Buddha at the Gas Pump

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686. Dr. Etta D. Jackson Jul 19, 2023

Show notes

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

660. Alaya Dickinson Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

Alaya first experienced brief glimpses leading to a spontaneous awakening in 1997. This left her with a burning fire for truth and a determination to find a release from her suffering. She was drawn to satsang and to the feet of her beloved Neelam: a teacher of the Ramana Maharshi lineage. From that very first meeting there arose a profound recognition of unconditional love but also a strong sense of separation and resistance. However, Alaya instinctively knew that penetrating the resistance was exactly what was needed to penetrate the suffering. With Neelam’s unconditional love this separation fell away shortly after the birth of Alaya’s first child in 2001. With a new husband and baby, Alaya moved to Asheville. She found in her daily experience of being a householder and working mother, that there was much abiding awareness/living in present Reality. But the non-abiding dream state kept arising which created an even deeper desire to investigate what was still appearing as separation. She realized that what was needed was already in the life she was leading and that every moment was a gift and opportunity to return to the natural awakened Self. “My husband, my children, my job, everything is my teacher, and true love is laying down whatever pulls on you, turning back to this life with an open heart and open palms.” With the realization that ordinary everyday life was sacred and that each moment was the Beloved pointing us home, she continued to question and inquire into her ideas, perspectives, and feelings until the veil of separation finally fell away. “With tenderness and openness, conditioning can unmanifest - leaving what naturally remains, as stillness, presence and love.” As people began to ask her to teach, Grace appeared as the non-dual teacher Adyashanti and with his support and friendship she began to give satsang in 2011. “Grace is like gravity, it will continue to pull you within for the truth of who you are isn’t found in doing. It is found in the silence – in stillness.” Website: alayasatsang.org Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded August 27, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:08 - The Awakening Experience at a Young Age 00:07:43 - Following Intuitive Knowing 00:11:14 - Unknowing and Reformulation 00:14:34 - The Unknowingness of Grass 00:18:00 - The Fishiness of Life 00:21:39 - A Diverse Community in a Double Wide Trailer Bar 00:24:59 - A Transformational Experience 00:28:39 - Deepening of Presence and Surrendering to the Vaster State 00:32:16 - The Primal Resistance to Opening Up 00:36:06 - The Trauma of Duality 00:39:37 - The Stages of Spiritual Development and Societal Growth 00:43:01 - Being of Service by Becoming Nobody 00:47:11 - Different Roles and Different Paths 00:51:06 - Unconditional Love and the Collapse of Searching 00:55:26 - Carried by Grace 00:58:56 - Deepening into Oneness with Neelam 01:03:04 - The Decision to Move On 01:07:08 - The Fear of Suffering and Awakening 01:10:55 - Dissolving the Ego and Aligning with the Deeper Gift 01:14:55 - Meeting Neelam and the Veil on My Face 01:18:41 - The Role of a Teacher in Spiritual Awakening 01:22:16 - The Gift of Healing and Transmission 01:25:47 - Degrees of Receptivity and Awakening 01:29:06 - Deeper embodiment of awakening 01:32:47 - The Beauty of Constant Change 01:35:59 - The Nature of the Path and the Danger of Feeling Accomplished 01:39:31 - The Pitfall of Idolizing Teachers 01:42:55 - Being of Service to Others 01:46:49 - Expansion of Zoom Retreats and In-Person Meetings 01:50:22 - Experiencing Psychological Trauma of Separation

538. Rev. Bill McDonald, 2nd Interview Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

Rev. Bill’s life has been a spiritual journey, spanning slightly over 7 decades. His whole life has been a mystical trip in search of gurus, the paranormal, and self-discovery. He has written about his many spiritually transformative experiences and “near-death-experiences” including supernatural events during his combat tour of duty in the Vietnam War. In his books, he has shared some incredible spiritual events that are beyond both common understanding or explanation. His autobiography “Warrior: A Spiritual Odyssey” takes us on a life quest for love, understanding, forgiveness, and enlightenment. His follow-up book “Alchemy of a Warrior's Heart" continues that mystical journey including four trips to India for even more profound experiences with holy men, miracles and his personal relationship with the Divine. What he knows for sure after all these years is that the only thing that is truly real is LOVE. He is an author, an award-winning poet, international motivational speaker, artist, film advisor, veteran advocate, a Vietnam War veteran (Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart Medal, 14 Air Medals, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, etc.). He has spoken around the world including Germany, England, Wales, Bolivia, and India. He has been involved with a dozen films and documentaries. (Such as: “In the Shadow of the Blade”- showed on the History Network and “The Art of Healing” shown on PBS TV) Rev. Bill has been on over 800 radio and TV shows over the last 18 years and has stories about his life featured in over a dozen books by other authors and in hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. He has had articles in such diverse publications as “Parade Sunday Magazine” and “The Self-Realization Fellowship Magazine” as well as military magazines and new age magazines. His YouTube Channel has over 70 videos and had gotten over 550,000 views in its first 18 months. He speaks publicly about the need to forgive and power of love. His mission in life is to inspire others to seek the Divine and he does that through his personal stories of his own life experiences. He is a seeker but not just for himself. His “mission” is to allow others to experience his journey through his stories. He has had many near-death and near-death-like experiences and encounters with the supernatural. He is a friend to many - including famous celebrities and people in power positions in life but he treats everyone the same whether they are homeless or the President or a CEO. His beliefs are simple: There is but ONE GOD – and our only mission is to LOVE & SERVE ALL. Additional books by William “Rev. Bill” McDonald: A Spiritual Warrior's Journey: The Inspiring Life Story of a Mystical Warrior – 2003 Purple Hearts: Poetry of The Vietnam War – 2003 Sacred Eye: Poetry In Search Of The Divine – 2004 Bill's guru, Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath Bill's Website Bill's email Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview First BatGap interview with Bill McDonald Interview recorded February 22, 2020. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:09 - Sharing Pearls of Wisdom 00:07:14 - The Overwhelming Responsibility of Knowledge, Intuition, and Empathy 00:10:44 - The Power of Intuition and Belief Systems 00:14:51 - Believing Different 00:18:50 - The Importance of Time in the Material World 00:22:51 - The One Guru: God 00:26:36 - The Danger of Dangerous Spiritual Teachers 00:30:08 - The Inner Guru vs. Outer Guru 00:34:41 - The Importance of Having a Teacher 00:37:49 - Embracing Discomfort and Growth in Life 00:41:56 - Embracing Life's Challenges 00:45:57 - The Significance of Evolutionary Events 00:49:35 - Discovering and Manifesting Potential 00:53:03 - Mending Fences and Making Amends 00:56:15 - The Value of Living and Dead Gurus 01:00:02 - The Guru's Love and Presence 01:03:48 - Seeing God in All 01:07:02 - Being Present and Connected 01:10:41 - The Power of Now 01:14:42 - Learning through the "morphogenetic field" 01:18:09 - Manifestation through Free Will 01:21:23 - Cultivating and Retaining Faith in the Divine 01:24:36 - Plant Medicine and Personal Experiences 01:28:03 - Challenging Prejudices and Judgments 01:31:12 - The Change in Perspective 01:35:06 - The Pitfalls of Meditation and Psychedelics 01:38:32 - The Risks of Drug Use and the Importance of Meditation 01:42:42 - The Value of Personal Experience 01:46:25 - Manifesting a Loving Life 01:50:17 - Delight in Different Perspectives

529. Mirabai Starr, 2nd Interview Dec 25, 2019

Show notes

Mirabai Starr writes creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialog. A certified bereavement counselor, Mirabai helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss. She has received critical acclaim for her revolutionary new translations of the mystics: John of the Cross - Saint John of the Cross: Devotion, Prayers & Living Wisdom Teresa of Avila - The Interior Castle, and Julian of Norwich - The Showings of Julian of Norwich: A New Translation She is the award-winning author of: God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation, and Mother of God Similar to Fire, a collaboration with iconographer, William Hart McNichols. Her latest book, Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, was published in Spring 2019. She lives with her extended family in the mountains of northern New Mexico. Website: mirabaistarr.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview First BatGap interview with Mirabai. Interview recorded October 28, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:28 - Suppression of Women Mystics and the Rebalancing of Power 00:07:10 - The Burial of Feminine Wisdom in Religion 00:10:57 - The Dark Night of the Soul and Feminine Mysticism 00:14:34 - The Blend of Mysticism and Activism 00:18:39 - Finding Solace in Not Knowing 00:22:38 - Teresa's Second Conversion Experience 00:25:56 - The Gaze of Unconditional Love 00:29:17 - The Power of Spiritual Friendship 00:31:49 - Mystics and Wisdom Beings 00:34:32 - Non-duality and Surrender 00:37:00 - Dissolving into Sweetness 00:40:01 - Feminine Wisdom: Love and Embodiment in Spirituality 00:43:09 - Harmonizing Devotion and Non-Duality 00:45:24 - Devotion and Non-Dual Consciousness 00:48:40 - Mirabai: A 16th century woman mystic 00:50:44 - Krishna's Love and Protection 00:53:10 - The Life of Mirabai 00:55:56 - The Birth of Mirabai and Spiritual Awakening 00:58:46 - An Encounter with Anandamayi Ma 01:01:29 - Ram Dass and Anandamayi Ma 01:03:42 - Embracing Our True Selves 01:06:18 - Redefining Masculine Dominance and the Rise of the Divine Feminine 01:09:17 - The Reclamation of Mother Earth 01:12:36 - The Power of the Feminine 01:14:35 - The Dark Side of the Feminine 01:17:02 - Dropping into the Fierce Feminine 01:20:07 - Multiple Spiritual Belonging 01:22:25 - Women Mystics: Sharing Stories of Awakening and Service 01:25:13 - Finding Divinity in Everything 01:27:10 - End of Video

432. Paul Morgan-Somers Dec 12, 2017

Show notes

Paul was born in 1961 and lived most of life in the coastal county of Pembrokeshire, UK. He always loved the sea and aspired to be a professional football (soccer) player. One day, at the age of 15, while playing football, unbounded awareness dawned. Everything was the "ocean". He didn't know what this was, or whether anyone else had experienced it, but later on he discovered the Upanishads in a bookstore, which led to his joining a Vedanta Monastery for five years. For a time after that, he lived a hermit-like life. One day in meditation, a woman's name came to him. He had never heard of her, nor did he even know whether she existed, but he knew he would marry her. He later did, opened a gallery and had two boys. He now spends his time supporting the boys and their business and chatting about the ocean. Facebook Page Email Paul. Discussion of this interview in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Interview recorded December 3, 2017. Transcript of this interview YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:31 - Changing Sense of Identity 00:10:17 - Kundalini and Energetic Experiences 00:15:04 - The Beauty of Human Experience 00:20:02 - Assimilation and Adjustment Challenges 00:24:42 - Falling in Love with the Ocean and Finding Books 00:29:34 - An Old Monk's Experiences 00:34:02 - Shake-up of Central Structures of Authority 00:38:32 - The Limitations of Words and Language 00:42:25 - Non-verbal communication and the limitations of language 00:46:24 - Insecurity in Identity 00:50:21 - The Paradox of Movement 00:54:19 - The Process of Creative Intelligence 00:57:53 - The Importance of Individual Paths 01:01:37 - The Wholeness of Everything 01:05:36 - A Journey of Awakening 01:09:06 - The Power and Intoxication of Authority 01:12:58 - Power and Abuse in Spiritual Circles 01:16:28 - The Role of Teachers and Students 01:20:13 - The Power of Humility 01:24:29 - An Unexpected Journey 01:28:30 - The Nature of Reality in Words 01:32:03 - Conversations and Tea 01:36:02 - Chatting and Helping People with Awakening 01:39:45 - Unsettling Experiences and Fear 01:43:52 - Dancing in the Bedroom 01:47:47 - The Presence of Subtle Beings. 01:51:49 - The Paradox of Existence 01:55:52 - A Delightful Virtual Tea and the Dance of Words 02:00:04 - The form and the formless 02:03:41 - John Sampson: A Life of Fascinating Experiences

393. Charles Eisenstein Mar 31, 2017

Show notes

Charles Eisenstein is a speaker and writer focusing on themes of human culture and identity. He is the author of several books, most recently Sacred Economics and The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible. His background includes a degree in mathematics and philosophy from Yale, a decade in Taiwan as a translator, and stints as a college instructor, a yoga teacher, and a construction worker. He currently writes and speaks full-time. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and four children. Websites: charleseisenstein.org sacred-economics.com "More Beautiful World" Facebook page Other Books: The Ascent of Humanity: Civilization and the Human Sense of Self (Related website and free book online.) The Yoga of Eating: Transcending Diets and Dogma to Nourish the Natural Self Transformational Weight Loss Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 3/25/2017 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:49 - Living an Ordinary Life 00:09:04 - The Baggage of the Old Story 00:13:09 - The Crisis and Opportunity 00:17:47 - The Habit of Needing to Know Everything 00:22:20 - The Endless Cycle of Creating Problems 00:26:37 - The Emperor's New Clothes and the Games People Play 00:30:33 - The Displacement of Desire 00:34:57 - Finding Fulfillment Within Oneself 00:39:17 - The Search for Meaning and Effort 00:43:08 - The Gift of Willpower 00:47:24 - The Ripple Effects of Our Actions 00:51:54 - The Intelligence of Nature 00:56:10 - The Unity of Beings within Nature 01:00:22 - The Mythology of Separation and Domination 01:04:42 - The Power of Gifting Society 01:08:55 - The Increasing Competitiveness of the World 01:13:36 - The Relationship between Health and Responsibility 01:17:51 - The Story of Separation and Changing the Mythology 01:21:47 - Transmission through Myth and Archetype 01:26:45 - The Ordeal of Identity Shattering 01:31:14 - The Shattering of Collective Reality 01:35:54 - Raising Bottom Through Acts of Love 01:41:03 - Disrupting the Story 01:45:18 - The Value of Unpredictable Moments 01:49:41 - Relying on Nature's Intelligence 01:54:04 - Following the More Beautiful World 01:58:38 - Investing in Generosity in Times of Crisis 02:03:13 - The Importance of Preparing to Exercise Compassion 02:07:18 - Shifting the Cause 02:11:31 - Music Introduction Save

367. Ted Zeff on Amma Oct 31, 2016

Show notes

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.

111. Suzanne Foxton Mar 01, 2012

Show notes

Suzanne Foxton is a mother, wife, writer and artist who works and lives in Kew in the United Kingdom. She was born a Hoosier (native of the US state of Indiana). She muddles along as best as she can, like most of humanity. Suzanne believes the particulars of her story are unimportant and she doesn't take much of anything too seriously. Her blog, Nothing Exists Despite Appearances, is an attempt to point to the infinite, eternal, and ultimately non-existent nature of reality. She began writing the blog to avoid having to talk to anyone about non-duality, finding that the revelation of the true nature of existence tends to alienate people in manifested reality. Now she continues to write because it's fun. Everything she ever thought was important is gone; what is left is everything and nothing, boundless and beautiful. Suzanne's blog Suzanne's book: The Ultimate Twist Interview recorded 2/25/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Book Preview 00:03:14 - Addiction as a Form of Seeking 00:06:44 - Relishing Bad Circumstances and Bad Feelings 00:09:52 - Finding the Balance between Acceptance and Ambition 00:12:18 - Acceptance and Drive 00:15:34 - The Right State of Mind 00:18:11 - The Knife Incident and Awakening 00:19:59 - Spiritual Awakening and Shift 00:22:09 - Awakening and the Perception of Strangeness 00:24:14 - Perception and the Endless Moment 00:26:27 - Conditioning and Susceptibility 00:28:41 - Shifting Perspectives and Accepting Contradictions 00:32:33 - Embracing Freedom and Analyzing Problems 00:36:18 - Being Intimate in Relationships in the Non-Dual Community 00:39:50 - Treating Others as the Self 00:42:06 - Maintaining a Beginner's Attitude 00:44:19 - Writing as Self-Exploration 00:46:28 - The Process of Writing Music 00:48:12 - A Cool and Interesting Story 00:50:14 - Ignoring the Voices in the Head 00:52:16 - Thoughts of Unworthiness 00:54:07 - The Significance of Self-Identity 00:56:39 - Reflections on high school and self-image 00:58:56 - The Role of Therapy in Awakening 01:01:45 - The Concept of Divine Intelligence 01:03:57 - The Mechanics of the Universe 01:05:37 - The Tragic Consequences of Alienation 01:07:53 - The Duality of Life 01:09:51 - The Concept of a Terrible Life 01:12:02 - The Unmanifest State and the Perfectness of Being 01:13:55 - Lightening up and chilling out

82. Tom Stine Aug 09, 2011

Show notes

For over two decades, several questions have been foremost in my mind: What is this life about? What is the nature of reality? What is truth? How do we live and thrive in this world? For many years these questions puzzled me, but being the inquisitive type, with a restless mind always seeking to find the answers to whatever confronted me, I kept searching and searching. Like many people, I kept groping around the edges of Truth, having occasional glimpses but nothing really definitive. But the Universe is relentless. If its first attempts at getting you to see don’t work, it starts pulling out the heavy artillery and blasting away at your illusions. That’s what happened to me. My seemingly wonderful life turned to crap, seemingly overnight. The Universe was playing rough, offering me a bit of “fierce grace” as Adyashanti likes to say. And it worked! I finally quit groping around the edges and instead leaped into the fire. I began questioning my illusions and starting to see something more. Much has changed over the years for me, and after those first glimpses of reality, life has taken on a new and more interesting form. I am now dedicated to sharing what I have seen with all those who, like me, are impelled from within to know, truly know, what life and reality are all about. We call this impulse “spirit” or “the Universe” or “God”, but in the end, we discover it is what we truly are. It is Life. It is the One seeking to awaken to Itself. And we are That. Interview recorded 8/7/11. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Tom Stine and his work in spiritual awakening 00:04:09 - The Drive to Explore Beyond our Senses and Typical Human Life 00:08:16 - The Universal Urge to Know the Truth 00:11:56 - The Health Benefits of a Spiritual Life 00:14:24 - A Course in Miracles and its Practices 00:17:12 - Questioning the Truth 00:20:11 - The Question of Past Lives 00:22:26 - A Course in Miracles and the Need for Something More 00:25:38 - Discovering the Sedona Method 00:28:40 - The Journey to Adyashanti 00:31:43 - An Experience of Light Inside My Head 00:35:01 - The Power of Presence and Transformation 00:38:11 - The Value of Spiritual Practices 00:41:29 - The Truth and Behavior in Awakening 00:44:53 - The Power of Loving Kindness 00:47:33 - Puppets of Life, Rowing with the Stream 00:50:48 - The Perception of Individual Volition 00:53:35 - The Illusion of Choice in Decision Making 00:56:31 - The Similarity between Orgasms and Heroin addiction 00:59:45 - The Illusion of Choice 01:02:51 - The Illusion of Enlightenment 01:05:51 - The Experience of "I" 01:10:05 - A Shift in Perception 01:14:01 - The Perpetual Challenges of Life's Fan 01:16:18 - Subsequent Awakenings and Transformations 01:19:01 - Letting Go and Loving Your Ex 01:22:05 - Reflection on the Subjective Experience of Life 01:25:20 - Stunned Disbelief and Old Memories 01:28:38 - Satsang and Spiritual Journey shortcuts 01:31:00 - Subscription Service for Satsangs

79. Wayne Liquorman Jul 25, 2011

Show notes

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

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