Buddha at the Gas Pump

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663. Brian Thomas Swimme Sep 24, 2022

Show notes

Brian Thomas Swimme did his doctoral work in gravitational dynamics in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Oregon. From the publication of The Universe Is a Green Dragon to the Emmy Award–winning PBS documentary Journey of the Universe, Swimme has articulated the cosmology of a creative universe, one in which human intelligence plays an essential role. For three decades as a professor in the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, he taught evolutionary cosmology to graduate students in the humanities. Currently he is director of the Third Story of the Universe at Human Energy, a nonprofit public benefit organization. A detailed description of his books and media works can be found at storyoftheuniverse.org. About the documentary, Journey of the Universe. Human Energy presents Story of the Noosphere Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded September 18, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Brian Thomas Swimme and Cosmology 00:03:59 - Two Meanings of Cosmologist 00:08:00 - The Relationship Between Human Mind and the Universe 00:12:49 - The Power of Scientific Knowledge in Understanding Ourselves 00:16:55 - The Color of the Universe 00:20:55 - The Nature of Laws and the Mystery of the Universe 00:25:36 - The Ontology of Intelligence and Consciousness 00:29:10 - The Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness and the Experience of Reality 00:34:14 - The Ontological Connection between Individuals and the Universe 00:38:50 - The Interplay of Science and Spirituality 00:42:17 - The Mystery of Mathematics and Science 00:46:22 - The Influence of Teilhard de Chardin and Thomas Berry 00:50:12 - The Interdependence of Science and Spirituality 00:53:43 - The Noosphere: United Humanity and Earth's Evolution 00:58:46 - The Special Quality of Humanity and Symbolic Consciousness 01:03:50 - The Dark Age and the Loss of Knowledge 01:07:45 - Ignorance of Extinction 01:10:57 - Co-evolution of Technology and Spirituality 01:15:02 - Becoming beings who see the whole first 01:19:50 - The Bhagavad Gita and Being Established in Action 01:23:55 - The Vast Intelligence Within You 01:27:25 - The Noosphere in Action 01:32:05 - The Noosphere as a Collective Consciousness 01:35:24 - Deepening Collective Intelligence 01:38:19 - The Dream of the Earth and Integral Ecology 01:43:30 - Embracing Change: A Deep Change of Heart and Mind 01:46:42 - A Breaking of Symmetry in the Early Universe 01:50:50 - The Incessant Creativity of the Universe 01:54:52 - Matter's Intrinsic Property of Self-Organization 01:59:13 - The Excitement of Matter and Spiritual Development 02:02:39 - A Round-Trip from Tacoma to Berkeley

662. Emilio Diez Barroso Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

Emilio Diez Barroso perfected the art of appearing very successful. He manages two family offices, a venture investment firm, sits on the board of over a dozen companies etc... but up until recently, he was always trying to get somewhere other than where he was—seeking recognition, achievement, love, success, and finally, the ultimate carrot: enlightenment. In his pursuit of enlightenment, he was forced to face what all the seeking had been trying to avoid: his own sense of unworthiness. Defeated at the game of becoming and humbled by the realization of his true nature, he is now dedicated to alleviating suffering in the world. Emilio is a father to three incredible teachers and resides in Los Angeles. Book: The Mystery of You: Freedom is Closer Than You Think (All proceeds from the book go to contentment.org.) Website: emiliosbook.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded September 10, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:04:18 - Breaking Free from Conditioning 00:08:12 - The Influence of Religion and Self-Worth 00:11:54 - The Illusion of Wholeness and Self-transcendence 00:15:54 - The Experience of Oneness and Waves of Self 00:19:44 - Integrating Spirituality into Everyday Life 00:23:51 - Nature's Efficiency and Guiding Intelligence 00:27:41 - The Practice of Meditation and Spiritual Seeking 00:31:39 - Outrunning Jealousy and Feelings of Inadequacy 00:35:43 - An Exploration of Inner Energy and Consciousness 00:39:45 - The Spiritual Growth of Life 00:43:45 - The Inner Wound and Healing the World 00:47:53 - Surrender and Agility 00:51:43 - Being in the State of Inner Hereness 00:55:39 - Sitting in Defeat Before the Next Energy Kicks In 00:59:39 - Gradual Shifts and Bankruptcies 01:03:29 - Coping and dependence with artificial stimuli and plant medicine 01:07:22 - The Constant State of Experience 01:11:12 - The Feminine Qualities in Spiritual Teachings 01:15:30 - Learning from Women, Integrity, and Ethics in the Spiritual Path 01:19:39 - The Unregulated Nature of Spiritual Teaching 01:23:43 - The Divine Nature of the Body and the Importance of Taking Care of It 01:28:03 - Irrational Discontent and the Search for Truth 01:31:48 - Unnecessary Roughness and Judgment 01:35:43 - Parenting with Humility and Responsibility 01:39:19 - Freedom at Different Levels 01:43:12 - Rediscovering Devotion 01:47:32 - Awe and Attachment 01:51:43 - Opening the Heart and Feeling in the Body 01:55:56 - The Warrior's Impeccability 01:59:25 - Looking Ahead to the Next Conversation

661. Anneloes Smitsman Sep 10, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Anneloes Smitsman (Ph.D., LLM), is a futurist, evolutionary systems scientist, coach, healer, and award-winning bestselling author. She is the Founder and CEO of EARTHwise Centre. Her programs, practices, and strategies are sought after around the world for actualizing our future human potential, and catalyzing the next steps in human consciousness and systemic design for thrivability. She was awarded the Visioneers Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2022, and was crowned overall African winner in the category "Human Development" of the 2022 Africa’s Most Respected CEOs Awards. She is the co-author of the award-winning Future Humans Trilogy with Dr. Jean Houston, and a member of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle. Website: earthwisecentre.org Other books: The New Paradigm in Politics Love Letters from Mother Earth: The Promise of a New Beginning Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded September 5, 2022. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:19 - Two Futures: Sustainability Crisis and Emerging New Era 00:08:12 - The Regenerative Renaissance 00:12:11 - A Higher Order of Possibility 00:15:59 - Engaging Youth Creativity in Shaping the Future 00:19:44 - Engaging the Mind in Learning 00:23:28 - Global Collapse and Planetary Conditions 00:27:11 - The Balancing Act: Mother Earth and Human Consciousness 00:30:36 - Emergence of a New Narrative and Maturation of Our Species 00:34:05 - The Power and Manifestation of Consciousness 00:37:26 - Harnessing the Power of Consciousness 00:41:11 - A Coherent Pattern of Collaboration 00:45:34 - Creating a Heavenly World 00:50:07 - Wake-up Call and Systems Change Begins Within 00:54:47 - Living in Harmony with Nature 00:59:31 - The Detail in Creating New Economic and Financial Systems 01:04:13 - The Rising Tide: Consciousness as a Field 01:08:18 - Solidarity with Ukraine and the Emerging Collective Consciousness 01:11:31 - The Risk of Becoming the Next Dominator 01:15:35 - The Power of Dedication and Assistance 01:19:43 - Maintaining Coherence in the Face of Disinformation 01:24:27 - Finding Common Ground 01:28:59 - Social upheaval and the American spirit 01:33:22 - The Pioneering Spirit of Americans and the Challenges of Division 01:37:49 - The Need for a Different Kind of Politics 01:42:35 - Renewal and Evolution in Society 01:46:58 - Rethinking Growth and Expansion 01:51:30 - The Journey of Living Within Planetary and Social Boundaries 01:56:10 - The Future of Companies and Adaptation 02:00:39 - The Future of Creativity and Innovation 02:04:39 - Co-creating a World that Works for All

484. Ishtar (Thomas Howell) Jan 02, 2019

Show notes

Ishtar (Thomas Howell) is a meditation teacher, Ishaya monk, gardener, writer, and intuitive astrologer. A sense of himself as Presence was a pronounced feature of his life until about age 7. At age 13, he was in a car accident that took his mother’s life, and initiated an NDE that brought about a profound experience of Samadhi that in the subsequent months he experienced right along with an intense process of grieving. After the Presence faded, he longed to return, resulting in an energetic spiritual search. At 17 he began a regimen of meditation practices and ascetic disciplines that included waking to cold showers at 3 AM, fasting, and 6 hours of daily meditation practice. Longing to find his path, he encountered a practice known as the Ishayas’ Ascension, an effortless and deeply pleasurable form of meditation, which he quickly recognized as the path for which he’d been searching. Several months after learning Ascension, he found himself living on the Oregon coast in a monastic environment dedicated to the practice. The ashram life brought about a rapid acceleration of growth, leading to ever more consistent experiences of Silence, in closed eyed meditation practice, while cooking in the community’s café, doing service work, and planting gardens. After going through a 6-month intensive Teacher Training program, that involved 12-16 hours of closed eyed meditation a day, he began teaching classes around the world, and living in various regional meditation centers around the world. Seeming, miracles, wild manifestations, witness consciousness, and celestial perception were frequent occurrences, as Awareness slowly but surely saturated more and more of life. In 2008, he left his monastic organization and then took an extended break from meditation teaching. The years lived outside the semi cloistered environment of the ashram were often challenging, but ultimately led to a more deeply anchored Presence. Subtle barriers fell, opening to the experience of the world as the Self. This process continues to unfold and expand. Since 2014, he has again been teaching Ascension and working as a spiritual guide, giving people a reliable practice with which to cultivate Awareness and assisting people in relaxing into Presence as a constantly lived experience. Since 2015 he has also been working as an intuitive Astrologer, with a primary focus on helping people align more completely with their soul’s purpose. More information can be found at these websites: ascension-meditation.com and awakenedlightastrology.com. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded October 30, 2018, in Sedona, Arizona YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:06:44 - Early Spiritual Experiences 00:12:06 - Dressing up as Sherlock Holmes for Psychic Investigations 00:16:16 - The Visitation of Spirits 00:21:02 - Transition to a Better Opportunity 00:26:09 - Childhood Moments of Stillness 00:31:23 - The Great Wound and Blessing 00:36:18 - The Car Crash and Revelation of Love 00:41:13 - Transcending Grief and Finding Presence 00:46:43 - The Journey to Meditation 00:51:03 - Meeting Guides and Mentors 00:56:21 - Small Town Stories 01:01:06 - Visions of an Ashram Room 01:05:16 - The Power of Meditation and Urgency in Life 01:09:43 - The Importance of Seizing the Moment 01:14:11 - Opening of the Heart in Meditation 01:19:09 - Enlightenment and the Workshop Experience 01:24:05 - A Surprising Opportunity in Oregon 01:28:30 - Clarity through visions and confirmations 01:32:57 - A Profound Experience in Switzerland 01:37:49 - Feeling Connected to Everything, Getting Kicked Out 01:42:27 - Leaving the Group, Growth, and Gratitude 01:46:35 - Spontaneous Manifestations and Awareness during Sleep 01:51:04 - A Surprising Rush of Customers 01:55:49 - Questioning the Organization 02:00:18 - The Illusion of Self-Obsession 02:04:24 - A New Path and Meeting My Wife 02:08:42 - Exploring the World of Subtle Perception 02:13:42 - The Subtle Realms and Multidimensional Experience 02:18:17 - Folklore and the Subtle Realms

427. Panel Discussion: “Sudden or Gradual: Two Paths to Realization?” Nov 22, 2017

Show notes

Recorded at the Science and Nonduality Conference. There is a perennial debate in spiritual traditions regarding whether realization is direct (sudden) or progressive (gradual). But is this a false distinction? Realization is often sudden, no matter how many years of practice may have led up to it, and even after realization, most people find that refinement, clarification, and the working out of personal shortcomings continue indefinitely. Who wouldn’t prefer direct realization to years of purification and practice? But how many examples of purely direct realization can we find? Can a path be both direct and progressive? Is it possible to have a taste of our true nature from the outset, and then spend a lifetime clarifying and embodying it? Also, is there one watershed breakthrough which can be universally agreed upon as final “Realization”, or are there many degrees and stages of realization, each of them important stepping stones in a never-ending journey? Proponents of the direct path sometimes argue that if we regard spiritual development as progressive, we will forever be anticipating, never arriving. But some spiritual seekers, not appreciating the distinction between understanding and experience, mistake intellectual understanding with enlightenment, and consider themselves “finished” when they are just getting started. Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. is the Founding Director of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream, a school for consciousness studies in Berkeley, CA. Isa is also the creator of the spiritual counseling model, Depth Hypnosis, and author of two books, Coming to Peace and Return to the Great Mother. In addition to her teaching schedule that includes teaching classes in Applied Buddhist Psychology, Applied Shamanism, Integrated Energy Medicine and Depth Hypnosis, she has active practices in Depth Hypnosis and Applied Shamanic Counseling in San Francisco, CA. For more information, please see sacredstream.org. Batgap interview with Isa and Robert Thurman. David F. Buckland has a graduate degree in Vedic Science and researches and writes on subjects related to the approach, shift, integration, and embodiment of the stages of enlightenment. This reflects a 40 year unfolding that has been prominent for much of his life. But with a more recent series of profound shifts, the exploration became the life itself. Under the pen name Davidya, he brings ancient teachings into modern life. After many years of research, he published the book Our Natural Potential: Beyond Personal Development, The Stages of Enlightenment in 2017. Previous Batgap discussions with David: Individual interview Panel Discussion at Sofia University, Part 1 Panel Discussion at Sofia University, Part 2 Michael Rodriguez - Drawing always from his direct experience, Michael speaks with great clarity and compassion about the undivided nature of Life or Consciousness, pointing to reality in a way that is free from dogma, ritual, or adherence to any particular tradition. He also draws skillfully from the world's wisdom traditions and integrates Jungian psychology, literature, music, and art into his work to address the full range of human potential. He offers meetings, retreats, and private sessions here in the United States and abroad. Book--Boundless Awareness: A Loving Path to Spiritual Awakening and Freedom from Suffering Previous Batgap discussion with Michael Discussion of this video in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Recorded October 22, 2017 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Sudden or Gradual? Two Paths to Realisation 00:04:33 - Understanding the Direct Path 00:09:16 - The Both/And Path of Integration 00:14:10 - The Experience of Self on a Soul Level and Relative Level 00:19:16 - Holding Dual Perspectives in the Awakening Process 00:23:46 - The Continuous Process of Unfolding 00:28:04 - The Momentum of the Old Way 00:32:08 - Dissolution of the Self and Healing 00:36:02 - Genuine Insight vs Mechanical Statements 00:40:36 - The Importance of Healing and Clarity 00:45:00 - Embracing Residual Traumas and Awakening 00:50:25 - Accessing the Core Wound 00:54:27 - The Illusion of Separation 00:58:07 - Resolving the Core Wound of Separation 01:03:00 - Audience Questions 01:05:12 - The Challenge of Embracing the Concept of "No Self" 01:09:37 - The Inability to Grasp the Concept of No Self 01:13:53 - Exploring Different Perspectives 01:17:09 - Clearing Thought Processes and Genuine Expression 01:21:36 - When the Spiritual Path is of No Use 01:26:00 - The Importance of Resonance and Finding the Right Teacher 01:28:44 - The Unified Field of Attaining Enlightenment 01:32:58 - The Beauty of Non-Progression 01:36:49 - An Integration Process of Years 01:41:32 - Sharing Perspectives on Vedic and Buddhist Thought 01:45:31 - The Consciousness of Black Oaks 01:49:30 - A Path of Gradual and Sudden Shifts 01:53:18 - Maintaining the Lightness 01:57:03 - The Journey of Self-Realization and Shifting Realities 02:01:18 - Connecting with the Felt Experience

426. Rick Archer on the “Ethics of Enlightenment” Nov 17, 2017

Show notes

Presentation at the Science and Nonduality Conference. Many well-known spiritual teachers and gurus have been accused, credibly, of sexual, financial, and behavioral abuse, despite their own spiritual attainment having seemed significant, and their teachings beneficial. As a result, some people have concluded that higher consciousness and ethical behavior are not correlated, that we are governed by our genetics and conditioning, or by "nature", and that we have no free will and thus no control over or responsibility for our actions. That logic has been used as an alibi by some misbehaving spiritual teachers. Others have become cynical about the motives of all gurus and teachers, and some have even lost faith in spirituality altogether. Yet, every spiritual tradition includes codes of ethics that apply to both teachers and students. Ethical behavior has been regarded not only as a reflection of spiritual development but as a prerequisite to it. To some extent, ethical values vary from culture to culture. But perhaps the contemporary spiritual community can agree upon some universal values. Can we agree that it's not all right to misrepresent ourselves? If we claim or imply that we have realized our true nature, and are offering to help others do the same, is it consistent for us to behave deceitfully, perversely, selfishly, or cruelly? Is it possible to be an enlightened scoundrel? Are purity and saintliness characteristic of higher levels of spiritual development, or unrelated to them? These are important questions. Because we need spiritual teachers and teachings in this critical time in humanity's maturation, we need to understand what genuine spiritual attainment should look like, irrespective of personality differences. If such understanding were more commonplace, most abusive teachers and cults would be unable to get much traction. Discussion about this talk in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Other talks by or interviews of Rick on BatGap: SAND 2019 - Knowledge/Reality is Different in Different States of Consciousness 2018 SAND Conference Q&A and Interview by Shakti Caterina Maggi Talk at Berkeley Open Circle Center Talk at SAND 2015 Interviewed by Fax Gilbert Interviewed by Richard Miller Recorded October 21, 2017. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Ethics of Enlightenment 00:01:20 - The Ethics of Enlightenment 00:02:33 - Understanding Ethical Behavior 00:03:50 - Relativism and Ethical Standards 00:04:56 - Female genital mutilation and ethical behavior 00:06:08 - The inclusive perspective in enlightenment 00:07:12 - Shocking Behavior and Misunderstanding of Maya 00:08:26 - Different Perspectives on the World 00:09:25 - Spontaneous Right Action and Ethical Moorings 00:10:55 - Questioning Hypocrisy 00:12:09 - Ethics and Regulations in Ayahuasca Practices 00:13:09 - Evaluating and Enforcing Teacher Behavior 00:14:15 - The correlation between higher consciousness and ethical behavior 00:15:53 - The Continuous Journey of Self-Realization 00:17:07 - Development and Awakening 00:18:10 - The Illusion of Enlightenment and the Asura Titan Syndrome 00:19:15 - The Deflected Rising of Kundalini 00:20:21 - The Search for a Teacher of Supreme Truth 00:21:36 - Enlightened behavior and discernment 00:22:45 - Compassion and Confronting Wrongdoing 00:23:47 - Challenges of Assuming the Role of a Spiritual Teacher 00:24:44 - Thich Nhat Hanh and his Teaching Philosophies 00:25:57 - Holy Fools and Crazy Wisdom 00:27:07 - Living Nonduality and Ethical Guidelines 00:28:23 - Observations on Higher State of Consciousness and Unethical Behavior 00:29:09 - The Holistic Development of Enlightenment 00:30:25 - Unintentional Harm in Enlightenment 00:31:38 - Skillful Action with Harmlessness 00:32:50 - Shifting into a Persistent Nondual State 00:34:08 - Authentic Choices and Spiritual Alignment 00:35:21 - Cultivating Inner Alignment

424. Robert Thurman & Isa Gucciardi Nov 09, 2017

Show notes

Robert A.F. Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University, President of the Tibet House U.S., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization, and President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies, a non-profit affiliated with the Center for Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and dedicated to the publication of translations of important artistic and scientific treatises from the Tibetan Tengyur. TIME Magazine chose Professor Thurman as one of its 25 most influential Americans in 1997, describing him as a “larger than life scholar-activist destined to convey the Dharma, the precious teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, from Asia to America.” The New York Times recently said Thurman “is considered the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism.” In this interview, we discuss Thurman's latest book: Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Thurman is known as a talented popularizer of the Buddha’s teachings. He is a riveting speaker and an author of many books on Tibet, Buddhism, art, politics, and culture, including: The Central Philosophy of Tibet Circling the Sacred Mountain: A Spiritual Adventure Through the Himalayas Essential Tibetan Buddhism The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Liberation Through Understanding in the Between Wisdom and Compassion The Sacred Art of Tibet Inner Revolution Infinite Life: Awakening to Bliss Within The Jewel Tree of Tibet: The Enlightenment Engine of Tibetan Buddhism Why the Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet, and the World With Sharon Salzberg, Love Your Enemies: How to Break the Anger Habit & Be a Whole Lot Happier Website: bobthurman.com Podcast YouTube Channel Previous Batgap interview with Robert Thurman. Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. is the Founding Director of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream, a school for consciousness studies in Berkeley, CA. Isa is also the creator of the spiritual counseling model, Depth Hypnosis. In addition to her teaching schedule that includes teaching classes in Applied Buddhist Psychology, Applied Shamanism, Integrated Energy Medicine and Depth Hypnosis, she has active practices in Depth Hypnosis and Applied Shamanic Counseling in San Francisco, CA. In this interview, we discuss Isa's latest book: Coming to Peace: Resolving Conflict Within Ourselves and With Others Other books: Return to the Great Mother The Four Immeasurables Discussion of this interview in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Recorded October 19, 2017, at the Science and Nonduality Conference. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to "Buddha at the Gas Pump" 00:04:05 - The Burden of Staying in the Hundreds 00:06:47 - The Dalai Lama's Development and Growth 00:09:45 - The Heroism of His Holiness the Dalai Lama 00:12:41 - The Dalai Lama's Approval 00:16:30 - The Circle of Communication 00:20:47 - Reconciling Conflicting Parts of the Self 00:25:27 - The Need for Wisdom alongside Meditation 00:28:40 - The Turbulence of Enlightenment 00:31:42 - Cross-fertilization of Knowledge 00:34:21 - The Power of Nonviolent Resistance and Peaceful Dialogue 00:37:23 - Shamanic Practice and Helping Spirits 00:40:47 - Connecting with Inner Guidance 00:44:47 - The Power of the Shamanic Journey 00:47:37 - A Conflict between Practitioner, Soldier, and Red Ball 00:50:43 - Resolving Conflict and Taking Care of Oneself 00:53:31 - Buddhism's role in world peace and vulnerability 00:56:17 - The Choice of Vulnerability and Peace 01:00:00 - Creating Outer Peace 01:02:25 - A Funny Story About the Dalai Lama 01:05:35 - The Vicious Circle Stops 01:08:38 - Finding Equilibrium within the Mind 01:13:28 - The Unity of Self and Others 01:17:02 - Bringing Peace in Conflict 01:20:44 - Inner Resistance and Self-forgiveness 01:24:45 - The Difference in Society and Gender Roles 01:28:21 - The Dualistic View of Brahmins vs. Buddhists 01:31:57 - Reincarnation as a Social Institution in Tibet 01:36:20 - The Geopolitical Power Play in Tibet 01:39:49 - Building Cults and Exiles 01:42:31 - Thank You for Listening Save Save

260. Mirabai Starr Nov 06, 2014

Show notes

Author of critically acclaimed new translations of the mystics, and reflections on the unifying teachings at the heart of all spiritual paths. Mirabai Starr uses fresh, lyrical language to help make timeless wisdom accessible to a contemporary circle of seekers. Daughter of the counter-culture, Mirabai was born in New York in 1961 to secular Jewish parents who rejected the patriarchy of institutionalized religion. Intellectual artists and social justice activists, they were active in the anti-war protest movement of the Vietnam era. As a teenager, Mirabai lived at the Lama Foundation, an intentional spiritual community that has honored all the world’s faith traditions since its inception in 1967. This ecumenical experience. Mirabai has been an adjunct professor of Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos since 1993. Her emphasis is on making connections between the perennial teachings found at the heart of all the world’s spiritual paths, in an effort to promote peace and justice. Mirabai speaks and teaches nationally and internationally on the teachings of the mystics and contemplative practice, and is a certified bereavement counselor. She is available for interviews, speaking engagements, workshops, and contemplative retreats. She lives in the mountains of Northern New Mexico with her husband, Jeff Little (Ganga Das). Between them, Mirabai and Jeff have four grown daughters and six grandchildren. Mirabai’s youngest daughter, Jenny, was killed in a car accident in 2001 at the age of fourteen. On that same day, Mirabai’s first book, a translation of Dark Night of the Soul, was released. She considers this experience, and the connection between profound loss and longing for God, the ground of her own spiritual life. Books: Saint Francis of Assisi - Brother of Creation Saint Teresa of Avila - Passionate Mystic Teresa of Avila: The Book of My Life Saint John of the Cross - Devotions, Prayers, & Living Wisdom Hildegard of Bingen - Devotions, Prayers, & Living Wisdom Saint Michael the Archangel - Devotions, Prayers, and Living Wisdom Our Lady of Guadalupe - Devotions, Prayers, & Living Wisdom God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam The Showings of Julian of Norwich: A New Translation Website: mirabaistarr.com Interview recorded 10/25/014 at the Science and Nonduality Conference. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Second BatGap interview with Mirabai. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction at Science and Nonduality Conference 00:03:02 - The Influence of Eastern Traditions on my Upbringing 00:05:23 - A Potpourri of Sufi and Indigenous Practices 00:07:15 - Education and Spirituality 00:09:12 - The Development of a Meditation Practice 00:12:23 - My Multifaith Journey 00:15:14 - Translating the Christian Mystics 00:17:41 - Translating Teresa of Avila and the Jewish Mourning Cycle 00:19:39 - The Deep and Quiet John of the Cross 00:20:56 - The relationship with the inquisitors 00:22:41 - Analogies and Cross-training 00:23:51 - The Birthright of Interspirituality 00:25:17 - Having a Spiritual Experience 00:27:06 - Embracing Different Lamps 00:29:13 - Understanding Fundamentalism 00:31:01 - Gradations of Spiritual Maturity 00:33:02 - Commonalities between traditions and the interspiritual response 00:34:34 - The Interfaith Movement and the Interspiritual Movement 00:36:31 - The Interconnected Web of Being 00:39:04 - Embracing a Multidimensional Spiritual Path 00:40:41 - The Illusion of Separation and the Non-dual State 00:42:31 - Embracing Oneness and Wholeness 00:44:16 - The Sophomoric Mind 00:46:01 - Mining the Jewels: Extracting the Essence from Religions 00:47:54 - Extracting the Good Bits from Established Religions 00:49:59 - The Prevalence of Spirituality and Heart Experience 00:51:51 - The Importance of Experience over Belief 00:53:51 - The Incomprehensible Intelligence of Cells 00:56:19 - The Beauty of Loss and Trauma 00:59:27 - Wrapping up with Gems of Wisdom 01:01:06 - Concluding Remarks and Preview of Next Interview 01:02:33 - Conclusion and Closing Remarks

258. Birthing Radiant Being into Our Humanity Nov 04, 2014

Show notes

With Amoda Maa, Susanne Marie and T Jonathan Proctor. Today, as more people than ever before have awakening experiences, there is a need to know how the light of unbounded being-ness can be embodied. The conversation offered in this panel discussion points to the inclusion of the earthly dimension of life - especially emotions - in awakened perception. And this inclusion is an ongoing exploration of honest feeling and "telling the truth” that is never-ending. Amoda Maa is a spiritual teacher and author. Her teaching arises out of direct experience of awakened awareness and emanates the untamable fragrance of freedom whilst radically embracing the mystery and mess of human existence. She currently lives in the US and travels widely to offer Satsangs, Retreats & Private Meetings to a growing global community, as well as being a frequent guest speaker at conferences and events. www.amodamaa.com 1st BatGap interview. 2nd BatGap interview Susanne Marie has been interviewed on Conscious TV, Buddha at the Gas Pump, as well as other programs and is a regular presenter at the Science and Nonduality Conference. She provides spiritual mentoring support to people who are both seekers of truth as well as those who are now embodying and integrating realization. Susanne is a mother to two teens, and parents, teaches, and lives in Northern California. She holds an open hearted approach welcoming all aspects of Self to be seen and met in the heart. 'Feeling separate from the rest of life when not understood as itself being an aspect that is part of the whole, is an innocent misunderstanding which elicits suffering and which can be seen through.' Website YouTube Channel Other Batgap Interviews Individual interview In Panel at Sofia U. Part 1 | Part 2 In conversation with Adyashanti on the Falling Away of Self T Jonathon Proctor is the creator of Being Real—Being Embodied. He works with individuals and groups to balance and integrate the “ascending” currents of awakening and the “descending” maturation of embodiment. T has a background in physical therapy and bodywork, Vipassana meditation and non-dual realization. His own journey, his work with others, and years of experience as a Hospice bereavement facilitator have inspired a deep appreciation for the individual narrative as a well of meaning; seeing self-understanding as powerful movement of compassion. His orientation arises out of a heartfelt knowing that every aspect of our human experience is essential to the process of Awakening and Self-realization. Website Individual BatGap interview. Discussion recorded 10/24/2014 at the Science and Nonduality Conference. Transcript of this discussion YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Panel Discussion on Embodiment 00:03:06 - Questions on Spiritual Realization 00:05:23 - Themes for Discussion on Awakening and Embodiment 00:08:21 - Cultivating Presence and Resolving Human Patterns 00:11:21 - The Innate Tendency of the Mind 00:14:54 - Following our innate intelligence 00:18:02 - Cultivating a Beautiful Soul 00:20:56 - The Evolution of a Human Being 00:24:25 - The Seeking of Self 00:27:40 - The Illusion of Self and Inner Conflict 00:30:39 - The Exquisite Experience of Everything 00:33:23 - Embracing the Unknown Territory 00:36:42 - Incorporating the Paradox of Existence 00:39:30 - Embracing the Paradox of Boundness and Unboundness 00:43:43 - Embracing the Preciousness of Life 00:44:27 - Embracing Fear as Part of the Human Experience 00:47:29 - Embracing Fear in the Unknown 00:50:40 - Burning out and surrendering to fear 00:54:03 - Surrendering to Existential Fear 00:57:37 - Dissolvement of Existential Fear 01:00:16 - Finding Balance and Facing Mortality 01:02:43 - FACES: Flexibilidade, Adaptação, Coerência, Energia e Estabilidade 01:05:55 - Being Present with Others 01:09:13 - Writing the Book and Finding God in Everything 01:12:04 - Discovering Satsang in Silence 01:15:00 - The Experience of Awakening 01:18:12 - Disillusionment and Embodiment 01:21:14 - The Importance of Self-Reflection and Truth 01:24:36 - Embracing Authenticity and Freshness 01:28:09 - The Blessing of Being Cut Down 01:30:53 - Podcast, Donation, and Notifications Save Save

118. Robert K. C. Forman, Ph.D. Apr 14, 2012

Show notes

Dr. Robert K.C. Forman is uniquely qualified, both personally and professionally, to re-imagine the spiritual goal and the path to it. Personally, Dr. Forman hasn’t missed a day of meditation in 40 years. He broke through to the first major life shift he sought during a nine-month meditation retreat, just two years after beginning Transcendental Meditation. Further developments have continued through his gaining of a Ph.D. in mystical experience from Columbia U and his 20 years as a Professor of Comparative Religions, through his lifetime of yearly solo meditation retreats, self-reflection, 18 years of psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic training, his marital work, his teaching, writing and leading of workshops, and his research into and national leadership role in the "spiritual but not religious" community. His curiosity and confusion about his early spiritual breakthroughs led him to a Ph.D in Comparative Religions (Columbia U), where he specialized in the nature of and philosophical issues around mystical experiences and the spiritual life. He has often been called “one of the leading voices in the academic debates on mysticism," because of his work in the international scholarly debate about mystical experiences, which came to be known as “The Katz-Forman debates,” the work for which he has been awarded numerous grants and, just last year, an honorary doctorate. A tenured professor of religions at Hunter College of the City University of New York and a professor at Vassar College, Union Theological Seminary and the New School for Social Research, he often taught courses on mystical experiences and spiritual goals in every tradition, and his books are used in classes around the world. Many of his insights about the spiritual path and goal came from his work as founder and Executive Director of the Forge Institute for Spirituality and Social Change and the Forge Guild of Spiritual Professionals, a non profit dedicated to helping people from any religion or spiritual path live “soul to soul.” He routinely gives lectures, trainings and workshops around the world. He was the co-founder and is executive editor of The Journal of Consciousness Studies , which has become the principle journal in the field. He is also the author of ten scholarly books on spirituality, mysticism, consciousness and world religions. Robert's site: http://enlightenmentaint.com/ Robert's book: Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up To Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/8/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - A Journey from Anxiety to Meditation 00:03:47 - The Surprising Experiences of Meditation 00:06:57 - A Shift that Began Back Then 00:10:03 - The Buzz and Letting Go 00:13:07 - A Permanent Shift and Tubes in the Head 00:16:05 - The Transformation Begins 00:18:55 - A Shift in Thought Process 00:21:35 - The Two Birds and Witnessing Consciousness 00:24:53 - The Steadiness of Consciousness without Time 00:28:38 - The Disappointment of Enlightenment 00:32:12 - The Shift in Experience 00:35:00 - The Shift in Perception of Silence 00:38:11 - The Experience of Silence 00:41:26 - Experiencing Sleep in a Different Way 00:44:11 - The Vitality of Looking 00:47:03 - Witnessing and Sensory Acuity + Spiritual Hucksters 00:49:41 - Moments of Depression and Shoplifting 00:52:25 - The Beginning of Psychotherapy Journey 00:55:37 - The Power of Truth-Telling in Relationships 00:58:24 - Integration between Silence and the Robert-ish Part 01:01:18 - Living at the Super-Fluid Level of Life 01:04:32 - Embracing our Woundedness 01:07:19 - The Openness of Emotions in Being Alive 01:09:55 - The Subtlety of Guidance 01:12:59 - True Effortlessness and Unity Consciousness 01:16:30 - Non-resistance and Connection with the World 01:19:32 - The Two-Sided Coin of a Hermit-Oriented Life 01:22:17 - Learning from the East and Living Enlightenment in the World 01:25:00 - Staying on the Spiritual Path 01:27:49 - Telling the Real Truth 01:30:29 - A Farewell and Future Plans

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