Buddha at the Gas Pump

Giovanni Dienstmann is a spiritual practitioner and teacher, and the creator of Live and Dare, one of the top five most visited meditation blogs on the planet. As an author, meditation coach and speaker, Giovanni helps people overcome anxiety and stress to live a more calm and centered life, through spiritually-inspired personal development work. Since the age of 14, spirituality has been the center of his life. In his journey, he practiced over 9,000 hours of meditation, tried 70 different techniques, and nearly became a monk twice. His spiritual thirst and eclectic approach led him to be formally initiated into the traditions of Zen Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, Raja Yoga, and Mantra Yoga—by the masters Moriyama Roshi, Lakshamana Swami, Shivarudra Balayogi, and Nikhileshwarananda (respectively). In February 2010 he experienced a powerful awakening in the presence of Mooji in South India, and that has been a point of no return in his path. Giovanni is the author of the best-selling book Practical Meditation: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide, which has been translated to 5 different languages and has popularly been called “The Meditation Bible”. As a coach, Giovanni’s clients range from stay at home parents to entrepreneurs, C-level executives and pro athletes. In the field of meditation, he brings a contemporary and pragmatic approach to help both meditation novices and spiritual seekers alike. In his role as a spiritual writer, he balances deep reverence for traditional teachings with critical thinking and a comparative study of spiritual traditions. To learn more about Giovanni and his work, visit LiveAndDare.com. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded April 20, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introducing Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:43 - Different Meditation Techniques 00:09:24 - Discovering Zen and Meeting the Roshi 00:14:05 - The Zen Tradition and Lineage 00:18:51 - Disappointment and Closure in Zen Practice 00:23:24 - Doubts on Enlightenment and the Value of Knowledge 00:27:25 - The Value of Reading and Studying in Spiritual Paths 00:31:38 - Integrating aspects of the human experience 00:35:45 - The Path of Advaita and Integration 00:40:32 - Surrender to the Lord within 00:45:15 - Neo Advaita: Mistaking Temporary Realization 00:49:57 - Different Categories of Spiritual Practitioners 00:54:45 - The Role of Practice and Spiritual Bypassing 00:59:01 - Tuning in to Spiritual Books 01:03:33 - The Enjoyment of Spiritual Practice 01:07:48 - Benefits of Lowering Stress and Relieving Depression 01:12:10 - The Silence and Self-awareness 01:17:13 - A Powerful Milestone in my Spiritual Journey 01:22:02 - Maintaining Discernment in Spiritual Teachings 01:26:34 - The Importance of Purification and Discernment in Self-Realization 01:30:45 - The Dangers of Following Gurus 01:35:11 - Concentrating the Mind with Objects 01:39:26 - The Importance of Having Different Levels of Teachers 01:43:31 - Exploring Different Spiritual Paths 01:47:43 - The Bodhisattva and Continuing Existence 01:52:02 - The Concept of Leela in Tantra 01:56:35 - The Importance of Choosing the Right Meditation Practice 02:00:39 - The role of charging for meditation and spirituality 02:04:46 - The Role of Dakshina in Spiritual Exchange 02:09:09 - The Responsibility of Siddhis and their Role in Science and Society 02:13:26 - Demonstrating Siddhis through Scientific Means

In the spring of 2011, I was cleaning a stove and quite suddenly the knob I was holding became the rag became my hand became the space became the stove as all lines between things between moments and between myself and the world dissolved. It was like the scales had fallen off my eyes! I had heard of no self but had never heard there were no things! There was an intense psychological and physical relaxation, and I was amazed that my body didn't crumble to the floor! It was obvious that there was no one doing life, and that life wasn't happening to a me. It was the end of a lifetime propelled by hope and fear and need of a never arising next. It was as if time died. It was as if I had died, yet it was obvious that I had never existed, yet here I was! This knowing feeling of seamlessness has not left for almost eight years. It is always obvious... it kisses me awake in the morning and holds me as I drift off to sleep.... life is overwhelmingly beautiful and wondrous always, like edgeless liquid love.... no matter what it looks or feels like. The longing to sing of this, knowing that it cannot be kissed with words paints my reflection with sky in sky.... I am not a teacher or guru, simply a lover of love. Nancy's posts and poems (blog) YouTube Channel Books: To Kiss What Cannot Be Kissed...: Love songs from the canyon Liquid Eyes This Is It, Coyote Your Infinite Intimate Embrace: you have never left Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded April 13, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:06 - A Journey of Seeking and Glimpses 00:10:01 - The Search for the Elusive Goal 00:14:32 - The Terrifying Experience of Losing Beliefs 00:18:56 - The Burning of Personal Armageddon 00:23:35 - The Nature of Belief and Unknowing 00:28:42 - The Astonishing Nature of the Known World 00:33:30 - The Shift in Perception 00:38:00 - The Illusion of Separation and Thingness 00:42:20 - The Dream of Separation 00:46:47 - The Illusion of Separation in the Physical World 00:51:43 - The Unity of the House 00:57:01 - Life Doing Itself 01:00:45 - The Wholeness of the Universe 01:03:12 - The Shared Dream of Separation 01:06:19 - The Sword of Ignorance 01:09:41 - The Illusion of Self 01:13:24 - The Fear of False Evidence Appearing Real 01:18:10 - The Perception of an Actor 01:20:54 - Starting a Podcast & Creating a Website 01:24:13 - Awareness without perception 01:28:26 - Awareness in Deep Sleep 01:33:15 - Discussion on Paintings and Posters 01:36:23 - The Frustration of Seeking and Inner Transformation 01:40:29 - The Role of Spiritual Practices 01:44:55 - The Intensity of Desire and Love in Spiritual Practice 01:49:29 - The Co-dependency of the Seeker and the Teacher 01:53:23 - Embracing our Humanness 01:56:29 - Embracing the Flow of Thought and Emotion 01:59:53 - A Gentle Conversation 02:02:11 - Conclusion and Farewell

Rev. Peter Panagore, M.Div (Yale) has had two near-death experiences, the first while ice climbing in 1980 and the second in 2015 due to a heart attack. He recounts these in his book Heaven Is Beautiful: How Dying Taught Me That Death Is Just the Beginning, an Audible Best Seller available globally in nine editions. His best-selling second book, Two Minutes for God: Quick Fixes for the Spirit, is a collection of original inspirational devotional stories, many of which he told for 15 years on a daily TV show reaching 30 million viewers annually in Maine and New Hampshire. Previously, he served as a United Church of Christ minister and pastor in Maine and Connecticut. He published 150 sermons and many prayers in Homiletics, a leading clergy journal. He now runs a global spiritual counseling service for "closet mystics" and travels nationally as a public and inspirational speaker and teacher. He has been practicing Zazen/Centering Prayer and Kundalini/KriyaYoga for forty years. Website: peterpanagore.love Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded April 6, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:31 - Communicating with Deceased Loved Ones 00:09:07 - Meeting the Telepathic Elephant 00:13:54 - Meeting the Little Elephant and Journeying through the Night Sky 00:18:40 - Born with a Mystic Talent 00:23:21 - A Spiritual Experience on the Appalachian Trail 00:28:38 - Near-death experiences and the monastery's fire vision 00:33:00 - Angels, Elephants, and Divine Experiences 00:37:48 - Connecting to the Divine and Mysticism 00:42:22 - Ice Climbing Mishap 00:46:34 - A Desperate Descent 00:51:04 - The Ascenders Hitch and a Close Call 00:55:16 - Facing Death on the Edge 01:00:02 - The Infinite Darkness and Consciousness 01:04:47 - A Glimpse of the Infinite 01:09:37 - The Shame and Love in My Experience 01:14:24 - A Moment of Oneness and Absorption 01:19:43 - Coming Back to Life 01:24:17 - A Near-Death Experience and Its Aftermath 01:29:01 - Discovering Kindness 01:34:09 - Living in a Duality 01:39:03 - Seeking the Oneness Inside Myself 01:44:20 - Divine Experiences and the Oneness of Being 01:49:01 - The Perfection and Imperfection of Existence 01:54:16 - Seeing the Divine Presence in Everyday Life 01:58:42 - The Journey Within Multiple Levels of Heaven 02:03:10 - The Choice to Incarnate on Earth 02:08:17 - The Treasure of Love as the Reason 02:12:33 - The Role of Love in the Divine Experience 02:17:12 - Love as a Path to the Divine 02:21:12 - The Global Movement of Spiritually Transformed People

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

Damien Echols is an artist and New York Times bestselling author of "Life After Death". In 2018, he published his first book on ceremonial magick: "High Magick: A Guide to the Spiritual Practices That Saved My Life on Death Row". He has been a practitioner of ceremonial Magick for over 20 years and leads classes on Magick across the country. He spent over 18 years on death row in Arkansas for a crime he didn't commit before gaining his freedom in 2011. Upon release, he, along with Peter Jackson produced the documentary film "West Of Memphis" which chronicled his legal battle. During his time in prison, he was ordained into the Rinzai Zen tradition of Japanese Buddhism. He lives in New York with his wife and three cats. Other offerings: Audio CD of "High Magick: A Guide to the Spiritual Practices That Saved My Life on Death Row" Angels and Archangels Royal Science of Angels Life After Death Yours for Eternity: A Love Story on Death Row Almost Home Damien's site: damienechols.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded March 16, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:30 - Growing Up in Poverty and Neglect 00:10:30 - False Confessions and Wrongful Convictions 00:15:20 - Satanism and Magick 00:20:03 - Life Inside Prison 00:24:50 - Morphic Fields and Collective Consciousness 00:29:25 - The Power of Meditation and Consciousness Alteration 00:34:04 - Alignment of Brain and Heart Electromagnetic Fields 00:38:27 - Ego and Karma in Enlightenment Practice 00:43:19 - Discovering Magick in Prison 00:48:06 - The Brutality in Prison 00:52:47 - The Power of Resilience and Endurance 00:57:49 - Balancing Polarities in Magick 01:03:01 - Balancing the energy centers 01:08:01 - The Disintegration of Self and the Trinity of Divinity 01:13:16 - Explaining the Concept of Archangels and Deities 01:18:00 - Magick as a Personal Journey 01:22:39 - Purifying Your Energetic Anatomy and Environment 01:27:29 - The Journey to Magick 01:32:31 - Adjusting to Life After Prison 01:37:02 - Magick and the Healing Power of Words 01:41:58 - The Misuse of Magick 01:46:28 - Working with Archangels and Negative Tendencies 01:50:55 - Talismans and Amulets: Harnessing the Power of Symbols 01:55:37 - Charging of Magick Items 02:00:14 - Surrendering and Relaxing 02:05:08 - The Importance of Relationships in the Awakening Process 02:09:39 - Unlocking the Collective Unconscious and Remembering Past Lives 02:14:31 - Expanding Psychic Perception, Overcoming Addiction, and Restructuring the Prison System 02:19:16 - The Problem with the US Prison System 02:23:40 - Check out the Impressive Documentaries

Rev. Bill’s life has been a spiritual journey, spanning slightly over 7 decades. His whole life has been a mystical trip in search of gurus, the paranormal, and self-discovery. He has written about his many spiritually transformative experiences and “near-death-experiences” including supernatural events during his combat tour of duty in the Vietnam War. In his books, he has shared some incredible spiritual events that are beyond both common understanding or explanation. His autobiography “Warrior: A Spiritual Odyssey” takes us on a life quest for love, understanding, forgiveness, and enlightenment. His follow-up book “Alchemy of a Warrior's Heart" continues that mystical journey including four trips to India for even more profound experiences with holy men, miracles and his personal relationship with the Divine. What he knows for sure after all these years is that the only thing that is truly real is LOVE. He is an author, an award-winning poet, international motivational speaker, artist, film advisor, veteran advocate, a Vietnam War veteran (Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart Medal, 14 Air Medals, The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, etc.). He has spoken around the world including Germany, England, Wales, Bolivia, and India. He has been involved with a dozen films and documentaries. (Such as: “In the Shadow of the Blade”- showed on the History Network and “The Art of Healing” shown on PBS TV) Rev. Bill has been on over 800 radio and TV shows over the last 18 years and has stories about his life featured in over a dozen books by other authors and in hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. He has had articles in such diverse publications as “Parade Sunday Magazine” and “The Self-Realization Fellowship Magazine” as well as military magazines and new age magazines. His YouTube Channel has over 70 videos and had gotten over 550,000 views in its first 18 months. He speaks publicly about the need to forgive and power of love. His mission in life is to inspire others to seek the Divine and he does that through his personal stories of his own life experiences. He is a seeker but not just for himself. His “mission” is to allow others to experience his journey through his stories. He has had many near-death and near-death-like experiences and encounters with the supernatural. He is a friend to many - including famous celebrities and people in power positions in life but he treats everyone the same whether they are homeless or the President or a CEO. His beliefs are simple: There is but ONE GOD – and our only mission is to LOVE & SERVE ALL. Rev. Bill McDonald was born In San Francisco and raised in California, Oregon, and Hawaii. He graduated from San Jose City College with an AA Degree in Labor Management and later from The University of San Francisco with a BA degree in Public Service Administration. He spent over 30 years working for the federal government and retired in 2001. He has spent his time since then working for 5 different non-profit organizations helping veterans while serving the purpose of world peace. He works with PTSD veterans and is an unpaid lobbyist for veteran issues in California. Has also has worked as a volunteer chaplain in Folsom Prison and worked for a time answering phone calls for The National Suicide Hotline. His life is filled with service. He has been married to his high school sweetheart Carol, since 1970. He has been living in Elk Grove, California since 1979. Additional books by William “Rev. Bill” McDonald: A Spiritual Warrior's Journey: The Inspiring Life Story of a Mystical Warrior – 2003 Purple Hearts: Poetry of The Vietnam War – 2003 Sacred Eye: Poetry In Search Of The Divine – 2004 Bill's guru, Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath Bill's Website Bill's email Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded March 2, 2019. Second BatGap interview with Bill McDonald. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:07:27 - The Power of Love and Unity 00:14:22 - Spiritual Development and the Equality of All 00:21:17 - The Search for the Scrolls 00:26:54 - The Mystery of the Antique Paper 00:32:12 - The Right Time for a Suggestion 00:37:41 - Revelation of Past Life Sins and the Curse on the Mind 00:43:26 - A Near-Death-Like Experience 00:49:05 - A Spiritual Experience and a Journey to India 00:54:31 - Blissful Experience in Another Realm 01:00:29 - A Near-Death Experience 01:06:26 - Otherworldly Beings and Lost Time 01:11:41 - Interdimensional Beings and Personal Experiences 01:17:28 - Surrender to the Universe: A Serendipitous Encounter 01:22:39 - A Story of Compassion and Miracles 01:28:17 - The Spirituality of Veterans 01:33:56 - A Near Mutiny Situation 01:39:28 - The Power of Listening, The Impact of Moral Choices, and Spiritual Transformation 01:44:55 - The Premonition of a Tragic Accident 01:50:19 - The Mysterious Helicopter Crash 01:55:50 - En

After 20+ years of Buddhist and non-dual practice, in 2003 Tina Rasmussen, Ph.D., undertook a year-long solo retreat during which awakening occurred. She later ordained as a Buddhist nun with a world-renowned meditation master, became the first Western woman to attain that path, and was authorized to teach. Tina has been studied by Yale Neuroscience Lab for research on the effects of meditation on consciousness and the brain. Tina is co-author of Practicing the Jhanas: Traditional Concentration Meditation as Presented by the Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw, and has been featured on Conscious TV and in Non-duality Magazine. She is also involved in the Diamond Approach to realization. Tina teaches students worldwide how to walk the path of the “urban mystic”—functioning from deep spiritual understanding while living a modern human life. Dr. Rasmussen has also worked in the field of human/organizational development as a consultant/coach for 25+ years, with several published books on humanistic leadership. Website: luminousmindsangha.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded February 23, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Previous Interviews Menu 00:06:01 - Exploring Meditation and Inquiry Techniques 00:10:50 - The Brain Changes with Meditation 00:15:41 - Overcoming Hindrances in Meditation 00:20:33 - Understanding Awakening 00:24:17 - Uniqueness and Awakened Beings 00:28:08 - Fine-tuning the Contraption 00:31:56 - Deep Retreat Experience 00:35:55 - Handling Intense Energy during Meditation 00:39:37 - The Awakening Journey 00:43:32 - Working with Awakening in Daily Life 00:47:39 - Different Paths for Different People 00:50:55 - The Hare and the Tortoise 00:54:33 - The Neo-Advaita Shift 00:57:59 - Moving from Distortions to Integration 01:01:55 - Awakening in the World 01:05:28 - A Vision of a More Enlightened World 01:09:30 - The Lack of Understanding and Emphasis on Awakening 01:13:38 - The Importance of Diligence and Discernment 01:17:18 - Exercising Discernment and Ethical Living 01:21:14 - Living in Alignment with Realization 01:24:32 - Manifestation and Meditation across Different Walks of Life 01:28:24 - The Balance of Effort and Letting Go 01:32:47 - The Continuity of Awareness and Identification with Instinctual Drives 01:36:54 - Understanding the Harm and Delusion in Spiritual Practice 01:40:26 - The Challenges After Awakening 01:45:05 - Awakening and Dealing with Personality Material 01:51:11 - Insight and Rigpa: Stages of Liberation 01:59:03 - The Ground of Awakening 02:06:22 - The Full Potentiality of the Human Experience 02:12:23 - End of Presentation

Mark Gober is a best-selling author, a Partner at Sherpa Technology Group in Silicon Valley, a former investment banker with UBS in New York, and former captain of the Princeton tennis team. His worldview was turned upside down in late 2016 when he was exposed to world-changing science which suggested that, contrary to mainstream assumptions, consciousness is not produced by the brain. After researching extensively, he wrote An End to Upside Down Thinking: Dispelling the Myth That the Brain Produces Consciousness, and the Implications for Everyday Life to introduce the general public to these cutting-edge ideas -- all in an effort to encourage a much-needed global shift in scientific and existential thinking. Mark's book has been endorsed by leading thinkers such as former Harvard neurosurgeon Eben Alexander, Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr. Ervin Laszlo, Pixar founder Loren Carpenter, Institute of Noetic Sciences Chief Scientist Dr. Dean Radin, University of Virginia professor of neurobehavioral sciences Dr. Ed Kelly, Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, Guru Singh, Chicken Soup for the Soul author Jack Canfield, actress Goldie Hawn, and many others. Website: markgober.com Summary and transcript of this interview. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Interview recorded February 16, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:30 - Background and Transition into Writing 00:08:09 - A Shift in Worldview 00:11:50 - Paradigm Shifts and Anomalies 00:15:15 - Anomalies in Science 00:18:58 - The Fundamental Nature of Consciousness 00:22:42 - Understanding the Limits of Our Perceptual Systems 00:26:22 - Studies on Psychic Spies during the Cold War 00:29:55 - Repression in the Scientific Community 00:33:29 - The Importance of Publishing Studies on Psychic Phenomena 00:37:08 - Assumptions about Reality and their Impact 00:40:35 - The Illusion of Materialism 00:43:45 - The Connection between Materialism and Spiritual Practice 00:47:10 - The Consciousness of the Brain 00:50:37 - Reflection and Settled Mind 00:54:19 - Anomalous Occurrences and Spiritual Practices 00:57:53 - Humility and Open-Mindedness 01:01:36 - The Qualities of Consciousness 01:04:56 - Modulations of Consciousness 01:08:32 - Awareness independent of biology 01:12:20 - The Play of Consciousness 01:16:16 - Evaluating Anomalies and Questioning the Paradigm 01:19:56 - Free Will and Consciousness 01:23:58 - Research on Reincarnation at the University of Virginia 01:27:30 - Reincarnation and the Continuity of Consciousness 01:30:52 - Reincarnation and Continuity 01:34:32 - The Nature of Altruism 01:37:56 - Is Time Linear? 01:41:25 - Discussing Predicting the Future and Psychic Phenomena 01:45:02 - Nonlinear Effects and Shifting Consciousness

Prasannan had a fascination for Astronomy from an early age, having built his own telescope, and spent his teenage years studying the stars and planets. He was the president of the Astronomy, and Photography Clubs in high school. He always understood that what we see is only a tiny portion of the totality. At Easter, in 1987, he attended a retreat which resulted in a spiritual awakening, leading him to conclude that he had always been on a spiritual path. As a result, he adopted a celibate (brahmacharya) lifestyle. Having studied the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Ramana Maharshi, and Swami Sivananda, he heard about Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma), and met her during her 1990 North American tour. At the time, he held a senior management position in corporate finance but he had a natural motivation towards engaging in serving selflessly (Seva). The Sanskrit word "Seva" means helping others out of compassion, without a conscious thought of receiving personal benefit. Prasannan moved to Amritapuri, India in 1992; on arriving he was placed in charge of the computer room, and developed a new accounting system, training the brahmacharins (monks) in its use; at the same time a Jyotish software program was acquired, which Prasannan became responsible for. At the direction of Amma, he began his practice of Jyotish, which continues to this day. He travelled around the world with Amma, providing Jyotish interpretations during her programs. At other times he conducted sessions in India, raising funds for Amma charities. After 19 years in India, he returned to Canada and established his independent Jyotish practice. After more than 2 decades of brahmacharya, he married Maya, the love of his life! Prasannan has consulted with more than 60,000 clients throughout the world. He answers questions about all areas of life, material, familial, health, and well-being, as well as spiritual. Website: prasannanjyotish.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded February 9, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:28 - The Journey to Jyotish Practice 00:08:11 - The Differences between Vedic and Western Astrology 00:11:53 - The Significance of the Birth Chart 00:15:16 - The Existence of Souls on the Astral Plane 00:18:54 - The Evolution of Jyotish 00:22:40 - The Power of Alignment and Eclipses 00:26:31 - Planets and their Qualities 00:30:30 - The Universe as Reflective Intelligence 00:34:36 - The Complexity of Karma and the Intelligent Universe 00:38:16 - Jyotish as a Road Map for Liberation 00:41:48 - Planetary Influences on Fertility 00:45:09 - Reincarnation and the Bible's removal of references 00:48:51 - The Battle Between Free Will and Divine Will 00:53:00 - Twins and Individual Lives 00:56:29 - Difficulties in Obtaining Accurate Birth Times in Kerala 00:59:55 - The Power of Stones 01:03:44 - Concerns about marriage and job prospects 01:07:23 - The Unpredictability of Life's Events 01:11:09 - Astrological Effects on Travel and Location Choices 01:14:26 - The Influence of Planetary Cycles 01:17:51 - The Complexity of Karma and Lottery 01:21:49 - The Impact of Planetary Alignment 01:25:35 - Awakening and Integration 01:29:29 - The Role of Jyotish in Circumventing Problems. 01:33:16 - Vedic Astrology and Prognostication 01:36:39 - Advancements in Computer Programs for Astrology 01:40:05 - The Importance of Data Backup+Privately Safeguarded Techniques 01:43:41 - Death and Enlightenment 01:47:09 - Personal Biases and Jyotish

Miranda Macpherson began her spiritual journey at the age of thirteen when, amidst a period of clinical depression, she was spontaneously opened into a profound state of boundless love. That experience initiated a lifelong dedication to spiritual practice, psychological depth, and the study of the world’s wisdom traditions. Her travels took her from her native Australia to the United Kingdom, where after completing seminary training, she founded the OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation in London, at the request of her teacher. Over the next decade, Miranda trained and ordained more than six hundred interfaith ministers and spiritual counselors. In 2005, a seismic shift occurred that changed the course of Miranda’s life. While meditating in a cave in India that was once home to the revered sage Sri Ramana Maharshi, she experienced a direct transmission of the true nature of reality that required total surrender. In the wake of this, Miranda found herself again moving to a new continent, this time the United States. There, in the years it took to integrate this opening, a body of teachings on Grace and Ego Relaxation began to emerge that brings ancient wisdom alive for our changing times. Today, Miranda is known for her depth of presence and gift for guiding others into direct experience of the sacred. Miranda leads the Living Grace sangha in Marin and Sonoma counties, holds retreats internationally, and offers online programs through the Shift Network. Unapologetically feminine, joyful, and down to earth in her way of being, Miranda is dedicated to loving people all the way back into the freedom and wholeness of their true nature. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband Bob Duchmann. Books: The Way of Grace - The Transforming Power of Ego Relaxation (Book) Boundless Love: Transforming Your Life with Grace and Inspiration CDs: The Way of Grace - The Transforming Power of Ego Relaxation (CD or audio download) Meditations on Boundless Love 'The Heart of Being' - Mantra CD 'Awakening the Soul' - Meditation CD Website: http://mirandamacpherson.com First BatGap interview with Miranda. Miranda in SAND Panel Discussion on Sexual Misconduct, Money, Power, Trauma & Ethics in Spiritual Communities Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded February 4, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:57 - The Relevance of Ancient Wisdom 00:07:52 - Ego Relaxation and the Sense of Time 00:11:39 - Introduction and Bio of Miranda Macpherson 00:15:25 - Awakening to the Fullness of Being 00:19:37 - The Infinite Ways of Realization 00:23:28 - The Window Panes of Ultimate Reality 00:27:11 - Healing and Transformation through Grace 00:31:19 - The Sweet State of Ego Relaxation 00:35:24 - Living in Alignment with Grace 00:39:38 - The Blessings of Grace 00:43:32 - Opening ourselves to beings of higher consciousness 00:47:27 - Perpetual Ascension and Spiritual Ego 00:51:23 - The Paradox of Spiritual Practice 00:55:04 - Cultivating Virtues: Trust and Humility 01:00:00 - The Fulfillment of Life and the Richness of Life 01:03:08 - Surrender and Accountability 01:06:54 - The Challenge of Surrender and Relaxation 01:10:57 - Surrendering to the Way 01:14:57 - Moving with Life 01:18:38 - Finding Stability in Uncertain Times 01:22:12 - Placing Faith in Humanity 01:26:13 - Relaxing into Truth 01:30:05 - The Partnership between Horse and Man 01:33:59 - The Healing Power of Forgiveness 01:38:02 - Right Action from Being 01:41:44 - The Paradox of Ego and Passivity 01:45:46 - Recognizing and Befriending Our Primal Drives 01:49:38 - Practical Meditation Techniques and Practices 01:53:07 - Resources and Online Courses 01:56:42 - Music Intro

Judy Cohen is a former clinical psychologist, former serial entrepreneur, former depressed, anxious, anti-depressant-taking, suicidal despairer. She used to be a seeker of Self Improvement. She used to be a Certified Facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie, and later a Certified Senior Facilitator-Trainer of the Living Inquiries. (** She's not certified in either method anymore.) She was desperate to feel better. Luckily, eventually, Judy came to see that the methods she was trained and certified in actually perpetuated, strengthened, the sense of self as damaged. Several awakening experiences happened. Contrary to popular myth, they didn’t put an end to unpleasant feelings. So all that seeking, the inquiry, the desperation to shift, was for… what, then? Judy finally realized she could give up seeking because… This. Is. It. As it is. And what could any teacher or technique give her that wasn’t already here, that she didn’t already have? She came to see that every experience- good, bad, happy, or sad- is an awakening. She knew to give up seeking because there was nothing more to get. She'd had it all along. Much more fun, this no-Judy-to-fix, nothing-to-seek existence. Though of course, she's also still here as Judy. Because human continues. And paradoxically…That's better. Website: irreverentmind.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded January 26, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:05:01 - The Work and its Effects 00:09:43 - Perception and language distortion 00:14:08 - Words and Communication 00:18:45 - The Perpetuation of Stories 00:23:11 - Appreciating the Present Moment 00:27:46 - The Miserable Dream World 00:32:40 - Understanding vs Realization in Spirituality 00:36:51 - Embracing Paradox and Ambiguity 00:41:26 - Triggers and the Unpredictability of Human Experience 00:45:51 - Accepting "this is it" 00:50:33 - The Importance of Attitude in Education 00:54:59 - Surrendering Control and Finding Motivation 00:59:41 - Accomplishment and Spiritual Development 01:04:11 - Keeping the Mind Busy 01:09:08 - Finding Inner Peace and Bliss 01:13:23 - The Limitations of Language 01:17:33 - Preferences and Consciousness 01:21:40 - The Nature of Consciousness 01:25:55 - The Frog Desires Water, The Physician Disease 01:29:38 - The Infinite Versions of Bliss 01:33:24 - The Limits of Language and Metaphor 01:37:24 - Finding Peace in Pain 01:40:44 - Dissolving the Mind's Roadblocks 01:44:41 - The Trap of Reinforcing the Sense of Self 01:48:03 - Finding Intrinsic Happiness 01:51:14 - Emulating Teachers and Gurus 01:54:30 - The Contradiction of Perception and Guidance 01:58:22 - Relaxing into Oneness 02:02:13 - The Importance of Getting Out of the Dream 02:05:19 - Sparking New Ideas

Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian is a meditation teacher, an award-winning poet, writer, and the spiritual director of the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment—a Kriya Yoga Meditation Center with headquarters in San Jose, California. She has taught Kriya Yoga nationally and internationally for more than three decades and has received many service awards, including the Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Promotion of Religious Pluralism. Ordained to teach in 1982 by Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, her message is “engaged enlightenment” – an invitation to live an awakened, creatively inspired, and fulfilled life, now. Along with her service as a meditation teacher and esteemed Yogacharya, Ellen Grace O’Brian is the Founder of Carry the Vision, a community nonviolence education project bringing meditation instruction to staff and children in schools, the prison population, and other segments of society. She is the founder and President of Meru Institute, providing healthy lifestyle education and leadership training in yoga studies, Ayurveda, and community service. She is host of The Yoga Hour, a weekly podcast with listeners in over 130 countries. Her latest book, The Jewel of Abundance: Finding Prosperity through the Ancient Wisdom of Yoga, was recently published by New World Library. Other books: The Moon Reminded Me A Single Blade of Grass: Finding the Sacred in Everyday Life One Heart Opening Sanctuary of Belonging Living for the Sake of the Soul Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded January 21, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview of the Guest 00:03:50 - The Connection Between Material Existence and Spiritual Life 00:07:32 - Finding a Happy Medium and Being Awake in the World 00:11:24 - Living in an Ashram vs. Awakening in the World 00:15:11 - Discovering Your Unique Path 00:19:12 - Discovering a Subtle Dharma 00:23:13 - The Importance of Homo Consciousness 00:26:53 - Exploring the Goal of Artha 00:31:07 - Ethics in Spiritual Communities 00:34:42 - Ahimsa and the Journey of Non-Stealing 00:38:52 - Changing Our Mind for Abundance 00:42:44 - The Power of Speech and Thought 00:46:44 - Divine Grace and the Mechanics of Life 00:50:48 - Receptivity to Opportunities 00:55:44 - The Beauty of Life and the Nature of Reality 00:59:58 - The Importance of Enjoyment in Living a Spiritually Conscious Life 01:04:06 - Finding Happiness and Bliss 01:08:00 - Unhooking from External Sources of Happiness 01:11:27 - Living Beyond Our Means and Stealing 01:15:21 - Awakening to Higher Consciousness 01:19:34 - Stages of Life and Dharma 01:23:10 - Serving without Attachment 01:27:29 - Finding Joy in the Present Moment 01:31:42 - Being an Ocean and the Middle Way 01:36:00 - The Evolutionary Crucible of Close Relationships 01:40:17 - Awakening and Self-Reflection 01:44:43 - The Mechanics of Yoga 01:48:23 - The Body and Karma 01:52:21 - Reincarnation and the Mind 01:56:18 - The Power of Faith and Belief in the Universe 02:00:29 - Keeping Your Attention on Interview Preparation

Myree Morsi (MA) is a spiritual and energetic healer, counselor and coach who specializes in supporting people with Kundalini, awakening and the embodiment of consciousness. Myree was psychic and naturally shamanic since early childhood. She began intensive spiritual practice in meditation and yoga as a teenager, which eventually heightened these abilities. She has a capacity to “see” the process of Kundalini Shakti in someone’s system and dedicated her gifts to healing others. From 2004 Myree began having deep insights into the nature of true self, amidst a wild Kundalini journey. Kundalini completed in 2009, leaving her with a profound shift in what she identified as her reference point, and access to constantly increasing levels of awareness. Since then, she has explored what it means to continually integrate vast consciousness into a physical and energetic system that had suffered extensive trauma and previously acute PTSD. The journey of awakening continues to deepen and expand endlessly. The most priceless gift has been a causeless joy. Myree’s special interest is in the intersection of trauma, Kundalini, awakening, and embodiment. Trauma presents specific challenges to the capacity of the physical and energetic systems to absorb consciousness and expand in both functional and stable ways. Myree is passionate about supporting people who walk such paths and brings a sense of humor, safety, and compassion to the places we get stuck because she has been in those places too, and unfolded them into freedom. She offers individual sessions, classes, and retreats. Myree is a bhakta, inspired by Amma, and also Adyashanti, Ramana, Gangaji and the quiet crones and wise folks she has met along the way. Website: myree.com.au YouTube Channel Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded January 12, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:05 - Gifts and Sensitivity in Childhood 00:09:06 - Trauma and Awakening 00:13:15 - Psychic Experiences and Past Life Recall 00:16:40 - Spiritual Journey and Ashram Life 00:19:59 - Awakening of Siddhis and Psychic Abilities 00:23:37 - Healing Past Life Trauma and Cleaning Up Past Agreements 00:27:08 - Cleaning up the Garbage 00:30:37 - A Journey to Another Dimension 00:33:49 - The Great Pyramid of Giza and Other Dimensions 00:37:55 - Cultivating the Body for Spiritual Experience 00:41:15 - Integration and Stabilization of Consciousness 00:45:26 - The Awakening Process and Everyday State of Being 00:49:46 - Experience of Spontaneous Kriyas during Kundalini Awakening 00:53:33 - The Physical Symptoms of Kundalini Awakening 00:56:33 - Completion of the Awakening Journey 01:00:17 - The Profound Awakening Experience 01:04:37 - The Shift of Awareness and Trauma Processing 01:09:20 - Catalyst for a Shift 01:13:31 - Rebirth and Spiritual Depth 01:17:32 - The Importance of Spiritual Visions 01:21:43 - The Journey to Becoming a Healer 01:25:11 - Surrendering into the Unknown 01:29:18 - Surrendering to the Divine Flow 01:33:14 - Trauma and the Awakening Process 01:37:00 - Kundalini and Trauma 01:40:07 - Trauma and the Importance of Safe Processing. 01:44:15 - Spontaneous Awakening 01:47:52 - Embracing Confusion and Transformation through Service 01:51:59 - Awakening Purpose and Climate Change in Australia 01:56:01 - Addressing Climate Change and Shifting Consciousness

Courtney began her path as a seeker at a young age, progressing to the point that these teachings began to flow through her, effortlessly and with complete love and joy, starting at age 16. In the beginning, the wisdom was received for her own evolution and understanding, but after a short time she was guided to share it with as many people as possible through a book. Teachings from God: Greeting Your Soul and Revealing the Divine Within has given Courtney the inspiration and tools to create the life that excites her, and more than anything she wants to inspire you to do the same. In addition to authoring Teachings from God, Courtney is a musician and leads Kirtan, and is also a qigong practitioner of 13 years, hoping to become a qigong master one day. Kirtan, also called Bhakti yoga (yoga of devotion) is a call-and-response style of yoga chanting that includes both the musicians and the audience. You can find her original music and live Kirtans on her YouTube channel. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded January 5, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to "Buddha at the Gas Pump" 00:05:26 - Using Visualization and Energy in Qigong 00:10:58 - An Encounter with Oneness 00:16:44 - Contemplating Our Existence and Connection to a Larger Whole 00:22:17 - Co-creation and Free Will 00:27:22 - Taking the Initiative in Consciousness Awakening 00:32:46 - The Healing Power of Music 00:37:01 - Brilliant Vocabulary and Co-authorship 00:40:52 - Channeling and Integration in Daily Life 00:44:24 - Connecting with Friends through Meditation 00:48:19 - Multi-dimensional Qualities of Reality 00:51:58 - Deepening Within Yourself 00:55:58 - The Integration of Spiritual and Human Experiences 01:00:10 - The Integration of Reality and the Evolution of Consciousness 01:04:14 - The Frustration of Traditional Education 01:08:16 - Following Your Intuition in Life 01:12:37 - Surrender and Transformation 01:16:45 - Acts of Service for a Bigger Universe 01:20:48 - Reeling in our humanness 01:24:40 - Accessing the Divine Nature 01:28:50 - Personal Soul Evolution 01:33:25 - The Story behind the Name "Hannah" 01:37:48 - Empowering Yourself on the Spiritual Journey 01:41:42 - Discovering Spiritual Insights 01:45:34 - Opening up to new experiences 01:49:23 - The Company You Keep 01:53:18 - Exploring Different Layers of Consciousness 01:57:15 - The Earth's Cycles & Collective Consciousness 02:01:26 - Raising our Vibration and Being a Lightworker 02:05:22 - Connecting with Your Soul 02:09:05 - Interview with Courtney Amundson

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

Thomas Hübl is a modern mystic, spiritual teacher, author, and systems-thinker. His work integrates the essence of the great wisdom traditions, scientific knowledge, and his own personal experience. Thomas offers a unique approach to life as a ‘mystic in the marketplace’ and helps people to attain a deeper level of self-awareness and personal relationship and to transcend a ‘culture of the personal’ and a self-centered worldview. Through his work, people from all walks of life learn how to become a living expression of spirit and how to participate in ‘we cultures’ through an embodied inner and outer connection. His teachings combine transformation through the integration of trauma, somatic sensitization, advanced meditative practice, and a deepening understanding of cultural processes. Since 2004, Thomas’ leading-edge work has spread worldwide through workshops, multi-year training programs, and online courses. The non-profit ‘Celebrate Life Festival‘ brings together more than 1,200 people every year and has showcased a wide network of experts in various disciplines, through dialogue and exchange. In 2008 Thomas founded the ‘Academy of Inner Science’. This provided a framework for dialogue between the inner science of consciousness and the external scientific-academic exploration of life. Over the years Thomas has also organized several major healing events, aimed at healing the Holocaust’s cultural shadows. Thousands of Germans and Israelis have been brought together through these processes. In 2016 Thomas and his wife Yehudit founded the non-profit ‘Pocket Project‘, with the aim of exploring collective trauma and shadow work and integrating this through large-scale group processes. A global organization has been launched, intended to research and explore specific aspects of local traumatization. This applies both to past traumas and also to current conflict zones. Thomas was born in Austria in 1971 and now lives in Tel Aviv, Israel, with his wife, the Israeli artist Yehudit Sasportas and their daughter Eliya. Website: thomashuebl.com First BatGap interview with Thomas. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded October 27, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:40 - Spiritual Practice and Shadow Work 00:07:08 - The Importance of Supervision and Shadow Work 00:10:09 - The Expansion of Self Awareness 00:13:50 - The Crystallization of Shadow Language 00:17:06 - Healing Trauma and Developing Sensitivity 00:20:36 - Healing Generational Trauma 00:24:00 - Meditation and Trauma Healing 00:27:17 - The Path through the Fire 00:30:25 - The Absorbing Nature of the World 00:33:38 - Digesting Life Through Meditation 00:36:52 - Flowing with the Path of Least Action 00:39:58 - Understanding the Relationship Between Weakness and Trauma 00:43:31 - Trauma and Dysregulation in Addiction 00:46:44 - Trauma and the Nervous System 00:49:40 - The Collective Field and the Debt of Karma 00:53:26 - Trauma, Epigenetics, and Reincarnation 00:56:30 - The Interconnectedness of Reality 01:00:00 - Process Awareness and Symptom Analysis 01:03:04 - Unconscious Polarization 01:06:28 - Turbulence and the Awakening of Collective Consciousness 01:10:02 - The Interconnectedness of Pollution and Human Health 01:13:21 - The Earth's Immune System and the Spiritual Awakening 01:17:00 - The Fluidity of Life's Challenges and Solutions 01:20:20 - Inner and Outer Science 01:23:41 - Healing Spiritual Trauma 01:27:08 - Spiritual Trauma and Self-scrutiny 01:30:34 - The Beauty of Individuality and Non-Duality 01:34:08 - Living a Multidimensional Life 01:37:39 - The Power of Resonance and Thought-Provoking Conversations 01:40:43 - Dealing with Collective Trauma

With Jac O'Keeffe, Craig Holliday, Caverly Morgan, and Rick Archer Questioning whether higher consciousness and ethical behavior are tightly correlated. The founding of the Association for Spiritual Integrity (formerly the Association of Professional Spiritual Teachers). The attempt to formulate a code of ethics that might apply universally in the contemporary spiritual community and enliven an understanding of what may or may not be appropriate, giving students greater confidence in their own discernment and discrimination. Ancient traditions held the teacher beyond reproach and students surrendered their own will. This may have worked in monastic settings but generally does not work today. Preventative support so we’re not busy doing cleanup. Power hierarchies should not be an essential part of spiritual development and can lead to abuses. Spiritual awakening does not necessarily qualify a person to offer advice on relationships, finances, etc. Ethical training of some sort is integral to most honored traditions. The issue of sexism and patriarchy in spiritual organizations. Entering the teaching profession prematurely. All too often, when teachers are challenged on their behavior, they ignore the challenger or become defensive. How do we offer the possibility for redemption and atonement? Moving away from a culture of competition to one of cooperation. The importance of humility. The importance of teachers not identifying with their role and thinking that students’ devotion is about them. South Africa’s “Truth and Reconciliation” as a model. Discussion of this panel in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this discussion Recorded October 27, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Disconnect Between Higher States of Consciousness and Ethical Behavior 00:02:15 - Developing a Universal Code of Ethics 00:04:11 - Creating Ethical Standards for Spiritual Teachers 00:06:04 - The Purpose of Spirituality 00:08:05 - Redesigning the Future of Spirituality 00:10:46 - Healing and Support 00:12:55 - Education and Growth as a Community 00:14:36 - The Importance of Addressing Abusive Power 00:17:01 - Opening up to Questions and Collaboration 00:19:03 - The Usefulness of CPE for Spiritual Teachers 00:20:34 - The Importance of Boundaries and Power Dynamics in Communities 00:22:31 - The Importance of Ethical Development in Spiritual Practice 00:25:03 - The Healing Power of Community 00:27:06 - Cedar Barstow: The Right Use of Power in Spirituality 00:29:03 - Equal Gender Representation 00:31:41 - The prevalence of gender imbalance and abuse in the community 00:34:07 - Moving beyond collective conditioning 00:36:31 - The Perpetual Debate on Relationships and Ethics 00:38:41 - The Spiritual Aspect of Trauma 00:40:39 - The Deep Desire Within 00:42:28 - Empowering Students and Demanding Accountability 00:43:57 - Premature Immaculation 00:46:21 - Challenging Ethics in the Spiritual Community 00:48:01 - Addressing Apologies, Making Amends, and Atonement 00:50:14 - Creating a Culture of Accountability 00:52:14 - Moving towards a culture of cooperation 00:53:57 - The Importance of Humility in Learning 00:55:25 - The Importance of a Deeper Student-Teacher Relationship 00:57:34 - Abuse of Power in Teaching and Learning 00:59:10 - Mutual Healing and Reconciliation 01:01:34 - The Birth of Something Helpful

With Jac O'Keeffe, Craig Holliday, Caverly Morgan, and Rick Archer The Association for Spiritual Integrity does not have a moralistic, judgmental orientation. It’s a community endeavor. We don’t agree among ourselves on certain points. We’re trying to balance our subjective perspectives with standards that fit our contemporary culture. The Association for Spiritual Integrity does not have a moralistic, judgmental orientation. It’s a community endeavor. We don’t agree among ourselves on certain points. We’re trying to balance our subjective perspectives with standards that fit our contemporary culture. A key point of disagreement is the issue of teacher-student romantic/sexual relationships. None of us are rigid or adamant in our opinions. We’re trying to work it out. There are exceptions to every generality. In graduate school, psychotherapists are taught that it will never be appropriate for therapists and their clients to become partners. Relationships tend to be the most challenging aspect of people’s lives. These challenges shouldn’t bleed into a teacher’s teaching activities. When a teacher/student or therapist/client relationship transitions into romantic involvement, the potential for growth is undermined. Sometimes “divine compulsion” arises in your spiritual path, shattering your conception of appropriate behavior. The problem with teachers who haven’t transcended desire and explored their own shadow. There can be a huge disparity between the apparent enlightenment of a teacher and their behavior. Isolation and being closed to constructive criticism can be very dangerous for a teacher. If a teacher doesn’t have friends other than his students, he might want to ask why. If he doesn’t have regular relationships and is always on a pedestal, he won’t get real-world feedback. The culture is changing anyway. We’re just trying to give voice to values that are becoming lively in collective consciousness. There can be a lot of practice involved in having your actions be a reflection of your deepest understanding. Discussion of this panel in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this discussion Recorded October 26, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Panel Discussion Preparation 00:02:18 - Introduction of Panel Discussion and its Purpose 00:04:09 - The Fluidity of the Situation and the Need for Collaboration 00:05:42 - Discussing Regulation of Teacher-Student Relationships 00:07:13 - Teachers and romantic relationships with students 00:08:51 - The Importance of Boundaries in the Teacher-Student Relationship 00:10:02 - Messiness in Relationships and the Sangha 00:11:18 - The Importance of Boundaries in Therapeutic Relationships 00:12:27 - Breaking the Golden Rule 00:13:33 - Choosing God over my marriage 00:14:48 - The Journey of Teacher-Student Relationships 00:16:11 - Protecting Students from Teacher Misconduct 00:17:39 - Violation of Trust and its Consequences 00:19:01 - Projection into the Sangha 00:20:12 - Bringing the Conversation into the Light 00:21:24 - The Deception of Enlightened Teachers 00:22:29 - Building Accountability and Transparency 00:23:43 - The Power of Shared Accountability and Learning Together 00:24:57 - Reflections on Personal Growth 00:26:01 - Creating a Supportive Community 00:27:26 - Open Feedback and Accountability 00:28:33 - Dysfunction in Relationships and the Need for Community 00:29:31 - Coming together in support and solidarity 00:30:18 - Creating a new type of sangha 00:31:33 - The Importance of Continuous Learning and Growth 00:32:26 - Creating openness and transparency for genuine collaboration 00:33:38 - The Intractable Conversation 00:34:37 - The Importance of Ethics for Young Teachers 00:36:02 - Learning Boundaries and Working with Power 00:37:35 - The Gift of a Supportive Community 00:38:57 - Website Launch and Conclusion 00:40:13 - Music Introduction

David grew up on the SW coast of Canada. He began witnessing full time during a 6-month retreat in the mid-'70s then the lights came on and celestial perception began. It soon became clear that Self was awake within but had not woken up to Itself through this form yet. Self co-existed with an identified ego. Subtle perception continued to unfold in a myriad of ways. With a more outward stroke into career, marriage, and family, inner development continued but took a back seat to life's responsibilities. Then in 2005, much of the old life fell away and spirituality moved back to the foreground. After some feedback and darshan with Lorne Hoff, Self, at last, woke up to Itself here. Probably because of the long witnessing, this was quickly followed by a series of profound shifts in Being. (see my first BatGap interview) And then transcending Being into Brahman. In 2011, David was awarded a graduate degree in Vedic Science. In this interview, we had an extended preamble to touch on the earlier shifts, then we discussed the ParaBrahman shift, pure Divinity, and how embodied Divinity is waking up laws of nature. This process will help raise the presence of Divinity in consciousness. In the second part of the interview, we touched on the book Our Natural Potential describing the 7 stages of enlightenment, then explored some related topics. For over a decade, David has been blogging on a wide range of subjects related to unfolding enlightenment. Under the nickname Davidya, he has posted close to 2,000 articles. During the Science and Nonduality Conference in 2017, David gave a talk on the stages described in this interview. Website: davidya.ca Book: Our Natural Potential: Beyond Personal Development, The Stages of Enlightenment (Rick Archer wrote the Foreword.) Other BatGap shows with David: First BatGap interview. Panel at Sofia U. Part 1 | Part 2 Panel Discussion: “Sudden or Gradual: Two Paths to Realization?” Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded October 25, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:44 - The Shift in Thinking 00:10:04 - Beings in the World Beyond Appearance 00:15:18 - Experiencing Different Perspectives 00:19:23 - Exploring Consciousness and God-Realization 00:23:53 - The Illusion of Consciousness 00:28:01 - Filling Up with Light and Profound Networkings 00:32:35 - Awakening of the Devas 00:36:36 - Devatas within the Cosmic Body 00:41:06 - The Role of Devatas in Manifestation 00:45:42 - The Complexity of Creation 00:49:54 - Awakening of the Devas 00:53:26 - Writing the Book about the Seven Stages of Enlightenment 00:58:10 - The Three Gunas and Awakening Flavors 01:03:14 - Different Perceptions of the World 01:07:43 - Questioning the Sense of Self 01:11:35 - Integration and Distinctions 01:15:48 - The Role of Maps in Understanding Human Experience 01:20:06 - The Vedas and Group Consciousness 01:24:40 - Perspectives on the Universe and Self-Exploration 01:29:13 - The Subtle Descent of the Chakras 01:34:00 - Awakening and the Role of the Divine 01:38:23 - Kundalini and Awakening 01:43:08 - Importance of Experience and Knowledge 01:48:28 - The Inner Guru and Clear Discrimination 01:53:07 - Embracing the Awakening Journey 01:57:42 - Different Stages of Consciousness Unfolding 02:03:16 - Perception of Refined Values and Divine Forms 02:07:38 - Understanding the Causes of Wars and Consequences 02:12:27 - Recognizing and Clearing the Surface Issues 02:17:20 - Upcoming Material Announcement

As the author of a book that was used to influence millions of voters in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election through social media disinformation campaigns (without his knowledge), Sean Webb probably knows the human mind as well as anyone can. From his work in logically modeling human emotions for the world of Artificial Emotional Intelligence, to his real-world practice as an author, speaker, and guide to helping individuals supercharge their minds and lives with the knowledge of how their mind works, Sean pushes the bleeding edge of mind sciences to the next level. The interesting part; Sean credits his knowledge to a conscious awakening he had 20 years ago which unfolded how the mind, the universe, and consciousness works both within and outside the human body. And science is proving him right. Over the last 20 years, Sean has become one of the world’s leading experts in how the human mind works, particularly in the area of human emotions, the driving force and motivation of all human actions globally. His work is used by universities and engineering firms to teach emotional intelligence, the foundations of artificial emotional intelligence and his discoveries have proved so effective, that his work is currently being turned into programs to address addiction management and the mitigation of PTSD after early amazing successes within those applications. As an alumnus of Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technologies Development Center, Sean has spent years solving complex systems problems for cutting edge technology and supercomputing companies. His latest complex system solve is associated with the mind; how to model mind processes, how to manipulate mind output, and how to use those disciplines to our collective human advantage. His heart lies in this last portion of the project; teaching individuals about our minds so as to understand the thought processes that steal our happiness and block our ability to enjoy life. He loves sharing the practical neuroscience of how to hack the mind to generate happiness from within without any strings attached, and without changing any of life’s external conditions. He has indeed discovered a new door into the deep mind manipulation, where only practiced meditation and psychedelics have been able to take us before. Sean has spoken at Science of Consciousness, Science and Nonduality, UNC, UGA, ASU, Emory, Georgia Tech, for numerous multinational corporations, and at NASA. Check out Sean’s work at MindHackingHappiness.com. Sean and his wife are licensed foster parents and are active in numerous children’s and animal charities. Books: Mind Hacking Happiness Volume I: The Quickest Way to Happiness and Controlling Your Mind Mind Hacking Happiness Volume II: Increasing Happiness and Finding Non-Dual Enlightenment Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded October 25, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:44 - The Beginnings of Meditation Experience 00:07:25 - The Ineffable Experience of Consciousness 00:10:23 - Transition to a Tree-Hugging Hippie 00:13:26 - Shutting off the Limbic System 00:16:33 - Transformations and Addiction Recovery 00:20:32 - The Journey to Happiness Through Zen 00:24:53 - The Shift in Perspective and Increased Efficiency 00:29:07 - Detaching from the Outcome 00:33:06 - The Well-spring of Happiness 00:41:05 - The Experience of Learning through Counting Apples and Hot Tubs 00:47:58 - The Marriage of Science and Spirituality 00:54:34 - The Role of Consciousness in Quantum Mechanics 00:58:53 - The Interaction Between Microtubules and Quantum Field 01:03:31 - The Role of Consciousness in Understanding Reality 01:07:22 - The All-Pervading Intelligence 01:11:54 - Consciousness as the Ground State of Creation 01:16:32 - Expanding the Sense of Self 01:20:23 - Understanding Negative Emotions 01:23:45 - Understanding and Turning Off Negative Thoughts 01:27:30 - Finding Silence amidst Physical Demands 01:30:38 - Understanding Anger and Reacting Proactively 01:34:53 - Understanding Anger and Self-Control 01:39:32 - Experiencing Your Own Mind 01:43:36 - Shifting Perspective to Meta-awareness 01:49:09 - Artificial Emotions and Perception Engines 01:55:03 - Supporting the Effort and Helping More Folks 01:58:08 - The Power of Communication Technologies and Spiritual Awakening 02:02:10 - The Earth's Immune System 02:05:17 - Alignment with Nature's Intelligence 02:07:00 - Music

This video contains my Question and Answer session at the 2018 Science and Nonduality conference. and also an interview of me by Shakti Caterina Maggi, an Italian spiritual teacher who used to be a journalist. My SAND Q&A includes the following points: How BatGap started. Which guests have been the most interesting, provocative, intriguing, brilliant, mysterious, surprising, etc.? What insights have I gained? How has this process influenced my spiritual path? What do I experience while I’m interviewing people? What do I foresee for BatGap in the next few years? How to deal with family and friends who don’t understand your awakening or interest in spirituality? A consideration of sudden vs. gradual awakenings. How do I regard the urgency of humanity’s need to take a spiritual/cultural leap in response to the dire predicament facing us? The joy and challenge of speaking with people from such a broad range of spiritual backgrounds. Why science and spirituality need and can benefit one another. The importance of understanding consciousness to be the fundamental to the universe rather than merely a product of brain functioning. Shakti's interview includes the following points: In which direction are we as consciousness moving? How might the growing awakening of consciousness help humanity avert disaster? Embodied spirituality vs. avoidance of life through transcendence. Consciousness is relevant to every field of human endeavor. Consciousness is fundamental to matter. Finding the foundation of our being and dealing with individual planetary problems from that foundation. Ethical standards for spiritual teachers. The quality of awakening will vary according to one’s constitution. Awakening enhances individual differences while establishing our fundamental unity. Sticking with one teacher vs. working with many. The importance of sincerity. The principle of “the highest first”. Recorded October 27th and 28th, 2018, in San Jose, California. Discussion of this talk and interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this talk and interview Other talks by Rick on BatGap: SAND 2019 - Knowledge/Reality is Different in Different States of Consciousness YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Birth of Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:10 - The Enlivening Effect of the Industry Update 00:07:12 - The Power of Ordinary People 00:09:47 - Hidden Gems in Interviews 00:12:14 - Creating New Categories of Interesting Content 00:14:24 - The Transformative Power of Immersion in the Interview Process 00:16:44 - The Evolutionary Impact of Service 00:18:38 - Dealing with Family in the Awakening Process 00:20:04 - Cultivating Patience and Compassion in Relationships 00:22:16 - A Remarkable Awakening 00:24:14 - The Incremental Process of Spiritual Development 00:25:57 - A Tipping Point 00:28:44 - The Spiritual Awakening in Response to Crisis 00:31:40 - Awakening Within Everyone's Physiology 00:33:49 - Revival of Extinct Cultures and Convergence of Technologies 00:36:24 - Science, Spirituality, and the Balance of Evolution 00:38:37 - The Role of Science in Spirituality 00:41:02 - The Fundamental Nature of Consciousness 00:43:35 - Interview with Shakti Caterina Maggi 00:46:33 - The Earth's Immune System 00:49:56 - The Evolution of the Non-Duality Conference 00:53:59 - The Extension of Human Quest to Know the Universe 00:57:48 - The Dark Side of Spiritual Teachers 01:01:30 - Remaining a Student Forever 01:04:30 - Cultivating Discernment and Questioning in Spiritual Development 01:07:56 - The Boundaries of a Behavioral Teacher 01:11:28 - The Boundaries of Ethics and Honesty in Teacher-Student Relationships 01:14:46 - Transparency and Ethical Guidelines in Spiritual Teaching 01:17:15 - The Cognition and Integration of Awakening 01:20:27 - Different Perspectives in Spirituality 01:23:41 - Sincerity and Highest Priorities

Sandra Ingerman, MA, is an award-winning author of twelve books, including: Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self, Medicine for the Earth: How to Transform Personal and Environmental Toxins, Walking in Light: The Everyday Empowerment of a Shamanic Life(CD or eBook version), and The Book of Ceremony: Shamanic Wisdom for Invoking the Sacred in Everyday Life. She is the presenter of eight audio programs produced by Sounds True, and she is the creator of the Transmutation App. Sandra is a world-renowned teacher of shamanism and has been teaching for more than 30 years. She has taught workshops internationally on shamanic journeying, healing, and reversing environmental pollution using spiritual methods. Sandra is recognized for bridging ancient cross-cultural healing methods into our modern culture addressing the needs of our times. Sandra is known for gathering the global spiritual community together to perform powerful transformative ceremonies as well as inspires us to stand strong in unity so we do our own spiritual and social activism work while keeping a vision of hope and being a light in the world. She is passionate about helping people to reconnect with nature. Since the 1980’s thousands of people have healed from past and present traumas through the classic cross-cultural shamanic healing method Sandra teaches called Soul Retrieval. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and professional mental health counselor. She is also a board-certified expert on traumatic stress. Sandra was chosen as one of the Top 10 Spiritual Leaders of 2013 by Spirituality and Health Magazine. Sandra has two new books released in 2018. The Hidden Worlds was co-written with Katherine Wood and is a novel written for young adults to help them navigate the changing world. And The Book of Ceremony: Shamanic Wisdom for Invoking the Sacred in Everyday Life was written for a shamanic and general audience on how to bring the sacred into daily life by performing shamanic ceremonies designed for our times and the challenges we are facing. Audio programs: The Soul Retrieval Journey - Learn a shamanic practice for returning lost parts of the soul to the body for healing. 21st-Century Shamanism - Contemporary Practices for Direct Revelation Healing with Spiritual Light - The Shamanic Power of Transfiguration to Heal Ourselves, Each Other, and the Earth And many more at SoundsTrue. Websites: sandraingerman.com shamanicteachers.com Transcript of this interview. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Shamanism 00:04:23 - The Evolution of Consciousness and Contact with the Spiritual Realms 00:08:34 - Near-Death Experiences and Unconditional Love 00:12:48 - Appreciating the Beauty and Nurturance of Planet Earth 00:16:56 - Caring for Our Children and Future Generations 00:21:12 - Carrying the Energy into the Future 00:25:18 - Harnessing the Spiritual Heart to Deal with Suffering 00:29:42 - Death and Rebirth in Nature 00:33:58 - The Notion of Balance and Technology's Role 00:38:03 - Planetary Soul Loss 00:42:15 - Restoring the Soul of the Planet 00:46:19 - Evolution of Shamanism in the 21st Century 00:50:38 - Shamanism and Changing Ceremonies 00:55:11 - Guardian Angels and Spirits 00:59:10 - Poltergeists and Ghosts in Shamanic Journeying 01:03:17 - The Influence of Land Spirits 01:07:21 - The Discipline of Being Present 01:11:00 - Approaching Spirit Work with Respect and Honor 01:15:26 - Protecting Ourselves from Psychic Darts 01:19:04 - The Power of Omens and Connection to Nature 01:23:35 - The Soul's Decision to Live or Die 01:27:43 - The Spiritual Evolution and Escaping Suffering 01:31:25 - Balancing Sensitivity with Toughness 01:35:15 - Frustration with Interpretation of Visions 01:39:14 - Developing Subtle Senses in Shamanism 01:43:22 - The Development of Sensory Faculties and Soul Songs 01:47:05 - The Healing Power of Presence and Love 01:51:05 - Finding Your Unique Way to Contribute 01:55:02 - Developing Your Own Lexicon for Omens 01:59:02 - The Journey of Learning to Speak 02:02:36 - Wrapping up the Interview series

Rupert Sheldrake, PhD is a biologist and author of more than 85 scientific papers and 12 books, including Science Set Free and Science and Spiritual Practices. He was a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge University, a Frank Know Fellow at Harvard, and a Research Fellow of the Royal Society. From 2005-2010 the Director of the Perrott-Warrick Project for research on unexplained human and animal abilities, funded by Trinity College, Cambridge. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, and of Schumacher College in Devon, England. His website is sheldrake.org. Some of Rupert's books: Science and Spiritual Practices: Transformative Experiences and Their Effects on Our Bodies, Brains, and Health Science Set Free: 10 Paths to New Discovery The Presence of the Past: Morphic Resonance and the Memory of Nature Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home: Fully Updated and Revised Transcript of this interview Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Interview recorded November 20, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:14 - Morphic Fields and Morphic Resonance 00:06:30 - Controversy and Memory in Nature 00:09:48 - Morphic Resonance and Memory 00:12:47 - The Ultimate Morphic Field 00:16:02 - The Trinity Principle in Hinduism 00:19:09 - Levels of Consciousness and the Pervading Field 00:22:01 - The Subtle Body and the Dream Body 00:25:06 - Morphic Fields and Boundaries 00:28:14 - Promissory Materialism and the Wager 00:31:28 - The Unfathomable Complexity of the Universe 00:34:41 - The Belief in Science as a Faith 00:37:46 - The Potential of Analog Computing and the Rejection of Materialism 00:40:48 - The Materialistic Perspective on Spirituality 00:44:12 - Dismissing Dzogchen and the Arrogance of Atheism 00:47:13 - Accepting Your Own Experience 00:50:09 - The Fallacy of Winner-Takes-All Thinking and Scientific Fundamentalism 00:53:03 - The Tendency for "One True Path" Ideology in Religion 00:56:13 - The Phenomenon of Homogeneous Hydrogen 00:59:34 - The Divine Ordering Principles in Science and Spirituality 01:02:45 - The Impressive Buildings of Europe 01:06:09 - Exploring the Effects of Drugs on Consciousness 01:09:06 - Yin and Yang polarity in Taoist philosophy 01:12:27 - Morphic Resonance and Vibratory Patterns 01:15:34 - Father Bede Griffiths and the Ashram Experience 01:19:00 - Comparing Christian and Indian Traditions 01:22:20 - Morphic Resonance in Rituals and Pilgrimages 01:25:23 - Circumambulation in Different Religions 01:28:05 - The Consciousness of Nature and the Sun 01:31:20 - The concept of panentheism 01:34:11 - Interview Release Update

Leanne Whitney Ph.D. is an independent scholar in the fields of depth psychology and consciousness studies. She specializes in the intersection of Western psychology and the Eastern liberatory traditions. For over twenty-five years Leanne has researched the mind body connection and, over the last fifteen plus years, their interrelation with pure consciousness. Trained in depth psychology, yoga, and craniosacral therapy, in her private practice, Leanne works with clients one-on-one to resolve mental, emotional, and physical blocks which obscure the ever-present alignment of the authentic Self. Working with clients online as well as in person, her practice is international, spanning four continents. Her clientele is diverse; racially, socio-economically, and in sexual orientation. Leanne is the author of Consciousness in Jung and Patañjali (Routledge, 2018) as well as several academic papers. Her published papers for the open access journal Cosmos and History: The Journal of Natural and Social Philosophy include: Innate and Emergent: Jung, Yoga and the Archetype of the Self Meet the Objective Measures of Affective Neuroscience; Jung, Yoga and Affective Neuroscience: Towards a Contemporary Science of the Sacred; and Jung in Dialogue with Freud and Patañjali: Instinct, Affective Neuroscience, and the Reconciliation of Science and Religious Experience, Book: Consciousness in Jung and Patañjali (Research in Analytical Psychology and Jungian Studies) Website: leannewhitney.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded November 9, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:20 - A Burst of Light and Pure Consciousness 00:07:46 - The Radically Reordered Life 00:11:12 - The Reality of Consciousness and Power in the Universe 00:15:11 - Jung's Philosophy of Consciousness 00:19:30 - Tools and Experience in Consciousness Exploration 00:23:47 - Knowing the Boundaries of Knowledge 00:27:43 - The Importance of Grounding and Pure Consciousness 00:31:31 - Paradigm Shift and Predatory Capitalism 00:35:19 - Investigating religious and spiritual claims 00:39:18 - The Misinterpretation of Anatta in Buddhism 00:43:23 - The Agitation within Western Thought 00:47:28 - Managing the Pace of Life and Strengthening the Nervous System 00:51:30 - A Gradual Shift Towards a Return to Nature 00:55:25 - Yoga and the Philosophy of Integration 00:59:27 - The Dissociation between Mind and Body 01:03:24 - Awakening and Aligning Consciousness 01:07:31 - Integrating Thought Forms 01:12:03 - Submitting Questions for Interviews 01:16:00 - Ashtanga Yoga and the Yamas and Niyamas 01:19:42 - The Importance of Behavior in Spiritual Development 01:23:55 - The Clarification of Contemporary Spirituality 01:27:58 - The Boundlessness of Consciousness 01:31:48 - Exploring the Cosmic Mind 01:35:58 - Understanding Truth and the Spiritual Epidemic 01:40:12 - The Subjectivity of Consciousness and the Limits of Science 01:44:23 - The Dismantling of Structures 01:48:11 - Releasing on Different Levels: Individual, Family, and Culture 01:52:28 - Accessing Untapped Potential and Bridging the Gap in Financial Issues 01:56:19 - Navigating Financial Freedom and Spiritual Practice 02:00:14 - Transformational Coaching and Cranial Sacral Therapy

Maury Lee was raised on three continents. He was the oldest son of Baptist missionaries. The oldest son since the sixteenth century had been a minister. Maury Lee turned out to be the black sheep. Even as a small child he felt that something was not right with the theological interpretation of Jesus. He had a deep intuition that the missionaries did not know the truth, even though they proclaimed to. In childhood, Maury Lee was able to watch and observe the missionaries in the Belgian Congo close up. He did not feel that they were honest with themselves. He saw that their belief covered many fears. Maury Lee did not feel that belief based on fear could be open to experiencing truth directly. When all the kids began getting Baptized, he told his father that it would not be right to get Baptized just because others were doing it. He told his father that it would only be meaningful if he was out on his own, not dependent on his parents, or the church. His father saw the truth of this and respected Maury's wishes. Maury was never baptized. Maury moved every year until the age of fourteen. His parents took his family to Belgium at the age of eight. He was thrown into a French school there, taking the tram and walking to school. Then to the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo - DRC). He lived summers in the bush, and the school year in Kinshasa at a boarding school. He was just as deeply immersed in the primitive culture of the natives as he was in French schools. There was a lot of Bible study as well. Maury attended high school in Kinshasa, DRC; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Brussels, Belgium. He went to college in Southern California in the late sixties with the drug culture in full swing. He did not need any drugs to lose his mind. Being away from parents, relatives, and friends, all his doubts came up full-blown. All beliefs he was taught began to fall away. Existential questions arose that could not be easily answered. After getting a Master's degree in counseling and participating in Gestalt and Primal therapy, enlightenment became his primary pursuit. In time he realized that he was the open nondual awareness the sages speak of. That was the end of the search, but just the beginning of embodying what it means. Website Email Interview with James Vincent Plath - You Have Always Been Surrounded by Absolute Beauty! Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:36 - Escape from the Congo 00:08:23 - Jesus and Eastern Sages 00:11:46 - Questioning Everything 00:15:41 - The Search for Spiritual Answers 00:19:24 - The Pain of Killing Innocent Beings 00:23:11 - Confronting Repressed Anger Through Therapy 00:26:38 - Quietening the Mind through Therapy 00:30:33 - Childhood Pain and Emotional Release 00:34:04 - Maury Lee's Primal Scream Therapy Journey 00:37:45 - Facing and Releasing Pain 00:41:30 - Personal Path to Truth and Transformation 00:45:36 - The Correlation between Knowledge and Experience 00:50:04 - The Connection Between Knowledge and Experience 00:54:10 - A Mysterious Hospital Visit 00:57:47 - The Calmness and Peace within Me 01:01:22 - Losing the Sense of Self 01:05:11 - Finding Confidence in Others' Journeys 01:09:01 - The Awakening Experience and the Journey Ahead 01:13:00 - The Relationship Between Experience and Knowledge 01:17:17 - The Realization and Stopping of Seeking 01:21:25 - Alignment and Behavior 01:25:22 - Questioning Authority 01:29:02 - The Shift in Identity 01:33:04 - The Role of the Human Mind in Science and Spirituality 01:36:51 - The Human Mind in Science 01:40:54 - Discussion on Dedication and Contemplation 01:44:39 - Contemplating Spiritual Ideas 01:48:58 - The Emergence of Consciousness 01:52:55 - Freewill and Choice in Life 01:56:21 - Sharing Helpful Insights and Encouraging Conversations

Bonnie Greenwell Ph.D. is a transpersonal psychotherapist and non-dual teacher in the lineage of Adyashanti. After her kundalini awakening in graduate school, she wrote a dissertation and book on the kundalini process. In 2003 she met Adyashanti and experienced a deep shift in consciousness that led to editing his book "Emptiness Dancing" and an invitation to teach. She has worked as a mentor/guide for people in kundalini or awakening processes for over 30 years. Her 4th book is “When Spirit Leaps: Navigating the Process of Spiritual Awakening”. She was a founder and director of the Kundalini Research Network and has trained people internationally to work with spiritual emergence and understand kundalini phenomena. She believes the awakening of consciousness to Truth is a natural realization available to all who sincerely long for Self-Realization, and that kundalini is fundamentally a clearing and transformative energetic support for this process. She offers webinars and consultations on the web and can be contacted through her websites and her Awakened Living Blog. Websites: www.kundaliniguide.com www.awakeningguide.com Books: The Kundalini Guide: A Companion for the Inward Journey (Inward Journey Guides) (Volume 1) The Awakening Guide: A Companion for the Inward Journey (Companions for the Inward Journey) (Volume 2) Energies of Transformation: A Guide to the Kundalini Process When Spirit Leaps: Navigating the Process of Spiritual Awakening Being Awake Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded October 20, 2018 Bonnie's side of the audio in this video is choppy in places. The audio-only version is clear on both sides of the conversation. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:14 - The Journey of Spiritual Awakening 00:09:15 - The Longing for Awakening 00:13:23 - Moving Back and Forth between Freedom and Contraction 00:18:34 - The Struggle of Awakening 00:23:32 - The Importance of Understanding Energy Phenomena 00:28:19 - The Diversity of Awakening Experiences 00:33:12 - Developing Intuitive Knowing 00:37:36 - Following Inspiration and Discernment 00:42:03 - Surrendering to the Process 00:46:41 - Following Your True Passion 00:50:55 - Enlightenment and Perception 00:55:22 - A Clear and Crisp Mind 01:00:28 - The Importance of Being Ordinary 01:05:29 - The Role of Teachers in Kundalini Awakening 01:09:57 - Living in Samadhi amidst Dynamic Activity 01:13:14 - The Flow of Feelings 01:16:55 - The Longing for God 01:20:47 - The Evolution of Spiritual Practices 01:24:32 - Finding Stillness within a Chaotic World 01:28:02 - Kundalini Awakening and Coping with Difficulties 01:31:30 - The General Good Health of People in Spiritual Awakening Process 01:34:39 - The Importance of Getting Rid of Fear 01:38:12 - Exploring the Use of Psychedelics 01:41:44 - The Use of DMT and Its Effects 01:45:10 - The Effects of Drugs on Spiritual Awakening 01:48:04 - Exploring the Effects of Drugs on Brain Chemistry 01:51:10 - Cornerstones for Awakening and Inner Peace 01:54:40 - Harmonizing Chakras and Managing Energy 01:57:52 - Taking Care of the Body 02:01:05 - Music Intro

Childhood accustomed me to nature, solitude - a sense of God which needed no explaining. Stillness, beauty, depths of love called my heart back home where it belonged. But life grew out into the world, became possessed and lost the way. After a few unwilling years in business, I went to South America 'To make the world a better place'. It wasn't so easy. Alone on a mountainside one day, an inner voice said, 'To make whole, be whole'. I realised that, before being able to help others, I first had to work on myself. Once back in England, I looked for and found a source of meditation, which opened up a whole new way of seeing. How can I best help the world I love? This question led me through organic farming, much travel and many adventures to ever deeper understanding of the Work of Prayer. I wouldn’t call myself a mystic though some say I am. I’m not sure what it means besides “Not this – not that”. Neither (in a conventional sense) am I very religious. “Mystic” conveys to me a wise unknowing of morning mist with only the promise of a day to come. It’s not an intellectual approach defined by man but trusting, waiting, quietly still before each blade of grass, each little bird (Mat.6,26-28) reminding us of higher, nobler government than ours. This required attending to the moment “Now”, reminding me how much we live not present, here, but absent, lost in past or future - thought, desires and fear. But isn’t that reality? We need to look and see. Books: Wonders of Spiritual Unfoldment Mystic Approaches Website: spiritualunfoldment.co.uk YouTube Channel Transcript of this interview. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Interview recorded October 13, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:08 - A Wise Unknowing of Morning Mist 00:05:56 - Connecting with Nature 00:10:21 - Finding Connection in Nature 00:15:16 - The Prodigal Son and Straying Away from Nature 00:19:11 - The Power of Silence and Presence 00:22:20 - The Gateway to the Infinite 00:26:08 - Stillness and the Impediments of the Mind 00:29:56 - Transcending the Ego and Accessing the Open Sky 00:34:28 - The Dandi Swamis and Effortless Meditation 00:38:02 - Experiencing Stillness and Spaciousness 00:42:13 - The Limitations of Words and Concepts 00:46:29 - The Fullness of Spirit 00:50:28 - The Illusion of Separation 00:54:11 - The Simplicity of Stillness 00:58:06 - Accessing Stillness in the Midst of Tumult 01:01:00 - The Peace and Stillness Within 01:04:58 - The Expansion of Spiritual Life 01:09:11 - The Absorption of Human Agony and Redemption 01:13:09 - Illuminating the Darkness 01:16:46 - The Journey from Darkness to Light 01:20:25 - The Lamb of God and the Miracle of Grass 01:24:23 - The Suffering and Sacrifice of Nature 01:28:12 - Reconciling the Slaughter of a Pet Pig 01:32:36 - The Nature of Light and Dark in the Real World 01:36:07 - Love and Surrender 01:39:38 - The 23rd Psalm and Christian Teachings 01:42:55 - The Soothing Voice and ASMR 01:46:15 - The Presence of God and the Real Experience 01:49:24 - Understanding Oneness and Unity 01:52:33 - A Chat with John

As a teenager, Steve Briggs met his guru at a meditation retreat in the Swiss Alps. After studying English Literature at the University of Arizona on a tennis scholarship, the author received an MBA and a Ph.D. in Vedic Studies and traveled internationally instructing thousands in the art of meditation. Steve is a devotee of Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma), whom he met in India in 1996. He has been practicing Transcendental Meditation (TM) for the past 46 years and credits his guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, with showing him the path to enlightenment. Steve currently coaches the Maharishi School boys' tennis team. His players have won four state high school championships, including the 2014 triple crown. Steve has trained two national champions and a top 50 ATP professional tour player. In 1994, Steve Briggs was sent to India to teach TM to corporate executives. During his seven years in India, Steve traveled repeatedly to the high Himalaya where he encountered many yogis and sadhus. The author’s first book, India Mirror of Truth, was a popular memoir about his time in India. Steve's second book, The Tale of the Himalayan Yogis: The Nirvana Chronicles, is a novel set in India and Tibet. Website: stevebriggsauthor.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded September 24, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction with Rick Archer 00:04:56 - Tennis and the Zone 00:08:54 - The Search for an Advantage in Tennis 00:13:10 - The Role of Myelin in Performance 00:17:38 - The Beginning of Tennis 00:21:39 - Witnessing Consciousness & Athletes' Experiences 00:25:35 - Immersed in the World of Kali 00:29:51 - The Power of a Higher Vibration 00:33:41 - Perception Without the Senses 00:38:14 - Exploring Consciousness and Awakening 00:42:39 - The Meaning of the Mantra 00:47:19 - Devotion towards Higher Beings 00:51:49 - The Erosion of Fear and Emotional Discipline 00:56:10 - Shifting from Head to Heart 01:00:40 - Breathing Your Way to Enlightenment 01:04:55 - The Importance of Variety in Daily Life 01:09:02 - The Connection Between Emotions and Health 01:13:04 - The Importance of Checks and Balances 01:17:12 - The Dangers of Intense Spiritual Practices 01:21:21 - Meeting Babaji in Different Forms 01:25:27 - A Mysterious Encounter in Varanasi 01:29:26 - Encounters in the Himalayas 01:33:45 - Levitation and the Human Relationship to Laws of Nature 01:38:01 - Proper use of extraordinary abilities 01:41:57 - The Reality of Gurus and Ethics 01:46:25 - The correlation between higher states of consciousness and ethical behavior 01:50:21 - Trusting Your Inner Wisdom 01:54:34 - Feeding the Dogs and Learning Humility 01:58:38 - The Restless Devotee 02:02:53 - The Buddha Tradition and Feeding Tigers 02:07:09 - A Fellow Traveler on the Spiritual Path

Rob Schwartz is a hypnotist who offers Spiritual Guidance Sessions, Past Life Soul Regressions, Contact a Deceased Loved One Regressions, and Between Lives Soul Regressions to help you heal and discover your life plan - a plan you yourself created BEFORE you were born. Rob's first book, Your Soul's Plan: Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born, explores the pre-birth planning of physical illness, having disabled children, deafness, blindness, drug addiction, alcoholism, the death of a loved one, and accidents. Rob's second book, Your Soul's Gift: The Healing Power of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born, explores the pre-birth planning of spiritual awakening, miscarriage, abortion, caregiving, sexuality, adoption, rape, incest, poverty, mental illness, and even the pre-birth planning we do with our future pets. Rob's books have been translated into 24 languages. Visit Rob online at yoursoulsplan.com or email him directly. Interview recorded September 22, 2018. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 .000 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:39 - A Calling and Meeting My Spirit Guides 00:08:17 - The Path to a New Life and Writing "Your Soul's Plan" 00:12:05 - Choosing the Highest Path 00:16:09 - Multiple incarnations and soul groups 00:20:08 - The Purpose of Challenging Lives 00:24:06 - Nothing is as it appears 00:28:07 - Understanding Evil and Negative Actions 00:32:17 - Self-Created Punishments and Realms 00:36:16 - The Consensual Reality of the Non-Physical Realm 00:40:15 - The Purpose of Forgetting our Pre-Birth Plan 00:44:10 - Memories of Past Lives and Higher Consciousness 00:48:29 - The Purpose of Backup Plans and Bump Contracts 00:52:39 - Group karma and large-scale events 00:56:45 - The Trump Experience and Shifting Direction 01:00:45 - Understanding the Deeper Meaning of Challenges 01:04:37 - The Eternal Core and Reincarnation 01:08:40 - Reincarnation and Getting off the Wheel 01:12:32 - Multiple Councils and Reincarnation on Planet Earth 01:17:03 - Exploring the Nature of God 01:21:14 - The Role of Pets in Reincarnation 01:25:14 - The Healing Power of Pets 01:29:35 - Amending Pre-Birth Plans 01:33:35 - Shifting from Victimhood to Empowerment 01:37:38 - The Affinity and Destiny of Victims of Massacres and Holocausts 01:41:57 - Courage and Self-Love to Leave an Abusive Situation 01:45:41 - Understanding the Transgender Experience 01:49:55 - The Eternal Soul and the Physical Experience 01:53:40 - Suicide and the Choice to Leave 01:57:43 - The Impact of Actions on Collective Consciousness 02:01:42 - Thank You and Upcoming Interview Recovery

Sarah Taylor is an awakening trail guide, intuitive energy healer, and creative mystic who began her search as an anxious insomniac simply hoping to sleep. But really, she was a truth seeker. Through a dedicated Buddhist meditation practice, a series of profound awakenings unfolded — including a powerful kundalini process, intuitive openings, and eventually an abiding realization of nonduality and the terrain beyond. Awakening, however, did not instantly make life perfect. There were years that brought their share of healing, integration, and “cleanup work” — the necessary settling that allows these shifts to take root for continual embodiment. While navigating these radical shifts, Sarah worked as an actor and stand-up comedian in Los Angeles, later blending those worlds in her touring show The Divine Mess Show. A late-realized AuDHD woman (autistic and ADHD), Sarah came to understand her neurodivergence long after awakening — and now recognizes how sensitive and neurodivergent people often experience both spiritual practice and integration in distinct ways. Her work emphasizes integration, healing, and embodiment, creating the safety needed to open more fully and awaken more deeply. She meets with individuals, holds groups and immersions, and invites people into a space where awakening becomes a lived expression of both our shared essence and our unique and beautiful humanity. For awakening and healing support: lightofyourbeing.com For Sarah’s work as a creative: SarahTaylor.org Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded September 8, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:32 - Childhood Escapes and Transcendence 00:08:38 - Healing from Trauma 00:12:44 - Stuffed Down Stuff 00:17:11 - The Search for Identity and Purpose 00:21:55 - Exploring Bipolar and Medication 00:26:19 - Discovering Meditation and Stand-Up Comedy 00:30:58 - Exploring the Jnana States 00:35:45 - Kundalini Awakening and Dark Material Resurfacing 00:39:54 - Dissolving Chaos and Finding Stability 00:44:06 - Teaching Meditation and Comedy Training 00:48:26 - Psychic Experiences and Mediumship 00:52:01 - Finding Peace after Awakening 00:55:20 - Surrender and Control 00:58:35 - Surrendering to the Present Moment 01:01:49 - Clearing the Nervous System through Spinal Analysis 01:04:56 - The Perceiver Dissolves 01:08:39 - Shift into Unity 01:12:17 - Conversations on the Falling Away of the Self 01:15:24 - Brahman Consciousness and the Experience of No Self 01:18:45 - The Development of Consciousness 01:22:12 - Dissolution and Rebirth of Consciousness 01:25:09 - Following Creative Impulses 01:28:20 - The Evolution of Consciousness 01:31:35 - The Healing Crisis and Awakening of Humanity 01:34:51 - Awakening into Unity and Clearing Primal Fear 01:38:11 - Clearing and Integration in Awakening 01:41:33 - The Continuous Process of Evolution and Growth 01:44:30 - Allowing Creativity to Flow 01:47:45 - Planning Future Interviews 01:50:46 - Subscription and Notification Options

Dr. Jean Houston, Ph.D., is a scholar, philosopher, educator and a recognized pioneer of the Human Potential Movement. Widely recognized as a visionary leader and multi-cultural expert, Houston is the author of over 30 books exploring human possibilities and positive action in the world. Houston served as an advisor in human and cultural development for UNICEF, and to national and international heads of state. Houston has devoted her life to developing processes to activate the latent abilities in individuals, groups, organizations, and societies. Over the last 60 years, Dr. Houston has worked in over 109 countries as an international speaker and teacher. Dr. Houston is the Chancellor of Meridian University and a dedicated champion of the human spirit. Website: jeanhouston.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. I asked Jean which of her 30 books she would recommend for those wishing to learn more and she recommended: A Mythic Life: Learning to Live our Greater Story (her autobiography), and The Possible Human : A Course in Enhancing Your Physical, Mental, and Creative Abilities More of Jean's books: The Wizard of Us: Transformational Lessons from Oz The Search for the Beloved: Journeys in Mythology and Sacred Psychology The Hero and the Goddess: The Odyssey as Pathway to Personal Transformation Manual for the Peacemaker: An Iroquois Legend to Heal Self and Society A Passion for the Possible: A Guide to Realizing Your True Potential Quantum Revelation: A Radical Synthesis of Science and Spirituality The Passion of Isis and Osiris: A Gateway to Transcendent Love Godseed: The Journey of Christ Jump Time: Shaping Your Future in a World of Radical Change What is Consciousness?: Three Sages Look Behind the Veil (A New Paradigm Book) Mystical Dogs: Animals as Guides to Our Inner Life Life Force: The Psycho-Historical Recovery of the Self (Quest Book) Mind Games: The Guide to Inner Space (A Delta Book) Drawing on the Dream: Finding My Way by Art The Varieties of Psychedelic Experience: The First Comprehensive Guide to the Effects of LSD on Human Personality Transcript of this interview Interview recorded September 1, 2018 Youtube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:24 - Interesting Encounters with Influential People 00:08:39 - Questions for Sister Teresa 00:12:17 - Unity of All Being 00:16:42 - The Origin of the Who's on First Joke 00:20:42 - Tapping into the Depths of the Human Psyche 00:25:22 - The Emergence of the Next Stages and the Heroine's Journey 00:30:35 - Shifting schools and embracing art in education 00:35:29 - Communing with the Imaginal Realm 00:39:43 - Cooking Up the Human Potential 00:43:56 - The Rise of Women and the New Creation 00:47:47 - Rising Energy of Women 00:52:12 - Women Scientists and a New Order of Possibilities 00:55:54 - The Call to Create a Better World 01:00:18 - Cooking up new possibilities 01:04:37 - Finding Passion and Inspiration 01:08:53 - The power of collective action for change 01:12:57 - The Rise of Women and Changing Stories 01:17:38 - The Mythic Form of Science Fiction 01:22:21 - The Untold Story of Real Change 01:26:57 - Learning from Other Cultures 01:31:45 - Cultivating a sense of astonishment and the power of fairy tales 01:35:49 - The Power of Imagination 01:39:47 - Helen Keller and the Power of Braille 01:43:20 - Introducing Our Dogs Lola and Theo 01:46:49 - The Great Waking Up 01:50:55 - The Joy and Darkness of Spiritual Awakening 01:55:52 - The Dream of the Blue Devil 01:59:29 - Wisdom Figures in Different Cultures 02:03:01 - A Conversation with Jean Houston 02:07:00 - Links to Additional Resources

Suzanne B. Stryker, Ph.D. is an intuitive healer, artist, writer and teacher. She has always tended to have profound spiritual experiences. For over 45 years Suzanne has experienced unity, with divine and Vedic perceptions. Yet she does not claim to have reached the pinnacle of evolution, if there even is such a thing. She feels she is a continual blissful work in progress. Suzanne had a close student/teacher relationship with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In 1976 Maharishi said, "Suzanne is having a positive influence on other people and their experiences, a catalytic effect…”. Since 1972 Suzanne has been the subject of numerous scientific studies, some of them published in peer-reviewed journals. One study suggested she could influence matter at the quantum mechanical level by mere intention. EEG studies recorded different types of brain wave coherence not typically seen, indicating harmonious and orderly functioning between different parts of her brain. Oprah's "Next Chapter" show has asked for an interview. She has been asked to be in a movie with David Lynch on Maharishi's life. Through distance healings and phone sessions, she assists people with issues ranging from addiction to dharma. Some of her webinars focus on cultivating intuition, healing and other abilities so that participants can heal themselves and help others as well. You can sign up for notification of free webinars and the next free Global Group Healing at her website: revealwisdom.com. Blog Facebook Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded August 25, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:15 - The Interview and Busy Schedule 00:07:44 - Enhancing Spiritual Experiences through Writing 00:11:52 - Taking Care of Mind and Body 00:15:52 - The Importance of Physical Activity and Brainwave Coherence 00:19:42 - Effect of Meditation on Brain Waves 00:23:52 - Brainwave Coherence and Higher States of Consciousness 00:28:03 - Witnessing Sleep and the Experience of Pure Awareness 00:32:10 - The Anchor of Inner Peace 00:36:14 - Expansion of Awareness 00:41:17 - Questions and Suggestions 00:45:01 - A Mind-Blowing Experience 00:49:30 - Appreciating the Beauty of the Apple 00:54:16 - Absorbing Challenging Experiences 00:58:57 - Vedic Cognition: What is Veda? 01:03:01 - Vedic Chanting and the Flow of Knowledge 01:06:59 - Divine Sounds and Glorious Humming 01:10:57 - Divine Music and Vedic Hymns 01:15:25 - Experiencing Vedic Cognition 01:19:54 - The Mechanics of Healing Others 01:24:10 - Healing and Results 01:28:34 - Living with an Addictive Personality 01:32:05 - The Meaning of "Kamayante" 01:36:22 - A Special Guest: The Beaver 01:40:46 - Synchronicity with Nature and Owl Experiences 01:45:03 - Resonance and the Pure State of Being 01:49:15 - The Power of Intention 01:53:25 - Visual Experiences of Veda 01:57:32 - The Divine Dance of Love 02:02:21 - Helping Others Can Reduce Karmic Overload 02:06:41 - Interesting Discussion

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

As a child, Karlene Stange, DVM wanted to be an "animal doctor" before she knew the word "veterinarian". Her spiritual journey began as she drove her pickup loaded with medical supplies to attend to animals throughout southwestern Colorado. As an ambulatory veterinarian, she experienced the sorrows and joys of working with creatures great and small. Her quest to understand the spiritual nature of animals inspired a deep exploration into the world's religious, scientific and spiritual teachings about the nonphysical aspect of animals. Today she incorporates acupuncture, traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and nutritional therapy into her Rocky Mountain practice. She often speaks at conferences and lives in Durango, Colorado. Book: The Spiritual Nature of Animals: A Country Vet Explores the Wisdom, Compassion, and Souls of Animals Website: animasanimals.com Websites mentioned in the interview: Chi University International Veterinary Acupuncture Society Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to "The Spiritual Nature of Animals" 00:04:17 - Defining the Spiritual Nature 00:08:41 - The Separation of Spirit and Body 00:12:51 - The Nature of Reality and the Quest for Truth 00:16:31 - The Consciousness of Animals 00:20:56 - The Purpose of Life and the Transformation of Suffering 00:25:01 - Duality on Different Planets 00:29:10 - Animal Consciousness and Instincts 00:32:54 - Animals and Reincarnation 00:37:03 - Exploring Animal Consciousness 00:41:27 - The Emotional Impact of Divorce on Pets 00:45:27 - Spirits and the White Owl 00:49:59 - The Reflection of Animals 00:54:18 - The Ethics of Killing and Consciousness 00:58:52 - The Karma of Euthanasia 01:03:08 - Conflicting Views on Animal Death 01:06:48 - The Spiritual Nature of Animals 01:10:57 - The Power of Spiritual Guidance 01:14:55 - Animal Emotions and the Effects of Hormones 01:18:31 - Challenges in Meat Production and Disease Prevention 01:22:25 - The Joy of Connecting with Animals 01:26:01 - The Cruelty of Factory Farming and the Challenges of Humane Slaughter 01:30:23 - The Ethics of Lab-Grown Meat and Animal Sacrifice 01:34:12 - The Importance of Kindness and Praying for Animals 01:38:29 - Finding comfort in animal communication 01:42:33 - Animal Communication through Pulse Diagnosis 01:46:50 - Understanding Separation Anxiety in Animals 01:50:49 - Treating Animals with Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine 01:54:49 - Treating Challenging Cases with Chinese Medicine 01:58:28 - Cats and Birds: Nature and Karma 02:02:24 - Supporting Local Producers in Stopping Factory Farms

A pioneer in the field of spiritual emergence, Paul Levy is a wounded healer in private practice, assisting others who are also awakening to the dreamlike nature of reality. He is the author of Quantum Revelation: A Radical Synthesis of Science and Spirituality Awakened by Darkness: When Evil Becomes your Father Dispelling Wetiko: Breaking the Curse of Evil The Madness of George W. Bush: A Reflection of Our Collective Psychosis. He is the founder of the “Awakening in the Dream Community” in Portland, Oregon. An artist, he is deeply steeped in the work of C. G. Jung and has been a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner for over thirty years. He was the coordinator for the Portland Padmasambhava Buddhist Center for over twenty years. Website awakeninthedream.com Email: [email protected] Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded August 4, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:14 - Kundalini Awakening and Meeting the Blind Woman 00:09:04 - The Blind Woman's Healing Journey 00:13:10 - Personal and Collective Karma 00:16:44 - The Evolution of Understanding and Creativity 00:21:29 - Spiritual Emergence and Pathologization 00:25:36 - Recognizing the Dreamlike Nature and the Encounter with Archetypal Evil 00:30:21 - The Power of Our Dreaming and Awakening 00:34:44 - A Global Awakening through Quantum Physics 00:39:20 - The Revelations from Physics and the World Crisis 00:43:51 - The inseparability of spirit and matter 00:47:33 - Wetiko and the Creative Power of Observation 00:51:27 - Dream Characters and the Outer State 00:56:04 - The Psychic Blindness of Wetiko 01:00:17 - Quantum Physics and Spiritual Awakening 01:04:46 - The Meaning of Quantum Physics in Everyday Life 01:09:33 - The Nature of Reality and Subjectivity 01:13:37 - The Inertia of Collective Viewpoints 01:17:49 - Clinging as the Root of Samsara 01:22:18 - The Evolution of the Universe and the Nature of Time 01:26:55 - The Co-operation of Perception and Nature 01:31:12 - Inquiring into Quantum Physics and Consciousness 01:35:42 - The Wetiko Pathogen and the Psychic Tapeworm 01:40:20 - The Calling and The Daimon 01:44:39 - Seeking the Kingdom First 01:48:41 - The Simplicity of Nature and Solutions to Problems 01:53:27 - Owning Our Shadow and the Dreamlike Nature 01:57:38 - The Role of Ego and Karma 02:01:42 - Culturing Cosmic Intelligence 02:05:56 - A Big Supporter of My Work 02:09:27 - Subscription and Notification Options

An influential and respected teacher of The Esoteric Philosophy, William Meader has established an international reputation for his gift as a communicator of this spiritual philosophy. His extensive teaching program includes a diverse array of workshops and lectures devoted to nurturing a deeper understanding of the spiritual path, both from an individual and global perspective. William Meader resides in Oregon, and presents regular workshops in the United States, Europe, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. He can be contacted through his website at meader.org. Book: Shine Forth: The Soul's Magical Destiny Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 28, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:12 - The Work of Alice Bailey 00:10:37 - Internal Dual Consciousness 00:15:36 - The Density of the Earth Plane and Spiritual Evolution 00:20:42 - The Hierarchical Nature of Consciousness 00:25:34 - The Transformation of the Lower Self 00:31:04 - The Fourth Initiation and Enlightenment 00:36:16 - The Nature of Consciousness and Free Will 00:41:24 - Hylozoism and the Nature of Society 00:46:12 - The Throat Chakra and the Human Kingdom 00:51:22 - The Marvelous Adventure of Life 00:55:57 - Understanding Identity and Ego 01:00:05 - Centralization and Decentralization 01:04:12 - The Awakening and the Path of Recognition 01:08:20 - The Absorption of Planets into the Solar Logos 01:12:13 - The Mythology of the Moon 01:15:54 - The Evolution of the Soul and the Personality 01:19:49 - Knowing the Difference between Full and Partial Kundalini 01:23:54 - Exploring Personality Rays 01:27:34 - The Second Ray of Love and Wisdom 01:31:03 - Crisis Points in Human Consciousness 01:35:12 - The Period of the Burning Ground 01:39:25 - The Rise of Environmentalism and the Crisis of Separateness 01:43:32 - The Rise of Darkness and the Spirit of Humanity 01:47:35 - The Evolution of Societies and the United Nations' Role in the Future 01:51:20 - Oneness through Diversity 01:55:22 - The Process of Initiation and Mastery over the Emotional Body 01:59:17 - Inner Process: The Transfiguration and the Initiations 02:03:24 - The Sixth Initiation and The Decision 02:07:21 - The Vastness of the Path of Evolution 02:11:15 - Conclusion and Farewell

Kosi is a Direct Path Advaita Vedanta Satsang Teacher in the Śiva Kaśyapa Lineage. This teaching is powerful support for a dynamic shift in your consciousness from the fear, sadness, anger, anxiety, and frustration of your mind to the indescribable peace and happiness of your heart. Satsang with Kosi is an extremely potent initiation and transmission of the non-dual teaching of Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi and her holiness Sri Amma Karunamayi. Websites: kosi.org YouTube channel First BatGap interview with Kosi She is the author of: Organic Awakening – A Simple Guide for Living a Free and Happy Life Absence of Doubt: When the Search for Enlightenment Stops (Includes an interview with Gangaji) Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 21, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:44 - The Journey to Arunachala and the Mystical Experience with Ramana Maharshi 00:09:49 - A Mystical Encounter with Ramana Maharshi 00:14:35 - The Visceral Experience of the Mountain 00:19:36 - Kosi-Sunyata: The Spiritual Practice of Taking on an Indian Name 00:24:38 - Meeting Gangaji and the Dalai Lama 00:29:39 - The Confusion of Mystical Experiences 00:34:10 - Turning Within for Fulfillment 00:38:49 - The Lineage of Ramana Maharshi and the Divine Feminine 00:43:39 - Awakening, Liberation, and Self-Realization 00:48:15 - The Genetic Mind and Self-Inquiry 00:51:52 - The Challenge of Staying in the Self 00:55:18 - The Danger of Placing Teachers on Pedestals 00:58:53 - Betrayal and Transition 01:02:23 - The Sacred Cow Shed and Ramana's Prophecy 01:06:15 - The Manifestation of Shiva 01:10:00 - The Power of Mantra 01:13:35 - The Science Behind Mantras and Practices 01:17:02 - The Variety of Spiritual Practices and Techniques 01:20:22 - The Awakening Experience 01:23:53 - The Integration of Activity and Awakening 01:27:15 - The quest for maintaining realization 01:30:39 - The Drawing of the Self in 3D 01:33:59 - The Tariya State and the Seed Letters of OM 01:37:46 - The Power of the AUM Sound and Mantras 01:41:56 - The Radical Return to Effort and Perseverance 01:45:28 - Falling through the trap door of reflective consciousness 01:48:35 - Ramana Maharshi's Genius Drawing 01:51:47 - Culturing the Habit of Liberation 01:55:05 - The importance of consistency and application 01:58:20 - Concluding Remarks

Dena Merriam has been working in the interfaith field for 20 years and founded the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) in 2002. Initially, the organization was designed to provide a global platform for women spiritual leaders to organize and mediate dialogues in areas of conflict and tension. This soon expanded to include an equal number of men and women spiritual teachers and to deal with a range of issues, including climate change, ecological destruction, racial inequity, etc. The premise for the gatherings organized by GPIW is that at the heart of all these issues is a spiritual crisis and the way to address them is a shift in consciousness. Dena has served on the boards of the Harvard University Center for World Religions, the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association, among others. In 2014 she was awarded the Niwano Peace Prize. Over the years as memories of past births have arisen, Dena has recorded them in order to better understand the karmic patterns. She has now shared her memories in My Journey Through Time: A Spiritual Memoir of Life, Death, and Rebirth, in the hope that others will gain insight into their own lives through this sharing. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 14, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:15 - Overcoming the Fear of Death and Shaping our Destiny 00:08:04 - Identity and Spiritual Experiences 00:12:03 - Consciousness and Past Lives 00:16:02 - The Process of Remembering Past Lives 00:20:01 - Reincarnation and the Fear of Death 00:23:59 - Shaping Your Own Life and Awakening 00:28:11 - Shifting to a Higher Era 00:32:13 - Embracing Human and Spiritual Unity 00:35:49 - The Virtue of Patience and the Law of Cause and Effect 00:39:48 - Long-term Vision and Reflection in Life 00:44:02 - Creating a Vision for the Future 00:48:09 - The Shift in Consciousness 00:51:47 - The Cleansing Process and Mobilizing Spiritual Energies 00:55:40 - A Powerful Moment of Bonding 00:59:37 - Memories and Aspirations in Between Lives 01:03:40 - Living in the Celestial Realms 01:07:44 - The Yogis' Understanding of Consciousness 01:11:28 - Meditation and Brain Changes 01:15:12 - The Impact of Meditation in All Communities 01:19:41 - Reincarnation and Spiritual Connections 01:23:48 - The Power of Love and Consciousness 01:27:20 - The Power of Spiritual Laws and Love 01:30:37 - Broadening Perspective and Compassion for the Planet 01:33:40 - The Importance of Every Individual 01:36:50 - The Need for Proper Values in Society 01:40:05 - Debauchery and Inner Clarity 01:43:17 - The Concept of Self in Buddhism and Hinduism 01:46:31 - Finding My Voice as a Woman and Bridging Cultures 01:49:41 - Accessing Higher States in Dreams 01:52:44 - Where to find more content

James O’Dea is the award-winning author of The Conscious Activist, Cultivating Peace, Soul Awakening Practice, and other works. James is a former President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, Washington office director of Amnesty International, and CEO of the Seva Foundation. He has taught peacebuilding to over a thousand students in 30 countries. He has also conducted frontline social healing dialogues around the world. He is a founding member of The Evolutionary Leaders group and on the Advisory Board of The Peace Alliance, Kosmos Journal, and the Laszlo New Paradigm Institute. Website: jamesodea.com Books: The Conscious Activist: Where Activism Meets Mysticism Soul Awakening Practice: Prayer, Contemplation and Action Cultivating Peace: Becoming a 21st-Century Peace Ambassador Creative Stress: A Path for Evolving Souls Living Through Personal and Planetary Upheaval 'James O'Dea is a modern-day prophet who has journeyed further than anyone I know in the ways of peace' -- Lynne Twist www.pachamama.org 'James O'Dea is indubitably one of the most evolved souls on the planet' -- Ervin Laszlo author of over 40 books on cosmology, consciousness, and new science. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded June 30, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Invocation 00:04:03 - This Consecrated Hour 00:10:19 - The Music beneath the Melodrama 00:15:24 - The Purpose of Creation 00:22:06 - The Heart's Response to Tests and Bitterness 00:28:15 - The Bittersweet Beginning 00:34:38 - Beginning of Activism and Loss of Spiritual Connection 00:40:46 - Learning from Losses and Mystical Experiences 00:46:33 - The Evolutionary Process of Evil 00:52:29 - The Subtle Domain: A Story of Refinement 00:58:42 - The Teaching of Quality and the Rainbow Umbrella 01:03:02 - The Power of Forgiveness 01:08:50 - Restorative Justice and Forgiveness in Conflict Zones 01:14:35 - The Indestructible Spirit within the Palestinian Camp 01:20:46 - A Transformation in Front of Me 01:26:49 - The Hunter of the Fire 01:31:58 - The Blossoming of Celestial Perception 01:36:12 - The Subtle Plane in Mozart's Music 01:40:33 - The Power of Subtlety and Refinement 01:44:00 - The Power of Communion and Fields 01:47:27 - Neutralizing Tension in the Field 01:50:50 - The Power of Field Connectivity 01:54:44 - A Pivotal Day in My Life 01:58:19 - Fields Within Fields: Exploring Spirituality and Human Rights 02:01:25 - Subtle Realms and Interconnectedness 02:05:27 - The Toll of Dealing with Mayhem and Torture 02:09:06 - The Complexity of Knowledge and the Simplest Form of Awareness 02:11:50 - The Marrying of Consciousness and Compassionate Action 02:15:07 - The Complexity of Existential Crises 02:19:02 - The Infinite Rhythms of Consciousness 02:22:55 - The Luminous Essence of Your True Self

Dr. Pamela Eakins is a Sociologist and Visionary Cosmologist. She has taught at Stanford University, the University of Colorado and the California Institute of Integral Studies. She is the founder and director of the Pacific Center. Her books include: Tarot of the Spirit Kabbalah and Tarot of the Spirit: Black and White Edition with Personal Stories and Readings The Lightning Papers: 10 Powers of Evolution by Pamela Eakins (2012-05-14) Visionary Cosmology: The New Paradigm Mothers in Transition, A Study of the Changing Life Course The American Way of Birth (Plume) PASSAGES for a Spiritual Birth Priestess: Woman As Sacred Celebrant (and several others) For information about classes, certification programs, and private sessions, please visit pamelaeakins.net Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded June 20, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:01 - The Power of Vision in Creating the Social World 00:10:21 - The Guerrilla's Request 00:15:18 - The Vision and Governing a Country 00:20:20 - Mothers of the Disappeared and the Refugee Situation 00:24:54 - Unloading Medical Supplies in El Salvador 00:29:39 - The Sociologists' Disappearance 00:34:26 - The degrees of chaos in the world 00:38:57 - Working Towards Peace and Love 00:43:39 - Redefining Conflict and Power 00:48:10 - The Power of Connection and Making a Difference 00:52:28 - Transforming Society Through Youth Empowerment 00:56:41 - Connecting Gangs and Communities through Support 01:01:15 - The Power of Storytelling and Being Witnessed 01:05:43 - Breaking down barriers through diversity 01:10:05 - The Power of Taking Care of Each Other 01:15:05 - A Life-Changing Encounter 01:20:01 - Creating a Balanced Tarot Deck 01:24:52 - The Tarot and Kabbalah 01:29:42 - The Living Kabbalah and the Masons 01:34:20 - The Masons and the American Revolution 01:38:47 - The Origin of the Tarot and Astral Beings 01:43:16 - The Archetypal Meanings of Numbers in the Tarot 01:47:45 - Recognizing Our Uniqueness 01:52:23 - Alignment and Connection with the Universe 01:56:07 - The Time it Takes for Paint to Reach the Ocean 01:59:49 - Raising Awareness for a More Enlightened Paradigm 02:03:05 - Bringing a New Spirituality to Earth 02:06:45 - Seeing a Bigger Picture 02:10:09 - Embracing the Future 02:13:37 - BATGAP Updates

David Thomas is a self-realization teacher, speaker, and writer living in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Through self-inquiry and deep meditation, he has gained a deeper understanding of the true inner-self and liberation. He seeks to guide individuals in their pursuit of their true nature through his writing, speaking, and personal coaching. David’s teachings are from his own personal experiences and he shares his insights through videos, quotes, and poems. His works are created to help uplift and heal those who seek release from their constant pain and suffering caused by mental bondage. He speaks from his personal experience of having being lost in ignorance, then finding the truth within, and experiencing nirvikalpa samadhi. One conversation with him truly has the power to transform the way you see and experience life. The love and wisdom he often radiates is a blessing to all seekers of truth. YouTube Channel Email address Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Interview recorded June 9, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:58 - Witnessing a Miracle 00:10:31 - Near-death experience and spiritual awakening 00:16:19 - The Gift of Reading Energy 00:22:09 - The Reality of Poverty and Intellect 00:26:49 - The Madness of Self-Obsession 00:30:56 - The Reality of Boot Camp and Conditioning 00:35:32 - Disconnecting Your Humanity 00:40:41 - The Manipulation of Ranks and Power Gangs 00:45:56 - The Majesty of the Ocean and the Limitlessness of the Stars 00:50:29 - The Dark Path of Depression and Suicidal Thoughts 00:55:29 - The Experience of Near-Death 00:59:19 - The Profound Experience of Near-Death 01:04:03 - Self-Realization: Cutting Through Reality 01:08:16 - The Essence of Self-Realization 01:13:06 - Discovering Pure Awareness 01:16:20 - Realizing the Oneness 01:20:09 - The Journey to Oneness and Noneness 01:25:28 - The Liberating Power of the Absolute 01:29:47 - The Power of Enlightenment 01:34:40 - Being Love 01:38:04 - The Dark Side of Awakening and Enlightenment 01:42:27 - Connecting the Dots 01:46:43 - The Concept of God 01:50:37 - Gratitude for the Beauty of the World 01:53:58 - Follow Your Goal and Trust in God's Provision 01:57:36 - Resting in Awareness 02:02:04 - The Language Barrier in Awakening 02:06:42 - The Importance of a Spiritual Community, Connected Electronically 02:11:29 - The Search for Inner Happiness 02:15:25 - Contact Information and Concluding Remarks

Lynn Marie Lumiere, MFT is a nondual psychotherapist and author who is dedicated to awakening consciousness and meeting life’s challenges as doorways to greater freedom. Her work is sourced in over 40 years of dedicated spiritual and psychological exploration as well as almost 30 years of marriage and practicing psychotherapy. This experience has led her to the understanding that no matter what the problem, healing and freedom from suffering is possible when we tap into our infinite and ever-present true nature. She has been especially interested in applying this understanding to healing relationships and trauma. Lynn Marie is one of the pioneers in the exploration of nondual wisdom and psychotherapy and is a contributing author to "Sacred Mirror: Nondual Wisdom and Psychotherapy (Omega Book)" (2003). She is also the author of "Awakened Relating: A Guide to Embodying Undivided Love in Intimate Relationships" to be published July 1, 2018 by New Harbinger. Her primary spiritual teacher is Adyashanti and she has studied with many teachers from nondual, Buddhist and Hindu traditions. She lives in Grass Valley, California. Books: Awakened Relating: A Guide to Embodying Undivided Love in Intimate Relationships The Awakening West : Evidence of a Spreading Enlightenment Website: lynnmarielumiere.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded June 2, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:51 - The Paradox of Awakening in Relationships 00:07:23 - The Impact of Spiritual Practice 00:10:51 - Meeting Life with Awakened Consciousness 00:14:26 - Recognition of Non-Dual Awareness 00:17:44 - Resting in Nondual Awareness 00:21:28 - The Availability of Awakening 00:24:51 - The Love We Seek from Others 00:28:36 - The Role of Relationship in Awakening 00:32:05 - The Pattern of Repeated Marriages 00:35:34 - The Advantages of a Non-Dual Understanding in Therapy 00:39:18 - Healing Trauma through Meditation 00:42:52 - The Importance of Addressing the Root Cause 00:46:40 - The Evolutionary Imperative and the Survival of the Species 00:50:15 - Evolving from Self-Absorption to Awakened Activism 00:53:53 - Moving Beyond Activism and Division 00:57:27 - Awakened Activism and the Power of Individual Expression 01:01:19 - The Solution to Harmonization 01:04:55 - The Three Rs of Awakened Relating 01:08:44 - Returning to Direct Being 01:12:20 - Mind Training for Direct Awareness 01:15:48 - The Scientific Method and Spiritual Beliefs 01:19:17 - Taking Responsibility and the Love of Truth 01:22:37 - Being Truthful in Relationships 01:26:19 - Resolving Trauma with Awakened Awareness 01:29:59 - The Inequity of Wealth and Privilege 01:33:17 - The Collapse of Empires and the Importance of Taking Care of Each Other 01:36:38 - The Possibility of Unnecessary Deaths in the Future 01:39:59 - The Paradox of Doing and Non-Doing 01:43:30 - Devoting Yourself to Awareness 01:47:08 - Engaging with the Author

Dean Sluyter (pronounced "slighter") has taught natural methods of meditation and awakening since 1970. His five highly acclaimed books include Natural Meditation: A Guide to Effortless Meditative Practice (Amazon #1 stress management bestseller, and Nautilus Gold Medal winner for best mind-body-spirit book) and Fear Less: Living Beyond Fear, Anxiety, Anger, and Addiction. Dean gives talks, workshops, and retreats throughout the United States and beyond, from Ivy League colleges to maximum-security prisons. His media appearances have included National Public Radio, The New York Times, New York Magazine, Coast to Coast AM, The Dr. Oz Show, and O, The Oprah Magazine. A grateful student of Eastern and Western sages in several traditions, Dean has completed numerous pilgrimages and retreats in India, Tibet, Nepal, and the West. He is known for conveying authentic teachings in forms that are relaxed, accessible, and down-to-earth. When not writing or teaching, he plays the ukulele and happily rides his Vespa through the streets of Santa Monica. Other books: The Zen Commandments: Ten Suggestions for a Life of Inner Freedom. Cinema Nirvana: Enlightenment Lessons from the Movies Why the Chicken Crossed the Road: & Other Hidden Enlightenment Teachings from the Buddha to Bebop to Mother Goose Website: deansluyter.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 26, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:06:06 - The Principle of Effortlessness 00:11:15 - The Effortlessness of Meditation 00:16:26 - Resting as Awareness and Mindfulness 00:21:18 - Finding Fulfillment within Ourselves 00:26:29 - Happiness and the Nature of Awareness 00:31:54 - The Illusion of an External Universe 00:37:26 - The Existence of the Moon and Reality 00:42:25 - Shifting Perspectives and the Materialistic Worldview 00:47:12 - The Paper Tiger 00:51:05 - The Stories We Read 00:55:00 - Finding the Divine in Unexpected Places 00:58:59 - Functioning from the Zone 01:02:52 - Support of Nature and Synchronicity 01:06:27 - The Intersection of Spirituality and Science 01:10:18 - The Misconception of Alpha Waves 01:13:57 - Relaxing at the Moment of Contact 01:17:29 - Sharing with the Sweetest Dog in the World 01:21:30 - Breaking the Habit of Worry 01:25:28 - Cessation of Suffering through Mind Control 01:29:20 - Arrival at the Villa of the Hippie Artist Commune 01:33:34 - Cultivating Devotion and Appreciation 01:37:30 - The Shaky Ground of Devotion 01:41:37 - Movies as Conduits of Higher Wisdom 01:45:28 - Einstein's Classroom in Princeton 01:49:03 - The Healing Power of Meditation and Conscious Contact 01:53:06 - Bill Wilson's Meditation Experience 01:57:04 - The Lord of Destruction 02:01:25 - Finding Liberation in Loss 02:05:48 - Cooperating with the Cosmic Purpose 02:09:24 - Ways to Support the Channel

Jason Shulman is an American spiritual teacher whose original work springs from his Judaic and Buddhist background. He is the founder of A Society of Souls: The School for Nondual Healing and Awakening, based in the United States and the Netherlands. There he teaches the distinctive body of nondual work he has developed to awaken the human spirit: Nondual Healing, Impersonal Movement and the Work of Return. Jason’s main concern has been to develop paths of healing the mind, body and spirit based on his own understanding of the difficulties inherent in the human condition. Through his studies and practice, Jason has developed a unique perspective on human consciousness and the nature of existence. His works seeks to translate this perspective into a replicable and clearly delineated path for other seekers of truth to follow. He has been especially interested in applying personal spiritual work into methods of transforming society at large. To that end, he has created the MAGI Process, a nondual method of working with conflicts between people, institutions and governments. He is the author of numerous monographs and books and several albums of his work as a singer and songwriter. More about his work can be found at societyofsouls.com. Books: The Instruction Manual for Receiving God The Kabbalah Monographs The MAGI Process: A Nondual Method for Personal Awakening and the Resolution of Conflict Ecstatic Speech: Expressions of True Nonduality Kabbalistic Healing: A Path to an Awakened Soul Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 19, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:47 - The Resolution of Non-duality 00:07:40 - Healing the Ego vs Transcending 00:11:49 - The Difficulty of Being an Individual in the Totality of Being 00:16:58 - Effort in Spiritual Development 00:21:06 - Welcoming Challenges and Being a Total Human Being 00:24:58 - The Ethics of Enlightenment 00:28:31 - The Four Universes and Non-Dual Shamanism 00:32:41 - The Ultimate Reality and Non-Duality 00:37:16 - The Aliveness of Everything 00:40:51 - Appreciating Divine Intelligence in Buddhism 00:44:39 - The Myth of Enlightenment and Freedom from Suffering 00:49:48 - The Work of Return and the Ego's Resistance to Change 00:53:44 - Secondary Suffering and the Fear of Death 00:58:21 - Doubts and Verification in Spiritual Practices 01:02:04 - The Intrigue of Extraterrestrial Life and Kabbalistic Healing 01:05:05 - A Teenage Adventure in Midtown Manhattan 01:07:25 - From Health Crisis to Teacher 01:09:59 - Awakening and Understanding 01:13:06 - The Limitations of Perception 01:16:34 - Developing Perception in Non-Dual Shamanism 01:21:36 - Loss and Spiritual Materialism 01:25:40 - Different Perspectives on God 01:28:58 - The Nature of the Universal God 01:32:33 - Mutual Co-arising and the Magi Process 01:38:01 - The Role of Spirituality in Solving Global Problems 01:43:32 - The Point of Phase Transition: Water to Steam 01:47:09 - The Purpose of Spiritual Search 01:50:46 - The Importance of Spiritual Education 01:53:47 - Working with David Shapiro 01:57:11 - The Nondual Shaman and Awakening the Self

Caverly Morgan is a meditation teacher, nonprofit leader, and visionary. She is the Founder and Guiding Teacher of Presence Collective, dedicated to igniting personal transformation and collective awakening. She is also the Founder and Guiding Teacher of Peace in Schools — a nonprofit which created the nation's first for-credit mindfulness class in public high schools. Peace in Schools is pioneering new depths in mindfulness education through teaching youth as well as training educators. Caverly blends the original spirit of Zen with a modern nondual approach. Her practice began in 1995 and has included eight years of training in a silent Zen monastery. She has been teaching contemplative practice since 2001. Prior to her pioneering efforts with Peace in Schools, Caverly formerly worked for nonprofits serving people with special needs. An artist and educator, she brings insight, passion, warmth, and humor to her transformative work with students of all ages and experience levels. Caverly leads meditation retreats, workshops, and online classes internationally. She has been a visiting teacher at Open Circle, the Science and Nonduality Conference, Insight Meditation of Seattle and Charlottesville, Against the Stream in San Francisco, MNDFL, and the New York Zen Center of Contemplative Care. Caverly also speaks publicly at conferences on topics including contemplative practice, social entrepreneurship, authentic leadership, and mindfulness education, and has been featured in publications such as Mindful Magazine and The New York Times. She is dedicated to actualizing possibility, serving love, and embodying the truth of interconnection. Website: caverlymorgan.org Facebook Instagram Caverly's presentation at the Science and Nonduality Conference Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Caverly in panel discussions on ethics and spiritual teaching. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:44 - A Conversation about Consciousness 00:06:51 - Discovering Zen Monastery Life 00:10:19 - Discovering the Path of Meditation 00:13:53 - An Identity Crisis at the Monastery 00:17:50 - Being with Your Experience 00:21:34 - Cultivating a Mentality of Spiritual Seeking 00:26:05 - The Journey to Enlightenment 00:30:25 - The Middle Way on the Spiritual Path 00:34:25 - Compassionate Concessions and Meeting Others Where They Are 00:38:51 - The Reconciliation of the Absolute and the Relative 00:43:27 - Seeking Enlightenment and Addressing Perceptions of Separation 00:47:13 - The Nature of Humor in Spiritual Practice 00:51:25 - The Contrast of Perceiving the World as Ramana Maharshi 00:55:55 - Recognizing Negative Self-Talk 01:00:06 - Moving towards greater happiness 01:03:51 - The Danger of Blending Morality and Practice 01:07:52 - Energetic Effects of Spiritual Practice and Neuroplasticity 01:11:20 - The Importance of Discernment and Truth 01:15:48 - Ongoing refinement in the journey of self-discovery in Zen monastic lineage and Amma's influence 01:20:09 - Transformation in Teens 01:24:13 - Transformation and Connection in the Classroom 01:28:26 - Building a Supportive Community for Teenagers 01:32:18 - The Demand for the Program's Expansion in Portland 01:36:08 - Flourishing and the Tools for Growth 01:40:13 - The Disappointment of Enlightenment 01:44:12 - Lack of attunement and suffering 01:48:33 - The Power of Collective Conditioning 01:52:32 - Shifting Consciousness and Collective Transformation 01:56:54 - The Marriage of Activism and Spirituality 02:01:00 - Availability of Teachings for All

Lama Tsültrim Allione is an author, internationally known Buddhist teacher, and the founder and resident lama of Tara Mandala Retreat Center. She is the author of Women of Wisdom, national bestseller Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict, which is now translated into seventeen languages, and Wisdom Rising: Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine. Born in New England to an academic and publishing family, Lama Tsultrim traveled to India in her late teens and in 1970, at the age of twenty-two, was ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun by H. H. the Sixteenth Karmapa. After four years living as a nun in the Himalayan region, she returned her monastic vows, married, and raised a family of three children. She has a Master's degree in Buddhist Studies/Women's Studies from Antioch University. Her writings and teachings come from her sublime Tibetan lamas as well as her experience as a Western woman and mother. She is known for her ability to translate the wisdom of the ancient Tibetan Buddhist tradition into clear teachings that are relatable and relevant to Western audiences. Lama Tsultrim continues to guide Tara Mandala, as the resident lama, as well as thousands of students around the world. She was named Buddhist Woman of the Year in 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. For more information on Lama Tsultrim Allione watch a documentary on her life, Feeding Your Demons, and visit the Tara Mandala website. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 8, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:02:58 - The Beginning of My Journey in India 00:06:36 - Discovering Joy in Dharamsala 00:10:08 - The Black Hat Ceremony and Buddhist Legends 00:13:26 - Witnessing a Lama's Miraculous Handprint 00:16:26 - The Rock Experiment and the Power of Faith 00:19:41 - The Dharma and Buddhist philosophy 00:22:32 - Meeting the Karmapa and Finding My Guru 00:26:04 - Ordained by His Holiness in Bhutan 00:29:36 - Physical Benefits of Prostrations 00:32:40 - The Decision to Leave Monasticism 00:36:12 - Dedication of Merit to Benefit All Beings 00:39:50 - Finding Compassion through Personal Loss 00:43:12 - Inequity between Men and Women in Buddhism 00:46:27 - Women and Nature in Religion 00:49:53 - The Reciprocal Relationship Between Nature and Human Beings 00:53:15 - The Divine Feminine and Immanent Presence in Creation 00:56:00 - The Radiance of the Phenomenal World 00:59:34 - The Divine's Discipline and Natural Disasters 01:03:32 - The Archetype of the Fierce Feminine 01:06:53 - The power of the mandala practice in transforming the mind 01:10:09 - Testimonials: Activism and Healing 01:13:19 - Ontological existence of the Daikinis 01:16:09 - Experiential Investigation and Integration with the Elements 01:19:22 - Empowerment through Dakini Mandala Practice 01:22:18 - Making Progress in the Good 01:25:11 - Holding Absolute and Relative Truths 01:28:03 - Recognition by Lamas in Tibet 01:31:29 - Working for Her 01:34:13 - Building on Past Life Development 01:37:11 - batgap.com and Links to Your Website

With over two-dozen published books translated in nearly as many languages, Ken Wilber has created what is widely considered the first truly comprehensive Integral Map of human experience. By exploring and integrating the major insights and conclusions of nearly every human knowledge domain in existence, Wilber created the revolutionary AQAL Integral Framework. In short, the Integral Approach is the coherent organization, coordination, and harmonization of all of the relevant practices, methodologies, and experiences available to human beings. Wilber states: “You can’t [realistically] honor various methods and fields, without showing how they fit together. That is how to make a genuine world philosophy.” He is the founder of the nonprofit think tank Integral Institute, co-founder of the transformational learning community Integral Life, co-founder of Source Integral exploring the nature of Integral Society, and the current chancellor of Ubiquity University. Ken's site: kenwilber.com Some of Ken's many books: The Religion of Tomorrow: A Vision for the Future of the Great Traditions Integral Buddhism: And the Future of Spirituality Integral Meditation: Mindfulness as a Way to Grow Up, Wake Up, and Show Up in Your Life Trump and a Post-Truth World Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded April 28, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:54 - From Graduate School to Writing a Book 00:10:43 - The Meditation Technique and Awakening Experience 00:16:03 - The State of Witnessing during Meditation 00:21:34 - The Witness and Radical Oneness 00:27:16 - The Illusion of Waking Up 00:32:41 - Overpowering Fear from Repressed Anger 00:38:16 - The Importance of "Cleaning Up" in Spiritual Practice 00:44:00 - The Role of Spirituality in Human Development 00:49:12 - The Three Major Groups of Development Lines 00:55:03 - The Different Levels of Growing Up 01:00:52 - The stages of moral development 01:05:50 - Honoring and Including Different Perspectives 01:10:54 - Expressing Authentic Enlightenment 01:15:57 - The Recent Discovery of Growing Up Levels in Spiritual Systems 01:20:35 - Development of Cognitive and Emotional Intelligence 01:25:31 - Different lines of development 01:30:57 - The need for waking up, growing up, and cleaning up in spiritual practice 01:36:40 - The Evolution of Spiritual Pursuit 01:41:39 - The Problem of Overthinking in Philosophy 01:46:27 - The Unity of Nirvana and Samsara 01:52:06 - Differentiating Relative and Ultimate States of Consciousness 01:57:23 - Dissolving into Oneness 02:03:03 - Working with Good Maps and the Importance of Spiritual Growth 02:07:07 - Aurobindo's Influence on Integral Yoga 02:13:38 - Spirit, consciousness, and the four quadrants 02:19:31 - Describing Ultimate Reality 02:25:19 - The Problem of Describing Ultimate Reality 02:30:58 - President Trump: A Sociocultural Analysis 02:37:36 - The Stages of Growing Up 02:42:14 - Exploring Ken Wilber's Books and Resources

Marjorie Hines Woollacott, Ph.D., has been a neuroscience professor at the University of Oregon for more than three decades and a meditator for almost four. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation for 35 years, she has co-authored a popular textbook for health professionals that is in its 5th edition, and has written more than 180 peer-reviewed research articles—several of which were on meditation, the topic that motivated her to write the book Infinite Awareness: The Awakening of a Scientific Mind. As a neuroscientist, Marjorie Woollacott had no doubts that the brain was a purely physical entity controlled by chemicals and electrical pulses. When she experimented with meditation for the first time, however, her entire world changed. Woollacott’s journey through years of meditation has made her question the reality she built her career upon and has forced her to ask what human consciousness really is. Infinite Awareness (winner of the 2017 Parapsychological Association Book Award, Eric Hoffer Book Award, and the Nautilus Book Award) pairs Woollacott’s research as a neuroscientist with her self-revelations about the mind’s spiritual power. Between the scientific and spiritual worlds, she breaks open the definition of human consciousness to investigate the existence of a non-physical and infinitely powerful mind. Website: marjoriewoollacott.com Marjorie is the president of an organization called The Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences, which she co-founded with Gary Schwartz at the U. of Arizona. The organization hopes to help impel the paradigm shift away from materialism. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded April 22, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:03:26 - A Mantra for Anxiety Relief 00:06:13 - The Life-Changing Initiation 00:08:59 - Integrating Science and Spirituality 00:11:49 - The Excitement of Consciousness Studies 00:14:29 - The Lack of Curiosity in our Worldview 00:17:13 - The Connectedness of All Beings 00:20:08 - The Disconnect between Scientists and General Public 00:23:04 - The Shift in Scientific Consciousness 00:26:01 - Consciousness as a Universal Substratum 00:29:06 - The Implicate Order and Karma 00:31:59 - The Consciousness in Every Particle of the Universe 00:35:02 - The Filtered Theory of Consciousness 00:38:12 - The Enlightened Master's Consciousness 00:41:17 - Cultivating Non-bounded Reality 00:44:13 - Idealist Monistic Philosophies 00:47:00 - The Numinous Consciousness 00:50:02 - The Manifestation of Consciousness 00:52:48 - The Effects of Meditation on the Brain 00:55:34 - Stillness of the Mind and Pure Consciousness 00:58:21 - The symbiotic relationship between science and spirituality 01:01:24 - The Limitations of Randomized Controlled Trials in Determining Effectiveness 01:04:04 - Subtleties and Realities of Perception 01:06:53 - Exploring Subtle Realms of Perception 01:09:45 - The Mechanics of Awareness 01:12:30 - The Nature of Consciousness and Binding 01:15:19 - The Subtle Body and its Faculties 01:18:19 - The Experience of Atheists 01:21:08 - The Power of Positive Thoughts and Non-Local Consciousness 01:24:15 - Exploring the Hypotheses of Consciousness 01:27:05 - Ken Wilber Interview

Anne Baring, born 1931. MA Oxon. Jungian analyst. Author and co-author of 7 books. The ground of all her work is a deep interest in history and the spiritual, mythological, shamanic and artistic traditions of different cultures. Her website is devoted to the affirmation of a new vision of reality and the challenges facing us at this crucial time of choice. It includes her many talks, lectures and seminars as well as interviews and talks on YouTube. Books: The Dream of the Cosmos The Myth of the Goddess: Evolution of an Image The Divine Feminine: Exploring The Feminine Face of God Around The World The Mystic Vision: Daily Encounters with the Divine Soul Power: An Agenda for a Conscious Humanity Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded April 14, 2018. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:51 - The Beginnings of Interest in Religion and Studies 00:09:17 - Beings in Other Dimensions 00:13:26 - The Defense Mechanism of the Ego 00:18:00 - The Inner Quest and the Call to Adventure 00:23:26 - Christianity and the Blame Game 00:27:52 - Non-violent response vs. Fighting back 00:32:16 - Nature as a Participation with Brothers and Sisters 00:37:32 - The Disconnect between Conscious and Unconscious Mind 00:42:38 - The Catastrophic Consequences of Nuclear War 00:47:06 - The Capacity for Kindness and Love 00:51:16 - The Evil of Nuclear Weapons 00:55:55 - Trauma and the Human Condition 01:00:34 - The Awakening of the Soul of Humanity 01:04:54 - The Transition to an Enlightened Society 01:09:22 - Nassim Haramein and the Rediscovery of Ancient Civilizations 01:13:44 - The Divine Ground 01:17:59 - The Miracle of the Body and Consciousness 01:21:55 - The Soul and the Sea of Being 01:26:26 - Breaking Down the Firewall between Worlds 01:30:20 - The Council of Nicaea and the Feminine Aspect of the Holy Spirit 01:34:29 - The Power of YouTube for Communication and Support 01:38:46 - The Complex Business of Individuation and Spiritual Realization 01:43:32 - The Middle Way and Gentle Spiritual Practice 01:47:57 - The Alchemical Process of Purification 01:52:03 - The Myth of Eve and its Impact on Women 01:56:10 - Balancing Career and Family Life 02:00:42 - The Civilization of Old Europe with Marija Gimbutas 02:04:54 - Gaining Perspective on Life and Past Lives 02:09:38 - Finding the Ticket in the Sock Drawer 02:13:25 - Conclusion of Interview

Terry Patten was a philosopher, teacher, activist, consultant, social entrepreneur, and author. Over the last fifteen years he has devoted his efforts to the evolution of consciousness by facing, examining, and healing our global crisis through the marriage of spirit and activism. He co-wrote the book "Integral Life Practice" with Ken Wilber and a core team at the Integral Institute. As a teacher and consultant, he has worked on four continents, led a team at the HeartMath Institute that developed their first heart rate variability monitor, and is the founder of the “Beyond Awakening” teleseminar series. As a community builder, he founded Bay Area Integral. As a social entrepreneur, he founded Tools For Exploration, a consciousness technologies company, and currently, he's involved in restorative redwood forestry and fossil-fuel alternatives. His new book "A New Republic of the Heart: An Ethos for Revolutionaries--A Guide to Inner Work for Holistic Change" was released by North Atlantic Books on March 6th, 2018. Terry is also co-author of Integral Life Practice: A 21st-Century Blueprint for Physical Health, Emotional Balance, Mental Clarity, and Spiritual Awakening. Website: terrypatten.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded April 7, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:47 - The Origins of the Cooperative Movement 00:08:39 - The Evolution of Inner and Outer Work 00:13:17 - Inner Work and Outer Application 00:17:42 - Experiences with Adi Da and Reflections on Cultic Tendencies 00:22:33 - Navigating Different States of Experience 00:28:11 - Adi Da: A Profound Spiritual Writing 00:32:58 - Multiple Threats to Humanity 00:38:32 - The Danger of Pessimism and Uncertainty in Climate Change Discussions 00:43:46 - Gut Intelligence and Precognitive Awareness 00:48:32 - Demanding Unity and Accountability 00:53:34 - Becoming a Superorganism for Social Change 00:58:26 - Living in Tune with Nature 01:02:56 - The Greatness of the Human Spirit and Miracles in Evolution 01:07:11 - The Awakening and the Influence of the Unseen World 01:11:19 - Awakening and Action in a Time of Fragmentation 01:16:10 - Living the Questions 01:20:59 - The Beauty of Culture and the Challenge of Racism 01:26:33 - Embracing Puzzling Challenges and Effective Change 01:30:57 - The Growth Arc Ahead of Us 01:35:14 - The Fierce Voice of the Heart 01:40:10 - The Paradox of Wisdom and Fellowship 01:45:18 - Uniting Activists for Rational Discourse 01:50:26 - The Juice of Religion and Spiritual Practice 01:55:01 - The Juicy Relationship to the Divine 01:59:42 - Non-dualists and their Devotion 02:04:21 - Traditional Values and the Evolution of Consciousness 02:08:55 - Whole Systems Change and Consciousness 02:13:40 - The Call to Greatness and Genuine Sense of Possibility 02:17:28 - Cashing the IOU of Consciousness 02:20:46 - An Interview with Anne Baring