Jacob Aman
Co-Host & Co-Producer
Artist, Techie, Scientist, Ecological Designer
“In olden times those who were competent to be masters were intelligent, subtle, profound and spiritual. Their thoughts could not be easily fathomed. Since their thoughts were hard to comprehend, I will try to reveal their virtue by some explanation. They were as cautious as a man crossing a river in winter; they were as suspicious as a man who fears his neighbors; they were as circumspect as a guest in the presence of his host; they were as ready to adapt themselves as ice at the point of melting; they were as true and sound as the trunk of a perfect tree; they were as open and broadminded as a spacious valley; their thoughts were obscure like troubled waters.
Who can enlighten himself by slowly quieting the troubled waters of his mind? After gaining calmness of mind by concentration, who can gradually pass from its calmness into the activities of life and always retain the same calmness of mind? Only those who keep themselves from self-sufficiency and who control their lives by the the principle of TAO. Being free from self-sufficiency, their spirit and energy will never fail, but will be ever refreshed and renewed.“
─ Laotzu, translation by Dwight Goddard, “Tao Teh King”, verse Fifteen.
Jacob is an artist, technologist, environmental scientist and ecological designer. He supports the podcast with occasional co-hosting appearances with Joanna, web and graphic design, video editing and other technical support.
At the age of 15, Jacob began studying comparative world religion and mystical traditions, and experimented intensively with meditation and different spiritual groups for several years. By the age of 17, these studies had culminated in the composition of a hand-written book on religion.
Over time, Jacob has been drawn toward a humanist perspective (while still pursuing and embracing the many metaphysical and universal mysteries) ─ emphasizing personal exploration and integration of spiritual techniques that improve our relationship with nature and other beings. Or, self-transformation in alignment with the natural harmonic orders discovered through our exploration of nature, science and self.
Jacob has worked within the fields of renewable agriculture (10 years), environmental engineering (4+ years) and renewable energy (<1 year), and currently owns a media and design company called Golden Stupa Media. He is also in the process of establishing an ecological design and assessment firm called Golden Stupa EcoDesign.
Over the years, Jacob has developed a fascination with spiritual architecture and design. In particular, stupa architecture, ostensibly the oldest and most culturally fluid form of such architecture. The notion of establishing a global network of universally sacred sites and structures that pay homage to all living beings and the earth is enticing. Furthermore, Jacob suspects that through the combination of building with certain geologic materials, nested geometries and placement, transformational effects on human consciousness and society may be possible. This set of ideas have been called planetary acupuncture.
Jacob currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
