A. Hameed Ali was born in Kuwait in 1944. At the age of eighteen, he moved to the USA to study at the University of California in Berkeley. Hameed was working on his Ph.D. in physics when he reached a turning point in his life and destiny that led him more and more into inquiring into the psychological and spiritual aspects of human nature. Hameed’s interest in the truth of human nature and the true nature of reality resulted in the creation and unfoldment of the Diamond Approach®: Some of Hameed’s many books: Runaway Realization: Living a Life of Ceaseless Discovery The Power of Divine Eros: The Illuminating Force of Love in Everyday Life The Unfolding Now: Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence Brilliancy: The Essence of Intelligence (Diamond Body Series) Essence With the Elixir of Enlightenment: The Diamond Approach to Inner Realization Website: ahalmaas.com 1st interview with Hameed 2nd interview with Hameed Karen Johnson is a co-founder of the Diamond Approach as it is taught in the Ridhwan School, a contemporary original spiritual understanding and path, expressing timeless wisdom on self-realization using the insights of our time. She is a colleague and friend of Hameed Ali (A.H. Almaas). Her life is dedicated to the discovery of inner freedom and sharing the treasures with humankind. In this interview, we discussed how the Diamond Approach is evolving, what differentiates it from other traditions, and the most recent developments of the past 15 years, about which Karen and Hameed have only recently begun to teach, speak and write. Neither the depths of spirit nor the surface of the mundane world can adequately express what reality is and what is possible for each of us. How can our human lives be both the arena for spiritual practice and enlightenment, and the occasion for our true being to express its infinite possibilities? Book: The Power of Divine Eros: The Illuminating Force of Love in Everyday Life Website: ridhwan.org Individual interview with Karen Recorded 10/23/2015 at the Science and Nonduality Conference. Transcript of this discussion YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Hameed Ali and Karen Johnson 00:03:39 - Reconciling Enlightenment with Human Relationships 00:07:01 - Recognizing Unity in Relationships 00:10:27 - Non-duality and the Fabric of Reality 00:13:29 - The Qualities of Personal Relating 00:16:27 - Understanding Personalness and Relationships 00:19:19 - Relationships as Tools for Growth and Expansion 00:21:48 - Using the Relationship to Optimize Truth and Growth 00:24:28 - The Expansion of Non-Dual Experience in Relationships 00:27:13 - A Unique Friendship 00:29:39 - The Unconventional Bond 00:31:46 - The Power of Libido in Relationships 00:34:30 - Taking Risks and Replenishing the Genius 00:37:14 - The Importance of Seeing and Being Seen in Relationships 00:40:05 - Shifting of Gears in Relationship 00:42:56 - Unleashing Energies for Heart and Mind Nourishment 00:45:34 - Unity and Oneness in Relationships 00:48:00 - The Paradox of Being One 00:50:59 - The Rich Possibilities of Relationships 00:53:58 - Falling in Love and Inquiry in the Diamond Approach 00:56:24 - The Power of Inquiry and Love 00:59:26 - Dialectic Inquiry and Relationship Building 01:02:39 - The Practice of Self-Exploration 01:05:26 - Passion for the Teaching and Deep Connection 01:08:13 - The Discovery of Oneness 01:10:48 - The Dimension of Friendship 01:13:47 - Tele-somatic Events and Soul Connections 01:16:05 - The Patterns of Consciousness in Relationships 01:18:24 - The Diamond Approach Online 01:20:23 - Teaching Opportunities and New Groups 01:21:40 - Musical Performance