Back

Explore every episode of the podcast Buddha at the Gas Pump

Dive into the complete episode list for Buddha at the Gas Pump. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

Rows per page:

1–50 of 691

TitlePub. DateDuration
750. Purnima Sinha – NDEs, After‑Death Communication, & Guidance from Beyond14 Mar 202601:49:06

Purnima Sinha is a spiritual director and coach whose life has been shaped by meditation, near‑death experiences, and a deep commitment to seva (selfless service). Raised in a highly spiritual Indian family steeped in the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, she began meditating in her teens and was trained in Ultra Transcendental Meditation and Surat Shabd Yoga in India. She has now practiced meditation for over 50 years.

After an intense emotional crisis around the year 2000, Purnima had a near‑death‑type experience in which she found herself in a tunnel, received a powerful life review and “downloads” about her future, and understood that her life’s purpose was far from complete. This, along with subsequent experiences—including warnings before a later collapse, shared‑death experiences with family members, and long‑term after‑death communication with her mother—reoriented her life around service, self‑love, and trust in inner guidance.

Professionally, Purnima worked for many years as a graphic designer before feeling an inner compulsion to serve in a hospital setting. Guided “voices” and a series of striking coincidences led her into over 3,500 hours of volunteer work and a formal role as a patient advocate in a major hospital, where she visited patients one‑on‑one, listened to their concerns, and supported them and their families through serious illness, cancer treatments, and end‑of‑life transitions. Repeatedly, nurses and staff invited her to sit with patients who were actively dying, and she became known informally as someone who could help people cross over peacefully.

Out of this work grew hospital meditation and wellness programs. Purnima has served as a meditation, chair‑yoga, balance and strength, and “Fit for Life” facilitator, as well as a spiritual life coach for county wellness programs and cancer support networks. She holds certificates in Lifestyle Medicine and in Meditation & Psychotherapy from Harvard Medical School. Drawing on clinical research supplied in part by her physician son, she helped establish a hospital‑based meditation initiative before the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Purnima has been a frequent presenter at the International Association for Near‑Death Studies (IANDS), including on after‑death communication panels, and has shared many of her experiences publicly only in recent years. Her article on healing the “pain body” was published in Eckhart Tolle’s newsletter. She emphasizes practical spirituality: starting and ending the day with gratitude, cultivating stillness and prayer, listening to inner guidance, and practicing self‑love as the foundation for serving others.

Her core messages include: no one ever dies alone; we are always guided and supported, even when we cannot see it; every experience, including painful ones, can serve the evolution of consciousness; and “Self‑Care = Self‑Love.”

740. Lawrence Pintak - Lessons from the Mountaintop22 Oct 202501:59:10

Lawrence Pintak has spent his life grounded in facts while fascinated by the ethereal. An award-winning former CBS News Middle East correspondent with a PhD in Islamic Studies, Pintak has been a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism for three decades and is an avid student of the perennial truths at the core of the world’s religions. The author of seven books at the intersection of religion, media, and policy, his reporting and analysis on religion and international affairs has been published by The New York Times, Foreign Policy, the Washington Post, and many of the world’s leading media organizations. He also wrote about Buddhism and Eastern traditions for Shambhala Sun/Lion’s Roar, Buddhadharma, Beliefnet.com and others before 9/11 drew his focus back to the Middle East. Pintak’s most recent nonfiction book, America & Islam, was a finalist for the 2020 Religion News Association award for Religion Reporting Excellence. Books: Lessons from the Mountaintop: Ten Modern Mystics and Their Extraordinary Lives America & Islam: Soundbites, Suicide Bombs and the Road to Donald Trump Website: pintak.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded October 4, 2025

738. Ricard Perez – From Silence to Ecstasy: The Art of Awakening24 Sep 202501:48:59
Ricard Perez is a meditation coach, and musician whose work bridges ancient traditions with fresh, practical insight. Drawing from Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, and A Course in Miracles, he emphasizes meditation as a dynamic balance of clarity and release, with simple methods for directly entering silence. His original explorations into latency, fractals, and perception connect contemplative practice with science and creativity, while his love of music, art, and ecstatic expression bring a celebratory dimension to the path of awakening. Website: ricardcoach.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded September 13, 2025 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Ricard Perez  00:03:29 - How Music Started the Spiritual Path  00:08:42 - The Abiding Nature of True Samadhi  00:11:09 - Progressive vs. Direct Paths  00:13:40 - Vipassanā and Discerning the Real  00:16:40 - What is Latency? The Gap in Consciousness  00:23:43 - The Levels of Thought: Bubbles from the Deep  00:26:01 - Tracing Thought to its Source  00:28:40 - Cymatics and the Geometric Nature of Consciousness  00:31:33 - The Ego as a Clown Taking Credit  00:35:05 - The Dangers of "No-Thought" Teachings  00:38:20 - Is Meditation a Discipline or an Enjoyment?  00:41:41 - The Natural Attraction to Inner Bliss  00:45:32 - The Problem with "Follow Your Bliss"  00:48:24 - The Two Extremes: Enlightenment with Misery vs. Bliss as Escape  00:50:27 - Why Do "Enlightened" Teachers Behave Badly?  00:54:04 - Spiritual Groups, Cults, and Deprogramming  00:59:24 - The Importance of Going on a Solo Path  01:02:40 - Cleaning Your Basement: The Purification Process  01:07:05 - The Dangers of Spiritual Groups and the Need for Discernment  01:12:40 - The Fractal Nature of Spiritual Stages  01:18:20 - Revitalizing Ancient Maps for Modern Times  01:22:20 - The Attitude of a Beginner  01:25:20 - Enlightenment is Not a Static Endpoint  01:28:32 - The Marriage of Science and Spirituality  01:32:01 - The Complementary Nature of Clarity and Release  01:35:22 - The "One Deep Well" vs. "Many Tools" Approach  01:39:12 - The One True Desire  01:42:01 - The Role and Risks of Psychedelics  01:46:01 - Conclusion
544. Jonathan Gustin07 Apr 202001:58:12
Meditation asks, “Who am I?” Therapy asks, “How do I heal and become happier?” Purpose work addresses the question, “Where do I belong in the ecology of life?” Purpose guiding breaks the spell of our default purposes of safety, security, comfort and outward success, and orients us towards our true purpose, which is to embody our unique calling within. When we all have the opportunity to live our calling, we can support our collective true purpose: to become co-creators of our species’ evolution. We may, thus, give birth to more beauty, truth, and goodness into the world. Jonathan Gustin, M.A, MFT, is the founder of Purpose Guides Institute. He guides people to find and embody their life’s purpose, as well as trains those who want to become Purpose Guides themselves. Jonathan has been a psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and Purpose Guide for over 20 years. He is an adjunct professor at JFK University and co-author of Purpose Rising: A Global Movement of Transformation and Meaning with Ken Wilber, Erwin Laszlo, and others. Website: purposeguides.org Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded April 3, 2020. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:07:24 - Early Interest in Enlightenment 00:14:49 - Discovering Your Deeper Purpose 00:19:34 - Finding Purpose in Your Work 00:23:26 - Finding Your Soul's Purpose 00:27:27 - Illumination through Different Roles and Identities 00:30:58 - The Power of Imagination and Soul Identity 00:34:33 - The Mysterious Nature of the Soul 00:38:17 - The Rootedness of Soul in Time and Place 00:42:11 - Regression Therapy and Life Between Lives 00:46:35 - Finding the Deepest Joy in Life 00:50:13 - Living your purpose in any circumstance 00:55:10 - The Tamp Down of Soul Upwelling 00:59:53 - Hitler's Twisted Purpose 01:04:06 - Finding the Sweet Spot 01:07:40 - Finding Purpose and Living Authentically 01:13:00 - Default Purpose and Finding Your Calling 01:17:00 - The Journey to Soul and Purpose 01:21:31 - The Avatar and the Earth Suit 01:25:25 - The Movement of Enlightenment 01:29:59 - The Book Club with Adya 01:34:03 - The Competing Commitments and Addictions of Purpose 01:37:28 - Living Your Purpose 01:41:27 - Living Your Soul's Purpose 01:45:00 - The Tsunami of Climate Change 01:48:33 - Climate Change as Spiritual Practice 01:52:55 - Practical Work and Finding Your Purpose 01:57:06 - The Journey of Personal Transformation 02:00:26 - Finding Your Core Purpose and Thriving 02:04:14 - Finding Safety and Expressing Concerns 02:07:13 - Conclusion and Farewell
237. Richard Lang26 Jun 2014

Richard Lang first saw who he really was in a workshop in 1970 with the English philosopher Douglas Harding, author of ‘On Having No Head’. Since then he has devoted his life to Seeing, and to sharing the simple, accessible Headless Way. He has published two books, several videos, and a CD, and travels widely giving workshops. Books by Richard Lang: Seeing Who You Really Are Open to the Source: Selected Teachings of Douglas E. Harding Website: headless.org A free e-course in seeing Who we really are YouTube Channel Other books by Douglas Harding: Religions of the World (Liberal Studies) Look for Yourself: The Science and Art of Self-Realization The Hierarchy of Heaven and Earth Head Off Stress The Little Book of Life and Death The Science of the 1st Person The Trial Of The Man Who Said He Was God The Spectre in the Lake Visible Gods Face to No-Face: Rediscovering Our Original Nature To Be And Not To Be, That Is The Answer Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded June 21, 2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Richard Lang and The Headless Way 00:03:18 - The Headless Way: Unpacking the Experience 00:06:46 - Layers of Being and Identity 00:10:15 - The Headless Body and the Visible Center 00:14:12 - Discovery of the Hierarchy 00:18:00 - Profound Impact of the Experiments 00:22:10 - Mechanical Self-Inquiry with Ramana Maharshi 00:26:33 - The Way of Seeing 00:30:18 - The Four Stages of Life: The Baby and the Child 00:33:35 - The Journey of Self-Identification 00:37:46 - Seeking to Rediscover the Whole 00:41:29 - The Process of Growing and Learning 00:45:28 - The Creative Process and the Great Void 00:49:06 - Embracing the Self in the Mirror 00:53:01 - The Experience of Nothingness and One Eye 00:57:18 - Awareness of Thoughts and Feelings 01:01:36 - Sense of Being Un-contained 01:06:26 - The Development of Separate Minds 01:10:36 - The Dual Awareness of Self 01:14:50 - The Essence and Expression of Beautiful Beings 01:18:37 - Awakening of the Senses 01:22:41 - The Perspective of Oneness and Love 01:26:23 - Inner Peace in Tumultuous Situations 01:30:26 - Recognizing Inner Nature and Taking Refuge in It 01:34:50 - The Capacity for Sensations and Nothingness 01:39:27 - The confidence of the One 01:43:17 - The Unity of Mind and Body 01:47:12 - Eating Mangoes and the Workshop Experience 01:50:42 - The Spree-cast and the Value of Sharing 01:54:33 - Concluding Remarks and Thank You 01:58:12 - Books by Richard and Douglas Harding Save

229. Neelam, 2nd Interview05 May 201401:38:02
Neelam is a direct disciple of H. W. L. Poonja (Papaji), whose teacher was Sri Ramana Maharshi. Her unequivocal commitment to Truth helps us turn inward and release underlying patterns of conditioning which block the recognition of our True Nature. With the utmost tenderness while helping us to address all aspects of daily living, including past conditioning and trauma, she invites us into the same recognition of Truth that her teacher, Papaji, transmitted to her. Neelam’s website Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 5/3/2014 Her first Interview here YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:04:39 - Identity and Presence 00:08:59 - The Continuum of Presence 00:13:10 - The Experience of Consciousness 00:17:13 - The Ground of Knowing 00:21:14 - The Embodiment of Knowing 00:25:48 - Awakening vs Enlightenment 00:30:25 - The Role of Knowledge in Teaching and Living 00:34:20 - The Intelligence of Presence and Surrender 00:38:42 - Embracing Everything as Is 00:43:17 - Recognizing the Ground of Experience 00:47:14 - The Effect of Climate Change on Human Consciousness 00:50:21 - The True Nature of Being and Evolution 00:53:41 - Dualistic Perspectives and the Arising Universe 00:56:51 - The Tendency to Postpone Being Present 01:00:22 - Recogition of Tendencies and Un-reinforcing Them 01:03:29 - Managing Anger Through Self-Awareness 01:06:45 - The Importance of Being Present 01:10:06 - Authenticity and Congruence 01:13:19 - Seeking Congruence within and without 01:16:31 - Vigilance and the Escape of Vasanas 01:19:49 - Relationship as a Path to Freedom 01:23:02 - Unresolved past and relationships 01:26:14 - The Resonance of Change 01:29:13 - Life after Addiction 01:32:27 - Strengthening our Capacity for Change 01:35:26 - Deepening into Presence 01:38:39 - Seeing Deeply into Students' Makeup 01:41:36 - Inspiration and the Capacity to Be Here 01:44:49 - Concluding Remarks 01:47:43 - Positive Review and Appreciation
132. The Signposter and Troy of Is01 Aug 201201:48:56
In this interview, Troy of Is (student) and the Signposter (Teacher) engage in an intense dialogical-inquiry with Rick Archer that reveals some essential understandings which construct a foundation for awakening from the hypnotic trance, programmed into the human organism by the cultural-social enterprise. Such an inquiry is related to radical-deconstruction whereby Truth and Reality are revealed when all obstructions and encumbrances (sensory-perceptual, conceptual-linguistic constructions) are extinguished or completely seen-through by means of a total expenditure of energy in sincere dialogue. Any cultural-social enterprise consists of a population of people who have taken on many of the overlapping conceptual-linguistic models or maps of 'reality' of which any cultural-social enterprise consists. The Signposter refers to such people as cultural-social agents since they have identified themselves with the assumptions, belief systems, value systems, conclusions, etc., from which a cultural-social enterprise has been constructed and organized as an interrelated system of concepts which make up the content of consciousness. Some examples of a cultural-social enterprise are the various countries, nations, states, cities, particular organizations (corporations, institutions, etc.), tribal communities, and so on which presently exist in the world. When 'the Only' is referred to in this interview, such a term represents God, the Tao, Brahman, Buddha-Nature, or any other name that traditionally has been used to represent the One and Only, undivided, unbounded, unfathomable, and unlimited Great Mystery which is the only Reality there is. If anyone has any questions for Troy of Is or the Signposter and would like to engage in this never-ending process of inquiry and awakening they have various options: They can e-mail questions to troyofis@gmail.com. Visit Troy of-Is' Facebook page. Add Troy of Is to Skype (username: troy.ofis) and engage in free Skype video/audio calls. Comment on You-tube video's containing other interviews with the Signposter and Troy of Is at:  https://www.youtube.com/user/TroyofIs. The Signposter's book: The Delusion of Being Human Interview recorded 7/28/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:14 - The Spectrum of Gurus 00:07:28 - Experiencing Understanding from the Root 00:10:18 - The Ripening of the Experience 00:12:23 - The Nuanced Approach to Teachers and Charging Fees 00:15:03 - The Extremes of Adi Da's Influence 00:17:34 - The Value of Adi Da's Teachings 00:20:32 - The Limitations of Spiritual Slogans and Conditioning 00:22:46 - The Controversy surrounding Eckhart Tolle's "New Heaven, New Earth" 00:24:37 - The Application of the Pain Body Idea to Children 00:27:02 - The Effectiveness of Teaching Through Example 00:29:34 - Assessing the Compassion of Spiritual Teachers 00:33:03 - The Manifestation of the Tao 00:36:26 - The Path of Suffering and Seeking 00:39:16 - Exploration of Different Spiritual Practices 00:42:18 - Different Spiritual Practices 00:45:34 - The Purpose of Life: Changing the Way You See the World 00:48:17 - Observing and Testing 00:52:22 - The Danger of Projecting Ultimate Enlightenment 00:56:10 - All knowledge and thought is off 01:01:21 - Transcending Consciousness and the Dream World 01:04:20 - Meeting Mr. - A Life-Changing Encounter 01:07:22 - Suffering and Finding the Soulmate 01:11:08 - The Evolution of the Universe to Life 01:15:26 - Creating a Soulmate 01:21:08 - God and Omnipresence 01:25:06 - Insights on Belief Systems and Surrender 01:29:29 - The Binding Influence of Conditioning and The Map is Not the Territory 01:34:56 - Mapping the Reality 01:40:47 - The Illusion of Being Human 01:45:36 - Respecting our Elders and First Nations
549. Donald Hoffman10 May 2020

Donald Hoffman received a Ph.D. from MIT and is a Professor of Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. He is an author of over 120 scientific papers and three books, including The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes. He received a Distinguished Scientific Award of the American Psychological Association for early career research, the Rustum Roy Award of The Chopra Foundation, and the Troland Research Award of the US National Academy of Sciences. His writing has appeared in Scientific American, New Scientist, LA Review of Books, and Edge, and his work has been featured in Wired, Quanta, The Atlantic, Ars Technica, National Public Radio, Discover Magazine, and Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman. He has a TED Talk titled “Do we see reality as it is?” Website Other book: Visual Intelligence: How We Create What We See Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded May 9, 2020 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump with Donald Hoffman 00:04:52 - Meditation as an Exploration 00:09:08 - The Process of Transformation and the Endless Exploration 00:13:08 - Safety First 00:17:22 - The Illusion of Space-Time 00:22:25 - The Limitations of Space-Time and Measurement 00:26:32 - The Observer and the Observed 00:31:40 - The Oneness of Ultimate Reality 00:36:35 - The Illusion of Objective Reality 00:41:47 - Humility and Precision in Science and Spirituality 00:46:03 - Challenging Dogmatism & the Split between Science and Spirituality 00:50:57 - Rethinking Reductionism and Fundamental Reality 00:55:56 - The Role of Science and Reason in Spiritual Exploration 01:01:03 - The Humility of Scientific Spirituality 01:05:36 - Godel's Candy Store Theory of Consciousness 01:10:03 - The Dynamics of Consciousness 01:14:07 - The Nature of Scientific Progress 01:19:03 - The Science Game and Precision in Spiritual Experiences 01:23:23 - Exploring Consciousness beyond Space-Time 01:27:33 - The Fundamental Dynamical Principle of Consciousness 01:31:38 - The Fictions of Space-Time and Extraordinary Experiences 01:35:20 - Consciousness as Fundamental 01:39:32 - The Evidence for Consciousness as Fundamental 01:43:21 - The Dance Between Precision and No-Concepts 01:47:08 - The Importance of Avoiding Sloppy Thinking 01:51:20 - The Conscious Agent and Unity Consciousness 01:55:58 - The Nature of Consciousness and Emotions 02:00:16 - The Infinite Nature of Consciousness and Godel's Theorem 02:04:41 - Exploring Infinite Possibilities within the Source 02:08:20 - The Playfulness of Exploration 02:11:29 - Consciousness as Fundamental

069. Michael Hall, Ph.D.27 May 201101:29:02
A clinical psychologist in private practice in Binghamton, NY, Michael studied and practiced Zen Buddhism for many years beginning in 1978. An initial experience of non-dual awareness emerged in 1982. Like virtually all first glimpses, this experiential awareness was fleeting. Still, the appetite for an enduring awakening had taken hold, as well as an absolute faith in the spiritual truths reported by Shakyamuni Buddha and the Zen teachers of ancient China and Japan. Years of frequent silent meditation retreats allowed this awareness to deepen and expand, yet there was still searching for true liberation. The continuous experiential Knowing that this is it emerged many years later after an apparent surrendering of the desire to become anything at all. With this much deeper and more pervasive understanding, there arose simultaneously a reconnection with his childhood roots in the Christian tradition. Michael now shares this knowledge of Self with a growing number of students. The teaching is consistent with the truths taught by awakened teachers of all religious traditions. He teaches awakening and the integration of non-dual awareness into daily life. Over 30 years of full-time psychological practice has provided a unique perspective on the roots of suffering and the end of it. He draws on the writing and teaching of contemporary and historical awakened teachers, joining the common threads in Christian, Buddhist, Advaita, and Non-Dual traditions to share a message of the possibility and promise of personal transformation and liberation from egoic illusion. Email:       WayBeyondPsychotherapy@gmail.com Blog:          AwakenToTruth.BlogSpot.com Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 5/22/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Michael Hall 00:05:08 - Joining a Zen Meditation Group 00:07:29 - Discovering Anger and Blood Pressure 00:10:19 - Awakening and Zen Training 00:12:46 - A Journey of Awakening and Disillusionment 00:15:24 - The Ceasing of Identity 00:18:29 - Effort and the Final Threshold 00:21:21 - Surrendering the Ego 00:24:16 - The practice of seeing and releasing automatic beliefs 00:26:49 - The Illusion of Selfishness and the Power of Conditioning 00:29:34 - Letting Go of Feelings 00:32:10 - Finding Your Own Path 00:34:28 - Finding What Works for You 00:36:17 - Shift in Identity: Michael Hall to Universality 00:38:22 - The Dark Night and Inner Transformation 00:41:25 - The Dark Night of the Soul and Radical Reorientation 00:44:13 - Letting Go of the Past and Embracing the Present 00:46:49 - The Difference Between Channeling and Being Adyashanti 00:50:33 - A Zen Book Awakening 00:55:00 - The Progressive Deepening of Realization 01:00:16 - Stages of Enlightenment 01:03:58 - Embracing Challenges and Growth 01:07:41 - The Indescribable Nature of God 01:11:19 - Increased Effectiveness in Therapy 01:13:28 - Transformation through Empty Glass 01:15:16 - The Value of Ordinary People in Spiritual Awakening 01:18:18 - Living a Skillful and Less Stressful Life 01:21:45 - Paradigm Shifts and Awakening Consciousness 01:24:25 - Faith in Your Ability to Realize Truth 01:27:06 - Conclusion and Next Interview Announcement Save
276. Stephan Bodian26 Jan 201501:24:35
Stephan Bodian is a teacher in the nondual wisdom tradition of Zen, Dzogchen, and Advaita Vedanta and the founder and director of the annual School for Awakening, an intensive six-month program of exploration and study. His offerings are noted for their humor, warmth, spontaneity, and intimacy and combine direct pointers, lively dialogues, silent sitting, and guided self-inquiry. He’s the author of several books, including Wake Up Now: A Guide to the Journey of Spiritual Awakening and Beyond Mindfulness: The Direct Approach to Lasting Peace, Happiness, and Love. Stephan spent a decade practicing Zen intensively as a monk but left the monastery because he sensed that the rigorous practice of meditation was obscuring the truth he was seeking. After studying Dzogchen for several years, he met his guru, Jean Klein, a European teacher of Advaita Vedanta, who told him to stop meditating and instead discover the meditator. Shortly after meeting Jean, he had a profound awakening to his true identity as timeless presence. After Jean’s death, Stephan met Adyashanti, and in 2001 Adya gave him Dharma transmission and invited him to teach. Trained as a psychotherapist, Stephan also offers individual spiritual counseling and mentoring sessions to people throughout the world. His approach blends direct, experiential, nondual wisdom with the insights of Western psychology to support students in realizing who they really are while inquiring into the stories and patterns of thinking and behaving that continue to cause suffering. Website: stephanbodian.org Other books: Meditation For Dummies, w/Audio CD (Also available in various languages.) Timeless Visions, Healing Voices: Conversations With Men & Women of the Spirit Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 1/24/2015 Second BatGap interview with Stehpan. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Stephen Bodian 00:03:31 - Embracing everything and the paradoxes of truth 00:07:36 - The Backward Step 00:10:46 - Cultivating Mindfulness and Discovering Innate Qualities 00:14:15 - The beauty of presence and mindfulness 00:17:47 - Discovering Rest as Awareness 00:21:43 - The Effects of Spiritual Practice on the Brain 00:25:09 - Finding our Way through Intense Experiences 00:28:27 - Embracing the Ego and Bringing Compassion 00:31:50 - The Importance of Mental Health Awareness 00:35:05 - The Mind and Stillness 00:38:26 - Finding Order in Chaos 00:41:01 - Spacious awareness versus detached observing 00:43:47 - The Misunderstanding of Witnessing 00:46:29 - Turiya: The Natural State 00:49:01 - Witnessing and Emotions 00:51:41 - The Pitfall of Suppressed Emotions in Mindfulness 00:54:22 - Psychotherapy and Awakening 00:57:09 - The Power of Resting as Awareness 00:59:41 - Evolution of Spirituality 01:02:27 - Moving Towards Perfection 01:04:53 - Learning from Life 01:07:28 - Emotions and Enlightenment 01:10:06 - Drawn into the Silence 01:12:54 - The Razor's Edge 01:15:54 - The Integration of Form and Emptiness 01:18:41 - Awakening and Influence 01:21:25 - The Misunderstanding of Awakening 01:24:07 - The Pitfalls of Intellectual Understanding in Non-duality 01:26:50 - The Mystery of Love 01:29:25 - Supporting the Channel with Donations
238. Peter Russell30 Jun 2014

Peter holds degrees in theoretical physics, experimental psychology, and computer science from the University of Cambridge, England, where he was a student of Stephen Hawking. Following university he went to India, to study meditation and Eastern philosophy. In the 1970s, he pioneered the introduction of personal growth programs to corporations, running courses for senior management on creativity, stress management and sustainable development. He coined the term "global brain" with his 1980s bestseller of the same name in which he predicted the Internet and the impact it would have on humanity. His other books, which include Waking Up in Time: Finding Inner Peace in Times of Accelerating Change, and From Science to God: A Physicist's Journey into the Mystery of Consciousness, and his visual presentations and videos have won international acclaim and awards. Peter's work integrates Eastern and Western understandings of the mind, exploring their relevance to the world today and to humanity's future. Peter's website: peterrussell.com Peter's YouTube channel 2nd BatGap interview with Peter Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Interview conducted 6/28/2014 Transcript of this interview. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:03:32 - The Fascination with Hydrogen and Consciousness 00:06:53 - The Dilution of Concepts and the Loss of Essence 00:10:24 - Challenging the Paradigm 00:13:41 - The Anomaly in the Existing Model 00:16:57 - The Anomaly of Consciousness 00:20:26 - The Mistake of Separating Consciousness 00:24:03 - The Construction of Reality 00:27:49 - The Universe as an Aware Field of Being 00:31:04 - The Field of Consciousness 00:34:34 - The Excitations of Consciousness 00:38:12 - Consciousness and the Experience of Reality 00:41:31 - Yoga: The Return to Connection 00:45:22 - Science and Spirituality 00:48:58 - Inner Exploration of Consciousness 00:52:07 - Exploring the Inner World with Scientific Approach 00:55:56 - The Importance of Inner Development and Balance 00:59:13 - The Impact of Human Consciousness 01:02:47 - The Collective Awakening and Access to Spiritual Wisdom 01:06:10 - The Catastrophic Risks of Climate Change 01:09:39 - Finding Peace Within 01:12:59 - Connecting with the Essence of the Cosmos 01:16:48 - The Marvel of Creation 01:20:23 - The Complexity of the Universe and the Purpose of Being 01:24:07 - Intelligence and Awareness in the Natural World 01:27:31 - Formation of Stable Structures 01:31:14 - The Processing of Information in Cells and Awareness 01:34:55 - The Mathematics Inherent in the Fabric of Creation 01:38:20 - The Fluidity of Understanding and the Openness to Change 01:41:37 - Concluding Remarks & Interaction Opportunities 01:45:12 - A Discussion with Peter

367. Ted Zeff on Amma31 Oct 201601:14:47
Ted Zeff (Dayalu) met Amma, the "hugging saint" from India, in 1988 and has lived in her ashram in California for 20 years and her ashram in Chicago for one year. Dayalu has written three books about Amma: "Searching for God Part I" in 1996, "Searching for God Part II" in 2002 and "Amma: Inspiring Experiences with the Divine Mother" in 2016. Dayalu has a Ph.D. in integral counseling and psychotherapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and has studied ayurveda and vedic astrology. Ted Zeff Dayalu has also given talks about the books he has written about Amma throughout the United Sates, Israel, Denmark and Holland. Amma's website: amma.org Book: Amma: Inspiring Experiences with the Divine Mother Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/29/2016 Interview with Ted Zeff about highly sensitive people. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:02:26 - Meeting Amma 00:04:22 - Amma's Miraculous Abilities 00:06:14 - The Profound Connection with Amma 00:08:03 - Awakening the Divine Within 00:10:15 - The Profound Effect of Living in Amma's Ashram 00:12:08 - The Divine Mother and the Feminine Form of God 00:14:01 - The Divine Mother's Love and Connection 00:16:01 - Seva and Bhakti Yoga 00:18:01 - Amma's Charitable Work 00:19:48 - The Inspiring Factory Owner 00:21:31 - The Importance of a Spiritual Teacher 00:23:20 - Meeting People Where They're At 00:25:26 - Amma's Adaptability and Presence 00:27:13 - The Boundless Compassion of Amma 00:29:07 - Amma's Ability to Understand Pain 00:31:00 - Miraculous Stories from Amma's Devotees 00:32:39 - Divine Play in Native Languages 00:34:39 - Miracles and Healings 00:36:24 - Accidental Savants and Vast Potentials of the Mind 00:38:11 - Amma's Omniscience and Connection with Others 00:40:02 - Coordinating Prasad at Devi Bhava 00:42:05 - Seva and Amma's Darshan 00:44:56 - Amma's Detachment and Acceptance 00:49:51 - The Journey of Writing a Book 00:54:59 - A Journey of Fearlessness and Protection 00:59:24 - Praying to Amma and Personal Decisions 01:03:24 - Healing Emotions 01:07:48 - The Cancelled Check of the Past 01:11:54 - Tuning in to the Divine Energy of Amma 01:15:04 - See you then.
113. Andrée Morgana04 Mar 201202:11:02

Andrée has been a spiritual teacher for 52 years. For 20 years Andrée was a full-time teacher of the Transcendental Meditation Program and introduced thousands of people to the experience of consciousness and meditation. More recently, she went to Brazil for 12 consecutive years to study their spiritual traditions to see into the spiritual realms and develop relationships with advanced Cosmic Souls. For Andrée, the exposure to the experience of consciousness led to new avenues of discovery. With refinement of perception, within the unboundedness of consciousness, along with the assistance of two Cosmic Souls, Hayehwatha and Vovó Anamalia, Andrée began to observe the details of the universe and beyond. Andrée feels this is the next level of experience to unfold within our culture; for people to observe their origin, history, and destiny with reference to the life of the universe and beyond. What is known as the life we live on the earth is a small portion of who we are. Andrée lives in Mount Shasta, California where she provides workshops and private sessions with Hayehwatha and Vovó Anamalia, as well as puts on The Best of Mt. Shasta Conference & Festival each summer. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 3/3/12 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:04:49 - The Radiating Aura and Transcendental Meditation Adventure 00:08:43 - Sentencing to Meditate 00:13:01 - The Beginning of Longer Meditation Courses 00:17:27 - The Power of Consciousness and its Qualities 00:21:51 - The Experience of Unboundedness and the Development of Consciousness 00:26:25 - Levitation and the Phenomenon of Consciousness 00:30:53 - The Value in Reading the Literature 00:35:43 - Exploring Afro-Brazilian Spiritual Traditions 00:40:11 - Incorporating Spirit Beings 00:44:17 - Falling Back and Laughing, A Distinguished Experience in Brazil 00:48:39 - Connecting with the Chief 00:53:01 - The Four Elements and the Vessel of the Body 00:57:25 - Connecting with Energetic Forces 01:01:53 - The Orixá of the Entity 01:06:08 - Awareness during sleep and profound awakening 01:10:32 - The Integration and Balance of Knowledge 01:15:05 - The Iroquois Confederacy and the US Constitution 01:19:59 - The Origins of Preto Velhos Tradition in Brazil 01:24:22 - Working with Dark Forces, Deleterious Aftereffects 01:28:46 - Working with Spirit Beings 01:33:01 - Connecting with the Orixás 01:37:09 - Incorporating the Orixá and its impact on life and success 01:41:33 - Connecting with Sophia and the Phenomenon of Gaia 01:45:26 - Vovó and Anamalia's Teachings on Life Choices 01:49:48 - Incorporating Hayehwatha and Vovó Anamalia 01:53:42 - Connecting with the Universal Force 01:57:22 - Lifted off Earth and introduced to the sky-people. 02:01:36 - The Limitations of Spiritual Journeys 02:05:11 - Acknowledging the Relevance of Spirituality 02:09:31 - New Episodes and Notifications Save Save

641. Angelo Dilullo07 Apr 202202:03:10
At the age of 24, after years of intense internal suffering and an intuition that something about the way we interact with our thoughts causes a lot of unnecessary suffering, Angelo had a fundamental shift in the way he experiences reality. This was a pervasive transformation and was life-altering at every level. It suddenly became clear that thoughts, and the way they "paint" our experience of ourselves, time, and space, are essentially unreal, something like ghosts. What replaced this world of thought, struggle, and suffering, was boundless clarity and intimacy with all immediate textures of phenomena. It became clear that this is simply the natural state of things and that it is true for everyone, even if there is some distortion in experience caused by thoughts. It became exquisitely clear that suffering is unnecessary among humans and that any human being who has a genuine yearning to wake up to their true nature has the capacity to wake up to this boundless (non-separation) living truth. This led to the writing of the book, "Awake: It's Your Turn." The book is a combination of practical advice to help anyone who is on this pathless path, practice pointers and inquiry tips, and direct pointing (transmission) through language. Book: Awake: It's Your Turn Simply Always Awake YouTube channel Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded April 2, 2022. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:05:38 - The Shift in Perception: From Suffering to Enlightenment 00:10:20 - Becoming Home 00:14:56 - Suffering and Awakening 00:19:21 - The Paradox of Authenticity 00:23:32 - Finding the Gap in Thoughts 00:28:07 - The Structure of the Mind and Perception 00:32:54 - The Unbound Consciousness 00:37:27 - The Natural State of Mind 00:41:59 - Embracing Pain and Sensory Input 00:46:51 - Overwhelming Sensory Experience 00:51:43 - The Nature of Experience 00:56:39 - The Dance of Nature and the Nature of "Ocean-ness" 01:01:06 - The non-dualistic nature of perception 01:05:29 - The Subtlety of the Spiritual Journey 01:10:39 - Shifting Gears, Changing Expectations and Enjoying the Moment 01:15:30 - The Meaning of Awakening 01:19:44 - Attuning to Your Instincts and Embracing Your Awakening 01:24:05 - Investigating the Relational Self 01:29:08 - Escaping Suffering and Dissolving into Reality 01:33:47 - Dissolving Boundaries of Perception 01:38:00 - The Importance of Focus while Driving 01:42:12 - Love for All Beings 01:47:04 - The Paradox of Enlightenment 01:51:51 - Trusting Yourself and the Unborn 01:56:26 - The Length of the Book 02:00:41 - Uncovering and holding discomfort in the body 02:05:12 - Going into the Contracted Area and Feeling Helplessness 02:09:47 - Investigating God, Death, and Reincarnation 02:14:12 - Energetic Realizations and Past Lives 02:18:34 - Wrapping Up the Conversation
078. Jan Esmann15 Jul 201101:38:20
Jan passed away on July 5, 2025. Jan was born 1960 and grew up in Bury, England. His parents were Danish. In 1967 the family moved to Denmark. Jan’s dad is an engineer and there was no spiritual influence from either parent. Yet Jan showed strong spiritual yearnings since an early age. Jan trained as an artist under the Danish painter Niels Hermann Wamberg; he also studied art restoration at the Royal Academy in order to learn the traditional craft. Jan also studied at the university and acquired an MA in history of modern culture. Today Jan works as a full-time professional artist and also has a software company developing photo retouching plug-ins for Photoshop. After doing Transcendental Meditation and the TM Siddhi Programme for six years, Jan felt the need for a guru and found Gururaj Ananda Yogi whom he stayed with for three years. Then Jan’s Kundalini was so active, that he did not need any other guidance than what the Shakti gave, so he gave up on gurus and meditated by observing the inner Shakti’s workings. Following this, Jan began to be contagious and the Kundalini might spontaneously awaken in those that meditated with him. After some years, Jan met Amma and related to her as a spiritual master for about ten years. But again the Shakti guided Jan to meditate on his own and follow the inner guidance of the Shakti. Today Jan would describe his spirituality as being grabbed by Mother’s grace. The Divine Mother who resides in everybody as Kundalini Shakti and patiently waits to unfold as a vibrating field of love, bliss, and grace. Interview recorded 7/10/2011. Jan's sites: Spirituality Art Software Development Books: Lovebliss: The Essence of Self-Realization Enlightenment 101: From Ignorance to Grace Kundalini Tantra: Song of Liberation Transcript of this interview 2nd interview with Jan YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Jan Esmann and his Spiritual Journey 00:04:59 - Out of Body Experiences and Blissful Samadhis 00:08:13 - The Blue Pearl and the Blue Being 00:11:15 - An Encounter with God 00:14:54 - Saturated with intelligence and consciousness 00:17:30 - The God Consciousness and the Blue Being 00:20:06 - An Interesting Experience on a Meditation Week 00:22:37 - Glimpses of Past Lives 00:25:59 - Past Life Memories 00:28:41 - Pure Being 00:32:23 - The Paradox of Bliss and Meaninglessness 00:35:05 - Meditation and Kundalini Awakening Journey 00:38:17 - A Spiritual Connection with Amma 00:41:03 - Kundalini Awakening Journey 00:43:39 - Work in Meditation 00:46:28 - Shaktipat and Blissful Meditation 00:50:02 - The Bliss Transmission 00:52:41 - Awakening of the Crown Chakra and Self-realization 00:56:47 - Recognition of Pure Being in Others 00:59:32 - The State of Passive Awareness 01:02:24 - Progression of Consciousness: From Cosmic Consciousness to Unity Consciousness 01:05:35 - Understanding, Realization, and Liberation 01:09:15 - The Maturation of Spiritual Teachers 01:12:28 - The Transition from Duality to Unity Consciousness 01:15:40 - Awakening Spiritual Growth 01:18:01 - The Nature of Bliss 01:21:15 - Levels of Awareness vs Levels of Experience 01:25:25 - Kundalini: Unfolding Ignorance into Enlightenment 01:29:15 - Kundalini and Shaktipat 01:32:59 - Expansion of Unity Consciousness 01:35:56 - Interview with a Local Phenomenon in Copenhagen
686. Dr. Etta D. Jackson19 Jul 202301:42:57
Dr. Etta D. Jackson was born in Kingston, Jamaica and migrated to the USA as a student in 1965. For twenty-five years she worked in education and retired in 1994 to travel. She has authored four books: Understanding Your Choice Unveiling the Secrets of the Feminine Principle The Role of Consciousness in Governance The Idea That Is the United States of America-Its Occult Foundation Audible.com versions: Understanding Your Choice Unveiling The Secrets Of The Feminine Principle She founded an international NGO non-profit organization, The Institute for Conscious Global Change (ICGC) in 2007 to assist the United Nations and Member States in eradicating extreme poverty through development. ICGC is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. Etta holds a BA in Biology, MS degrees in Guidance and Counseling and in Administrative Leadership and Supervision. Etta holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. She has one daughter and one grandson. Website Etta's blog, where she writes on many topics including mysticism and occultism. Mentioned during the interview: Builders of the Adytum Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 8, 2023 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:26 - Communicating with the Light 00:10:30 - Receiving Instructions from the Light 00:14:41 - Writing in London with the Golden Light 00:18:55 - The Back Story of Dr. Whitworth 00:23:57 - A Divine Encounter 00:29:44 - The Divine Feminine Unveiled 00:34:54 - Understanding Your Choice 00:39:40 - Mysticism vs. Occultism 00:45:03 - The Occult Knowledge of Ancient Religions 00:49:50 - Transitioning into the Aquarian Age 00:54:20 - The Authenticity of Experience and the Role of Older Souls in Guiding the Young 00:58:34 - A Relationship Based on Mutual Respect 01:03:33 - The Symbolism of the Journey to Jerusalem 01:08:51 - The Journey of Knowledge and Experience 01:14:00 - The Paradox of Good and Evil 01:18:49 - The Purpose of the Earth Experiment 01:24:23 - Embracing Change and Shifting Paths 01:29:07 - Understanding the Power of the Mind 01:33:59 - The Inner Lodge and the Role of Consciousness in Governance 01:38:13 - Masonry and Divine Inspiration 01:43:21 - Developing your Relationship with Yourself 01:47:47 - Kneeling at the Feet of the Soul 01:52:56 - Wrapping Up the Interview
280. Jim Dreaver08 Mar 201501:20:06
Jim Dreaver, originally from New Zealand, began his search for freedom in the mid-Seventies with the teachings of yoga, Zen, and J. Krishnamurti, and then met European Advaita Vedanta (the nondual or direct path) master Jean Klein in 1984, who guided him to seeing the truth in 1995. His mission now is to guide others to the realization that awakening is centered in the heart, and is ever and only here, now. He has taught at Esalen Institute and elsewhere. Books: End Your Story, Begin Your Life: Wake Up, Let Go, Live Free The Way of Harmony:: Walking The Inner Path To Balance, Happiness, And Success Falling Into Light Website: jimdreaver.com Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 2/28/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Buddha at the Gas Pump Introduction and Awakening Experience 00:03:28 - The Awakening Experience 00:06:10 - Dissolving the Fiction of "I" 00:09:01 - Residues and Awakening Experiences 00:12:22 - Healing the Wounds of the Past 00:15:27 - Awakening through Seeing the Truth 00:18:34 - Relationships and Self-Discovery 00:21:52 - The Conceptual Nature of Enlightenment 00:24:26 - The "I" Sense and Identification 00:27:42 - Nisargadatta on Fear and the Strokes Experience 00:30:29 - Facing the Fear of Death 00:33:02 - The Power of Intention and Healing 00:35:46 - The Importance of Realizing You're Not Your Story 00:38:53 - The Illusion of the Storyteller 00:42:33 - Cultivating the Ground of Silence with Veterans 00:45:31 - Cultivating Presence for Awakening 00:48:53 - Awakening and World Transformation 00:51:53 - Awakening in a Shorter Timeframe 00:55:11 - Finding True Freedom through Self-Exploration 00:58:40 - The Epiphany of Observing the Self 01:02:05 - The Universal Awareness of Consciousness 01:04:48 - Reincarnation as a Personal Experience 01:08:30 - Multidimensional Possibilities 01:11:30 - "Notice the Story" 01:14:45 - A Second Wave of Heart-Centered Nondual Spirituality 01:17:39 - Serving as a Conduit for World Consciousness 01:20:50 - The Power of Visualization and Intention 01:23:01 - Entertaining at a Deeper Level 01:26:10 - The Writer's Journey 01:28:44 - Wrapping up the interview 01:30:55 - End of Interview
117. Benjamin Smythe01 Apr 2012

I thought I knew something.  It turns out I didn't.  My heart explodes into pieces, and they rain down everywhere I look.  It doesn't feel as new agey as it sounds, and that ends up being such an incredible delight.  Nothing spiritual I have ever encountered has anything to do with the simple Wow I am talking about. It is this Mystery.  Wow! Facebook page Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 3/31/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Benjamin Smythe: A Fun and Sensitive Guy 00:04:25 - The Importance of Authentic Sharing 00:08:15 - Learning to Be a Good Person 00:12:20 - The Humility of Seeking 00:16:18 - The Beauty of Not Knowing 00:19:58 - Embracing Paradox and Shutting Up 00:24:05 - Balancing Self-Awakening and Helping Others 00:27:49 - Embracing Chaos and Helping Others 00:31:08 - The Beauty of Connection on the Street 00:34:48 - The Power of Kindness and Love 00:38:10 - The Sadness of Human-to-Human Violence 00:42:06 - The Resonance of Kindness and Compassion 00:45:51 - The Setup of Competition 00:49:41 - Embracing the Vast Range of Possibilities 00:53:42 - Finding Ease in Chaos 00:57:04 - The Value of Living in Integrity 01:00:51 - Honoring and Learning from Others 01:05:02 - The Innocence of Humanity 01:08:52 - The Shift in Subjective Perspective 01:13:25 - The Potential of Every Individual 01:17:07 - The value of silence and the limitations of language 01:21:33 - The Silent Experience of Ourselves 01:25:24 - Discovering the Quiet Within 01:29:11 - Questioning the Bible's Moral Guidance 01:33:20 - Ideas Competing for Attention 01:37:19 - Choosing Love and the Possibility of Force 01:41:17 - The Responsibility to Care for Each Other 01:45:26 - Making a Difference, One Person at a Time 01:49:25 - The Egalitarian Quality in Spirituality 01:53:05 - Playing with Different Ideas 01:56:28 - Stay Connected through Interviews and Chat Groups Save

714. Nishanth Selvalingam05 Sep 202402:00:28
Nishanth Selvalingam - Kashmir Shaivism and Non-Dual Tantra A lifelong student of philosophy and comparative religion, a practitioner of Shaiva Tantra in the Shaiva Siddhanta lineage, and recent entrant into the Ramakrishna lineage by his guru, Swami Sarvadevananda Puri, Nishanth Selvalingam shares an authentic, firsthand approach to the Sanskrit texts of the Tantrik scriptural tradition to expose audiences to the profoundly positive and transformative philosophies and practices that this tradition offers. Nishanth Selvalingam graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Philosophy in 2024 and now lives in Westwood, Los Angeles where he hosts satsanghs with his wife, coaches middle school debate and lectures incessantly on all things Tantra and Non-Duality. Website: nishyoga.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded August 18, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction   00:05:16 - Eclectic Background in Philosophy  00:09:52 - Diverse Interests and Spirituality  00:13:58 - The Metaphor of the Mountain Peak  00:17:29 - The Quest for Realization  00:22:28 - The Sun and Different Perspectives  00:26:56 - The Devotee vs the Nihilistic Void State  00:30:27 - Taking Spiritual Advancement in Measured Doses  00:34:32 - The Nature of Omniscience  00:40:02 - Mystical Experiences and Embodiment  00:43:52 - Manifestation of God and the Direct Path vs Progressive Path  00:47:34 - Real as God: A Conversation on Philosophy and Spirituality  00:50:59 - Chitsuki and Swami Saripandaji's Explanation  00:54:44 - The Self-Referral Nature of Consciousness  01:00:40 - The Role of Experiences in Spirituality  01:05:06 - Selecting a Guru  01:08:31 - Hypocrisy in Yoga Communities  01:12:48 - The Complexity of Hinduism and Tantra  01:17:56 - The Many Forms of Deities in Tantra  01:22:23 - The Waves of Deities and Perceptions  01:26:00 - Chakshu Diksha and Sparsha Diksha  01:28:33 - Comparing Shiva Siddhanta and Kashmir Shaivism  01:34:24 - Realization of the Self through Nirvikalpa Samadhi  01:38:15 - The Fragrance of Samadhi with Eyes Open  01:42:35 - The Goddesses Within Us  01:47:28 - Abhichara and Crazy Sex Stuff  01:51:13 - The Bhakti Approach  01:54:59 - The Need for a Holistic Approach in Spirituality  01:59:15 - The Importance of Vairagya and Willpower in Spiritual Practice  02:03:32 - Personality Transformation in Tantra  02:06:58 - Spiritual Development and Understanding at a Young Age
337. Mary Reed07 Mar 201601:38:47
Mary Reed is an “accidental” mystic who, following eleven years of profound, involuntary visions and insights into divine realms, surrendered her executive life in Washington, DC to explore her spiritual gifts in a remote Buddhist nunnery in India. She grew up without any interest in religion but with an innate knowing that humans had more ability to access greater wisdom than most seemed to realize. She is originally from the U.S. Southwest but spent most of her career directing global healthcare programs and creating nonprofit partnerships throughout America and Africa. Today she divides her time between Thosamling Nunnery in India, where she is often immersed in silence; Cambodia, where she works with Wide Open Wings (a small charity she co-founded); and traveling to speak with a variety of audiences to share her story as a way to illuminate the common ground of Love and precious Divinity in all of us, and to inspire joyful collective resurrection and remembrance with her unique view of our beautifully awakening world. Website:lovemaryreed.com Book: Unwitting Mystic: Evolution of The Message of Love Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 3/5/2016 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:18 - The Voice and Life Change 00:08:34 - Understanding the Crucifixion of Jesus 00:12:15 - The Origins of Divine Truth 00:14:55 - The Profound Unspeakable Nature of Spiritual Experiences 00:17:51 - Strong Opinions About Suicide 00:20:49 - The Importance of Having Someone to Talk to 00:23:45 - The Importance of Mental Health Professionals Trained in Spirituality 00:26:40 - The Importance of Access to Resources and Community 00:30:20 - The Importance of the Body 00:33:33 - Surrender and Spiritual Awakening 00:36:23 - Lessons from Personal Experiences 00:40:06 - Lessons from Syrian Refugees 00:43:49 - Exploring Infinite Possibilities 00:47:40 - The Origins of the Soul 00:51:43 - Integration of Boundaries and Unboundedness 00:55:33 - The Beauty of the Spiritual Journey 01:00:02 - Sharing My Story and Inspiring Hope 01:03:11 - Sharing Profound Information and Providing Hope 01:07:03 - Channeling Love and Divine Messages 01:11:39 - Rethinking Spiritual Teachings: Moving Towards Inclusivity 01:17:23 - Recognition of the Omnipresence of God 01:21:20 - Responding to Suffering & Bringing about Change 01:24:55 - Untangling the Energetic Threads 01:27:58 - Unraveling the Tangles 01:32:18 - The Cause of Masses Unraveling and the Spiritual Awakening 01:36:52 - Choosing Love and Forgiveness in Times of Tragedy 01:40:42 - Enlightenment and the Collective Mind 01:44:10 - The Coming of Love and Celebration in the Cosmos 01:48:25 - Unity and Creativity in Expressing Divinity 01:51:25 - Finding Teachers near Chicago
673. Anthony Peake28 Dec 202201:58:20
Anthony Peake is the author of 12 books. He has lectured across the UK and Europe and has also given talks in New York and Melbourne, Australia. He has appeared on national television in Germany and France and has been interviewed on numerous BBC local radio stations and nationally on BBC Radio Five Live. Here are the themes of four of Anthony's books most relevant to what we discuss in this interview. Is There Life After Death: The Extraordinary Science of What Happens When We Die (2006) Do you occasionally have that strange feeling known as déjà vu? Do you sometimes feel that you know what is going to happen next? Do you ever have a strong feeling that actions you are about to take are the right (or wrong) thing to do? All these perceptions may be everyday clues to your immortality. This book proposes that personal death is a scientific impossibility. Using the latest findings of neurology, quantum physics, and consciousness studies, Anthony suggests that we never die. This book will help you understand the reason for your life and how you can make it better next time. The Daemon: A Guide To Your Extraordinary Secret Self (2008) Appearing in Greek mythology, the Daemon is broadly understood as a guiding spirit which exists as one half of your split self. Anthony proposes that people consist of not one but two separate consciousnesses - everyday consciousness and that of The Daemon, a higher being that seems to possess knowledge of future events. Drawing upon phenomena such as déjà vu and near-death experiences, he explores the ways that our Daemon breaks through into our consciousness and can subconsciously impact upon our decisions. This book draws upon neurology, metaphysics and theology. It also follows the stories of famous figures, including Byron, Geothe, Jean Cocteau, and many others who have "felt a force outside themselves". The Hidden Universe: An Investigation Into Non-Human Intelligences (2019) From aliens or ghosts to the djinn, electric-voice phenomenon, and UFO abductions, this book is the most comprehensive and enlightening survey ever made of encounters with the "others" - intelligent, self-motivated beings that are clearly not human in their origins. In addition to fully detailing the history of these encounters, the book attempts a bold explanation (never before undertaken) of the true nature of these beings. The book will explore the increasingly frequent entheogen encounters facilitated by substances such as dimethyltryptamine, ayahuasca, 5-Meo-DMT, and LSD, as well as the beings encountered by individuals suffering from Alzheimer's-related Charles Bonnet Syndrome, young children's non-corporeal companions, and the seemingly independent beings met during lucid dreaming and near-death and out-of-body experiences. This model proposes that consciousness, far from being simply an accident of evolution, is the actual root source of the material universe. It suggests that at its most basic level everything that is seemingly physical is rendered into existence by consciousness. Cheating The Ferryman: The Revolutionary Science of Life After Death (2022) Is there life after death? This age-old question has plagued humankind from the moment we became self-aware, but do we now have enough evidence to answer it? This book reveals an extraordinary model of life after death—one that brings together ideas from ancient philosophy, neuroscience, quantum physics, and consciousness studies and manages to explain a number of seemingly mysterious experiences such as precognition, déjà vu, synchronicity, near-death experiences, and out-of-body experiences. It is called Cheating the Ferryman. This book is a much-awaited follow-up to Is There Life After Death, which introduced his revolutionary model. Since then, he has amassed more evidence, using new studies by world-leading researchers, theories from the likes of Stephen Hawking, Carl Jung, and Hugh Everette, together with testimonies of NDEs and precognitive experiences that give everyday clues to our immortality. Cheating the Ferryman presents an astounding model of survival after death that is supported by, rather than in conflict with, our present understanding of how the universe works. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and Transcript of this interview Website: anthonypeake.com Facebook YouTube Channel Interview recorded December 19, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Anthony Peake 00:06:34 - Aura States and Migraine Auras 00:11:54 - Synchronicities and the Play of Life 00:17:27 - The Particle Zoo and the Concept of the Tulpa 00:23:37 - The Illusion of a Physical Universe 00:30:36 - The Mystery of the Gaps in the Universe 00:36:35 - A Monk's Synchronistic Discovery 00:41:23 - The Daemon/Eidolon Dyad and Higher Self 00:46:28 - The Unity of Jiva and Atman 00:52:03 - The Participatory Universe and Gravitational Lensing 00:57:29 - The Speed of Light and Anomalies in the Universe 01:04:10 - Nonlocality: The World's Greatest Discovery 01:10:32 - The Excavation of Understanding Deja Vu and Near Death Experiences 01:15:38 - Groundhog Life: Living Multiple Lifetimes 01:21:23 - The Concept of Reincarnation 01:27:04 - Assessing the Other Side 01:33:09 - Souls and Higher Beings 01:38:41 - The Creative Power of the Daemon 01:44:20 - Can we escape from free will? 01:50:19 - DMT Entities and Hallucinations 01:56:18 - Doors of Perception: Alzheimer's and the Wider Perceptual Field 02:02:22 - Telepathic Abilities and Denial in Science 02:06:55 - Sleep Paralysis and the Hag Phenomenon 02:11:57 - Building a Network of Amazing Friends
498. Nancy Neithercut19 Apr 201901:54:33
In the spring of 2011, I was cleaning a stove and quite suddenly the knob I was holding became the rag became my hand became the space became the stove as all lines between things between moments and between myself and the world dissolved. It was like the scales had fallen off my eyes! I had heard of no self but had never heard there were no things! There was an intense psychological and physical relaxation, and I was amazed that my body didn't crumble to the floor! It was obvious that there was no one doing life, and that life wasn't happening to a me. It was the end of a lifetime propelled by hope and fear and need of a never arising next. It was as if time died. It was as if I had died, yet it was obvious that I had never existed, yet here I was! This knowing feeling of seamlessness has not left for almost eight years.  It is always obvious... it kisses me awake in the morning and holds me as I drift off to sleep.... life is overwhelmingly beautiful and wondrous always, like edgeless liquid love.... no matter what it looks or feels like. The longing to sing of this, knowing that it cannot be kissed with words paints my reflection with sky in sky.... I am not a teacher or guru, simply a lover of love. Nancy's posts and poems (blog) YouTube Channel Books: To Kiss What Cannot Be Kissed...: Love songs from the canyon Liquid Eyes This Is It, Coyote Your Infinite Intimate Embrace: you have never left Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded April 13, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:06 - A Journey of Seeking and Glimpses 00:10:01 - The Search for the Elusive Goal 00:14:32 - The Terrifying Experience of Losing Beliefs 00:18:56 - The Burning of Personal Armageddon 00:23:35 - The Nature of Belief and Unknowing 00:28:42 - The Astonishing Nature of the Known World 00:33:30 - The Shift in Perception 00:38:00 - The Illusion of Separation and Thingness 00:42:20 - The Dream of Separation 00:46:47 - The Illusion of Separation in the Physical World 00:51:43 - The Unity of the House 00:57:01 - Life Doing Itself 01:00:45 - The Wholeness of the Universe 01:03:12 - The Shared Dream of Separation 01:06:19 - The Sword of Ignorance 01:09:41 - The Illusion of Self 01:13:24 - The Fear of False Evidence Appearing Real 01:18:10 - The Perception of an Actor 01:20:54 - Starting a Podcast & Creating a Website 01:24:13 - Awareness without perception 01:28:26 - Awareness in Deep Sleep 01:33:15 - Discussion on Paintings and Posters 01:36:23 - The Frustration of Seeking and Inner Transformation 01:40:29 - The Role of Spiritual Practices 01:44:55 - The Intensity of Desire and Love in Spiritual Practice 01:49:29 - The Co-dependency of the Seeker and the Teacher 01:53:23 - Embracing our Humanness 01:56:29 - Embracing the Flow of Thought and Emotion 01:59:53 - A Gentle Conversation 02:02:11 - Conclusion and Farewell
350. Jurgen Ziewe17 Jun 201602:10:22
Jurgen Ziewe has been following a strict regime of meditation since 1969. In 1973, after a six-month stint of intensive meditation for up to five hours a day, he decided to abandon the practice completely, being disappointed with the lack of progress and some negative side effects. Then one day out of the blue, at breakfast, he spontaneously experienced a total dissociation from his body and entered a state of what he described as one of absolute clarity. After this he continued his meditation practice, but now paying homage to the experience with more humility than before. He directly attributes the spontaneous Out-of-body experiences that followed for the next forty years, to this powerful experience of consciousness singularity. Jurgen has spent hundreds of hours, mostly in a super waking awareness in these out-of-body states, which frequently lasted several hours at a time. He soon mapped out what he considered to be the multidimensional reality man inhabits after physical death. On one of these non-physical excursions he was met by a Chinese Master who put him through an intensive training process in order for him to reach much higher states of consciousness. In 1980, on one of these OBE journeys, he was taken once more into a state of absolute clarity. This and other significant experiences were chronicled in his diaries and later published in his books, "Multidimensional Man" in 2008 and "Vistas of Infinity" in 2015, by which time he had experienced another singularity event on a solitary mountain retreat, later published in his book, “The Ten Minute Moment”. Jurgen sees himself as a reporter, not as a teacher. His down-to-earth narrative has attracted the attention from the science community and he has recently contributed a chapter to a science publication entitled, “Consciousness Beyond the Body: Evidence and Reflections” by Alexander de Foe, where he explores the nature of nonphysical consciousness, in collaboration with other experiencers. In his working life Jurgen Ziewe is a sought after commercial illustrator with a global clientele. Using the latest CG technology of the film industry has allowed him to document his experiences in alternate realities in a very visual format. His graphic testimonies have been likened to those of Swedenborg and his accounts of the higher spiritual realms give a vivid insight into the infinite strata of human consciousness which is rarely reported in such depth and detail. Websites: multidimensionalman.com Some of Jurgen's "multidimensional" artwork Virtual reality videos Celestial-Song - Angel of the Earth - A new virtual reality project between Jurgen and composer Craig Pruess Jurgen's commercial art Other Books: Explorations in Consciousness: A New Approach to Out-of-Body Experiences The Phase: Shattering the Illusion of Reality New Territories Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview. Interview conducted 6/11/2016 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview June 17, 2016 00:04:05 - An Unexpected Experience in Meditation 00:08:59 - Waves of Ecstasy and Out-of-Body Experiences 00:14:13 - Starting the Journey of Out-of-Body Experiences 00:18:56 - A Recall Experience and the Abyss of Reality 00:24:04 - Conquering Fear and Finding Freedom 00:29:45 - The Shift in Identification 00:33:45 - Out-of-Body Experiences and Higher Consciousness 00:37:40 - Breaking through the Ceilings 00:42:31 - The Fascination of the Inner Worlds 00:47:19 - Accessing the Universal Mind through Out-of-Body Experiences 00:51:43 - The Importance of Vedanta and the Multi-Dimensionality of Life 00:56:08 - Living in the Whole Spectrum of Consciousness 01:00:48 - Moving from Individuality to Service 01:05:24 - The Continuation of Reality After Death 01:09:27 - Mapping the Realities of the Universe 01:13:33 - Thought Forms and Collective Consciousness 01:17:45 - Consensus Reality in Out-of-Body States 01:22:02 - A New Experience of Higher Realms 01:26:37 - A Multidimensional Universe with Populated Planets 01:30:36 - Traveling Through Time 01:34:35 - Transported Back in Time 01:39:07 - The Evolved State of Creation 01:43:47 - The Universe as the Center of Perception 01:48:32 - Familiar Ground and Fresh Experiences 01:52:51 - The Essence of Bliss in This Dimension 01:57:11 - Addiction to Reality and the Attraction Fading 02:01:32 - Dealing with Fixations and Bodily Identification 02:05:52 - Embracing Reality and Finding Inner Aspect 02:10:43 - A Glimpse of a Positive Future 02:15:15 - Being vigilant and nurturing growth
059. Nick Gancitano09 Mar 201101:43:01
Nick Gancitano has spent most of his adult life delving into the mysteries of the ancient spiritual teachings and has undergone a conscious transformation that has made him a specialist in the field. Nick studied under some of its most respected sages and has traveled extensively around the world to deliver this teaching. In addition, Nick himself has been recognized for his simplification of the often complicated spiritual system of advaita (wisdom through direct insight). After returning from his journey, Nick became committed to disseminating these teachings among friends and associates who became students and soon erected The Self-Inquiry Center for Conscious Living, where Nick now provides his lighthearted works to a growing population of devoted spiritual seekers. Aside from being the spiritual director at The Self-Inquiry Center, Nick was once an All-American athlete, corporate regional vice-president, and U.S. National Champion under the legendary football coach Joe Paterno. He later became one of the world’s leading experts on place-kicking, personally developing over forty collegiate Division IA athletes, including nine All-Americans. But his original background lay in physics, physiology and biomechanics, as he firmly states that all information recorded for spiritual scripture and scientific documentation should be based on one's direct experience and not borrowed beliefs passed down through generations by the unknowing. Nick can be contacted via email. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 2/20/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction & Announcements 00:04:16 - Early Experiences with Eastern Spirituality 00:07:59 - Silent Transmission from Ramana Maharshi 00:12:14 - The Illusion of Form and Awareness of the Self 00:15:51 - Purging Subconscious Guilt and Fear 00:18:57 - The Beginning of Sadhana and Self-Inquiry 00:22:48 - The Flawed Orientation to Teachers 00:26:05 - The True Notion of Self-Realization 00:29:16 - The Ego and Adulation 00:32:49 - The Concept of "I am" and the Role of a Master 00:36:26 - Interactions with Ramana Maharshi 00:39:28 - Letting go of the Outer Guru 00:42:31 - A Spiritual Retreat in Arunachala 00:46:08 - Awareness and Distraction 00:49:55 - Embracing Paradox and Ambiguity 00:55:09 - Surrender and Self-Inquiry 00:58:47 - Surrendering to the "I am" 01:02:13 - The Destiny of the Body 01:06:12 - Reversing the Flow of the Mind 01:09:18 - The Illusion of Phenomena and Form 01:12:20 - Awakening and the Illusion of Seeking 01:15:19 - The Split in the Mind 01:18:27 - The Ego and Self-Realization 01:21:00 - The Cosmic Joke and Self-Inquiry. 01:23:27 - The Efficacy of Teaching and Awakening 01:26:40 - The Play of Consciousness 01:29:31 - Ramana's Concern for World Affairs 01:33:00 - Enlightenment and the Illusion of Awakening 01:36:38 - Physiology Refinement and Evolution 01:40:15 - The Complete Realization 01:42:26 - Interview with Mandy Sulk
619. Lucy Grace15 Oct 2021
Lucy was raised in a low socioeconomic household and neighborhood, by a young single mother in New Zealand in the early 1980s. The lack of resources available in childhood resulted in a shrinking of her outer world to what she thought of –  years later - as a kind of welfare-child ashram. Within the home, and outside of it, there were few distractions or ability to go anywhere else, and significant trauma – all forcing her to go within to what she thought of as “the deep stillness and light inside” to rest, find nourishment, solace, and strength. At 19 she experienced her first shift, seeing through the personality, and subtle perceptions revealing themselves. She never thought much of it, there had already been so much light inside, and she was so thrilled to be in the world finally so she simply went on with living. Lucy spent 15 years in Europe and New Zealand working for international humanitarian aid agencies. On return to NZ at age 31, she suddenly became extremely ill.  For six months, she was mostly bedridden. Doctors, both natural and traditional, could not find the source of the illness. Over the next few years, she had to work to earn an income but there was no strength for much else. The pain in her body was ever-present, and the fear of not knowing if this was her life forever now, was sometimes crippling. She was forced to exist in a kind of in-between world again - of much aloneness and silence, aside from work. After a few years of significant illness, she recovered strength enough to live a semi-normal life. But any time she tried to do too much, she was knocked back into illness. By 35 she was in a leadership role at a non-profit, married, with a baby on the way, just surviving day-to-day with the pressure on her physical body. On becoming a mother, she was plunged into a level of blackness that was completely shocking and previously unknown. For more than two years she descended into complete separation and couldn’t hear the guidance that had always accompanied her in her life. For the first time ever she couldn’t feel God. In 2018, after more than two years of immense struggle, an unexplainable and absolute surrender took place within, in a moment, as her two-year-old cried and reached for her. Within two months she had left the career she loved to rest in what she thought of as silence. For around a year and a half, she couldn't do much else. Lucy had never been exposed to spirituality, nor did she know anything about its concepts or traditions. She thought meditation was for “those hippy people.” Because there had been no conscious spiritual search, she had no context for what was happening. Often it was so beautiful and joyful – she didn’t need to know. There was an innate sense of trust and recognition that went beyond what needed to be seen or understood with the mind. When the need to understand did arise - some online searches helped a little, but often it all felt overwhelming, and she preferred sitting in silence to hear from within. Guidance and teaching were always present and given through hearing and images. Despite this, when particularly strange things would occur the need for the mind to understand would return. One night in 2019, before sleep, in heartfelt prayer she asked for help to cut through all the online noise and finally really grasp what was going on. There was a felt sense of need for community. As she was awakening in the morning, she heard the words “Buddha at the Gas Pump”. Lucy says, "I was stumped. I had no idea what that meant, but Googled it and found BatGap. As a result, my life has changed. Over the years BatGap has supported me deeply in the process – nurturing trust and allowing everything to unfold as it wants to." From then until now, Lucy has been called over and over into deeper surrender. She has had further shifts and many clearings. Her career of 15 years, husband/partner of 16 years, many friends, and her home – all things she loved dearly - have fallen away. She has never had a teacher and has read very little. She makes no claim to know anything. It seems to her that there is nothing to know, or that can be known. There is no one way and no right way. There is only your way, to be honoured and cherished and fallen into more and more deeply in every breath. Book: This Untameable Light Website Bi-Weekly Online Sangha Facebook page Email address Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded October 9, 2021. Second interview with Lucy YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:28 - Childhood Darkness and Inner Light 00:10:39 - Childhood Connection with God 00:15:32 - Feeling a Presence and Being Guided in Life 00:20:35 - The Big Awakening of 2018 00:25:21 - A Shift in Perspective and Seeing Spirits 00:31:00 - Conversations with Spiritual Beings and Divine Guidance 00:35:49 - Making Tough Career Choices 00:40:26 - Trauma and Healing 00:45:13 - Hiding and Facing the Truth 00:49:33 - Lost Vibrancy and Exclusion from Life 00:54:12 - The Struggle of Illness and Support from Loved Ones 00:59:12 - The Feeling That Hasn't Landed 01:04:02 - The Violent Labor and Postpartum Depression 01:09:09 - The Birth Experience and Motherhood Challenges 01:13:02 - The Struggles of Motherhood: A Personal Story 01:17:42 - A Moment of Surrender to Motherhood 01:22:26 - The Language of Life Speaking to Us 01:27:11 - The Meaning of Lucy's Name 01:32:16 - Understanding Unbounded Awareness and the Personality 01:37:02 - Unraveling and Healing Deep Wounds 01:42:21 - Surrender and Breaking Open 01:47:02 - Discovering the Language of Experience 01:52:13 - A Profound Experience of Love and Compassion 01:57:48 - Deep Healings and Shifts in Consciousness 02:02:41 - The Stern Voice and Leaving a Relationship for Spiritual Growth 02:07:21 - Moving Energy through the Body 02:13:13 - Taking the Courage to Be True to Myself 02:18:31 - Living a Blessed Life 02:24:00 - Embracing Human Nature
700. Bob Davis22 Feb 202401:40:00
After receiving his doctorate in the sensory neurosciences from The Ohio State University, Bob Davis, Ph.D., served as a professor for the State University of New York for over thirty years, where he conducted research in the behavioral and neurosensory sciences, taught, and held many high-level administrative roles. He published his research in over 60 articles in scholarly journals, and presented numerous lectures worldwide, which included invited lectures at Harvard, Cambridge, and Peking University. Bob was also awarded numerous grants by the National Science Foundation and The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to conduct research in sensory neuroscience. Following retirement, Bob published several articles in the Journal of Scientific Exploration and Edge Science and presented lectures at national and international conferences on consciousness, spiritually transformative experiences, and unidentified aerial phenomena. Bob has also published three highly popular books: The UFO Phenomenon: Should I Believe? Life after Death: An Analysis of the Evidence, and, Unseen Forces: The Integration of Science, Reality and You. More recently, he has turned his recent book, Unseen Forces, into a planned documentary entitled - The Consciousness Connection - with Emmy Award winner Dave Beaty of Dreamtime Entertainment and Wilson Hawthorne of Eyeland Telemedia. Website: bobdavisspeaks.com Bob Davis is an administrator of the Facebook Site called: The Consciousness Connection Facebook group. Bob's email Bob says, "If you'd like to learn more about the film project or consciousness in general, please subscribe to the Consciousness Connection YouTube channel. Summary and Transcript of this interview Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded February 3, 2024. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:35 - Types and Evidence of Extraordinary Human Experiences 00:08:03 - A Profound Shared Death Experience 00:12:21 - A Spiritual Awakening and Kundalini Awakening 00:15:53 - The Misdiagnosis of Spiritual Awakening 00:19:27 - The Unstoppable Spread of Information 00:23:58 - The Need for a Paradigm Shift in Understanding Consciousness 00:27:49 - The Evidence of White Crows in DMT Experiences 00:31:40 - Exploring Consciousness Beyond Traditional Science 00:36:04 - The Relationship Between Science and Spirituality 00:40:27 - Brain Development and Spiritual Transformation 00:44:35 - Humans as Light Beings and Quantum Mechanics 00:48:22 - Veridical Perceptions in Near-Death Experiences 00:52:34 - Near-Death Experiences and Perception 00:56:44 - Novel Interactions in the Brain 01:01:02 - Consciousness and the Bohmian Paradigm Shift 01:05:16 - Ego Dissolution and Positive After-Effects 01:09:03 - Spiritual Practices and Physiological Treatments 01:12:56 - Quantum Mechanics and Premonition 01:16:55 - ESP and Autistic Savants 01:21:20 - Photonic Emissions and Healing Abilities 01:26:00 - The Power of Spiritual Practice 01:29:26 - Personal Transformation and Spreading the Word 01:32:32 - Transformation in Beliefs and Experiences 01:36:00 - The Importance of Spiritual Development 01:38:40 - Tapping into the Language of Nature 01:42:11 - Conclusions about UFOs and their Spiritual Implications 01:45:57 - The Mystery and Wonder of the Universe 01:50:26 - The Long-Term Nature of Spiritual Development 01:54:04 - The Power of Changing Perspectives
310. Karen McPhee18 Oct 201501:45:30
Karen's spiritual journey has been long and eventful, with many insights, realizations and awakenings. She has been blessed by the influence and support of wonderful teachers including Joel Goldsmith, Eckhart Tolle and Pamela Wilson. After many years and much investigation, Karen came home to the truth that freedom can only be found within. She now offers group and private sessions to assist others in returning to a state of wholeness and embodying the essence of true nature. Her down-to-earth approach helps bring spiritual reality from the conceptual to the experiential. Website Blog Facebook Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/11/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Childhood Experiences 00:05:08 - Moments of Clarity and Darkness 00:09:40 - The Dark Night of the Soul 00:13:53 - Naturalness of Higher Consciousness 00:18:27 - Neuroplasticity and Transformative Insights 00:23:09 - Divine Play and Distortion 00:28:19 - The Beginnings of Healing Journey 00:32:45 - Serving and Love in Spiritual Practice 00:37:11 - Distractions on the Spiritual Path 00:41:49 - The Breaking Open of the Heart 00:46:36 - The Experience of Grace 00:51:24 - The Clash Between the Transcendent and Daily Life 00:56:11 - A Moment of Deep Surrender 01:00:39 - Impulses of Intelligence in the Ocean of Intelligence 01:04:30 - Eckhart Tolle's Transformation 01:08:02 - Invitation to Teach from Eckhart 01:11:40 - Practical Inspiration 01:15:02 - Moving on from the Spiritual Path 01:18:49 - The Healing Process 01:22:29 - The Depth of Receptivity and the Analogy of the Reservoir 01:26:12 - Insights from Pamela and the Process of Integration 01:29:51 - Join me in Total Freedom 01:33:34 - Connecting with Isaac Shapiro at a conference 01:37:18 - Overcoming Suffering and Illness 01:40:40 - The End of Suffering and the Rise of Aliveness 01:44:10 - The Shift in Spiritual Activities and Boredom Arises 01:47:36 - Authentic and Appropriate Service 01:51:15 - The Emergence of Something New 01:54:52 - Plugging People Into Opportunities 01:58:34 - Reflections on Life and Gratitude 02:02:19 - Sign up for Email Notifications
292. Stuart Schwartz18 May 201501:35:55
Recently at a Whirling Dervish Meditation in Istanbul I read how Rumi summarized his life: I was immature; I became experienced; I was consumed. I could divide this lifetime in those categories also, starting with a life driven by conditioning resulting in a very successful appearance without much satisfaction. Then the search for real happiness and peace. Decades of working with different modalities and sitting with many masters leading to teaching others how to relinquish conditioning and experience peaceful Silence. And now, Satsang starts with the truth of everyone, the perfection of Self. The tapestry of life includes all as the expression of Consciousness without any separation. Anything that attempts to obscure this truth melts in its power. Satsang is given in America, Canada and Europe as well as Private Satsang Sessions. Website: satsangwithstuart.com Book: The Great Undoing Transcript of this interview Interview conducted 5/16/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:14 - Present in the Teaching 00:08:31 - Being at Home with Presence 00:12:40 - Finding Peace in the Unknown 00:17:19 - The Breath as a Profound and Overlooked Practice 00:21:29 - Death as Part of Life 00:25:54 - Dying to the Personality 00:30:22 - A Surprise Visit and the Next Obvious Thing 00:34:48 - Resonating with a Teacher 00:39:10 - A Conversation about Comedy and Philosophy 00:42:16 - The Joy of Expressing Yourself 00:45:25 - Going Beyond Conditioning 00:48:50 - Finding Peace in Deep Presence 00:52:16 - Sweet Blissful Experience 00:55:41 - The Truth of Who You Are 00:59:18 - Reflecting on the Meaning of Life and the Universe 01:02:39 - The Miraculous Laws of Nature 01:05:56 - The Duality of Right and Wrong 01:09:25 - Expressing the True Self 01:12:37 - Homework and Spiritual Zeal 01:15:44 - Resistance and the Joy of Rebirthing 01:19:06 - Seeking Happiness in the Outward Direction 01:22:12 - Maintaining Silence and Comprehensiveness 01:25:42 - Encouragement and Reminding Yourself 01:29:16 - A Magnificent Experience 01:32:52 - Finding Security in the Present Moment 01:36:24 - The Paradox of Personhood 01:39:37 - The Burning Sensation of Meditation 01:43:03 - The Power of Consciousness and the Breath 01:46:46 - "No Joy in Smallness" 01:49:46 - Emo Phillips and Weird Comedy
159. Petrica Verdes, Translator of Ilie Cioara’s Works12 Feb 201301:48:30
Ilie Cioara was an enlightened mystic who did not belong to any lineage or tradition of awakening. Jerry Katz describes his writings: “This work stands independently of ancient traditions, well known sages, and the current nonduality scene. That is refreshing. Ilie Cioara's works are among the finest books on nondual consciousness." Like Ramana Maharshi, Krishnamurti, and Eckhart Tolle, his is a simple message of discovering our inner divine nature through the silence of the mind. His original writings in 16 books describe the experience of meditation and enlightenment, as well as the practice of “Self-knowing” using all-encompassing Attention. Born in 1916, Cioara lived his life in almost complete isolation in Eastern Europe, in a communist country, completely oblivious of nonduality, Zen, etc. Originally a Christian mystic, he practiced a mantra for over 20 years. One day, he felt an intuitive impulse to drop the mantra, and just practice the silence of the mind, by listening to the noises on the street, in the now. After following this practice for a few years, one morning, as he was waking up from his sleep, he suddenly experienced Enlightenment. His description of meditation is fresh and devoid of any tradition and jargon. Four books by Ilie Cioara have been published in English so far, translated by Petrica Verdes: The Silence of the Mind I Am Boundlessness The Wondrous Journey: Into the Depth of Our Being Life Is Eternal Newness Petrica Verdes (Deva Daan) is an ordinary person. No ego trip, no need to be somebody, no need to be special, no need to gather diplomas, Ph.D.'s, qualifications, trainings, no need to impress, no need to be famous or influence people. No need to go on a trip of the “ego”. Just happy living an ordinary life, because this life is already extraordinary as it is, an ongoing unfolding miracle. Sometimes he serves in humbleness as an instrument for Spirit. Not wanting to write anything or teach anyone - sometimes silence speaks through him, not knowing what the next word will be. Interview recorded 1/26/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Petrica Verdes and Ilia Choara 00:05:00 - The Method of Repetition in Eleazar's Poetry 00:08:50 - Reading Objective Poetry and Windows to Infinity 00:12:53 - Living in the Energy of the Place 00:16:27 - The Inner Journey and Ilié's Dramatic Life 00:19:23 - The Beginning of Astral Travel 00:22:49 - The Astral World and Entities 00:26:38 - Imprisonment and Hard Labor 00:29:44 - The Purpose of Challenges and Growth 00:32:50 - Ilê Tuareg's Labor Camp Experience and Spiritual Journey 00:36:43 - The Crisis and Awakening 00:41:56 - Papaji and the Silencing of the Mind 00:46:23 - The Practice of Witnessing and All-Encompassing Attention 00:50:16 - The Practice of Watchfulness 00:53:34 - The Practice of Watchfulness 00:56:27 - Tuning into Inner Experience 00:59:38 - Witnessing throughout deep sleep 01:02:23 - The Disappearance of Practice 01:05:37 - The Excuse for Laziness and Misunderstanding Enlightenment 01:08:33 - Meeting an Enlightened Being 01:12:12 - The Challenge of Translating Poetry 01:15:18 - The Consciousness of Rocks 01:18:58 - The Impulses to Write and Translate After 16 Years 01:22:32 - Enlightenment and the Seven Bodies 01:26:28 - The Fear and Presence 01:29:57 - A Meeting with a Spiritual Teacher 01:32:43 - Ramana Maharshi's Continued Influence 01:35:54 - The Writing Process and Disinterest 01:40:05 - The Void and Psychological Emptiness 01:43:53 - Concluding Remarks and Appreciation 01:46:53 - Batgap.com and Interview Updates
240. Bernardo Kastrup15 Jul 201402:00:59
Bernardo Kastrup has a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering and has worked as a scientist in some of the world's foremost research laboratories, including the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Philips Research Laboratories (where the "Casimir Effect" of Quantum Field Theory was discovered). He has authored many scientific papers and four philosophy books: Rationalist Spirituality, Dreamed up Reality, Meaning in Absurdity, and Why Materialism Is Baloney. This latter book is a grand synthesis of his metaphysical views. Bernardo has also been an entrepreneur and founder of two high-tech businesses. Today, he holds a managerial position in the high-tech industry. In parallel, he maintains a philosophy blog, an audio/video podcast, and continues to develop his ideas about the nature of reality. Bernardo has lived and worked in four different countries across continents. Books: Why Materialism Is Baloney: How True Skeptics Know There Is No Death and Fathom Answers to life, the Universe, and Everything Meaning in Absurdity: What bizarre phenomena can tell us about the nature of reality Dreamed Up Reality: Diving into the Mind to Uncover the Astonishing Hidden Tale of Nature Rationalist Spirituality: An exploration of the meaning of life and existence informed by logic and science More Than Allegory: On Religious Myth, Truth And Belief Website: bernardokastrup.com Youtube Channel Blog post written by Bernardo after our interview (and relevant to it). Important article: The Physicalist Worldview as Neurotic Ego-Defense Mechanism Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 7/12/2014 Second Batgap interview with Bernardo. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction & Background 00:05:18 - The Path of Intellectual Discernment 00:10:39 - Defining Materialism and Consciousness 00:15:35 - Brain Function and Subjective Experience 00:20:22 - The Mistake of Materialists and the Localization of Mind 00:25:21 - Consciousness as the Ultimate Reality 00:30:37 - The Consciousness of a Glass of Water 00:35:26 - The Difference Between Water Flowing and Forming a Whirlpool 00:39:30 - The Glass of Water and Consciousness 00:43:46 - Materiality and Consciousness 00:47:56 - The Danger of Objectifying Consciousness 00:52:03 - The process of splitting off 00:56:06 - The Nature of Consciousness and Self-Recognition 01:00:07 - The Excitation of Mind and Self-Reflection 01:04:14 - The Dreamer and the Dream 01:08:13 - The Localization of Consciousness 01:12:10 - The Whirlpool and the Ripples 01:15:58 - The individuation of consciousness 01:20:18 - The Meaning of Reality and Consciousness 01:24:17 - A Hierarchy of Localization, a Hierarchy of Self-Reflection 01:28:23 - Mind as a Vibrating Membrane 01:32:40 - Existential Experience of Pure Unmanifest Existence 01:36:44 - The Illusion of Reality and the Nature of Mind 01:40:56 - The Truth in Illusions 01:45:04 - The Natural Unfolding Process 01:49:08 - The Battle between Intellect and Intuition 01:53:14 - The Crack in the Armor of the Ego 01:57:19 - Seeking Enlightenment through Different Paths 02:01:29 - Embracing the Unknown Journey 02:05:25 - Spiritual Awakening and Ordinary Perspective 02:09:27 - Harri Alto Returns by Popular Demand
426. Rick Archer on the “Ethics of Enlightenment”17 Nov 201700:34:28
Presentation at the Science and Nonduality Conference. Many well-known spiritual teachers and gurus have been accused, credibly, of sexual, financial, and behavioral abuse, despite their own spiritual attainment having seemed significant, and their teachings beneficial. As a result, some people have concluded that higher consciousness and ethical behavior are not correlated, that we are governed by our genetics and conditioning, or by "nature", and that we have no free will and thus no control over or responsibility for our actions. That logic has been used as an alibi by some misbehaving spiritual teachers. Others have become cynical about the motives of all gurus and teachers, and some have even lost faith in spirituality altogether. Yet, every spiritual tradition includes codes of ethics that apply to both teachers and students. Ethical behavior has been regarded not only as a reflection of spiritual development but as a prerequisite to it. To some extent, ethical values vary from culture to culture. But perhaps the contemporary spiritual community can agree upon some universal values. Can we agree that it's not all right to misrepresent ourselves? If we claim or imply that we have realized our true nature, and are offering to help others do the same, is it consistent for us to behave deceitfully, perversely, selfishly, or cruelly? Is it possible to be an enlightened scoundrel? Are purity and saintliness characteristic of higher levels of spiritual development, or unrelated to them? These are important questions. Because we need spiritual teachers and teachings in this critical time in humanity's maturation, we need to understand what genuine spiritual attainment should look like, irrespective of personality differences. If such understanding were more commonplace, most abusive teachers and cults would be unable to get much traction. Discussion about this talk in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Other talks by or interviews of Rick on BatGap: SAND 2019 - Knowledge/Reality is Different in Different States of Consciousness 2018 SAND Conference Q&A and Interview by Shakti Caterina Maggi Talk at Berkeley Open Circle Center Talk at SAND 2015 Interviewed by Fax Gilbert Interviewed by Richard Miller Recorded October 21, 2017. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Ethics of Enlightenment 00:01:20 - The Ethics of Enlightenment 00:02:33 - Understanding Ethical Behavior 00:03:50 - Relativism and Ethical Standards 00:04:56 - Female genital mutilation and ethical behavior 00:06:08 - The inclusive perspective in enlightenment 00:07:12 - Shocking Behavior and Misunderstanding of Maya 00:08:26 - Different Perspectives on the World 00:09:25 - Spontaneous Right Action and Ethical Moorings 00:10:55 - Questioning Hypocrisy 00:12:09 - Ethics and Regulations in Ayahuasca Practices 00:13:09 - Evaluating and Enforcing Teacher Behavior 00:14:15 - The correlation between higher consciousness and ethical behavior 00:15:53 - The Continuous Journey of Self-Realization 00:17:07 - Development and Awakening 00:18:10 - The Illusion of Enlightenment and the Asura Titan Syndrome 00:19:15 - The Deflected Rising of Kundalini 00:20:21 - The Search for a Teacher of Supreme Truth 00:21:36 - Enlightened behavior and discernment 00:22:45 - Compassion and Confronting Wrongdoing 00:23:47 - Challenges of Assuming the Role of a Spiritual Teacher 00:24:44 - Thich Nhat Hanh and his Teaching Philosophies 00:25:57 - Holy Fools and Crazy Wisdom 00:27:07 - Living Nonduality and Ethical Guidelines 00:28:23 - Observations on Higher State of Consciousness and Unethical Behavior 00:29:09 - The Holistic Development of Enlightenment 00:30:25 - Unintentional Harm in Enlightenment 00:31:38 - Skillful Action with Harmlessness 00:32:50 - Shifting into a Persistent Nondual State 00:34:08 - Authentic Choices and Spiritual Alignment 00:35:21 - Cultivating Inner Alignment
746. George Thompson - Taoism, Planet, & People: Inspiring Change14 Jan 202601:15:52

George Thompson is a filmmaker, teacher, and founder of Balance is Possible!— a 15-person team on a mission to inspire balance for people and planet. His films and teachings have touched over 25 million people and he is supported by renowned changemakers including Dr. Jane Goodall, Louie Schwartzberg, Tara Brach, Stephen Fry and many more. Drawing from years of deep study in the Wudang Mountains of China, George blends ancient wisdom with modern science, translating it into fun, practical tools for overcoming the challenges of modern life. Once plagued by anxiety and a sense of disconnection, George’s journey led him from pain to purpose. With playful kindness, George helps people to do the same: to awaken their potential. Website: Balance is Possible! YouTube Channel Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded January 6, 2026.

553. Dorothy Hunt, 2nd Interview08 Jun 202000:46:55
Dorothy Hunt serves as Spiritual Director of Moon Mountain Sangha, teaching at the request of Adyashanti.  She is the founder of the San Francisco Center for Meditation and Psychotherapy and has practiced psychotherapy since 1967. She is the author of Leaves from Moon Mountain, Only This!, and Ending the Search: From Spiritual Ambition to the Heart of Awareness. A contributing author to The Sacred Mirror, and Listening from the Heart of Silence: Nondual Wisdom and Psychotherapy, Dorothy is also a featured spiritual teacher in the book, Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom: The Feminine Face of Awakening. Dorothy has a long and deep connection to the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and the path of Self-Inquiry, as well as the nondual teachings of Zen, Advaita, and the Christian mystics.  In meeting Adyashanti, she was invited beyond identification with either the absolute or relative, finding freedom in what is awake in each of us regardless of the changing faces of experience. Dorothy offers satsang, retreats, and private meetings in the San Francisco Bay area and elsewhere by invitation. For more information, visit www.dorothyhunt.org Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. First BatGap interview with Dorothy Hunt. This interview was recorded May 11, 2020, as part of an online conference offered by the Science and Nonduality Conference, held May 17-23, entitled Wisdom in Times of Crisis. The conference has finished, but you may sign up to access all of its content. Summary and transcript of this interview. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:02:19 - "Ending the Search, From Spiritual Ambition to the Heart of Awareness" 00:03:52 - Trying New Things and Keeping the Brain Lively 00:05:17 - Accepting Our Humanness 00:07:09 - Seeing the World as Yourself 00:09:01 - Transformation on a Global Level 00:10:26 - Awakening to True Nature 00:12:19 - Embracing the Shadow Places 00:13:52 - Embracing Growth and Continuous Improvement 00:15:33 - The Power of the Story 00:17:16 - Connecting to the Deepest Dimension 00:18:43 - Finding Balance Amidst Fear and Anxiety 00:20:37 - Finding Peace in the Midst of a Storm 00:22:11 - The temporary clearing of the environment 00:23:48 - The Uncertainty of the Future 00:25:27 - Embracing Impermanence and Paradox 00:27:07 - The Intensity of Dreams and Collective Consciousness 00:28:52 - A Time of Forced Retreat and Contemplation 00:30:41 - Reflections on a Different Experience 00:32:18 - The Power of Silence and Deep Peace 00:33:56 - Grounding in Inner Peace and Collective Consciousness 00:35:43 - Making Spiritual Progress 00:37:25 - Shifting attention to the deeper dimensions 00:39:05 - Experiencing True Nature 00:40:40 - Connecting to Spirit through Different Practices 00:42:26 - "Do the Next Obvious Thing": Embracing Natural Meditation 00:43:52 - The Silence in the Midst of Noise 00:45:18 - Exploring the Inner Silence 00:47:05 - The Fear of Being Nobody 00:48:51 - Motherhood of the Divine 00:50:53 - Wrapping Up the Talk
317. Richard Moss07 Dec 2015

Richard Moss is an internationally respected leader in the field of inner transformation, subtle body-mind dynamics, and living a path of conscious relationships. In 1977 Richard was a practicing medical doctor when he experienced a spontaneous spiritual illumination that awakened him to the multi-dimensional nature of human consciousness. This realization profoundly transformed his understanding of the roots of emotional suffering, and inspired him to explore the almost limitless human potential for growth and healing. Impelled by this opening, he released the practice of medicine to devote his life to mentoring individuals and couples whose lives have brought them to the point where they hunger to explore the mystery of their being. Whether called to his work by their soul’s yearning to awaken and grow, or impelled by a health, career, or relationship crisis, his comprehensive and evolutionary approach to healing and forging loving relationships has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people. He is particularly renowned for the innovative, experiential nature of his workshops and longer retreats that offer individuals direct experience of life-changing states of consciousness and provide them with very effective models and practices for on-going personal growth. He guides seminars and retreats in North and South America, Europe, and Australia, and is available for private mentoring for individuals at his home in Colorado. He has published 7 seminal books on his visionary approach to human evolution which have been translated into 6 languages. Website: richardmoss.com Books: Inside-Out Healing: Transforming Your Life Through the Power of Presence The Mandala of Being: Discovering the Power of Awareness The Black Butterfly: An Invitation to Radical Aliveness The I That Is We: Awakening to Higher Energies Through Unconditional Love The Second Miracle: Intimacy, Spirituality, and Conscious Relationships Metaphysics: Who Will Cure a Sick World? Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 12/5/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:15 - Meeting a Wise Stranger at Jenny Lake 00:08:42 - Loss of Boundary and Vibrating Molecules 00:13:08 - The Energetic Transformation 00:18:15 - The Value of Body Wisdom 00:22:57 - The Lineage of Spontaneous Realization 00:27:33 - Appreciating Different Spiritual Traditions 00:32:06 - Instruments of the Divine 00:36:39 - Personal Background and Connection with Svend Trier 00:41:22 - The Power of Awareness 00:45:07 - The Power of Awareness 00:49:14 - Observing Clinging and Pushing Away 00:53:46 - The Power of Awareness and Focused, Spacious Awareness 00:58:16 - Injury Imprinted in Consciousness 01:02:36 - Learning through the Body 01:07:12 - Nip it at the Bud 01:11:15 - Making a Deeper Mark 01:15:42 - The Flow State and Spiritual Integration 01:20:19 - Shifting States: The Power of Discontinuity 01:24:42 - The Benefits of Discontinuity 01:29:30 - Healing in the Present Moment 01:34:11 - Working with Energy in Dance and Meditation 01:38:58 - The Limitless Consciousness 01:43:11 - The Flow of Energy and Body Wisdom 01:47:13 - Being in the Moment 01:51:52 - The Sense of Personal Identity 01:56:07 - Deriving Identity from the Outside 02:00:54 - Awakening from Future and Past Stories 02:05:06 - The Power of Awareness and Present Moment Consciousness 02:09:07 - Keep Going, Keep Going 02:13:38 - Live Streaming and Future Interviews

633. William Peters09 Feb 2022
William Peters, MFT, is the founder of the Shared Crossing Project whose mission is to positively transform relationships to death and dying through education and raising awareness about shared crossings and their healing benefits. As the director of the Shared Crossing Research Initiative (SCRI), William and his team collect and study extraordinary end-of-life experiences (shared crossings).  William is a global leader in shared death studies and end-of-life phenomena. He has developed methods to facilitate the shared death experience and to assist experiencers in meaningfully integrating their experiences. William is a psychotherapist at the Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara where he specializes in end-of-life counseling as a means toward psycho-spiritual evolution. He served as a hospice worker with Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco.  His work is informed by his two NDEs and a variety of shared crossings. William has presented at the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine’s Annual Conference. His research has been published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and is approved and awaiting publication in Omega - Journal of Death Studies. Book: At Heaven's Door: What Shared Journeys to the Afterlife Teach About Dying Well and Living Better. For more information on William go to SharedCrossing.com. Shared Crossing's Story Library contains videos of shared death experiences. Viewers may share their spiritual end-of-life experiences with Shared Crossing's research team. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded February 5, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:35 - The Spiritual Relevance of the Shared-Death Experience 00:09:02 - The Overmedicalization of Death 00:13:32 - The Purpose of Hospice and Palliative Care 00:17:48 - Physician's Orders for Life Sustaining Treatments 00:21:36 - Returning from the Light 00:25:55 - A State-specific Experience 00:30:12 - A Profound Encounter with Underprivileged People 00:34:43 - Encountering the Homeless Community 00:38:57 - Near-Death Experience and Re-Embodiment 00:43:36 - A Parallel Universe Above the Bed 00:48:12 - The Shared-Death Experience 00:52:38 - Remote Shared-Death Experience 00:57:05 - Sensory Experiences After Death 01:00:59 - A Mother's Premonition 01:04:52 - A Beautiful Being in a Hurry 01:08:53 - Phenomenon of the Soul Spirit Leaving the Body 01:13:49 - Witnessing the Departure 01:18:27 - Different modes of participation in near-death experiences 01:23:14 - The Conductor and Coordinating Human Death 01:27:15 - Cultural Experiences of the End of Life 01:31:28 - The Resistance to Studying Spiritual Experiences 01:35:36 - Science and Spirituality 01:39:56 - The Shared-Death Experience 01:43:51 - Facilitating Mystical Experiences at the End of Life 01:47:54 - Reflection on Suicide and Death 01:52:06 - Premonitions of Death 01:55:59 - Transition into the Afterlife 02:00:11 - Spiritual Aspects of Dying and the Need for Change 02:04:29 - Major Influencers and the Shared-Death Experience 02:08:25 - A New Paradigm for Death and Dying
043. Ishvara08 Nov 201001:20:35
Ishvara was born in 1945 in Missouri USA and raised a fundamentalist Christian. While involved in church ministry at a young age, he became frustrated with the limitations of restricted belief. He began a quest for truth that led him to explore the great scriptures of the world, but he continually found limitations and contradictions in the interpretations of the core truths. In 1987 Ishvara experienced a quantum leap in consciousness, a profound awakening. Ishvara merged with Life, seeing the universe, seeing love, knowing everything without any trace of doubt. Ishvara became aware of his true being and of the significance of his awakening: a new level of existence had taken birth in human form. Ishvara could not relate his experience to anything that was recorded in any book or scripture. Inherent in Ishvara’s awakening was a clear understanding of the tremendous conditions that prevent people from realizing their true nature and living their full potential. It became obvious to him that even spiritual teachings, systems and structures that were designed to bring liberation to the individual no longer served to bring forth the next evolutionary step for humanity. Ishvara’s message is one of radical transformation through letting go of conditional thinking and stepping into the direct experience of Life as it is, moment by moment. Through his awakening Ishvara found that his sole purpose is embodying this new possibility with every fiber of his being. Ishvara is available to people as a living example of what is possible for all of us. Ishvara lives in Albuquerque New Mexico. Through the nonprofit spiritual organization, Alaya, he quietly teaches a small group of students through talks and dialogues. He also leads retreats in Germany, which prove to be extraordinary events that propel individuals into an ever-deepening experience of what Ishvara calls the New Consciousness. Ishvara's two meditation CDs and a book are available via email or phone: 505-294-4911. Website: ishvara.org Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/21/2010 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Small World Department of Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:02:57 - The Motivation Behind the Interviews 00:06:06 - The Mysterious Dream about Cows 00:08:22 - The Power of Knowing 00:10:51 - Discovering a Different Path 00:13:46 - Taking What You Need and Leaving the Rest 00:16:17 - The Partial Truth of Scriptures and Misleading Information 00:18:01 - A Breaking Point 00:19:46 - A Moment of Grace 00:21:51 - Shifting Language Patterns 00:23:17 - Understanding the Changes 00:25:28 - Authenticating the Space 00:28:03 - The Shift in Perspective and Connection 00:32:09 - Awakening and Shifting Identity 00:35:39 - The Cosmic Self and its Interpretations 00:37:54 - The Unity and Diversity of Cosmic Expression 00:40:55 - Embracing the Diversity of Life 00:43:52 - Embracing Paradox and Ambiguity 00:46:51 - Criticisms and Authority 00:48:50 - Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:50:44 - Embracing Change in Appearance 00:53:02 - Kundalini Awakening Experiences 00:55:48 - Physical Transformation and Health Changes 00:58:22 - Sudden Health Issues 01:00:45 - Balancing the Body and Spirit 01:03:17 - Finding Spiritual Clarity with Enlifement 01:06:00 - Spiritual Journey and Escaping Suffering 01:08:52 - Embracing Your True Self 01:13:18 - The Dance of Life and Creativity 01:17:07 - The Awakening Journey 01:20:02 - Upcoming Interviews and Back to Skype Save
304. Joel Morwood24 Aug 201502:02:19
Since the Center for Sacred Sciences was founded in 1987, Joel Morwood has served as the spiritual director and primary teacher for its community of practitioners. Joel's first book, Naked Through the Gate: A Spiritual Autobiography, tells the story of his own spiritual path, culminating in Gnosis, or Awakening, in 1983. Here is some of what Joel has to say about himself and his role: Some people who have come to me have been disappointed to discover that I have no supernatural powers to transmit, no magic wand to wave, no extraordinary knowledge to dispense which can make them instantly wise, loving, and happy. "Who, then, are you?" they ask. "What's your secret?" My secret can be summed up in one word: Selflessness. Selflessness is the Truth. Selflessness is the Way. Selflessness is the Fruit. In reality, there is no 'you' nor 'I' nor any 'self' whatsoever. There is only Consciousness Itself—the One True God—which is what we are. All that is necessary is to Realize This, because to Realize This is Wisdom, to Live This is Love, to Be This is Happiness. So, if you really want to know my secret, look to your 'self'. In finding the source of your 'self', you will find Consciousness Itself, and nothing else. Then, you, too, will be free of your self and all its sufferings. Joel has no special religious attire. In fact, he often wears old blue jeans, sweatshirts, and a Mexican poncho. He is married, enjoys movies, drinks wine, and interacts with others much like any other guy. Joel speaks from his own Realization or Gnosis. Although he makes use of stories, texts, and practices taken from many different traditions, his interpretations are always spontaneous, direct, and personal. He continually points beyond mere intellectual understanding to a Truth that is beyond both thought and experience. Moreover, he constantly links the teachings of the mystics with concrete examples drawn from daily life so that one can see how they actually relate to one's own experiences. In all this Joel displays an intuition, sensitivity, and humor which could never have come from book-learning alone. Moreover, because Joel has no pretensions about being someone special, he is approachable not only as a teacher but also as a friend. He is a wonderful listener who knows how to pierce right to the heart of a problem. Joel is a teacher who always challenges his students to investigate the mystics and their teachings for themselves. Far from demanding blind obedience, or even verbal agreement, he encourages them to explore various teachers, to compare what he says with the teachings found in the great mystical traditions, to test all these teachings against our one's experience, and to test one's own experience against the hard realities of life. In his view, a true spiritual path never leads one away from reality but, on the contrary, forces one to face it squarely, no matter how ugly or painful it may appear. It is only by getting to the bottom of suffering that we can be free of suffering. Finally, Joel receives no financial remuneration from the Center. His teachings are given as a labor of love freely to all—although occasionally he has asked for personal donations to cover special needs, like the time he needed a suit for his marriage. Other books: The Way of Selflessness: A Practical Guide to Enlightenment Based on the Teachings of the World's Great Mystics Through Death's Gate: A Guide to Selfless Dying Talk by Tom McFarlane referred to during the interview: Einstein, Buddha, Reality: The Nondual Roots of Science Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 8/22/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:23 - A Shift Toward Mysticism 00:13:05 - Awakening in a Cinder Block Motel 00:14:35 - Zen Flesh Zen Bones and the Awakening 00:19:17 - The distinction between absolute and relative truth 00:24:24 - The Difference Between Manifest and Unmanifest Bliss 00:29:43 - The Nature of Consciousness 00:35:05 - A Shift in Consciousness and the Unimportance of Enlightenment 00:39:49 - The Wisdom of Afflicted Emotions 00:45:07 - The Dance of Shiva and the Longing to be Known 00:50:04 - Irreverence in Zen teachings 00:54:51 - The Shark Spirit Helper and Eskimo Culture 01:00:26 - The Play of Distinction 01:05:30 - Appreciating the Manifestations of Buddha Nature 01:10:23 - Quantum Mechanics and Mysticism 01:14:59 - The Evolution of Our Understanding of Gravity 01:19:49 - Scientific Understanding and the Evolution of the Universe 01:24:26 - The Relativism of Truth and Paradigms 01:29:32 - The Danger of Cultural Superiority 01:34:17 - The Mystics' Perspective on Reality 01:37:57 - Seeing Beyond the Illusion 01:41:36 - Marvelous Conversations about Christianity 01:45:07 - The Universe Trying to Wake You Up 01:48:28 - God's Delight in Creation 01:51:40 - The Creativity of Artists and Musicians 01:55:00 - Deepening the Insight into the Emptiness of Phenomena 01:59:05 - The Paradox of Indifference and Devotion 02:03:05 - Falling in Love with God 02:06:52 - Increasing the Chance of Enlightenment 02:09:51 - The Journey of Awakening 02:12:38 - Accessing Interviews on Batgap.com
079. Wayne Liquorman25 Jul 201101:29:44
Wayne Liquorman was both a spiritual seeker and a family man with a successful export business, when he met his first and final guru, Ramesh Balsekar, in September 1987. In April 1989 the process of seeking ended when enlightenment happened through the body-mind mechanism called Wayne. Wayne describes the event as being "of interest only to seekers." His first book, No Way: A Guide For the Spiritually 'Advanced' was published in 1990 under the pen name Ram Tzu because he "didn't want a bunch of miserable seekers cluttering up his living room." In fact, Wayne did not speak publicly until Ramesh asked him to do so in 1996. This enlightenment event and its aftermath are described in Wayne's second book, Acceptance of What IS, published in 2000. He is also the author of Never Mind... A journey into Non-duality, and the editor of Consciousness Speaks and several other books by Ramesh Balsekar, who refers to Wayne as his "spiritual son." His most recent book, Enlightenment Is Not What You Think, was published in 2009. The teaching, as it happens through Wayne, is pure Advaita (non-duality), uniquely presented in a uncompromising, sometimes humorous way, without religious dogma or new age veneer. In his Talks, Wayne is without agenda, speaking only in response to seeker's questions. He talks about Consciousness: the ground of all being, the source and the substance of everything. "This Advaita, as I talk about it, is not actually a philosophy, because it does not hold any tenets. It is simply a collection of pointers and concepts, and it posits that none of them are true in an absolute sense. This teaching is not about conveying the truth. It is about prying away the limitations and misconceptions about how things are." - from Never Mind Wayne's message is clear and simple. Although he may suggest areas for further inquiry, Wayne offers no cures, practices, or miracles to reach enlightenment. He invites you to bring your most cherished beliefs to his Talks. If you are really fortunate, you may leave without them. Wayne's site: http://www.advaita.org/ Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 7/24/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Wayne Liquorman 00:03:29 - The Illusion of Authorship 00:06:45 - The Metaphor of the Ocean and the Wave 00:09:48 - The Illusion of Separation 00:13:18 - Pure Presence and Is-ness 00:16:59 - The Paradox of Action and Inaction 00:19:41 - Playing the Role of an Instrument of Consciousness 00:22:22 - The Journey from Addiction to Recovery 00:25:21 - A Life-Altering Moment 00:28:02 - Transformation and the Power of the Universe 00:30:16 - Exploring Spiritual Explanations 00:32:46 - Falling in Love with Ramesh 00:35:38 - Falling in Love with an Indian Guru 00:37:54 - The Movement from Wanting to Getting 00:40:15 - The Turning Point of Giving and Receiving 00:42:27 - Real Freedom and Giving 00:44:34 - Getting to Know the Man on Tour 00:47:17 - The Experience of Resonance with the Guru 00:50:07 - The Awakening 00:53:07 - The Presence of Absence 00:57:53 - The Unexpected Talk with Ramesh 01:01:00 - The Difference Between Pain and Suffering 01:04:40 - The Experience of Pain without a Witness 01:07:32 - Understanding the Sense of Self as Wayne 01:10:35 - The Difference Between Awakening and Enlightenment 01:13:56 - The Link Between Enlightenment and Behavior 01:17:15 - Behavior and Enlightenment 01:20:20 - The Relationship between Action and Consciousness 01:23:18 - Further Unfoldment and Development After Realization 01:26:01 - Changes in the Human Organism 01:28:19 - Wrapping up the Interview
713. Tree Wiseblood 2nd Interview22 Aug 202401:40:15
Tree works as a Spiritual Mentor, Kundalini Support, Certified Global TRE® Instructor, Transformational Bodyworker and a Healer from the Shamanic tradition. Tree believes healing trauma can precipitate spiritual awakening and it is from this precept she works. She works with the body releasing contraction and with the nervous system establishing balance - with the understanding that a disregulated nervous system can hold the beingness hostage. She believes enlightenment is achieved not by bypassing the body, but by going into the body. By addressing and releasing trauma bound in the flesh and stored in the nervous system. This is true freedom and the result is presence - embodied. Tree has been a devotee of Meher Baba since she was 21. She and her husband are establishing a Retreat Centre on the Far South Coast of New South Wales, Australia called Meher Farm Healing and Awakening Centre. Tree is the author of Hot Flush Dark Cave describing her healing and awakening journey through the portal of menopause. She is a devoted mother, grandmother and healer - her favourite past time is swimming in the river and the ocean and chanting to God. Website: awakeningthroughthebody.com.au Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded August 3, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:53 - The Correlation Between Consciousness and Neurophysiology 00:07:53 - The Loop of an Agitated Nervous System 00:11:35 - The Nervous System and the Flow State 00:15:38 - The Impact of Early Trauma in Human Beings 00:19:39 - The Importance of Healing the Nervous System 00:23:22 - Trauma and its manifestations 00:27:11 -  “Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance” 00:31:06 - Body Work and Spiritual Awakening 00:35:21 - Kundalini Awakening and Working with the Body 00:39:05 - Working through Impressions 00:43:00 - The Beginning of the Involution 00:47:13 - Understanding vs Realization 00:51:05 - Avatars and Spiritual Teachers 00:54:55 - Astral Exorcism and Healing Dance 00:58:44 - The Kundalini Awakening Process 01:02:31 - Kundalini Awakening and Spontaneous Movements 01:06:19 - Purging Negativity 01:09:54 - The Annihilation of the Apparent World 01:13:37 - The Final Destination and Different Planes of Existence 01:17:35 - The Journey of Awakening 01:21:44 - The Existence of Ego in Different States 01:25:51 - Kundalini Awakening and the Sacred Fluids 01:29:42 - The Value of a Life 01:33:33 - Different Types of Meditation 01:37:30 - Releasing Emotions 01:41:18 - The Presence of Benign and Caring Intelligences 01:45:17 - Healing Ceremonies and Nature Retreats 01:49:19 - Following Intuition and Divine Orchestration at 61 01:53:24 - Following the Synchronicities 01:56:55 - In Touch for the Next 15 Years
743. Karyn O'Beirne - Awakening to the True Source05 Dec 202502:06:05

Karyn’s spiritual journey was documented in her book Findings from the Hunting Party’s Scout, which chronicles her four most intense years of spiritual growth as an ordinary working soccer mom into an embodied awakened faith leader. After a life-changing spontaneous awakening she shared her Toltec teacher’s teachings and her own experiences as an Interfaith minister ordained by One Spirit Seminary in NYC. In 2019 Karyn was certified as a Mindfulness Meditation teacher taught by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield in their Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program Program. Incorporating methods of mindfulness, The Four Agreements and mystical teachings of the world’s religion into her talks, workshops and writings, Karyn shares wisdom in a non-denominational, dogma free style that is accessible to people who are searching for an open spiritual path that they can call their own. On her Substack, Karyn’s Findings, she released Inviting Grace In, a curated full year of quotes to guide readers through Four seasons of spiritual growth: Spring-Uplifting Spirit, Summer-Shifting Perspectives, Autumn-Recognizing Wisdom, Winter-Expanding the understanding of our being. As a life long social activist, Karyn’s posts highlight ways we can mindfully and compassionately co-create a world where all life is uplifted with a new understanding of ourselves and the source of existence we often call God. Website: karynobeirne.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Transcript of this interview Interview recorded November 15, 2025 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00 – Opening quote on grace  00:26 – BatGap intro and guest overview  02:02 – From atheist soccer mom to seeker  05:01 – What grace is (and isn’t)  08:31 – Ordinary people and awakening (BatGap origin)  11:01 – Brother’s suffering and rejecting a punitive God  12:25 – Carolyn Myss, tears, and first cracks in atheism  15:05 – Belief vs direct experience  16:06 – Questioning religion and “Pale Blue Dot”  18:08 – One Spirit Seminary and UU principles  20:03 – Mystical cores vs literalism and misuse of religion  22:48 – Mystics, administrators, and organizing “truth”  24:03 – Don Miguel Ruiz, Toltec path, and Omega retreat  26:01 – Funeral visualization, love, and urgency  28:02 – 9/11 and not waiting to live and love  29:03 – Toltec community and vulnerability  30:05 – Living‑room meditation and erratic heartbeat  32:05 – Vision of lines, “unhooking,” and boundlessness  35:02 – Recognizing this as reality and calling it grace  36:02 – Aftershock, fear, and re‑forming identity  39:01 – “Accident‑prone” practice and stabilizing awakening  43:21 – How the glimpse guides Karyn’s work  44:21 – Conditioning and the Toltec “dream of the planet”  46:24 – Grace as unsolicited intervention; daily chances to love  48:33 – Retreats, disrupting routine, and nature as teacher  50:43 – “I am the awareness…” – Ireland insights  52:20 – Leaving “God” undefined; “everything is God”  54:20 – Omnipresent intelligence in life and nature  56:20 – “We are God’s love made manifest”  58:03 – Pain, injustice, and where we place attention  59:03 – Helping where we can; appreciating being alive  1:00:01 – Contemporary teachers (Tolle, Adyashanti, others)  1:20:00 – Death, responsibility, and “response‑ability”  1:30:00 – Karma and cause and effect  1:40:00 – Accepting “what is” vs resisting life  1:50:00 – Ways to invite grace in daily life  2:00:00 – Final reflections: open path and living as love

263. T Jonathon Proctor09 Nov 201401:00:43
T Jonathon Proctor is the creator of Being Real—Being Embodied. He works with individuals and groups to balance and integrate the “ascending” currents of awakening and the “descending” maturation of embodiment. T has a background in physical therapy and bodywork, Vipassana meditation and non-dual realization and has spent the last decade as a student of the Diamond Approach. His own journey, his work with others, and years of experience as a Hospice bereavement facilitator have inspired a deep appreciation for the individual narrative as a well of meaning; seeing self-understanding as a powerful movement of compassion. His orientation arises out of a heartfelt knowing that every aspect of our human experience is essential to the process of Awakening and Self-realization. Embodiment is functional awakening. Being Real—Being Embodied is designed to integrate the boundless presence of Essential Being into the ordinary life of the individual. Instant awakening(s) may occur but it is a myth that total ego annihilation and transformation certainly follow. This is demonstrated in the lives of gurus and teachers who, while undeniably awakened, make a mess of their own and others’ lives. Awakening and embodiment have a reciprocal relationship. Put in a simple way Awakening is absence and Embodiment is presence. Awakening reveals the emptiness of separate selfhood. We awaken from thoughts, emotion, relationship, history, roles and body as our ultimate identity. As these awakenings happen space becomes available for the various qualities and capacities of Being—intelligence, strength, discrimination, compassion, love and presence—to transform the individual. Embodiment calls us to transform our shadow; meaning our inner animal, wounded child, our hidden trauma, and even our drive for destruction. We are further enjoined to cultivate our capacity in the world—in work, in community, in love, and in play. The individual person becomes more real, a movement of unified reality rather than an island of ego. This is a process in time that requires devotion, sincerity, and humility. We as individual human beings live as the meaning of Being. Website: beingrealnow.org Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/26/2014 T Jonathon Proctor in panel discussion: Birthing Radiant Being into Our Humanity YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction: T. Proctor and Being Embodied 00:02:47 - The Experience of Not Being a Person 00:05:04 - Mental Pathologies and Fragmented Self 00:07:21 - Fragmentation and Integration 00:09:52 - The Power of Spiritual Practices 00:12:25 - Pathologies in Different Buddhist Traditions 00:14:41 - Overcoming Fear and Finding Stillness 00:16:53 - The Physiology of Enlightenment 00:19:31 - Embodiment and Transformation of Consciousness 00:21:59 - The Cycles of Integration and Transformation 00:23:59 - Awakening and Returning to the World 00:26:10 - Discovering My True Self 00:27:59 - The challenges of integrating spiritual practice with worldly life 00:29:53 - The Growth and Development of Awakening 00:31:43 - The Frustration of Connecting with Skeptics 00:34:01 - Awakening the Heart 00:36:19 - The Importance of Validation and Verification of Awakening Experiences 00:38:20 - The Two Specialties of Waking Up and Embodying 00:40:24 - Awakening and Enlightened Relationships 00:42:45 - Walking around with tombstones in their eyes 00:45:49 - A Global Awakening 00:47:59 - Living with a Prayer 00:50:21 - Coming Into Deeper Contact with Ourselves 00:53:01 - The capacity for integration and regulation 00:55:50 - Giving Away Your Power, Reverence, and Equality of Being 00:58:30 - The Total Equality of Being 01:00:40 - Leveling the playing field and standing on one's own responsibility 01:03:04 - Devotion and the Evolution of Religion 01:05:49 - The Importance of Embodiment 01:07:49 - Working on Relationships and Seeking the Truth of Being 01:10:09 - Introduction to batgap.com
315. Steve Ford23 Nov 201501:57:23
I grew up in a hard-working family, none religious. At the age of 18, I learned that the Father I'd known all my life was not, in fact, my biological Father. This new-found fact destabilized the identity I had become accustomed to. The idea of who I was came under question. I was left asking, who am I. What then followed was ten years of drinking. At 27 I found myself in recovery from alcoholism. I spent three and a half years examining all the aspects of self-identified traits in order to find an honesty that would propel me into a more productive direction. After three and a half years I came to see that all willful attempts at modifying the self still remained within the paradigm of self-will. I had not transcended into honesty. It was at this point in a room one evening in 99 that I handed all attachment to the mind for any orientation to ongoing recovery. In doing so, not knowing what lay beyond, there was to be a complete self-realization. Book: Walking Awake Website: invitationtobeing.org Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 11/21/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:04:19 - Past Lives and Memories 00:08:33 - Family Background and Drinking Habits 00:11:51 - Identity Crisis and the Impact of Discovering the Truth 00:16:01 - Experimenting with Reality and Alcohol Addiction 00:19:42 - Escaping into Art and Self-Destruction 00:23:43 - A Turning Point in Recovery 00:27:38 - The Powerlessness of Alcoholism 00:32:08 - Impact of a Simple Sentence 00:36:36 - Walking Away from the Fellowship 00:40:39 - The Search for Authenticity 00:45:29 - Surrendering the Mind to a Higher Power 00:50:21 - Letting go of the Mind 00:55:11 - The Opening of the Heart and the Dark Void 01:00:24 - Relating from Absolute and the Heart 01:05:29 - Realization and Appreciation of Spiritual Texts 01:09:14 - The Dissipation of the Body of Illusion 01:13:44 - Living in relation to Absolute 01:18:07 - Dissociation and Formlessness 01:21:52 - The Uncommon Language of Self-Realization 01:25:53 - From Therapy to Awakening 01:30:12 - The Integration of Self-realization and Mind Experience 01:35:24 - The Direct Experience of Consciousness 01:39:48 - Union with the Absolute 01:44:15 - Attunement and Entrainment in Silence 01:48:38 - Awakening to the Absolute 01:52:20 - The Play of I Am-ness and Curiosity 01:56:36 - The Blossoming of Curiosity and Direct Experience 02:01:11 - Spiritual Realization and Relationships 02:05:42 - The Breaking Point for Addicts and Alcoholics 02:09:30 - Conclusion and Farewell
414. Christina Donnell31 Aug 201701:55:19
Christina Donnell, Ph.D. is best known as a spiritual teacher, mystic and author. She is the Director of The Winds of Change Association, an educational organization dedicated to offering programs that tend our evolving human consciousness. In her book, Transcendent Dreaming: Stepping into Our Human Potential, she chronicles quantum states of awareness in which the participatory nature of perception impacts our visible world. It is a deep foray into truths about our human potential—a new distribution of our resources, and a way to know unity consciousness and be its agent in the world. Transcendent Dreaming won multiple awards for its timely and relevant message which urges us all to tap into the hidden potential within us. Christina conveys a simple yet profound message: Through deepening receptive awareness the participatory nature of perception unfolds and the transfiguration of our consciousness occurs. She is a natural born, pragmatic, mystic and teacher who shares her message worldwide via public lectures, teaching, keynote addresses, and wisdom talks. Many of which benefit independent spiritual centers. The fusion of her unique lyrical prose style with her transmission of the unseen brings a sense of discovery to all audiences. Christina was initiated as a medicine woman by the Q’ero Indians of the High Andes and has worked closely with them for 25 years. Inspired by the cultural shifts and changing human values on a planetary scale, she is dedicated to cultivating and awakening the potency of the human spirit. Christina maintains a small consultation practice along with her teaching commitments. Websites: christinadonnell.com For discussion of this interview, click here. Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded August 26, 2017. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:40 - Comfort in African-American Spirituals 00:08:25 - The Innate Capacity to Tune into Quantum Levels of Reality 00:12:13 - Awakening to Expanded States of Awareness 00:16:08 - Merging into the Energy of Dreams 00:20:12 - The Power of Dreaming and Consciousness 00:24:01 - Settling the Mind and Greater Charm 00:28:14 - Accessing the Pocket of Silence 00:32:16 - The Dream of the Andes 00:36:07 - The Quero: Keys to Our Future 00:39:54 - Learning through Energetic Transmission 00:44:17 - Transcendent Dreaming and the Essence of North America 00:48:24 - The Power of Silence and Nervous System Transformation 00:52:33 - The Beginning of an Opening 00:56:25 - The Journey to Silence and Emptiness 01:00:16 - The Endless Awakening Process 01:04:36 - Expansion of Consciousness through Dreaming 01:08:27 - A Transcendent Dream and Spiritual Guidance 01:12:29 - Transcendent Dreaming: A Connection Beyond Awareness 01:16:22 - The Tragedy of Awareness and Expanding our Awareness 01:19:58 - Living in the Deeper Reality 01:23:49 - Expanded States of Awareness and Seeking 01:27:29 - Transcendent Dreaming and Expansion of Consciousness 01:31:38 - Reconfiguring Energy and Dialogue with Jesus 01:35:45 - Being a conduit for the unseen 01:39:29 - Awakening and the Evolution of Consciousness 01:43:11 - Humanity's Future and Accessing Silence 01:47:10 - The Organic Unfolding of Consciousness 01:51:18 - Surrendering into Silence and Dynamism 01:55:48 - The Unit of Life Audio Series and Global Community 01:59:40 - Updates and Appreciation Save Save
479. Rick Archer SAND Conference Q&A & Shakti Caterina Maggi Interviews Rick03 Dec 201801:20:21
This video contains my Question and Answer session at the 2018 Science and Nonduality conference. and also an interview of me by Shakti Caterina Maggi, an Italian spiritual teacher who used to be a journalist. My SAND Q&A includes the following points: How BatGap started. Which guests have been the most interesting, provocative, intriguing, brilliant, mysterious, surprising, etc.? What insights have I gained? How has this process influenced my spiritual path? What do I experience while I’m interviewing people? What do I foresee for BatGap in the next few years? How to deal with family and friends who don’t understand your awakening or interest in spirituality? A consideration of sudden vs. gradual awakenings. How do I regard the urgency of humanity’s need to take a spiritual/cultural leap in response to the dire predicament facing us? The joy and challenge of speaking with people from such a broad range of spiritual backgrounds. Why science and spirituality need and can benefit one another. The importance of understanding consciousness to be the fundamental to the universe rather than merely a product of brain functioning. Shakti's interview includes the following points: In which direction are we as consciousness moving? How might the growing awakening of consciousness help humanity avert disaster? Embodied spirituality vs. avoidance of life through transcendence. Consciousness is relevant to every field of human endeavor. Consciousness is fundamental to matter. Finding the foundation of our being and dealing with individual planetary problems from that foundation. Ethical standards for spiritual teachers. The quality of awakening will vary according to one’s constitution. Awakening enhances individual differences while establishing our fundamental unity. Sticking with one teacher vs. working with many. The importance of sincerity. The principle of “the highest first”. Recorded October 27th and 28th, 2018, in San Jose, California. Discussion of this talk and interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this talk and interview Other talks by Rick on BatGap: SAND 2019 - Knowledge/Reality is Different in Different States of Consciousness YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Birth of Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:10 - The Enlivening Effect of the Industry Update 00:07:12 - The Power of Ordinary People 00:09:47 - Hidden Gems in Interviews 00:12:14 - Creating New Categories of Interesting Content 00:14:24 - The Transformative Power of Immersion in the Interview Process 00:16:44 - The Evolutionary Impact of Service 00:18:38 - Dealing with Family in the Awakening Process 00:20:04 - Cultivating Patience and Compassion in Relationships 00:22:16 - A Remarkable Awakening 00:24:14 - The Incremental Process of Spiritual Development 00:25:57 - A Tipping Point 00:28:44 - The Spiritual Awakening in Response to Crisis 00:31:40 - Awakening Within Everyone's Physiology 00:33:49 - Revival of Extinct Cultures and Convergence of Technologies 00:36:24 - Science, Spirituality, and the Balance of Evolution 00:38:37 - The Role of Science in Spirituality 00:41:02 - The Fundamental Nature of Consciousness 00:43:35 - Interview with Shakti Caterina Maggi 00:46:33 - The Earth's Immune System 00:49:56 - The Evolution of the Non-Duality Conference 00:53:59 - The Extension of Human Quest to Know the Universe 00:57:48 - The Dark Side of Spiritual Teachers 01:01:30 - Remaining a Student Forever 01:04:30 - Cultivating Discernment and Questioning in Spiritual Development 01:07:56 - The Boundaries of a Behavioral Teacher 01:11:28 - The Boundaries of Ethics and Honesty in Teacher-Student Relationships 01:14:46 - Transparency and Ethical Guidelines in Spiritual Teaching 01:17:15 - The Cognition and Integration of Awakening 01:20:27 - Different Perspectives in Spirituality 01:23:41 - Sincerity and Highest Priorities
035. Swami G27 Aug 201001:50:34
Guru Swami-G was born March 24, 1950, and started the search to find God and Truth at a young age. Her journey began in earnest when at the age of 18 while within an esoteric order Kundalini was awakened during the evening prayers blessings. The ongoing journey took numerous twists and turns through everything from new age philosophies - scientology - deep bible study - through a very eclectic scenic unfolding. Life brought visiting Navaho medicine men for ceremonial undertakings to being one of the first initiates receiving the Kalachakra Buddhist empowerments in the west. The name given within the Buddhist traditions is Karma Sonam Wangmo which means one that dedicates all their actions to the good of humanity. There has been an immersion into not only Buddhist but also Hindu traditions such as Bhakti (ISKON) - Tantra - Naga Shaivite and finally the Reality of Advaita. It was a 30 plus year journey from Kundalini Awakening until all imploded under the Guidance and direction of her Sat Guru in India.  Guru-G was given the admonition and challenge to go forward as a Guru to aide humanity.  As a Kundalini Shaktipat Guru it is imperative to understand the workings of the mind, how to bring balance to kundalini and how to move one forward from fear and phenomena to Realization and liberation. There is much more to being a Shaktipat Guru than simply  awakening Kundalini and the way is working one to one so the seekers  may go fully forward to Liberation versus teaching how to manifest and  be even more caught up in the transient. Guru-G stresses a path that is within the fullness of life i.e.:since you have to  breathe, do it in a way to bring balance.  The path is about walking the way of Simplicity - Honesty - Integrity and Transparency.  Surrendering into the  transmission during Darshan. Guru-G has two books currently out Kundalini from Hell to Heaven and also Truth Unbound authors name is listed as Ganga Karmokar. Swami G's website Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 8/25/2010. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Swami G's Sanskrit Name 00:04:17 - Starting the Spiritual Journey in a Challenging Environment 00:08:24 - Beginnings of the Spiritual Journey 00:12:58 - The Beginning of the Awakening 00:17:04 - Phenomena and Difficulties 00:21:45 - The Uddhava Gita and Krishna's Final Admonitions 00:25:05 - From Jail to the Search for Tantra 00:28:51 - The Spiritual Journey Begins 00:32:12 - The Dark Night of the Soul 00:35:50 - Praying for Death and Intense Suffering 00:39:11 - Insights and Self-Reflection 00:42:57 - The Tantric Connection 00:47:01 - A Turning Point with a Tantric Master 00:50:26 - Progress and Unfoldings 00:53:56 - The Shaivite tradition and the dhuni 00:57:35 - The Devastating Effects of Trauma and PTSD 01:01:11 - Surrendering to the Terror 01:04:24 - The Implosion of the Illusion of Self 01:07:55 - Past Life Trauma and Its Effects 01:10:53 - Insight and Compassion 01:14:49 - The Challenge of Communicating Beyond Speech 01:18:46 - The Limitations of Words and Concepts 01:22:12 - Reading Diaries and Falling Away 01:26:09 - The Naga Baba's Influence 01:29:39 - A Baba's Warning 01:32:51 - Kundalini Experiences 01:36:12 - Living in an Ashram and Connecting with Students 01:39:38 - Layers and Levels of Realization 01:42:51 - The Nature of Emotions in Realization 01:46:12 - Concluding Thoughts 01:49:27 - Upcoming Interview with Musician who Overcame AIDS Save
439. Michael Speight31 Jan 201801:56:42
When I was 11 years old our school took a bus trip to the local library. While most of the children were off exploring the mysteries of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, for some reason I found myself in the row of books called Philosophy and Religion. I recall pulling a hardbound book off the shelf and directly opening it to an old black and white photograph of the Portola Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. At that moment, it was as if all my breath was sucked out of me and my mind went totally quiet. Somewhere in the depth of my being, I knew I was looking at a very familiar place, one that I may once have called home. I stood there for a very long time just staring at that photograph. That book changed my life. At the time, I took the descriptions of a world rarely seen to be real mysticism. With great determination and passion, I began reading everything I could get my hands on about Tibet, its culture, and spiritual teachings. Thus, began a lifelong pursuit for of spiritual insight and knowledge mystical experience. In my youthful naivety, I also began what I deduced as a meditation practice from stories in the book. This practice was quite complex and involved sitting quietly in the lotus posture with my spine perfectly straight while emptying my mind of everything. Then, with eyes closed, the idea was to develop a specific color spot in my field of vision at, what one might imagine to be, an arm’s length away, and then start spinning it into other colors, all while keeping all thoughts at bay. As you might imagine it was a difficult exercise, however, for short periods of time, I began to experience gaps in my thought pattern. Then it happened. After about four years of practicing my meditation, one day I was sitting quietly and deep into it, when the bottom dropped out. No mind, no thought—just a great expanse. When the experience ended, I felt the most amazing deep sense of happiness bliss. This bliss we might describe as “the peace which passeth understanding”. The problem was my meditation practice was extremely difficult and required great effort and time to achieve the effortless state. I began to search for something easier. My best friend had gone off college and suggested that I leave my job with the Forest Service and continue my education. When I arrived on campus to find Maharishi Mahesh Yogi teaching a course about meditation and training young men and woman like me how to teach Transcendental Meditation, a mantra-based meditation practice. I went to ask Maharishi if he would personally teach me. Maharishi was rarely on time anywhere and I waited outside his door a long time for him to emerge. When he finally came out the door there were a number of people waiting like me, some to ask a question, some pay their respects. With about a dozen people ahead of me in the line I waited for my turn, but then I had the thought that I shouldn’t take his time, that I should instead dedicate myself to freeing his time so he could bring this knowledge of meditation and its philosophy to as many as possible, that I should work to serve him selflessly without regard to my own needs and desires. In that moment, I took the Bodhisattva vow and walked away to learn Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation from one of his teachers. I knew I had found what I was looking for in my first meditation. Upon learning I experienced quite easily that state of mindlessness I had been struggling so hard for. I knew for certain that TM worked for me when I was walking down the street feeling the perfect bliss within yet realizing that nothing what so ever had happened in my life save for meditation to make it so. After many years of practice, I had a classical awakening into higher consciousness. Now living in non-duality or as Maharishi described it "living 200%, the fullness of the absolute and the relative lived completely and utterly together". Website: michael-lovelightlaughter.org Discussion of this interview in the Batgap Community Facebook Group Transcript of this interview Interview recorded January 27, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:25 - Discovering Meditation as a Child 00:10:08 - A Chance Encounter with Franklin Merrill Wolfe in the Sierras 00:15:14 - A Powerful Experience in the Mountains 00:20:14 - Taking the Bodhisattva Vow 00:25:49 - Different Experiences of Awakening 00:30:39 - Surrendering and Shift in Perception 00:35:00 - The Awakening and Infinite Growth 00:38:50 - Understanding the Bhagavad Gita and Knowledge 00:42:34 - The Compatibility of Absolute and Relative Realities 00:46:01 - Cultural Conditioning and Beliefs 00:49:44 - Shared Understanding of Religious Figures 00:53:17 - Thoughts and Awareness 00:56:57 - The Mechanism of Witnessing 01:00:39 - Perception of Subtle Phenomena 01:04:22 - The Unusual Marriage Story 01:07:48 - Unexpected Intuitions 01:11:22 - The Power of Higher State of Consciousness 01:14:53 - Healing Stories 01:18:17 - The Journey to Amma's Ashram 01:22:14 - The Precise Vedic Ceremony, The Mysterious Pundit, and a Spitting Image 01:26:22 - Personal EKG Machine and Atrial Fibrillation 01:30:15 - Overwhelming Experience with Arjuna 01:34:12 - Beings of Light and Future Possibilities 01:38:19 - The Immortality of the Soul 01:42:20 - Exploring the Concept of a Free Agent 01:46:04 - Buddha's Enlightenment and Spiritual Consulting 01:49:44 - Awakening and Holding up the Stick 01:53:25 - The Power of the Collective Consciousness 01:57:15 - The Holiness of Sacred Places 02:00:36 - Farewell
174. David Gersten, M.D.18 May 201302:06:46
Dr. Gersten practices integrative psychiatry and nutritional medicine out of his office in Encinitas, California. In this interview we discuss his book Are You Getting Enlightened Or Losing Your Mind? A Psychiatrist's Guide for Mastering Paranormal and Spiritual Experience. Dr. Gersten writes from his personal experience, his work with patients, and the wisdom of the ages. He is the author of The POW Survival Guide (dedicated to the Allied Troops of Operation Desert Storm), mental imagery consultant to Rodale Press on 18 books, columnist on Alternative Medicine for The Life Connection, publisher of Atlantis the Imagery Newsletter, and author of more than 300 published articles. He has consulted with the White House on alternative medicine. Dr. Gersten is also an accomplished musician and composer of 2200 songs and 7 symphonic works. Being half doctor/healer and half artist/musician allows him to bring a wide breadth of experience to his work with patients. While psychiatry tends to focus on what's wrong, Dr. Gersten strives to place as much emphasis on “what's right,” helping through his clinical work, personal experience, and writings, to help people deepen their spiritual connection, find their purpose or mission and remove the obstacles to their dreams. He has worked in most aspects of psychiatry, from suicidal, homicidal, and psychotic hospitalized patients...to out-patient strategic psychotherapy...to state psychiatric hospitals...to peak performance, training LPGA and high-level amateur golfers in the mental game. His expertise in mental imagery has created the possibility to help people beyond the scope of traditional psychiatry. Dr. Gersten's site Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 5/12/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview 00:04:24 - Synchronicities and the merging of the self and the absolute 00:08:22 - The Seen and Unseen Universe 00:12:36 - The Death Rate in Med School 00:17:07 - The Evolution of Psychiatry 00:22:16 - The Energy of Others 00:25:56 - Thunder Before Leaving 00:29:33 - The Devoid of Conscience Question 00:34:03 - Attunement to our essence as a measure of sanity 00:38:38 - Contrasting a Mystic and a Schizophrenic 00:43:34 - Spiritual Insights and Delusions 00:48:56 - Auras and Psychotic Symptoms 00:53:08 - Reaching a Breaking Point 00:56:37 - Kundalini Awakening Experience 01:00:28 - The Radiant Vision of Michelangelo's David 01:04:32 - Kundalini Awakenings and the Challenges They Pose 01:07:47 - The overlap between mania and kundalini 01:11:19 - Spiritual therapy and the risks of natural therapies 01:15:04 - The Paradoxical Case of Rapid Healing in Schizophrenia 01:18:55 - The Importance of Stability and Foundation 01:24:15 - The Alibi of Crazy Wisdom and Inappropriate Behavior 01:29:39 - The Swastika Symbol in India 01:33:59 - A Psychic Encounter with Colonel Diaz and Noriega 01:38:19 - The Dark Side of Paranormal Experiences 01:42:09 - Entities and Vulnerability 01:46:01 - Confronting the Unwanted Visitor 01:49:35 - The Journey of Inner Rearrangement and Stabilization 01:54:10 - Inner Awakening and Alignment 01:59:39 - Unity in Trinidad and Tobago 02:03:22 - Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up Save
422. John Lockley17 Oct 201702:05:11
John Lockley is a traditionally trained African Shaman known as a Sangoma from Nelson Mandela's tribe, the Xhosa nation. He also has a background in Zen Buddhism and was a student of the late Zen Master Su Bong from South Korea. He holds an honors degree in Clinical Psychology and specialized in health psychology with an interest in trauma and how people recover from life-threatening illnesses like cancer. For the last 10 years, he has been running 'Ubuntu' (humanity) retreats worldwide helping people to reconnect to their essential humanity; their bones (ancestors), dreams, and ultimately, life purpose. His mission in the Western world could be summed up in the Xhosa word 'Masiyembo' - involving a profound remembering of the human spirit. As John says, "when people can remember their dreams and connect to their life purpose, then their true vocation surfaces; namely being in service and acting as guardians to our planet". Book: Leopard Warrior: A Journey into the African Teachings of Ancestry, Instinct, and Dreams Audio: The Way of the Leopard: Meditations and Shamanic Practices from the Heart of Africa Discussion of this interview in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded October 15, 2017. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:06:00 - A Calling to Africa and the Birth of a Prosa Sangoma 00:10:07 - Joining the Medical Corps in the Army 00:14:31 - Witnessing Death on the Neurology Ward 00:18:33 - Becoming a Sangha and the Powerful Dream 00:22:53 - Connecting with the Soul of Life through Dreams 00:26:54 - Soulful Conscious Dreams and Connecting with Our Dreams 00:30:57 - The Depth of Twaza Illness 00:34:51 - Becoming an African Monk in South Africa 00:38:55 - Acceptance into the Xhosa Tradition 00:43:04 - The Action of Helping the Community 00:47:16 - The Importance of Honoring Ancestors 00:51:30 - Honoring the Consciousness of Ancestors 00:55:34 - The Power of Sacred Plants 00:59:35 - Searching for the Sacred Plant 01:03:57 - The Power of Divination 01:08:09 - The Sacredness of Divination and Family Healing 01:12:19 - Protecting Yourself in Dreams with Spiritual Practice 01:16:35 - Connecting with the Great Spirit 01:21:01 - Sangama Training and African Chanting Monks 01:25:02 - Sangomas and Community 01:29:19 - Ubuntu and Healing One Another 01:33:40 - Opening the Heart and Embracing Vulnerability 01:37:53 - The Role of Emotions 01:41:46 - Chaos and Transformation 01:45:49 - Kundalini and Transformation 01:50:13 - Saint Francis and Transformation through Illness 01:54:00 - Compassion under the Tree 01:58:17 - The Path to Becoming a Sangama in South Africa 02:02:17 - How to Avail My Offerings 02:06:20 - Updates and upcoming interviews Save
621. Connie Zweig28 Oct 202101:40:42
Connie Zweig, Ph.D., is a retired therapist, co-author of Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature and Romancing the Shadow: A Guide to Soul Work for a Vital, Authentic Life, author of Meeting the Shadow of Spirituality, and a novel, A Moth to the Flame: The Story of the Great Sufi Poet Rumi. Her new book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, extends shadow-work into late life and teaches aging as a spiritual practice. Connie has been doing contemplative practices for 50 years. She is a wife and grandmother and was initiated as an Elder by Sage-ing International in 2017. After investing in all these roles, she is practicing the shift from role to soul. Website: conniezweig.com Email: conniezweig@gmail.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded October 22, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:59 - The Different Stages of My Life 00:07:38 - The Already Enlightened Governors of the Age of Enlightenment 00:10:58 - The Urgency of Enlightenment 00:14:30 - Understanding Enlightenment and Charismatic Teachers 00:17:46 - Spiritual Development at Every Stage of Life 00:21:21 - Transition in Identity 00:25:10 - Late Life Identity Crisis 00:29:38 - The Challenge of Finding Time for Everything 00:33:07 - The Unconscious and the Shadow in Conscious Aging Movement 00:37:25 - Witnessing and Shadow Work 00:40:54 - The Contents of Consciousness Spilled Out 00:44:35 - The Importance of Awareness and Mortality 00:48:43 - Ageism and Shifting Identity 00:52:50 - The Inner Work of Aging 00:56:42 - Unfinished Spiritual Business 01:00:44 - Unfinished Business in the Spiritual Journey 01:05:12 - Finding Guidance in Inner Work 01:08:56 - The Shift from Hero to Elder 01:13:06 - Finding Refuge in Spiritual Practice 01:16:49 - Completing the Ego Story 01:21:17 - The Orientation Towards Life and Death 01:24:32 - The Importance of Discernment on the Spiritual Path 01:28:24 - Cultivating Self-awareness for Contribution to the Common Good 01:32:25 - Improving the Level of Consciousness 01:36:13 - Preventing Mental Decline and Memory Loss 01:40:03 - Astonishing Moments in Deathbed Experiences 01:44:03 - Awakening Practices and Life Completion 01:47:32 - Expanding the Frame of Reference 01:51:05 - The Soul's Longing for Transcendence 01:54:36 - Farewell to Rick Archer
087. Krishna Gauci21 Sep 201101:38:03
Krishna can be a catalyst for the awakening transformation of your life. He also appears to be a pretty ordinary guy. For most of his life, he has been driven by a desire to know the power that moves the universe. In this mad quest for authentic spiritual realization, he has been blessed to come across the right people at the right time. Besides working as a spiritual coach and teacher and being trained in hypnotherapy, he has also been a cabinetmaker, an auto assembly line worker, a New York City taxi cab driver, and a bus driver. He has lived real life as a down to earth human being and knows that the truth of spirituality is always tested there. His experience is that you will never have exactly what you want and that you are already what you're looking for. His sense is that you don't need to be taught as much as you need to be understood and heard. He is well versed in several spiritual maps but he knows that who you are is beyond any map. You are changeless and you are always changing, and he relates to you as both. Since you are what you're looking for, he is only always pointing you to a deep trust in your own deepest life: Being itself. He does this in one on one sessions and in groups through talks, guided meditation, questions, and answers, gazing transmission and silent sitting. His presence enlivens that which is guiding you from within and calls you into your own life. He welcomes you into an awakening that is totally yours, and totally beyond you. Krishna invites everyone to roll up their sleeves and celebrate the paradox of being both Infinite and finite simultaneously. His sleeves are rolled up too. Krishna's website trilliumawakening.org Interview recorded 9/17/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Krishna Gauci and Waking Down 00:04:10 - Discovering the Dimension of Ourselves 00:09:09 - Duality in Non-duality 00:12:37 - The Sense of Personhood 00:16:08 - The Core Wound and the Intuition of Being More 00:19:23 - The Paradox of Freedom and Bondage 00:22:09 - The Core Wound and Consciousness 00:26:01 - The experience of fundamental well-being 00:28:57 - The Wound of Consciousness and the Goddess Kuan Yin 00:32:14 - Expressing the Infinite Intelligence 00:35:37 - The Limitations of Perception 00:38:50 - Falling in love with the unique manifestation 00:41:41 - Many Paths to Spiritual Beliefs 00:44:24 - The Feeling of Offness and Core Wounds 00:47:21 - Expanding Sense of Self 00:50:41 - Levels of Understanding and Communication 00:53:03 - The Role of Devotion in Spiritual Teachings 00:56:05 - Devotion to the Mountain 00:59:25 - The Movement of Divine Love 01:04:00 - The Paradox of Resting in Conscious Nature and Seeking 01:09:27 - The Personalness of the Unmanifest 01:14:07 - Personal Love and Universal Love 01:16:54 - The Unofficial Lineage of Ramana Maharshi and Papaji 01:18:37 - Teaching approach of Ramana and Papaji 01:21:03 - Cultivating Equanimity in Life 01:23:45 - Teaching Consciousness to the Peasants 01:26:02 - Development of Consciousness and Moral Values 01:28:16 - The Importance of Accountability 01:31:04 - The Equality of Teacher and Student 01:33:57 - Trusting Your Own Being 01:36:53 - Join the Discussion Group
© My Podcast Data
About usPrivacy Policy