Buddha at the Gas Pump

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734. Savita Veera Jul 14, 2025

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Savita Veera - Healing the Intimate Divide Savita is a spiritual teacher, mentor, embodiment facilitator and healer. She experienced a profound shift in consciousness after great tragedy, followed by years of further spiritual openings, mystical experiences and her own deep healing. She meets people with generosity, humour and grounded practicality. Providing a safe space for them to open to their own divine light and inner wisdom. Website: savita.com.au Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 6, 2025 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Savita Veera  00:03:09 - Awakening Through Adversity and Early Seeking  00:08:04 - Is Suffering Advantageous for Spiritual Growth?  00:11:22 - The Shock of a Mentor's Death and a Glimpse of Peace  00:13:50 - Authentic vs. Inauthentic Realization  00:17:13 - Spontaneous Right Action: Brahman is the Charioteer  00:23:38 - Shadow Work: Rejoining the Fragmented Self  00:28:23 - Healing Through Somatic Work and Embodiment  00:33:01 - The Grounding Power of Animals and Nature  00:37:34 - Finding Safety in the Infinite  00:42:31 - Grief as an Expression of Love  00:43:23 - Collective Cruelty as a Symptom of Unconsciousness  00:46:59 - Balancing Sensitivity with Strength  00:49:11 - The Nuanced Nature of Awakening  00:52:10 - Working with Benevolent Helpers  00:58:18 - Affinity with Animals as a Sign of Development  01:03:40 - The Fear Threshold and Surrender  01:08:31 - Healing the "Intimate Divide"  01:08:41 - Q&A: Can we manifest our desired reality?  01:10:46 - Q&A: How can we uplift the collective consciousness?  01:14:31 - Devotion and Simplicity  01:17:33 - The Still Mind of the Divine  01:20:00 - Mysticism and Groundedness  01:27:02 - The Divine Mother Gazing Through You  01:32:02 - Balancing the Divine Mother and Warrior Archetypes  01:35:43 - The Persecution of Mystics and Today's Renaissance  01:42:31 - The Karmic Consequences of How We Treat Animals  01:48:42 - The Ultimate Realization: "Life is Living Itself"  01:52:50 - Conclusion

428. Kittisaro and Thanissara Nov 26, 2017

Show notes

Kittisaro and Thanissara have been married since 1992. They spent 7 years as guiding teachers of the Buddhist Retreat Centre KwaZulu S. Africa and then went on to found Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat on the border of Lesotho and South Africa. They co-founded several HIV/Aids Outreach Programs and currently support Kuluingile Project, a home for children left vulnerable due to HIV/Aids run by Sister Abegail Ntleko, award winner of the Dalai Lama Unsung Hero Award. They lead retreats in S.Africa, UK, U.S.A and Israel and regularly host one to three-month retreats at Dharmagiri. They currently reside in Sebastopol, CA. Kittisaro is from Tennessee, USA. He graduated from Princeton as a Rhodes Scholar. He ordained with Ajahn Chah in 1976 in the Thai Forest Tradition. He was a monk for 15 years and helped found several monasteries in the UK. His practice has also been informed by the Chinese school of Master Hua since 1980. Kittisaro completed two one year silent self retreats and is co-author of 'Listening to the Heart.' He has taught extensively since the 1980's and is a core teacher at Insight Meditation Society, MA, founding teacher of Chattanooga Insight, TN and affiliated teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, CA. Thanissara is from an Anglo-Irish family in London. She started Buddhist practice in the Burmese school in 1975. She spent 12 years as a Buddhist nun in the Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah where she was a founding member of Chithurst Monastery and Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in the UK. Thanissara has an MA in Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy Practice from the UK. She has taught extensively since the late 1980's, is the author of several books, including two poetry books. Her latest is Time to Stand Up: An Engaged Buddhist Manifesto for Our Earth. Books: Listening to the Heart: A Contemplative Journey to Engaged Buddhism Time to Stand Up: An Engaged Buddhist Manifesto for Our Earth -- The Buddha's Life and Message through Feminine Eyes (Sacred Activism) Empty Hands, A Memoir: One Woman's Journey to Save Children Orphaned by AIDS in South Africa (Sacred Activism) The Heart Of The Bitter Almond Hedge Sutra Website: dharmagiri.org Discussion of this video in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded Oct. 28, 2017. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Kittisaro and Thanissara 00:04:27 - Background and Experiences 00:07:52 - Setting up a non-profit and training programs for the planetary emergency 00:11:29 - Bringing the Buddhist Community on Board 00:14:47 - Profound Impact on Consciousness Shifts 00:18:44 - Mandela's Courageous Act 00:22:27 - The Tipping Point and Profound Shifts 00:25:29 - Overcoming Overwhelm and Finding Balance 00:29:21 - Unlocking the Power of Deep Intelligence 00:32:28 - Standing Rock and the Energy Revolution 00:36:00 - Reducing Consumption and Shifting to Plant-Based Diets 00:39:53 - Mindsets and Awareness 00:43:21 - Surrendering to Sickness and Opening to the Teaching 00:47:11 - Lying Down Meditation and Letting Go 00:50:35 - Permission to Die 00:54:02 - The Power of Different Meditation Techniques 00:57:21 - The Shift from Warrior to Lover Archetype 01:01:05 - The Living and Responsive Universe 01:04:33 - Being Embodied in the Web of Life 01:08:01 - Universal Love and Compassion 01:11:12 - Challenges of Spiritual Upbringing in the West 01:14:27 - The Importance of Calling Out Inappropriate Behavior 01:17:33 - Breaking the Silence, Revealing the Shadow 01:20:58 - The Importance of Impeccable Awareness 01:24:29 - Returning to Primary Patterning 01:27:48 - The Role of Spiritual Practice in Emotional Suppression 01:31:24 - The Balance of Male and Female 01:34:53 - Embracing the Both And Paradox 01:38:16 - Buddha as a Human Being 01:41:38 - A Profound Inner Awakening 01:45:00 - Thank You and Goodbye

413. Gloriji Aug 22, 2017

Show notes

Gloria Agrelius, (Gloriji), had been a bartender for more than 25 years and owned a blues biker bar. In 1999 her brother died of an overdose. Upon hearing the news, her mother died of a heart attack the following day. Gloriji closed the bar, went home, and fell apart. She writes, “It felt like I was dropping through a dark space, feet first -- rapidly dropping. I couldn't find anything to hold onto. It felt like I was being stripped of everything that made me me. It was all gone.” While on her knees crying out for help, the room she was in filled with radiant light and she recognized herself as that light. An overwhelming sense that all is well filled her being. She told the light that while she didn't know what this was, she would dedicate the rest of her life to finding out. A thirst for truth filled her heart and gave her strength to step more deeply into the unknown. She spent the next decade deepening and healing. While on retreat with Adyashanti, after hearing of her awakening experiences, Adya encouraged her to share herself with others. Adya’s encouragement helped her to trust the strange new territory of teacher, mentor, healer... all held lightly in the open hand and heart that knows there is no other than the Supreme Reality... the Mystery she has come to Love. For discussion of this interview, click here. Transcript of this interview YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:31 - Insecurities and Nightmares 00:06:59 - Battling Addiction & Personal Tragedy 00:10:31 - The Bar Closure and Personal Struggles 00:13:54 - Compassion and Evolutionary Impulse in Intelligence 00:18:08 - The Blueprint of Life and Deep Inquiries 00:22:09 - Thirst for Understanding 00:25:42 - Discovering the Beauty of the World 00:28:50 - Natural Contemplation and Meditation 00:31:56 - Discovering a Spiritual Community 00:34:27 - From Scars to Stars 00:38:07 - The Freedom of Meeting Each Other in Truth 00:42:03 - Surrendering into Something Greater 00:46:02 - Holding Things Lightly 00:49:52 - The Power of Inquiry and Self-Exploration 00:53:44 - The Process of Deepening and Letting Go 00:57:07 - Breadcrumbs to the Source 01:00:36 - Witnessing the Unfolding 01:04:28 - Embracing the Wholeness Within 01:09:09 - The Healing Power of the Human Heart 01:12:18 - Following the Call of the Heart 01:15:28 - Awakening Within the Dream 01:19:38 - Finding Balance in Creativity and Knowledge 01:23:48 - Exploring the Fort 01:27:03 - Trusting Your Inner Wisdom 01:30:31 - Embracing Authenticity and Being Yourself 01:34:00 - Supporting the Community through Love Offerings 01:36:43 - Opening to the Wisdom of Mother Earth 01:40:14 - Reconnecting with the Earth 01:43:52 - Reluctance to Be a Spiritual Teacher Save Save

328. Michael Roads Jan 26, 2016

Show notes

Michael Roads passed away April 28, 2024. His wife writes, "To our Dear Heart Family... Carolyn here. It is with an open and heavy heart that I share with you Michael transitioned at 3:06 AM, 28 April, Brisbane time. He had a very difficult last couple days...difficult enough to tip him over the edge into complete surrender, to the final letting go. His last hours were very peaceful. He was sleeping and moved into a gentle passing. His breathing became slower and slower and eventually stopped...the end of an era. He left the world in a brighter place because of his Love and commitment to humanity. An ordinary man on an extraordinary journey . . .Michael Roads was born a farmer's son in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1937. From an early age he discovered that he had a natural ability to travel beyond linear time and space and enter into deep communication with Nature. Since his spiritual enlightenment at age 49, Michael wrote 19 books on his experiences and explorations of alternate realities and dimensions. His main focus and teachings were based on unconditional Love and emotional balance. 2016 marked his 25th year of traveling over five continents presenting inspirational and life-changing 5-Day Intensives in a clear, compelling, humorous and no-nonsense format, enabling many participants to experience amazing shifts in consciousness. Michael, an ordinary mystic, wove his wealth of life experiences with the most extra-ordinary insights - insights that offer pathways to our deep spiritual relationship with Nature and with Self. He had the consciousness and ability to empower people to gain understanding of the true nature of reality and assist them in their spiritual awakening to their Divine potential. Website: www.michaelroads.com. Books: Through the Eyes of Love: Journeying with Pan, Book One Through the Eyes of Love: Journeying with Pan, Book Two Through the Eyes of Love: Journeying with Pan, Book Three Stepping ... Between ... Realities Insights of a Modern Mystic: A day-by-day book of uncommon wisdom Talking with Nature and Journey into Nature Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 1/23/2016 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Michael Rhodes and his Spiritual Awakening 00:04:29 - Expanding Horizons with Michael's Experiences 00:08:44 - Soul and Personality Coming Together 00:13:06 - The Eagle's Viewpoint and the Gulf of Separation 00:17:19 - Metaphysical Travels and Communion with Other Dimensions 00:21:54 - Subconsciousness and Consciousness 00:26:06 - The Hierarchy of Nature and Spirits 00:30:20 - The Strange Encounter with the Guide Stone 00:34:45 - Meeting Pan in the Cavern 00:39:21 - The Relationship Between Enlightenment and Ultimate Reality 00:43:35 - Enlightenment and Growth 00:48:00 - The Reachability of Enlightenment 00:52:12 - Love as the Power of Creation 00:56:32 - Tuning in to Inner Space 01:00:53 - Rediscovering Love and Letting Go 01:05:10 - The Power of Unconditional Love 01:09:35 - The State of Consciousness 01:14:27 - Exploring Higher Dimensions and Self-Realization 01:18:39 - Spiritual Activism 01:23:06 - The Power of Words and the Limitations of Language 01:27:22 - The Staggering Intelligence of Dragons 01:31:52 - The Subconscious and Choosing Life or Death 01:36:34 - The Concept of Walk-Ins and Different Realities 01:41:09 - The Problem with Humanity and the Need for Change 01:45:37 - Creating Trust and Overcoming Doubt 01:49:52 - Understanding the Subtler Dimensions of Nature 01:53:45 - The Metaphysical Structure of the Planet 01:57:07 - The Emerging Paradigm of Love and Compassion 02:00:34 - The Power of Conscious Intelligence 02:03:56 - The Buddha of the Gas Pump 02:06:57 - Farewell and Thanks

322. Prajnaparamita Dec 21, 2015

Show notes

Originally from the Netherlands, Prajnaparamita has been in search of her true nature all her life. Initially investigating and studying psychology, religion and philosophy, she eventually met a truly awakened soul and surrendered her heart, her mind and her life. Over several decades Prajnaparamita received a rich vista of non-dual teachings: Advaita Vedanta, Mahayana Buddhism, Zen and Ch’an. Once realized, she has dedicated her life to the self-realization of all. Through satsangs, retreats and interviews she continually directs the listener to their very wisdom heart. These days, Prajnaparamita spends most of her time at La Roseraie de Sacha: a centre of awakening and natural living deep in the countryside of central France. With meditation and satsang daily, opportunity is given for contemplation and self-enquiry interwoven with the participation in projects around the property - from gardening to cooking. People remember the transformative force of play, and remember what it is to live without purpose. All are welcome at La Roseraie, at any stage of their awakening journey, of any religion and no religion whatsoever. When not at La Roseraie, Prajnaparamita is giving satsang in the Netherlands or travelling worldwide. Website: www.prajnaparamita.nl Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 12/19/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:16 - Seeking Meaning in Life 00:06:28 - A Serene Presence 00:09:06 - A Radical Awakening 00:11:44 - The Usefulness of Concepts and Language 00:14:03 - Surrender and Preparedness 00:16:23 - The Dissolution of Separation and Loneliness 00:19:26 - The Sense of Self 00:21:48 - The Paradox of Truth 00:25:06 - Meeting Your Fears and Traumas 00:28:02 - Resting in Containment 00:31:14 - Surrendering to the Mystery 00:33:36 - Living Love No Matter What 00:36:32 - The Power of Silence 00:38:58 - The Principle of the Guru 00:41:49 - Sharing Sacred Knowledge 00:44:31 - The Creative Power of the Younger Generation 00:47:34 - Non-dual Teachings: Too Radical? 00:49:43 - "Insight is not liberation" 00:52:41 - The Role of Insights in the Spiritual Journey 00:55:31 - The Relaxation of Non-Doership and Free Will 00:58:16 - Exploring Mantras and Sacred Songs 01:00:40 - The Bhakti Heart in Non-Duality 01:02:38 - Paradoxes and Sealing the Obvious 01:04:52 - The Importance of Personal Commitment 01:07:07 - The Power of Truth in Relationships 01:12:03 - Publishing a Book in Dutch 01:14:09 - Intimacy and Care of the Land 01:16:10 - Farewell and Closing Remarks 01:18:32 - Intro Music

320. Dorothy Hunt Dec 18, 2015

Show notes

Dorothy Hunt serves as Spiritual Director of Moon Mountain Sangha, teaching at the request of Adyashanti. She is the founder of the San Francisco Center for Meditation and Psychotherapy and has practiced psychotherapy since 1967. She is the author of Leaves from Moon Mountain, Only This!, and Ending the Search: From Spiritual Ambition to the Heart of Awareness. A contributing author to The Sacred Mirror, and Listening from the Heart of Silence: Nondual Wisdom and Psychotherapy, Dorothy is also a featured spiritual teacher in the book, Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom: The Feminine Face of Awakening. Dorothy has a long and deep connection to the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and the path of Self-Inquiry, as well as the nondual teachings of Zen, Advaita, and the Christian mystics. In meeting Adyashanti, she was invited beyond identification with either the absolute or relative, finding freedom in what is awake in each of us regardless of the changing faces of experience. Dorothy offers satsang, retreats, and private meetings in the San Francisco Bay area and elsewhere by invitation. For more information, visit www.dorothyhunt.org Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/23/2015 at the Science and Nonduality Conference. Second BatGap interview with Dorothy Hunt. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Science and Non-Duality Conference 00:02:00 - The Personal Journey to Spiritual Development 00:03:46 - Early Exploration of Spiritual Experiences 00:05:29 - Self Inquiry and the Unknown 00:07:01 - The Shift in Identity 00:08:44 - Shifting Perspectives on Motherhood 00:10:36 - Awakening in the Relative World 00:12:17 - Awakening of the Heart and Hara 00:14:07 - The Deepening of Experience 00:15:55 - Levels of Awakening and Violence Reduction 00:17:47 - Liberation from Self Judgment 00:21:11 - Awakening to True Nature 00:22:45 - The Awakening Experience 00:24:23 - The Ease of House Cleaning Post-Awakening 00:26:03 - The Vulnerability of Openness 00:27:32 - Returning to Zero 00:29:16 - The Misidentification of Consciousness 00:30:48 - The Vaster Intelligence behind our Awakening 00:32:40 - Experiential Knowledge and the Divine Play 00:34:16 - The Dark Face of the Mystery 00:35:57 - The Mystery of Life 00:37:38 - Adapting to Different Realities 00:39:25 - The Experience of Time and Space 00:41:19 - Transformations and Separations in Life 00:42:58 - The Deepest Desire of the Heart 00:44:34 - The Beauty of Nature 00:46:06 - Poetry and Deep Desires 00:48:25 - Exploring Deeply Held Desires 00:50:05 - Embracing Our Inner Experience 00:51:48 - Interviews at Gamescom

319. Jane Anderson-Ross Dec 16, 2015

Show notes

Jane Anderson-Ross is a wife, mother, and grandmother currently living in Rochester, NY. Raised in a New Jersey suburb of Philadelphia, Jane always had the gifts of love and compassion, and even as a young child, felt that her life path was to help others heal. But in 1988, during the throes of her own trials and difficulties, Jane had a transformation that was prompted by a singular prayer. She surrendered to the Divine Creator and asked, “Let me be Your Eyes, Your Ears, Your Hands, and Your Heart.” From that prayer, came what she can only describe as a “Rebirth”; a profound transformation with a pure divine directive. However, still very much Jane, she continued on as a devoted wife and mother of 2 babies. What became extraordinary to her though, was the Divine events, healings, and transformations that touched not only her own life, but that of many others who came into contact with her. Nevertheless, Jane’s love, humility, and simplicity never wavered, and she decided to enter into the field of holistic healing arts. She began sharing her gifts through a spiritually-based newsletter, which included Divinely inspired writings and poetry. Later she added more formal, professional training, and became a Shiatsu and Thai Message Therapist, Reiki Master, Aromatherapy, and Naturopathic Esthetician. Other modalities included Ancient Palmistry and Psychic Mediumship. Jane is happy to share her personal story with all who ask, and feels that her expression is best stated by the following; “It matters not what we do, but from where we come whilst doing it”. Website: janeandersonross.com Instagram Facebook Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 12/12/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:20 - Awakening and Connection with Nature 00:08:37 - Finding Love in the Church 00:12:29 - Standing Your Ground Through Peer Pressure 00:16:21 - Finding Strength in Solitude 00:24:22 - Near-Death Experience and Consciousness 00:28:29 - A Prayer from a Sacred Place 00:32:25 - The Manifestation of Desires and Synchronicities 00:36:48 - The Resistance to Broadcasting 00:40:56 - Opening the Doorway to the Heart 00:45:34 - Inner Locution and Divine Dialogue 00:49:29 - Ecstasies and Confirmations from the Environment 00:53:25 - The Language of Everything 00:56:53 - Extracting Juice from the Experience 01:00:51 - A Love Affair with the Divine 01:05:09 - The Language of Awakening 01:09:11 - The Intimacy of Wholeness 01:13:40 - Separation and Astonishment 01:17:46 - A Hug Can Change Everything 01:21:18 - The Traumatizing Experience and Healing 01:25:45 - Powerful Transformations through Divine Influence 01:29:43 - The Practice of Getting Out of the Way 01:33:59 - Wrestling with the Dark Night of the Soul 01:38:37 - Lessons from Grief and Love 01:42:38 - The Paradoxes of Awakening 01:46:42 - Uncomfortable Contemplation and Growth 01:50:40 - Divine Signs and Miracles 01:54:50 - The Paradox of Assuming a Teaching Role 01:58:34 - Openness to Love and Acceptance 02:02:24 - Introduction and Podcast Information

164. Brian Piergrossi Mar 14, 2013

Show notes

Author of The Big Glow and The Wow of the Now, Spiritual Teacher, and Life Coach. At the age of 20 years old, Brian was suddenly struck by a mysterious, debilitating illness, later labeled chronic fatigue syndrome, that lasted for years, leaving him in intense, daily, physical pain and too weak to effectively function in society. When no medical or other authority figure could explain the suffering that was happening to him, Brian made it his life commitment to inquire into human suffering. What began was over 11 years of committed, serious inquiry, study and personal application into the fields of spirituality, religion, psychology, sociology, cosmology, ecology, health, arts, science, yoga, as well as the core of the enlightenment and self-realization teachings. After leading a quiet, simple life for over a decade, Brian felt a passionate calling to share his straight forward, timeless, spiritual truths for the 21st Century in a modern context with those who are ready and interested. Since that time, Brian has dedicated himself full time, professionally, and privately, to supporting the path of transformation, spiritual liberation and Self-Realization in individuals, families and communities around the world. With the unrelenting sole intention of educating and facilitating the awakening of consciousness and creating the New Earth inside individuals and communities around the world, Brian Piergrossi is an emerging voice of awakened spirituality, peak performance and human potential in the 21st Century. Facebook: http://facebook.com/brianthebigglow Twitter: http://twitter.com/brianthebigglow Youtube: http://youtube.com/brianthebigglow “When the pillars of my limited mind collapsed, the roof caved in and I could take in the beauty of the stars.” - Brian Piergrossi The Big Glow Transcript of this interview Interview Recorded 3/2/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction: Brian Piergrossi 00:03:29 - The Mind-Body Connection and the Cause of Suffering 00:06:18 - Exploring Holistic Modalities and Healing 00:09:08 - Listening to the Signals of the Body and Mind 00:11:55 - The Evolution of Consciousness within the Realm of Space and Time 00:15:10 - The Joy of Learning and Exploring 00:18:07 - Exploring the Absolute and the Relative 00:20:27 - The Experience in the Present Moment 00:23:12 - The Stillness of Life and the Flow of Life 00:26:29 - Integrating Spiritual Awakening into Daily Life 00:28:58 - The Integration and Cognition of the Absolute 00:31:52 - The Clarity and Integration of Awakening 00:35:09 - The Recognition of Fulfillment within 00:38:19 - The Magic of Being in the Moment 00:41:10 - The Illusion of Division and Conditioning 00:43:42 - Awakening Beyond Time and Space 00:46:41 - The Kingdom of Heaven Within 00:49:07 - Living from Awakened Consciousness 00:51:27 - Awakening to the Essence of Who You Are 00:53:36 - Recognizing the Illusion of the Ego 00:55:44 - Being Fully Present in the Now 00:58:35 - Bringing Back to the Truth 01:01:46 - Evolution of Teaching and Criticism of the Non-Dual Community 01:04:53 - Non-Duality and the Transcendence of Form 01:07:44 - Moving Forward from the Old Teachings 01:10:08 - The Excitement of New Wave Teachers and Healers 01:13:20 - Integrating Silence with Activity 01:16:14 - Awakening to Power and the Non-dual Community 01:18:30 - Teaching and Coaching for Personal Growth 01:20:10 - Being Fully Engaged and Empowered 01:21:50 - Concluding Remarks

120. Katie Davis May 02, 2012

Show notes

Katie Davis is a spiritual teacher and author who offers satsang worldwide. She is a graduate of the University of Washington, a former secondary school educator, a former owner of aerobics studios in the Pacific Northwest and mother of two. She is author of Awake Joy: The Essence of Enlightenment and since 1999, she has been traveling to share with people the radical possibility of Self-realization that is the end of all suffering, separation and the key to world transformation. Katie Davis was a Keynote Presenter at the Vancouver BC Convention Centre in Canada. She offers spiritual talks at church services or spiritual gatherings, corporations, hospitals, professional communities and organizations, schools, television and radio shows, as well as for community organizers worldwide that are offering talks in the form of satsang in public meetings, intensives, and silent retreats. In 1986, Katie Davis radically and spontaneously awakened to the ultimate reality of who we really are without practices or teachers. She had never meditated or even heard of enlightenment, Advaita Vedanta, Non-duality or Self-realization. Katie had no intellectual reference whatsoever for what had occurred. Katie's book, Awake Joy: The Essence of Enlightenment Interview recorded 4/29/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Childhood Spiritual Experiences 00:03:30 - The Fear of Death and the Understanding of Being 00:07:19 - A Transformative Experience in the Youth Group 00:11:08 - Awakening through Life Experiences 00:14:34 - Detachment from Form and Personal Identity Loss 00:17:30 - The End of Suffering 00:20:46 - Developing Understanding through Experience 00:24:41 - The Power of Silence and Surrender 00:28:37 - Exploring the Nature of "Being" and "I-ness" 00:31:57 - Beingness and the Influence of Wind 00:35:15 - Practices to Relax the Sense of Self 00:39:16 - Habits and Conditioning 00:44:11 - Spontaneous Acceptance of Circumstances 00:47:49 - Describing vs. Prescribing the Path to Compassion 00:51:05 - Looking Beyond the Image 00:53:59 - The Essence of Being Pure Consciousness 00:58:02 - The Role of the Ego in Spiritual Growth 01:01:37 - Preferences and the Body Intelligence 01:05:57 - Fulfillment beyond Circumstances 01:09:35 - The Road Map of Self-observation and Detachment 01:14:08 - Reflections and Witness State 01:17:35 - Unity Consciousness and Direct Looking 01:20:54 - Exploring Different Types of Surrender 01:24:39 - Surrendering to the Cosmic Personality 01:28:18 - Letting Go of Trying and Searching 01:32:10 - Accessing Unconditioned Intelligence and Creativity 01:36:46 - The Vastness of the Universe 01:39:50 - The Indescribable Nature of the Absolute 01:43:37 - Surrendering to Divine Intelligence 01:47:32 - Thanking the Community and Concluding Remarks 01:50:41 - Conclusion and Farewell

90. Unmani Oct 13, 2011

Show notes

Unmani is originally from the UK but has lived a nomadic life in many countries around the world from the age of 18. Unlike most people, since she was a child, Unmani never identified with being a ‘person’ in the world, but she felt very lost and alone in a world that everyone else seemed to take so seriously. She spent years traveling around the world trying on different roles and identities to see if any of them fit. Disappointed with each role, she continued searching to find a way out of the pain she felt. She spent some time in the Osho centre in Pune, India, and there discovered meditation, free expression, and other insightful wisdom. But although this brought her more relaxation, it did not seem to get to the root of her search. Some years later she met the German Zen master, Dolano. With her, Unmani recognized that what she had been searching for had always been right here. She woke up to the dream, time stopped, and the search ended. She no longer needed to try to fit in or be someone, because Unmani had finally acknowledged the truth of who she really is. Unmani began holding meetings and retreats 3 years later. She is the author of two books ‘I am Life itself’ and ‘Die to Love’ and is now writing a third book. Meeting with Unmani is meeting with yourself in the most real and alive way. It is not about chasing sweet spiritual experiences that come, and then sadly go. Dialogues with Unmani are a fundamental and intimate enquiry that cut through all philosophies and belief systems. Unmani encourages people to truly face their deepest fears, to no longer blindly buy into dreamy hopes, and to wake up to the reality of life. Unmani holds meetings and intensives all over the world, and also online. These are aimed towards people who are genuinely willing to risk losing what they think they know, to courageously take a step into the alive unknown. 2nd Batgap interview with Unmani. Website: die-to-love.com Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/11/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:03:44 - Spontaneous Preferences and Self-Discovery in Teenage Years 00:06:54 - From Therapist to Traveling Abroad 00:10:09 - Discovering Spirituality in India 00:13:28 - The Frustration and Madness of the Search 00:16:28 - Ready to Die and Joining Dolano's Group 00:19:57 - A Drive for the Truth 00:23:21 - Integration and Knowing 00:26:15 - Exploring the Male/Female Dynamic 00:29:50 - Humility and Confidence 00:33:10 - Seeing Thought for What It Is 00:36:28 - The Potential Benefits of Practices 00:40:23 - Moments of Recognition 00:43:18 - The Illusion of Retaining Thoughts 00:46:27 - The Physiological Basis of Consciousness 00:49:30 - Meetings in Not Knowing 00:53:05 - Changing the Format and Focusing on Dialogues 00:55:55 - Breaking Free from Beliefs 00:58:54 - Recognizing Who You Are 01:01:43 - Recognition and Growth in Life 01:04:31 - The Integration of the Child into the Woman 01:07:04 - The Meaning of Love 01:10:06 - Emptiness and Fullness 01:12:51 - The Fear of Intimacy 01:16:05- The Nature of Reality and Misinterpretation 01:18:50 - Recognition and Attitude 01:21:58 - The Spontaneity of Speech and Intimacy in Retreats 01:24:38 - Returning to Regular Life After a Retreat 01:27:20 - The Process of Seeing Through Old Patterns 01:29:55 - No Escape from Reality 01:33:11 - Discussion Group and Conclusion

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