Buddha at the Gas Pump

Latest Episodes:

740. Lawrence Pintak Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

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

706. Philip Wade May 17, 2024

Show notes

After a 14-year Meditation Journey, Philip experientially realized the nature of the True Self which referred to itself as Infinite Silence. In his former life, Philip was a Chartered Civil Engineer and Operating Group Director of a large business. In 2000 in response to dreaming about work on a skiing holiday Philip began Meditation. Ultimately, this led him to leave his old world behind in 2009 at the height of his career to focus on a deep inner calling. Since 2014 he has shared the gift of Self Realization with the world in ways led by Meditative Insight through direct experience of the Infinite Silence Meditation, Spiritual Inquiry, Infinite Touch and via his website and other outlets. His style is simple, compassionate and offers exquisite clarity. His sharing is all based on direct experience, is not rooted in any tradition and is ideal for the present era. Unexpectedly, Philip was both inspired and invited to offer events in person in the UK, Iceland, Greece (Corfu and Crete) and Amsterdam and globally online. Philip lives near the small but very beautiful Cathedral City of Ripon, North Yorkshire, England. With his Wife Sue, they have created a purpose-built Meditation space for events. He light-heartedly calls it the Universal Studio! Because of the misunderstandings and spiritual blocks that can be associated with them he has never been a fan of labels people have called him, including Guru, Teacher, and Master. Recently (late 2021) in meditation it was made clear the term Western Mystic was to be used. Whilst the ‘Western’ term is, in truth, superfluous the intention that was made clear was to draw out the fact that his sharing is all rooted in direct experience and is he is not ‘schooled’ in Eastern Teachings. Experience has shown that this has made the material accessible to a broad audience. His message focuses on helping people recognize, inquire into, and experience the absolute simplicity and power of the Infinite Silence that is our true essence. Website - includes: A link to a free Meditations Site Many free resources An Online Retreat in your own time for a nominal donation The Living Soul, Self Realisation App - A Self Realisation Community and Resource Library including a Community Zoom Calls and Retreat. Access via the App stores and for more detailed information visit Philip’s Website here. Insight Timer App - over 50 free Tracks - Includes a freely available LiveStream Self Realisation Programme with accompanying Infinite Silence Meditations (0.25 hours to 1.5 hours). YouTube Channel - Over 250 videos including many Live Streams, Short Insights and Shorts Podcast - Nothing Special with Philip Wade: Over 60 Episodes on many Self Realisation topics on all major platforms. LinkedIn - More recent addition (called for from the Silence) with a series of ‘journeys’ posts to invite people to explore. Facebook Instagram - A vast array of insights, articles, videos and quotes. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 4, 2024. YouTube Video Chapters:  00:00:00 - Introduction and Background  00:03:30 - Discovering the Benefits of Meditation  00:08:23 - The Birth of the Open Source Spheres Meditation  00:12:35 - The Experiential Realisation of Infinite Silence  00:15:12 - Intuition and Meditation  00:18:52 - Trusting Intuition and the Source of Wisdom  00:23:34 - The Spheres of Light-Formation  00:28:18 - The Multi-dimensional Nature of the Hiranyagarbha Sphere  00:33:33 - The Purpose of Creation  00:37:42 - The Gateway Location and the Infinite I  00:41:05 - Experiencing the Phenomena of Being through Silence  00:44:09 - Exploring Infinite Silence and Meditative Experiences  00:47:46 - Snapping into Expansion and Infinite Touch  00:51:50 - Childhood and Life Experiences  00:54:10 - Finding Peace in Everyday Life  00:55:59 - Peaceful Presence  00:59:05 - The Dissolution and Clearing of Energy  01:02:26 - The Importance of Having a Toolkit  01:05:03 - Accommodating Different Varieties of Human Beings  01:08:18 - Different Paths to Awakening  01:12:56 - The Compelling Compassion of Self-Realization  01:16:52 - The Concept of Spiritual Bypass  01:21:02 - Triggers as Treasures  01:24:55 - A Perspective on Life and Relationships  01:29:20 - Paradigm Shift in Consciousness and the Scientific and Medical Network  01:33:33 - A Shift in Consciousness and the Future of the World  01:37:53 - The Impact of Group Meditation on Society  01:41:04 - The Concept of a Gift Economy  01:44:43 - Money as an Energetic Exchange  01:49:24 - Life's Purpose and Meaning  01:52:32 - Wrapping Up and Future Interviews

595. Eben Alexander and Karen Newell Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

Academic neurosurgeon Dr. Eben Alexander III, whose career includes decades as a physician and associate professor at Harvard Medical School and revered teaching hospitals, was once staunchly committed to the materialist world view -- the belief that the physical world is all that exists. His scientific belief system was altered by a 2008 transcendental near-death experience (NDE) in which a bacterial infection severely damaged his brain as he fell into a week-long coma during which he experienced an odyssey into another realm. Despite a bleak medical prognosis, Dr. Alexander awoke to make an inexplicable return to full health. He has since become a pioneering scientist and modern thought leader in the emerging science that acknowledges the primacy of consciousness in the universe, he is the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife, The Map of Heaven: How Science, Religion, and Ordinary People Are Proving the Afterlife, and Living in a Mindful Universe: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Heart of Consciousness. Website: ebenalexander.com More detailed bio. Karen Newell is an author and specialist in personal development with a diverse body of work that rests upon the foundation of heart-centered consciousness. As an innovator in the emerging field of brainwave entrainment audio meditation, Karen empowers others in their journeys of self-discovery by demonstrating how to connect to inner guidance, achieve inspiration, improve wellness and develop intuition. She is co-founder of Sacred Acoustics, and co-author with Eben Alexander III, M.D. of Living in a Mindful Universe. More detailed bio. Website shared by Eben and Karen: innersanctumcenter.com Twice-monthly webinars mentioned during the interview. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded April 17, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:04:17 Ebens NDE 00:14:57 Cycling through layers of frequencies/ 00:16:00 Mantras/sounds/binaural beats 00:18:03 Life reviews 00:23:57 We’re more than physical body 00:26:48 Reincarnation 00:30:53 Death bed visions 00:34:43 Exploration of strata or realms 00:36:32 Paradigm shift and the world 00:45:54 Science 00:53:39 Sam Harris and free will 00:56:03 Dreams 00:56:37 Assumptions 01:00:58 Materialists 01:00:58 Scientist mind change when they are dying 01:05:56 Memory 01:12:23 Akashic record field 01:16:27 Evolution of consciousness 01:18:45 Cyclical nature 01:26:21 Eben and a golden age of transformation 01:29:27 Karen brings up healing crisis 01:30:39 Eben- on oneness 01:35:13 Discernment 01:44:31 Questions from viewers

480. Sean Webb Dec 09, 2018

Show notes

As the author of a book that was used to influence millions of voters in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election through social media disinformation campaigns (without his knowledge), Sean Webb probably knows the human mind as well as anyone can. From his work in logically modeling human emotions for the world of Artificial Emotional Intelligence, to his real-world practice as an author, speaker, and guide to helping individuals supercharge their minds and lives with the knowledge of how their mind works, Sean pushes the bleeding edge of mind sciences to the next level. The interesting part; Sean credits his knowledge to a conscious awakening he had 20 years ago which unfolded how the mind, the universe, and consciousness works both within and outside the human body. And science is proving him right. Over the last 20 years, Sean has become one of the world’s leading experts in how the human mind works, particularly in the area of human emotions, the driving force and motivation of all human actions globally. His work is used by universities and engineering firms to teach emotional intelligence, the foundations of artificial emotional intelligence and his discoveries have proved so effective, that his work is currently being turned into programs to address addiction management and the mitigation of PTSD after early amazing successes within those applications. As an alumnus of Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technologies Development Center, Sean has spent years solving complex systems problems for cutting edge technology and supercomputing companies. His latest complex system solve is associated with the mind; how to model mind processes, how to manipulate mind output, and how to use those disciplines to our collective human advantage. His heart lies in this last portion of the project; teaching individuals about our minds so as to understand the thought processes that steal our happiness and block our ability to enjoy life. He loves sharing the practical neuroscience of how to hack the mind to generate happiness from within without any strings attached, and without changing any of life’s external conditions. He has indeed discovered a new door into the deep mind manipulation, where only practiced meditation and psychedelics have been able to take us before. Sean has spoken at Science of Consciousness, Science and Nonduality, UNC, UGA, ASU, Emory, Georgia Tech, for numerous multinational corporations, and at NASA. Check out Sean’s work at MindHackingHappiness.com. Sean and his wife are licensed foster parents and are active in numerous children’s and animal charities. Books: Mind Hacking Happiness Volume I: The Quickest Way to Happiness and Controlling Your Mind Mind Hacking Happiness Volume II: Increasing Happiness and Finding Non-Dual Enlightenment Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded October 25, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:44 - The Beginnings of Meditation Experience 00:07:25 - The Ineffable Experience of Consciousness 00:10:23 - Transition to a Tree-Hugging Hippie 00:13:26 - Shutting off the Limbic System 00:16:33 - Transformations and Addiction Recovery 00:20:32 - The Journey to Happiness Through Zen 00:24:53 - The Shift in Perspective and Increased Efficiency 00:29:07 - Detaching from the Outcome 00:33:06 - The Well-spring of Happiness 00:41:05 - The Experience of Learning through Counting Apples and Hot Tubs 00:47:58 - The Marriage of Science and Spirituality 00:54:34 - The Role of Consciousness in Quantum Mechanics 00:58:53 - The Interaction Between Microtubules and Quantum Field 01:03:31 - The Role of Consciousness in Understanding Reality 01:07:22 - The All-Pervading Intelligence 01:11:54 - Consciousness as the Ground State of Creation 01:16:32 - Expanding the Sense of Self 01:20:23 - Understanding Negative Emotions 01:23:45 - Understanding and Turning Off Negative Thoughts 01:27:30 - Finding Silence amidst Physical Demands 01:30:38 - Understanding Anger and Reacting Proactively 01:34:53 - Understanding Anger and Self-Control 01:39:32 - Experiencing Your Own Mind 01:43:36 - Shifting Perspective to Meta-awareness 01:49:09 - Artificial Emotions and Perception Engines 01:55:03 - Supporting the Effort and Helping More Folks 01:58:08 - The Power of Communication Technologies and Spiritual Awakening 02:02:10 - The Earth's Immune System 02:05:17 - Alignment with Nature's Intelligence 02:07:00 - Music

430. Matthew Fox Dec 04, 2017

Show notes

Matthew Fox is a spiritual theologian, an Episcopal priest, and an activist. As a spiritual theologian he has written 34 books that have been translated into over 60 languages. Among them are Original Blessing, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, A Spirituality Named Compassion, The Reinvention of Work, The Hidden Spirituality of Men, Christian Mystics, and The Pope's War. He has contributed much to the rediscovery of Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart and Thomas Aquinas as pre-modern mystics and prophets. Fox holds a doctorate in the history and theology of spirituality from the Institut Catholique de Paris. The founder of the University of Creation Spirituality in California, he conducts dozens of workshops each year and is a visiting scholar at the Academy for the Love of Learning in Santa Fe, NM. In joining the Episcopal church over 20 years ago, Fox has been working with young people to reinvent forms of worship by bringing elements of rave such as dance, dj, vj and more into the Western Liturgy. The Cosmic Mass has been celebrated over 100 times and in dozens of cities in North America. Fox is recipient of the Abbey Courage of Conscience Peace Award (other recipients being the Dali Lama, Mother Teresa, Ernesto Cardenal and Rosa Parks), the Gandhi King Ikeda Award, the Tikkun National Ethics Award and other awards. His latest books are Order of the Sacred Earth: An Intergenerational Vision of Love and Action; Stations of the Cosmic Christ; and A Way to God: Thomas Merton's Creation Spirituality Journey. He teaches regularly at the Fox Institute for Creation Spirituality in Boulder, CO and resides in Vallejo, CA. Discussion of this interview in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded November 11, 2017. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:07 - The Everyday Buddha 00:08:31 - Democratizing the Mystical Experience and Contemplative Wisdom 00:13:09 - Taming the Reptilian Brain 00:17:28 - Celebrating Love as a Theophany 00:25:39 - Shifting Human Consciousness and its Impact on the Planet 00:30:08 - Laudato Si and the Destruction of Coral Reefs 00:33:59 - The Environmental Crisis 00:38:25 - The Impact of War and Peace 00:42:27 - Becoming an Episcopal Priest 00:46:14 - The Difference Between Spirituality and Religion 00:50:37 - The Beginnings of the Creation Tradition 00:55:17 - Creation Spirituality and the Cosmic Christ 00:59:15 - Cosmic Imagery in Religious Teachings 01:03:05 - The Immensity of Intelligence in Creation 01:06:56 - The Relationship Between Enlightenment and Compassion 01:11:00 - The Power of Denial and Its Consequences 01:14:50 - Chosen Ignorance 01:19:02 - The Four Paths of Spiritual Journey 01:23:06 - The Power of Compassion and Healing 01:26:50 - A Doctorate in Spirituality 01:30:35 - The Murder of Thomas Merton 01:34:18 - Merton's Mystical Experience in Downtown Louisville 01:38:15 - Reality and Metaphysics 01:43:03 - Joy and Consciousness in the Universe 01:47:06 - Sat-chit-ananda and the Joy of Creating 01:51:09 - Accessing the Inner Joy and Happiness 01:55:25 - The Intellect and Values 01:58:37 - Invitation to All Lifestyles and Traditions 02:01:42 - Thinking outside the box

225. Sharon Landrith, 2nd Interview Apr 11, 2014

Show notes

Sharon is a gifted intuitive and a spiritual teacher in the lineage of Adyashanti. Sharon has a devotion and great love of the Truth. Adyashanti asked her to teach 2003 and guide those genuinely drawn to the path of Truth. Since then, Sharon continues to deepen into and embody this Truth herself. She invites you to “Come home…” to That which you’ve always been. In her presence you’ll taste a palpable expression of love and intimacy that allows you to feel safe dropping into the deep vulnerability required to know yourself as the All. Sharon offers support for the required shift of identity that is both direct and tailored to each person's journey. Her teachings are based on her deep realization of silence and the way silence expresses itself in form. She notes, “Often there is still a thread that says the ‘me is going to get it; the ‘me’ is going to wake up. And it just isn’t true. It actually wakes up out of the ‘me’. “ So in her teaching, Sharon emphasizes how silence wakes up in the body and how the embodiment process is actualized. She is well qualified in this endeavor by her many years as an intuitive counselor. Since she has the ability to “read” the physical and energetic body, she is uniquely able to help unlock patterns that inhibit realization and the embodiment process that follows. Sharon Landrith offers Silent retreats, intensives in the US and Canada and dokusans over the phone and in person. Please see more info on her website: sharon-landrith.com. There's a chapter on Sharon in Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom: The Feminine Face of Awakening by Rita Robinson. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/2/2014. Her first BatGap Interview here. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Sharon Lander and Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:23 - The Rise of Love and Humanness 00:10:12 - The Transmutation of Consciousness 00:14:17 - The Shift of Identity and Connection to Nature 00:18:22 - The Fuel of Morality and Consciousness 00:21:57 - Unity and Service 00:25:35 - The Self Reveals Itself 00:29:03 - The Vastness Within Consciousness 00:34:19 - The Possibility for Exploration and Discovery 00:37:46 - The Exquisiteness of this Moment 00:41:38 - Perspectives on Life, Enlightenment, and Existence 00:45:36 - The Deep Sense of Security 00:48:08 - The Fall of Written Words and Concepts 00:50:41 - Recognizing the Truth 00:52:46 - Living with Open Attention, Witness State, and Collapsing Awareness 00:56:07 - The Witness and Self-referral 00:59:11 - The Voice of God in Everything 01:03:11 - Understanding God as an Expression of Divinity 01:06:14 - Defining God and the Power of Transmission 01:10:32 - Mutual Reinforcement and Increased Grace 01:14:26 - The Importance of Stillness and Stability 01:17:31 - Reflections on Realization Experiences 01:21:39 - The Expression of God through Human Beings 01:26:14 - Being a Lightning Rod for Projections and Ideas 01:29:28 - The Power of Open Awareness in the Teaching Role 01:32:14 - Being a Washing Machine 01:33:43 - The Importance of Living Your Dharma 01:35:35 - Concluding Remarks and Reflections 01:38:06 - Exploring Dokusans and Deep Nature 01:41:12 - Geographical Index and Other Site Features 01:43:01 - Life Becoming Difficult

209. Rick Hanson Dec 18, 2013

Show notes

Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a neuropsychologist and New York Times best-selling author. Founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom and on the Advisory Board of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, he’s been an invited speaker at Oxford, Stanford, and Harvard, and taught in meditation centers worldwide. An authority on self-directed neuroplasticity, Dr. Hanson’s work has been featured on the BBC, NPR, CBC, FoxBusiness, Consumer Reports Health, U.S. News and World Report, and O Magazine, and his articles have appeared in Tricycle Magazine, Insight Journal, and Inquiring Mind. He has several audio programs with Sounds True, he edits the Wise Brain Bulletin, and his weekly e-newsletter – Just One Thing – has over 100,000 subscribers, and also appears on Huffington Post, Psychology Today, and other major websites. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA, Dr. Hanson has been a trustee of Saybrook University, and he served on the board of Spirit Rock Meditation Center for nine years and was President of the Board of FamilyWorks, a community agency. He began meditating in 1974, trained in several traditions, and leads a weekly meditation gathering in San Rafael, California. He enjoys rock climbing and taking a break from emails. He and his wife have two adult children. Books and other media: Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence (in 4 languages), Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom (in 25 languages), Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time (in 12 languages), and Mother Nurture: A Mother's Guide to Health in Body, Mind, and Intimate Relationships Stress-Proof Your Brain Meditations to Change Your Brain The Enlightened Brain Meditations for Happiness Self-Directed Brain Change Letting Go: A Key to Lasting Happiness Steadying Your Mind Awaken Your Brain For more information, please see his full profile at rickhanson.com. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 12/14/2013. Second BatGap interview with Rick Hanson. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Rick Hanson and the Mind-Brain Connection 00:03:11 - The Brain's Bias towards Over-learning from Negative Experiences 00:06:11 - The Mystery of Brain Transformation 00:08:45 - The Root of Suffering and the End of Craving 00:11:23 - The Nature of Heartfelt Emotions 00:13:54 - Changing the Conditioning of the Mind 00:17:07 - Overcoming Aversion and Grasping 00:19:32 - The Brain of a Buddha 00:22:42 - The Ultimate Truth and Brainwaves 00:25:32 - The Nature of Consciousness and the Transcendental 00:28:25 - The Thicket of Views and the Woo-Woo Stuff 00:31:10 - Exploring the Transcendental State 00:33:45 - The Stable Shift of Awakening 00:35:59 - Installing Wholesome States of Mind 00:38:38 - The Art of Receptive Learning 00:41:30 - Internalizing the Mind of No Grasping 00:43:53 - Neurobhavana: Mo' Bettah 00:46:31 - Cultivating Positive Experiences 00:49:08 - Factors for Enriching Experiences 00:51:31 - Cultivating Inner Strengths for Healing and Awakening 00:53:58 - Overcoming the Stone Age Negativity Bias 00:57:05 - The Negativity Bias and its Impact on Well-being 00:59:19 - Mindfulness Programs for Prisoners and PTSD Sufferers 01:02:05 - Adapting Practice and Dealing with Negative Experiences 01:04:27 - The Impact of Negative Experiences 01:07:07 - The Power of Fear and Disgust 01:09:48 - The Possibility of a Utopian Planet 01:12:12 - The Tipping Point: From Frustration to Contentment 01:14:46 - Letting the Good Sink In 01:17:14 - Physiological Correlates of Higher States 01:19:35 - Music interlude

182. Susanne Marie Jul 08, 2013

Show notes

~Love always returns for itself. Nothing is left behind, and when the return is done here, it continues to unite itself as others, because it is seen that there are no others.~ A lifelong spiritual explorer, Susanne Marie offers teachings in support of freedom, meeting in sacred mutuality, and celebrating our common essence of Love and Unity with all life. Her work is transformational and empowering, as she points to the remembering of That which we have always been, allowing truth to become ever more conscious of Itself through a human life. Susanne, the parent of two teenagers, lives in Northern California and works with individuals and groups, offering spiritual mentoring to those who feel called to work with her. She is available for Skype and phone sessions as well as open to invitations to share with groups. “Life is our ultimate teacher. While it’s true that being stripped naked of imagination by life’s challenging lessons can be a difficult pill to swallow, it’s equally true that it can be a major catalyst to healing and awakening. Life can be both beautiful and difficult, and accepting this contradiction without drawing a line between them or attempting to push the difficulties away becomes a means of embodying new possibility. Each new challenge that arises is an opportunity to turn what we once perceived as adversity into true living beauty. This opens us to a life that is constantly and creatively revealing itself, never remaining any one thing, as the awakened consciousness is always fluid and in motion.” Please feel free to contact Susanne Marie: Website YouTube Channel Check out my Reality Bites Interview recorded 7/7/2013 Transcript of this interview. Other interviews with Susanne Marie: In panel discussion: Birthing Radiant Being into Our Humanity In Panel at Sofia U. Part 1 | Part 2 In conversation with Adyashanti on the Falling Away of Self YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Unity as a Child 00:03:50 - Remembering Childhood Connections 00:06:57 - Childhood Awareness and Perception 00:09:40 - The Experience of Childhood and Enlightenment 00:13:03 - Moments of Relief and Recognition 00:16:13 - Levels of Spiritual Development 00:19:21 - Following the Inner Compass 00:22:18 - Childhood Discoveries and Connecting with Other Realms 00:25:32 - Beings in the Room 00:28:53 - Stepping out of the stream of attachment 00:32:15 - Being Let Down and Facing Reality 00:35:23 - Stripping away Beliefs and Assumptions 00:38:55 - The Rubik's Cube of the Mind 00:42:24 - A Glimpse into Death and Beyond 00:45:33 - The Return of Meaning and Substance 00:48:50 - A Beautiful Experience in Point Reyes 00:52:21 - Embracing the Role of a Container 00:55:32 - The Power of Amma's Reflections 00:59:05 - Establishing Pack Leadership 01:02:07 - A Job Opportunity Arises 01:05:03 - Individuation and Bliss 01:08:18 - The Evolutionary Force of Expansion and Unity 01:11:29 - Contemplating the Vastness of the Universe 01:14:37 - Awakening and Return to Source 01:18:01 - The Intuitive and Organic Approach 01:21:13 - Cooperation with Cosmic Intelligence 01:24:08 - Seeking and the Longing to Return Home 01:27:12 - Intensity of Seeking and Penetrating Maya 01:30:34 - Trusting Your Inner Guidance 01:33:40 - Returning to Itself 01:36:36 - How to Get in Touch with Susanne and Updates about BATGAP Save Save

134. Howard Falco Aug 12, 2012

Show notes

Howard Falco is an international author, speaker and spiritual teacher specializing in self-awareness and the power of the mind as it relates to the creation of the experience of life. His book on human understanding and potential is titled, I AM: The Power of Discovering Who You Really Are (Penguin Group). On the surface, Howard seems to be the everyday regular guy. However, in the middle of ordinary life, this married father of two went through a spontaneous and extraordinary expansion of mind. The dramatic depth and breadth of this shift in consciousness unveiled the answers to many of the largest and deepest questions that humanity seeks answers for on a regular basis, such as “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” and “Why do I suffer?” Through his experience, he came to a full understanding of the conditions that led to every moment of his life. As a result, the core essence underlying all of human creation, action, reaction, joys, and suffering was revealed to him. Stunned and inspired by this powerful knowledge, Howard set out to honor what happened by sharing what he learned. I AM is the incredible result of this effort. Known for his powerfully clear and relatable style, Howard presents the wisdom regarding how to understand and integrate more with the creative power of the mind to accomplish what is desired or to overcome any challenge you face in life, allowing you to achieve a greater sense of peace, understanding, and fulfillment in the process. More about his book and work can be found at HowardFalco.com. He is also on Facebook and Twitter (@Howard Falco). Summary and transcript of this interview Interview conducted 8/11/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:05:02 - The Journey to Happiness 00:09:07 - Finding the Answer in the Seminar 00:13:12 - A Funny Story about Intention 00:16:23 - Pearls of Insight and Infinite Possibility 00:19:48 - The Shift in Understanding 00:22:25 - A Thirty-Five Year Journey 00:24:50 - The intention of rocks and matter 00:26:54 - The Power of Personal Creation 00:29:26 - The Beauty of Divine Universe 00:31:37 - The Malleability of Consciousness 00:34:01 - The possibility of an abrupt turnaround 00:36:13 - Finding Wisdom within Yourself 00:38:46 - The Sacredness of Attention 00:40:56 - Accepting Where You Are 00:43:33 - The Formation of Beliefs and the Role of the Ego 00:45:49 - Accepting Limitations for Personal Growth 00:48:48 - Embracing Uncomfortable Change 00:51:58 - Becoming a Witness to Your Ego 00:55:13 - Being Multi-dimensional and the Thrill of Life 00:58:50 - The Paradox of Giving and Receiving 01:01:33 - The Role of Emotions in Achieving Balance 01:04:09 - Intention and the Resting State of Consciousness 01:07:05 - The Nature of Creativity 01:10:04 - Battling Resistance and Fear of Change 01:13:21 - The Power of Awareness and Faith 01:16:10 - The Power of Acceptance and Understanding 01:19:52 - The Story of the Drowning Man and Divine Intervention 01:23:02 - Bridging Spirituality and Science 01:26:16 - Lessons in Everything 01:29:32 - Farewell Scottsdale

32. Cynthia Lane Aug 07, 2010

Show notes

While watching this interview, feel free to pause and engage one-on-one with the BatGapBot - https://batgap.com/batgap-spiritual-ai-bot/. This interactive companion is here to answer your questions and go deeper into the topics, offering insights and personalized dialogue along the way.
Also see http://batgap.com/cynthia-lane/
Cynthia Lane went from rebellious, depressed college student in 1960s San Francisco to TM teacher, non-sectarian nun, Lakota sun dancer, and craniosacral healer — and along the way stabilized a state she describes as pure transparency, where "on no level is anybody home" and the body is in her rather than the other way around. In this wide-ranging conversation, Cynthia traces her decades-long journey through witnessing, ecstatic expansion on year-long TM courses in Switzerland, the Soma experience, the dark night of the soul, and her current healing work she calls First Light Transformations — helping people move out of their heads and into the heart as a portal for their own divine impulse.
Cynthia Lane is a long-time TM teacher and former staff member at Maharishi International University, a practitioner of craniosacral therapy, acupressure, and Western astrology, and a Lakota pipe carrier and sun dancer now based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Subscribe to Buddha at the Gas Pump for weekly conversations with spiritually awakening people from all walks of life — and if this interview moved you, please like and share it.
If you're new to Buddha at the Gas Pump, please consider making a donation via the PayPal button on every page of our website at https://batgap.com.
Interview recorded 8/4/2010.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Background
00:04:22 - A Journey of Wisdom and Transformation
00:07:31 - A Shift in Perspective
00:10:16 - Traveling with Maharishi to Austria and the British Isles
00:13:26 - The Inner Reality of Non-doing
00:16:49 - The Experience of Being Everywhere
00:20:31 - The Devata and the Senses
00:23:14 - The Self as a Universal Spirit
00:25:33 - The Experience of Witnessing
00:27:24 - Coming Back to the United States and Teaching
00:30:33 - Difficulties and Challenges
00:32:44 - Embracing Non-Linear Paths
00:35:53 - The Professor's Change of Mind
00:38:32 - Confronting Deep Emotions on Mother Divine
00:40:53 - The Fear Phase
00:43:41 - Rediscovering Myself
00:48:22 - Embracing Uncertainty
00:52:04 - Transition to a Personal Life
00:54:48 - Embracing Change and New Teachings
00:57:52 - Everything Just Is
01:00:41 - First Light Transformations
01:03:39 - Living the Infinitely Inspired Version of Yourself
01:07:19 - The Importance of Integration and the Native American Path
01:10:44 - Clearing Belief Systems and Receiving a Pipe
01:13:48 - Teacher in Des Moines
01:15:36 - Surrendering to God's Gifts
01:18:00 - The Nature of Preferences and Opinions
01:20:59 - Being Present in Life
01:24:32 - Living in the Infinite
01:27:31 - Finding Inspiration in Life's Moments
01:30:00 - How to Subscribe to the RSS Feed

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected