Giovanni Dienstmann is a spiritual practitioner and teacher, and the creator of Live and Dare, one of the top five most visited meditation blogs on the planet. As an author, meditation coach and speaker, Giovanni helps people overcome anxiety and stress to live a more calm and centered life, through spiritually-inspired personal development work.
Since the age of 14, spirituality has been the center of his life. In his journey, he practiced over 9,000 hours of meditation, tried 70 different techniques, and nearly became a monk twice.
His spiritual thirst and eclectic approach led him to be formally initiated into the traditions of Zen Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, Raja Yoga, and Mantra Yoga—by the masters Moriyama Roshi, Lakshamana Swami, Shivarudra Balayogi, and Nikhileshwarananda (respectively). In February 2010 he experienced a powerful awakening in the presence of Mooji in South India, and that has been a point of no return in his path.
Giovanni is the author of the best-selling book Practical Meditation: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide, which has been translated to 5 different languages and has popularly been called “The Meditation Bible”. As a coach, Giovanni’s clients range from stay at home parents to entrepreneurs, C-level executives and pro athletes.
In the field of meditation, he brings a contemporary and pragmatic approach to help both meditation novices and spiritual seekers alike. In his role as a spiritual writer, he balances deep reverence for traditional teachings with critical thinking and a comparative study of spiritual traditions.
To learn more about Giovanni and his work, visit LiveAndDare.com.
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Transcript of this interview.
Interview recorded April 20, 2019.
Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introducing Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:04:43 - Different Meditation Techniques
00:09:24 - Discovering Zen and Meeting the Roshi
00:14:05 - The Zen Tradition and Lineage
00:18:51 - Disappointment and Closure in Zen Practice
00:23:24 - Doubts on Enlightenment and the Value of Knowledge
00:27:25 - The Value of Reading and Studying in Spiritual Paths
00:31:38 - Integrating aspects of the human experience
00:35:45 - The Path of Advaita and Integration
00:40:32 - Surrender to the Lord within
00:45:15 - Neo Advaita: Mistaking Temporary Realization
00:49:57 - Different Categories of Spiritual Practitioners
00:54:45 - The Role of Practice and Spiritual Bypassing
00:59:01 - Tuning in to Spiritual Books
01:03:33 - The Enjoyment of Spiritual Practice
01:07:48 - Benefits of Lowering Stress and Relieving Depression
01:12:10 - The Silence and Self-awareness
01:17:13 - A Powerful Milestone in my Spiritual Journey
01:22:02 - Maintaining Discernment in Spiritual Teachings
01:26:34 - The Importance of Purification and Discernment in Self-Realization
01:30:45 - The Dangers of Following Gurus
01:35:11 - Concentrating the Mind with Objects
01:39:26 - The Importance of Having Different Levels of Teachers
01:43:31 - Exploring Different Spiritual Paths
01:47:43 - The Bodhisattva and Continuing Existence
01:52:02 - The Concept of Leela in Tantra
01:56:35 - The Importance of Choosing the Right Meditation Practice
02:00:39 - The role of charging for meditation and spirituality
02:04:46 - The Role of Dakshina in Spiritual Exchange
02:09:09 - The Responsibility of Siddhis and their Role in Science and Society
02:13:26 - Demonstrating Siddhis through Scientific Means
