Stephen D'Amico

03/14/2026

INNER WORK & AWAKENING

There is a common myth in spiritual circles that if we just "let go" enough, God or the Universe will do the heavy lifting for us. But the truth is that a liberated life doesn't just happen. It’s enacted minute-by-minute.

Ever notice how we often seem to reflect on our lives after a major breakup or during a week away on vacation? These gaps in our routine reveal a hard truth: our "default" mode is often a rigid cage of conditioning.

If we want to break free from that prison into a state of spontaneous freedom, we have to stop waiting for it to "simply happen." Transformation is an active process—one that requires both a mirror and a window.

The Two Modes of Awareness
Think of your awareness as a lens that functions as a mirror and a window. Both modes are needed to do the two complimentary forms of self-inquiry at the heart of living a liberated life: reflection and recognition.

Reflection Mode (The Mirror)
When awareness acts like a mirror, we observe ourselves without judgment. This allows us to look objectively at our thoughts and feelings so we can deconstruct the rigid ego structures that keep us stuck.

This form of self-inquiry is led by the question: Why am I the way I am? The goal is to make the ego flexible so our true nature has a clear channel to express itself.

Recognition Mode (The Window)
The same awareness that reflects is also like a window that allows the clear light of being to shine through us. Our awareness arises out of our beingness. It is what allows us to know that we exist, and when we dwell on our own beingness, we return to the source of existence.

This form of self-inquiry is led by the question: Who am I? The goal is to recognize that at the deepest level, everything—including the patterns of our ego—is simply a manifestation of being.

The Stained-Glass Analogy
Think of your true nature as pure light and your personality as a stained-glass window. When our conditioning is rigid, the glass is thick and fixed, and the light is trapped in the same repetitive shapes. But as we do the work, the glass itself begins to lose its density. It becomes more like liquid—fluid, transparent, and shifting.

Your history and personality don't disappear, but they stop being a cage. They become unchained and malleable which allows the spontaneity of being to flow through you in a more dynamic way. You move from the prison of having a fixed identity into the freedom of a living, breathing expression of your true nature.

Join Me This Sunday
If you are ready to move from an intellectual understanding to direct experience, I invite you to join my upcoming session with Open Circle. We will explore these themes together and dive deeper into the practice of recognition and integration.

When: This Sunday, March 15th, from 12 PM – 2 PM ET (9 AM PT).

Register here:

Everything you ever wanted to know about spiritual liberation but never had an enlightened friend to ask! In this session, we’ll begin with a grounding and uplifting guided meditation and then move into a clear…

03/11/2026

03/08/2026

YOUR NOSE KNOWS!

If someone walked into the room and found you staring cross-eyed at the tip of your nose, they might reasonably assume you’ve finally lost it. In the world of yoga, however, you’d simply be practicing a classic, surprisingly powerful meditation technique called Nasikagra Drishti.

Nose Tip Gazing is a form of Trataka, a traditional meditation in which you focus steadily on a single point, often the tip of a candle flame or a small dot called a bindu, or in this case, the humble nose that’s conveniently located right in the middle of your face and available 24/7. Simple as it sounds, this practice can lead to a profound sense of calm and heightened self-awareness.

The nose is one of the most accessible anchors in meditation. First, breathing through the nose naturally calms the nervous system, soothing both mind and body while gently guiding awareness inward. Feeling the cool air passing through the nostrils is also a built-in reminder to return to the present whenever the mind wanders (which, let’s be honest, it loves to do).

What's more, there's a fascinating physiological "hack" at play. Fixing the gaze on the tip of the nose lightly engages the eye muscles in a way that stimulates the vagus nerve through a mechanism called oculocardiac convergence. This connection between the eyes and the heart aids in slowing the heart rate and promoting a deeply relaxed state.

The "X" Marks the Spot: When you gently cross your eyes and focus on the tip of the nose, you will notice a distinct visual effect. The overlapping sides of the nose create an Λ shape in the lower field of vision, while the bridge of the nose forms a subtler V shape above it. Together they resemble an X-like pattern that acts as a natural focal point for concentration.

Try it for 30 seconds: Begin by gently directing your gaze toward the tip of your nose and allowing the shapes to appear naturally without straining. Bring your attention to the center point where the lines intersect, almost like the crosshairs of a scope sharpening your focus. If a soft silvery or luminous quality appears around the point, observe it without trying to influence or change it.

After approximately ten seconds, relax your eyes and allow your gaze to soften, looking gently past the nose without fixating on anything in the room. Just let your awareness become aware of itself, which allows the quiet clarity of being to arise. If your mind wanders, return to the cool sensation of breath at the nostrils for a few beats (your ever-present anchor).

If you feel a sense of heightened awareness, stay present and enjoy the experience. And if nothing extraordinary happens at all, that’s okay too. At the very least, you’ve spent some time breathing mindfully…and perhaps appreciating your nose for something other than holding up your glasses.

03/01/2026

Years ago, when I first began teaching, someone offered to “package” me—dress me in traditional robes, give me a guru’s name, and cultivate a mystical aloofness. He insisted I’d be taken more seriously if I appeared holy. I declined. That persona wasn’t me.

I’ve had an awakening that reshaped how I see reality, and I care deeply about sharing what I’ve learned. But I still chop wood and carry water. I still feel anger at injustice. I still sometimes grumble when my wife leaves every light on in the house like we’re guiding ships safely to shore. I have experience in my field, yes, and an ideal I aim toward. But I’m still learning. And I teach from there.

Over time, it’s become obvious that many teachers struggle under the weight of the image they feel compelled to uphold. On stage, they may speak beautifully about compassion and transcendence; in private, they wrestle with the same emotions and wounds as anyone else. The gap between persona and person can be painful to witness, especially when we’ve projected perfection onto them.

That projection is part of the problem. We create an ideal of the “enlightened” human and then feel betrayed when teachers turn out to be human: reactive, imperfect, still growing. We need to stop putting people on pedestals. And teachers need to stop pretending they belong there.

At the same time, spiritual teachers do carry responsibility. Like any professional, they should embody the values they teach. Integrity matters. Dignity matters. Teaching is meant to point toward an ideal and inspire growth. But professionalism is not perfectionism. It doesn’t require suppressing one’s humanity or projecting infallibility.

In fact, the most trustworthy teachers are those who can admit where they struggle. Not as a display of vulnerability, but simply by being honest. A mature teacher doesn’t hide behind a two-dimensional facade; they allow themselves to be dynamic, evolving, and real.

Enlightenment, if it means anything, should look less like holiness and more like authenticity. It is choosing essence over ego: the freedom of not having to defend an image. When we drop the facade, we free not only ourselves, but those who learn from us. And in that shared humanity, something far more real and sustainable can grow.

02/22/2026

NO SELF IS NO EXCUSE

The 2026 Epstein files have sent shockwaves through the spiritual world, with Deepak Chopra under intense scrutiny after the revelation of his years of correspondence and association with the convicted predator.

Beneath the headlines lies a sobering truth: nobody is immune from moral corruption. We must dispel the myth that spiritual awakening automatically produces ethical maturity. It doesn’t. The files reveal Chopra's statement to Epstein that "God is a construct" while emphasizing that "cute girls are real." This is the ultimate example of using high-level metaphysics to rationalize low-level behavior.

For decades, numerous contemporary spiritual teachers have amplified a sloganized version of nonduality, encapsulated in phrases like “There is no self” and “Nothing is real.” Traditionally, these higher teachings were reserved for morally upright practitioners. Today, they frequently serve as shields for misconduct by inexperienced or fraudulent gurus.

Neglecting the subconscious can cause nondual insight to bolster the ego instead of dismantling it, resulting in spiritual bypassing, ego inflation, and subsequent harm. Genuine wisdom requires a constant awareness of how our actions affect others and a radical willingness to remain accountable for them.

This is why shadow work and psychological integration are vital for seekers and teachers alike. Blind spots don’t vanish just because one glimpses the absolute. Insight must be paired with the cultivation of self-reflection and conscience.

Earlier this year, Chopra launched an AI version of himself. When asked about the allegations, it deflects an honest answer with spiritual platitudes. Even 'Digital Deepak' can’t compute the gap between insight and integrity. This demands a noble heart and a moral compass, traits notably absent in both Chopra and his chatbot.

02/15/2026

IS EVIL REAL?

Many of us have been carrying a quiet heaviness in our hearts for a while now. Each time we read the news or witness another story of violence or cruelty, something deep inside us winces.

In times like these, it’s only natural to wonder: Does evil actually exist? And if so, where does it come from?

At its root, evil is what happens when we surrender completely to our lower nature while silencing our higher one.

Our lower nature isn’t bad. It’s instinctual and part of being human. It wants to survive. It seeks security, pleasure, agency, and some sense of control in an unpredictable world. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that.

But without the steady guidance of our higher nature—conscience, empathy, wisdom, restraint—those lower drives can twist into ugly forms: greed, cruelty, and violence. And when the higher voice is muted long enough, the balance tips. That’s when evil begins to take shape.

The evil we see “out there” in global headlines is a stark reminder that its seed also lives within us. It shows up in subtle moments: when we choose reaction over reflection or resentment over understanding.

Whenever things become totally unbalanced, whether personally or globally, the invitation is the same. Not to despair, numb out, or harden—but to return. To listen for the higher voice. To let conscience interrupt impulse. To allow empathy to soften certainty.

The world may feel turbulent, but the real work of healing begins within. Each time we heed our higher nature, we restore a little balance, both inside ourselves and in the shared field we all inhabit.

May we each find the courage, especially now, to choose the higher voice within us.

02/08/2026

LOOK MA, NO HANDS!

Years ago, I was hired as a liaison between a law firm and a mediation NGO. They were co-hosting a national Peace and Conflict Resolution conference. Ironically, the relationship had fragmented so badly that one side was threatening legal action. Guess which one? The atmosphere was tense, to say the least, with very little room for missteps!

To steady myself, I turned my bike commute into a meditation. For twenty minutes each morning, I practiced riding no hands the entire way. By the end of the week, I could anticipate every traffic light and negotiate the entire route without touching my handlebars. This daily ritual cultivated the inner balance I needed to walk into charged rooms without losing my centre.

We can apply this same principle to everyday life. When we intentionally slow down and become present, we create the conditions for riding through life hands-free. We move into a natural flow state, guided less by rigid control and more by inner wisdom.

Of course, no ride is ever perfectly smooth. There will always be metaphorical bumps in the road: old habits resurfacing, emotional reactions arising, conflicts spiking. But there’s no need to panic. These are simply moments when it’s helpful to reach for the handlebars and guide ourselves with care.

This means pausing instead of reacting, noticing what’s arising in the body, and reflecting just enough to stay aligned. We still feel our feelings fully, but without acting out familiar patterns. This kind of careful steering helps the nervous system stay regulated and prevents old control strategies from taking over.

As this becomes familiar, the need to hold on naturally decreases. Balance returns. Our grip loosens. And the ride continues with greater ease. Over time, life teaches us when to hold on and when it’s safe to let go.

Here’s to steady hands-free living and a more fluid, responsive, and alive ride! See you out on the road, my friends.

02/01/2026

ENLIGHTENMENT NOW!

This morning, I was standing in my kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil. Phone in hand. Mind already racing ahead to the day. Out of habit, my thumb almost started scrolling.

Do you know that moment?

Then something inside urged me to pause and look up instead. A smile came to my lips as I noticed the morning light spill across the floor.

I took a deep breath…one I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. For a long moment, nothing was missing. Life felt whole and quietly alive.

It’s striking how rare these moments seem, yet how effortlessly they appear when we stop chasing the next moment and let ourselves settle into this one.

This very moment, so simple and complete, waits patiently for our attention.

When we do settle and become present, a natural ease emerges. Our bodies relax, our mind loosens its grip on overthinking. And a gentle miracle unfolds.

Presence carries its own sweetness, which blooms naturally, without effort, sometimes opening into bliss. Nothing in this moment needs to be added or fixed.

Being itself is enough.

In this natural state, the world begins to speak again. Leaves whisper as they dance in the wind. Birdsong offers itself freely to the morning air. Sunlight rests on the skin like a blessing.

These moments are not separate from us. We feel them in the heart. The sense of “me” as separate from everyone and everything dissolves a little, and a quiet oneness emerges. A deeper remembering that we belong to all of this.

And from this remembering, gratitude flows effortlessly. Gratitude for our breath. For life itself. Even clarity can spring to life: solutions to problems, creative ideas and insights about things we’ve been struggling with. All because we took a few moments to appreciate the simple, sacred beauty of being alive, right here, right now.

These small pauses are doorways to your very essence. Available now—and now. No heavy lifting required.

01/25/2026

SURVIVAL OF THE SLOWEST

My wife, Aniko, and I recently watched an episode of The Nature of Things called Survival of the Slowest. Did you see it? It explored how some of nature’s slowest creatures don’t just survive but joyfully thrive. The whole episode felt like a love letter to the quiet brilliance of moving through life at an unhurried pace.

When the segment on manatees began, I felt Aniko perk right up. Then came the side glances. Several of them. I started giggling inwardly, as I knew exactly what was coming.

As soon as the episode ended, Aniko turned fully toward me with twinkling eyes and declared, “I think the manatee is my spirit animal!”

Yes, that tracks, I thought. I’ve lovingly teased her our entire life together about her slower-than-average pace. I’ve even used the made-up word "slowmobile" on occasion, much to her lack of amusement. And now, thanks to this episode, she finally felt vindicated.

Joking aside, manatees (not unlike Aniko) carry a quiet wisdom. They don’t hurry. They don’t posture. They don’t chase achievement. And yet there they are: completely at home in their lives.

They remind us that presence lives in slowness. That life can be fully lived without rushing through it. They teach tenderness and remind us that gentleness is a strength…an intelligence tuned into harmony.

They don’t dominate their environment; they move through it with quiet cooperation. Life isn’t asking to be conquered, only inhabited.

Manatees honour rest. They don’t “earn” it. Exhaustion and overwork aren’t virtues in their world. Their lives aren’t cluttered with unnecessary wants.

There’s a simple peace to them: Nibble. Breathe. Rest. Play. Stay warm. Connect. A manatee doesn’t question its place in the water. It doesn’t wonder if it’s doing life “right.” It belongs because it exists.

We do too.

And the punchline?

When I asked Aniko what she thought my spirit animal might be, without hesitation, she blurted out, “STORK!”

Make of that what you will.

01/18/2026

HAPPINESS & BEING

Happiness is real, but it’s often conditional, shaped by outer circumstances. You may recognize this in your own life. For example, a conversation you were dreading goes surprisingly well. Or you receive a text from your crush. Or you find a parking spot right by the entrance. However, when circumstances change or life presents unexpected challenges (as it often does), this happiness tends to diminish.

Such is to be expected when we treat happiness as an essential state rather than a passing state. Life becomes an endless cycle of relief and loss: feeling okay when things line up and unsettled when they don’t. This is the inevitable outcome of placing our identity in a state that cannot stay.

But abiding peace, equanimity, and joy come from a different place. Somewhere deeper and more stable. These qualities don’t depend on moods or outcomes. They arise from the simple feeling of being before anything is labelled good or bad. Being doesn’t improve when praise comes or diminish when criticism lands.

From this place, emotions are still felt fully. Elation still visits. Grief still hurts. Disappointment still (ahem) disappoints! But we can move through these emotions without being knocked out by them. Our true core remains, even while waves of emotion move through us, whether good or bad.

When we stop organizing our lives around chasing happiness and instead rest in the simplicity of being, emotions can move freely without defining us. We still enjoy cheerful moments, but we no longer need them to prove that life is fine. And as a result, a more lasting contentment begins to appear, not because life is perfect, but because nothing essential is missing, even when something hurts for a short while.

01/11/2026

STUMBLING SPIRIT INTERVIEW

I’m excited to share my latest conversation on The Stumbling Spirit podcast with the wonderful host, Fabio da Silva Fernandes. We explored the mystical and supernatural moments that have shaped my spiritual journey, along with the very human challenges I’ve encountered along the way. It’s an honest, unfiltered, and wide-ranging dialogue about awakening, resilience, and what it really means to walk the path. Have a listen, friends, and let us know what resonates.

Fabio da Silva Fernandes is an exceptional and engaging interviewer, with a rare gift for drawing out meaningful conversation. His podcast, recently featured by Amazon Music as a standout independent Canadian show, explores resilience, self-discovery, and the deep ties between personal and spiritual growth.

Season four launches on March 2nd and will center on the vital connection between compassion and resilience. Beyond the mic, Fabio is a gifted Reiki master and mindfulness coach, as well as a writer and speaker dedicated to conscious living. His show is available on Acast, Amazon, Apple, Audible, Headliner, iHeart, Spotify, YouTube, VeryParanormal, and his website thestumblingspirit.com.

https://shows.acast.com/the-stumbling-spirit/episodes/sparking-enlightenment

01/04/2026

ASCENSION

As we step into a new year, it’s a natural time to pause and reflect on what we’d like to nurture in ourselves. Beneath all the doing, fixing, and self-improving, here’s the simple truth: we’re already one with the source of everything, even if we don’t always feel it in our beings.

When we do start to remember this more consciously, something inside us lights up. Our soul quickens, our awareness expands, and we begin to rise into a fuller experience of who we are. This natural rising of consciousness is called ascension, and at its fullest expression, it leads to enlightenment: a deep, merging reunion with our higher selves that feels like coming home.

For some seekers, this awakening arrives suddenly, like a lightning bolt, permanently reshaping our experience of reality and opening into a deep sense of oneness with all of life. For most, though, it’s more like taking the scenic route, marked by small breakthroughs, quiet “aha” moments, and gentle expansions that unfold over time. Both paths are equally magical, and there’s no wrong way to get there.

In this spirit, then, 2026 offers a beautiful opportunity to make a different kind of resolution. One that’s heartfelt and meaningful. Not to become someone new or in need of fixing, but a loving commitment to remembering who you already are.

Whether you meander down the path or take the speed train matters not. Whether you’re graceful at it or gloriously imperfect, also unimportant. What really counts is simply staying engaged in the process. Curious. Committed and kind to yourself, as you persistently strive for spiritual freedom. When we do this, our lives naturally become lighter and more joyful, and that inner shift quietly ripples out into the world around us.