Buddha at the Gas Pump

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704. Anna Yusim Apr 19, 2024

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Dr. Anna Yusim is an internationally recognized, award-winning, Board-Certified, Stanford, and Yale-educated Mind Body Spirit Concierge Psychiatrist & Executive Coach with a Private Practice in New York, California, Connecticut, and Florida. She is the best-selling author of Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life. As a Clinical Assistant Professor at Yale Medical School, Dr. Yusim is presently creating a Mental Health & Spirituality Center at Yale. With clients including Forbes 500 CEOs, Olympic athletes, A-list actors and actresses, and the Chairs of academic departments at top universities, Dr. Anna Yusim helps influential people achieve greater impact, purpose, and joy in their life and work. After working as a neurobiology researcher with Dr. Robert Sapolsky Ph.D. and completing her studies at Stanford, Yale Medical School, and the NYU Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Dr. Yusim felt that something was missing from her life. In her quest to find it, she traveled, lived and worked in over 70 countries, while studying Kabbalah, learning Buddhist meditation, and working with South American shamans and Indian gurus. Dr. Yusim has published over 150 academic articles, book chapters, scientific abstracts, book reviews, and articles for the lay public on various topics in psychiatry. A frequent contributor to CNN, Fox News, ABC, and NBC, she has been a guest on hundreds of national and international TV shows, radio programs, and podcasts. As a highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Yusim gives keynotes for physicians and professionals all over the country and the world on topics related to mental health and spirituality, preventing burnout, physicians as meaning-makers, and resilience. For healthcare professionals, corporate leaders, and community members, she also conducts workshops to empower individuals to sharpen their intuition, cultivate authenticity, awaken self-compassion, enhance their capacity for empathy, and improve their ability to connect with others. Website: annayusim.com YouTube channel Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded April 14, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters:  00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Dr. Anna Yusim  00:03:35 - Defining Fulfillment  00:05:18 - Addictions and Improving Relationships  00:07:16 - Being in Flow with Life  00:09:53 - Overcoming the Impediments to Bliss  00:13:01 - The Complexity of Spiritual Ascension Processes  00:15:56 - The Importance of Professional Support in Spiritual Awakening  00:19:13 - The Challenges of Spiritual Practices in Psychiatry  00:21:36 - The Impact of COVID on Mental Health and Access to Treatment  00:24:05 - The Impact of Spirituality on Health, Addiction, and Suicide  00:26:33 - Roland Griffith's Work and Psychedelics  00:29:06 - The Birth of the Yale Mental Health and Spirituality Center  00:30:54 - Psychedelics as a Spiritual Practice  00:33:15 - Regular Use of Psychedelics and its Effects  00:35:46 - The potential dangers of nationwide legalization  00:37:58 - Integrating Body and Spirit in Psychiatry  00:40:29 - Psychics, Schizophrenics, and the Study of Voice Hearing  00:42:31 - Defining Spirituality and its Connection to Mental Health  00:44:53 - Purpose and Happiness  00:47:09 - Mass Psychology and Spirituality  00:50:06 - The Importance of Open Dialogue and Freedom of Speech  00:52:48 - The Power of Collective Healing  00:55:35 - Collective Healing for Trauma  00:57:42 - Mindfulness programs for children  01:00:03 - The Disconnect of Smartphone Addiction  01:02:35 - Safeguards for AI and the Future of Humanity  01:05:19 - Awakening or Death: Choosing Hope in Dark Times  01:07:20 - Factors for Spontaneous Remission and Overcoming Death Anxiety  01:09:36 - The Science of Miracles  01:11:54 - The Nine Things for Spontaneous Remission  01:14:23 - Farewell and Music Outro

629. Cate Grieves Jan 11, 2022

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In January 2015, my mind experienced a huge shift, where I perceived everything as God. In that experience, I had what felt like, a download of knowledge or understanding of the truth. I also felt an inner voice telling me that there was more to be revealed and understood, so I continued to give time to silence so that more could be illuminated. Over the following six months, my mind experienced many deeper understandings, and the teachings of A Course in Miracles were linked up in my mind in a way that I could express them to other students, which seemed to be helpful. From that inner illumination, I have kept vigilance to ensure that no false ideas enter my mind and distort truth to any student. I was guided to start an online group and share what was illuminated, to anyone that would like to hear. My main teaching is that our brother is holy and innocent... and in that perception, our mind heals of its belief in sin, guilt, and fear. I teach others how to apply this "Christ Blessing" to all brothers as a way to a clear and happy peaceful mind. What ACIM calls... The Mind of God. Website: categrieves.com Facebook page YouTube channel Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded January 8, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:46 - A Desperate Search for Truth and Healing 00:09:59 - Devoting Myself to Self-Improvement 00:15:10 - Revelatory Experience of Peace 00:20:08 - Awakening to the Illusion of Self 00:25:33 - The Tiny Mad Idea of Separation 00:30:59 - Asking for Help and Shifting Perception 00:35:41 - Surrender and Letting go of Attachments 00:39:58 - Letting go of identity with the body 00:44:52 - Rediscovering the Inner Center 00:49:38 - The importance of personal time for inner connection 00:54:26 - Overcoming the Obstacle of Death 00:59:16 - A Transformational Experience 01:03:42 - The Origin of A Course in Miracles 01:07:45 - Struggling with the Course in Miracles teachings 01:11:42 - Advancements in Spiritual Journey 01:16:10 - Recalling Past Lives 01:20:21 - The Song with God 01:25:09 - Being a Newbie on the Block 01:29:18 - Healing the Body with the Mind 01:34:08 - Being the One Christ Mind in the World 01:38:45 - Anchoring in Peace and Love 01:43:35 - Speaking from Love 01:47:25 - Finding Joy in Painting and Being Present with Love 01:52:19 - Experiencing Grief and Seeking Comfort 01:56:28 - Allowing Emotions to Flow 02:00:43 - The Beauty of Iambic Pentameter and the Course in Miracles 02:05:05 - Finding Your Own Spiritual Path 02:09:18 - Finding Hope in Times of Desperation 02:13:39 - Finding Meaning and Seeking the Truth 02:17:46 - Farewell and Future Communication

539. Zaya & Maurizio Benazzo Mar 02, 2020

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Zaya Benazzo is a filmmaker from Bulgaria with degrees in engineering, environmental science, and film. For many years, she worked as an environmental activist in Holland and Bulgaria, and later produced and directed several award-winning documentaries in Europe and the United States. Maurizio Benazzo grew up in Italy, and in 1984 came to the United States on a ninety-eight-year-old sailing boat. He started working as an actor, model, and filmmaker, but his thirst for knowledge was only satisfied in 2001 upon encountering I Am That, the seminal work by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, while he was in India shooting the award-winning documentary Short Cut To Nirvana. Maurizio and Zaya merged their lifelong passions for science and mysticism when they met in 2007, and their first project together was filming the documentary Rays of the Absolute on the life and teachings of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. This project sparked their next level of creation and collaboration: Science and Nonduality (SAND)—a global community inspired by the timeless wisdom traditions, informed by modern science, and grounded in direct experience. Book: On the Mystery of Being: Contemporary Insights on the Convergence of Science and Spirituality Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded February 29, 2020 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:16 - Finding Peace with Nisargadatta 00:09:53 - The Unraveling of a Familiar Story 00:13:35 - The Connection Between Trauma and Seeking Answers 00:17:24 - A Beautiful Movie about Nisargadatta 00:20:47 - The Birth of Science and Duality 00:24:23 - The Limitations of Knowledge and Understanding 00:27:49 - The Unity and Diversity of Existence 00:31:49 - Paradox and Ambiguity in Spiritual Maturity 00:36:08 - The Individual and the Ocean 00:40:23 - The Influence of Culture on Teaching 00:44:26 - Holding Conversations Lightly 00:47:23 - The Mystery of Life and Human Connectedness 00:52:10 - Meeting the Shadow and Unconscious Material 00:56:49 - The Dance of Therapy and Inquiry 01:01:18 - From the mind to the heart 01:05:51 - Observations on the Disembodiment of the Western World 01:10:14 - Spirituality and Social Inequality 01:14:06 - Trauma in Political Leaders 01:17:26 - Inclusion and Diversity in Spiritual Conversations 01:21:29 - Privilege and Diversity in Conversation 01:24:45 - The Inclusiveness of Spirituality 01:28:45 - The Necessity of Multi-dimensional Approaches to Life 01:32:19 - Meeting Yourself in Solitude 01:36:47 - Exploring Sexuality and Oneness 01:40:48 - Changing Ourselves and Creating Awareness 01:43:42 - The Future Direction of SAND Conference 01:46:55 - The Evolution of Teaching and the Dream of Trust and Deeper Listening 01:50:30 - The Admirable Effort of Personal Growth and Redemption 01:54:26 - Science and Nonduality Conference 01:57:28 - Plans for Future Meetings

521. Henry Shukman Oct 20, 2019

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Henry Shukman (Ryu’un-ken) is an Associate Zen Master of the Sanbo Zen lineage, based in Kamakura, Japan. He has trained primarily with Joan Rieck Roshi, Zen teacher John Gaynor, Ruben Habito Roshi, and now continues his training under the guidance of Yamada Ryoun Roshi, current abbot of Sanbo Zen. Henry is dedicated to what he sees as core Zen training—clarifying our essential nature to our own satisfaction, and thereby finding true peace of mind, and then living that essential nature in every moment of daily life, in freedom, love and deep responsiveness. As it happens, Mountain Cloud Zen Center was originally founded by a teacher whose training also took place within Sanbo Zen back in the 1950s, and Henry is the first Sanbo Zen teacher to have taught at Mountain Cloud since its founder. Henry is a writer and poet of British-Jewish origin, who has published eight books to date, of fiction, poetry and nonfiction. He writes regularly for Tricycle, The New York Times and other publications, and his most recent book is the poetry collection Archangel. He lives near the center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his wife Clare and their two sons. Henry adds, “At one point in our conversation I start to outline several “levels” of practice that have traditionally been outlined in zen. But partway through I slipped into another categorization of “wisdom levels” as given by Shinzen Young, a mentor of mine. I should have credited him. With apologies, I’m doing so now. Many thanks.” Earlier books: One Blade of Grass: Finding the Old Road of the Heart, a Zen Memoir The Lost City (Vintage Contemporaries) Savage Pilgrims In Doctor No's Garden The Lost Continent Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview conducted October 12, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:10 - A Brief Introduction and the New Book 00:07:37 - Finding Belonging in the Universe 00:11:54 - Emotional Wounds and Healing Journey 00:16:00 - Recalibrating and Finding Balance 00:19:55 - The Different Levels of Personal Psychology 00:24:16 - Discovering Zen Meditation 00:29:02 - Awakening through Different Senses 00:33:34 - Becoming Inseparable from All Phenomena 00:37:56 - The Importance of Having a Teacher 00:41:53 - A Shift in Perception and the Dissolution of Self 00:46:13 - The Marvel of Each Moment 00:50:06 - Humility and ongoing training in spiritual practice 00:54:22 - The Wall of Awakening 00:58:19 - Shifting to a Perspective of No Self 01:02:24 - The Importance of Multiple Valences in Practice 01:06:51 - Feeling Excluded in Pickleball 01:10:49 - Presenting the Koan 01:14:52 - Trusting the Process and the Yearning 01:18:59 - Awakening and Levels of Realization in Zen 01:23:06 - The Ten Stages of Zen Awakening 01:26:59 - The Beauty of Not Knowing 01:31:08 - Humility, Gratitude, and Compassion 01:35:11 - The Latent Energy of the Universe 01:39:40 - Falling into the Mystery 01:44:02 - The Cup Running Over 01:48:04 - Beings in the Buddhist Realm 01:52:17 - Finding the Hara in Zen Practice and What is Looking? 01:56:41 - The Importance of Teachers 02:01:12 - The Buddha with a small "b" 02:05:10 - Wrapping Up the Interview

495. Anna Breytenbach Mar 26, 2019

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Anna Breytenbach is a South African-based professional animal communicator who has received advanced training through the Assisi International Animal Institute in California, USA. She’s been practicing for 18 years in South Africa, Europe and the USA with both domestic and wild animals. Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, she holds a degree in Psychology, Economics and Marketing from the University of Cape Town. Trained in tracking and mentoring at the Wilderness Awareness School (USA), she also mentors children and adults in nature awareness based on the ways of the Native American and San Bushmen peoples. Anna is a qualified and experienced master training facilitator, focusing on bringing forth participants’ skills through coaching and mentoring in a practical manner. She consults exclusively with wildlife and offers workshops around southern Africa, occasionally touring Australia, Europe and the USA. Her work includes working with wild dolphins and whales, leading animal communication safaris, interspecies projects at permaculture and organic farms, and giving numerous public talks. Her pro bono work focuses on conservation projects such as elephant management, anti-poaching assistance, baboon rehabilitation, whale and dolphin research and predator conservation. She is also the subject of the feature documentary movie "The Animal Communicator" on interspecies communication. Website: animalspirit.org Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded March 23, 2019 More videos: Spirit The Black Leopard Anna Breytenbach communicates with Great White Shark YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump series 00:04:30 - Telepathy Between Animals and Humans 00:08:54 - Presence and Awareness in Interspecies Communication 00:12:55 - Being Present and Centered in Animal Communication 00:16:48 - Interpreting Animal Communication 00:21:05 - Collective Consciousness and Biological Constellation 00:24:48 - Our Interconnectedness with Nature 00:28:59 - Communicating with the Essence of Nonhumans 00:33:11 - The Intelligence of Insects and Humans 00:36:53 - The Value of All Beings 00:40:47 - The Hierarchy of Values in Nature 00:44:43 - Interspecies Communication with Bees and Sunflowers 00:48:19 - Conscious Relating and Giving of Life 00:52:09 - Connection and Awareness through Nature 00:56:08 - Developing Telepathic Interspecies Communication 01:01:00 - Understanding the Leopard's Unhappiness 01:03:57 - Telepathy in Predators 01:07:22 - A Message of Apology and Change from the Humans 01:10:43 - Animal Communication and Hunting 01:14:20 - Nature's Forgiveness and Compassion 01:18:33 - The Unraveling of Systems and the Need for Change 01:22:31 - A Whole New Paradigm for Liberation 01:26:27 - Animals and Humans as Children and Teenagers 01:30:00 - Trusting Intuition and Deep Nature Connection 01:33:45 - Developing Telepathy with Animals 01:37:32 - Reunion of Leopards and their Former Companion 01:40:50 - Connection with Babies and Children 01:44:31 - Animal Communication and Psychic Arts 01:48:07 - Making Conscious Food Choices 01:52:01 - Connecting with Animals and Workshops in South Africa 01:55:03 - Conversation with Anna Breytenbach

467. Steve McIntosh Aug 20, 2018

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Steve McIntosh is a leader in the integral philosophy movement and author of three books on spiritual evolution: The Presence of the Infinite: The Spiritual Experience of Beauty, Truth, and Goodness, Evolution's Purpose: An Integral Interpretation of the Scientific Story of Our Origins and Integral Consciousness and the Future of Evolution. In addition to his work in spiritual philosophy, he also serves as president of The Institute for Cultural Evolution, an integral political think tank focusing on the development of values. Before becoming a writer and activist, Steve had a variety of other successful careers, including founding the consumer products company Now & Zen, and practicing law with one of America’s largest firms. Steve is an honors graduate of the University of Virginia Law School and the University of Southern California Business School. He lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two sons. For more on his work visit: stevemcintosh.com. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded August 18, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:43 - The Evolution of Consciousness and Culture 00:09:26 - Evolution of Worldviews and Progressive Spirituality 00:14:05 - The Derision of the New Age Movement 00:18:47 - Understanding Individuality and Scientism 00:23:22 - The Denial of Free Will 00:27:52 - The Virtuous Circle of Spiritual Experience 00:32:40 - The Structure of the Universe: Infinite Being and Finite Becoming 00:37:28 - The Value-Creating Capacity of Polarities 00:41:57 - Perfection and Imperfection in the Universe 00:46:26 - Gradual Perfection of the Universe 00:50:45 - Ramana Maharshi's Impact on the World 00:55:28 - The Complementary Relationship of Nonduality and Theism 00:59:46 - Complementary Forms of Spirituality 01:04:17 - Rescuing Postmodernism 01:09:06 - The Hand of God and the Gentle Pull of Evolution 01:13:42 - The Necessity of a Spiritually Real Evolving Soul 01:17:38 - Harmony of Buddhist and Christian teachings 01:21:50 - The Philosophy of Goodness, Truth, and Beauty 01:26:30 - The Intersection of Science and Spirituality 01:31:00 - The Paths of Beauty, Truth, and Goodness 01:35:00 - The Role of Religion and Atheism 01:39:18 - Appreciating the Good and Bad of Modernism and Religion 01:43:35 - Spiritual Currents and Seekers from Different Traditions 01:47:54 - The Challenge of Environmental Awareness and Inter-Worldview Conflict 01:52:13 - The Transition Triggers of Worldviews 01:56:21 - Inclusion of Postmodern Thinkers in Addressing Global Warming 02:00:54 - The Emergence of a New Worldview 02:05:07 - The Emergence of Postmodernism 02:09:33 - Fostering Spiritual Development and Responsibility 02:13:40 - Concluding Remarks

287. Amma Sri Karunamayi Apr 21, 2015

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Sri Karunamayi is revered in India as an embodiment of Divine Motherly Love, due to the love and affection that she showers liberally on all people, animals, and even plants, the spiritual knowledge and guidance that she gives freely to all of humanity, and the humanitarian works that she has undertaken. “Amma” as she is affectionately called by her followers, is simply the Telugu word for “mother”- Telugu being Amma’s native language. Born in 1958 in South India, Sri Karunamayi spent a childhood immersed in an atmosphere of prayer and worship created by her deeply spiritual parents. Both of her parents had received visions indicating that Sri Karunamayi was not an ordinary child, and her astrological chart indicated that she would dedicate her life to serving humanity. Naturally inclined towards charity as a child, Sri Karunamayi, or “Amma,” would often give away food and clothes to whomever needed them. As she grew into a young woman, Amma felt an inner urge to begin spending more and more time in the family worship room, immersed in prayer and meditation. As she was now a first-year college student, she was forced to make time for meditation by reducing the time she spent sleeping. As her meditations deepened and intensified, she also began reducing her intake of food. These meditation sessions grew in length until one day Amma locked herself inside a room of the house and remained there in meditation for a month. Though her family members were perplexed, they did not dare to disturb her, having witnessed the profundity of her meditations before. When she finally emerged, she seemed like a different person to her family members. Though she still showed the same sweet affection to which they were accustomed, her demeanor now expressed a more impersonal, universal love. Determined to fulfill the sacred purpose of her life, Amma gently told her mother that it was time for her to go into seclusion in the sacred Penusila Forest, to meditate there in solitude. Always respectful of her daughter’s divine nature, and trusting completely in God, Amma’s mother did not try to stop her from going. Amma never felt that these meditations were done for her own sake, as she was following the example of India’s ancient Vedic sages, who meditated for hundreds of years in order to discover the best teachings for all of mankind. Through Amma’s austerities, she determined which of the Vedic teachings and practices would be of greatest benefit to people living in this difficult modern age. After performing such intense tapasya for over 10 years, Amma decided that it was time to share her knowledge with all those who thirsted for true spirituality, wherever they may live in the world. Emerging from her seclusion in the sacred Penusila Forest, Amma began giving public discourses on various aspects of Sanatana Dharma, India’s ancient spirituality, and conducting sacred ceremonies to promote world peace and universal well-being. At this time, Amma also began Her work on serving humanity in the eradication of poverty, providing free medical care & housing for the disadvantaged, stopping child labour through free schooling and mentorship programs, and supplying water treatment facilities to those impoverished communities that have been severely affected from toxic water resources. After performing such intense tapasya for over 10 years, Amma moved to a more urban area to share her knowledge with all those who thirsted for spirituality, wherever they may live in the world. In 1995, Amma began reaching out to the world, beginning with the US, where She offers yearly public programs. During these programs Amma gives teachings and blessings, holds meditation retreats, and performs sacred fire ceremonies for the benefit of all of humankind & the world. Website: karunamayi.in Books: Sri Karunamayi a Biography Blessed Souls I the Teachings of Sri Karunamayi (I) Sri Suktam with Samputita Sri Suktam YOGA IS UNION - The Yoga of Amma Sri Karunamayi Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/13/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Amma Sri Karunamayi 00:02:23 - The Mother of the Universe and the Challenges in Society 00:05:00 - Inner Transformations in Preparation 00:07:40 - The Importance of Physical Presence and Love 00:09:51 - The Mechanics of Spiritual Transmission 00:12:23 - The Importance of Spiritual Awakening 00:14:43 - The Awakening of Spirituality 00:16:54 - Vasudhaika Kutumbam (One Family) 00:19:14 - Controlling Negativity Through Spirituality 00:21:17 - The Blossoming of Heart-Oriented Qualities 00:23:43 - Protecting Animals and the Environment 00:25:57 - Recognizing an Avatar on Earth 00:28:11 - Appreciating Divine Beings and Feeling Love 00:30:22 - Burning the Curtains of Ego and Selfishness 00:32:28 - Learning Meditation from Amma 00:34:24 - Miracles and the Natural Order of Things 00:36:25 - Seva: Service as a Spiritual Practice 00:38:28 - The Importance of Seva (Service) 00:40:34 - Raising Collective Awareness of Love and Positivity 00:42:42 - Cultivating Patience and Tolerance 00:45:03 - The Sri Lalita Sahasranama Mahayagyam Celebration 00:47:27 - The Power of Mantra Recitation 00:49:26 - Pouring of Holy Rivers' Waters 00:51:31 - The Power of Spiritual Mechanisms 00:53:27 - The Power of Women and the Lalita Sahasranama Mahayagna 00:55:51 - Empowering Women to Stand Strong 00:57:59 - The Rise of Feminine Collective Consciousness 01:00:11 - The Eternal Nature of Individual Souls 01:02:17 - Spiritual Maturity and Awakening 01:04:31 - Attaining the Absolute Bliss 01:06:39 - Website and Contact Information

245. Āloka David Smith Aug 11, 2014

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I was born in Oxford, England, in 1946, and I’ve been a practicing Buddhist for 40 years. I began training with Zen, practicing with the Venerable Myokyo-ni, a teacher from the Rinzai school, at the Buddhist Society in London. This was my practice for more than five years, before travelling to Sri Lanka in 1980. Here I lived for three years as a Theravada monk under the guidance of the Venerable Dhammaloka Maha Thera. It was while I was in Sri Lanka that my spiritual breakthrough took place in 1981, and it is this that forms the framework of my first book, A Record of Awakening, published in 1999. There is an interview made for television by conscious.tv that covers this period of my training. There is also an edited transcription version on this website. On my return from Sri Lanka I matured my practice by essentially living on my own for a number of years in east London. At the time of my breakthrough in Sri Lanka my teacher told me I should travel and begin to teach, but it was to be around 20 years before I took that role when I began leading retreats at centres of the Triratna Community in the UK and abroad. My association with this movement came to an end in 2006, and the DharmaMind Buddhist Group started independently the following year. Other books: Blue Sky, White Cloud The Five Pillars of Transformation Dharma Mind Worldly Mind A Question of Dharma On July 31st 2015, Āloka peacefully passed away. His funeral service was in the Birmingham Buddhist Centre on August 13th. He wrote this farewell letter before he died and asked that it be read out at the funeral as his final words to his Sangha and Dharma friends. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 8/9/2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Aloka David Smith 00:04:59 - The Path of Self-Development 00:09:35 - Seeking Guidance and Support 00:14:11 - Trusting Intuition and Taking a Leap of Faith 00:18:57 - The Experience of Cutting Open and Revealing Reality 00:23:46 - Breaking Up the Illusion of Self 00:28:21 - Burrowing Into Who You Are 00:32:51 - Choosing a Path to Self-Improvement 00:37:21 - The Natural Process of Awakening 00:42:35 - The Difference Between Commitment and Willfulness 00:46:57 - Letting go of distractions and finding stillness 00:51:24 - Cultivating Inner Strength and Patience 00:56:07 - Surrendering to the Support of the Divine 01:01:00 - Equilibrium and the Collapse of the Conditioned Mind 01:06:32 - Revelation of Reality in the Dhammakaya 01:11:55 - Understanding Quantum Physics Beyond Objectivity 01:16:33 - The Advancing Host 01:21:17 - The Nature of Experience and Unattachment 01:25:35 - The Paradox of Non-Dual Enlightenment 01:30:20 - The Subtleties of Enlightenment 01:34:49 - Breaking Taboos in Buddhism 01:39:55 - The Need for a Teacher and Emotional Support 01:44:10 - The Evolution of Buddhist Practice in the West 01:48:14 - The Importance of Traditional Form and Practice 01:52:46 - Practices and Techniques in Zen and Theravada 01:57:35 - The Rejection of True Nature in Buddhist Practice 02:01:42 - The Importance of Authentic Teachers 02:06:13 - Authenticating Awakening and Seeking Approval 02:11:03 - The Importance of Humility on the Spiritual Path 02:15:56 - Being Challenged and Avoiding Complacency 02:19:55 - Conclusion and Farewell

210. Miranda Macpherson Dec 24, 2013

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Miranda Macpherson is a spiritual teacher, counselor, and author of 'Boundless love'. Known for her depth of presence and refined capacity as a guide into direct experience of the sacred, Miranda teaches and transmits a powerful synthesis of self-inquiry, depth psychology, devotion, and meditation. Inspired by Ramana Maharshi, A Course in Miracles, and extensive study into the world's wisdom traditions, Miranda has over twenty years of teaching experience internationally. In 1996 she founded the groundbreaking 'Interfaith Foundation' in London, and during her 10 years as spiritual director, she trained and ordained over 600 ministers and spiritual counselors. She is now based in the San Fransisco Bay Area, and leads retreats and ongoing programs internationally for those wanting to substantially deepen their practice. Miranda offers an integrated and feminine approach to non-dual realization oriented at facilitating direct spiritual experience while providing a practical foundation for authentic transformation. Her clarity and love offer a deep holding in which to rest undefended in the present, taste deeper levels of consciousness and discover how to embody wisdom in daily life. Books: The Way of Grace - The Transforming Power of Ego Relaxation (Book) Boundless Love: Transforming Your Life with Grace and Inspiration CDs: The Way of Grace - The Transforming Power of Ego Relaxation (CD) Meditations on Boundless Love 'The Heart of Being' - Mantra CD 'Awakening the Soul' - Meditation CD Website: http://mirandamacpherson.com Second BatGap interview with Miranda. Miranda in SAND Panel Discussion on Sexual Misconduct, Money, Power, Trauma & Ethics in Spiritual Communities Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Interview recorded 12/21/2013 Transcript of this interview. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Miranda Macpherson 00:03:04 - The Presence of God and Confusion with Religion 00:05:53 - Awakening to Boundless Love 00:09:03 - Formative Awakening and Spiritual Evolution 00:11:42 - The Interaction of the Soul with the Universe 00:14:43 - Soulful Spiritual Development and Healing Wounds 00:17:40 - Serving the Unchurched People 00:20:28 - An Encounter with Ramana Maharshi 00:24:12 - The Process of Integration and Identity Transformation 00:27:10 - Standing on the Edge of the Void 00:29:37 - Integration and Cultivating Trust 00:32:39 - Trusting the Beneficent Force 00:35:32 - Awakening in the Midst of Everyday Life 00:38:29 - The Elements of Devotion and Embodiment Practices 00:41:17 - Cultivating the Virtues 00:44:23 - The Power of Curiosity and Open-Mindedness 00:47:23 - Non-attack and the Ego 00:50:13 - Disengaging from the Ego 00:52:51 - The Ego as a Form of Thievery and Compassion 00:55:28 - The Relationship between Ultimate Reality and the Relative 00:57:57 - The Fullness and Diversity of Experience 01:00:21 - Walking with Great Suffering 01:03:19 - Genuine Spiritual Practice and Personal Choice 01:05:59 - The Importance of Spiritual Practice 01:08:28 - Gentle Effort and Mantras as a Way of Being 01:11:03 - Awareness during sleep and expanded perception 01:13:25 - Nectar-like Experiences in the Wilderness and the Presence of Deities 01:16:13 - A Nuanced Understanding of Possibilities 01:18:56 - Connections and Collaborations 01:21:14 - Building a Strong Foundation for Realization 01:23:45 - Where to Find More Content

088. Florian Schlosser Sep 23, 2011

Show notes

People have always loved sitting and sharing in the presence of an awakened human being and experiencing that tender beingness. For about 7 years Florian Tathagata and his life companion Julia have travelled around the world untiringly inviting seekers to recognize in their own experience who they really are and to live as an embodiment of truth in everyday life. In his unmistakable manner he embraces the daily and simple life that he is sharing with a constantly increasing number of 'friends of truth', as he calls all those being interested. Again and again visitors of meetings tell of spontaneous awakening, of an all penetrating silence, of simple clarity and presence and of overflowing love and gratitude which they experience in Florian Tathagata‘s presence. With both legs firmly rooted in normal everyday life and at the same time in the heart deeply connected with Ramana Maharshi, Papaji, Jiddu Krishnamurti and his teacher and friend Isaac Shapiro, Florian Tathagata speaks and is silent, laughs and cries, is present with everyone who would love to savour the truth of awareness. Florian is the author of two books: Being and Given. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 9/18/2011. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Spiritual Names 00:04:00 - The Influence of Past Experiences and Memory 00:07:47 - Connection and Communion 00:12:03 - Relaxing the Focus: 00:16:05 - The Experience of Overwhelm 00:20:04 - Disembodiment and Traumatic Experiences in Awakening 00:24:08 - The Tragedy of Denying Unconscious Triggers 00:27:48 - The Shift of Attention during Awakening 00:31:06 - Natural Awakening and Self-Exploration 00:34:45 - The Exploration of Attention and Connection 00:38:17 - The Impact of Early Life Experiences on Connection 00:41:20 - Disembodied Spirituality 00:44:40 - The Cultural Background and the Importance of Embodiment 00:47:53 - Identification with Nothingness and Accumulating Exhaustion 00:50:43 - The Transformation of Exhaustion into Rest 00:53:45 - Connecting to the Natural State 00:57:09 - The Seduction of Spiritual Winners 01:00:17 - The Integration of Ramana and Muktananda 01:03:41 - Removing Tricks and Natural Methods for De-stressing Soldiers 01:07:32 - Inviting Awareness and Relaxing Attention 01:11:14 - The Reality Beneath the Surface 01:14:55 - Connecting with Inner Reality 01:18:47 - Layers of Conditioning in Healing and Integration 01:22:06 - Learning to Listen to the Body 01:25:37 - Being Present and Self-Aware 01:29:44 - The Importance of Female Moderation 01:33:52 - Unraveling Protective Beliefs for Relaxation 01:38:04 - Options arise when conscious 01:41:36 - Cultivating Self-Referral Awareness 01:44:41 - Discussion on upcoming website and video 01:47:45 - Interviews and Conference Updates

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