In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, I welcome Dean Graves, a mental health counselor, author, and podcaster, to discuss the complex topic of consciousness. Dean shares his journey into Meditation and how it led him to explore deeper aspects of consciousness and self-awareness. He discusses the concept of the ‘hierophant’ or false identity, the process of healing emotional baggage, and the pursuit of happiness through self-exploration. Dean also touches on the interplay between physical and metaphysical existence, the role of religion, and the spectrum of consciousness. The conversation offers insights into dealing with mental health issues like Depression and Anxiety by understanding and addressing underlying beliefs and emotional burdens. Dean concludes by encouraging listeners to focus inward to find happiness and improve their mental health.

Dean Graves is an experienced and authoritative spiritual teacher, author, and podcaster with over two decades of experience in meditation and mindfulness instruction. He has conducted numerous workshops and group sessions on self-healing and personal growth, guiding many individuals toward greater self-awareness and enlightenment.

Dean’s interest in spirituality and self-improvement led him to produce an internationally successful spirituality podcast and a series of YouTube videos of some of his live presentations. His podcast has helped many individuals connect with their inner selves, find inner peace, and learn practical techniques to overcome mental health and emotional problems.

In addition to his podcast, Dean has written four books on self-healing and Personal Development. His books are a treasure trove of insights and practical techniques that help individuals unlock their full potential and succeed in all areas of their lives. Dean’s body of work also includes two podcasts dedicated to didactic information on the human experience, focusing on providing people with a blueprint for healing from stress and suffering and advancing their evolutionary journey.

Timestamps:

04:23 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

05:18 Dean’s Journey into Meditation and Consciousness

10:11 Teaching and Helping Others

16:00 Understanding the Hierophant and Ego

20:08 The Nature of Stress and Happiness

28:22 Exploring Consciousness and Free Will

38:25 The Evolution of Consciousness

45:43 Consciousness in Dream States

46:09 Understanding Emotions and Thoughts

47:23 The Metaphysical Self and Consciousness

47:47 The Nature of the Mind

52:48 Physical and Metaphysical Realms

55:54 Religious Dogma and the Infinite Creator

01:12:33 Mental Health and Emotional Baggage

01:18:43 Path to Happiness and Healing

Sponsors of the Podcast:

• BetterHelp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/ez10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 10% off your first month of Therapy
• WeShape: https://weshape.postaffiliatepro.com/scripts/dcfogwyuk?a_aid=FurkhanDandia&a_bid=d7508fa8 for 35% all plans.
• Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial
• Plunge: https://plunge.com/ez
• Mint Mobile: ⁠https://trymintmobile.com/ez10⁠ for 15$ for an unlimited cell phone plan
• We Are Wild for 25% off your first order: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://zen.ai/EZ23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you would like to support EZ Conversations, here are all the ways you can do that:

• Instagram⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/eunoiazen⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m.facebook.com/eunoiazen⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/furkhan-dandia-macp-mba-072a8a1ba/⁠
• Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/EzConversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find Furkhan’s Book, Pursuit of Self Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Reflections. The Kindle version is available on Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections-ebook/dp/B0C4D1XYL1⁠⁠⁠

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Furkhan Dandia Therapist and Coach

I am a men's coach, therapist, group facilitator, podcaster and author. My journey began five years ago when I was going through a separation. I found myself alone and in a shame spiral that our culture and society covertly exert on people due to the perceived "failure" of a marriage. Unfortunately, I personalized that message which led me to fall deeper into a hole, causing me to surround myself with people that did not serve me and engage in substance abuse. While seeking therapy, I was not making the wholesale changes I needed.

As part of my experience with therapy, I realized that I am not alone in the challenges men my age experience (I separated at the age of 34/35). I realized I could be a voice for men like myself and offer support in this space. In the middle of the pandemic, I applied for a Master's degree in Psychology to become a therapist. This change was a significant shift for me as I worked in the corporate world as an engineer. Once I leaned into the space of supporting other men, I also started a podcast to normalize these difficult conversations and started a men's group a year later with the support of a friend.

I thought I was giving something back when I started the men's group. However, I quickly realized I was getting substantially more from the connections I built than I initially anticipated. It was also something I needed because I was going through another breakup.

At that point, I also realized that I had not taken the time to heal, and I was outsourcing my healing through romantic relationships, substances, material acquisitions and superficial relationships. I decided to step away from the outgoing lifestyle and started to focus on my healing which was another phase of evolution for me on my journey. Over the last year and a half, I have become mindful of the people I spend my time with. I have cleaned my lifestyle of substances, toxic environments and behaviours. I have focused on my sleep, my health and my knowledge. I have improved my spiritual relationship with myself, which was lacking the most over the past five years. This is the best I have felt.

As part of my solitude journey and to find myself again, I also released a book encapsulating my journey, which I hope to share with others. My book is titled: The Pursuit of Self-Love.