Ep 96: Embracing Bliss with Jeff Kober
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Ep 96: Embracing Bliss with Jeff Kober
Episode 96: Show Notes
In today’s episode of At the End of the Tunnel, we are joined by actor, photographer, and Vedic meditation teacher, Jeff Kober. Many of us have the feeling that something is missing in our lives. We try to fill this void with accomplishments, possessions, relationships, or even drugs and alcohol, but nothing seems to work for more than a moment. And Jeff believes that the reason for this is that we are looking outside ourselves for something that can only be found within.
Tune in to dive into his backstory, to find out how he discovered his mission of spreading his daily Vedic meditation thought-for-the-day via email, and how it led to the publication of his recent book, Embracing Bliss: 108 Daily Meditations.
Jeff shares the story of how he found his way from a farm outside of Billings, Montana, to Hollywood, how he hit rock bottom with drugs and alcohol, and why he initially avoided the style of meditation that he now practices and teaches.
We also touch on some of the powerful anecdotes from the book and Jeff shares what putting them together has taught him about freedom and the willingness to step into the unknown, plus so much more!
For a fascinating and inspiring conversation with the Vedic meditation teacher that you probably already recognize from some of your favorite TV shows, make sure to tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
Insight into Jeff’s upbringing in Montana and the philosophies that were echoed in his home.
Jeff shares why he wanted to either be Superman or Jesus when he was a kid.
How an accident caused him to break away from Lutheranism when he was 15.
The story of why he moved to LA and how an acting class helped him process his feelings.
The books and practices that resonated with Jeff during his introduction to spirituality.
Why Jeff says that the only way to act is to step into the unknown.
A candid account of his rock bottom moment with drugs and alcohol.
His advice for those who might be experiencing a similar rock bottom: ask for help.
Hear about his experience of a six-week mediation course, which he sought out as a spiritual solution to his problems.
Jeff tells the story of his introduction to Vedic meditation via Tom Knowles.
Heaven and hell as self-induced, body-dependent phenomena.
The circumstances that led to Jeff becoming a Vedic meditation teacher and an actor.
What inspired Jeff to begin sending a daily Vedic thought to his mailing list.
The freedom he found in editing himself as he wrote his book, Embracing Bliss.
Jeff offers some insight into his process and how it has evolved over the past 11 years.
What putting together these daily thoughts taught Jeff about freedom.
Jeff tells the story of Peter and Christy, which highlights the importance of being a witness.
Why Jeff chose to compile 108 anecdotes for his book, which is a Vedic power number.
Defining success, which he believes he is allowed to discover daily.
Jeff reflects on the accident that occurred when he was 15 and what he has come to understand about it since then.
Tweetables:
“When I was a kid, I wanted to be Superman or Jesus. Those were my choices because one was invulnerable and the other one didn't care if he was hurt or not. I needed something magic. I needed something bigger than what I had access to.” — @jeffkober [0:12:09]
“I couldn't stand to be anything other than truthful on stage. That's like a superpower when it comes to acting. If you have the willingness and ability to be seen and to just let the truth of yourself flow, that's what acting is.” — @jeffkober [0:19:24]
“If you're not willing to look at yourself or not able to look at yourself and then you're exposing that self to others, especially if it's being filmed, that’s terror. You're stepping into the unknown. That's the only way to act, is to step into the unknown.” — @jeffkober [0:27:21]
“[Vedic meditation] was the first time ever that I had freedom from myself, freedom from the carnival inside.” — @jeffkober [0:45:20]
“You don't change your experience of life magically. You do it a little bit at a time and you train yourself to see things through a different lens.” — @jeffkober [0:51:30]
“Have the willingness to let go of accomplishing the goal that gets you moving in a direction. It's the direction that matters. It's not the fulfillment that matters.” — @jeffkober [1:04:30]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: