Buddha at the Gas Pump

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745. Swami Sarvapriyananda Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

Swami Sarvapriyananda has been the Minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of New York since January 2017. He joined the Ramakrishna Math in 1994 and received sannyasa in 2004. He served as an acharya (teacher) of the monastic probationers’ training center at Belur Math, India. He also served in various capacities in different educational institutes of the Ramakrishna Mission in India and as the Assistant Minister of the Vedanta Society of Southern California. During 2019-2020 he was a Nagral Fellow at the Harvard Divinity School. Swami Sarvapriyananda is a well-known speaker on Vedanta and his talks are extremely popular globally via the internet. He has been a speaker on various prestigious forums such as TEDx, SAND, Google Talk etc. He has also been invited to speak at several universities across the world, including Harvard University. The swami has engaged in dialogue with many eminent thinkers such as Deepak Chopra, Rupert Spira, Rick Archer, David Chalmers and Sam Harris. He has played a prominent role in organizing and participating in various interfaith panels and seminars, including speaking at the World Parliament of Religions in Toronto in 2018, and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Learn more in Conversations. Swami Sarvapriyananda is a prolific writer and speaker whose works make the insights of Advaita Vedanta accessible to modern audiences. His publications include Mahavakya: The Essence of Vedanta, Fullness & Emptiness: Vedanta and Buddhism, and From Illusion to Infinity: Discovering the Self. The more recent book Conversations on Vedanta in Practice is a curated collection of question and answer sessions with the Swami, on topics of practical importance. The wide range of his writings reflect his deep engagement with comparative philosophy and the application of Vedantic wisdom in daily life. He has also contributed essays and research papers on the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the philosophy of consciousness. Mentioned during the interview: Consciousness Across Three Worldviews - Central concepts in three different domains — Hindu tradition, computer science and quantum physics — Paper by Swami Sarvapriyananda, Blaise Agüera y Arcas and Carlo Rovelli Website: vedantany.org YouTube channel Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Transcript of this interview First BatGap interview with Swami Sarvapriyananda Swami Sarvapriyananda on Ethical Foundations of Nondual Spirituality Interview recorded December 18, 2025

735. Dan Kelso Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

While expanding his education and eventually working at a number or companies as an HF engineer, Dan's first love was always spiritual exploration. In 2011, after a number of years of trial and error refining the process of self inquiry into deep self investigation, there came an undeniable recognition that he was not a separate self. Simply no one at all. There was only the selfless THIS, "aware existence". This became his permanent condition. Soon after, (from a certain perspective), Dan left a successful corporate position and his old life, following an intuited impulse to be in a more free, natural and creative circumstance. He now lives with his wife Victoria in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina, loving nature, exploring various forms of artistic expression and guiding others to awakening. Website: deepselfinvestigation.com Book: Deep Self Investigation: A Modern Guide to Awakening Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 19, 2025 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Dan Kelso  00:02:00 - What is Deep Self Investigation (DSI)?  00:03:52 - The Scientific Approach: Direct Experience Over Intellect  00:06:20 - The Paradox of "Who" is Doing the Inquiry?  00:08:40 - Are Humans Different from Nature?  00:11:20 - The Sense of Self as a Fiction  00:15:20 - Association vs. Identification with the Body  00:17:20 - Detachment During Intense Experiences  00:19:36 - The Paradox of Being the Doer and Not the Doer  00:22:20 - The "I Got It, I Lost It" Phase  00:24:56 - The Impact of Awakening on Daily Life and Relationships  00:29:04 - Distinguishing Detachment from Psychological Dissociation  00:33:04 - Awakening's Influence on the Body-Mind  00:36:16 - Is the Sense of Self a Prerequisite for Awakening?  00:39:52 - Life Changes and the Pace of Integration  00:42:48 - Don't Dig a Bunch of Shallow Holes  00:45:24 - Q&A: Knowing Physical Pain Without Being In It  00:48:08 - Q&A: Does Formal Practice Continue After Awakening?  00:52:40 - Tapping into Other Dimensions of Existence  00:56:56 - Q&A: Handling Family Triggers and Maintaining Realization  01:00:40 - Q&A: Is the Sense of "Me" Always in the Middle?  01:03:56 - Guided Self-Inquiry with Rick  01:09:08 - Detachment vs. Inappropriate Behavior  01:12:00 - The Importance of Spiritual Integrity and Confronting Unethical Teachers  01:17:52 - The Intuitive Knowing of Right and Wrong  01:22:36 - The Degeneration of the Dao  01:23:52 - Conclusion

718. Georgette Star Nov 01, 2024

Show notes

For over 30 years, Georgette Star, MA, D.Min, has dedicated her life to empowering adults and youth to live soul-embodied, joyful, and purposeful lives. An intuitive Soul Stream Life Coach & Mentor, and Method trainer, her own deep quest for Self-Realization informs all aspects of her work. Finding joy in sharing this journey with others and a calling to contribute to the greater good inspired her to found the Life Blessing Institute (LBI). This transformational learning community is designed to guide individuals on the journey of human potential, spiritual awakening, and actualization of their soul’s agenda. Through LBI, Georgette developed a variety of programs, including Maiden Spirit & Peace Warriors Youth Programs, Individual and Community Rites of Passage Celebrations and the Soul Stream Method Practitioner Training. Currently Georgette is also working on a documentary film titled The Woman’s Rite. The film examines the challenges of ageism faced by women (and all genders) and explores how these limitations can be transformed through creative expression, conscious rites-of-passage and spiritual awakening. It highlights the opportunity for women to step into empowered, vibrant, and respected elderhood, offering their wisdom, creativity, light, and love to a world that deeply needs their contributions. Georgette holds a Master’s degree from the Naropa Institute and a Doctorate of Ministry from the University of Creation Spirituality. Using her life experience, education and an array of natural abilities, Georgette actively pursues contributing to humankind however she can. In addition to her professional work, she cherishes being a mom, grandmother, artist, forest dweller and daughter of Mother Earth. She also finds joy in creating collaboratively with others and sharing the spiritual journey of awakening with her friends and colleagues. Website links: The Life Blessing Institute (LBI) The Woman’s Rite documentary project Click here to contact Georgette if you are interested in her Soul Stream Life Map Readings and include the word “BatGap” in the message field. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded October 27, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump  00:03:51 Georgette Star: Wisdom and Creativity for a Needy World  00:07:28 Spiritual Awakening for Ordinary People  00:11:17 Embracing Categories in Spiritual Journeys  00:15:00 Embracing Uncertainty and the Free Fall of Life  00:17:59 Embracing Paradox and Spiritual Maturity  00:22:17 Can Society Transition Without Collapse?  00:26:08 Discovering Meaning in Spiritual Practice  00:30:43 Women’s Rights Documentary Project  00:34:32 The Visionary Origins of the Project  00:38:51 The Journey from Idea to Film  00:43:27 Reflecting on Life’s Journey and Self-Discovery  00:47:42 Childhood Mystical Experiences  00:51:34 Early Meditation Experiences and Visionary Insights  00:55:11 Meditation vs. Drug Use: Finding Natural Bliss  00:59:18 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs about Aging and Activity  01:03:54 Benefits of Pickleball and Meditation for Seniors  01:07:49 Creating Maiden Spirit: Empowering Young Girls  01:11:31 The Dark Side of Technology and Its Impact on Young Girls  01:15:44 Overcoming the Fear of Death with Spirituality  01:19:51 Transition from Scientist to Mystic  01:23:20 A Traumatic Car Accident and Its Impact  01:26:55 Timelessness in Self-Identity  01:30:06 Discovering the Concept of Original Blessing with Matthew Fox  01:34:47 Introduction to Soulstream Life Maps  01:38:40 Understanding Karmic Learning Pathways  01:42:00 The Role of Vedic Astrology in Naming  01:45:54 The Ripple Effect of Personal Growth  01:50:16 The Importance of Consciousness in Global Change  01:54:37 Monthly Zoom Meetings on Illuminated Aging

653. Clare Goldsberry Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

Clare Goldsberry has been a life-long student of religion and spiritual traditions. Having been reared Protestant Christian, her goal was to study for the ministry after completing her BA in Journalism at Arizona State University. However, a few semesters into those studies in a cooperative study program with Claremont School of Theology (Claremont, CA), she was called away into the study of Buddhism. For the past 27 years, she has been engaged in the practice of Buddhism, as well as the study of Hinduism, Gnosticism, Theosophy, philosophy (from the ancients to modern philosophers), and modern Christian religions. She has even added the study of Quantum physics to the mix after noticing that modern quantum ideas parallel those of Buddhism as the science of mind. She has always followed her inner voice, as it is that call that is the true call on her path. She teaches classes on all of those topics and tries to encourage people to follow their inner light/voice and not to be led astray. The questions are always more important than the answers, as she tells her students. Website: claregoldsberry.com Books: The Illusion of Life and Death: Mind, Consciousness, and Eternal Being The Teacher Within: Finding and Living Your Personal Truth: Finding and Living Your Personal Truth A Stranger in Zion Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 2, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Clare Goldsberry 00:03:41 - Learning from Brent's Illness 00:07:51 - Remembering Death 00:11:30 - The Mystery of Different Opportunities 00:15:21 - The Meaning and Purpose of Karma 00:19:23 - The Intelligence of the Universe 00:23:24 - Guardian Angels and Grace in Life 00:27:06 - The Search for Answers Outside Oneself 00:30:31 - Believing in Leaders and Having All the Answers 00:34:24 - Excommunicated from the Church 00:38:01 - The Importance of Discernment in Beliefs and Truth 00:41:34 - Reincarnation in the Judeo-Christian Tradition 00:45:24 - Making Choices in Life 00:49:14 - Embracing the Twists and Turns in Life 00:52:56 - The Chinese Farmer Story and Embracing All Perspectives 00:56:12 - Why We Don't Know How to Die 01:00:00 - Attachment and the Fear of Death 01:03:21 - Reincarnation and Beliefs in India 01:07:27 - Quantum Physics and Creating Reality 01:10:46 - Making a Difference in Your Practice 01:14:13 - The Possibility of Transcending Suffering 01:17:47 - Non-attachment and Letting Go 01:21:34 - Grief to Growth and Finding Meaning 01:25:02 - A Shift in the World 01:28:42 - The Buddha's Awakening 01:32:25 - The Dying Process and Embracing Death 01:36:14 - Loving without Attachment 01:40:04 - Letting Go of Attachments and Embracing Fulfillment 01:43:42 - Living Life on Your Own Terms for the Time You Have 01:47:12 - Reflections on Aging and Death 01:50:03 - Farewell in Phoenix

651. Shambhavi Sarasvati Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

Shambhavi is the spiritual director of Jaya Kula, a nonprofit organization offering opportunities to learn and practice in the traditions of Trika Shaivism and the Dzogchen. She has also studied meditation with teachers in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions. Her root Guru is Anandamayi Ma. Shambhavi emphasizes direct encounters with the wisdom of the heart through the more explicitly devotional teachings and practices of Trika Shaivism and Dzogchen. In addition to offering teachings in spiritual practice and view, Shambhavi is a trained jyotishi and diviner. At one time, Shambhavi taught at Northwestern University. She left academia in 2004 in order to devote herself to practice, writing, and teaching in her spiritual traditions. Websites: jayakula.org timemedicine.org Bio Site Facebook group where people can get the Zoom log in info for Thursday and Sunday satsangs. Books (Author page on Amazon) Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded June 20, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump and Jaya Kula 00:03:39 - Esoteric Connections and Studying Different Traditions 00:07:39 - Meeting Anandamayi Ma 00:11:55 - Encountering Divine Intelligence 00:16:35 - The Artistry of Limitation and Release from Suffering 00:21:13 - The Intimate Relationship with a Teacher 00:25:27 - The Role of a Teacher in Spiritual Practice 00:29:08 - The Friend: A Guiding Wisdom 00:33:04 - The Round World vs the Flat World 00:37:09 - Continuous Learning and Refinement in Wisdom Traditions 00:41:24 - The Direct Path vs the Progressive Path 00:45:34 - Sticking with a Spiritual Practice 00:49:33 - The Misunderstanding of Instant Enlightenment 00:53:38 - Contentment and Yearning 00:57:06 - The Privilege of Spiritual Practice (feat. Shambhavi) 01:01:11 - The Nature of Self and God 01:04:54 - Vrittis: Patterns of the Mind 01:08:34 - Shaktipat and Transmission of Enlightenment 01:12:38 - Science Fiction and Channeling Experiences 01:16:36 - The Revelation of Devotion and Integration 01:20:52 - Exploring the realms of science and spirituality 01:24:41 - The Intersection of Science and Spirituality 01:28:18 - The Journey to Spiritual Awakening 01:32:22 - The Connection between the Cosmic Heart and the Individual Heart 01:36:29 - Satsang and the Grand City of Manifest Life 01:40:23 - Living Without View 01:44:38 - The Nature of Reality in Trika Philosophy 01:48:19 - The Nuanced View of Illusion in Advaita Vedanta 01:52:11 - The Immanence of the Divine 01:55:57 - The Surprises of Spiritual Practice 01:59:46 - The Reality of the Experience

620. Stephen Wright Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

Stephen Wright works as a spiritual director and trustee for the Sacred Space Foundation (SSF). Before this, he had a long and distinguished nursing career in the National Health Service and academia, the Royal College of Nursing, and as a consultant to the WHO. He gathered a few glittering prizes along the way. Then his personal and professional life took an about-turn over 35 years ago through a series of life-changing spiritual experiences. Consequently, he developed an interest in spiritual matters and the connection with wellbeing, and cofounded the SSF, to support those in spiritual crisis. He was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Cumbria in 2013 for his work connecting spirituality and health. Three books explore the nature of healing relationships: Therapeutic Touch: Theory and Practice; Sacred Space: Right Relationship and Spirituality in Healthcare; and Reflections on Spirituality and Health. Coming Home: Notes for the Journey is a personal and scholarly account of spiritual awakening and support. A new documentary from the Sacred Space Foundation: Fugue for a Spiritual Life Stephen has received significant development in spirituality and spiritual direction in the presence of several renowned spiritual teachers, most especially his mentor Ram Dass, at the Interfaith Seminary, and in the depth of his relationship with his fellow trustee and SSF cofounder Jean Sayre-Adams. He works with individuals seeking spiritual guidance and organizations developing the practice of healing, spiritual care, conflict resolution, staff support, compassion, and leadership. He is a supporter of and an activist in several environmental movements. As an ordained interfaith minister, he brings a rich experience of spiritual practice from many faiths to his work, as well as being a member of the Iona Community. He is a trustee of TheWEL, a charity based in Scotland offering groundbreaking approaches to wellbeing. With the support of the Diocese of Carlisle (in 2021 he was made a member of the Synod), Stephen established the St. Kentigern School for Contemplatives in 2018. His other recently published works include Burnout: a spiritual crisis: from stress to transformation; Contemplation: words and silence for the Way Home; The Kentigern Way: A life and Lakeland pilgrimage; A Grasmere pilgrimage; Heartfullness: The Way of Contemplation: 12 steps to freedom, awakening and the Beloved completes a quartet of related books on spiritual awakening and is a deep, experiential ‘course’ in liberation from addiction to the ego-self, opening to the way of contemplation, and becoming receptive to the Beloved and a path of service. He lives with his partner in the English Lake District, deepening service and spiritual practice, participating in his local church community, taking care of his organic garden, and enjoying grandfatherhood. Summary Transcript of this interview. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Interview recorded October 16, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and State of the Industry Update 00:04:25 - Reflections on receiving an honor 00:08:12 - Spiritual Crisis and Burnout 00:11:49 - A Spiritual Shift in Society 00:15:32 - The Pandemic as a Forced Spiritual Retreat 00:19:21 - Discovering the Inner Dimension 00:27:39 - Immunocompromised by Fear 00:31:58 - The Contemplative Way and Healing the World 00:35:12 - Finding your Path of Service in the World 00:39:01 - The Opening of the Heart 00:42:48 - Tapping into the Ground of Being 00:46:25 - Connecting and Integrating Levels of Reality 00:49:28 - Awakening and Service in the World 00:52:57 - Life-changing Spiritual Experiences 00:56:30 - Profound Personal Presence 01:00:08 - Shifting through Mental Blockages 01:03:55 - Creating a Mystical Experience 01:07:54 - The Shift in Perspective and Permanent Change 01:11:47 - Meeting Ram Dass 01:15:19 - The Blessings of a Spiritual Teacher 01:19:21 - Finding Acceptance in a Religious Tradition 01:22:41 - Living in Constant Uncertainty 01:26:23 - The Corrupted Nature of Religious and Atheist Traditions 01:30:45 - Awakening to Something Greater 01:34:31 - The Shift in Consciousness 01:38:09 - Finding Your Way Home in the English Countryside 01:41:33 - Retreat Houses and Volunteer Finances 01:44:42 - The Pandemic of Awakening 01:48:18 - Participating in the Awakening 01:51:49 - Music Intro

593. Ameeta Kaul Apr 10, 2021

Show notes

Ameeta was born and raised in Mumbai India and recalls two predominant family themes which influenced her formative years: intellectual curiosity and devotion to God. She was educated and conditioned to aspire to conventional success, which pursuit dominated the first three decades of her life. She consciously experienced the first stirrings of her deepest yearning following the cancer diagnosis and subsequent death of her father in 1999. Questions opened up in her like "What is life?", "What is death?", and "What is going on?". From then on, Life orchestrated a series of events and experiences which placed her and nurtured her, on an overt spiritual journey. The major influences along the way were Ken Wilber, Byron Katie, and Adyashanti. It was with Adya that she finally found what she was looking for, in terms of his spiritual guidance which has always resonated in her being, in terms of his living example which continues to inspire her, and most especially in terms of what those two brought alive and online within her. What she now sees clearly is that it was the Heart Sutra teaching of Emptiness is Form and Form is Emptiness, which is the meta-story of her life and existence. In 2017 she received her Soul name of Moving Mountain in Taos. And this opened a new facet on her journey, where she experienced deep communion with Nature and a tangible connection with Goddess. Ameeta’s path has been gradual and studded with many life-altering realizations, which illuminated her self-knowledge, and which continue to translate into how she lives and relates in the world. She likes to say she is eternally a work-in-progress. Over the years she has been sharing her experience with small groups and coaching spiritual seekers one on one. Now she is called to share her message more broadly through Moving Mountain Academy. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded April 3, 2021 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:42 - Spiritual influences in India 00:08:32 - A U-turn in My Career 00:12:24 - An Interview with Adya 00:16:30 - Letting go of fear 00:20:30 - The Journey of Being Prepared 00:24:33 - The Shift in Sovereignty during Enlightenment 00:28:29 - Recognition of Sovereignty and Shifts 00:32:27 - The Journey Towards Embodiment 00:36:51 - Embracing Emptiness and Form 00:40:53 - Fullness and Emptiness 00:45:10 - The Merge of Inner and Outer Realms 00:49:19 - Innovation and Integration in Spirituality 00:53:16 - The Developmental Process of Awakening 00:57:25 - The layers of fear that exist within us 01:01:17 - Fear of Life and Its Implications 01:05:26 - The Power of Saying Yes and No 01:09:51 - Hating the Other Side 01:14:16 - Life's Experiment in Human Form 01:18:36 - A Shift in Consciousness 01:22:32 - A Yearning for Deep Spiritual Connection 01:26:38 - Connecting with our True Potential 01:30:45 - Going Beyond Rationality 01:34:49 - The Integration of Experience 01:38:45 - The correlation between health and spirituality 01:42:50 - The Flow of Life and Individual Sovereignty 01:46:45 - Exploring Science and Spirituality 01:50:58 - The Marvelous Opportunity of Boundaries and Boundlessness 01:54:46 - Moving Mountain Academy 01:57:59 - Thanks to the Volunteers 02:00:50 - Music

588. Bruce Greyson Feb 28, 2021

Show notes

Bruce Greyson, M.D., is the Chester F. Carlson Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioral Sciences and Director Emeritus of the Division of Perceptual Studies at the University of Virginia. He was one of the founders of the International Association for Near-Death Studies, and for 27 years edited the Journal of Near-Death Studies. Dr. Greyson majored in psychology at Cornell University, received his medical degree from the SUNY Upstate Medical College, and completed his psychiatric residency at the University of Virginia. He practiced and taught psychiatry at the University of Michigan and the University of Connecticut, where he was Clinical Chief of Psychiatry, before returning to the University of Virginia 25 years ago. Dr. Greyson’s research for the past four decades has focused on the aftereffects and implications of near-death experiences. He is co-editor of The Near-Death Experience: Problems, Prospects, Perspectives, co-author of Irreducible Mind: Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century, and author of After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond. Website: brucegreyson.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded February 26, 2021 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:19 - The Transformational Power of Near-Death Experiences 00:07:33 - Transformative Effects of Near-Death Experiences 00:10:48 - Leaving the Body and Near-Death Experiences 00:14:08 - Mystical Experiences and Cultural Interpretations 00:17:35 - The Possibility of Consciousness Beyond the Brain 00:21:00 - NDEs and the Subtle Body 00:24:20 - The Relativity of Reality 00:27:59 - The Friendly Universe and Near-Death Experiences 00:31:41 - Investigating Near-Death Experiences 00:35:14 - Parachutes and the Non-existence of Evidence 00:38:40 - The Absurdity of Religious Fundamentalism 00:42:13 - Near Death Experiences and Suicide 00:45:51 - Exploring the Hypothesis of Chemicals in the Brain 00:49:34 - The Question of How It Is Happening 00:53:20 - The Mind and the Subtle Body 00:57:05 - Near-death experiences and the existence of angels 01:00:36 - Reliving Past Actions and Gaining Perspective 01:04:11 - Choices after a Near Death Experience 01:07:38 - The Effects of Near-Death Experiences on Behavior and Perspective 01:11:00 - Multiple Lives and Higher Dimensions 01:14:41 - Eddington's Eclipse Experiment and Einstein's Response 01:18:26 - Science and Spirituality Collaborating 01:22:01 - Time Perception in Near-Death Experiences 01:25:30 - Remarkable Recoveries and Unexplained Phenomena 01:28:59 - Neuroplasticity and Brain Functions 01:32:31 - Evidence of Real Near-Death Experiences 01:36:04 - The Perception of God in Near-Death Experiences 01:39:24 - Peer Groups for Near Death Experiencers 01:42:49 - Living Ethically and Productively 01:46:46 - Farewell and Goodbye

587. Sebene Selassie Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Sebene Selassie is a teacher, author, and speaker who explores the themes of belonging and identity through meditation, creativity, and spirituality. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Washington DC, she began studying Buddhism 30 years ago as an undergraduate at McGill University where she majored in Comparative Religious Studies. She has an MA from the New School where she focused on race and cultural studies. For over 20 years, she worked with children, youth, and families nationally and internationally for small and large not-for-profits. Now she teaches classes, workshops, and retreats regularly and is one of the most popular teachers on the Ten Percent Happier app. Sebene is a three-time cancer survivor of Stage III and IV breast cancer. Her first book "You Belong: A Call for Connection" is published by HarperOne. Website: sebeneselassie.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded February 14, 2021 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:56 - Belonging and Not Belonging 00:07:43 - The Mystery of Existence and Belonging 00:11:31 - Vyavaharika Satya: The Transactional Reality 00:15:08 - The Delusion of Separation 00:18:51 - The Power of Being a "Weirdo" 00:22:47 - Mainstream Acceptance of Meditation and Contemplative Practices 00:26:44 - Rocks are People 00:30:47 - Epistemocide: The Legacy of Indigenous Spiritual Practices 00:34:39 - Spirituality and Trust in the Present Moment 00:38:36 - Developing Discernment and the Importance of Community 00:42:54 - Fragmentation within Communities 00:46:28 - The Rise of Interest in Meditation 00:49:57 - A New Era of Spiritual Awakening 00:54:03 - The Power of Nature and Mystical Possibilities 00:58:22 - Nature's response to our predicament 01:02:02 - Spirituality in Refugee Camps 01:05:51 - Cultivating Curiosity and Creativity 01:09:39 - Breaking Habits and Reconnecting 01:13:28 - Awakening through Meditation 01:17:14 - Longing for Connection 01:21:20 - Knowing and Loving Yourself 01:25:25 - The Elements Practice: Earth, Water, Fire, Air 01:28:41 - Akasha and Modern Physics 01:32:47 - Wisdom of Living a Long Life 01:36:09 - Healing from Trauma and Supporting Students with Social Emotional Problems 01:39:58 - Embracing Diversity and Learning from Other Cultures 01:43:38 - Broadening Our Understanding 01:47:34 - Moving towards unbounded love 01:51:18 - Connecting with Sebenesellassie.com 01:54:51 - Upcoming Conversations and Thank Yous

585. Doug Scott Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

Doug Scott, LCSW, works as a mental health counselor in his private practice in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from college in 1997, he served as an international volunteer for two years in Bluefields, Nicaragua. This intense experience changed his life and he returned to the US to pursue graduate studies in clinical social work and pastoral ministry at Boston College. The nexus of spirituality and psychology have always intrigued Doug since childhood and he brings this sensibility to his counseling practice. Doug grew up Catholic and was always drawn to the mystical lineage within this belief system. He had experiences with Jesus, Mary, and angels at an early age. He was also secretly attracted to all things paranormal and would spend many hours reading topics such as reincarnation, ufology, OBE’s, NDE’s, ghosts, ESP, pyramids, and other areas. One evening in 2013, he felt a presence that invited him to listen to a Buddhist chant, which came as a surprise since, at that time, he had not explored other faith systems. He was guided to listen to Om Mani Padme Hum and as the chant unfolded, Doug saw a golden dew overshadow him and activate him in a way that was new. This marked the next chapter in Doug’s life. A few months later, Doug was led to the Law of One material and immediately saw that it provided the clearest, most undistorted, exploration of the Perennial Philosophy that he’d ever come across. It also cast a wide net to include all of the paranormal things that intrigued him and made it possible for him to put all of the different threads in his life together in one seamless garment. Since 2015, Doug has written a blog (cosmicchrist.net) that explores the synthesis of the Law of One material with mystical Christianity and psychology. He sees his vocation in this lifetime as a bridge-builder between conventional concepts and cosmic metaphysics to help people who seek clarity, normalization, and validation for their own journeys. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded January 30, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:02 - Connection with Spiritual Beings 00:08:26 - The Higher Self and the Logos 00:13:40 - The Interconnectivity of the Universe and Logos 00:17:33 - Incorporating Meta-reality into Christianity 00:21:44 - Understanding our Union with God and Higher Consciousness 00:26:17 - Sixth Density and the Unity of Beings 00:31:04 - Resolving the Cognitive Dissonance of God's Omnipresence 00:35:32 - The Veil of Forgetting and the Catalyst for Growth 00:40:12 - The Veil of Forgetting and the Faculties of Faith 00:44:27 - The Ubiquitous Human Form 00:49:04 - Evolution and the Experience of Infinity 00:53:41 - The Chaos and Pressure of Fourth Density 00:57:56 - The Knowing on Some Level 01:02:09 - From Alien Encounters to Alcohol Recovery 01:06:24 - A Golden Dew of Energy: Exploring Spirituality 01:11:08 - Wanderers and Higher Densities 01:16:00 - Awakening to Spirituality and the Nature of Jesus 01:20:36 - Living in the Present Moment 01:24:54 - The pattern of dying and rising throughout the universe 01:30:21 - The Power of Holding Liminal Space 01:35:19 - Fourth Density Awakening and Social Justice 01:39:16 - Tools for Living Third Density Well 01:43:51 - Colors and Levels of Consciousness 01:47:39 - Loyalty and Conformity in Blue Culture 01:51:41 - The Birth of Social Justice Understanding 01:55:55 - The Emergence of Yellow Consciousness 02:00:34 - Exploring the Experience of Different Colors 02:04:41 - Levels of Consciousness: From Fifth Density to Coral 02:09:37 - Leo Gura and His Teachings 02:13:09 - Closing remarks and upcoming interviews

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