Grit and Zen

Kurt Armstrong, host of the Grit and Zen podcast, discusses viewing the world as a work of art. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude and appreciation for all creations, whether natural or man-made. Armstrong shares his personal journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, highlighting the role of practices like meditation, yoga, and psychedelic work in achieving a deeper connection with the divine and a more profound unders...

Kurt Armstrong, host of the Grit and Zen podcast, discusses his personal journey, including his struggles with sobriety and a recent relapse on cannabis. He reflects on the importance of being present in the moment and his commitment to his spiritual journey, which includes a nine-month meditation program. Armstrong also shares his gratitude for his healing toe and his determination to stay accountable and focused on his goals.

The ...

The podcast host believes all answers to life’s questions, from diet to spirituality, are within us and the collective consciousness. He argues external sources, often profit-driven, mislead us into believing we need their guidance. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry and intuition to determine what works best for each individual’s unique body and experience.

The speaker recounts their journey from self-destructive...

The speaker recounts a profoundly positive psychedelic experience, contrasting it with a previous negative one. After a year of sobriety, the speaker, seeking answers, took a higher dose of LSD than intended, leading to an intense and unexpected trip. The experience involved a thousand-headed being and a journey into a different realm, leaving the speaker with a deep spiritual understanding.

The narrator recounts a profound spir...

The host, Kurt Armstrong, recounts his journey from a troubled past to a regenerative life. He shares his experiences with psychedelics, including a negative one that led to a profound transformation. Armstrong emphasizes the importance of responsible psychedelic use and the potential for personal growth and spiritual awakening.

The narrator recounts a pivotal experience from the past ten years, during a period of substance abuse. W...

Kurt discusses the importance of staying present in the moment and avoiding dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. He emphasizes the benefits of focusing on one task at a time, rather than multitasking, and highlights the connection between this practice and various spiritual and philosophical teachings. Kurt encourages listeners to embrace the present, let go of negative thoughts, and cultivate love and positivity in t...

Kurt Armstrong, the host of a podcast about personal growth and spiritual development, discusses his journey towards a more selfless and service-oriented life. He reflects on his past mistakes and the various paths he has explored, including Eastern philosophy and spiritual practices. Kurt is currently in the process of selling and giving away his possessions to detach from materialism and focus on spiritual development, while also...

Kurt Armstrong, the host of the Criton Zen podcast, discusses his spiritual journey and beliefs. He emphasizes the importance of unconditional love and compassion, drawing parallels between his practices of Raja yoga and teachings of Jesus Christ. Armstrong highlights the need for understanding and acceptance across different religions, emphasizing that they all aim to promote love and understanding.

The speaker recounts their strug...

The podcast host, Kurt, discusses the challenges of navigating life after a spiritual awakening, including losing friends who don’t align with his new path and grappling with past actions, such as violence and substance abuse. He acknowledges the need for accountability and personal growth, while also dealing with feelings of loneliness and disappointment when friends cancel plans to visit. Kurt emphasizes the importance of self-lo...

The host, Kurt Armstrong, recounts his experience with smoking marijuana, highlighting its negative impact on his mental clarity and ability to control his mind. He emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in consuming various substances, including food, music, and media, and how they can influence our well-being and life direction. Armstrong shares his journey of self-discovery and the techniques he’s learned to quiet the mind, ul...

Surrendering control and having non-attachment to outcomes is a powerful concept. By accepting challenges as opportunities for growth and embracing a spiritual awakening, one can find peace and clarity in decision-making. Ultimately, letting go of ego-driven desires and trusting in a higher power leads to a more fulfilling life.

The speaker discusses their approach to life’s challenges, emphasizing detachment from outcomes and embra...

The podcast host, Kurt Armstrong, discusses his journey with yoga, which he discovered while in jail. He emphasizes the importance of the eight limbs of yoga beyond just physical postures, highlighting its philosophy of self-reflection and personal growth. Armstrong plans to start trauma-based yoga teacher training, reflecting his own experiences and the transformative power of yoga.

The speaker recounts their journey with yoga,...

The speaker reflects on a recent incident where they became upset about losing a computer, realizing they were caught up in future worries rather than staying present. They discuss the importance of surrendering to a higher power and practicing faith, sharing a personal experience of praying and finding peace. The speaker also touches on financial struggles and commitments to their children, emphasizing the need to stay present and...

The narrator recounts a transformative experience during meditation last summer. Focusing on the seven chakras and repeating “glory be to God,” the narrator felt a surge of energy, likening it to a lightning bolt from God. This experience, which occurred during a period of isolation, led the narrator to share their journey and beliefs about spirituality and the divine.

The narrator recounts a profound spiritual experience during...

The author shares their personal journey towards spiritual enlightenment, emphasizing the importance of finding one’s own path to the divine. They believe in a universal love and connection, rejecting the notion of a single, exclusive path to God. The author highlights the value of studying various religious and philosophical texts, including the Vedas, Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible and the Tao Te Ching, in their pursuit...

The author, isolated in Southern Oregon, longs for a sense of community. Financial struggles, including child support payments and limited resources, hinder their ability to move closer to their children and build connections. Despite facing food insecurity and a broken toe, the author remains hopeful and resilient, relying on faith and trust in God to overcome challenges.

The speaker is facing financial hardship, including food...

The narrator recounts their childhood, raised by a single mother and later adopted by their stepfather. They describe their mother’s young age and perceived lack of attention, leading to resentment. After their parents’ divorce, the narrator chose to live with their stepfather but was denied.

The narrator recounts a rebellious teenage phase marked by substance use and a strained relationship with their mother. After a serious sk...