Not Too Tight, Not Too Loose – Keith Kurlander & Dr. Will Van Derveer – HPP152

The Higher Practice Podcast for Optimal Mental Health

Have you ever considered how our attachments shape our experiences of fulfillment and suffering? In this episode, we explore the delicate balance between holding on and letting go, examining how these forces influence our spiritual and emotional lives. Drawing from contemplative traditions, we discuss the role of the ego in shaping desires and fears, and how even the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment can become entangled in attachment. Reflecting on loss, joy, and moments of profound spiritual clarity—whether through meditation, psychedelics, or transformative experiences—we unpack the paradox of pursuing meaning while surrendering to life’s uncertainties. Letting go isn’t about passivity but about cultivating curiosity, compassion, and flexibility in a world of impermanence, where meaning emerges in life’s fleeting moments.

Show notes:

● Defining Spiritual Attachment

● Leaving Buddhism: A Personal Revelation

● Balancing Letting Go and Attachment

● Navigating Attachment to Freedom

● Psychological Flexibility Through Psychedelics

● Creating Meaning in a Lifetime

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