About this episode
Riyaz passed away in May, 2025. Here's a video he recorded a month before his death with his friends Adyashanti, Jonathan Gustin, and John Prendergast. Born in Kenya, and of Indian ancestry, Riyaz came to North America when he was ten years old (growing up in Canada, and then moving to the United States as an adult). Each of these lands, peoples, and cultures has informed and shaped his expression and sensibilities. He is a product of both East and West. Most of his adult life has been devoted to the study and practice of both psychotherapy and spirituality. And both of these disciplines have been integral to a path of healing and awakening. Professionally, his life’s work has been to bring together Eastern wisdom with Western science and psychology in a synergistic alliance. After 26 years of mainly practicing as a psychotherapist, and many years of teaching and supervising students and interns in a transpersonally oriented graduate school (CIIS in San Francisco), he has shifted his work in a more explicitly spiritual direction. He now leads individuals and groups in spiritual work through groups, and day-long and multi-day retreats. In April 2023, he received dharma transmission and the blessing of his teacher, Adyashanti. Website: riyazmotan.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded November 26, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 Embracing Vulnerability in Teaching 00:03:24 Transition to Spiritual Teaching 00:06:25 The Unexpected Lung Cancer Diagnosis 00:10:10 Embracing Life’s Challenges as Spiritual Lessons 00:13:24 Philosophy of Evolution and Suffering 00:17:23 Embracing Mortality and Living Fully 00:20:23 Wisdom from Sri Ramakrishna: Always Be Learning 00:23:25 Navigating Cancer Treatment Challenges 00:26:34 Embracing Alternative Healing Methods 00:29:41 Embracing Non-Western Healing Approaches 00:33:01 The Profound Experience of Near-Death and Out-of-Body Events 00:36:32 Personal Transformations Through Marriage 00:40:30 Embracing Earthly Spirituality 00:45:53 The Impact of Spirituality as an Escape Mechanism 00:49:46 Cultivating Presence for Emotional Healing 00:53:54 The Power of Group Consciousness 00:57:45 The Toll of Being a Spiritual Teacher 01:01:07 Embracing Vulnerability in Teaching 01:05:08 The Evolution of Spiritual Teaching Methodologies 01:08:57 Evolution of Teacher-Student Dynamics in Education 01:12:51 Importance of Preparatory Spiritual Practices 01:16:26 Lack of Spiritual Development and Global Issues 01:19:34 Humanity’s Crisis and Opportunity for Change 01:22:26 Awakening of a New Consciousness 01:26:27 Exploring Neurodivergence and Enhanced Perception 01:30:28 Transformative Power of Psychedelics and Nature 01:33:46 Ayahuasca Experience: A Catalyst for Awakening 01:36:57 Spiritual Awakening through Nature and Retreats 01:40:52 Exploring the Hero Dose: Insights from Adyashanti 01:43:41 Transition from One-to-One Work to Spiritual Mentoring 01:47:33 Upcoming Guests and Spiritual Experiences