“There's a sweetness in Advaita non-dual teachings, right? There is this emphasis on the truth of freedom and...eternal, the eternal ever-present You. I mean, how sweet is that?” - Robbie Chesick
Today I share a candid and reflective conversation with Robbie Chesick. Robbie is a lifelong meditator, by nature tropic to tuning into the hum of pure existence at the base of her sense of self. She is also a (recently retired) trauma therapist, a mom, a lazy poet, and a curious wanderer.
We discuss meditation, nonduality, feminism, and how spiritual practice meets ordinary life. How can inquiry cut through the conditioning, politics, and ego? It's a delightful and light hearted conversation about the real "stuff" we deal with as humans just navigating our way. Robbie gives great insight into the approach and pursuit of the yogi from her 35 years of sadhana.
Key topics:
- Satsang and the essential shared space of spiritual inquiry.
- Early questions about identity, the self, and what lies beyond surface reality.
- Robbie shares her formative journey in her early twenties, including travel through India, illness, danger, and the eventual decision to come to her brother and meet Swamiji.
- How spiritual realization can coexist with family life, work, parenting, and a public-facing life in the world.
- Inquiry should be applied everywhere, not only in meditation, and that the mind’s habit of either-or thinking can obscure more nuanced, intelligent action.
- The pressure to conform to tribal thinking, especially in wellness and yoga circles, and how fear of rejection can shape beliefs and behaviour.
- The forest wanderer phase of life reframed.
- Robbie distinguishes pure existence from personal identity, emphasizing that the goal is not to become anything other than what you are.
I absolutely loved this conversation with Robbie, a wise friend and courageous yogi. She gives me inspiration to keep steadfast on this path as I meet and greet the many phases of life. I know she will give you something to consider as well in this thoughtful satsang space.
In oneness,
Bobbi
Thanks for listening!
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