Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

What if consciousness is far more fundamental than the physical world we see around us? What happens to consciousness when we die? And could learning to quiet the mind, strengthen intuition, and move beyond our five senses reveal a deeper reality?

In this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar—world-renowned spiritual leader, meditation teacher, and founder of The Art of Living—explores the nature of consciousness, spirituality, reality, intuition, meditation, inner peace, and the future of humanity.

Gurudev shares what decades of spiritual practice have taught him about the relationship between the spiritual and physical worlds, including his perspective that matter represents only a fraction of consciousness. He explains why uniqueness and universality can coexist, where intuition comes from, and how we can begin opening ourselves to experiences beyond the limitations of our five senses.

CONSCIOUSNESS, REALITY & THE SUPERNATURAL
What happens to consciousness after death? Can human beings access something beyond ordinary sensory perception? How can we distinguish spiritual experiences and miracles from psychosis? Gurudev explores these profound questions while explaining how our understanding of consciousness may be much larger than we realize.

He also discusses energy healing, how it may work, and why protecting our consciousness, especially among young people, has become increasingly important in a world filled with pressure, distraction, and uncertainty.

MEDITATION, STILLNESS & MENTAL HYGIENE
Why is stillness so powerful, and why do so few people actually find it enticing?

Gurudev explains how even a few moments of stillness can transform our mental state and shares practical mental hygiene practices that anyone can begin using today to raise their energy, improve their well-being, and reconnect with themselves. He also explains his Sky Breathing technique and how conscious breathing can bring us into greater rhythm and harmony with the world around us.

INTUITION, PURPOSE & YOUR INNER WORLD
Where does intuition come from, and can you actually develop it?

Gurudev shares insights into how to strengthen intuition, discover your life's purpose, reconnect with your inner child, and cultivate a more playful and joyful spirit. He reflects on recognizing his own spiritual calling as a child and how he always felt different from other children. He also explains why losing our natural sense of play, wonder, and joy can have profound consequences, and why reconnecting with that part of ourselves matters.

WHY THE WORLD IS BECOMING MORE VIOLENT
Gurudev discusses the growing pressure people are experiencing around the world and why increased pressure can ultimately lead to increased violence. He shares his vision for the next wave of humanity and explains why protecting consciousness, cultivating inner peace, and learning to live beyond fear and division may be essential to humanity's future.

His commitment to peace is also deeply personal. Gurudev explains why he wants his legacy to emphasize his role as a peacemaker, including his work facilitating a peace dialogue that contributed to a ceasefire in Colombia's civil war, a conflict that had claimed more than 220,000 lives over 52 years. He also discusses his work with gang members and his efforts to help transform cycles of violence.

LOVE, RELATIONSHIPS & SPIRITUAL GROWTH
What can love and relationships teach us about ourselves?

Gurudev explores the deeper wisdom hidden within relationships and explains how cynicism can limit spiritual growth. He discusses why maintaining openness, curiosity, joy, and wonder may be essential to experiencing life more fully.

THE WEST IS WAKING UP TO SPIRITUALITY
Gurudev reflects on the dramatic changes he has witnessed in the West surrounding meditation, yoga, mindfulness, spirituality, and consciousness.

What was once considered unconventional has increasingly entered mainstream culture. But where does this movement go next, and what does humanity need now?

From meditation and yoga to consciousness and intuition, from energy healing and spirituality to peace and human transformation, this conversation explores some of the biggest questions of our existence.

Who are we beyond the physical body?
Where does consciousness go when we die?
Can we access a deeper reality beyond the five senses?
And what would happen if humanity learned to protect and elevate its consciousness?

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Learn more about Gurudev, his books, and the rest of his work: https://www.artofliving.org/us-en

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This week we’re revisiting an episode from 2021 with Rainn Wilson, best known as Dwight Schrute from the beloved series The Office.

Rainn holds a special place here at MBB for a couple of reasons: he was our very first in-person guest and one of our first spiritual guests. In this episode he discusses his nerdy childhood, growing up with social misfit parents, and the evolution that therapy has provided to every area of his life. Rainn describes growing up in a petri dish of dysfunction, feeling unloved and alienated as a child, and how all of this led to anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and addiction issues. He learned early on in his acting career to embrace playing the alienated misfit, and opens up about his meditation process and the tools his faith gave him to find his own path and identity.

Mayim and Rainn bond over being band geeks and chess club members, and all of the expectations, insecurities, and limitations that come with being a sitcom character actor. They examine the similarities between a recovery journey and spiritual journey, the benefits of going to AA even if you’re not an alcoholic, and the reasons that some people are resistant to therapy.

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Go to https://helixsleep.com/breakdown to receive 27% off sitewide.

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Cult expert Rick Alan Ross (founder of the Cult Education Institute and author of Cults Inside Out: How People Get In and Can Get Out) reveals how cults are shaping modern society in ways most people never realize.

Could a cult be influencing U.S. politics? On this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, we examine the disturbing allegations surrounding Tulsi Gabbard's (former director of national intelligence) spiritual guru, including claims of child abuse, his reported influence on her political career, concerns about potential access to national secrets during her time as Trump's Director of National Intelligence, and why Ross says fully vetting government officials is more important than ever.

Rick also answers one of today's most controversial questions: Is MAGA a cult? He explains what actually qualifies as a cult, shares examples of modern-day cults and cult-like organizations influencing global politics, and reveals what ordinary people can do to protect themselves.

Think you'd never join a cult? Think again. Ross explains why anyone (regardless of intelligence, education, or success) can become vulnerable, why loneliness and social isolation make people especially susceptible, how cults first draw people in, and the psychological process they use to slowly break people down over time.

You'll learn the 3 stages of thought reform (coercive persuasion), why social isolation is considered a core element of destructive thought programs, what makes a cult truly dangerous, why followers often lose their critical thinking and sense of empowerment, and whether cult leaders actually believe what they're preach, or knowingly manipulate others.

Rick also breaks down:
- Why it's so difficult (even for trained experts) to infiltrate cults and rescue members
- How deprogramming works, why it can take so long, and what happens when interventions fail
- Hidden warning signs of controlling leaders, including subtle behaviors followers display around them
- Scientology's controversial "auditing" process and how it functions psychologically
- Whether support groups like AA could ever be considered cults
- Where the line exists between healthy religious devotion and dangerous religious extremism
- Why accountability within leadership is essential, and why claims of having "a direct line to God" deserve careful scrutiny

The conversation goes far beyond traditional cults.

Rick explains how abusive romantic relationships often use the same psychological tactics, including how narcissistic partners create dependency, weaponize the fear of disequilibrium, why explosive behavior is never acceptable in a healthy relationship, and the key warning signs that you're dating someone controlling or abusive.

We also explore how UFO communities can evolve into cult-like movements, examine real-world examples of UFO-based cults, and discuss how cult psychology is appearing in workplaces, startup culture, and organizations facing uncertainty as AI transforms the workforce.

Finally, Rick shares practical tools everyone can use to recognize manipulation before it's too late.

And stay until the very end to hear the shocking story of whether Mayim was personally targeted by a cult!
Rick Alan Ross' book, Cults Inside Out: How People Get In and Can Get Out: https://cultsinsideout.com/
The Cult Education Institute: https://culteducation.com/

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Cult expert Rick Alan Ross (founder of the Cult Education Institute and author of Cults Inside Out: How People Get In and Can Get Out) reveals how cults are shaping modern society in ways most people never realize.

Could a cult be influencing U.S. politics? On this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, we examine the disturbing allegations surrounding Tulsi Gabbard's (former director of national intelligence) spiritual guru, including claims of child abuse, his reported influence on her political career, concerns about potential access to national secrets during her time as Trump's Director of National Intelligence, and why Ross says fully vetting government officials is more important than ever.

Rick also answers one of today's most controversial questions: Is MAGA a cult? He explains what actually qualifies as a cult, shares examples of modern-day cults and cult-like organizations influencing global politics, and reveals what ordinary people can do to protect themselves.

Think you'd never join a cult? Think again. Ross explains why anyone (regardless of intelligence, education, or success) can become vulnerable, why loneliness and social isolation make people especially susceptible, how cults first draw people in, and the psychological process they use to slowly break people down over time.

You'll learn the 3 stages of thought reform (coercive persuasion), why social isolation is considered a core element of destructive thought programs, what makes a cult truly dangerous, why followers often lose their critical thinking and sense of empowerment, and whether cult leaders actually believe what they're preach, or knowingly manipulate others.

Rick also breaks down:
- Why it's so difficult (even for trained experts) to infiltrate cults and rescue members
- How deprogramming works, why it can take so long, and what happens when interventions fail
- Hidden warning signs of controlling leaders, including subtle behaviors followers display around them
- Scientology's controversial "auditing" process and how it functions psychologically
- Whether support groups like AA could ever be considered cults
- Where the line exists between healthy religious devotion and dangerous religious extremism
- Why accountability within leadership is essential, and why claims of having "a direct line to God" deserve careful scrutiny

The conversation goes far beyond traditional cults.

Rick explains how abusive romantic relationships often use the same psychological tactics, including how narcissistic partners create dependency, weaponize the fear of disequilibrium, why explosive behavior is never acceptable in a healthy relationship, and the key warning signs that you're dating someone controlling or abusive.

We also explore how UFO communities can evolve into cult-like movements, examine real-world examples of UFO-based cults, and discuss how cult psychology is appearing in workplaces, startup culture, and organizations facing uncertainty as AI transforms the workforce.

Finally, Rick shares practical tools everyone can use to recognize manipulation before it's too late.

And stay until the very end to hear the shocking story of whether Mayim was personally targeted by a cult!

If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/BREAK
Visit https://www.wakingup.com/breaker for a 2 week free trial.
Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to https://www.quince.com/breakdown for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Upgrade your kitchen with Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/BREAK and use code BREAK for 10% off sitewide.
Go to https://helixsleep.com/breakdown to receive 27% off sitewide.
Rick Alan Ross' book, Cults Inside Out: How People Get In and Can Get Out: https://cultsinsideout.com/
The Cult Education Institute: https://culteducation.com/

Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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What if science is finally catching up to the supernatural?

In part 2 of our episode with Dr. Helané Wahbeh (Director of Research at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) and author of The Science of Channeling) she takes us inside the cutting edge of consciousness research, revealing what science is uncovering about channeling, psychic abilities, energy healing, telepathy, and the non-material aspects of reality.

As one of the world's leading researchers studying psi phenomena, Dr. Wahbeh explores where the evidence stands, why mainstream science is beginning to take these topics more seriously, and what it could mean for our understanding of consciousness itself.

Dr. Wahbeh breaks down:
- How scientists actually study channeling and just how common channeling really is
- Why respected scientific institutions are now researching channeling, telepathy, psychic phenomena, and consciousness, and what this says about the shift beyond a purely materialist worldview
- Can channeling be used to contact extraterrestrials? What evidence would actually be required to prove it scientifically
- Fascinating common themes reported by people who claim to channel extraterrestrial intelligences
- Groundbreaking telepathy research showing surprising results between emotionally bonded pairs, and what it may reveal about nonlocal consciousness
- Why our current definition of scientific proof may be too narrow when investigating paranormal and supernatural experiences
- Latest research into energy medicine and Reiki, including studies suggesting measurable physical changes that may help explain how energetic healing works
- Do spirit guides play a role in energy healing?
- What's really happening during exorcisms, spirit attachments, and the clearing of negative entities?
- Can energy work help heal or even reverse intergenerational trauma?
- How Dr. Wahbeh's own openness to psi phenomena has transformed her daily life, worldview, and even the way she parents
- Could the world's religions eventually expand to include scientifically studied psychic and extrasensory abilities?
- What a future science of consciousness might look like, and whether we're moving toward a comprehensive explanation of the non-material world

This conversation explores one of the biggest questions humanity has ever asked: Can science investigate experiences once dismissed as supernatural?

Whether you're fascinated by channeling, telepathy, consciousness research, psychic phenomena, extraterrestrials, energy healing, spirituality, or the future of science itself, this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown offers a rare look at where rigorous research and extraordinary human experience intersect.

If you've ever wondered whether consciousness extends beyond the brain, or whether science is on the verge of redefining reality, you won't want to miss this conversation!

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Learn more about IONS: https://noetic.org/breakdown/
IONS free live webinars: https://noetic.org/experience/connections-live/
IONS peer-reviewed papers: https://noetic.org/science/publications/
Participate in IONS research: https://noetic.org/science/participate-research/
IONS Research Prize on UAPs: https://noetic.org/prize/
Dr. Helané Wahbeh's book, The Science of Channeling: https://noetic.org/explore/science-of-channeling/

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