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Ryan Burton ~ “I Want to Get Back There” – The Most Common Post-Awakening Trap
Saturday, December 20, 2025 @ 9:00am-11:00am (Pacific Time)
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A practitioner will have many openings and experiences over the course of their spiritual or contemplative endeavor. There is a common and important stage in awakening I call the ‘foreground-background split’ which occurs after someone has had an opening whether induced or spontaneous.
It can leave us with intense wanting and the question of “how can I get back there?” The challenge of the meditator in this stage is to not mistake the bliss, clarity and unity which characterized the opening as being the awakening itself. Abandoning what was previously attained is an act of surrender that helps us see the true nature of the present.
This talk is primarily for seasoned meditators although I would encourage beginners also to join. It will elucidate common pitfalls and cognitive misinterpretations that can occur after an awakening or profound opening by explaining the relationship between experience, insight and realization.
Get to know Ryan through these short videos:
Ryan Burton is a meditation teacher with over 15 years of intensive practice in Theravāda Buddhism, Dzogchen, Zen and other contemplative lineages within the United States and abroad. After completing a 9-month retreat period in Thailand in 2019 he began teaching in Los Angeles, California. His work offers clear, practical guidance on awakening, non-duality, jhānas, cessation, dream yoga, and out of body experience.
Find out more about Ryan: www.afterawakening.com
Sliding Scale: $15 to $40
However, no one turned away for lack of funds.
If you can’t pay within the sliding scale, contact us to let us know what you can contribute.
Address inquiries to web@opencirclecenter.org
The event will be recorded and emailed to participants within a week.
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