Buddha at the Gas Pump

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530. Rick Archer, Reality is Different in Different States of Consciousness Jan 01, 2020

Show notes

Recorded at the 2019 SAND Conference Opening points: People get polarized in different perspectives. The more they focus exclusively on their perspective, the more justification for it they find. Learning to appreciate paradox; accommodating different viewpoints within a broader perspective. Enlightenment as Totality. Only Totality can realize Totality. Totality has no difficulty reconciling paradoxes. Getting comfortable with paradox might be conducive to our realization of Totality. Examples of contradictory realities: free will vs. determinism personal self vs. no-self Are we already enlightened, or must enlightenment be attained? Is practice an aid or an obstacle? Is the guru model dead? Does non-duality imply that there are no stages of spiritual growth? direct vs. progressive paths patience vs. determination on the spiritual path Additional points covered: Acting in accordance with your own experience, not a concept of someone else’s. Absolute reality does not negate relative realities. Radically different realities at different levels of nature’s functioning are perfectly compatible with one another. Incorporating universal and individual perspectives – ocean and wave, boundless and boundaries. My experience in doing BatGap. Recorded at the Science and Nonduality Conference, October 27, 2019. Summary and transcript of this talk. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Previous talks on BatGap: 2018 SAND Conference Q&A and Interview by Shakti Caterina Maggi SAND 2017: "The Ethics of Enlightenment" Talk at Berkeley Open Circle Center Talk at SAND 2015 Interviewed by Fax Gilbert Interviewed by Richard Miller YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Different levels of consciousness 00:01:49 - Perspectives and Justifications 00:03:04 - The Knower of Brahman is Brahman 00:04:32 - The Debate on Free Will 00:05:40 - The Concept of Freewill 00:07:03 - The trouble of taking someone else's perspective 00:08:24 - Debating the Existence of Reincarnation 00:09:27 - Mithya: The Concept of Dependent Reality 00:10:43 - Subsuming Perspectives and the Totality of Brahman 00:12:14 - Shift in Perspective and the Sun's Perspective 00:13:30 - Rising to the Experience 00:14:49 - The Role of Practice in Spiritual Development 00:16:08 - The Role of Gurus in Contemporary Spirituality 00:17:21 - Respect for Different Spiritual Paths 00:18:43 - The Seamless Wholeness of Existence 00:20:05 - Progress in Spiritual Practice 00:21:19 - The Progressive Dyeing Process 00:22:36 - The Value of Life and Balance 00:23:57 - Levels of Complexity and Hierarchical Arrangements 00:25:25 - Different Levels of Reality 00:26:38 - Embracing Paradoxes and Ambiguities 00:28:05 - Cultivating Awareness and Focus in Meditation 00:29:34 - Finding Freedom in Confinement 00:30:53 - The Ethics of Feedlots and Advanced Beings 00:31:56 - Paradoxes and Personal Judgment 00:32:55 - The Beauty and Diversity of Life 00:34:11 - The Thrill of Interviews and Exploring Different Perspectives 00:35:22 - Being of Service to Others 00:36:42 - Surrendering to the Moment in the Spiritual Experience 00:37:44 - Comparing Yourself on the Spiritual Path 00:38:52 - Paths of Devotion, Intellect, and Meditation 00:40:05 - Balancing Heart and Mind

471. Rob Schwartz Sep 26, 2018

Show notes

Rob Schwartz is a hypnotist who offers Spiritual Guidance Sessions, Past Life Soul Regressions, Contact a Deceased Loved One Regressions, and Between Lives Soul Regressions to help you heal and discover your life plan - a plan you yourself created BEFORE you were born. Rob's first book, Your Soul's Plan: Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born, explores the pre-birth planning of physical illness, having disabled children, deafness, blindness, drug addiction, alcoholism, the death of a loved one, and accidents. Rob's second book, Your Soul's Gift: The Healing Power of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born, explores the pre-birth planning of spiritual awakening, miscarriage, abortion, caregiving, sexuality, adoption, rape, incest, poverty, mental illness, and even the pre-birth planning we do with our future pets. Rob's books have been translated into 24 languages. Visit Rob online at yoursoulsplan.com or email him directly. Interview recorded September 22, 2018. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 .000 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:39 - A Calling and Meeting My Spirit Guides 00:08:17 - The Path to a New Life and Writing "Your Soul's Plan" 00:12:05 - Choosing the Highest Path 00:16:09 - Multiple incarnations and soul groups 00:20:08 - The Purpose of Challenging Lives 00:24:06 - Nothing is as it appears 00:28:07 - Understanding Evil and Negative Actions 00:32:17 - Self-Created Punishments and Realms 00:36:16 - The Consensual Reality of the Non-Physical Realm 00:40:15 - The Purpose of Forgetting our Pre-Birth Plan 00:44:10 - Memories of Past Lives and Higher Consciousness 00:48:29 - The Purpose of Backup Plans and Bump Contracts 00:52:39 - Group karma and large-scale events 00:56:45 - The Trump Experience and Shifting Direction 01:00:45 - Understanding the Deeper Meaning of Challenges 01:04:37 - The Eternal Core and Reincarnation 01:08:40 - Reincarnation and Getting off the Wheel 01:12:32 - Multiple Councils and Reincarnation on Planet Earth 01:17:03 - Exploring the Nature of God 01:21:14 - The Role of Pets in Reincarnation 01:25:14 - The Healing Power of Pets 01:29:35 - Amending Pre-Birth Plans 01:33:35 - Shifting from Victimhood to Empowerment 01:37:38 - The Affinity and Destiny of Victims of Massacres and Holocausts 01:41:57 - Courage and Self-Love to Leave an Abusive Situation 01:45:41 - Understanding the Transgender Experience 01:49:55 - The Eternal Soul and the Physical Experience 01:53:40 - Suicide and the Choice to Leave 01:57:43 - The Impact of Actions on Collective Consciousness 02:01:42 - Thank You and Upcoming Interview Recovery

347. Ganga Mira May 23, 2016

Show notes

Geneviève De Coux was born in 1947 in Namur, Belgium during her parents’ holidays. The family lived in the Belgian Congo. Geneviève and her brother enjoyed an idyllic childhood until 1960, the year of the Congo’s independence. The family emigrated to Belgium. Their paradise was lost. Geneviève found herself in Brussels, this radical change of scenery stoked the fire of her ontological search and she found refuge in art. In 1968 during her second year at the university while studying her philosophy paper, she stumbled upon a saying of Socrates which hit her straight in the heart: “Know thyself”! Realising that this was precisely what she had always been looking for, she instantly dropped her studies and set out for India by road in search of a living Socrates or Buddha. On reaching the Himalayan foot-hills, she led a meditative and ascetic life by the Ganges in Rishikesh, waiting to meet her master. The locals called her Mira because of her devoted renunciation. At the end of 1968, in circumstances well worthy of Indian mythology, she met a man with whom she had an awakening experience. He left the following day without Mira knowing anything about him, neither his name nor his address. The one certainty was that finally she had found her master. To give herself the best chance of seeing him again, she decided to live at the exact spot of their meeting. For eight months she waited for him and meditated under a little tree on the banks of the Ganga river. One day, her master, H.W.L.Poonja, a disciple of Ramana Maharishi, came back for her. She became his disciple and wife and started to travel with him. In 1971, H.W.L Poonja was invited to give Satsang in Europe and Mira accompanied him. Their daughter Mukti was born in 1972 and the little family went on travelling the world. For the education of her daughter Mira returned to Belgium. In 1990, H.W.L Poonja, also called Papaji, settled permanently in Lucknow where he gave Satsang every day until he passed away in 1997. In 1998, Mira was invited to give satsang, which she continues giving to this day all over the world. She decided to call herself Ganga. In 2004 Ganga Mira moved to Portugal. She lives near the wild ocean of the Algarve with her daughter Mukti and her grand-children, Arun and Satya, and gives satsang four times a week. Website: gangamirasatsang.com Summary and transcript of this interview Interview conducted 5/21/2016 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump and Ganga Meera's Background 00:03:27 - The Fascinating Journey to India 00:06:40 - Living Under the Tree 00:09:23 - The Power of Meeting the Master 00:12:41 - Increasing the Intensity of the Fire 00:17:07 - Remaining Connected to Papaji 00:20:24 - The Shift from Seeking to Adventure 00:24:10 - The Relationship between Awakening and Thoughtlessness 00:28:01 - The Disappearance of the Concept "I am real" 00:32:04 - The Essence of Satsang 00:35:46 - The Mechanics of Satsang 00:39:42 - Falling in love with liberation 00:43:07 - Probing the Power of YouTube 00:46:49 - The Meaning of "Just Keep Quiet" 00:50:33 - The Concept of Enlightenment versus the Real Enlightenment 00:54:15 - The Dangers of Comparison 00:57:20 - Everything is Perfect 00:59:47 - The State of Seeking and the Purpose of Satsang 01:02:48 - The Role of Devotion in Spirituality 01:06:03 - Stages of Spiritual Development 01:09:25 - The Teaching and Non-Teaching Sages 01:12:57 - Awakening in Different Temperaments 01:16:16 - The Illusion of Sattva and the Importance of Satsang 01:18:43 - The Concept of Awakening from Extreme Suffering 01:21:50 - The Absence of Separation 01:24:49 - Satsang in Portugal 01:28:24 - Misunderstandings and Compassion 01:32:04 - Beyond the Doer 01:35:31 - Demystifying the Sense of "I" 01:39:28 - The Power of Pointers and Indications 01:42:23 - Various Announcements

346. Tom Thompson May 16, 2016

Show notes

In 1982 Tom began teaching Conscious Living at the Woodbury Yoga Center in Connecticut, and in 1990 at The Awakened Heart Center in North Carolina. Conscious Living is an all-inclusive way of life. It includes the possibility of radical awakening along with the integration of body, emotions, mind and spirit; living skillfully and effectively in this world; and being in loving, empowering relationships. In 1964, at the age of fifteen, Tom became a student of human psychology and a practitioner of the yogic pathways and enlightenment traditions. He has had the great fortune of training in depth with a number of exceptional teachers in both the enlightenment traditions and western psychology. While pursuing spiritual realization, Tom had many jobs in many different fields. All were important in terms of his personal growth and evolution, but the most important was working 13 years as a mental health worker in psychiatry. He has extensive training and experience in several different therapeutic modalities including hypnotherapy, transactional analysis, human potential, energy psychology and HeartMath®. After many years of intense practice and experiences in several different spiritual traditions, a sudden awakening occurred that led to the spontaneous collapse and falling away of all identification with spiritual and psychological belief systems, traditions, gurus, concepts, and the experience of a separate, unique, individual self. Now there is this, as it is, and as it appears to happen. The teachings of Conscious Living are direct, obvious, and all-inclusive. There is nothing to be believed or accepted, as they are self-evident. They point to the incredible gift and mystery of life, living us here and now, as we are. Tom lives with his best friend, partner and wife Bonnie. He also has a daughter Kelly, son-in-law Chad and grandson Caden. Website: theawakenedheartcenter.com Transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 14, 2016. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:43 - The Teachings of Conscious Living 00:07:03 - Early Fascination with Yoga 00:10:24 - Exploring LSD and Yoga with Swami Vishnu 00:13:46 - Disorienting Experiences in Spiritual Practice 00:17:06 - Navigating the Transition in the Spiritual Path 00:20:26 - The Relationship Between Mystical Experiences and Psychotic Breaks 00:23:46 - Seeking the Spiritual Power 00:27:06 - The Process of Awakening 00:30:26 - Transformation through Awakening and Enlightenment 00:33:46 - Integration and Skillful Expression 00:37:06 - Letting go of identities and attachments 00:40:26 - Losing Authenticity in Spiritual Paths 00:43:46 - Intellectual Understanding vs Realization 00:47:06 - The Shift after Leaving the TM Movement 00:50:26 - The Conscious Living Center in North Carolina 00:53:47 - The Power of Shifting Reality Tunnels 00:57:07 - Recognition of True Nature 01:00:27 - The Illusion of a Separate Self 01:03:47 - The Concept of Personal Self and Reincarnation 01:07:07 - The possibility of reincarnation 01:10:27 - Consciousness and Awareness 01:13:47 - The Evolutionary Agenda and True Nature 01:17:07 - The Mind Creates the Brain 01:20:27 - The Mystery and Possibilities of Life 01:23:47 - Following Your Unique Expression 01:27:07 - The Temptation to Follow a Secure Path 01:30:27 - Meeting People Where They're At 01:33:47 - Seeing the Divine within oneself 01:37:07 - Offering Online Consultations 01:40:27 - Technical Notes and Thank You

343. Thomas Razzeto Apr 27, 2016

Show notes

Thomas Razzeto is one of the newest and freshest voices among the teachers of our balanced, ancient nondual wisdom. Thomas easily digs deeply into the core of this wisdom to reveal both its essential truth and the heartfelt compassion that all true sages embody when they are genuinely engaged in the world without being entangled by it. The first time Thomas heard this nondual wisdom was in 2005 when he attended one of Timothy Conway’s satsangs and Thomas has continually attended these weekly meetings since they provide the foundation for all his work. (By the way, Timothy Conway was guest number 28 at Buddha at the Gas Pump way back in July of 2010.) Timothy woke up when he was only 16 and he later was fortunate enough to meet several enlightened masters, such as Sri Nisargadatta, Annamalai Swami, and others among Sri Ramana Maharshi’s immediate followers. Thomas teaches in plain English, yet much of what he says would be recognized by people familiar with Advaita, Buddhism, or Hinduism. Thomas has taught his book, Living the Paradox of Enlightenment: Spiritual Awakening in Simple, Clear English, as a class for the Center for Lifelong Learning, which is a part of Santa Barbara City College, the highest-ranked community college in the United States. In September 2012, Thomas spoke for the prestigious lecture series, Mind, and Supermind, which is run by Santa Barbara City College. Website: Infinitely Mystical Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview conducted 4/23/2016 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:11 - Practical Understanding of Non-Dual Wisdom 00:07:16 - Early Spiritual Journey 00:10:31 - Timothy's perspective on enlightenment 00:13:28 - The Nature of Experience 00:17:07 - The Transformation of a Gang Member 00:21:25 - The Recognition of Mystical Experiences 00:24:00 - The Snake and the Rope: Recognizing What You Are Looking At 00:31:00 - The True Self and Enlightenment 00:41:23 - The Beauty of Clear Language and Examples 00:47:05 - The Three Steps of Awakening 00:51:03 - The Realm of Possibility in Enlightenment 00:54:15 - The Definition of Enlightenment 00:58:12 - The Functionality of the Ego 01:01:29 - The Faint Remains of Ignorance 01:04:34 - Setting Goals and Letting Go 01:07:11 - The Prayer for Liberation 01:10:17 - The Effortless Flow of Creation 01:13:38 - Balancing assertiveness and passivity 01:17:18 - Engaging with Life and Divine Intelligence 01:21:20 - The multi-leveled reality of the world 01:25:27 - The Existence of Atrocities in a Divine Universe 01:28:43 - The Vastness of the Universe and Different Realms 01:32:40 - The Power of Finding Good in Every Situation 01:36:16 - Awareness and Personal Consciousness 01:39:57 - Permeating the Dream Body and Maintaining Awareness during Sleep 01:43:02 - Science and Consciousness Beyond the Materialistic Paradigm 01:46:51 - The Mystery of Divine Intelligence 01:50:02 - The Difference in Experience: Dualities and Multiplicities 01:53:28 - The Importance of Self-Love and Social Justice 01:56:43 - Explore the Menus on batgap.com

342. Chadwick Johnson Apr 18, 2016

Show notes

Chadwick Johnson is a teacher at heart. Chad does not claim to be an expert in the various subjects that he teaches, but rather, he teaches the subjects in which he seeks to become an expert. In fact, Chad ultimately attributes his spiritual clarity and ability to articulate non-dual concepts in a simplistic manner, to this “the teacher is the student” approach to sharing Truth. Chad had a spiritual awakening in early 2010 after reading “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, and began teaching non-duality later in that same year. Chad knew early on that the wisdom he shared was from a source of intelligence that was greater than his own. Consequently, he used his own teachings as a guide in his spiritual journey toward spiritual clarity. While Chad read countless books and watch hundreds of videos of teachers such as Mooji, Rupert Spira, Eckhart Tolle, and Adyashanti, it was ultimately the trust in his own teachings that dissolved all questions. Since 2010, Chad has spoken to thousands of people about self-discovery, in many different formats, and to people on all different levels of spiritual experience, understanding, willingness, and readiness. Chad started The W.A.Y. Project in 2012 as a way to organize his volunteer work and to raise awareness about mindfulness. He also has a YouTube page that he created as a way to share the truth of self-discovery to the hip-hop generation. Chad held the Second Saturday Mindfulness Workshop on the second Saturday of every month from 2012 to 2015. This workshop was designed to introduce people to mindfulness and non-duality in a non-spiritual in a secular, workshop environment. Chad his wife, Ericka, have been married for 18 years. They live in Sacramento California with their five children. He has a bachelor’s degree from California State University of Sacramento and a law degree from McGeorge School of Law. Chad works as a computer programmer for Hewlett Packard Enterprises, an adjunct professor at Sacramento City College. YouTube Channel HipHop Page: TheEbonyBones Transcript of this interview Interview conducted 4/16/2016 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:50 - Overcoming Panic Attacks 00:08:06 - A Shift in Perspective 00:12:06 - The Awakening and the Quest for Understanding 00:16:30 - Embracing Imperfection and Acceptance 00:20:54 - Speaking from Personal Experience 00:25:55 - The Radiating Capacities of Instruments of the Divine 00:30:58 - Going Beyond Intellectual Understanding 00:35:58 - The Home of all Knowledge 00:40:58 - From Spiritual Detachment to Embracing Religion 00:45:27 - Humility and the Ego 00:49:28 - Humility and Refinement on the Spiritual Path 00:53:32 - Learning Simultaneously 00:58:13 - Watching Your Thoughts Objectively 01:02:35 - The Spiritual Experience of the Present Moment 01:06:41 - The Rain and Stillness Experience 01:09:46 - Awakening and the Role of Spiritual Teachers 01:14:30 - Moving Beyond Spiritual Teachers 01:17:57 - Being Open to Spiritual Experiences 01:22:53 - The Diversity of Spirituality 01:27:09 - Hip-Hop and Consciousness 01:30:13 - The Process of Writing Hip-Hop Music 01:35:13 - Giving Up and Surrendering in Spiritual Pursuit 01:40:07 - The Search for an Enlightened Teacher 01:44:30 - The Illusion of Lack and Seeking Enlightenment 01:49:08 - The Dream of Life 01:53:00 - Disbelief and Objectivity 01:56:33 - The Value of Creative Visualization 02:00:43 - Surrendering to the Divine Will 02:04:13 - The Art of Honest Interviewing 02:07:53 - Conclusion and Farewell

341. Suzanne Giesemann Apr 04, 2016

Show notes

Suzanne Giesemann is the author of 11 books, an inspirational speaker, metaphysical teacher, and evidence-based medium. She is a messenger of hope who captivates audiences as she brings love, healing, and comfort through her work. Suzanne’s gift of communication with those on the other side brings stunning evidence of life after death, as well as validating her teaching about the purpose of life, the nature of reality, and attuning to higher consciousness. Her work has been recognized as highly credible by afterlife researcher Dr. Gary Schwartz, Ph.D., and best-selling author Dr. Wayne Dyer. Suzanne is a retired U.S. Navy Commander. She served as a commanding officer, as special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations, and as Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 9/11. In addition to earning the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, she has a Master’s Degree in National Security Affairs and taught political science at the U.S. Naval Academy. Her unexpected and fascinating career transformation to her current work is the subject of the documentary, Messages of Hope, which has been featured at several film festivals, including the Awakened World Film Festival sponsored by the Association for Global New Thought. Some of Suzanne's books: Messages of Hope: The Metaphysical Memoir of a Most Unexpected Medium Wolf's Message In the Silence: 365 Days of Inspiration from Spirit “Let Your Spirit S.O.A.R. – the Four Keys to Your Personal Breakthrough” – 6 DVD set with workbook Website: suzannegiesemann.com 2nd BatGap interview with Suzanne Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/2/2016 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:20 - Commitment to Spiritual Awakening 00:08:34 - A Life-Changing Tragedy 00:12:56 - From Skepticism to Mediumship 00:17:03 - Developing Mediumship Abilities 00:21:27 - The Continuity of the Soul in Reincarnation 00:25:37 - The Simultaneous Oneness and Individuality of Spirit 00:29:54 - Life in the Afterlife and Reincarnation 00:33:45 - The Purpose of Souls with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 00:38:02 - Spirit Guides and their Role in our Lives 00:41:52 - Mediumship in Public Places 00:45:42 - Connecting with the Other Side 00:49:42 - Connecting with Spirit and Channeling 00:53:49 - Surrendering to Higher Intelligence 00:57:38 - Testing Channeled Wisdom 01:01:25 - Automatic Writing and Connecting with the Other Side 01:05:35 - The Danger of Automatic Writing and Ouija Boards 01:09:42 - Connecting with Guides: Practice and Patience 01:13:34 - Surrendering to Spirit to be an Instrument 01:17:45 - Communication from the Other Side 01:21:38 - Unexpected Discoveries in the Catskills 01:25:17 - A Mother's Effort to Reunite Siblings 01:29:10 - Alignment and Being Guided by Spirit 01:33:16 - Communicating with Spirits 01:37:09 - The Essence of Reincarnation 01:41:10 - The Experience of Life in Slow Motion 01:45:34 - Connecting with Jesus and the Power of Trust 01:49:44 - The Book of Wolf and the Soul's Knowledge 01:53:55 - The Illusion of Free Will 01:57:48 - A Mother's Apology and Forgiveness 02:01:53 - Embracing the Journey of Personal Growth Save

324. Gail Brenner Jan 01, 2016

Show notes

Gail is a clinical psychologist and author in Santa Barbara, CA, who joyfully speaks from her own experience about the possibility of moving from common everyday problems to living in the deepest acceptance and peace. Problems are seen as opportunities; the illusion of the separate self as a doorway to enduring happiness. Stories are honored, while fierce and loving investigation invites their dissolution. She has special expertise working with older adults and their families, bringing clear seeing and compassion to the transitions of aging, death, and dying. She meets with people both individually and in groups and blogs at GailBrenner.com, where she invites readers to see through the confusion of separation and discover reality, which is true, alive, and undeniable. Her core offering is to bring non-dual understanding to the moments of suffering in everyday life. She is the author of “The End of Self-Help: Discovering Peace and Happiness Right at the Heart of Your Messy, Scary, Brilliant Life.” Suffering Is Optional: A Spiritual Guide to Freedom from Self-Judgment and Feelings of Inadequacy At the Core of Every Heart: Reflections, Insights, and Practices for Waking Up and Living Free Website: GailBrenner.com Interview recorded 10/25/2015 at the Science and Nonduality Conference. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Second BatGap interview with Gail. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:01:58 - The Inspiration to Write 00:03:38 - Transformative shift through Buddhism and meditation 00:05:48 - The Journey of Self-Discovery 00:07:17 - The Joy of Meditation 00:08:51 - The Integration of Spiritual Practice in Everyday Life 00:10:58 - The Pros and Cons of Habit and Rote 00:12:53 - Working through depression 00:14:30 - Healing the Physiology 00:16:31 - Welcoming What Is 00:18:26 - Encouraging personal exploration and growth. 00:20:01 - Facing Fear and Uncovering the Unconscious 00:21:45 - The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice 00:23:05 - The Power of True Nature and Surrender 00:24:48 - The Discovery of "The End of Self-Help" 00:26:30 - Polishing up a False Sense of Self 00:27:24 - Understanding the Source of Suffering 00:29:35 - The Nature of Thought and Identity 00:31:44 - The Importance of Attention to the Body 00:33:35 - Relationship and Living in True Nature 00:35:22 - Recognizing our True Nature 00:38:14 - Dissolving Routine Grooves for True Nature 00:40:48 - The Potential in Every Moment 00:42:40 - The Vastness of Awareness and the Beauty of Letting Go 00:44:43 - Developing Freshness in Each Moment 00:48:35 - Recognizing our True Nature 00:49:49 - Balancing spirituality in a relationship 00:52:41 - Acceptance and Evolution in Relationships 00:54:51 - Nonacceptance and resistance 00:56:13 - Craving for Acceptance in Relationships 00:57:44 - Consciousness is timeless 00:59:09 - Thank you Save

301. Robert Rabbin Aug 06, 2015

Show notes

In January of 2012, Robert was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and told he had nine months to live. However, consistent with his contrarian nature, he lived a productive life until passing away in 2017. Robert was struck by a strong curiosity about life when he was 11, which propelled him into years of globe-trotting adventures. In 1973, Robert met Swami Muktananda and spent the next 10 years studying with him. Since 1985, Robert's professional motto was Have Mouth, Will Travel, and he was known as an iconoclastic self-awareness facilitator, speaker, leadership adviser, and mentor to people from all walks of life. He led "Conversations on the High Wire" and presented programs in "The 5 Principles of Authentic Living" and "Speaking Truthfully." Robert published eight books and more than 250 articles on the themes of meditation, self-inquiry, leadership, authentic living and speaking, and spiritual activism. In the early 1990s, he wrote a pioneering column for The New Leaders' executive newsletter entitled “The Corporate Mystic." He contributed original essays to three leading-edge anthologies and was interviewed for The Awakening West, a collection of conversations with contemporary Western wisdom teachers. His résumé of speaking engagements includes more than 350 of his distinctive inquiry-based seminars and talks to such organizations as State of the World Forum, California Institute of Integral Studies, Institute of Noetic Sciences, International Conference on Enlightenment, Inner Directions Conference, and International Coach Federation. Books: The 5 Principles of Authentic Living: How to Live an Authentic Life in 10 Words Sound Bites from Silence: Scouting Reports from the Frontier of Consciousness Speak Truthfully: Speak Your Way to an Authentic Life with Awareness, Courage, and Confidence Invisible Leadership: Igniting the Soul at Work The Sacred Hub Radical Wisdom: Living from Silence while Rocking the World Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 8/1/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:06:15 - A Journey Through Education 00:10:50 - Adventures in Watershed Management 00:14:12 - A Journey to India 00:18:11 - Healing and Meeting Baba 00:21:24 - An Encounter with Baba at the Ashram 00:25:24 - Shaktipat Experience and Leaving the Ashram 00:29:21 - Stories of Gurudev and Maharishi 00:33:32 - The Mechanics of Creation 00:37:26 - Reverence for the Body 00:41:09 - Living in Perpetual Astonishment 00:45:41 - Profound Transformative Experience 00:49:41 - The Ashram Experience and Letters to Mother 00:53:49 - Lessons from Cutting Carrots 00:57:39 - Managing Other People's Money 01:01:36 - Acknowledging Devotion and Contribution 01:06:18 - The Significance of Human Feelings and Worth 01:11:13 - Transitioning into Political Activism 01:14:45 - Personal Reflection on Attending an Orgy 01:19:36 - Fear of Being Found Out 01:23:31 - The Terrifying Immensity of Muktananda 01:27:21 - Inner Growth and Making a Positive Difference 01:31:30 - Personalization and Open-mindedness 01:35:40 - The Experience of Silence, Shakti, and Action 01:40:46 - Pony Rides to Oblivion 01:47:03 - The Experience of Silence and Language Collapse 01:53:40 - The Source of Questions and Language in Spiritual Path 02:01:08 - Speaking your Inner Truth 02:10:40 - The Five Principles: Be Present, Pay Attention, Listen Deeply, Speak Truthfully, Act Creatively 02:19:08 - Following the Path of Mastery 02:26:42 - Supporting the interview series

277. Craig Pearson Feb 08, 2015

Show notes

Craig Pearson is Executive Vice-President of Maharishi International University (MIU) in Fairfield, Iowa, and a leader in Consciousness-Based education. He has spoken around the United States on this unique approach to education as well as on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's programs to create world peace. He has held a number of positions at MIU, including Dean of Faculty, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dean of Students, Director of Freshman Composition, and Director of MIU Press. Dr. Pearson holds a Ph.D. in Maharishi Vedic Science from MIU. He is the author of two books, The Supreme Awakening: Experiences of Enlightenment Throughout Time - And How You Can Cultivate Them, available through MIU Press (free chapter available for download) or Amazon. and The Complete Book of Yogic Flying. He is also the co-author, with Brad Moses, of Peace on Earth, a collection of songs about enlightenment and world peace (available on iTunes). For video versions of these songs, see their YouTube channel. He lives on the MIU campus with his wife Melissa and son Soren. Transcript of this interview Interview conducted January 31, 2015. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:23 - Panning for Gold in Unlikely Sources 00:07:42 - Seven States of Consciousness and Higher Spiritual Development 00:12:01 - Description of the Indescribable 00:16:47 - Profound Transformation and Universal Experience 00:22:38 - Wordsworth's Experience at Tintern Abbey 00:26:42 - Rest and Deep Rest 00:30:20 - The Universal Experience 00:33:59 - The Transformative Effects of Meditation 00:38:01 - The Link Between Coherence and Intelligence 00:42:50 - The Benefits of Brain Integration 00:50:14 - Transforming Consciousness for Harmony with the Planet 01:01:36 - Settling the Waves of the Mind 01:13:01 - Cultivation of Mind and Brain 01:26:05 - The Condition in Which I Function 01:38:45 - A Veil Lifted: A Vision of Glory and Universal Love 01:49:10 - Universal Love and Amma's Hugs 01:53:40 - Experiencing the Underlying Silence 01:57:21 - The Experience of Oneness 02:01:14 - Glimpsing the Higher States of Consciousness 02:04:45 - The Importance of Looking Within 02:09:01 - Researching Cosmic Consciousness through Brain Measures 02:12:39 - Understanding the Neurophysiology of Transcending 02:15:48 - Different Techniques and Brain Functioning 02:18:37 - Universality of Meditation Techniques 02:22:01 - Broadening the Possibilities 02:26:14 - The Special Atmosphere of Iowa City 02:29:26 - The Realities of Personal Growth 02:32:48 - Finding the Self Within 02:36:41 - Cultivating Transcendence 02:40:19 - Craig's Page on BatGap

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