A collection of philosophic and practical teachings given by Christopher Murphy

Public Lectures

A response to a student's question about energy and consciousness. This excerpt describes the mind as energy, and consciousness associating with boundaries. (Part of a lecture given on February 6, 2022)

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Association of Consciousness

The importance of cultivating an unwavering desire for the truth. (Part of a lecture given on January 30, 2022)

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An Overwhelming Desire For The Truth

The value of spiritual community is discussed in this response to a student's question about sangha. (Part of a lecture given on February 13, 2022)

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Cultivating Bodhicitta

In this talk, Christopher talks about the value of engaging in consistent spiritual practice and effort. (An excerpt from a lecture given on July 14th, 2024). 

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The Importance of Spiritual Practice

Christopher Murphy discusses transformations of consciousness (metanoias) and how samskaras (latent impression of consciousness) and vasanas (habit patterns) can impede neuroplasticity and the ability to have meaningful metanoias. An excerpt from a lecture given on Nov 19, 2023. 

https://www.3awakenings.com/

Impediments to Transformation of Consciousness

Christopher Murphy talks about the balance of doing and not doing, of surrender and discipline and control on the spiritual path. Excerpt from a Q&A offered on June 5, 2022.

https://www.3awakenings.com/

Marriage of Non-Action and Action

In this response to a question by a student, Christopher talks about reflecting on spiritual experiences in an educated way in order to differentiate between genuine spiritual development and ego-driven interpretations of experiences. (An excerpt from a Q&A offered on June 11, 2023)

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Diagnosing Your Own Spiritual Progress

In this clip, Christopher Murphy delves into the profound metanoias that precede enlightenment. He discusses the powerful, often overwhelming realizations of life's impermanence and the rarity of experiencing a jewel incarnation. These transformative awakenings shatter complacency and compel a wholehearted commitment to the spiritual path. (Part of a Q&A given on February 25, 2024.)

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Metanoias Prior to Enlightenment

In this recording, Christopher Murphy delves into the nuanced differences between gnosis and sambodhi. He explains that while sambodhi represents a state of complete enlightenment or liberation, gnosis refers to a transformative shift in everyday consciousness—a deep reorientation of self and perception through meditation and direct insight. He illustrates how these states alter the day-to-day experience of being, paving the way for a profound spiritual awakening. (Part of a Q&A session given on February 25, 2024.)

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Gnosis and Sambodhi

In this recording, Christopher Murphy explains the differences between thought observation and the Taoist practice of sitting and forgetting. He examines how actively restraining the mind through practices like chitta nirodha contrasts with letting go of past attachments to quiet the thought process. Murphy also discusses other methods—such as self-inquiry and breath control—that help dissolve the habitual patterns of thought and ultimately lead to a more present, clear state of consciousness. (Part of a Q&A session given on February 25, 2024)

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Dealing With the Problem of Thought

In this recording, Christopher Murphy addresses the common tendency to use spirituality as a means to dissociate from painful emotions and difficult life experiences—a process often termed spiritual bypassing. He contrasts this with a genuine approach to spirituality, which involves associating with and fully processing all aspects of life to achieve inner well-being, eudaimonia, and sophrosyne. Christopher emphasizes that true spiritual maturity comes from engaging with, rather than avoiding, the full spectrum of emotional experiences. (Part of a Q&A session given on January 12, 2025)

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Disassociating or Associating with Life Experiences

In this recording, Christopher Murphy explains a method for meditating on a Platonic form. He suggests using deep, heartfelt experiences—such as the love felt for a child, a partner, or during a beautiful sunrise—as gateways. By initially focusing on the emotional connection and then gradually letting go of the object that evokes the feeling, one can merge with the pure essence of love or beauty. This practice eventually leads to a profound union with formless reality (nirvikalpa samadhi), transforming the meditation from a mere intellectual exercise into a heart-moving, vibrant communion with the cosmos. (Part of a Q&A session given on April 28, 2024.)

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Meditation on platonic forms

In this lecture, Christopher explains that the key distinction between a novice and a master spiritual practitioner lies in the intensity, sincerity, and sense of urgency with which they apply themselves.

Sense of Urgency on the Spiritual Path

Christopher Murphy talks about some of the unique difficulties and blessings of being a householder on the path.

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Challenges and Blessings of the Householder’s Path

Christopher Murphy answers the question by a student "Can you speak about delusions and how to prevent the mind from morphing reality into something negative?" 

The mind is a shape-shifter, constantly forming identities, narratives, and perceptions. Spiritual practice often helps it take on more positive forms. Ultimately, all forms are delusions. True liberation means going beyond all shapes, identities, and desires into a formless, desireless awareness.

https://www.3awakenings.com/

Delusions and the Shape-Shifting Mind

Christopher emphasizes the importance of developing an inner gaze and self-awareness to counter the mind’s habitual movement from stillness to obsession and distraction. Instead of fixating on the contents of the mind, one should observe the mechanisms behind them, recognizing that enlightenment is a natural, unconditional state, while suffering is conditioned and self-created.

Undoing the Mind's Conditioning

Christopher Murphy describes how cultivating a curiosity and attentiveness to the mind in meditation may lead to a state of dharana, an effortless state of concentration.

https://www.3awakenings.com/

Taking an Interest in the Mind

Christopher Murphy discusses the process of stepping out of experience, to then witnessing the knower of the experience, to then stepping beyond association with knowledge. (Extract from a Q&A, March 23, 2025) 

https://www.3awakenings.com/

Photo attribution: 8th century Vishnu avatar Vamana taking one of three colossal steps at Virupaksha Shaivism temple, Pattadakal Hindu monuments Karnataka, Ms Sarah Welch, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Association with Thoughtless Awareness

Christopher Murphy describes the troublesome nature of the problem-making mind and how to practice radical acceptance. (Part of a lecture offered on November 8, 2020)

The Problem-Making Mind

A lecture on the 3 Awakenings of Deity, Energy and Awareness.

https://www.3awakenings.com/

3 Awakenings

Philosophy is the pathless path; our inborn search for Truth. It is the hope of Christopher Murphy that through his teaching endeavors he can remind others of this innate search for Truth and empower them to see the Eternal with their own eyes.

thethreeawakenings@gmail.com

Public Lectures

Three Awakenings