Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
A conversation with Will Duncan, a lecturer, meditation teacher, consultant, retreat leader, hospice chaplain and lavender farmer - willduncan.org
In this video, Amir & Will discuss Christian mysticism, the influence of Ramana Maharshi and Reverend Murray Rogers, navigating truth and violence in scripture, the power of Tibetan debate, the impact of a 3-year silent retreat, and how practices like loving-kindness and integral spirituality shape a deeper, more intimate approach to meditation
(Note: Some video sections have lower framerate due to recording issues — audio is unaffected.)
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**Will’s Bio**
Will teaches from a secular stance and is interested in integrating the Eastern and Western wisdom traditions with the insights of Western psychology. He has extensive training in the Gelugpa, Zen, and Theravadin traditions of Buddhism as well as Vedanta, Yoga and the work of the Christian mystic St. Teresa of Avila. He incorporates this with his training in Jungian and Eco psychology as well as the profound work of Jacques Lacan and Sidney Blatt.
At the age of 14 will began a 23-year apprenticeship with his root teacher Murray Rogers, the founder of Jyotiniketan Ashram. In 2010 Will completed 7 years of training in the open and higher teachings of the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Upon completion he entered a traditional 3-year meditation retreat. Known for his down-to-earth humor and ease Will teaches by way of inquiry and lively discussion pushing students to think clearly for themselves and to uncover their own insights.
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- adventuresinawareness.com/membership
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Follow the Adventure:
- adventuresinawareness.com
- Subscribe to us on youtube: youtube.com/@adventuresinawareness
- Twitter: https://x.com/AdvInAwareness
- iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-awareness/id1535917754
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0:00:00 Introduction & discussion of the Lavender harvest
00:02:35 Will's first teacher - Reverend Murray Rogers and the influence of Ramana Maharshi
00:15:51 Christian influences: Taizé Community, the Benedictines and Thomas Merton
00:22:26 Religious views of truth, religious conflict and justifications of violence in scripture
00:39:04 Ken Wilbur’s Quadrant Model and integral vs dogmatic spirituality
00:47:59 Recounting Murray Rodgers' teachings and learning to sit still from Zen
00:57:01 Tibetan Tradition: Debate as a tool of enquiry
01:05:10 How a 3 year silent retreat changes the mind
01:13:32 Stabilizing loving kindness practices
01:24:20 Advaita, Buddhism & Kashmir Shaivism: Cataphatic and Apophatic Approaches
01:35:28 The status of debates & intellectualism in a spiritual circles
01:43:42 Current thinking on meditation & teaching: armouring & intimacy
Video editing by willbourchier.com
Banner art by instagram.com/jadewade
A conversation with Will Duncan, a lecturer, meditation teacher, consultant, retreat leader, hospice chaplain and lavender farmer - willduncan.org
In this video, Amir & Will discuss Christian mysticism, the influence of Ramana Maharshi and Reverend Murray Rogers, navigating truth and violence in scripture, the power of Tibetan debate, the impact of a 3-year silent retreat, and how practices like loving-kindness and integral spirituality shape a deeper, more intimate approach to meditation
(Note: Some video sections have lower framerate due to recording issues — audio is unaffected.)
To join future events, newsletter and access ad-free event recordings go to:
adventuresinawareness.com
**Will’s Bio**
Will teaches from a secular stance and is interested in integrating the Eastern and Western wisdom traditions with the insights of Western psychology. He has extensive training in the Gelugpa, Zen, and Theravadin traditions of Buddhism as well as Vedanta, Yoga and the work of the Christian mystic St. Teresa of Avila. He incorporates this with his training in Jungian and Eco psychology as well as the profound work of Jacques Lacan and Sidney Blatt.
At the age of 14 will began a 23-year apprenticeship with his root teacher Murray Rogers, the founder of Jyotiniketan Ashram. In 2010 Will completed 7 years of training in the open and higher teachings of the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Upon completion he entered a traditional 3-year meditation retreat. Known for his down-to-earth humor and ease Will teaches by way of inquiry and lively discussion pushing students to think clearly for themselves and to uncover their own insights.
Your contributions support future content, and are greatly appreciated:
- adventuresinawareness.com/membership
- One-off PayPal donations: paypal.com/paypalme/adventuresin
Follow the Adventure:
- adventuresinawareness.com
- Subscribe to us on youtube: youtube.com/@adventuresinawareness
- Twitter: https://x.com/AdvInAwareness
- iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-awareness/id1535917754
- Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2jiebSpdVu9YbpLOtWlKYU
- Facebook: facebook.com/adventuresinawareness
0:00:00 Introduction & discussion of the Lavender harvest
00:02:35 Will's first teacher - Reverend Murray Rogers and the influence of Ramana Maharshi
00:15:51 Christian influences: Taizé Community, the Benedictines and Thomas Merton
00:22:26 Religious views of truth, religious conflict and justifications of violence in scripture
00:39:04 Ken Wilbur’s Quadrant Model and integral vs dogmatic spirituality
00:47:59 Recounting Murray Rodgers' teachings and learning to sit still from Zen
00:57:01 Tibetan Tradition: Debate as a tool of enquiry
01:05:10 How a 3 year silent retreat changes the mind
01:13:32 Stabilizing loving kindness practices
01:24:20 Advaita, Buddhism & Kashmir Shaivism: Cataphatic and Apophatic Approaches
01:35:28 The status of debates & intellectualism in a spiritual circles
01:43:42 Current thinking on meditation & teaching: armouring & intimacy
Video editing by willbourchier.com
Banner art by instagram.com/jadewade
