Know Thyself with Dr. Tony Nader

george grombacher 0:02
Dr. Tony Nadir is a medical doctor studied at Harvard and MIT. He is an author, a speaker, and a global expert on consciousness. Welcome to the show, Tony.

Dr. Tony Nader 0:14
Thank you for having me, Josh. It’s wonderful to be with you.

george grombacher 0:17
I’m excited to have you on, tell us a little about your personal life, some more about your work, and why you do what you do.

Dr. Tony Nader 0:26
I was like everyone and their adolescent life seeking to understand why we are here, what’s the purpose of life, why people do what they do. And I had also a vocation for medicine, part of my family’s tradition and a sense. So I thought by studying human beings from the physiological level, which means the body and its behavior, I could understand all the, the reasons why we do what we do, etc. It didn’t lead to much, except, of course, ability to heal disease and treat people, which was wonderful, but my search was more. And so I went into Psychiatry at the beginning and thinking the mind, then I can also understand from the mind level, but it was also kind of limited to disease and problems. And then I was lucky to get into research on the brain and neuroscience and cognitive science, and then also neurology at Harvard. And all of this gave me a very good solid understanding. However, it did not answer the basic questions that I had about life and living and particularly when I was growing up, I was in a state of, of in a country where there was a civil war, and people were killing each other based on belief and based on, you know, different thinking. And so it was very challenging to me to put all of this together. And so at the same time, I had learned Transcendental Meditation, which helped me to go deeper into myself from the consciousness level from the mind level. So I studied then philosophy and consciousness and the mind and what is the relation between mind and body, and I came to some big conclusions that I feel are important to share with the scientific community, as well as with philosophers and thinkers. And so this is how I came to write a book and to be involved with Transcendental Meditation and its its teaching and the teaching that the founder, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi gave to the world. Because I feel it’s really important that we understand the value of consciousness of awareness, as much as and much even much more than trying to understand the physiology from a physical perspective.

george grombacher 3:01
Thank you, what is what is consciousness?

Dr. Tony Nader 3:05
Consciousness is what allows us to experience anything to love to think to hope to understand where we are in the world. Without consciousness, we have basically nothing of significance that is a body but if we were not conscious, like in coma or in anesthesia, what would anything mean for us, it would mean absolutely nothing. So the meaning of life, the meaning of being, importance of who we are, what we have, what we understand, what we do, is all unconsciousness happens through consciousness. So the question has arisen, where is consciousness is just like a screen? Somehow on which life as movie projects itself? Or is it something more fundamental, and what I have found what I have understood, and by studying it from different angles, it’s that consciousness is really primary. Consciousness is a field, a field of being. And it is that field, in fact, that is our life and the universe. So it’s much more than just a way of experiencing things, or the means to experience it’s actually fundamental in terms of the meaning of our existence and our lives and what we can do about it because we can expand consciousness and we can have a better life through the development of consciousness.

george grombacher 4:39
Do I move in and out of consciousness throughout the day, or some people assume I’m not in a coma or something like that? I’m functioning adult male, do I move in and out of consciousness? Is is is that possible? Should I be in consciousness all the time?

Dr. Tony Nader 4:57
I think we move I feel and That’s how I also describe it and the book that we move through different states of consciousness. We never out of consciousness completely. So there is a state where we are alert, we’re awake, we’re clear. That is a state where we are self aware. We know who we are where we are, we are at peace and harmony. And that can be states where we are drowsy, we are somnolent, we are sleepy, or we are dreaming, or we are kind of functioning in an automatic way, automated way, like our subconscious is guiding us and leading us. And we become almost like a robot. And there are states of course of deep sleep and other states where we have what I would say less consciousness, not no consciousness, because no consciousness really is only means no life not existing. To me, consciousness is all permeating it’s everywhere, it’s in everything. And there is a different level of experiencing the big field of consciousness, and a different level of being conscious, different ways of being conscious. You know, you might ask, how does this work? What does it mean when I’m an anesthesia? Am I conscious? Well, I took the example of anesthesia because it’s striking. However, even when I’m in anesthesia, my body is still reactive is still digesting, sensing. If there is kind of something that hurts it, it might even respond, the heart rate can go up, the blood pressure can increase. Of course, there are different layers and levels of anesthesia. At one point, you can knock the person completely out, and they don’t react to anything. But still the body itself is sensing, detecting, functioning, of course, there is life in it. And for me, this life is one kind of consciousness, one level of consciousness.

george grombacher 7:05
The big field does that have to do with my individual consciousness versus a collective consciousness.

Dr. Tony Nader 7:14
The big field is an ocean of being which is independent of whether we experience it, or to what extent we experience it. So there is a field of consciousness that is primary. And it is that field that is being experienced by us from different perspectives based on our nervous system, based on our previous experiences, the filters that we have, our stressors, our clarity, what we eat, what we do, all of these influence how we experience that field. And when we are clear, and when we transcend such as in transcendental meditation, we go beyond the surface level, we say that, you know, the field is like an ocean. And that ocean is infinite, unbounded, it has waves on its surface, the waves are part of the ocean. And we can get caught on the wave, we can get caught and see only the wave. And when we see only the wave, we are limited in our perspective, and we don’t see who we truly are. So we are seeing only one piece of the truth, one piece of reality. Transcending means going beyond the surface level, beyond the waves, and going deeper and deeper within ourselves, and actually finding that we are the ocean. And so the field is something which is who we truly are and the depths of ourselves, but we don’t know it, it’s covered. It’s hidden by whatever limitations, stresses, strains, or whatever. Lack of development of our vision and ability to see within to experience deeply within.

george grombacher 9:04
And that’s a good thing to get down below the below the waves below just the surface level.

Dr. Tony Nader 9:11
Absolutely. By going down into yourself, you are just exploring the source of creativity, the source of intelligence, the source of well being, because we have thoughts and the thoughts come from somewhere only we’re aware of them on the surface level. If we go to the source of thought which is what we call pure consciousness, state of, we call transcendence which means a state which is beyond specificities of any kind that goes to that infinite field of being, we are going to the source of evolution, the source of creativity. So we do have within us an infinite source of potential and creativity hidden deep within us. And by going there We get rid of the stresses and strains Naturally, this happens by transcending because the mind settles down. And like in the ocean, when you settle down, you get to less and less activity less and less tension. And there you have more restfulness of the mind and body. And this deep rest allows the body and the mind to relieve stresses, which are the blocks that prevent us from experiencing our true self. And when we do that, we are then having a broad comprehension. So broader consciousness, broader comprehension, ability to see further and wider, is certainly a great benefit for activity for creativity for ability to guide one’s life in the right direction.

george grombacher 10:56
And is that available to everyone.

Dr. Tony Nader 10:59
It’s available to anyone who has a mind which is anyone general. And that can actually take your thoughts. And in this case, the trend in transcending, we give a sound that has no meaning, which allows the mind to settle down guided by its own nature, because the nature of our mind is to search for more. And every one of us is looking for more charm, more happiness, more fulfillment, more knowledge, more love, more of the good things that allow us to expand our awareness, expand our life, and feel that we are more we are growing to be more, not just having more, which is part could be part of being more, but the basic reality is that we want to be more to experience more than the most. And to be that, that unbounded ocean in reality. And so this is the nature of the mind to go there. That’s why people always look for more. But on the outside, they look for more through their senses, more beautiful things to see, to hear, to taste, to experience. In this meditation, all we need to do is use that tendency which is in everyone, but guided inwards, and naturally, then the mind settles inwards and goes towards this pure level of consciousness pure being.

george grombacher 12:26
That’s really, really powerful, being more versus having more, that more is something that we all desire human beings, but we because we don’t know, we look outside of ourselves versus turning the lens on ourselves and going deeper.

Dr. Tony Nader 12:41
Exactly beautiful. Know thyself has always been a great wisdom, but people, you know, understood it as know your qualities, your limitations, you know, and all of that, so you can live within that. But that’s not really the meaning the meaning Know thyself is go to know that you are the ocean of being that you have the full potential of life, and living and intelligence all within you. And by going there, you have the reservoir of all possibilities, this and creativity.

george grombacher 13:16
And Transcendental Meditation is a practice is a, for lack of a better term, an avenue towards this, or to this. Yes,

Dr. Tony Nader 13:26
it’s a simple technique actually doesn’t require even philosophical understanding, or all that we are discussing. But of course, we need to understand what it does, so that we do it. And that’s the value of knowing and the knowledge. But it’s a simple technique that even children do it without having to change even daily habits or, you know, belief or whatever field of life. It’s just something you do, like your exercise, and then your muscles strengthened and you get healthier body, your heart everything improves. That’s some kind of exercise for the mind, which is very natural and easy and simple. So it doesn’t require any effort or concentration, per se, some sometimes Oh, I cannot meditate My mind is always jumping around. This technique doesn’t require to force the mind. Anyway, it’s just the guy sit towards something that it that is attractive, which is the inner self and then the mind goes there by itself in a very, very natural and simple way. So there is a way to learn Transcendental Meditation one learns it in four days. Each day about one and a half hours or one hour, and then one is on one’s own. You know 20 minutes morning and evening. Start the day fresh and clear. And and the day remove the stresses and the fatigue of the day and have a good night’s sleep.

george grombacher 14:55
What if I’m scared of going inside of myself?

Dr. Tony Nader 15:00
There are things that we will do with each. So that’s why it takes at least four sessions. And then we encourage people to go to retreats, where we discuss these points. So we discussed the point why we are scared, what can scare us, and what sorts can come and how to the system. Because to be scared as a salt as a kind of mind attitude, the mind is saying, I don’t want to go inside, what will I find. So we have a system and a teaching of how actually not to, to be taken by the meaning of thoughts, but just by the practice and go back to the practice. So very simple instructions. And one can overcome these kind of strong thoughts or fears of going inward. And by getting to know even intellectually, that we have something very deeply soothing and reassuring inside, that one is guided to overcoming such kind of thoughts or fears. We have had some amazing, you know, experiences with people who are even prisoners, or what, you know, criminals, if you like, who have committed some, quite some crime. And they’ve used to think of themselves as really some bad person, because they are aware that they are doing something which they shouldn’t do. And then they learned Transcendental Meditation. And we had many experiences where they said, I couldn’t believe what I discovered within myself, I didn’t know that such calm and peace and harmony and even love and well being is in me. So people have sometimes the wrong impression about themselves, because somebody told them you are this you are that etc. Or because for some reason they have done wrong things, of course, but it doesn’t mean they are dead fundamentally. And they get really to discover that they are much more than that much more deep and much more soothing. So there is something inside not to be feared. But to be cherished, and to love oneself truly loved oneself because when one knows oneself on that platform, one starts loving oneself oneself and doesn’t have any reason to fear going inside.

george grombacher 17:35
I love it. You mentioned earlier that you mentioned earlier that part of this work was a desire or once you engaged in the work to share with the scientific community. How was How was that received as as as you bring this to them?

Dr. Tony Nader 17:54
I’ve been working on consciousness since many, many years and my first book was on the relationship between mind and body physiology and consciousness and the 1990s under the direction of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. And there, I said that consciousness is primary that the physiology is actually intelligence that that the matter is consciousness and highlighted that value of the importance of consciousness. There was still skepticism at that time, even though there has been philosophers in the past who said that consciousness is primary. But more and more, you know, as we talked about it and published and lectured and all that, nowadays, actually, it’s the common belief you see lots of articles about consciousness and in very serious and top level journals that say that consciousness is primary that the universe is conscious that everything is conscious, that’s how we can solve the problem of consciousness. So, the response and the talking about consciousness has led many scientists and philosophers and that direction. And I have given a lot of podcasts, discussions and some articles about it. And it has been really well received by top leaders in the field because it unravels and exposes and explains many mysteries have also in life about being where we are why we are here etc, freedom and determinism good and bad, etc. So, it is such a complete presentation about reality, that many are listening and many are actually using a lot of the knowledge we are bringing out and maybe developing or or explaining it or having their own On angles on it.

george grombacher 20:02
I love it. Well, Dr. Nader, thank you so much for coming on. Where can people learn more about you? And how can they engage? Where can they learn more about Transcendental Meditation?

Dr. Tony Nader 20:14
About me there is a site, it’s called Dr. Tony nader.com, the RT or NY and ad.com. This is my website, I, you know, tell a story of where I am, where I come and what I did. For Transcendental Meditation, there is tm.org T m, like Transcendental Meditation, two letters.org. We have Marisha International University, we have the David Lynch Foundation. And we can really learn most about me and know me and most complete ways through the book consciousness is all there is. So consciousness is all there is is a book coming in August, but it’s available now. on all the platforms, it’s being published by Hay House and Penguin, Random House Penguin, who is owner of the publishing company that is publishing it. And then I explained, you know a little bit about my story and a lot about the knowledge and consciousness what it is. So consciousness is all there is, is a book, we hope that people will like.

george grombacher 21:28
Excellent. Well, if you enjoyed this as much as I did, show Tony, your appreciation and share today’s show with a friend who also appreciates good ideas, go to Dr. Tony nader.com. It’s Dr. T, o, n, y and adr.com. If you’re interested in learning more about Transcendental Meditation, which I think that you ought to it’s TM dot o RG tm.org. And then get your copy of consciousness is all there is. And it is available now. And definitely looking forward to reading that myself, Tony, and having you back on to talk about it. Thank you again.

Dr. Tony Nader 22:03
Thank you for being with you. That is Dr. Nadir books.com. Also, if you want to buy directly from that site, doctor, neither books.com Excellent. Thank you for having me. It’s wonderful. Really very inspiring questions and right to the point. Thank you, George.

george grombacher 22:21
Thank you, and until next time, remember, do your part by doing your best

george grombacher 16:00
So if I want my iPhone, and my Tesla and my Bitcoin to work, we need to get the metal out of the ground.

Pierre Leveille 16:07
Absolutely. Without it, we cannot do it.

george grombacher 16:13
Why? Why is there a Why has production been going down.

Pierre Leveille 16:21
Because the large mines that are producing most of the copper in the world, the grades are going down slowly they’re going there, they’re arriving near the end of life. So and of life of mines in general means less production. And in the past, at least 15 years, the exploration expenditure for copper were pretty low, because the price of copper was low. And when the price is low, companies are tending to not invest more so much in exploration, which is what we see today. It’s it’s, it’s not the way to look at it. Because nobody 15 years ago was able to predict that there would be a so massive shortage, or it’s so massive demand coming. But in the past five years, or let’s say since the since 10 years, we have seen that more and more coming. And then the by the time you react start exploring and there’s more money than then ever that is putting in put it in expression at the moment for copper at least. And what we see is that the it takes time, it could take up to 2025 years between the time you find a deposit that it gets in production. So but but the year the time is counted. So it’s it’s very important to so you will see company reopening old mines, what it will push also, which is not bad, it will force to two, it will force to find a it will force to find ways of recalibrating customer, you know the metals, that will be more and more important.

george grombacher 18:07
So finding, okay, so for lack of a better term recycling metals that are just sitting around somewhere extremely important. Yeah. And then going and going back to historic minds that maybe for lack of technology, or just lack of will or reasons, but maybe now because there’s such a demand, there’s an appetite to go back to those.

Pierre Leveille 18:33
Yes, but there will be a lot of failures into that for many reasons. But the ones that will be in that will resume mining it’s just going to be a short term temporary solution. No it’s it’s not going to be you need to find deposit that will that will operate 50 years you know at least it’s 25 to 50 years at least and an old mind that you do in production in general it’s less than 10 years.

george grombacher 19:03
Got it. Oh there we go. Up here. People are ready for your difference making tip What do you have for them

Pierre Leveille 19:14
You mean an investment or

george grombacher 19:17
whatever you’re into, you’ve got so much life experience with raising a family and doing business all over the world and having your kids go to school in Africa so a tip on copper or whatever you’re into.

Pierre Leveille 19:34
But there’s two things I like to see and I was telling my children many times and I always said you know don’t focus on what will bring you specifically money don’t think of Getting Rich. Think of doing what you what you like, what you feel your your your your your, you know you have been born to do so use your most you skills, do what you like, do what you wet well, and good things will happen to you. And I can see them grow in their life. And I can tell you that this is what happens. And sometimes you have setback like I had recently. But if we do things properly, if we do things that we like, and we liked that project, we were very passionate about that project, not only me, all my team, and if we do things properly, if we do things correctly, good things will happen. And we will probably get the project back had to go forward or we will find another big project that will be the launch of a new era. So that’s my most important tip in life. Do what you like, do it with your best scale and do it well and good things will happen.

george grombacher 20:49
Pierre Leveille 21:03
Thank you. I was happy to be with you to today.

george grombacher 21:06
Damn, tell us the websites and where where people can connect and find you.

Pierre Leveille 21:13
The it’s Deep South resources.com. So pretty simple.

george grombacher 21:18
Perfect. Well, if you enjoyed this as much as I did show up here your appreciation and share today’s show with a friend who also appreciate good ideas, go to deep south resources, calm and learn all about what they’re working on and track their progress.

Pierre Leveille 21:32
Thanks. Thanks, have a nice day.

george grombacher 21:36
And until next time, keep fighting the good fight. We’re all in this together.