Buddha at the Gas Pump

Sharon is a gifted intuitive and a spiritual teacher in the lineage of Adyashanti. Sharon has a devotion and great love of the Truth. Adyashanti asked her to teach 2003 and guide those genuinely drawn to the path of Truth. Since then, Sharon continues to deepen into and embody this Truth herself. She invites you to “Come home…” to That which you’ve always been. In her presence you’ll taste a palpable expression of love and intimacy that allows you to feel safe dropping into the deep vulnerability required to know yourself as the All. Sharon offers support for the required shift of identity that is both direct and tailored to each person's journey. Her teachings are based on her deep realization of silence and the way silence expresses itself in form. She notes, “Often there is still a thread that says the ‘me is going to get it; the ‘me’ is going to wake up. And it just isn’t true. It actually wakes up out of the ‘me’." So, in her teaching, Sharon emphasizes how silence wakes up in the body and how the embodiment process is actualized. She is well qualified in this endeavor by her many years as an intuitive counselor. Since she has the ability to “read” the physical and energetic body, she is uniquely able to help unlock patterns that inhibit realization and the embodiment process that follows. Sharon Landrith offers Silent retreats, intensives in the US and Canada and dokusans over the phone and in person. Please see more info on her website: sharon-landrith.com. There's a chapter on Sharon in Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom: The Feminine Face of Awakening by Rita Robinson. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 2/11/2012. 2nd interview with Sharon YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introducing Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:02:11 - Unique Questions and iPod Recommendations 00:04:08 - Dropping into the Deep Vulnerability 00:06:31 - The Maturity of the Seekers 00:09:07 - Moving beyond the divisions of non-dualism 00:11:17 - Exploring Different Perspectives in Consciousness 00:13:59 - Levels of Consciousness and Misunderstandings 00:17:30 - Stepping out into the Spiritual Community and Meeting with People 00:21:07 - The Essential Shift and Abidance 00:25:11 - The Shift of Identity and the Embodiment 00:28:53 - Stepping into a Different Functioning 00:32:02 - Awakening in Younger Generation 00:35:25 - The Experience of Sudden Shift 00:39:52 - The Nourishment of Silence in Meditation 00:44:07 - The Glorious Essence of Living 00:48:03 - Clarifying Terminology in Non-Dual World 00:51:13 - Deepening Intimacy with Awakening 00:54:07 - The Diaphanous Membrane and the Acceleration of Consciousness 00:57:08 - The Power of Subtle Energy and Clairvoyance 00:59:44 - Discovering the Power of Healing through Meditation 01:02:33 - The Benefits of Dhakasans 01:04:35 - The Ability or Insight for Public Consumption 01:06:59 - Opening to Silent Nature 01:10:07 - The Divine Mother and the Pervading Space 01:12:42 - Exploring the Space that Pervades Everything 01:15:16 - The Power of Transmission 01:18:15 - The Vast "One" 01:21:10 - The 10 Most Common Spiritually Transmitted Diseases 01:23:46 - The Presence of God and the Desire to Abide 01:26:11 - The Joy of Laughter 01:27:59 - Delightful Conversation

Eli Jaxon-Bear was born Elliot J. Zeldow in Brooklyn, New York, in 1947. His eighteen-year spiritual path started in 1971, when he was a federal fugitive during the Vietnam war. In 1978, Kalu Rinpoche appointed him the president of the first Kagyu dharma center in Marin County. In 1982, he was presented with a Zen Teaching Fan at ChoShoJi Zen Temple in Japan. After a search took him around the world and into many traditions and practices, his path and his search ended when he was pulled to India in 1990, where he met his final teacher, Sri H.W.L. Poonja. Confirming Eli's realization, his teacher sent him back into the world to share his unique psychological insights into the nature of egoic suffering in support of self-realization. Eli infuses the teaching with his teacher’s living transmission of silence. He presents a unique map of egoic identification as a vehicle for ruthless self-inquiry and final realization of true freedom. He dedicates his life to passing on the transmission of his teacher. Eli currently meets people and teaches through the Leela Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to world peace and freedom through universal self-realization. He is the author of Sudden Awakening into Direct Realization, (New World Library), The Enneagram of Liberation: From Fixation to Freedom, (Gangaji Foundation Press), and he is the editor of Wake Up and Roar: Satsang with H.W.L. Poonja, (Sounds True). Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 2/5/2012 2nd interview with Eli YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Illusory Medicine for Illusory Disease 00:03:34 - The Relevance of Meditation and Different Types of Teachers 00:06:39 - Awakening to Pure Consciousness 00:09:17 - Following the Mission, Searching for Enlightenment 00:11:51 - Meeting the Sufis in Nizamuddin and Lucknow 00:13:54 - The Search for Punja 00:15:52 - Discovering the Living Zen Master 00:17:33 - The Miracle of Waking Up 00:18:54 - The Concept of "I am Emptiness, I am Consciousness" 00:20:43 - Surrendering to Love 00:22:18 - The Sticking Point in Willingness 00:24:01 - Seeking the Truth and Surrendering to the Unknown 00:26:03 - The Difference Between Living as an Ego and Your True Self 00:28:02 - The False Identities of the Ego 00:30:17 - Fixation and Freedom in the Enneagram 00:32:04 - The Enneagram of Character Fixation 00:33:48 - The Sacred Use of LSD and Enneagram 00:35:25 - The Book "Sudden Awakening" and the Possibility of Awakening 00:37:19 - The Spread of Zen in Mainstream Culture 00:39:19 - The First Enlightenment and Individuation 00:41:08 - Disillusionment with Spiritual Teachers 00:42:51 - Being Authentic and Facing Judgment 00:44:53 - The Definition of Enlightenment 00:46:59 - The Trap of Egoic Madness 00:48:47 - The misuse of non-dual realization 00:50:29 - "Take the transmission, leave the rest" 00:52:16 - Living with Multiple Myeloma 00:53:56 - Facing Death and Regrets 00:55:50 - Ramana Maharshi's Function and Continuation after Death 00:58:07 - The Power of Awakening and Healing 00:59:51 - Interview with Eli Jackson Bair

Mariana Caplan, PhD, MFT, RYT 500, is a psychotherapist, yoga teacher, and the author of six books in the fields of psychology and spirituality, including Yoga & Psyche, the award-winning Eyes Wide Open: Cultivating Discernment on the Spiritual Path, the seminal Halfway Up the Mountain: the Error of Premature Claims to Enlightenment, and The Guru Question: The Perils and Rewards of Choosing a Spiritual Teacher. She is the founder of The Yoga & Psyche Method™ and The Yoga & Psyche Conference™. She has been teaching workshops and trainings at major retreat centers, yoga studios, and universities throughout the world since 1997, and since 2001 been an adjunct professor and developed large public programs at The California Institute of Integral Studies, and taught at Naropa University, John F. Kennedy University, and Sophia University. Website: marianacaplan.com Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 2/3/2012 Other BatGap events involving Mariana: Second BatGap interview with Mariana Caplan In Panel at Sofia U. Part 1 | Part 2 In SAND Panel on Sexual Misconduct, Money, Power, Trauma & Ethics in Spiritual Communities | Also, Meeting of Founders and Members of the Association for Spiritual Integrity YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Mariana Caplan 00:02:26 - Credentials and Spiritual Journey 00:04:21 - My Spiritual Journey 00:06:32 - Falling in Love with My Teacher 00:08:33 - Falling in Love with the Teacher 00:10:04 - The Attachment to the Yogi 00:12:27 - The Spiritual Teacher's Degree of Awakening 00:15:17 - Being a Friend and Spiritual Psychologist 00:18:22 - Embracing the Paradox of Spiritual Teachers 00:21:19 - The Development of Multiple Lines 00:24:28 - Intimacy and Integration on the Spiritual Path 00:27:41 - The Dismantling of Illusions and Lines of Development 00:30:16 - The Nature of Conditioning and Insight 00:33:40 - Healing in Relationship 00:36:50 - Levels of Evolution and Enlightenment 00:39:51 - Meeting Yogi Ram Surat Kumar 00:43:20 - The Endless Potential of Non-Dual Realization 00:47:05 - The Prevalence of the Common Virus 00:50:17 - Learning from Claudio Naranjo 00:52:37 - Integration and Enlightenment 00:55:01 - The Softening of the Heart in the Path of Enlightenment 00:57:57 - The Softening of Perception and Love 01:01:28 - Reflecting on Enlightenment 01:04:05 - Evolution of Consciousness 01:06:33 - The Radiant Knowledge of God 01:08:32 - The Power of Student-Teacher Relationships 01:10:16 - "Bozos on This Bus" and Changing Perspectives 01:12:19 - The Value of Practice Even in the Absence of Self 01:14:45 - Ramana's Post-Enlightenment Years 01:16:59 - Psychotherapy and Yoga Integration 01:19:09 - Additional Information on the Website Save

The Open Secret message is totally radical and uncompromising. It is a rare and singular expression of absolute non-dualism. It bypasses the mind and speaks directly to the very core of a wisdom that is imminent in all of us. When there is a readiness to hear, all seeking and need for personal endeavor falls away, leaving simply the wonder of what is. There is no me or you, no seeker, no enlightenment, no disciple and no guru. There is no better or worse, no path, and nothing that has to be achieved. All appearance is source. All that apparently manifests - the world, the life story, the hypnotic dream of separation, the search for home - is the one appearing as two, the nothing appearing as everything, the absolute appearing as the particular. There is no separate intelligence weaving a destiny, and no choice functioning at any level. Nothing is happening, but this, as it is, invites the apparent seeker to rediscover that which already is...the abiding, uncaused, unchanging, impersonal silence from which unconditional love overflows and celebrates. It is the wonderful mystery. Tony Parsons has been sharing this "open secret" with people for over 20 years. His talks and workshops are highly regarded in England and Western Europe. Tony's books: As It Is: The Open Secret of Spiritual Awakening The Open Secret Nothing Being Everything Tony's website Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 2/2/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Opening interview with guest Tony Parsons 00:02:30 - Searching for a message 00:04:56 - Separation filter and dissatisfaction 00:07:46 - Liberation from the illusion of separateness 00:10:48 - Spiritual practices and liberation 00:13:11 - Theory of quantum physics and free will 00:15:27 - The seeker lives in an illusion 00:17:52 - Deliverance regardless of story 00:20:18 - Personal Enlightenment and Personal Liberation 00:22:16 - Hidden answers and searches 00:24:37 - Difference in teaching and communication 00:26:50 - Lack of intention and motivation 00:29:01 - Immersion in artificial reality 00:31:14 - Clarity and separation in perception 00:33:24 - Life as an answer to the search for fulfillment 00:35:32 - Searching for reason, understanding and liberation 00:37:51 - Awakening and enlightenment 00:40:00 - Search 00:42:11 - "Liberation and infinite energy" 00:44:06 - Existence of a Universal Energy 00:46:04 - Appearance of suffering 00:48:26 - Back to the individual perspective 00:50:37 - Nothing is infinite energy 00:52:42 - Meaning of divine 00:54:57 - Contributions by Tony Parsons and the important difference between description and prescription 00:57:01 - Apparent reincarnation and karma 00:59:38 - The illusion of time and reality 01:01:36 - Illusory elephant and tree 01:03:17 - The impact of implementation on family life 01:05:41 - Searching for enlightenment 01:07:48 - Upcoming Interviews and Notifications

Matt Kahn is a spiritual teacher and mystic who travels the world, offering sacred heart wisdom that invites all seekers into the joy of liberated existence. Matt's spontaneous awakening arose out of an out-of-body experience at the age of 8, and numerous direct experiences throughout his life. Many spiritual seekers have experienced amazing, unexplainable healings, and have awakened to their true nature through his offerings of profound and loving teachings, and direct transmission of presence. Books: Everything Is Here to Help You: A Loving Guide to Your Soul's Evolution “Whatever Arises, Love That – A Love Revolution That Begins with You” Matt's website Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 1/14/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Matt Kahn's Unique Blend of Nonduality and Relative Considerations 00:05:02 - The Validity of Exploring Everything Equally 00:09:01 - Deepening the Experience through Self-Reflection 00:13:02 - Experiencing Different States of Consciousness 00:16:51 - The Nondual State and Paradox 00:20:51 - Freedom from the Need for Certainty 00:25:02 - The Dream of Denial 00:29:37 - Perceiving the Divine Intelligence 00:34:43 - Awakening Through Conversation 00:39:00 - The Intimacy of Divine Experience 00:43:28 - The Fear of Deficiency and the Fantasy of a Final Destination 00:47:57 - Seeing Through Pixilated Energy 00:52:14 - The Purification of the Body for Awakening 00:56:18 - Exploring Different Perspectives on Reincarnation 01:00:28 - The Aliveness of Being 01:04:36 - The Sincere Inquiry of the Spiritual Journey 01:08:49 - The Meaning of Seeking and Fulfillment 01:13:19 - Deeper Dimensions of Fulfillment 01:18:06 - Embracing and Loving Every Expression of Reality 01:22:24 - Childhood Realizations and Experiences 01:26:15 - Encountering a Being in the Garden 01:30:05 - The Misconception of Apologizing and Fixing Others' Lives 01:34:06 - The Power of Choice within Relationships 01:38:16 - Valuing One Piece of the Puzzle 01:42:24 - The Birth of a Burning Desire to Assist Others in Experiencing Infinite Possibilities 01:46:48 - Different Strokes for Different Folks 01:51:28 - Surreal Nonattachment and the Equality of Life 01:55:54 - The Activation and Energy Levels 02:00:16 - The Value of Payment for Spiritual Teachings 02:04:21 - Ending on Love 02:08:46 - Introduction and Theme Music

Lisa started spiritually seeking in her early 20’s. She had her first awakening in 2005 after attending a talk given by Tony Parsons. After this, she spent some time in India with Ramesh Balsekar. It was there that she met her final teacher, Roger Castillo, who was also a student of Ramesh. She lived with him for three years in Australia during which time many falsehoods were seen through. In the beginning of 2011, Lisa’s awakening stabilized and the seeker fell away. Lisa now enjoys communicating the nature of Happiness to anyone desperate enough to know the truth. Website: lisacairns.com Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 1/7/2012 Lisa in BatGap discussion with Tim Freke YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - A De-scription, Not a Pre-scription 00:03:49 - The Illusion of Cause and Effect 00:07:20 - Living without Concepts and Belief Systems 00:10:50 - Animal Cruelty and Personal Concern 00:13:35 - The Funny Story of How I Met My Boyfriend Roger 00:16:28 - From Buddhism to Tony Parsons 00:19:40 - The Illusion of Cause and Effect 00:23:11 - The Need to Hold onto Blame, Good and Bad Perspectives 00:26:52 - Indifference towards the opinions of others 00:30:43 - Life Showing What Needs to Be Happening 00:33:37 - Enlightenment and Spiritual Practice 00:37:09 - The Illusion of Happiness and Beliefs 00:40:59 - The End of the Urge to Do 00:44:51 - The Falling Away of Beliefs and Ideas 00:48:20 - The Dog's Thoughts 00:52:05 - The Spotlight on Experiences 00:55:24 - The Marvelous Creation of God 00:59:00 - Continuous Refinement and Exploration 01:02:48 - The Energy of Seeking 01:05:44 - The Joy of Laughing with Others 01:08:56 - The Awakening and Separation 01:12:08 - Overwhelmed by the Beauty of Everything 01:15:20 - A Radical Change of Perspective 01:18:52 - Exiting the Incubator 01:22:11 - The Intelligence Orchestrating the Mind-Body System 01:24:33 - Flexibility and Freedom in Being 01:27:44 - The Hilarity and Suffering of the Ego 01:30:47 - The Metaphor of Lines on Stone, Sand, Water, and Air 01:33:53 - Consultations and Donations 01:36:53 - The Challenges of Managing Time 01:39:29 - Visit BATGAP.com Save

Greg is a teacher of nondualism well known for a breadth of expression and a sense of humor. Inspired by Sri Atmananda Krishna Menon, Greg is one of the pioneers, along with Jean Klein and Francis Lucille, of "direct path" style nondualism, a very intuitive, holistic and immediate form of Advaita. It was through contemplation on the teachings of Sri Atmananda that Greg's own search came to its peaceful conclusion. Having studied Western philosophy at the Universität zu Köln in Cologne, Germany, Greg received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Rochester. He studied Advaita Vedanta through the Chinmaya Mission, the Mahayana teachings of Pure Land Buddhism through Jodo-Shinshu, and studied Madhyamika Buddhism through the lineage of the pre-eminent scholar of Chinese Buddhism, Master Yin-Shun of Taiwan, P.R.C., author of The Way to Buddhahood: Instructions from a Modern Chinese Master. Greg is the technical consultant for Philosophical Practice, the Journal of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association. He is also the author of Nondualism in Western Philosophy, Standing as Awareness, the forthcoming The Direct Path: a User Guide, and the forthcoming Emptiness and Joyful Freedom. From the "About" page: "Emptiness teachings are widely held to be liberating. The purpose of this site is to present the wide variety of these teachings in a way that will help make them accessible and relevant. We will feature scholarly, experiential and popular approaches to the emptiness teachings, and we will honor the diversity of traditions from which they flow. Our goal is to highlight the power and appeal of these teachings so that they may do their work." Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 12/24/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Technical Difficulties 00:03:04 - Ethical Dilemmas and Non-dualism 00:06:13 - Exploring Non-Doership & Personal Spiritual Journey 00:10:31 - Transitioning from Pentecostal Christianity to Mystical Traditions 00:14:48 - The Exploration of Spiritual Texts 00:19:28 - The Search for Identity and Purpose 00:22:52 - The Vanishing of Identity 00:25:46 - The Distinction between Concepts and Experience 00:28:22 - The Different Paths of Yoga 00:31:38 - No Personal Identity 00:35:34 - Riding Fixed Gear Track Bikes in the City 00:38:46 - The Arising of Thought and Memory 00:41:20 - The Illusion of Access and Oneness 00:44:32 - The Non-Existence of Arisings 00:46:45 - Grounded in Understanding Experience 00:49:46 - The Influence of Teachings on Language 00:53:34 - Stagnation in Non-Dual Discussion Groups 00:57:37 - The Power of Presence for Spiritual Transformation 01:00:24 - Embracing Feminine Integration and Relationships 01:02:44 - Non-Duality and Devotion 01:06:02 - The Phenomenon of Devotion 01:07:50 - The Power of Devotion 01:10:06 - The Visual Presence of the Holy Ghost 01:12:19 - The Diversity of Spiritual Perspectives 01:15:12 - Exploring Continuous Growth and Finality in Experience 01:18:57 - The Rigidity of Language and Alternative Teachings 01:22:08 - Ramana Maharshi's Visits and the Afterlife of Greg Good 01:25:14 - Exploring Continuity of Individuality 01:30:04 - A Conversation with an Open Mind 01:32:45 - The Shift from Awareness to Clarity 01:35:11 - Farewell and Music

The journey for Canela Michelle towards this realization was happening long before she had heard of the potential of consciously living in the stateless state of Being. Once she heard that this was possible in 1995, the path was lit up and speedy until she ended up in Satsang with Isaac Shapiro in February 1998. By this time her inner and outer explorations were deep and subtle yet her explorations of what she perceived seemed to only serve to expand all of that even more…so she simply asked Isaac: ‘Is it beyond perception?’ He answered ‘Yes’ and in that moment, what was there previously as some sort of structure fell away, leaving only ‘What Is’ at play and Awareness being aware of That. Canela Michelle is an expression of Awareness in each moment…just like everyone else is whether they recognize it yet or not (as is all that appears – air, body, thought, chair, taste, etc.). Her love is in supporting people to relax open to this Truth. Supporting them to allow themselves to not only recognize Love but to experience That; simply as it is, dependant on nothing at all. Awareness is the constant in the midst of the play of events. What rises, or appears in each moment might feel or look like an obstacle to Love, yet when a person opens to directly experiencing whatever that is, it shifts, changes and merges with all that is…no longer appearing as if it were an obstacle. There is nowhere to get to, you are already ‘Here’; it’s simply a matter of ‘meeting’ whatever might be appearing, right here, right now, in each moment. Once explored, it is recognized only as an invitation, from your Self to your Self…Love beckoning you hither. The support is offered in Satsang Meditation gatherings, individual & couple Satsang Sessions in person or by phone, and in her first book: Right Here, Right Now Meditations: Satsang Invitations for Expanding Awareness (Volume 1) Canela's website. 2nd interview with Canela Canela in BatGap panel discussion at Sofia University Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 12/18/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Canella Michelle Myers and her spiritual awakening journey 00:04:20 - Opening to Psychic Information 00:07:48 - Psychic Detective Work 00:11:58 - Overcoming Addiction through Awareness 00:16:14 - Exploring the Spiritual Search 00:19:43 - The Experience of Emotions and Being with Others 00:22:39 - Dissolving the Belief in a Separate Self 00:25:42 - Embracing Self-Care and Love Within 00:29:08 - Finding Comfort in Being Held 00:32:38 - Meeting Your Own Longings 00:35:52 - Falling and Being with the Moments 00:39:57 - The Solid Part that's Not Solid 00:44:23 - Learning Empathy and Caring from Church 00:48:49 - Healing from Childhood Anger and Guilt 00:52:39 - A Shift into White Light 00:55:38 - A Profound Sensitivity 00:59:10 - The attunement and initiation process 01:02:02 - Paul Lowe and the Invitation to Explore Fear and Attraction 01:04:38 - Exploring Boundaries and Uncovering Phobias 01:07:48 - Letting Go of My Life 01:10:23 - Letting Go and Following the Call Inside 01:12:41 - The Power of Renunciation 01:15:24 - The Transition to North Vancouver 01:20:17 - The Awakening and the Big Kahuna 01:22:24 - Opening Doors of Awareness 01:24:41 - The Endless Exploration 01:27:54 - Angels Holding Me Close 01:30:02 - Following the Call of the Heart 01:32:46 - The Dance of Absolute and Relative Perspectives 01:36:32 - The Expression of God through Instruments

Satsang with Bob Nickel was a great opportunity to be with someone who points to the pure truth of Awakening in a simple and clear way. One of the recent attendees at Bob's satsang wrote, "I was deeply moved by Bob’s blissful presence as well as the clear insight he is able to share with everyone into the deeper truths of life and ourselves. I could feel that Bob speaks from his own personal experience, those same truths shared through the ages by many of the great sages." Bob has been freely sharing in the non-dual Advaita tradition since 2004. He experienced his first spiritual epiphany at the age of nineteen, followed later by other special experiences. In recent years it has become clear to Bob that all experiences, which by nature come and go, have nothing whatsoever to do with the Truth that one essentially Is. His satsangs are dedicated solely to making Ramana Maharshi’s invitation to Self-Inquiry available to everyone, as a direct and immediate means to Self Knowledge, inviting all to simply abide effortlessly as That which one is, right here and right now. Cancer has returned to Bob's body. When he left for India in late April, 2011, his doctors said he was cancer-free. That has changed. In early September his physicians gave him about six months. Rather than just rest, Bob’s desire is to spend his final days sharing Ramana Maharshi's Invitation to Self Inquiry to all who wish to hear it. Bob's website. (Bob passed on August 17, 2012) Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 12/18/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Bob Nickel and his Spiritual Odyssey 00:04:10 - The Beginning of Self-Inquiry 00:06:59 - The fleeting nature of peak experiences 00:09:11 - Ramana's Teachings on Being Still and Self-Inquiry 00:11:14 - The Explosive Moment of Self-Inquiry 00:13:09 - The Half Step Back Into Yourself 00:15:06 - Awakening despite physical challenges 00:17:56 - The Limitations of Words and Concepts 00:20:56 - Living Life as a Question 00:24:33 - The Inner Guru and Outer Guru 00:27:12 - A Missed Opportunity to Thank Her 00:29:19 - Gratitude and the Connection Between Individuals 00:31:34 - Living in the Present Moment 00:34:00 - The Depth of the Ocean beyond the Waves 00:35:44 - The Wake-Up Call and the Presence of Mark 00:37:30 - Young People Giving Satsang 00:39:07 - The Importance of Self-inquiry in Education 00:40:51 - Arguments among Non-Dualists 00:43:10 - The Formation of Orthodoxy and Heresy 00:45:03 - "Be Who You Are" and Effort in Self-Inquiry 00:47:12 - The Unshakable Knowingness 00:49:26 - The Dissipation of "Yeah, Buts" in Satsang 00:51:32 - The Importance of Taking Action 00:53:35 - The Value of Diverse Spiritual Experiences 00:55:59 - The Mind's Love for Drama 00:57:49 - The Marvelous Orchestra of Intelligence 00:59:33 - The Mystery of "I Am" 01:01:42 - The Mysterious Intelligence of "I am" 01:04:15 - Concluding Remarks 01:06:06 - Interact with the Interview

More than twenty years ago, my (second) wife and I divorced, after ten years of marriage. After we divorced, I recognized that I had some unfinished business: it revolved around “the meaning of life”, which is at the bottom of the spiritual pursuit—to which I returned. As soon as our house was sold, I took my share of the equity and bought a fully-equipped camper van. I parked it on the property of an absentee friend in the redwood forest, near where I had been living in Northern California. I lived there in virtual solitude: reading, contemplating, taking walks for hours in the forest. At the end of three years, something suddenly fell into place. The spiritual quest resolutely came to an end. I discovered the actuality which is inescapable. The inseparability of all things, which has been referred to persistently by mystic sages for 3,500 years of our written history, is commonly spoken of as “oneness” (or Oneness). There is an aspect of this oneness which is rather apparent to most any attentive mind. But the aspect which seems to give many of us some difficulty has to do with our personal, individual relationship to this oneness. This latter aspect is the matter which had now become clarified for me. This radical, and sudden, shift in perspective was received like good news by me. Where before there had been confusion and perplexity concerning the relationship of the individual to the whole of existence, now there was a calming clarity. There was a profound resolution of the uneasy questing which had punctuated my prior years, a resolution which was not transitory because it has not since been apart from my general awareness. I hoped to share the good news, particularly with those whom I knew to have quested concurrently with myself. I knew, from my own experience, that a certain element of this unitive understanding is communicable from one mind to another; the analogy is sometimes given of a flame leaping from one torch to another torch. For the past fifteen years, I have conducted a considerable number of discussions (both individually and in groups) with persons who indicated their interest in resolving—and in recognizing that they had resolved—what has been called the perennial question. I have carefully observed the junctures at which their confusion compounded. I have also observed that for a few individuals there was no point at which their confusion was not surmounted, to their satisfaction. The essence of the unitive understanding is that it is liberating; the marvel of the unitive understanding is that it is basically effortless. Its liberation is a consequence of the non-attachment it engenders. This is not a detaching of piece from piece, item by item. It is an across-the-board release of attachment, which even includes non-attachment to the continuity of one's life. This dispelling of attachment is, in the same moment, the dispelling of correlated fear—and that is dynamic liberation. Robert's website. Books: Living Nonduality The Gospel of Thomas: The Enlightenment Teachings of Jesus Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 12/3/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Interview with Robert Wolfe 00:02:08 - The Meaning of Enlightenment 00:03:47 - The Myth of Enlightenment 00:05:41 - Recognizing the Truth 00:07:42 - The dissolution of the individual conception 00:09:41 - The Significance of the Word "If" 00:11:30 - Insights from Living in the Forest 00:13:50 - Finding the Zen Farming Commune 00:16:14 - Life Changes and Unfinished Business 00:18:42 - Three years in the forest reading, contemplating, and taking walks 00:20:58 - The Misconceptions of Enlightenment 00:22:42 - Guru Suits and Businessmen 00:24:45 - The Power of Immersion in Non-Duality 00:27:21 - Sharing the Truth with Others 00:29:46 - Relocating to Ohio for Krishnamurti's Teachings 00:32:51 - Making self-realization a priority amidst worldly responsibilities 00:35:54 - The Illusion of Future Results 00:38:23 - The Cultivation of Deep Interest in Enlightenment 00:40:57 - The Difference in Interest levels 00:43:13 - The Illusion of Control and the Mystery of Self 00:46:04 - Awareness of the Witness vs. the Witnessed 00:48:57 - Non-duality and Physics 00:52:06 - Linkage of Subatomic Particles 00:54:41 - The Intelligence of the Cosmos 00:56:52 - The Development of Spiritual Intelligence 00:59:24 - The Purpose of Human Existence 01:01:30 - The Importance of Expressing Awakening Experiences 01:04:21 - The Importance of Reading, Writing, and Speaking 01:06:28 - A Quest for Truth 01:07:56 - A Joyful Journey 01:09:15 - Stay Connected with Buddha at the Gas Pump 01:10:46 - Theme Music

Natalie Gray is an ordinary person who spent the first 25 years of her adult life searching for meaning and answers. In her search, she looked for those answers in several places, including trying to find a calling (as an actress, teacher and life coach), through self-help and awareness seminars, through study and initiation with various spiritual teachers and teachings and through the use of drugs. After coming to the realization that no one or no thing outside of herself was going to be able to give Natalie what she wanted, she began an intense personal and internal search for the truth. In the fall of 2010, Natalie experienced what she refers to as “...the end of seeking. I was done,” she says. “I had no more questions. I needed no more answers. What was sought had been found.” Since then, Natalie has shared her experience and insights through her blog, and in videos on YouTube. She communicates regularly and freely with individuals who have questions or are interested in talking about nonduality. You can reach her by email. Interview recorded 11/26/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Natalie Gray 00:03:26 - Seeking Enlightenment 00:05:19 - My Encounter with a Mythical Guru 00:07:31 - Interviewing Robert 00:09:44 - The Many Perspectives of Awakening 00:13:39 - Embracing the Mystery of Life 00:17:52 - Pragya anchored to Kutastha 00:20:51 - The Ordinary and Fascinating Journey 00:23:03 - The Mechanics of Transformation 00:26:07 - The Absolute Experiencing Itself 00:29:46 - Life After Enlightenment 00:31:25 - The Death of the Self 00:34:23 - Embracing What Is 00:36:25 - Speaking spontaneously without attachment to outcomes 00:38:49 - Oneness and the Nature of Existence 00:41:35 - The Birth of "I" 00:44:51 - The Perception of Reality 00:49:41 - The Perspective of Everything is Perfect and Everything Needs Fixing 00:53:39 - The Meaning of Purpose 00:55:58 - The Ordinary Nature of Awakening 00:58:04 - The Ordinariness of Well-Known Non-Dual Teachers 01:01:00 - The Ordinary Remnants of Life 01:02:36 - The Circumstances of Your Dharma 01:04:07 - Finding Beauty in Ordinary Activities 01:05:56 - The Criteria for Realization 01:08:10 - The Never-Ending Refinement 01:11:13 - The Post-Awakening Roadmap 01:14:26 - A Saturation of Experience 01:17:08 - Playing Our Roles, Holding Up Our Sticks 01:20:34 - The Nature of Blame and Responsibility 01:24:03 - Signing up for email notifications and donations

Jon Bernie’s first awakening experience at the age of sixteen led him to spend many years practicing in the Zen and Theravadan Buddhist traditions, first as a monk in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, and then as an early student of Jack Kornfield’s. In the late 1980s, Jon’s spiritual trajectory was profoundly altered when he met Jean Klein – master of Advaita Vedanta and Kashmiri Yoga with whom he studied intensively for an extended period. Jon subsequently spent time with H.W.L. Poonja and Robert Adams, both direct disciples of Ramana Maharshi. Jon’s spiritual development was also greatly aided by Brother David Steindl-Rast, who, along with Thomas Merton, was one of the first Christian monks to seriously practice in the Zen and Tibetan traditions and has since been instrumental in building interfaith networks worldwide. After Jon met Adyashanti in 2002, his spiritual journey came to fruition, and subsequently Adya asked Jon to teach. In addition to his work as a spiritual teacher, Jon is a certified Zero Balancing practitioner and a teacher of the Alexander Technique in private practice in San Francisco since 1981. Jon’s healing work has also been deeply influenced by extensive training in NLP, hypnosis, Self Acceptance Training, cranio-sacral therapy and the Qigong system of Dr. Yu Penxi. In addition to his private practice, Jon has given lectures and workshops for the general public at the Suzuki Method Teacher’s Conference, UCSF Medical School, JFK University and the Whole Life Expo. Jon currently leads regular classes, retreats and intensives in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Jon's book, Ordinary Freedom Jon's Website Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 11/13/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Power of Energy in Satsangs 00:05:18 - Interconnectedness and Synchronization 00:07:57 - A Psychic Awakening at 16 00:10:28 - Questioning the Existence of a Creative Force 00:13:42 - The Mind Wanders 00:16:53 - Becoming a Buddhist Monk 00:20:32 - The End of Fear and the End of Seeking 00:23:52 - Constant Discovery 00:27:27 - Second Awakening and the End of Fear 00:30:54 - Subtle Ways of Transformation 00:33:56 - Healing the Unseen and Unhealed Parts of Ourselves 00:36:50 - Relating to Spiritual Teachers on a Human Level 00:39:48 - Monastic Component in TM Movement 00:43:11 - Embracing Different Paths to Personal Growth 00:46:35 - Talking about Personal Identity 00:50:04 - The Experience of Human Feelings 00:52:47 - A Meeting with a Radiant Spiritual Teacher 00:55:50 - The Absence of Self-Consciousness 00:58:19 - "Do the Next Obvious Thing" 01:01:19 - Discovering Life and Learning as a Human Being 01:04:50 - Being a Mirror for Others' Resistance 01:07:23 - The Miracle of Satsang 01:09:49 - The Beginning of Awakening 01:12:14 - The Question of Belief 01:15:08 - The Inner Lives of Individuals 01:18:31 - Awakening to Shakti with Rick and Tony 01:20:58 - Collective Transformation and Flexible Approaches to Spiritual Practice 01:23:43 - Questioning Beliefs and Assumptions 01:26:32 - The Necessity of Gradual Growth and Breakthroughs 01:29:37 - The Path to Truth 01:32:38 - Conclusion and Farewell Save

From an early age Rupert Spira was deeply interested in the nature of reality. For twenty years he studied the teachings of P.D.Ouspensky, J.Krishnamurti, Rumi, Shankaracharya, Ramana Maharshi, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and Robert Adams, until he met his teacher, Francis Lucille, in 1996. Francis introduced Rupert to the teachings of Jean Klein and Atmanada Krishnamenon and, more importantly, directly indicated to him the true nature of experience. Rupert’s YouTube Channel. Interviews can be listened to here and watched here. Rupert lives in UK and holds regular meetings and retreats in Europe and USA. Books: The Transparency of Things: Contemplating the Nature of Experience Presence, Volume I: The Art of Peace and Happiness Presence, Volume II: The Intimacy of All Experience The Ashes of Love: Sayings on the Essence of Non-Duality The Light of Pure Knowing: Thirty Meditations on the Essence of Non-Duality Transparent Body, Luminous World: The Tantric Yoga of Sensation and Perception (Book and six MP3 CD Box Set - 30 Hours of Audio) The Nature of Consciousness: Essays on the Unity of Mind and Matter Being Aware of Being Aware (The Essence of Meditation Series) For all further information see http://www.rupertspira.com. Interview recorded 11/6/2011. Summary and Transcript of this interview. 2nd BatGap interview with Rupert YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Rupert Spira and his book 00:04:14 - The Path of Advaita-Vedanta 00:08:06 - Recognizing "Home" 00:11:59 - Explorations of Feeling in the Body 00:15:50 - The Mechanics of the Experience 00:20:03 - The Knowingness of Experience 00:23:57 - The Objectivity of Reality 00:27:44 - The Common Perception in a Dream 00:31:26 - The Relationship Between Intelligence and the Structure of the World 00:34:53 - The Nature of Awareness 00:38:37 - The Presence of the Imaginary Separate Self 00:42:38 - Individuality and the Illusion of a Separate Self 00:46:34 - Models of Enlightenment 00:50:22 - Enlightenment and the Perpetuation of the Separate Self 00:53:51 - The Point of View of Awareness vs the Separate Self 00:57:43 - The Illusion of Ignorance and the Reality of Awareness 01:01:23 - The Illusion of Duality 01:04:34 - The Conundrum of the Apparent World 01:08:17 - The Path of Exclusion 01:12:11 - The Path of Understanding and Love 01:15:22 - The Experience of Perception as Awareness 01:18:12 - The Nature of Direct Experience 01:21:08 - The Illusion of Separate Objects 01:24:54 - The Art of Teaching and the Nature of Experience 01:29:04 - Tailoring Love and Understanding to the Question 01:32:57 - The Limitation of Language and Teaching 01:36:46 - The After-Effects of Enlightenment 01:40:40 - The Art of Teaching 01:44:11 - The Continuing Process of Enlightenment 01:48:03 - The Permeation of Love and Transparency

Jeff Foster graduated in Astrophysics from Cambridge University in 2001. Several years after graduation, following a period of severe depression and illness, he became addicted to the idea of ‘spiritual enlightenment’, and embarked on an intensive spiritual search which lasted for several years. The spiritual search came crashing down with the clear recognition of the nondual nature of everything. In the clarity of this seeing, life became what it always was: open, loving, spontaneous, and fully alive. Jeff presently holds meetings and retreats in the UK, Europe, and around the world, clearly and directly pointing to the frustrations surrounding our seeking activities, to the nature of the mind, and to the clarity at the heart of everything. His uncompromising approach, full of humour and compassion, enlightens and exposes the seeking mechanism – the mechanism behind all suffering – shattering our hopes for a future salvation, revealing the unconditional freedom and ease that is always already present, right in the midst of the human drama, and within every experience. Jeff belongs to no tradition or lineage but has a deep respect for traditions and lineages. Jeff is not an ‘authority’ on life. His words are equal to the sound of a bird singing, or a cat meowing. All are expressions of the One Life. And when all words have disappeared, as they do, all that’s left is laughter. Jeff's site: Life Without a Centre Jeff's books: An Extraordinary Absence: Liberation in the Midst of a Very Ordinary Life, The Wonder of Being: Awakening to an Intimacy Beyond Words Interview recorded 10/30/2011 Interview summary and transcript YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Interview with Jeff Foster 00:03:24 - The Mystery of Non-Duality 00:06:21 - The Stuck-ness and Freedom 00:09:49 - Discovering the Ocean Behind Things 00:12:30 - Embracing our Humanity 00:16:04 - A Total Embrace of Life and Non-Duality 00:18:54 - The Longing for Completeness and the End of Seeking 00:22:07 - Seeking Completeness in Relationships 00:25:42 - The Natural Movement of Seeking Completeness 00:29:06 - The Completeness of Seeking 00:32:33 - The Paradox of Seeking and Completeness 00:35:55 - The Constant Invitation of Waves 00:39:25 - Embracing Relationships and Self-Acceptance 00:42:26 - The Adventure of Relationships 00:45:30 - The Pain of Honest Self-Reflection 00:48:38 - The Possibility of Recognizing Who You Really Are 00:52:28 - A Journey of Self-Discovery 00:55:47 - The Messy Path to Self-Realization 00:59:26 - The Myth of Dramatic Stories 01:02:03 - The Sun and the Waves 01:05:02 - The New Doing: Rejecting All Doing 01:08:00 - Meeting People at Their Level 01:10:54 - Meeting Without Defenses 01:14:06 - The Man or Woman at the Cash Register 01:17:28 - Reflections on Crucifixion and Acceptance 01:20:51 - The Crucifixion and the Resurrection 01:23:40 - The Evolution of Language and Understanding in Non-duality 01:27:29 - The Natural Expression of Sharing 01:31:11 - Singing Our Song 01:35:02 - Allowing and Acceptance in Spiritual Teachings 01:37:44 - Introduction to the Show and Guest

Gangaji shares a simple message-This is an invitation to shift your allegiance from the activities of your mind to the eternal presence of your being. Born in Texas in 1942, Gangaji grew up in Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1964, she married and had a daughter. In 1972, she moved to San Francisco where she began exploring deeper levels of her being. She took Bodhisattva vows, practiced Zen and Vipassana meditation, helped run a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center, and had a career as an acupuncturist in the San Francisco Bay area. Despite her successes, Gangaji continued to experience a deep and persistent longing for fulfillment. She pursued many paths to change her life including relationship, motherhood, political activism, career, and spiritual practice, but even the greatest of her successes ultimately came up short. In the wake of her disillusionment, she made a final prayer for true help. In 1990, the answer to her prayer came unexpectedly, taking her to India and to the meeting that would change everything. There on the banks of the river Ganga, she met Sri H.W.L. Poonja, also known as Papaji, who opened the floodgates of self-recognition. In this meeting, Gangaji’s personal story of suffering ended and the promise of a true life began to flower and unfold. Today, Gangaji travels the world speaking to seekers from all walks of life. A teacher and author, she shares her direct experience of the essential message she received from Papaji and offers it to all who want to discover a true and lasting fulfillment. Through her life and words, she powerfully articulates how it is really possible to discover the truth of who you are and to be true to that discovery. She is the author of The Diamond in Your Pocket: Discovering Your True Radiance and Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth in Your Life Story. Learn more about Gangaji at www.gangaji.org. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 10/18/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Buddha at the Gas Pump with Gangaji 00:02:14 - The Lottery of Enlightenment 00:03:53 - Meeting people as regular individuals 00:05:51 - Reverence for the Teacher 00:07:44 - Teaching from Fulfillment 00:09:20 - The Thunderclap Moment and the Removal of Self-Doubt 00:11:40 - The Global Shift 00:16:06 - The Power of Words and Transmission 00:18:12 - Different types of people and their spiritual awakening 00:20:16 - The Importance of the Sangha 00:21:43 - The Meaning of "Stop" and its Effect 00:23:54 - The Search for Identity 00:26:25 - Surrendering to the Overshadowing Nature of Thought 00:28:08 - The Invitation to Recognize Who You Are 00:30:15 - Recognizing the Role of Thought 00:32:23 - The Function of Storytelling and Overcoming Obstacles 00:34:48 - Discovering the Hidden Treasure 00:37:13 - Discovering Joy in Being 00:39:41 - The Fear of Nonexistence 00:42:22 - Fear as the Ultimate Gatekeeper 00:44:17 - Overcoming Fear and Distraction in Meditation 00:46:38 - Exploring Discomfort in Meditation 00:48:22 - Turning the Mind Back to Its Source 00:50:39 - The Beauty of Meeting Him 00:52:12 - The Beginning of the Journey 00:53:47 - The Growth Through Relationship Challenges 00:55:31 - Finding Love Amidst Chaos 00:57:44 - Love, Fulfillment, and Relationships 00:59:54 - Trusting Yourself 01:01:30 - Concluding remarks and future content

Ellie is a happily married woman for 29 years. She has been blessed, with two beautiful children—a lovely daughter and a sweet son. Since childhood, she was seeing herself as a vision, which was not associated with the body at all. The question was arising, “Who am I?” This was never answered and it was there in her heart for a long time… Since the year 2001, she has been inspired: To get to know who she is, To find what she is searching for For the past few years, she has had wonderful experiences by “going within,” meditating and discovering the Truth. The Truth reveals itself to itself by itself. She would like to share these experiences with you. She hopes that by reading her story, you also get inspired to “go within” and "discover" who you really are, and also find the authentic joy that resides within. This is simply a discovery, not to become anyone or anything. Remember: Joy is already there, it just needs to be uncovered. We learn to go within and to be a witness of the "nothingness.” It may be frightening at the beginning. All our life we want to be somebody and add something to ourselves and now we will face "nothingness." She wishes you all patience and the best of luck on this path. Please know that this is the best thing and the most important thing that you can do for yourself. Ellie's website 2nd interview with Ellie Interview recorded 10/16/2011 Italian subtitled version of this interview. Transcript of this interview YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction: Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:06 - The Invisible Vision 00:08:51 - Searching for Meaning and Purpose 00:13:56 - A Powerful Energy Experience 00:18:27 - Kundalini Awakening and Energy Healing 00:22:24 - Seeking Help for Kundalini Blockage 00:26:49 - The Power of Meditation 00:31:04 - The Powerful Meditation Experience 00:35:39 - A Love Affair with the Divine 00:39:21 - The 7 Stages of Self-Realization in Sufism 00:43:37 - A Love Affair with Uncertainty 00:49:06 - Experiencing Oneness and Duality 00:53:01 - Embracing Oneness and Love 00:57:45 - The Kingdom of God Within You 01:02:04 - Surrendering the Mind 01:06:07 - The Path to Self-Realization 01:10:46 - The Path to Awakening 01:15:26 - The Importance of Personal Experience 01:18:55 - Understanding, Realization, and Liberation 01:23:07 - The Truth and the Mind 01:27:21: Disappointment and the Path of Meditation 01:31:09 - The Truth of Oneness 01:35:36 - The Illusion of Reality 01:40:13 - The Beauty of Variety 01:43:52 - Different Ways of Meditation 01:48:01 - Surrendering the Mind and Knowing Yourself 01:51:29 - Surrender to the Burning Desire 01:55:56 - The Truth in Awareness 02:00:45 - The Illusion of Happening and Unfolding in Here 02:05:44 - The Benefits of the Conversation 02:09:02 - Conclusion and Upcoming Interview with Gangaji

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

In February 2008 at the age of thirty-three, Karen experienced a sudden and radical awakening. Prior to this realisation, no teachings or practices were followed – in fact at that time the terms non-duality and awakening were completely unfamiliar. This spontaneous realization presented itself during a period of intense emotional suffering and when demands in life exceeded Karen’s physical capability. Karen attempted to persevere in the face of these challenges, the consequence being a severely debilitating illness that affected physical functioning on every level. Although the illness had a devastating effect on life as it was then known, it seemed to create a space for a deeper reality to be recognized. As her state of health was so poor, Karen was unable to return to work – meaning that she spent a significant amount of time confined to her home. The effect of this period of solitude was profound surrender, allowing the realization to become deeply integrated into daily living. Two and a half years after the initial recognition, someone Karen didn’t know approached her for guidance, which really was the beginning of sharing in a more active way. Karen now shares openly with all those who wish to enquire into the true nature of reality. In the years prior to the realization, Karen has experienced challenges and disappointments that seem common to many. She is also a certified life coach and that, coupled with her nursing career has given her considerable experience of working with people from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances. This has endowed her with the ability to empathize and understand life as it is to commonly experienced, making her easy to communicate with. Realization – from a human perspective – means that the unity beyond apparent diversity is remembered. Life can then be embraced fully and authentically – without contamination from the lens of the conditioned mind, bringing relief from all psychological suffering. An inevitable consequence of this recognition is the arising of compassion, love, and respect for life in all of its appearances – having an ever-deepening impact on the human experience. This has the direct consequence of transforming the world we see literally before our eyes, having a powerful healing effect on the planet as a whole. ‘May you rediscover who you truly are, for in that knowing lies liberation, peace, and wisdom. You are THAT for which you have been seeking’ Much love, Karen Richards Interview recorded 9/25/2011 Summary and Transcript of this interview. 2nd interview with Karen YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Karen Richards' Awakening Journey 00:03:14 - A Complete Mental and Physical Shutdown 00:06:29 - Early Inquiries into Life's Meaning 00:09:11 - Awakening and Spiritual Homework 00:11:36 - Awakening and Physical Incapacitation 00:13:57 - Awakening to Reality and the Shift in Consciousness 00:16:52 - Embracing Life and Responding 00:19:50 - Awakening and the Evolution of Experience 00:22:21 - The Journey of Embracing What's Always Here 00:25:02 - Living the Recognition Fresh 00:28:03 - The Knowing from the Heart vs. the Conditioned Aspect 00:30:48 - Making Spiritual Teachings Accessible 00:33:19 - Meeting People Where They Are 00:36:16 - The Flow of Water and Meeting People Where They Are 00:39:13 - Seeking Happiness in Things 00:42:00 - Awakening to Timeless Consciousness 00:45:02 - The Experience of Everything 00:47:31 - The Fluctuating Polarity of Awakening 00:50:37 - Living Realization from a Memory 00:53:14 - Experiential Recognition and Thought Identification 00:56:09 - Different Ways of Awakening 00:58:53 - Ramana Maharishi's Period of Integration 01:01:37 - Uncovering Conditioned Tendencies 01:04:29 - Uncovering Hidden Tendencies and Conditioning 01:07:40 - Recognizing Conditioned Patterns and Dissipating Tendencies 01:10:48 - The Illusion of Clarity and Cultural Conditioning 01:13:45 - Recognizing Hidden Conditioning 01:16:35 - Resting and not manipulating anything 01:19:15 - Continuing Evolutionary Process 01:21:58 - Wrapping Up the Interview 01:24:16 - Contact Karen Richards for More Information

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

Krishna can be a catalyst for the awakening transformation of your life. He also appears to be a pretty ordinary guy. For most of his life, he has been driven by a desire to know the power that moves the universe. In this mad quest for authentic spiritual realization, he has been blessed to come across the right people at the right time. Besides working as a spiritual coach and teacher and being trained in hypnotherapy, he has also been a cabinetmaker, an auto assembly line worker, a New York City taxi cab driver, and a bus driver. He has lived real life as a down to earth human being and knows that the truth of spirituality is always tested there. His experience is that you will never have exactly what you want and that you are already what you're looking for. His sense is that you don't need to be taught as much as you need to be understood and heard. He is well versed in several spiritual maps but he knows that who you are is beyond any map. You are changeless and you are always changing, and he relates to you as both. Since you are what you're looking for, he is only always pointing you to a deep trust in your own deepest life: Being itself. He does this in one on one sessions and in groups through talks, guided meditation, questions, and answers, gazing transmission and silent sitting. His presence enlivens that which is guiding you from within and calls you into your own life. He welcomes you into an awakening that is totally yours, and totally beyond you. Krishna invites everyone to roll up their sleeves and celebrate the paradox of being both Infinite and finite simultaneously. His sleeves are rolled up too. Krishna's website trilliumawakening.org Interview recorded 9/17/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Krishna Gauci and Waking Down 00:04:10 - Discovering the Dimension of Ourselves 00:09:09 - Duality in Non-duality 00:12:37 - The Sense of Personhood 00:16:08 - The Core Wound and the Intuition of Being More 00:19:23 - The Paradox of Freedom and Bondage 00:22:09 - The Core Wound and Consciousness 00:26:01 - The experience of fundamental well-being 00:28:57 - The Wound of Consciousness and the Goddess Kuan Yin 00:32:14 - Expressing the Infinite Intelligence 00:35:37 - The Limitations of Perception 00:38:50 - Falling in love with the unique manifestation 00:41:41 - Many Paths to Spiritual Beliefs 00:44:24 - The Feeling of Offness and Core Wounds 00:47:21 - Expanding Sense of Self 00:50:41 - Levels of Understanding and Communication 00:53:03 - The Role of Devotion in Spiritual Teachings 00:56:05 - Devotion to the Mountain 00:59:25 - The Movement of Divine Love 01:04:00 - The Paradox of Resting in Conscious Nature and Seeking 01:09:27 - The Personalness of the Unmanifest 01:14:07 - Personal Love and Universal Love 01:16:54 - The Unofficial Lineage of Ramana Maharshi and Papaji 01:18:37 - Teaching approach of Ramana and Papaji 01:21:03 - Cultivating Equanimity in Life 01:23:45 - Teaching Consciousness to the Peasants 01:26:02 - Development of Consciousness and Moral Values 01:28:16 - The Importance of Accountability 01:31:04 - The Equality of Teacher and Student 01:33:57 - Trusting Your Own Being 01:36:53 - Join the Discussion Group

Joan Tollifson writes and talks about the ever-changing, ever-present aliveness of Here / Now, that which is obvious, unavoidable and impossible to doubt. She has an affinity with Advaita, Buddhism and radical nonduality, but she belongs to no tradition or lineage. Her main teacher was Toni Packer, but Joan has also studied with several Buddhist teachers and has spent time with a number of Advaita and nondual teachers. She has been holding meetings on nonduality since 1996. In her books and meetings, Joan invites people to explore their actual present moment experience and to question the deep-seated assumption that we are each an independent entity encapsulated inside a separate bodymind looking out at an alien world. Instead, we may discover that everything is one seamless, boundless, unbroken whole in which there are no separate parts. Joan also invites people to question the deep-seated assumption that we are in control of our lives (or should be), and she points to the realization that everything is one choiceless happening. Joan is known for her honesty and her sense of humor. She is the author of Bare-Bones Meditation: Waking Up from the Story of My Life (1996), Awake in the Heartland: The Ecstasy of What Is (2003), Painting the Sidewalk with Water: Talks and Dialogs about Nonduality (2010), and she has written two more books that are slated for publication early in 2012. Joan has lived in California, New York and Chicago, and is currently living in southern Oregon. Joan's website Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 9/4/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Joan Tollifson's Work 00:03:00 - Defining "Awake" and "Enlightenment" 00:06:07 - The Illusion of Being an Encapsulated Unit 00:09:24 - The Illusion of the Self 00:12:24 - The Illusion of "Me" and "Happening" in the Movie of Life 00:15:02 - The Illusion of Self-Improvement 00:17:38 - Being an Individual Wave in the Ocean 00:20:34 - Trusting the Unfolding of Life 00:23:24 - The Conceptual Picture of Totality 00:26:11 - Emptiness and the Conceptualization of Reality 00:29:02 - Dependent Reality and the Manifestation of the Universe 00:32:03 - The Three Stages of Perception in Zen 00:35:19 - The Paradox of Absolute and Relative Realities 00:38:04 - The Paradox of Enlightenment 00:40:46 - The Subtle Misinterpretation 00:43:10 - The Openness of Awakening and the Paradox of Inclusion 00:46:29 - The Practicality of Life 00:48:59 - The Switch that Happened 00:51:57 - The Liberating Realization of Unicity 00:55:13 - The Liberation of Non-Ownership 00:57:48 - The Pitfalls of Progressive Practices and Non-Progressive Approaches 01:00:31 - The Place for Everything 01:03:13 - Embracing Individual Perspectives 01:05:46 - The Nature of Political Views and Choices 01:08:39 - The Illusion of Choice 01:11:42 - The Illusion of Choice and Consciousness 01:14:08 - The Power of Conditioning 01:17:07 - The Illusion of Authorship 01:19:31 - Accepting the Movement of the Universe 01:21:39 - Upcoming Books and Mailing List 01:23:34 - Join the Email List for New Interviews

I’m sorry about the video quality. We had technical problems which we weren’t able to surmount. “Adyashanti” means primordial peace. Adyashanti dares all seekers of peace and freedom to take the possibility of liberation in this life seriously. He began teaching in 1996, at the request of his Zen teacher with whom he had been studying for 14 years. Since then many spiritual seekers have awakened to their true nature while spending time with Adyashanti. Adyashanti offers spontaneous and direct nondual teachings that have been compared to those of the early Zen masters and Advaita Vedanta sages. However, Adya says, “If you filter my words through any tradition or ‘-ism’, you will miss altogether what I am saying. The liberating truth is not static; it is alive. It cannot be put into concepts and be understood by the mind. The truth lies beyond all forms of conceptual fundamentalism. What you are is the beyond—awake and present, here and now already. I am simply helping you to realize that.” A native of Northern California, Adyashanti lives with his wife, Mukti, and teaches extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area offering satsangs, weekend intensives, and silent retreats. He also travels to teach in other areas of the United States and Canada. Books and other media: The 30-day Wake Up Challenge Resurrecting Jesus - a self-guided video course The Direct Way The End of Your World (book) The End of Your World (audio download) Emptiness Dancing True Meditation Falling Into Grace Spontaneous Awakening Realization Unfolds Adyashanti's website Interview Summary and Transcript Interview recorded 8/30/2011 Other interviews with Adyashanti Interview on Conscious.tv covering a lot of biographical info. Adyashanti and Francis Bennett on “Resurrecting Jesus” Adyashanti and Susanne Marie on the Falling Away of Self Adyashanti and Francis Bennett on "The Embrace of Jesus and Buddha" YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Adyashanti's Teachings on Spiritual Awakening and Inquiry 00:04:11 - Intuition and the Spirit of Inquiry 00:07:23 - Connecting through Fresh Inspiration 00:10:46 - Letting go of Attachments to Thoughts and Ideas 00:14:11 - Different Strategies for Awakening 00:17:03 - The Thorn and the Boat Analogy 00:19:50 - The Capacity for Infinite Truth 00:22:19 - The Beginning of Awakening 00:25:41 - Understanding Awareness and Awakening 00:28:08 - The Complexity of Defining "Ego" and "Awakening" 00:31:13 - The Complexity of Truth and Viewpoints 00:34:12 - The Resistance to What Is 00:37:18 - The Concept of Self and its Functionality 00:40:06 - The Subtle Sense of Self 00:43:40 - The Disappearance of Ego in Awakening 00:46:19 - The Absence of Seeking and Fear 00:49:00 - Surrendering to Death for Truth 00:52:43 - Seeing the Hidden Secrets 00:56:05 - The Process of Letting Go 00:59:00 - The Erosion of Personal Will and False Notions of Awakening 01:02:04 - The Disappearance of Personal Will 01:05:22 - Letting Go of Personal Relationship to Existence 01:08:17 - The Importance of Taking Action 01:10:41 - The Breaking of the Heart's Shell 01:14:15 - Awakenings in the Head, Heart, and Gut 01:17:45 - The Nuanced Nature of Understanding and Awakening 01:20:52 - Insight and Action in Zen 01:23:03 - Maturing in Spiritual Awakening 01:25:50 - The Fear of Aloneness and Loneliness 01:29:04 - The Maturity of the Process 01:31:46 - A Conversation with Adya Save Save Save Save

Pamela speaks the Truth of Advaita, non-duality - that the universe is one undivided whole. For the last ten years, she has traveled widely in the United States, Canada, and Europe, holding satsang and giving private sessions. Week-long retreats have been held in Mexico, Costa Rica, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the USA. She has endeared herself to many through her lighthearted humor and compassion, and deep understanding of what it is to be human. She lives in the Bay Area of Northern California. Pamela's website Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 8/28/2011 2nd Interview with Pamela YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Pamela Wilson's Spiritual Teachings 00:03:33 - The Supreme Intelligence 00:06:26 - The Play of Natural Intelligence 00:09:31 - Clear Seeing and the Balance of Consciousness 00:13:01 - Coming Back to Deep-Rooted Still Naturalness 00:15:52 - The Devotion of Saints and Sages 00:18:54 - The Infinite and Existence 00:21:44 - Greek Mythology and Seeking Deeper Meaning 00:24:15 - Spontaneous visitations from Ramana Maharshi 00:26:47 - A Pillow Fiasco 00:29:21 - The Beauty and Seduction of the Vastness 00:32:05 - Appreciating Brahman through our perceptual mechanism 00:34:50 - Using the Sedona Method for Meditation 00:37:33 - The Shakespearian Costume 00:40:19 - The Fear of Annihilation 00:42:56 - Urgency and Immersion in Spiritual Teaching 00:45:45 - The Mystery of Awakening 00:48:30 - The Transformative Effect of Awakening 00:51:31 - Fear in the Unmoving Pond 00:54:30 - Relaxing the tension in humanness 00:57:18 - The Tree of Life's Relaxation Process 01:00:08 - The Nature of Suffering and Awakening 01:02:43 - The Power Surge of Relaxation During Sleep 01:05:15 - The Luminous Nature of Reality 01:07:41 - Hanging out with a sage 01:11:10 - The Integration of Strength and Sensitivity 01:14:17 - The Healing Influence of Attention 01:17:14 - Resting in Substratum 01:19:48 - The Function of Timelessness 01:22:32 - The Essence of Life Waking Up 01:27:43 - Transition to Adyashanti Save

At 28 I moved to New York City, a fulfillment of a childhood dream. Oddly enough, even though I had received what I wanted on many accounts, I felt like I was having a premature midlife crisis. Interest in philosophy and psychology arose in response which brought me to The School of Practical Philosophy where I discovered Advaita Vedanta and was initiated into Transcendental Meditation (TM) three years later. Frustrated over my lack of success in my meditation, I left the school and embarked on fixing myself through psychotherapy. On a local radio station I came across Gangaji and Eli Jaxon-Bear. They were sharing the Truth they had discovered through their master, H.W.L. Poonja, a.k.a. Papaji, who happens to be Mooji’s guru as well. Then 9/11 happened. I was deeply hurt inside. The towers that I saw burning and crumbling outside initiated the same inside me. In the days and months that followed, old, hidden pain and fear from the past emerged, but, surprisingly, I felt more alive than ever. Somehow, something inside knew intuitively what was happening is good, that I needed to face this. As a new year’s proclamation I told friends boldly that this year (2002) I’m going to fall in love with myself. I didn’t even know what that meant. Soon after, I met Gangaji and Eli Jaxon-Bear, not personally, but at their satsangs, and other teachers of the same lineage. After many years with Stuart Schwartz, a disciple of Robert Adams, a strong desire arose in me to be with Papaji. I finally met him in and through Mooji. It was love at first sight. When I first met Mooji I didn't know why he says that awakening is not an event. A few months after my first meeting with my master, Mooji, the truthfulness of his statements announced itself to and in me as intuitive insight when the essence of who I am was also revealed through the power of Mooji's pointing and presence. Subsequently, the continuous close association with Mooji in the heart and in person as well as my own contemplation of the Truth by way of self-inquiry brought about the recognition of my true identity beyond the realm of the knowable, beyond even the “I Am,” through which we taste this existence and intuit this unfathomable, unmanifest substratum that is untouchable by worldly phenomena. What is undoubtedly known here is that abidance in this placeless place is synonymous with Freedom, and we are that Freedom itself. The recognition of this as our true Self is appreciated as humanity's greatest potential. Interview recorded 8/14/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Zenji 00:03:16 - Personal History and Themes 00:05:57 - Spontaneous Contemplation on the Nature of Self 00:09:15 - Pursuing a career in typesetting and publishing 00:12:43 - Introduction to Meditation at the School of Practical Philosophy 00:14:56 - Discovering Advaita through Psychotherapy 00:18:22 - Understanding our own Minds 00:21:55 - Facing Old Trauma and Finding Love 00:24:27 - The Meaning and Desire for Love 00:26:45 - Stepping Stones on the Path of Self-Realization 00:29:26 - Meeting Papaji and Mooji's Energetic Presence 00:32:45 - Resonating with the Teacher 00:35:08 - The Conviction of Existence 00:38:02 - The Perception of Self and Consciousness 00:41:13 - The Nature of the Experiencer 00:44:27 - Self-Inquiry and the Nature of the Self 00:47:49 - The Swift and Clear Discovery of Awakening 00:50:26 - The Significance of Awareness 00:53:19 - The Difference between Understanding and Realization 00:55:51 - The Persistence of Awareness 00:58:54 - Recognition of Awakening 01:01:56 - The Illusion of the World and the Self 01:04:47 - The Power of Awareness and the True Nature of the World 01:08:01 - Evolving Spiritual Maturity 01:10:56 - The Continued Exploration and Maturing of Self-Discovery 01:13:39 - The Voice of the Mind 01:16:17 - Checking in and Reaffirming the Source 01:19:27 - Discovering the Self beyond experiences 01:22:00 - The Continuation of Pure Existence 01:25:00 - The Nature of Identity 01:27:27 - Conclusion and Next Steps

For over two decades, several questions have been foremost in my mind: What is this life about? What is the nature of reality? What is truth? How do we live and thrive in this world? For many years these questions puzzled me, but being the inquisitive type, with a restless mind always seeking to find the answers to whatever confronted me, I kept searching and searching. Like many people, I kept groping around the edges of Truth, having occasional glimpses but nothing really definitive. But the Universe is relentless. If its first attempts at getting you to see don’t work, it starts pulling out the heavy artillery and blasting away at your illusions. That’s what happened to me. My seemingly wonderful life turned to crap, seemingly overnight. The Universe was playing rough, offering me a bit of “fierce grace” as Adyashanti likes to say. And it worked! I finally quit groping around the edges and instead leaped into the fire. I began questioning my illusions and starting to see something more. Much has changed over the years for me, and after those first glimpses of reality, life has taken on a new and more interesting form. I am now dedicated to sharing what I have seen with all those who, like me, are impelled from within to know, truly know, what life and reality are all about. We call this impulse “spirit” or “the Universe” or “God”, but in the end, we discover it is what we truly are. It is Life. It is the One seeking to awaken to Itself. And we are That. Interview recorded 8/7/11. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Tom Stine and his work in spiritual awakening 00:04:09 - The Drive to Explore Beyond our Senses and Typical Human Life 00:08:16 - The Universal Urge to Know the Truth 00:11:56 - The Health Benefits of a Spiritual Life 00:14:24 - A Course in Miracles and its Practices 00:17:12 - Questioning the Truth 00:20:11 - The Question of Past Lives 00:22:26 - A Course in Miracles and the Need for Something More 00:25:38 - Discovering the Sedona Method 00:28:40 - The Journey to Adyashanti 00:31:43 - An Experience of Light Inside My Head 00:35:01 - The Power of Presence and Transformation 00:38:11 - The Value of Spiritual Practices 00:41:29 - The Truth and Behavior in Awakening 00:44:53 - The Power of Loving Kindness 00:47:33 - Puppets of Life, Rowing with the Stream 00:50:48 - The Perception of Individual Volition 00:53:35 - The Illusion of Choice in Decision Making 00:56:31 - The Similarity between Orgasms and Heroin addiction 00:59:45 - The Illusion of Choice 01:02:51 - The Illusion of Enlightenment 01:05:51 - The Experience of "I" 01:10:05 - A Shift in Perception 01:14:01 - The Perpetual Challenges of Life's Fan 01:16:18 - Subsequent Awakenings and Transformations 01:19:01 - Letting Go and Loving Your Ex 01:22:05 - Reflection on the Subjective Experience of Life 01:25:20 - Stunned Disbelief and Old Memories 01:28:38 - Satsang and Spiritual Journey shortcuts 01:31:00 - Subscription Service for Satsangs

Robert Augustus Masters, Ph.D., is the author of 11 books (including Transformation through Intimacy and Spiritual Bypassing), a relationship expert, a spiritual teacher, and a highly experienced psychotherapist (and trainer of psychotherapists) with a doctorate in Psychology. His uniquely integral, intuitive work (developed over the past 33 years) dynamically blends the psychological and physical with the spiritual, emphasizing full-blooded embodiment, authenticity, emotional openness and literacy, deep shadow work, and the development of relational maturity. At essence, his work is about becoming more intimate with all that we are, in the service of deep healing, awakening, and integration. In all this, he works side-by-side and in very close conjunction with Diane, his wife and partner in all things. Website: robertmasters.com Books: Spiritual Bypassing: When Spirituality Disconnects Us from What Really Matters Knowing Your Shadow Emotional Intimacy To Be a Man Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 30, 2011, with assistance from Fax and Sharon Gilbert. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Robert Augustus Masters and Spiritual Bypassing 00:05:11 - Breakthrough in Spiritual Work 00:09:23 - The Heroic Journey Into the Underground 00:13:00 - The Circuitous Journey of Personal Growth 00:17:14 - Shedding Familiarity and Embracing Darkness 00:20:06 - Exploring Fear and its Gifts 00:23:05 - The Unpleasant Feeling of Shame 00:25:46 - The Power of Deep Groups 00:28:13 - Awakening Through Intimate Relationships 00:30:55 - Embracing the Uncomfortable and Blowing the Whistle 00:33:32 - Poetry and Paradox in Writing 00:37:30 - The Moral Development of Spiritual Teachers 00:41:30 - Therapy and Spiritual Practices 00:44:34 - Going Beyond Separation 00:48:10 - The Importance of Attachment in Relationships 00:51:52 - Feeling Fully and Passionately 00:54:55 - Body-Centered Therapy and Connected Catharsis 00:58:05 - Therapy as an Adjunct to the Spiritual Path 01:00:59 - The Possibility of Integral Enlightenment 01:04:05 - The Rarity of Authentic Community in Relationships 01:07:39 - Working through Friction and Honoring Individuality 01:10:36 - The Relevance of Personal Stories in Healing and Transformation 01:14:06 - Going Beyond the Rush to Reach the Universal 01:18:05 - Spiritual Bypassing and Spiritual Ambition 01:22:14 - Reflections on Life and Death 01:25:31 - The Breaking Point and the Ayahuasca Phenomenon 01:29:25 - The Intensity of the LSD Experience 01:33:40 - Transformation Through Intimacy 01:37:40 - Mature Monogamy and the Paradox of Freedom 01:41:00 - Cultivating Intimacy with Ourselves 01:44:07 - Prioritizing People according to Demand Save Save

Wayne Liquorman was both a spiritual seeker and a family man with a successful export business, when he met his first and final guru, Ramesh Balsekar, in September 1987. In April 1989 the process of seeking ended when enlightenment happened through the body-mind mechanism called Wayne. Wayne describes the event as being "of interest only to seekers." His first book, No Way: A Guide For the Spiritually 'Advanced' was published in 1990 under the pen name Ram Tzu because he "didn't want a bunch of miserable seekers cluttering up his living room." In fact, Wayne did not speak publicly until Ramesh asked him to do so in 1996. This enlightenment event and its aftermath are described in Wayne's second book, Acceptance of What IS, published in 2000. He is also the author of Never Mind... A journey into Non-duality, and the editor of Consciousness Speaks and several other books by Ramesh Balsekar, who refers to Wayne as his "spiritual son." His most recent book, Enlightenment Is Not What You Think, was published in 2009. The teaching, as it happens through Wayne, is pure Advaita (non-duality), uniquely presented in a uncompromising, sometimes humorous way, without religious dogma or new age veneer. In his Talks, Wayne is without agenda, speaking only in response to seeker's questions. He talks about Consciousness: the ground of all being, the source and the substance of everything. "This Advaita, as I talk about it, is not actually a philosophy, because it does not hold any tenets. It is simply a collection of pointers and concepts, and it posits that none of them are true in an absolute sense. This teaching is not about conveying the truth. It is about prying away the limitations and misconceptions about how things are." - from Never Mind Wayne's message is clear and simple. Although he may suggest areas for further inquiry, Wayne offers no cures, practices, or miracles to reach enlightenment. He invites you to bring your most cherished beliefs to his Talks. If you are really fortunate, you may leave without them. Wayne's site: http://www.advaita.org/ Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 7/24/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Wayne Liquorman 00:03:29 - The Illusion of Authorship 00:06:45 - The Metaphor of the Ocean and the Wave 00:09:48 - The Illusion of Separation 00:13:18 - Pure Presence and Is-ness 00:16:59 - The Paradox of Action and Inaction 00:19:41 - Playing the Role of an Instrument of Consciousness 00:22:22 - The Journey from Addiction to Recovery 00:25:21 - A Life-Altering Moment 00:28:02 - Transformation and the Power of the Universe 00:30:16 - Exploring Spiritual Explanations 00:32:46 - Falling in Love with Ramesh 00:35:38 - Falling in Love with an Indian Guru 00:37:54 - The Movement from Wanting to Getting 00:40:15 - The Turning Point of Giving and Receiving 00:42:27 - Real Freedom and Giving 00:44:34 - Getting to Know the Man on Tour 00:47:17 - The Experience of Resonance with the Guru 00:50:07 - The Awakening 00:53:07 - The Presence of Absence 00:57:53 - The Unexpected Talk with Ramesh 01:01:00 - The Difference Between Pain and Suffering 01:04:40 - The Experience of Pain without a Witness 01:07:32 - Understanding the Sense of Self as Wayne 01:10:35 - The Difference Between Awakening and Enlightenment 01:13:56 - The Link Between Enlightenment and Behavior 01:17:15 - Behavior and Enlightenment 01:20:20 - The Relationship between Action and Consciousness 01:23:18 - Further Unfoldment and Development After Realization 01:26:01 - Changes in the Human Organism 01:28:19 - Wrapping up the Interview

Jan passed away on July 5, 2025. Jan was born 1960 and grew up in Bury, England. His parents were Danish. In 1967 the family moved to Denmark. Jan’s dad is an engineer and there was no spiritual influence from either parent. Yet Jan showed strong spiritual yearnings since an early age. Jan trained as an artist under the Danish painter Niels Hermann Wamberg; he also studied art restoration at the Royal Academy in order to learn the traditional craft. Jan also studied at the university and acquired an MA in history of modern culture. Today Jan works as a full-time professional artist and also has a software company developing photo retouching plug-ins for Photoshop. After doing Transcendental Meditation and the TM Siddhi Programme for six years, Jan felt the need for a guru and found Gururaj Ananda Yogi whom he stayed with for three years. Then Jan’s Kundalini was so active, that he did not need any other guidance than what the Shakti gave, so he gave up on gurus and meditated by observing the inner Shakti’s workings. Following this, Jan began to be contagious and the Kundalini might spontaneously awaken in those that meditated with him. After some years, Jan met Amma and related to her as a spiritual master for about ten years. But again the Shakti guided Jan to meditate on his own and follow the inner guidance of the Shakti. Today Jan would describe his spirituality as being grabbed by Mother’s grace. The Divine Mother who resides in everybody as Kundalini Shakti and patiently waits to unfold as a vibrating field of love, bliss, and grace. Interview recorded 7/10/2011. Jan's sites: Spirituality Art Software Development Books: Lovebliss: The Essence of Self-Realization Enlightenment 101: From Ignorance to Grace Kundalini Tantra: Song of Liberation Transcript of this interview 2nd interview with Jan YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Jan Esmann and his Spiritual Journey 00:04:59 - Out of Body Experiences and Blissful Samadhis 00:08:13 - The Blue Pearl and the Blue Being 00:11:15 - An Encounter with God 00:14:54 - Saturated with intelligence and consciousness 00:17:30 - The God Consciousness and the Blue Being 00:20:06 - An Interesting Experience on a Meditation Week 00:22:37 - Glimpses of Past Lives 00:25:59 - Past Life Memories 00:28:41 - Pure Being 00:32:23 - The Paradox of Bliss and Meaninglessness 00:35:05 - Meditation and Kundalini Awakening Journey 00:38:17 - A Spiritual Connection with Amma 00:41:03 - Kundalini Awakening Journey 00:43:39 - Work in Meditation 00:46:28 - Shaktipat and Blissful Meditation 00:50:02 - The Bliss Transmission 00:52:41 - Awakening of the Crown Chakra and Self-realization 00:56:47 - Recognition of Pure Being in Others 00:59:32 - The State of Passive Awareness 01:02:24 - Progression of Consciousness: From Cosmic Consciousness to Unity Consciousness 01:05:35 - Understanding, Realization, and Liberation 01:09:15 - The Maturation of Spiritual Teachers 01:12:28 - The Transition from Duality to Unity Consciousness 01:15:40 - Awakening Spiritual Growth 01:18:01 - The Nature of Bliss 01:21:15 - Levels of Awareness vs Levels of Experience 01:25:25 - Kundalini: Unfolding Ignorance into Enlightenment 01:29:15 - Kundalini and Shaktipat 01:32:59 - Expansion of Unity Consciousness 01:35:56 - Interview with a Local Phenomenon in Copenhagen

One fine morning when I was in my mid-twenties, I woke up and the life I had previously led was over. I was consumed by a longing to be truly intimate with God, the one truth. This great longing grew daily, and it first manifested as being aware of the unseen in nature. Nature invited me into itself, and I found myself taking very long solo trips deep into the wilderness of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This naturally led to a resonance with Native traditions, and before long I met my first teacher, a highly-respected Lakota medicine man who was very committed to upholding the Old Way. With this association, the intimate awareness of spirit deepened. I met my master, Mata Amritanandamayi, in 1993. There was an immediate recognition that I needed to spend as much time as possible in her presence, so I spent most of the next nine years in her ashram in India. This was a period of intense de-conditioning where so much was exposed. Amma knew my longing for truth, and consequently pushed me quite hard, so that a natural, authentic surrender and love was all I knew. It is said in the scriptures that love leads to knowledge (Bhakti to Jnana), and knowledge leads to love. That they are two sides of the same coin-not separate. There arose in me a natural resonance with self-inquiry, and with Amma’s blessing I spent two years a Ramana Maharshi’s ashram in Tiruvannamalai. Then one day I knew I was done with India, and returned to the west. When I returned, I had nothing to hold on to. No family, home, money, job, car, or health. The body was quite weak and tired, and the old way of striving couldn’t survive. Surrender naturally deepened, and it was at this time that the personal self really lost its hold. In 2004, Pamela Wilson invited me to share my experience with others. After talking to Amma about it and receiving instruction from her, I felt an overflowing and a readiness to share. In recent years, Adyashanti has been and continues to be an invaluable guide and a support in this unfoldment and recognition of what’s true. He has my deepest gratitude. My heart bows down to all of my teachers and friends who make up the fullness of this life, and no words can describe how this heart bows to Amma. Joi's site Books: Embodying the Infinite and the Dissolution of the Separate self: Stories, Transmissions and Ancient Vedic Knowledge for the Complete Liberation of Source Consciousness Unpredictable Grace: My Adventure Recovering from Chronic Pain through Neuroscience and Quantum Mechanics Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 7/2/2011. Second BatGap interview with Joi YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Spiritual Awakening in Tahoe City 00:04:42 - A Total Inside Job 00:09:08 - The Power of Presence in Nature 00:13:47 - Spontaneous Prayer and Connection with Nature 00:18:37 - A Journey of Healing and Transformation 00:22:39 - Powerful Experiences and Native American Wisdom 00:26:32 - Surrender to the Divine Feminine 00:30:55 - Exploring Eastern Philosophy and Emotional Release Techniques 00:34:26 - Various Jobs and Meeting Amma 00:37:59 - A Moment with Shri Swami 00:42:16 - Claimed by Amma 00:46:04 - Receiving the Silent Transmission 00:50:37 - Seven Years of Restlessness 00:54:14 - Experiencing Total Oneness 00:58:04 - The Divine Intelligence within Amma 01:01:43 - A Spontaneous Invitation to Ramana Maharshi's Ashram 01:05:55 - Going deeper into the inquiry 01:09:24 - The Power of Being Seen 01:13:09 - The Other Side of the Coin 01:16:48 - A Silent Recognition of Presence 01:20:17 - The Depth of Presence and Clarity of Understanding 01:24:47 - Faint Remains of Ignorance and the Instrumentality of the Physical World 01:29:07 - Experiencing Grace and Presence Everywhere 01:33:18 - Letting Go of the Known 01:37:37 - Letting Go of the Need to Know 01:42:13 - Filling up the Space 01:46:16 - The Beauty of Living Fully 01:50:10 - The Danger of Identifying with Awakening 01:54:23 - The Different Approaches to Awakening 01:57:56 - Wrapping Up the Conversation 02:01:07 - Farewell and Next Time

IIn 1958, when I was sixteen and in tenth grade, I stole my parents' checkbook, booked a flight to New York with a bad check, and moved into the Plaza Hotel, where I assembled a wardrobe and other artifacts, went to a play on Broadway (J.B.), drank, ate high and finally bought a $2,500 Patek Phillipe watch in the hotel jewelry store — all paid for with bad checks from my parents checkbook (times were easier then for a child con man). In the end, they called my grandmother in New Jersey who wired enough money to bail me out and get me a train ticket to her. I lived with my grandmother for a while, got involved with a married woman, was found out by her ex-Marine husband, and escaped into the Army, where I soldiered poorly for three years or so in Germany. Upon my discharge from the Army, I returned to New Jersey and my grandmother and was hired on as an apprentice machinist at a shipyard in Camden, New Jersey, where my grandfather had worked. I learned a good trade to fall back on and embarked on a pretty good run of good jobs and bad and stupid adventures. Before long, a woman who worked for me left her husband and we took off for Southern California, where I settled into a career of poker, credit card scams, and fraudulent check operations. She didn't stay for long. When the police moved in to break up the ring of fences and check runners that I used to dispose of stolen merchandise and cash bad checks, I escaped by the skin of my teeth and ran away to Oregon with another woman who herself was on the run from her husband with her three kids in tow. I took a job there as a photocopy salesman and was soon arrested when the car I was driving was checked by the Oregon police and identified as having been bought in California with a bad check. After eighteen months in the hole, I was released from McNeil, and reunited with the woman with whom I had fled California, went to work for Boeing as a journeyman machinist in the R&D department, and joined the Revolutionary Communist Party. After several years, I left the RCP over an ideological dispute, and before long got involved with a ragtag bunch of anarcho-commies, led by my old comrade from McNeil, who called themselves with considerable grandiosity The George Jackson Brigade. I didn't stay caught for long. About six weeks later, I escaped with the help of friends who had evaded capture at the bank, and we left town for a while to lick our wounds and gather our strength. We returned about a year later to rob banks, sabotage capitalist institutions, and cause consternation among our enemies. We managed to do just that for another year or so, after which we were caught again, tried, convicted. I had been sentenced to a total of thirty years — an act of leniency that almost gave the prosecutor a stroke — and sent to the US Penitentiary at Lompoc, from which I escaped with the help of my new wife a couple of months later. I was put on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List, but this time I resolved to stay straight, as it were. We moved to Golden, Colorado, and I took a job as a precision machinist at Sundstrand, an aerospace company in Denver. All was going quite well until I undertook a campaign to unionize this rabidly anti-union company in the rabidly anti-union State of Colorado. I was fired but later was awarded a considerable settlement for violation of the labor laws that make it illegal to discharge an employee for union activities. I had made a record of very high productivity and accuracy in my work that made it impossible for Sundstrand successfully to claim that I had been fired for cause. During my years in prison, I studied philosophy, physics, metaphysics, etc. Early on, drawn by its unabashed celebration of a mystical reality, I even converted to Catholicism. Much later, in 1993, in a federal prison in Littleton, Colorado, I got involved with the Buddhists who were coming to prison from the Naropa Institute in Boulder. I was very quick to understand the teachings and successful in my practice. The Buddhists were very happy with me, and they soon brought in a Tibetan lama and I took refuge and bodhisattva vows. In 1994, fifteen years into my sentence, an American spiritual teacher named Gangaji came to the prison. In her presence, I discovered myself to be peace and freedom and love without condition. The next year was spent in an extreme state of bliss and in the clear seeing of the reality of the oneness of all being. The year of blissful experiences was followed by a year in hell, where I lost everything I had attained. I fell into abject despair. Finally, in desperation, I turned to Ramana Maharshi. I put all of my energy into the project of figuring out what he was asking us to do. I wanted to find an activity that would either put an end to my torment or show me that it was, as I suspected, all completely hopeless after all. In 1998, I was released from prison on parole and went to work for the Gangaji Foundation in Boulder, Colorado. Six months la

Family, friends, clients, colleagues and the world, do not have to wonder if Martha loves them….the answer is lived out in Martha’s actions and words. It’s not just the welcoming hug that envelopes your heart. Or the endearing way that she recognizes your beauty from the inside out. Martha’s love is also demonstrated in the straightforward honest way that she will call out self-defeating and false patterns for those who are interested in discovering their higher, and usually much kinder, next best version of themselves. Martha has the courage and skill of the lion tamer, who steps into the ring with confidence and grace. The ring that she often serves within is called facilitator, teacher, mentor, and friend. Martha joins with whomever she is working with individually or collectively as a group, to meet the unquestioned and stressful thoughts running the show. These false thoughts are typically expressed in stressful, negative, unproductive and sometimes very destructive ways within individuals, relationships, families, organizations. Martha is a seeker of truth and a master of questions. Individual accomplishments include accredited degrees in Accounting/Human Resources and Organizational Management. She has a list of credentials from a myriad of sources that include: Mystery Schools, Hoffman Institute, Byron Katie International School Certification, Healthy Systems Certification, Mediation Skills, Conflict Resolution and a graduate degree from Emerson Theological Seminary. She has served in Religious Science and Unity Churches. She has trained in Transcendental Meditation, Reiki and beyond. As a speaker, minister, leader, coach, consultant, facilitator, Martha is often described by others as able to deliver a great deal of information in a profoundly simple and attainable way. She is dynamic, funny, personal, practical and generous in what she offers. Martha does not spend time with formalities such as being introduced by her extensive professional, education and certification credentials. She is more interested in being present to those she is with and serving. She exemplifies Mother Teresa's, "Do little things with great love". Martha’s mission and vision are as concise and clear as she is -- "Go within or go without". That’s where you’ll find Martha’s passion and heart. And if you pause and take a look, you’ll most likely see her lovebeam of a flashlight in one hand and the hand of another brave soul, willing to take the journey into their heart and minds, seeking to know the truth of who and whose they are. Pure and simple, Martha is an experience of love. Website: marthacreek.net Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 6/12/2011. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Martha Creek and her background 00:04:24 - The Conviction of God's Presence within 00:08:19 - Fearlessness in childhood and past lives 00:11:43 - Being an Old Soul with Strong Convictions 00:15:20 - Clear Thinking in a Crisis 00:17:59 - Sleeping and Addiction 00:20:59 - Following my Life's Calling 00:24:20 - Discovering The Work 00:26:58 - The Perception of Horrible Things 00:29:38 - The Power of Perspective 00:32:21 - The Illusion of Good and Bad 00:35:02 - The Concept of Preferences and Accepting What Is 00:38:25 - Humility and Not Insisting on a Specific Outcome 00:41:28 - Being Blurred Over 00:44:16 - Choosing Kindness and Honesty in Divorce 00:47:38 - The Mind's Resistance to Yes or No 00:50:55 - Questioning Unkindness 00:54:06 - Finding Kindness in Our Lives, Understanding Wholeness 00:57:10 - The Role of the Victim in Abuse 01:00:20 - Letting Go of Past Trauma 01:03:28 - The Innocence of Mistakes and Moving On 01:06:24 - The Limits of Describing Enlightenment 01:09:51 - Experiencing Joy and Energy 01:13:07 - The Power of Shadow Work and Questioning Thoughts 01:16:07 - The Meaning of Concepts 01:19:06 - Living Fearlessly and Dealing with Emotional Energy 01:21:37 - The Effect of Thought on Facial Expressions and Identity 01:24:19 - The Power of Questioning the Mind 01:27:46 - Accessing Resources for The Work 01:30:54 - The Power of Storytelling 01:34:06 - Reconnecting with an Old Friend

In the eighties, Julie Chimes-Laws worked in the media-based London’s Fleet Street. Company director, businesswoman and part-time racing driver her world underwent a dramatic change when an out-of-the-blue attempt on her life left her for dead. Viciously stabbed repeatedly within millimeters of her life her subsequent survival was considered to be something of a miracle. She wrote a profound yet humorous autobiographical account of her experiences, both in and out of body, A Stranger in Paradise, which was first published by Bloomsbury, London. The book was distributed on three continents and translated into five further languages creating a wave of positive media attention around the world. The extraordinary story was also the subject of a critically acclaimed BBC documentary, which she scripted and co-directed. Leaving the world of convention behind Julie has spent the last seventeen years living abroad. She has traveled extensively during this time whilst encountering the weird and wonderful. Stepdaughter of the great comedian Max Wall, daughter of one of the world’s most beautiful women, and sister to a wonderful soul with autism, her unconventional upbringing gave her a love of finding mirth in the midst of the mundane, and a passion for storytelling. A gifted speaker, she has addressed and entertained diverse audiences around the world sharing the experiences of her many adventures and fresh insights on life and death. After facing her own mortality she vowed to ‘try on’ as many lives as possible. Olive farmer, cleaner, facilitator of international retreats and workshops on meditation, garden designer, chief cook, host and bottle washer for an restaurant located in her own Andalusian patio, property and pet sitter, painter, decorator, and life counselor to name a few, whilst receiving an unorthodox training as a singer in the basement of a brothel and performing as a soloist in some equally unlikely venues. Having gathered a wealth of original material over the last seventeen years, Julie is now dedicated to full-time writing. Passionate about projects that have the power to uplift, amuse and inspire humanity, she is currently working on a book about forgiveness, with a feature film script, children’s stories, a drama and a comedy series for television and a second book about her adventures planned for the future. She shares her time between Spain and France, where she lives with her editor husband Richard in hidden places away from the marauding British investors. Website: juliechimes.com Facebook Page Transcript of this interview Interview recorded June 5, /2011. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Julie Chimes 00:03:21 - A Time of Reflection and Reminiscing 00:06:38 - A Bizarre Phone Call and an Unexpected Visitor 00:10:20 - Meeting the Woman on the Self-Awareness Course 00:14:20 - A Turbulent Meeting Turns Deadly 00:17:43 - A Shocking Encounter 00:21:18 - The Dimension of Love and Compassion 00:24:30 - A Glimpse of Sadness and Compassion 00:27:55 - The Mysterious Library and the Message from Spirit 00:31:33 - Relentless Attack and Escape 00:35:00 - The Brutal Attack in the Driveway 00:39:01 - A Violent Attack and a Sequence of Miraculous Events 00:42:25 - The Race to the Hospital 00:45:48 - The Awakening and the Promise 00:49:44 - The Unveiling of Other Realities 00:52:57 - Conversations with Veritas 00:56:21 - Discovering the True Self 01:00:23 - Life on a Hillside in Spain 01:03:15 - The Bartholomew Teachings 01:05:55 - The Quest for a Spiritual Master 01:08:53 - Healing and Reconnection 01:12:18 - Rediscovering the Inner Life 01:15:43 - Finding Balance and Writing A Stranger in Paradise 01:18:56 - A Spiritual Experience through Violence Recovery 01:21:49 - Finding Spiritual Nourishment in Siddha Yoga 01:25:32 - Finding the Right Spiritual Path 01:29:18 - Exploring Different Spiritual Paths 01:33:34 - Writing for a Wise and Catholic Man 01:38:23 - Trusting the Moment 01:42:24 - Embracing Change and Reinvention 01:46:59 - Introduction and Book Recommendation

My birth took place January 7, 1949, on a small rural farm in East Tennessee, but somehow, I did not forget my spiritual nature in the process of arriving here as a human. As a child, I remembered myself being free from the limitations of form and language, and I made two vows: first, never to forget who I am and the freedom I had prior to birth, and second, to find my way home no matter what it took. In my youth, I experienced a nagging urge to know the Truth of my existence. By the age of 19, this urge developed into a fierce determination to find that Truth at the risk of everything – career, relationships, physical and even mental health. My quest took me into many investigations including teaching the TM program of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for 12 years. Every investigation left me dissatisfied until the late 1980s when Sathya Sai Baba began to appear in my dreams and meditations. I finally journeyed to Baba’s ashram in July 1990. The moment I saw him step off the veranda, I recalled my childhood vow to find my way home. In that very moment, I knew He was living my home. In the fall of 1992, Shirdi Sai Baba appeared to me and took me into a state of union with His Presence. Over the following months, my personal identity completely dissolved. What remained was infinite formless Being, immense love, and the Truth I had sought. Over the next 12 years, I expanded in my understanding of Truth, and the knowledge that I am the originator of all existence took root in my innermost sense of subjectivity. Eventually, I found myself in a painful relationship with a woman and began investigating the human element I had been working diligently to overcome in the name of spirituality. I had difficulty justifying my intense feelings of distress with my very high sense of spiritual freedom as transcendent Consciousness. My investigation led me to an initial encounter with the embodied conscious awakening teachings of Saniel Bonder and Waking Down in Mutuality in 2002. I quickly concluded I needed help in balancing and integrating my Divine realization with my very human shadow and brokenness. When I experienced my embodied awakening, I witnessed Consciousness fall from my crown area into the Heart center on the right side of my chest. As the embodiment process has deepened, I have asked this question: ‘What does Life want of me?’ From that query, the role of teaching Waking Down in Mutuality has arisen. I am clearly teaching what I need to learn and have much love to share for those who dare the journey into the great Mystery of embodied awakening. Websites: nothingother.com trilliumawakening.org Facebook Page Books: Nothing Other Raindrops Falling on the Ocean Email: [email protected] Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 5/15/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Alan Morelock 00:06:59 - Losing the Memory of My Nature 00:12:18 - The Beginnings of Spiritual Seeking 00:17:27 - The Beginning of TM Practice 00:22:20 - The Transcendent Quality & Personal Life 00:26:37 - The Emergence of a New Mantra 00:32:45 - Intense Ecstasy and Overwhelming Presence 00:36:44 - The Awakening and Connection with a Small Child 00:41:59 - Shining through the Infinite Being 00:47:02 - Bodhisattva by Yogananda 00:51:39 - Personal Problems and the Transition to Embodiment 00:56:34 - The Soul as the Generator of Form 01:00:15 - The Empowerment of Embodiment 01:03:51 - The Value of Individuality 01:08:08 - Embodiment and Exploration of Devi's Creation 01:13:31 - The Intuition of Something Great About Ourselves 01:18:51 - Post-Awakening Quest for Service 01:23:35 - Embodying our Transcendent Nature 01:27:50 - The Aliveness of Questions 01:33:24 - The Soul and the Godhead 01:39:27 - The Power behind Consciousness 01:43:29 - The White Lie and Going to Hell 01:47:22 - The Supervisor of Spiritual Teachers 01:51:36 - The Dynamics of Waking Up 01:55:40 - The Learning Process of Teaching 01:59:14 - The Purpose of Waking Down in Mutuality 02:02:56 - Serving Others in Finding their Next Step 02:06:52 - The Origin of Western Civilization 02:10:32 - The Journey into the Human Experience 02:14:03 - The Nature of Awakening 02:17:32 - Listening to Podcasts While Cutting Grass

A clinical psychologist in private practice in Binghamton, NY, Michael studied and practiced Zen Buddhism for many years beginning in 1978. An initial experience of non-dual awareness emerged in 1982. Like virtually all first glimpses, this experiential awareness was fleeting. Still, the appetite for an enduring awakening had taken hold, as well as an absolute faith in the spiritual truths reported by Shakyamuni Buddha and the Zen teachers of ancient China and Japan. Years of frequent silent meditation retreats allowed this awareness to deepen and expand, yet there was still searching for true liberation. The continuous experiential Knowing that this is it emerged many years later after an apparent surrendering of the desire to become anything at all. With this much deeper and more pervasive understanding, there arose simultaneously a reconnection with his childhood roots in the Christian tradition. Michael now shares this knowledge of Self with a growing number of students. The teaching is consistent with the truths taught by awakened teachers of all religious traditions. He teaches awakening and the integration of non-dual awareness into daily life. Over 30 years of full-time psychological practice has provided a unique perspective on the roots of suffering and the end of it. He draws on the writing and teaching of contemporary and historical awakened teachers, joining the common threads in Christian, Buddhist, Advaita, and Non-Dual traditions to share a message of the possibility and promise of personal transformation and liberation from egoic illusion. Email: [email protected] Blog: AwakenToTruth.BlogSpot.com Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 5/22/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Michael Hall 00:05:08 - Joining a Zen Meditation Group 00:07:29 - Discovering Anger and Blood Pressure 00:10:19 - Awakening and Zen Training 00:12:46 - A Journey of Awakening and Disillusionment 00:15:24 - The Ceasing of Identity 00:18:29 - Effort and the Final Threshold 00:21:21 - Surrendering the Ego 00:24:16 - The practice of seeing and releasing automatic beliefs 00:26:49 - The Illusion of Selfishness and the Power of Conditioning 00:29:34 - Letting Go of Feelings 00:32:10 - Finding Your Own Path 00:34:28 - Finding What Works for You 00:36:17 - Shift in Identity: Michael Hall to Universality 00:38:22 - The Dark Night and Inner Transformation 00:41:25 - The Dark Night of the Soul and Radical Reorientation 00:44:13 - Letting Go of the Past and Embracing the Present 00:46:49 - The Difference Between Channeling and Being Adyashanti 00:50:33 - A Zen Book Awakening 00:55:00 - The Progressive Deepening of Realization 01:00:16 - Stages of Enlightenment 01:03:58 - Embracing Challenges and Growth 01:07:41 - The Indescribable Nature of God 01:11:19 - Increased Effectiveness in Therapy 01:13:28 - Transformation through Empty Glass 01:15:16 - The Value of Ordinary People in Spiritual Awakening 01:18:18 - Living a Skillful and Less Stressful Life 01:21:45 - Paradigm Shifts and Awakening Consciousness 01:24:25 - Faith in Your Ability to Realize Truth 01:27:06 - Conclusion and Next Interview Announcement Save

Due to technical problems, this video only contains still shots of Richard, while Rick’s video is normal. Richard Sylvester is a humanistic psychologist, therapist and lecturer. For thirty years he engaged with a variety of spiritual practices while also training in psychotherapeutic techniques and teaching counselling. In 2002 Richard met Tony Parsons and as he writes in his first book "That was the end of what I thought had been my life." Richard writes “The most common misconception about liberation is that it is something an individual can gain. But actually it is a loss - the loss of the sense that there ever was a separate person who could choose to do something to bring about liberation. In liberation it is seen that thoughts, feelings and perceptions simply arise in Oneness - there is no one to whom they belong. “The sense of separation makes us take the everyday for granted and clamour for something more exciting to happen. But when separation is seen through, the ordinary becomes transformed into this wonderful play of consciousness, and it is seen that this is already it and this is already sufficient. “This is a recurring message. It overthrows all authority. It can’t be killed off. It requires nothing. It requires no churches, no philosophical tracts, no scriptures, no history. If everything that had ever been said or written about non-duality were to disappear in a moment, it would simply re-emerge. It would re-emerge because nothing has to be learnt, nothing has to be studied, nothing has to be done, no spiritual purification and no pleasing of God has to take place, for the seeing of liberation to occur. It arises spontaneously. One moment there’s somebody there, the next moment there isn’t. One moment there’s somebody crossing a field, the next moment there’s just crossing a field.” Richard has written three books about non-duality, 'I Hope You Die Soon', 'The Book Of No One' and 'Drink Tea, Eat Cake'. He gives talks on non-duality in England and abroad. If you would like to know more, please visit www.richardsylvester.com or www.richardsylvester.co.uk. Interview recorded 5/8/2011. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Richard Sylvester 00:02:42 - Seeing through the Illusion of Individuality 00:05:16 - The Challenge of Non-Dual Language 00:07:16 - The Ineffability of Non-Duality 00:09:09 - The Joy of Communication 00:11:39 - The Significance of Spiritual Practice and Awakening 00:14:03 - Challenging the Mind and Natural Justice 00:16:38 - The Incidence of Spiritual Realization 00:19:38 - The Loss of Knowledge and the Collapse of the Sense of Self 00:22:37 - Seeing through the Past and Future 00:24:52 - The Illusion of Time 00:27:50 - Transparency and Spiritual Practices 00:30:38 - The Extraordinary in the Ordinary 00:33:40 - The Difficulty of Seeing Through Conditioning 00:36:49 - The Absurdity of Spiritual Practices 00:39:37 - The Power of Stories 00:43:00 - Non-duality and the Madness of the Mind 00:46:08 - Different Perspectives and Levels of Consciousness 00:51:59 - Awakening Without Personhood 00:55:27 - The Sense of Separation 00:59:36 - Rejecting Talk of Paths and Enlightenment 01:05:23 - The intention to be helpful 01:09:34 - Living life as it is now lived 01:12:36 - The Loss of Meaning and Purpose in Life 01:15:17 - The End of a Life 01:17:35 - The Effect of Clarity on Others 01:19:24 - The Power of Resonance and Silent Communication 01:21:33 - Conducting Meetings and Writing Books 01:23:31 - Emphasizing the Miracle 01:25:54 - Open to Possibilities 01:28:00 - Interviews and Discussions

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 4/23/2011. Part 1 of this interview, recorded a week earlier. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Discussion on the Continuation of Ego After Enlightenment 00:04:17 - The Awakening Process and the Extinction of Ego 00:08:20 - Transmission and Integration after Realization 00:12:03 - The Spirit-Matter Split 00:15:54 - Evolution of Ancient Traditions 00:19:21 - Holding Open the Possibility 00:22:55 - The Definition of Ego 00:27:02 - Ramana Maharshi and the Dissolution of the Ego 00:30:01 - Honoring the Soul of Loving Kindness and Forgiveness 00:32:07 - Mithya: The Concept of Dependent Reality 00:34:51 - The Mystery of Life's Paradoxes 00:37:56 - The Juiciness of Being Human 00:40:50 - Flexibility and Malleability 00:43:51 - Cultivating Awareness and Accessing the Transcendent Ground 00:46:45 - Fulfillment of the Drive 00:49:59 - The Intensification of Subjective Awareness 00:52:42 - A White Hot Moment 00:55:03 - White-Hot Fusion and Simultaneous Hugeness and Tininess 00:57:59 - Stages of Awakening 01:01:15 - The Second Birth Interview Process 01:05:18 - Ground Awareness: Continuous and Impersonal 01:09:09 - The Transition to Second Birth 01:11:58 - The Importance of Confirmation and Support during Spiritual Transformation 01:15:34 - The Maturing Process of Enlightenment 01:19:54 - The Core Wound and Consciousness 01:24:31 - The Vision for a University 01:28:38 - The Purpose of the University and Empowering Individuals 01:32:06 - How to Get in Touch for a Chat 01:35:09 - Embracing Different Spiritual Paths 01:38:29 - Gratitude and Empowerment 01:41:28 - Support the Project

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

Chris Hebard is the founder and creator of StillnessSpeaks.com, a premier resource on the internet aggregating the text, audio, and film of authentic contemporary and traditional teachers of Non-Duality and Self Inquiry from within all spiritual disciplines. The website reflects his enthusiasm and love for its material. The approach of StillnessSpeaks is integral; it does not promote any particular path or methodology. Chris attempts to honor the many paths available to all Truth Lovers; in doing so, he hopes to demonstrate that there is only one destination. Chris writes, speaks and films on Self Inquiry, Advaita, and non-duality extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He can be reached at [email protected]. As you will hear in this interview, Chris’s own journey involved becoming a hard-driving, successful businessman, who dismissed spirituality as impractical nonsense, only to suffer a series of devastating losses which brought him literally to his knees, dismantled his ego, and ignited a burning desire for Self-Realization. Interview recorded 4/3/2011. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Chris Hebard 00:04:16 - Childhood Memories and Prep School Life 00:06:35 - The Beginning of My Rebellious Years 00:09:09 - Entrepreneurship and Spiritual Disconnect 00:11:36 - The Shift in Perception from LSD Experiences 00:14:13 - The Shift into Business and Ego-Inflation 00:17:08 - Embracing Change and Transformation 00:20:04 - Overcoming Adversity and Finding Inner Peace 00:24:21 - Feeling Lost and Searching for Identity 00:27:51 - The Power of Now and a Turning Point 00:30:15 - The Shift in Understanding 00:32:37 - The Beautiful Journey of Personal Growth 00:34:55 - Discovering Advaita Resources 00:37:55 - The Journey of Awakening 00:40:18 - Stumbling upon Francis Lucille 00:42:35 - Meeting Francis and Profound Experiences 00:44:59 - "Darshan" and the Power of Proximity 00:47:18 - The Shift in Perception and Direction of Life 00:50:12 - Enthusiasm and Criticism 00:53:15 - Magnificent People on the Unfolding Journey 00:56:19 - The Contagion of Awakeness 00:59:18 - The Substance of Awareness 01:02:06 - A Lukewarm Heart 01:05:02 - The Importance of Having Teachers 01:07:35 - The Nature of Reality and Self-Realization 01:09:47 - Fine-tuning the Physiology and Letting Go 01:11:46 - The Question of Free Will 01:13:28 - Following Your Heart's Desires 01:15:49 - The usefulness of teaching different perspectives 01:18:17 - Connecting and Collaborating 01:20:10 - Sign up for email notifications

This interview is in audio only. From http://thomasgates.com/bio: Thomas was born in Texas in 1950 and grew up in the rural countryside not far from Dallas. He spent much of his childhood playing in the woods, observing the stars, the sky, the trees, the animals, the changing of seasons, and the effortless flow of nature’s way. As a result, he quietly sensed that there must be one simple and powerful essence sustaining all this incredibly diverse creation. Meditation Then, shortly before his twenty-second birthday, Thomas learned a unique and simple meditation technique that quickly confirmed his sense of what had been occurring in nature all along. It enlivened the experience of that deep, underlying silence–the silence that permeates and sustains the whole field of existence. Emergency This peace and happiness lasted about one week when Thomas suddenly found himself being rushed to the hospital with a severe case of appendicitis. The doctors told him not to worry. It would just be a routine surgical procedure and that he would be home in three days. Little did he know that his life was about to be altered forever. Thus began the prelude to an amazing journey that took him all the way through and beyond the “light” to the underlying, eternal source of our existence and all creation. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 1/30/2011 Audio below and as a Podcast. Video unavailable.

Paul has been involved with the recovery community since 1988 and has been leading workshops and holding talks for 18 years. He has been assisting those with addiction problems for many years. The 12-step program has some very potent ‘pointers’, which have assisted a few to go beyond the 12 steps. Paul is unwavering in his teaching. His very direct, uncompromising pointing doesn't provide a refuge for entrenched conditioning and the sense of separateness, no matter how convincing that experience may be. "Whatever arises in my mind, I don't let it vouch for me." "Any form of looking that focuses on an object misses the opportunity to directly be the seeing, and not be identified with the object." Paul's site: ZenBitchSlap. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 3/26/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Paul Hedderman 00:03:18 - The Essence of Awakening 00:05:13 - The cat knocking over the light and the value of interpretation 00:07:31 - The false interpretation of a self 00:10:00 - The Bogusness of Self 00:12:23 - The concept of selfing explained 00:14:30 - Language and the Reflective Mind 00:17:12 - Freedom from the Bondage of Being a Self 00:19:43 - A Conversation on Repetition and Learning 00:22:15 - Childhood Innocence and Ant Wars 00:24:33 - Finding Relief in Alcohol and Drugs 00:26:50 - The Book of Recovery: A Spiritual Program 00:28:49 - The Identification as Self 00:31:34 - Living in "having found" 00:34:13 - The Flow of Juice 00:36:22 - Spiritual Practices and Near-Death Experience 00:38:18 - Exploring Different Spiritual Practices 00:40:48 - Letting Go of the Failed System 00:43:03 - The Mental Vice of Selfing 00:45:16 - The False Center 00:47:46 - Degrees of Bondage 00:50:05 - The Illusion of "Self" and Freedom from Selfing 00:52:07 - The Pause in Selfing 00:54:00 - Applying the Approach to Recovery 00:56:22 - The Origin of "Zen Bitch-Slap" 00:58:58 - The Illusion of Personal Death 01:01:16 - The Seeing of What I'm Not 01:03:23 - The Paradox of What's Not Going On (with Rick Archer) 01:06:01 - A Course In Miracles and the Structure of the Mind 01:08:11 - Traveling Light through Maya 01:10:15 - A Fun Place to Live Save

Video is in two parts. Part 1: Part 2: Tim is a philosopher or ‘lover of wisdom’ who is pioneering a simple new way to experience a profound spiritual awakening, which fully embraces our everyday humanity. He has spent his life exploring the awakened state he often simply calls ‘The Mystery Experience’. Tim has articulated his own revolutionary ‘philosophy of lucid living’ designed to help people go beyond ideas and actually experience a ‘deep awake’ state, which replaces out-dated spiritual jargon with clear new concepts which are simple to understand. He has also developed a profoundly simple ‘Mystery of the Moment’ attention technique and a number of powerful ‘I to I’ practices, which quickly awaken practitioners to ‘The Mystery Experience’ and help them commune with others in oneness and ‘Big Love’. Tim has an honours degree in philosophy and is an internationally respected authority on world spirituality. He is the author of over thirty books that have established his reputation as a scholar and free-thinker. He is best known for his groundbreaking work on Christian Gnosticism with his close friend Peter Gandy, including The Jesus Mysteries, which was a top 10 best-seller in the UK and USA, and a ‘Book of the Year’ in the UK Daily Telegraph. In recent years he has articulated his own ‘lucid philosophy’ in The Laughing Jesus, Lucid Living, and How Long is Now? Tim is also an innovative ‘stand-up philosopher’ – a concept he developed from the ancient idea of a philosopher as a traveling ‘spiritual entertainer’ who transformed people’s consciousness. He is a passionate and playful communicator, whose enthusiasm for life is contagious. He is often featured in documentary films and chat shows broadcast by the global media, such as the BBC and the History Channel. Tim is the founder of The Alliance for Lucid Living, (The ALL), an organization dedicated to our collective awakening. He lives with his wife Debbie and their two children in Glastonbury, England. Website: timfreke.com The most recent of Tim's many books: Soul Story: Evolution and the Purpose of Life Deep Awake: Wake Up To Oneness and Celebrate Your Individuality Lucid Living: Experience Your Life Like a Lucid Dream Discussion of this interview in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview Recorded 3/13/2011 Other interviews with Tim 2nd BatGap Interview 3rd Batgap Interview Tim Freke with Lisa Cairns YouTube Video 1 Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Timothy Freke 00:01:51 - Tim: A Philosopher and Lover of Wisdom 00:03:36 - Embracing Being Different 00:05:05 - The Strangeness of Being Alive 00:06:54 - The First Lucid Experience 00:08:18 - Asking the Deep Questions 00:10:02 - The Silent Contagion of Enthusiasm 00:11:27 - The Spark within Each of Us 00:12:55 - The Collapse of Religious Traditions and the Influence of Eastern Religion 00:14:12 - The Impediment of Comparison in Spiritual Growth 00:15:51 - Entering into the Awake State 00:17:09 - The Elusiveness of Awareness 00:18:04 - The Power of Newness and Silence 00:19:09 - Persevering Silence in Chaos 00:20:32 - Awakening on the Hilltop 00:22:02 - Early Encounters with Spiritual Teachings and Psychedelics 00:23:24 - The Ornamental Philosopher 00:24:48 - Profound Experiences and Endless Journey 00:26:24 - The Influence of Eastern Teachings and "The Moment in the Rose Garden" 00:27:34 - The Journey Moves On 00:28:42 - The Importance of Open-Mindedness 00:29:52 - The Joy of Discovery 00:31:25 - The Ups and Downs of Life 00:32:47 - Embracing Life's Ups and Downs 00:34:15 - Embracing our Humanity 00:35:54 - Riding the Waves 00:37:22 - The Journey of Oneness 00:38:56 - The Experience of Non-Person Level of Life 00:40:12 - The Richness of the Oneness Experience 00:41:53 - Balancing Oneness and Individuality 00:43:15 - The Illusion of a Broken Car YouTube Video 2 Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Importance of Both-And Perspective 00:02:58 - Evolving Beyond One-Pointed Attention 00:04:40 - The Incredible Response at the Conference 00:06:22 - Embracing Vulnerability and Fear 00:08:22 - Holding Both Safety and Vulnerability 00:10:13 - Embracing Paradox and Polarity 00:12:11 - Consciousness as Discrimination 00:14:12 - The Journey into Separateness 00:15:58 - The Paradox of Existence 00:17:44 - Branch of Gnosis: Science and Deep Knowledge 00:19:35 - The Journey between Alpha and Omega 00:21:06 - Joseph Campbell and the Pioneers of Awakening 00:22:51 - The Key Things to Grasp 00:24:11 - The Nature of Consciousness and Lucid Dreaming 00:26:09 - Polarity of Presence and Forms 00:27:38 - The Experience of Oneness 00:29:40 - Consciousness as a Ubiquitous Field 00:31:19 - Philosophy as an Awakening Practice 00:33:13 - Eastern Ideas and Clear Communication 00:35:21 - Immersion in Deep Love 00:37:11 - Merging States of Consciousness 00:39:06 - Finding Balance in Meditation 00:40:38 - The natural functioning of attention 00:42:16 - The Struggle of the Saints 00:44:08 - The Laugh

Nick Gancitano has spent most of his adult life delving into the mysteries of the ancient spiritual teachings and has undergone a conscious transformation that has made him a specialist in the field. Nick studied under some of its most respected sages and has traveled extensively around the world to deliver this teaching. In addition, Nick himself has been recognized for his simplification of the often complicated spiritual system of advaita (wisdom through direct insight). After returning from his journey, Nick became committed to disseminating these teachings among friends and associates who became students and soon erected The Self-Inquiry Center for Conscious Living, where Nick now provides his lighthearted works to a growing population of devoted spiritual seekers. Aside from being the spiritual director at The Self-Inquiry Center, Nick was once an All-American athlete, corporate regional vice-president, and U.S. National Champion under the legendary football coach Joe Paterno. He later became one of the world’s leading experts on place-kicking, personally developing over forty collegiate Division IA athletes, including nine All-Americans. But his original background lay in physics, physiology and biomechanics, as he firmly states that all information recorded for spiritual scripture and scientific documentation should be based on one's direct experience and not borrowed beliefs passed down through generations by the unknowing. Nick can be contacted via email. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 2/20/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction & Announcements 00:04:16 - Early Experiences with Eastern Spirituality 00:07:59 - Silent Transmission from Ramana Maharshi 00:12:14 - The Illusion of Form and Awareness of the Self 00:15:51 - Purging Subconscious Guilt and Fear 00:18:57 - The Beginning of Sadhana and Self-Inquiry 00:22:48 - The Flawed Orientation to Teachers 00:26:05 - The True Notion of Self-Realization 00:29:16 - The Ego and Adulation 00:32:49 - The Concept of "I am" and the Role of a Master 00:36:26 - Interactions with Ramana Maharshi 00:39:28 - Letting go of the Outer Guru 00:42:31 - A Spiritual Retreat in Arunachala 00:46:08 - Awareness and Distraction 00:49:55 - Embracing Paradox and Ambiguity 00:55:09 - Surrender and Self-Inquiry 00:58:47 - Surrendering to the "I am" 01:02:13 - The Destiny of the Body 01:06:12 - Reversing the Flow of the Mind 01:09:18 - The Illusion of Phenomena and Form 01:12:20 - Awakening and the Illusion of Seeking 01:15:19 - The Split in the Mind 01:18:27 - The Ego and Self-Realization 01:21:00 - The Cosmic Joke and Self-Inquiry. 01:23:27 - The Efficacy of Teaching and Awakening 01:26:40 - The Play of Consciousness 01:29:31 - Ramana's Concern for World Affairs 01:33:00 - Enlightenment and the Illusion of Awakening 01:36:38 - Physiology Refinement and Evolution 01:40:15 - The Complete Realization 01:42:26 - Interview with Mandy Sulk

Due to technical problems, this video only contains still shots of Mandi, while Rick's video is normal. Mandi Solk lives in the picturesque town of Hebden Bridge in England, UK. She founded Nonduality-North six years ago in order to attract Nonduality Teachers to the North of England. Mandi is herself a Nonduality Teacher and has now handed Nonduality-North on so that she can concentrate on her own meetings and YouTube videos. She has written two books: 'The Joy of No Self', endorsed by Scott Kiloby and Jeff Foster Is-Ness Is Your Only Biz-Ness: Highly Potent Power-Poems with the Power to Transform, Inspire, Heal, and Awaken to Liberation Website Interview recorded 2/27/2011 2nd BatGap interview with Mandi Summary and Transcript of this interview. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Mandi Solk 00:02:49 - A Seeker's Journey 00:06:17 - Letting go in the face of death 00:09:20 - The Awakening and Change of Perspective 00:12:00 - Encased in a Wall of Terror 00:15:01 - Profound Silence and Non-Events 00:17:45 - The Loving Way of Finding Your True Self 00:20:56 - Finding Stillness in Meditation 00:23:47 - Meditation Rigidities 00:26:13 - The Practice of Meditation 00:28:51 - The Absence of the Doer 00:31:54 - Embracing the Present Moment 00:35:16 - Observing Fear and Anxiety 00:38:41 - The Naturalness of Detachment 00:41:24 - Embracing all Emotions in Nonduality 00:44:12 - Living Life Fully 00:46:43 - Unraveling the tendency to take thoughts too seriously 00:49:16 - Scott's Shadow Work and Personal Growth 00:51:49 - The Nature of Aliveness 00:54:20 - Dwelling in the State of Presence 00:57:17 - The Generosity of the Way to God 01:00:02 - Gradual Realizations and Seeing Beyond Separation 01:02:43 - The Two Ways of Awakening 01:05:25 - Spontaneous awakenings and the path to self-discovery 01:07:44 - The Experience of Absolute Love and God's Presence 01:10:35 - Be Still and Know That I Am God 01:13:17 - The Possibility of Awakening 01:15:41 - Nonduality accessible to all 01:18:03 - Private Realization and Ordinary Life 01:20:40 - The Value of Diversity of Perspectives 01:22:57 - Healing by Revealing Soul Website

Philip Goldberg has been studying India’s spiritual traditions for more than forty years, as both a practitioner and an author. After teaching Transcendental Meditation in early 1970s, he became a professional writer and has written or co-written 19 books, including The Intuitive Edge, Making Peace With God, Roadsigns on the Spiritual Path, American Veda: From Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation, How Indian Spirituality Changed the West, and his most recent work, The Life of Yogananda: The Story of the Yogi Who Became the First Modern Guru; The book was greeted by enthusiastic reviews from journalists and experts in the field. He is also published novelist and a member of both the Writers Guild of America and the Authors Guild. His blogs appear regularly on the Huffington Post, Elephant Journal and other sites. An ordained interfaith minister and spiritual counselor as well, Phil was the founding director of the Forge Guild of Spiritual Leaders and recently created Spiritual Wellness and Healing Associates (SWAHA) in Los Angeles, with his wife, acupuncturist Lori Deutsch. His website is PhilipGoldberg.com. This page within that site is dedicated to American Veda. Interview recorded 1/29/2011. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Second BatGap interview with Phil. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:03:00 - The Vedic Civilization and Global Contact 00:06:35 - The Impact of Vedic Teachings in American Culture 00:09:45 - East and West Synthesis 00:12:42 - The Impact and Distinction of Different Lineages 00:15:27 - All-inclusive Worship and Devotional Astronomy 00:18:18 - The Receptive Audience in America 00:21:05 - The Emergence of Spiritual but Not Religious 00:23:48 - Mystical Revival in Western Religions 00:27:06 - The Emergence of Genuine Non-Dualism 00:29:59 - The Influence of Eastern Teachings on Psychology and Neuroscience 00:33:16 - Different Strokes for Different Folks: The Diversity of Meditation Practices 00:36:09 - Transmission of Vedantic Teachings across Generations 00:39:21 - The Influence of Eastern Mysticism on Literature 00:42:08 - The Evolution of Spiritual Seekers and Consciousness Expanders 00:44:49 - The Influences of Vivekananda, Yogananda, and Maharishi 00:48:11 - The Impact of Transcendental Meditation 00:50:20 - The Mainstreaming of Meditation 00:53:26 - Scandals and Controversies involving Eastern Teachers 00:57:01 - The Fallibility of Gurus 01:00:28 - Mistakes and Fallibility of Gurus 01:02:56 - Changing Dynamics in Teacher-Student Relationships 01:05:34 - It's about the Teachings, Not the Teacher 01:08:27 - The Impact of India on Music and the Arts 01:11:28 - The Connection between Eastern Cosmology and Western Science 01:14:56 - The Trend Towards Vedantic/Yogic Spirituality 01:18:23 - Trends in the Vedic Tradition 01:21:48 - The Evolution of Enlightenment Teachings 01:24:36 - The Synergy of Absolute and Relative 01:27:46 - The State of Consciousness and Enlightenment 01:30:40 - Support and Upgrades

Siddhananda's journey began in her teenage years. It wasn't until she was around 30 that her journey and seeking of truth began in earnest. At this time, Spiritual practices were picked up on her own, and Kundalini spontaneously awakened due to a sincere prayer of wanting to be of service to humanity. She was not prepared or had any idea what this awakening would open or where it would lead. With this awakening, many phenomena, shifting states of consciousness and radical mood changes manifested which left her extremely ungrounded and shaken. After a long period of struggling to understand what was taking place and being unsuccessful at coming to any balance or peace within, Siddhananda found her Guru, GuruSwamiG. Siddhananda has been with her Guru for 10 years. Increasing stability, deepening states as well as balance slowly filtered in during this time due to her Guru's grace and guidance. Recently, a profound shift took place in which all sense of separation and individuality suddenly dropped. Spontaneously, a starkly different reality was revealed–an immediate non-dual, pure beingness in which there never existed an "other". This presence (One without a second) has remained and is known without a doubt that it is the truth of what all of humanity truly is at the core. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 1/18/2011. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Siddhananda's spiritual journey 00:02:39 - Facing Fears in Graveyards 00:04:31 - The Poetry of Krishnamurti 00:06:01 - Debilitating Experiences and Mystical Insights 00:08:00 - The Pull of Spiritual Awakening 00:10:08 - From Darkness to Light 00:12:33 - Discovering Kundalini Energy 00:14:33 - The Potency and Caution of Spiritual Experiences 00:16:35 - Five Years of Intensity 00:18:58 - Kriyas and Spiritual Awakening 00:21:23 - Connecting with a Kundalini Guide in Seattle 00:23:36 - A Life-changing Encounter in India 00:25:35 - Finding Stability and Balance 00:28:20 - The Importance of a Guru Guide 00:31:14 - The Blessing of Suffering and Desperation for a Guru 00:33:52 - Submitting to a Teacher 00:37:30 - Trusting in the Inherent Intelligence of the Universe 00:40:47 - The Blessing of Guruji 00:43:26 - Vibrating Thoughts and Fluid Consciousness 00:45:49 - Devotional Experiences and the Practice of Mantras 00:49:00 - The Illusion of Seeking Phenomena 00:52:38 - The Experience of Non-Dual Consciousness 00:57:02 - The Dissolution of the Ego 01:01:39 - The Illusion of Separation 01:06:51 - The Revelation of Non-Dual Presence 01:13:28 - The Mystery of Personality and Identity 01:20:43 - The Nature of Ego and Suffering 01:25:45 - Working with Students in the Online Ashram 01:31:32 - The Temporal and Eternal Qualities of the Substratum 01:37:21 - Transmission and Bliss 01:44:34 - Trusting the Universe

Genpo is a long-time Zen practitioner, now Master, who has developed the “Big Mind Process”, through which "Novice participants without any formal meditation training can have profound spiritual experiences with persistent enhancement of well-being..." Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 1/10/2011. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Zen Master Genpo Mersal 00:02:56 - The Role of Zen and Buddhism in My Life 00:05:18 - The Journey of Consciousness 00:07:01 - Throwing Our Backs Into Awakening the Planet 00:08:47 - Becoming a Zen Master 00:10:47 - The Growth and Maturity of Zen Masters and Roshis 00:12:53 - Total Freedom and Empowering Others 00:15:13 - Enlightenment and Liberation 00:17:34 - The Journey up the Mountain 00:20:03 - Falling from Enlightenment: Returning to the Marketplace 00:22:26 - Indulging in Shadows 00:24:39 - Reintegrating the Shadows around the Marketplace 00:27:07 - The Importance of Working with the Shadow 00:29:20 - Enlightenment and the Ignorance of Cause and Effect 00:31:21 - Stuck at Level 3 00:33:18 - A Profound Experience and Its Impact 00:35:05 - Meaninglessness and Awakening 00:36:51 - The Impact of a High School Teacher 00:38:31 - A Journey to the Mountaintop 00:40:04 - Grizzly Bears in Waterton 00:41:38 - A Spiritual Corollary to the Adventure 00:43:56 - Profound Experiences in Zen Practice 00:47:00 - The Practice of Using Jealousy to Annihilate the Ego 00:49:21 - Dzogchen Practice and Visualizing the Worst Possible Scenario 00:52:14 - The Form in Teaching 00:54:43 - A Kundalini Experience and the Answer to the First Question 00:56:31 - Transformation into a 17-year-old girl 00:58:28 - Struggling with Feminine Energy 01:00:17 - The Integration of the Feminine Side 01:02:06 - The Desire to Lose Ego 01:03:47 - Vulnerability and an Unexpected Experience

Burt Harding, founder of the Awareness Foundation in Vancouver, offers a radical invitation to recognize the truth of our being as already whole and fulfilled. He reminds us of the love we really are beyond the personal stories we carry. In this way, we come to recognize what we have always known but did not live from – the beauty and wonder of our own true essence. Burt conducts sessions and workshops in Supersentience, a system devised to help heal deep wounds and promote a shift in the perception of who we really are. He has conducted studies in higher consciousness for thirty years and had his own television series on the mind/body connection. Burt's site Summary and transcript of this interview Interview conducted 1/9/2011. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Burt Harding 00:02:36 - The Life-Changing Book 00:04:40 - Finding my Place and Holding Classes 00:06:53 - Discovering Super Sentience 00:08:58 - Integration of Spiritual Teachings 00:11:09 - The Simplicity of Being Present 00:12:56 - The Experience of Being Present 00:14:44 - The Critical Moment of Self-Realization 00:16:29 - The Excitement of Sharing Knowledge and the Maturation of Experience 00:18:33 - The Maturation Period 00:20:35 - The Disappearance of the Universe 00:22:14 - A Course in Miracles and the Voice that Wouldn't Let Go 00:23:43 - The Presence of the Holy Spirit 00:25:45 - The Feeling Side of Advaita 00:27:54 - Hungering for the Being That We Are 00:30:19 - Embracing the Paradox of Existence 00:32:26 - The Power of Emotions and Unraveling Negative Ones 00:34:22 - Allowing ourselves to grieve 00:36:02 - Letting Go of Worry and Anger 00:37:48 - Learning to Have Compassion 00:39:59 - The True Nature of God and Personal Understanding 00:42:35 - Workshops on Direct Experience of True Nature 00:44:45 - The importance of guidance in working with emotions 00:46:54 - The Power of Direct Experience 00:48:56 - Recognizing the Simplicity Within 00:50:38 - The Power of Awareness 00:52:20 - The wonder of life and the need for inquiry 00:54:39 - Unity with Ultimate Reality 00:56:33 - The Eternal Nature of Seeking and Being 00:58:40 - The Beauty of Being and Becoming 01:00:38 - A Conversation with Bert Harding 01:02:47 - Unspecified topic

Michael Fischman is a founding member and current president of the U.S. Art of Living Foundation, a non-profit educational and humanitarian organization whose programs have impacted more than 25 million people in more than 140 countries. A former advertising executive with Ogilvy & Mather, he is also the CEO of APEX (Achieving Personal Excellence), the corporate training division of the International Association for Human Values. “For the past twenty years, I have dedicated my life to sharing and growing on a spiritual path that has brought fulfillment and happiness to millions of people around the world,” says Michael. He currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida. Michael's site: http://www.stumblingintoinfinity.com/ Michael's book: Stumbling Into Infinity: An Ordinary Man in the Sphere of Enlightenment Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 1/2/2011. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Michael Fischman and the Art of Living Foundation 00:03:21 - An Apparition of My Grandfather and the Fear of Death 00:05:46 - A Glimpse of Sri Sri 00:08:37 - Interacting with an Enlightened Master 00:11:40 - The Power of Sudarshan Kriya 00:14:05 - The Phenomenon of Sudarshan Kriya 00:16:57 - Bringing Everything Into Alignment 00:19:09 - From Aggression to Empathy and Understanding 00:21:55 - Celebration and Integration in Life 00:24:29 - The Importance of a Teacher in Spiritual Growth 00:27:14 - The Expansion of Consciousness and the Private Life 00:29:35 - Love as a Global Phenomenon 00:31:57 - Finding Purpose in Life and Serving Others 00:34:05 - Enriching Your Life by Making a Difference 00:36:03 - Softening Conflict in the Middle East 00:38:36 - Stereotyping and Attracting Negativity 00:41:06 - The Power of Sudarshan Kriya 00:43:26 - Funding Inner City Schools through Donations 00:46:24 - The Power of Being Present 00:48:56 - Being Centered in the Midst of Trying Situations 00:51:02 - The Witnessing State and Taking Responsibility for Your Feelings 00:53:06 - Taking Responsibility for Your Emotions 00:55:20 - Personal Empowerment and Service to Others 00:57:12 - Recharging through breathing techniques and meditation 00:59:30 - The Diversity of Spiritual Paths 01:01:58 - The Power of Unconditional Love 01:04:37 - The Guru's Care for Others 01:07:35 - The Mysterious Ways of the Guru 01:10:59 - The Importance of Proximity to an Enlightened Master 01:13:50 - Accessibility of the Master

Ananta grew up in London and left England aged 19, with the desire to live as a free being. This first expressed itself through travel and lead her to Asia in 1989 where she has lived ever since. Searching to find the Truth of herself she found her way to the Osho commune in Pune, India where she explored meditation and Self-awareness groups for more than 10 years, also working with people for several years in the healing fields. In 1994 she entered a two and half year period of silence in a Japanese prison. During this period True Freedom was realized. That which has always been Free, Full and Enough unto Itself! The Peace that is the ground of all experience. The Love that does not need an experience of Love. The happiness that is our True Nature without needing an experience of happiness.... revealed itSelf to ItSelf. Coming back into 'the world' in 1997, there followed a period of confusion as personality and drama began to reappear causing the search to go on. In 2000 she then found her way to Intensive Satsang with Dolano in Pune, where the confusion was cleared and no way to turn back from the clear recognition of 'Who Am I'. This naturally started the unfolding of the integration process where all personality issues come home in Truth. Where bound up life energy, held by beliefs and illusions, reappear to be met in the light, where transformation happens. Through her own Self-Realization, her main area of focus is Now facilitating, the simple direct sharing of the realization of our True Nature, through all that appears to play in the ordinariness of life itself. Among the expressions of same Self who have greatly influenced Ananta's way of sharing are the spiritual teachers Gangaji and Dolano who use the direct inquiry of "Who Am I?" passed down from Ramana Maharshi. Her site: ananta-kranti.com Interview recorded 12/11/2010 Quality is poor in places due to slow bandwidth in Thailand. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Awakening in a Japanese Prison 00:03:23 - The Strong Calling for Silence and Truth 00:06:40 - The Search for Freedom 00:10:05 - Searching for Meaning Within 00:13:16 - A Life-Changing Encounter with Osho 00:16:14 - Life Changes After Jail 00:19:13 - Carrying Baggage 00:22:10 - Solitary Confinement in Prison 00:25:22 - Working in Silence 00:27:53 - The Strength and Intensity in Japanese Discipline 00:30:29 - Surrender and the Shift 00:34:39 - The Ocean of Existence 00:38:27 - Integration into the Outside World 00:41:57 - The Journey of Self-Discovery in Thailand 00:45:33 - Shifting from Identification to "I am that" 00:49:34 - The Shift in Perception and Relationship Difficulties 00:53:37 - The Awakening and Integration Process 00:57:05 - The Question about Relationships and Freedom 01:00:44 - Sharing the Awakening Experience 01:05:10 - End of the "me" story and the beginning of awakening 01:08:31 - Surrender and Ego Death 01:11:19 - Balancing the Exclusion and Inclusion of the Personal 01:14:33 - Comfort with Paradox and Ambiguity 01:18:11 - Settling Down and Listening to the Body 01:24:45 - A Rich Experience of Being Able to Relate to Many Walks of Life 01:27:24 - Recognizing the Truth Within 01:29:37 - The Value of Ramana Maharshi 01:32:35 - The Shift in Yoga Practice and Spiritual Progress 01:35:09 - Closing Remarks 01:37:00 - Conclusion and Future Interviews Save

Scott Kiloby is an author and international speaker on mindfulness and addiction recovery. Scott is also the founder and director of the Kiloby Center for Recovery. After twenty years of addiction to drugs and alcohol, Scott began to develop Natural Rest for Addiction which has helped people all over the world confront the root of their addiction, anxiety, and depression. Scott was the COO of MyLife Recovery which held the patent on the naltrexone implant. Scott also developed an app that acts as an interface between pain management doctors and their patients to decrease the likelihood of addiction. The app also protects doctors legally from claims of negligence arising out of opiate overdoses. Originally from southern Indiana, Scott was an attorney for several years before becoming an author. He travels extensively across the United States and in Europe giving talks, seminars, and intensives. Along with his work at the Kiloby Center, Scott is also the director and co-owner of the Natural Rest House, a detox and residential addiction treatment center located in La Quinta, California. In addition to Natural Rest for Addiction: A Radical Approach to Recovery Through Mindfulness and Awareness, Scott is the author of the following books which can be found on Amazon: Living Realization: A Simple, Plain-English Guide to Non-Duality The Unfindable Inquiry: One Simple Tool to Overcome Feelings of Unworthiness and Find Inner Peace Reflections of the One Life: Daily Pointers to Enlightenment Doorway to Total Liberation: Conversations with What Is Love's Quiet Revolution: The End of the Spiritual Search Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 12/4/2010. 2nd interview with Scott 3rd interview with Scott YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Scott Kiloby on Non-Duality Teaching 00:04:45 - The Illusion of Separation 00:08:23 - Seeking the Present Moment 00:11:49 - Dissolving Thoughts, Finding Unity 00:16:43 - Gradual Awakening and Radical Shifts 00:21:53 - The Two Aspects of Our Experience 00:25:24 - The Difference Between Seeking and Exploring 00:29:32 - Cultivating non-conceptual experience and enjoying the world 00:33:38 - Finding Balance and Enhancing Life Experience 00:37:12 - The Progressive Stages of Development 00:40:17 - The Value of Diversity in Teaching Methods and Voices 00:43:10 - Voices of Wisdom from Around the World 00:46:38 - Deconstructing Neo-Advaita Concepts 00:49:57 - Finding Divinity in All Things 00:53:40 - The Grandeur and Significance of Life 00:57:50 - The Capacity to Love and Develop 01:00:59 - The Middle Way and Diverse Paths 01:03:43 - The Value of the Non-dual Perspective 01:06:54 - Embracing the Inner Fundamentalist 01:09:12 - Embracing Both Absolute and Relative Realities 01:12:26 - Mysticism in Different Religions 01:15:41 - Experiential Meditation and the Danger of Division 01:18:19 - Individual Approaches to Understanding Non-Duality 01:22:26 - The Compartmentalization of Experience 01:25:44 - Transition to the topic of addiction and the Natural Rest book 01:30:18 - Study and Law School while Battling Addiction 01:36:50 - Analyzing the Illusion of Manifestation 01:40:55 - The Temptation to Hang On 01:43:50 - Shadow work and the story of the self 01:46:26 - Tailored Dialogue to Individuals 01:49:19 - Conversation with Scott Kiloby Save