Buddha at the Gas Pump

Latest Episodes:

700. Bob Davis Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

After receiving his doctorate in the sensory neurosciences from The Ohio State University, Bob Davis, Ph.D., served as a professor for the State University of New York for over thirty years, where he conducted research in the behavioral and neurosensory sciences, taught, and held many high-level administrative roles. He published his research in over 60 articles in scholarly journals, and presented numerous lectures worldwide, which included invited lectures at Harvard, Cambridge, and Peking University. Bob was also awarded numerous grants by the National Science Foundation and The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to conduct research in sensory neuroscience. Following retirement, Bob published several articles in the Journal of Scientific Exploration and Edge Science and presented lectures at national and international conferences on consciousness, spiritually transformative experiences, and unidentified aerial phenomena. Bob has also published three highly popular books: The UFO Phenomenon: Should I Believe? Life after Death: An Analysis of the Evidence, and, Unseen Forces: The Integration of Science, Reality and You. More recently, he has turned his recent book, Unseen Forces, into a planned documentary entitled - The Consciousness Connection - with Emmy Award winner Dave Beaty of Dreamtime Entertainment and Wilson Hawthorne of Eyeland Telemedia. Website: bobdavisspeaks.com Bob Davis is an administrator of the Facebook Site called: The Consciousness Connection Facebook group. Bob's email Bob says, "If you'd like to learn more about the film project or consciousness in general, please subscribe to the Consciousness Connection YouTube channel. Summary and Transcript of this interview Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded February 3, 2024. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:35 - Types and Evidence of Extraordinary Human Experiences 00:08:03 - A Profound Shared Death Experience 00:12:21 - A Spiritual Awakening and Kundalini Awakening 00:15:53 - The Misdiagnosis of Spiritual Awakening 00:19:27 - The Unstoppable Spread of Information 00:23:58 - The Need for a Paradigm Shift in Understanding Consciousness 00:27:49 - The Evidence of White Crows in DMT Experiences 00:31:40 - Exploring Consciousness Beyond Traditional Science 00:36:04 - The Relationship Between Science and Spirituality 00:40:27 - Brain Development and Spiritual Transformation 00:44:35 - Humans as Light Beings and Quantum Mechanics 00:48:22 - Veridical Perceptions in Near-Death Experiences 00:52:34 - Near-Death Experiences and Perception 00:56:44 - Novel Interactions in the Brain 01:01:02 - Consciousness and the Bohmian Paradigm Shift 01:05:16 - Ego Dissolution and Positive After-Effects 01:09:03 - Spiritual Practices and Physiological Treatments 01:12:56 - Quantum Mechanics and Premonition 01:16:55 - ESP and Autistic Savants 01:21:20 - Photonic Emissions and Healing Abilities 01:26:00 - The Power of Spiritual Practice 01:29:26 - Personal Transformation and Spreading the Word 01:32:32 - Transformation in Beliefs and Experiences 01:36:00 - The Importance of Spiritual Development 01:38:40 - Tapping into the Language of Nature 01:42:11 - Conclusions about UFOs and their Spiritual Implications 01:45:57 - The Mystery and Wonder of the Universe 01:50:26 - The Long-Term Nature of Spiritual Development 01:54:04 - The Power of Changing Perspectives

628. Betty Kovacs Dec 23, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Betty J. Kovacs’ understanding of consciousness and spirituality is based on both scholarly research and symbolic, visionary experience. In fact, she has written two books concerning these subjects. Her first book is about her family’s profound visionary experiences surrounding multiple deaths in their family. Her second book relates to our ancestors’ experience of a vaster consciousness, Cosmic/Christ Consciousness. Within a three-year period, Dr. Kovacs experienced the deaths of her mother, her son, and her husband in separate automobile accidents. While she had studied shamanism before her son’s accident, she and her husband actually experienced their son’s consciousness after his death for an extended period of time. These experiences completely changed their lives. Her first book, The Miracle of Death: There Is Nothing But Life, is about these altered states of consciousness. After her retirement, she began an intensified period of research into our ancestors’ experience of a vaster consciousness, Cosmic/Christ Consciousness, which she relates in her new book, Merchants of Light: The Consciousness That Is Changing the World, winner of the Nautilus Silver Book Award and The Scientific & Medical Network 2019 Book Prize. Dr. Kovacs’ extensive research tracked the existence of a shamanic-mystic-scientist culture from at least 40,000 BCE. Our ancestors had developed symbolic language and various shamanic techniques to trigger altered states of consciousness. Some of these ancestors achieved great skill as visionaries, mystics, and scientists, while others, it is not known how many, achieved the ability to experience Cosmic Consciousness. The consistent suppression of this ancient wisdom is the root cause of our current planetary crisis. And it can only be healed through the consciousness of the heart that births a just and feeling world. This same tradition, on which our survival now depends, has once again emerged today—and it can change the world. Website: kamlak.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded December 19, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:09 - The Search for Meaning and Belief 00:07:58 - The Ancient Wisdom of Shamanism 00:12:11 - Uncovering Ancient Wisdom 00:16:28 - Suppression of the Sacred Feminine 00:20:47 - Living with the Tao and the Awakening 00:24:48 - The Distorted Story of the Tree 00:28:47 - The Hidden Tradition of Christianity and the Gnostic Experience 00:33:03 - The Church's Resistance to Scientific Exploration 00:37:30 - A Journey of Search and Freedom 00:41:36 - The Power of the Feminine and the Importance of Listening 00:45:05 - Plans Being Made for Us 00:49:13 - The Hidden Tradition within the Church 00:53:25 - The Dangers of Manipulating Human Nature 00:57:18 - Unfolding our Full Inner Potential 01:01:09 - The Wholeness of Mind Experience 01:05:14 - Ancient Wisdom and Indigenous Cultures 01:09:43 - The Deep Spiritual River 01:14:00 - A Father's Vision 01:18:04 - Decaying and Transforming Darkness into Light 01:22:15 - The Earth's Longing for Love 01:26:36 - Interactions with Higher Forms of Life 01:30:31 - Integration of Cosmic Consciousness 01:34:56 - The Relevance of Connecting to Vast Intelligence 01:39:30 - The Power of Creativity and Love 01:43:41 - True Stories and Organizing Principles 01:47:33 - The Wisdom of Integration 01:51:59 - Finding Purpose Despite Circumstances 01:55:45 - Finding Fulfillment and Inner Peace on the Spiritual Path 01:59:24 - The Power of Lighting a Candle

608. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, 2nd Interview Jul 31, 2021

Show notes

This interview centered around Sadhvi's new book, Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Ph.D. is a renowned spiritual leader, author, and motivational speaker based in Rishikesh, India. Originally from Los Angeles and a graduate of Stanford University, Sadhviji has been ordained into the sacred order of Sanyas by her guru HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and has been living at Parmarth Niketan Ashram for the past twenty-five years. She is the Secretary-General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, an international interfaith organization dedicated to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; president of Divine Shakti Foundation, a foundation that runs free schools, vocational training programs, and empowerment programs; and director of the world-famous International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh—which has been covered in Time, CNN, the New York Times and other prestigious publications and has been addressed by both the Prime Minister and Vice President of India. She serves on the United Nations Advisory Council on Religion and on the steering committees of the International Partnership for Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) and the Moral Imperative to End Extreme Poverty, a campaign by the United Nations and World Bank. She was also the Managing Editor for the monumental project of the 11-volume Encyclopedia of Hinduism. She oversees a variety of humanitarian projects, teaches meditation, lectures, writes, counsels individuals and families, and serves as a unique female voice of spiritual leadership throughout India and the world. Websites: Sadhviji.org (personal site) Sadhviji's TED talk @SadhviBhagawatiSaraswati (Sadhviji's Facebook page with announcements of events, videos, etc.) @ParmarthNiketan (Parmarth's Facebook page where they stream Sadhviji's satsangs live daily when she is in town.) Youtube channel with all of the videos of Sadhviji's lectures (and also a lot of other good stuff...) Twitter: @SadhviBhagawati Book: Vegetarianism: For Our Bodies, Our Minds, Our Souls & Our Planet Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview. First BatGap interview with Sadhvi. Interview recorded July 25, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump interview 00:03:30 - Honesty and Humaneness in Spiritual Awakening 00:07:49 - Bridging the Gap: Hollywood to the Himalayas 00:11:38 - The Shift in Perception 00:15:15 - A Sudden Knowing in Rishikesh 00:19:19 - A Profound Spiritual Experience on the Banks of Ganga 00:23:52 - Swarg Ashram: The Heavenly Abode 00:27:41 - The Beauty of Being Non-Verbal 00:31:29 - Living in the Deepest Level of Awareness 00:34:52 - Shame and Authenticity 00:38:01 - The Humility of an Enlightened Master 00:41:14 - The Qualities of the Guru 00:44:41 - The Light of the Guru 00:48:02 - The Garden and its Animals 00:51:03 - The Story of the Sleeves and the Cat 00:54:17 - Emptying the Cup and Finding the Guru 00:57:46 - Overcoming Unconscious Patterns with Mindfulness 01:01:24 - Being Present in Daily Life 01:04:39 - Productivity in Moments of Freedom 01:07:10 - The Experience of Grace without Spiritual Practice 01:10:43 - A Transformational Experience 01:14:11 - Renunciation and Transformation 01:17:36 - The Biological Urge for a Baby 01:21:01 - The Journey of Forgiveness 01:24:25 - The Power of Forgiveness 01:27:47 - The Stain on Our Hearts 01:30:53 - Letting Go with Forgiveness 01:34:05 - Understanding Dis-ease and Harm towards Others 01:37:10 - The Transformation and Healing Journey 01:40:39 - Sharing and Appreciation 01:43:26 - The Spiritual Path

598. Gautam Sachdeva May 17, 2021

Show notes

Born and brought up in Mumbai, Gautam faced one challenge after another fairly early in life. He remarks, “As a result, I grew up before my time.” Having to cope with the loss of his father at the young age of 14 gave rise to questions related to death, insecurity, and survival, which would affect most children faced with a similar loss. At the turn of the millennium (December 1999), Gautam’s inherent but latent spiritual inclination surfaced through a series of synchronistic events. Following his mother’s example, he started attending a course in Brahma Vidya (Knowledge of Brahman) based on a system of ancient Tibetan breathing exercises. This course was conducted by his mother’s guru, Justice Dudhat of the High Court of Mumbai. Around this time, Gautam diversified into publishing by setting up Yogi Impressions, primarily to publish his mother Santosh’s book on her spiritual awakening. Santosh Ma’s journey of awakening spanned three years, from 1996 to 1999. Although there was no desire or ambition to publish any other book besides this one, destiny had charted a new course for him, as he was soon to discover. In November 1999, Gautam met Eckhart Tolle, the best-selling spiritual author of The Power of Now, in Hong Kong, while holidaying with his sister Nikki who worked there at the time. He had several interactions with this spiritual teacher over the next few years, courtesy of Nikki and her friends’ proximity to Eckhart, which led to his publishing company bringing out the Indian edition of The Power of Now. Eckhart had said that publishing would be the start of ‘an adventure’ for Gautam, and so it turned out to be. It was at Nikki’s urging that Gautam met the Advaita sage, Ramesh Balsekar, in February 2000. Some of her friends were flying down from a distant country just to meet this modern sage who lived a mere 20-minute drive away from Gautam’s home. Having no conscious interest in the subject, he tagged along one Sunday morning to Ramesh’s residence in Mumbai. On his next visit when Ramesh saw him, he asked Gautam: “Isn’t this the second consecutive Sunday you have come? Be careful young man… this will become your Sunday church!” Little then did he know that he would keep visiting Ramesh over the next nine years to attend his satsangs. During these years, Gautam worked closely with Ramesh assisting him with the editing and publishing of some of his books. In later years, Ramesh encouraged Gautam to write especially after reading an article Gautam had written for India’s leading spiritual magazine on the occasion of Ramesh’s 90th birthday in 2007. It was this gentle nudge that eventually led to Gautam writing his first book based on Ramesh’s teaching – Pointers from Ramesh Balsekar. Since then, Gautam has authored five more books. He is quite perplexed himself at this ‘happening’ as he had no intention of becoming a writer. “At least one doesn’t have to look hard for a publisher,” he adds with a smile. His books have been translated into Russian, German, Spanish, Hindi, and Marathi.. Website: gautamsachdeva.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded May 15, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:57 - A Chance Meeting That Changed My Life 00:09:19 - The Search for Peace of Mind 00:13:55 - Control over Action and Results 00:18:19 - Averting Danger in Life 00:22:33 - Layers of Reality 00:26:51 - The Beauty of Unseen Perspectives 00:31:00 - The Threefold Structure of Creation 00:34:41 - The Pragmatic Approach to Challenges 00:39:17 - Acceptance and Karma 00:44:05 - The Goal is All Along the Path 00:48:08 - The Pitfall of Inaction 00:51:28 - Rowing gently along the stream 00:55:50 - The Quality of Witnessing 01:00:10 - Kundalini Experiences and Validation 01:03:38 - Meditation and Nisargadatta Maharaj 01:07:22 - The Power of Wiggle Room and Grace 01:11:55 - The Healing Power of Animals 01:15:28 - The Natural Outcome of the Thinking Mind 01:19:44 - The Beauty of Silence 01:23:40 - Respect for Life and Compassion for All Living Beings 01:27:10 - The Value of All Life 01:30:44 - Life as an Ongoing Surprise Test 01:35:01 - The Power of Being in the Presence of a Sage 01:38:50 - The Age of Truth 01:42:37 - Fear and Duality in Spiritual Thought 01:46:50 - The Funny Driver in a Rental Car 01:50:54 - Finding Peace of Mind 01:54:46 - Awakening the Unconditioned Mind 01:58:22 - Gratitude for Whatever Is 02:03:06 - Farewell and Gratitude

524. Mark Nepo Nov 18, 2019

Show notes

Mark has been called “one of the finest spiritual guides of our time,” “a consummate storyteller,” and “an eloquent spiritual teacher.” His work is widely accessible and used by many and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages. A bestselling author, he has published twenty-one books and recorded fourteen audio projects. In 2015, he was given a Life-Achievement Award by AgeNation. In 2016, he was named by Watkins: Mind Body Spirit as one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People, and was also chosen as one of OWN’s SuperSoul 100, a group of inspired leaders using their gifts and voices to elevate humanity. Mark has a regular columnist for Spirituality & Health Magazine. Recent books include Drinking from the River of Light; More Together Than Alone: Discovering the Power and Spirit of Community in Our Lives and in the World, cited by Spirituality & Practice as one of the Best Spiritual Books of 2018; Things That Join the Sea and the Sky, a Nautilus Book Award Winner; and The Way Under the Way: The Place of True Meeting, a Nautilus Book Award Winner. If you’d like more information about Mark, his books, or events, please visit MarkNepo.com or ThreeIntentions.com. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded November 9, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:51 - Being a Conduit and a Membrane 00:07:10 - Believing in Everything 00:10:18 - The Diversity of Paths 00:13:39 - The Story of Ganesh 00:16:58 - The Addiction to Watching Things Fall Apart 00:20:31 - The Two Tribes 00:23:43 - The Paradox of Progress and Incarnation 00:27:10 - The Essential Role of Music in Survival 00:30:37 - Being the Poem and Breathing in Life 00:34:04 - The Evolution of Creativity 00:37:10 - The Disconnect and Epidemic of Mass Shootings 00:41:05 - The Heart as a Gill 00:44:35 - Looking Inward, Finding Contentment 00:47:45 - The Power of Shared Consciousness 00:51:31 - The Power of Connection and Resilience 00:55:24 - The Wagon Wheel Metaphor and Community 00:58:29 - The Power of Quotes from Presidents 01:01:49 - Holding the Paradox of Being Jewish 01:05:10 - Softening the Heart through Conversation 01:08:19 - Feeling the Collective Consciousness 01:11:50 - Distributing the Pain and Opening Our Hearts 01:14:56 - The Wisdom of Suffering 01:18:22 - The Continued Exposure of Misconduct and the Challenge of Enlightenment 01:21:21 - Learning from Nature and Culture 01:24:14 - Learning by Watching the Monkey 01:27:12 - God's Words on the Heart and a Compassionate Universe 01:30:21 - The Little Worm and the Golden Web 01:33:26 - The Unity of Creation and Interconnection 01:36:38 - Starting the Day with Meaningful Rituals 01:39:32 - Concluding Thoughts and Remarks

516. Rey Hernandez Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

Rey Hernandez is Executive Director of the Consciousness and Contact Research Institute (CCRI), a 501c3 academic research institute comprised of 15 Ph.D. academics and medical doctors whose mission is to explore the relationship between Consciousness, our Cosmology, and Contact with Non-Human Intelligence via the Contact Modalities. Rey was previously one of the co-founders of The Dr. Edgar Mitchell FREE Foundation, a 501c3 academic research institute comprised of 12 Ph.D. academics and lay researchers who recently completed a 5-year comprehensive, worldwide, academic research study on UFO Contact Experiencers. The late Apollo 14 Astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell, the 6th man to walk on the Moon and the founder of the Institute for Noetic Sciences, and Dr. Rudy Schild, Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics at Harvard University, were two of FREE’s co-founders. Rey graduated with honors from Rutgers College, was a Masters Candidate at Cornell University, and was a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of California at Berkeley where he was the recipient of a National Science Foundation Ph.D. Fellowship. He previously was a Professor for six years at the New School for Social Research and at the City University of New York. He is currently an attorney with the US Dept. of Treasury in Miami, Florida. Rey is one of three co-editors of the historic 820-page book titled “Beyond UFOs: The Science of Consciousness & Contact with Non-Human Intelligence (Volume 1)”, which was based on FREE’s 5-year comprehensive academic research study on UFO-related contact experiencers. He has also published in several peer-reviewed academic journals including the Journal of Consciousness Studies and the Journal of the Society for Scientific Exploration. Rey’s new projects are a 3-volume book and a full feature science documentary titled “A Greater Reality: The New Paradigm of Consciousness, the Paranormal, and the Contact Modalities”. Rey’s email is: Info@Experiencer.Org Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded August 31, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:55 - Edgar Mitchell's Interest in UFOs and Contact Experiences 00:10:20 - A miraculous encounter with angels 00:15:16 - Different Perspectives and Missing Time 00:19:33 - Angelic Visitations and UFO Encounters 00:24:04 - Witnessing a UFO with My Daughter 00:28:27 - Unexplained Sightings Above the House 00:32:45 - The Start of Paranormal Experiences 00:37:37 - Positive Effects of Contact with Non-Human Intelligence 00:42:22 - The Evolution of John Mack’s Research and the Shift in Perspectives 00:47:27 - Transformative and Positive Experiences 00:52:25 - Paranormal Experiences and Spiritual Messages 00:57:29 - Interconnected Contact Modalities within the UFO Field 01:01:59 - The Physical and Non-Physical Nature of Contact Modalities 01:06:54 - Comparisons between Near-Death Experiences and UFO Contact 01:10:56 - Interacting with Beings from Subtler Realms 01:15:09 - Exploring Consciousness and Diverse Experiences 01:19:04 - The tipping point of acceptance 01:23:41 - The Emergence of Non-Material Topics 01:27:32 - The Rise of Contact Modalities 01:31:52 - Awakening of Humanity and the Need for Spiritual Evolution 01:36:13 - The Team of Advisors 01:40:09 - Embracing all possibilities in the search for truth 01:44:29 - Unity and Consciousness in Ancient Texts 01:48:53 - The Unanswered Questions of Consciousness and Contact 01:52:28 - Dealing with Different Types of Entities 01:56:24 - Major Categories of Interactions with Beings 02:00:40 - The Transformation of Humanity 02:04:11 - A Downloaded Revelation 02:08:28 - Encounters with Non-Human Intelligence 02:12:29 - Thank you, Ray

247. Sally Kempton Aug 25, 2014

Show notes

Sally Kempton is a deeply practiced teacher of meditation and spiritual philosophy, and the author of the books Meditation for the Love of It and Awakening Shakti: as well as the audio course Doorways to the Infinite, recently put out by Sounds True. A former swami in the Saraswati order of India, she has been practicing and teaching devotional contemplative tantra for more than 40 years. Her teaching is powerfully sourced in the eastern meditative traditions of yoga and Kashmir Shaivism, yet highly contemporary in her focus on evolutionary practice. She offers a powerful transmission of meditative experience. Books: Meditation for the Love of It Beginning Meditation Awakening Shakti: The Transformative Power of the Goddesses of Yoga Shakti Meditations Doorways to the Infinite: The Art and Practice of Tantric Meditation (audio program) Website: sallykempton.com Sally Kempton in panel discussion on Kashmir Shaivism 2nd BatGap interview with Sally Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 8/23/2014 YouTube Video Chapters:  00:00:00 - Introduction to Sally Kempton and her work  00:05:51 - The Miracles of Intelligence  00:10:48 - The Essentiality of Creativity in Consciousness  00:15:09 - Seeing the Energetic Field  00:19:17 - The Neurological System and Perception Shift  00:24:03 - The Subtle Quality in Consciousness  00:28:12 - The Miracle of Human Consciousness  00:32:41 - The Subtle World of Meditation  00:37:02 - The Division of Reality and the Subtle Realms  00:41:37 - Invoking Subtle Energies and Beings  00:46:27 - The Veiling and Revealing Process in Tantra  00:50:45 - The Consciousness of Beings and Celestial Bodies  00:55:01 - Science and the Dispelling of Goofy Notions  00:59:26 - The Journey and Contentment in the Present Moment  01:03:36 - The Importance of Dark Nights and Light Spots  01:07:59 - Holding Contradictory Ideas at the Same Time  01:12:38 - The Effort and Relaxation in Meditation Practices  01:17:15 - The Doorway to Open Awareness  01:21:35 - The Power of Mantras in Transforming Reality  01:25:52 - The Spontaneity of Surrender and the Power of Mantras  01:30:39 - Discerning Divine Guidance  01:35:01 - The Benevolent Forces of the Cosmos  01:39:13 - Understanding the Dynamics of Good and Evil  01:43:48 - The Deep Impact of Global Crisis  01:47:52 - Wesley Clark's Vision of the Future  01:52:02 - Symbolic Representations of Universal Forces  01:56:27 - Depicting Deities in Different Cultures  02:01:03 - Recognizing the Divine in All Forms  02:05:42 - The Divine Shakti and the Sacred Feminine  02:10:11 - Accessing Higher States of Consciousness through Practice  02:14:38 - Conclusion and Farewell

244. Dan Harris Aug 06, 2014

Show notes

Dan Harris is the author of 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works--A True Story.The book was published in March 2014 and appeared number 1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. His most recent book is Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-to Book. He hosts the 10% Happier podcast. He was named co-anchor of ABC News' "Nightline" in October 2013. He is also co-anchor of the weekend edition of "Good Morning America," a position he has held since October 2010. As well, Harris files reports for "World News with David Muir," "Good Morning America," ABC News Digital and ABC News Radio. For four years, he anchored "World News Sunday." Harris joined ABC News in March 2000 and has covered many of the biggest stories in recent years. He reported on the mass shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, Aurora, Colorado and Tucson, Arizona, and natural disasters from Haiti to Myanmar to New Orleans. He has also covered combat in Afghanistan, Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, and has made six visits to Iraq. He has traveled around the globe for ABC News, embedding with an isolated Amazonian Indian tribe, questioning drug lords in the lawless slums of Rio, and confronting the head of Philip Morris International over the sale of cigarettes to Indonesian minors. Harris has made it a priority to shine a light on the world's most vulnerable populations, producing stories about child slaves in Haiti, youths accused of witchcraft in the Congo and predatory pedophiles who travel from the U.S. to Cambodia. He has also covered endangered animals from such diverse datelines as Namibia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea and Nepal. Domestically, Harris has led ABC News' coverage of faith, with a particular focus on the evangelical movement. He scored one of the first interviews with former pastor Ted Haggard after his sex and drugs scandal. He has also interviewed Mormon apostles, Roman Catholic cardinals, self-help gurus, and atheists. Harris has been honored several times for his journalistic contributions. He received an Edward R. Murrow Award for his reporting on a young Iraqi man who received the help he needed in order to move to America, and in 2009 won an Emmy Award for his "Nightline" report, "How to Buy a Child in Ten Hours." In 2013, he received the ASPCA's Presidential Service Award for Media Excellence. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview conducted 8/3/2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Interview with Dan Harris 00:02:16 - The Train That Can't Be Stopped 00:04:40 - Mixed Reactions to the Video 00:06:21 - The Dark Path and Self-Medication 00:08:23 - The Connection between Adrenaline and Panic Attacks 00:10:18 - Diving into the World of Religion 00:12:45 - Introduction to Eckhart Tolle and His Book 00:15:15 - The Voice in Your Head 00:17:04 - The Claims of Tole and Weber 00:18:30 - The Confusing Nature of the Interviewee 00:20:18 - Persecution of Outliers in Society 00:22:02 - Challenging Our Subconscious Judgments 00:23:41 - The Limitations of Articulating Truth 00:25:19 - Frustration with the Self-Help Universe 00:27:00 - The Problem with Positive Thinking 00:28:45 - The Problem with "Positive Thinking" 00:30:39 - The Power of Cognitive-based Spiritual Practices 00:32:36 - The Science Behind Meditation and Overcoming Skepticism 00:35:06 - Deepak Chopra's Charisma and Likability 00:36:56 - Dive into Buddhist Meditation 00:39:05 - Discovering the Benefits of Meditation 00:41:42 - The Effects of Meditation on Happiness 00:43:59 - Getting Lost in Meditation 00:46:27 - Finding Ambition and Contentment 00:49:11 - Balancing Ambition and Acceptance 00:51:40 - Living in the Present and Letting Go of the Outcome 00:54:02 - Spirituality in the Lives of Regular People 00:56:37 - The Connection Between Individual Minds and Global Issues 00:58:44 - The Sacred Dimension of Existence 01:01:22 - Challenging Worldviews through Meditation 01:03:56 - About Batgap.com

228. Karen Tate May 02, 2014

Show notes

As an independent scholar, speaker, radio show host, published author, sacred tour leader and social justice activist, Karen's work for three decades has been inspired by her interests and passion for travel, comparative religions, ancient cultures, women's her story and the resurging interest in the rise of the Feminine Consciousness. Her work combines feminism, spirituality, and uplifting women, all of which are highlighted in her projects. Her first book, Sacred Places of Goddess: 108 Destinations has garnered prestigious endorsements, while her second book, Walking An Ancient Path: Rebirthing Goddess on Planet Earth, was a finalist in the National Best Books of 2008 Awards. Her newest book, Goddess Calling: Inspirational Messages & Meditations of Sacred Feminine Liberation Thealogy, out in the Spring of 2014 is already getting rave reviews from her mentors and peers. Her fourth book, the anthology Voices of the Sacred Feminine: Conversations to Re-Shape Our World, includes the wisdom of noted visionaries and scholars who she has interviewed. Karen’s work has been highlighted in the Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times and other major newspapers. She is interviewed regularly by the media and has hosted her own internet radio show for the last nine years, Voices of the Sacred Feminine Radio, considered a treasure trove of insight and wisdom for our time. Her work has segued into writing, producing and consulting on projects which bring the ideals and awareness of the Sacred Feminine into the mainstream world through television and film. She can be seen in the new documentary, Femme: Women Healing the World, produced by Wonderland Entertainment and actress, Sharon Stone. Karen’s website is karentate.net. Her web radio show: Voices of the Sacred Feminine Radio. Contact Karen at: ancientcultures@ca.rr.com. Karen’s books can be ordered from on-line sellers including Amazon but if you prefer not to support multi-national corporations and ultra-conservative causes, order the book from a local bookseller or directly from the author using her website if you are in the U.S. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/26/2014. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Karen Tate and the Sacred Feminine 00:03:10 - The Many Aspects of Goddess Spirituality 00:06:21 - The End Timers and Climate Change Deniers 00:08:56 - The Balance Between Utilizing and Exploiting Resources 00:11:12 - Nature as a template for living 00:13:06 - Using the Bible to Justify Oppression 00:15:19 - The Feminine Face of God and Awakening to Equality 00:18:12 - Domination and Hierarchy 00:21:17 - The Harm of Patriarchy and Oppression 00:24:57 - Finding Common Ground and Dissolving Divisions 00:29:22 - Polarities and the Greater Good 00:33:13 - The Needs of Oil Companies vs. Constituents 00:37:52 - The Meaning of Wealth and Service 00:40:56 - Creating Partnerships for a Win-Win Situation 00:43:39 - Talking about the Sacred Feminine 00:47:28 - The Warning from Nature and Interconnectedness 00:50:59 - The Unboundedness of Consciousness 00:53:44 - Goddess Ideals and Political Alignment 00:57:21 - The Nature of God and the Cosmic Dance 01:03:48 - Deepening Our Experiences and Expanding Consciousness 01:08:55 - The Evolutionary Quality of Growth 01:11:32 - The Importance of Balance in Society 01:15:33 - The Awakening of Change 01:18:59 - A Wake-up Call for Denial 01:22:34 - Catching the Wave of the Spiritual Bandwagon 01:25:10 - The Importance of the Feminine Frame of Mind 01:27:58 - Creating Balance in Society with the Divine Feminine 01:32:54 - Taking Action and Making a Difference 01:39:14 - The Power of Selfless Service 01:42:30 - The Power of Partnership 01:44:24 - Explore the Website Features

65. Saniel Bonder & Linda Groves-Bonder, Pt. 1 Apr 19, 2011

Show notes

Saniel Bonder is the author of Healing the Spirit/Matter Split and the founder of the Waking Down in Mutuality work. He has been a pioneer in the widespread embodiment and mutual, evolutionary exploration of awakened consciousness for over a decade. Linda Groves-Bonder is Saniel’s full partner in their transmission and teachings and a Senior Teacher of Waking Down in Mutuality. Together they are now co-authoring a forthcoming book, The Human Sun, and founding Human Sun University. Saniel and Linda's sites: sanielandlinda.com TheHumanSunSeries.com heartgazing.com Summary and transcript of this interview Recorded 4/17/2011. Part 2 of this interview, recorded a week later. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction of Saniel and Linda Groves Bonder 00:03:17 - A Quest for Spiritual Connection 00:07:17 - A Shift in Perspective 00:10:37 - The Door to a Whole Other World 00:14:08 - Discovering the Teachings of a Spiritual Teacher 00:18:20 - Awakening and the Awakening Process 00:22:26 - The Flamethrowers and the Opening They Created 00:26:48 - The Balance Between Self-Realization and Encountering Others 00:31:05 - The Awakening Process 00:35:15 - Integration and Awakening 00:38:35 - The Importance of Independent Thinking and Freedom from Dogma 00:42:29 - Questioning Catholic Beliefs 00:46:12 - Questioning the Catholic Faith 00:49:39 - A Journey of Exploration and Seeking 00:53:49 - Connectedness with Nature and Creatures 00:57:39 - Discovering Samuel Bonder 01:01:43 - Finding My Ground and Strength in Being 01:06:28 - Linda's Awakening Experience 01:10:16 - Awakening and the Pain of the World 01:13:41 - The Subtle Washing Machine Effect 01:17:34 - Awakening and Individual Capabilities 01:21:34 - The Post-awakening Process and the Challenges 01:25:36 - A New Developmental Model 01:30:15 - The Shift towards Differentiated Self-Awareness and Dissociation 01:34:48 - The Simultaneity of Consciousness and Matter Realizing Itself 01:38:35 - The Neo-Advaita Perspective 01:42:48 - The Emergence of a New Understanding 01:46:45 - The Agreement on Waking Down into Life 01:50:20 - The Importance of Guidance and Transmission in Awakening 01:54:56 - Awakened Leadership and Human Sun University 01:59:11 - Buddha at the Gas Pump

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected