacefully after the Treaty of Ḥudaybiyya when Islam spread by preaching, not war.– The Prophet sent letters to many leaders, including the Bishop of Najran, inviting them to monotheism.– The Najran Christians sent a delegation for dialogue; the Prophet explained pure tawḥīd.– They insisted Jesus was divine; the Prophet refuted this with Qur’an comparing Jesus to Adam.– Allah commanded the Prophet to settle it through Mubahala, bringing his closest family.– The Prophet came with A...2025-06-2144 minJaffari Community CentreShaytan’s Refusal; Ghadir As A Test Of Faith - Maulana Sayyid Muhammad RizviEid E Ghadeer 1446 AHJune 14th 202518th Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH* Islam was completed and perfected through the announcement of Imamat at Ghadir, not just through prayers and fasting.* Allah revealed a verse commanding the Prophet to deliver this crucial message, promising divine protection against opposition.* The Prophet declared Ali as Mawla after announcing the perfection of religion and Allah’s satisfaction with Islam as a complete system.* Many verses and narrations show that all acts of worship are invalid if done without accepting the rightful Imams.* Ghadir highlights that Wilāyat is not just love for Ali, but obe...2025-06-1546 minJaffari Community CentreThe Reality of Global Aid: Compassion or Self-Interest? - Maulana Syed Muhammad RizviFriday Juma KhutbaFebruary 28th, 2025- The holy month of Ramaḍān is approaching, and the crescent is expected to be sighted first in West Africa and North America. - The Prophet described Ramaḍān as the best month, with the best days, nights, and hours, full of blessings, mercy, and forgiveness. - It is a month where believers are invited as guests of Allāh, their deeds are accepted, and their prayers are answered. - Sincere intention (niyyah) is essential for fasting, as it gives fasting its true value. - Fasting is unique among rituals because it cannot be performed for sho...2025-02-2826 minLetters to the SkyThe Courage to Be Disliked: How to Stop People-Pleasing & Live Freely - Postcard #6Send us a textThis week, Adam and Stephan dive into the concepts of validation and self-worth, inspired by the book 'The Courage to be Disliked' by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. They explore the importance of not seeking external validation and the challenge of finding inherent self-worth. With personal anecdotes and deep philosophical insights, this episode aims to provide listeners with a sense of freedom and ease. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion!00:00 Introduction 03:05 Book Discussion: The Courage to Be Disliked04:10 Validation and Self-Worth in the Medical Profession07:11 Personal Reflections on Validation a...2025-01-0627 minLetters to the SkyMastering Your Life by Facing Fears - Postcard #5Send us a textIf you're new here, we're Stephan and Adam. We bring the greatest wisdom of the past into everyday life.Adam and Stephan dive deep into how beliefs shape our reality. With personal anecdotes about facing fears around firearms they explore the transformation that occurs when engaging with fear rather than avoiding it. They also highlight the impact of social media algorithms on our belief systems and share practical steps for uncovering and shifting limiting beliefs. Tune in to discover how to turn fear into opportunities for growth and healing.00:00...2024-12-3023 minLetters to the SkyHow To Beat the Holiday Blues in 2024 - Postcard # 4Send us a textWe're now on YouTube! Check out our channel with videos of our episodes, and don't forget to like and subscribe!https://www.youtube.com/@letterstotheskypodcastIn this special holiday Postcard, Stephan and Adam share personal stories and insights on how to navigate the emotional challenges of the holiday season. They discuss the importance of being present, setting intentions, and creating space to process emotions. The episode emphasizes the power of non-judgment, awareness, and inner work as tools for healing and finding peace during what can often be a...2024-12-2024 minLetters to the SkyLET GO OF CHASING SUCCESS: Life Lessons From a Doctor - Postcard #3Send us a textIn this heartfelt episode, Adam and Stephan connect over their evolving lives, sharing personal breakthroughs and profound realizations. Adam dives deep into his recent experiences with meditation, achieving a moment of clarity and love that reshapes his perspective on self-worth and validation. Through a touching story involving visions of great spiritual teachers, Adam learns the importance of loving others and himself without the need for titles or positions. Join them in this reflective conversation about meditation, inner peace, and the journey towards self-acceptance.00:00 Welcome Back!00:53 Adam's Turn to Share01:21...2024-12-1620 minLetters to the SkyHealing Relationships Through Intention - Postcard #2Send us a textIn this week's episode of the Letters to the Sky podcast, Stephan opens up about a profound realization regarding his relationship with his wife, which sparked a deep discussion with Adam. They explore how relationships serve as mirrors that reflect our subconscious triggers and the power of sitting with strong emotions for healing. Through personal anecdotes, Stephan shares the transformative impact of awareness and communication in overcoming emotional challenges, highlighting the significance of intention in navigating relational dynamics.00:00 I...2024-12-1524 minLetters to the SkyLeading From the Deep by Diego Ugalde - Psychedelics and SpiritualitySend us a textDiego Ugalde - Leadership From the Deep - Conversation About Psychedelics and SpiritualityIn this episode, Adam and Steven welcome former Navy SEAL and renowned coach Diego Ugalde as their special guest. Diego shares his transformative journey from being a Navy SEAL to becoming a leadership coach who specializes in spiritual and psychedelic healing. The discussion delves into Diego's experiences with Ibogaine, his book 'Leading from the Deep,' and the profound insights he has gained through elevated states of consciousness. They explore themes of fear, spiritual bypassing, the power of...2024-11-261h 07Letters to the SkyStaying Centered In Crazy Times - Postcard #1Send us a textIn this episode of the 'Letters to the Sky' podcast, Adam and Stephan introduce a new, shorter format called 'Postcards'. They discuss strategies for staying grounded amid the turmoil of the recent U.S. presidential election and how to find inner peace despite external chaos. Join them as they share insights on the importance of looking within, meditation techniques, and personal reflections on life; a candid conversation about navigating today's challenges with mindfulness and compassion.00:00 Introduction and New Setup00:24 Introducing Postcards: Shorter Format01:47 Staying Grounded in Crazy Times04:07...2024-11-2519 minLetters to the SkyRam Dass's Polishing the MirrorSend us a textJoin Adam and Stephan discussing one of the 20th century's pioneers in bringing Eastern thought to Western minds. In Polishing the Ram Dass reflects on a life of practice and awakening. Adam and Stephan discuss the nature of truth and devotion.Support the showCopyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky2024-09-231h 07Letters to the SkyThe Disappearance of the UniverseSend us a textStephan and Adam discuss the bestseller The Disappearance of the Universe: Straight Talk about Illusions, Past Lives, Religion, Sex, Politics, and the Miracles of Forgiveness by Gary Renard.This book tells the incredible story of ascended masters revealing great truths to an everyman - Gary Renard, and documents years of conversations about what's really going on behind the scenes of our reality. Link to buy the book: https://tinyurl.com/mrxr3cvuSign up for our newsletter on our website for extras about our episodes and to l...2024-07-2353 min
Critical MattersThe Neuro ExamDisturbances in neurological function due to primary neurological disorders or organ failure from critical illness are common in patients admitted to the ICU. In this episode, Dr. Zanotti discusses the neurological physical exam in the ICU. He is joined by Dr. Adam Rizvi, a neurologist with Neurocritical care and vascular neurology fellowship training who currently practices critical care, neurocritical care, and tele-neurology/tele-stroke in several hospitals in California. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Rizvi is an accomplished educator and researcher.
Additional Resources:
Neurological examination of critically ill patients: a pragmatic approach: Report of an ESICM expert panel. Intensive...2024-06-271h 05Jaffari Community CentreThe Perils of Arrogance in History and Modern Times - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi- Imam ‘Ali bin Musa (a) exemplified humility. He instructed his followers not to stop eating when he arrived and would wait until they finished eating before addressing them. He also gathered all his servants, irrespective of their status, and treated them equally.
- The first sin in human history was Shayṭān's disobedience due to arrogance, refusing to bow to Adam (Qur'an 2:34). Arrogance leads to the ruin of individuals and nations, as seen with powerful rulers throughout history.
- In the Qur’an (17:4-8), a people were warned about their mischief and rebellion. Punishments included invasions by Nebuchadnezzar and later, the Rom...2024-05-2421 min
Let That Shift GoForgiving Death: Dr. Adam Rizvi on the Dance with Death and the Healing Power of PresenceSend us a textWhen Dr. Adam Rizvi, a neurointensivist with an intriguing passion for the spiritual dimensions of healing, joins us, the conversation transcends the ordinary. His "Forgiving Death" workshop, rooted in his intensive care unit experiences, teaches us to embrace presence and empathy when life dwindles to its last breaths. With stories that touch the heart, Adam guides us through the delicate art of end-of-life care, sharing how a deeper understanding of consciousness can aid healthcare professionals and comfort those facing loss. This episode isn't just about the end; it's a profound look at life's...2024-05-0836 min