About this episode
Rafael Stoneman continues to study the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi and is the founder of A.H. Nonprofit, which has three key programs that focus on alleviating homelessness: Alternative Housing, Addiction Help, and Anger Hotline. A.H. Nonprofit: 501c3 Tax Exempt EIN: 90-0450329 MISSION STATEMENT: “A.H. Nonprofit provides services to to people who are in need, feeling lost, challenged by practical living needs, or facing spiritual crisis, as well as being an aide for people focused on a life of self-inquiry, surrender, or devotion.” Interview recorded 10/7/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Raphael Stoneman 00:02:28 - From Darkness to Acting and Identity 00:04:56 - Losing the Function of Being 00:07:46 - From Manual Labor to Self-Realization 00:10:02 - The Bhagavad Gita in the Army 00:11:43 - Training Ground for Breaking Free 00:13:31 - Trauma in Combat and Boot Camp 00:15:06 - A Pilgrimage to Ramana Ashram 00:16:57 - Creative tendencies and personal growth 00:00:18 - The Space of Self-Inquiry 00:20:44 - The Power of Awareness 00:22:39 - Dealing with Anger and Finding Inner Peace 00:24:56 - The Samurai's Duty in a State of Anger 00:26:51 - The Explosive Nature of Anger 00:28:39 - The Use and Management of Anger 00:30:48 - Reacting vs. Letting Go 00:32:47 - Going Beyond Effort and Effortlessness 00:35:34 - Blasting Him in Intensity 00:38:25 - The Impact of Interactions 00:40:27 - Self-realization and Liberation 00:43:09 - Life Using You as an Instrument 00:45:29 - Seeking Enlightenment and the Guru-Disciple Relationship 00:48:06 - Dualistic Confusion and Harmonizing Paradoxes 00:51:07 - The Silence Within and Aikido Metaphor 00:53:59 - Judgment and Authenticity in Spiritual Teachers 00:56:04 - The variety of experiences in the Absolute 00:57:42 - The Ongoing Process of Spiritual Unfoldment 00:59:39 - Awakening and Integration 01:01:33 - Wrapping up the Interview 01:03:19 - Continuation of Seeking and Discovery 01:05:12 - Concluding Remarks and Updates 01:06:41 - An Audio Podcast Available