Buddha at the Gas Pump

Roger Walsh MD., Ph.D. DHL graduated from Queensland University with degrees in psychology, physiology, neuroscience, and medicine, came to the United States as a Fulbright scholar, and is currently a professor of psychiatry, philosophy, anthropology, and religious studies at the University of California. His research interests include psychological health and wellbeing, virtues such as love and wisdom, practices such as meditation that foster them, and the psychological roots of our current social and global challenges. Roger’s books include Paths Beyond Ego, The World of Shamanism, and Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind, and he recently edited the modestly titled volume, The World's Great Wisdom. His research and writings have received over twenty national and international awards. He was formerly a circus acrobat, held world records in trampolining and high diving, and recently graduated from the San Francisco Comedy College and had an extremely brief and unsuccessful career as a standup comedian. For more information, see drrogerwalsh.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded February 15, 2020. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction: Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:25 - A Shocking Revelation about Water 00:08:32 - The Hidden Disciplines of Religion 00:13:19 - Multiple Perspectives on Realization and Developmental Stages 00:18:06 - Psychological Maturity and Spiritual Development 00:22:12 - The Enlightenment and the Awakening to Pure Consciousness 00:26:16 - The Limitations of Scientists and the Recognition of Pure Consciousness 00:31:02 - Consciousness awakening through the nervous system 00:34:19 - The Universe Becoming Conscious 00:39:07 - Inherent growth dynamic in the psyche 00:43:30 - The Transition to Post-Conventional Thinking 00:47:33 - The Wisdom of Spiritual Practice 00:51:30 - The Spiritual Gravity that Draws the Mind Within 00:55:42 - Different Stages Reflecting Different Worldviews and Values 01:00:23 - The Developmental Stages of Consciousness and Psychology 01:04:38 - The Marrying of Technology and Spirituality 01:09:31 - The Importance of Ethics in Spiritual Practice 01:13:52 - The Dangers of the "Ends Justify the Means" Mentality 01:17:21 - The Story of Narada and Maya 01:21:01 - Motivation and Emotional Transformation 01:25:14 - The Nature of Craving 01:30:07 - The Dystopian Future of Addiction 01:34:32 - The Race between Consciousness and Catastrophe 01:38:40 - Surfing the Spiritual Wave 01:42:53 - Mapping the Territory of Consciousness 01:47:33 - Tapping into the Universal 01:52:15 - Openness to Feedback and Understanding 01:56:33 - Hanging Out with Kindred Souls 02:00:07 - Practice and Transformation 02:04:10 - Going Deeper into Ourselves and the World 02:07:43 - A Conversation with an Expert

Isira brings a deep understanding of Indigenous, ancient and universal wisdom. She bridges the gap between the overwhelming challenges we face in the world today and our spiritual journey. As a powerful advocate for conscious change, Isira is highly engaged in today's social issues. Her enlightened commentary assists us to navigate the divisive worlds of politics, climate change, mental health and beyond. Books: Awakening You: Embodying Peace, Love and Freedom on Earth Buddha on the Dance Floor Website: isira.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Second interview with Isira Interview recorded February 7, 2020. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 00:04:06 - Perception of the World 00:08:22 - Indigenous Mindset and Modern Human Mindset 00:12:31 - The Interconnection of All Things and the Dance of Life 00:17:32 - A Traumatic Experience of Abuse and Awakening 00:22:09 - The Root of Suffering and Disconnection 00:26:21 - The Rubber Band Effect of Disconnection 00:30:12 - A Miraculous Recovery and Forgiveness 00:34:38 - Interdimensional Experiences and Reunion with the Lama 00:39:00 - A Time of Preparation and Resetting 00:43:09 - The Power of Alignment and Connection 00:47:38 - The Intensity of Global Problems and Ignoring Warning Signs 00:51:42 - The Impact of an Echo Chamber 00:55:47 - The Design of Social Media Platforms and the Loss of Value and Relevance 01:00:00 - The Beauty of Chaos and Transformation 01:03:32 - The Story of the Seeker and the Master 01:07:23 - Averting Catastrophe through Spiritual Awakening 01:11:54 - The Impact of Climate Change on Metropolitan Areas 01:16:14 - Severed Relationships and the Collapse of Society 01:20:35 - The Need for Connectedness and Decentralized Government 01:24:11 - Materialism and Fear in Modern Society 01:28:12 - The Illusion of Material Possessions 01:32:13 - Untapped Potential and Gamma Brainwave States 01:36:51 - Accessing Deeper States of Consciousness 01:40:54 - The Balance of Destructive and Creative Forces 01:45:03 - Restoring Balance in Society and Nature 01:48:54 - Overpopulation and the Need for Reduction 01:53:01 - Holding onto the Self in Times of Radical Shifts 01:56:50 - Acting in Accordance with Intuitive Impulse 02:01:17 - Regeneration and the Four Pillars of Lore 02:05:23 - Ordinary People Awakening

Diane Hennacy Powell, M.D. is a Johns Hopkins-trained psychiatrist, therapist, neuroscientist, and public speaker. She develops multidisciplinary theories towards understanding psychological anomalies, such as savant skills and verified accounts of spacetime navigation. Her current research focuses on controlled testing of autistic savants and children reported to be telepathic and/or precognitive by their caregivers. Dr. Powell has been on the faculty at Harvard Medical School, a member of a think tank on human consciousness at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, and Director of Research for the John E. Mack Institute. Her investigation into the neurocorrelates of ESP is discussed in her 2008 book The ESP Enigma: The Scientific Case for Psychic Phenomena, and in Seriously Strange: Thinking Anew about Psychical Experiences. Dr. Powell is also an expert on PTSD and created the psychiatry program for Survivors of Torture, International in San Diego, California. She was the principal author of IONS The 2007 Shift Report: Evidence of a World Transforming and a contributing author to Beyond Forgiveness: Reflections on Atonement, the 2014 Campus Book of the Year at Indiana University. She is also a participant in the #NeverAlone movement for suicide prevention. Website: drdianehennacy.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded February 1, 2020 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Diane Hennacy Powell Interview 00:03:48 - Autistic Savants: Extraordinary Abilities 00:07:14 - The Brain's Processing Unit 00:11:07 - Acquired Savant Syndrome and Twin Intuition 00:14:54 - Extraordinary Mental Calculation Abilities 00:18:05 - Extraordinary Abilities and Experiments 00:21:43 - Accessing Universal Knowledge 00:25:25 - Contributions to the Universal Field of Intelligence 00:29:21 - Haley's Remarkable Abilities 00:33:04 - The Blind Savant Syndrome and Blind Seers 00:36:43 - Phenomenal Stories of Twins Raised Apart 00:40:28 - The Academy for the Advancement of Post-Materialist Sciences 00:44:31 - A New Paradigm: Consciousness as Fundamental 00:48:19 - The Three Theories of Post-Materialism 00:52:37 - The Role of Junk DNA and Glial Cells 00:57:02 - The Beauty of Specialization and Connection 01:00:52 - The Manifestation of Human Consciousness 01:04:09 - Challenging the Scientific Paradigm 01:07:51 - Challenges in Biological Sciences Research 01:11:27 - Embracing the Evolution of Human Beings and Unusual Perceptions 01:15:28 - Knowledge Beyond Experience 01:19:30 - Reincarnation and Desire 01:23:09 - Technologically Assisted Telepathy 01:27:20 - The Subtler Aspects of the Senses and Emotions 01:31:53 - The Relationship Between Physiology and Emotions 01:35:58 - The Evolution of Consciousness and Free Will 01:40:04 - The Illusion of Free Will and Conscious Decision-Making 01:44:12 - The Tragedy of Suicide 01:48:12 - The Importance of Preserving Human Consciousness 01:51:39 - Rational Vaccination and the Pharmaceutical Industry 01:55:07 - The Great Awakening and the Next 20 Years

Forty-five spiritual teachers, members of “The Association for Spiritual Integrity”, met for four hours prior to the start of the 2019 Science and Nonduality Conference. For the first couple of hours, we engaged in a deep, honest discussion about the challenges teachers face, seeking to learn how we might better support one another. We then broke into six groups, each focusing on a particular topic. Then we reassembled and recorded the remainder of the meeting. This video includes: Introduction by Rick Summary of discussions in each of the six breakout groups. (1) Bringing forth women and feminine empowerment. (2) Ongoing growth for teachers and continuing education, trauma, attachment, and shadow work. (3) Creating community and peer support (4) Healthy power dynamics and dual relationships (5) The Ethics of the Spiritual Community (6) The importance of awareness of teacher misbehavior and discerning between real misbehavior and false accusations. A personal or professional commitment expressed by each teacher in the meeting. Summary and Transcript of this meeting Recorded October 24, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Purpose of the Meeting 00:01:04 - Discussion and Breakout Groups 00:01:57 - Appreciation for Gifted Leaders 00:02:52 - ASI: Continued Education and Growth 00:03:54 - Incorporating Yin Teachings into SAND 00:05:09 - Supporting Each Other in the Process of Bringing Balance 00:06:15 - Creating a Safe Space for Teachers 00:07:22 - Online Teacher Assessment and Community Support for Spiritual Teachers 00:08:23 - Increased Support and Accountability 00:09:26 - Creating a Referral Listing for Affordable Retreats 00:10:28 - Difficulties with Dual Relationships and Power Dynamics 00:11:31 - Power dynamics and emotional triggers 00:12:42 - Keeping data on ethical behavior and misbehavior of teachers and guides 00:13:37 - Awareness of Misconduct 00:14:37 - Bringing forth the importance of the feminine and women's voices 00:15:39 - Spending time in silence and self-reflection 00:16:35 - Commitment to Women's Video Conference Group 00:17:35 - Organizing Information and Workshops 00:18:20 - Commitment to Authentic and Heartfelt Communication 00:19:13 - Personal Commitments to Self-Care and Understanding 00:20:05 - Creating Online Safe Spaces for Peer-to-Peer Interactions 00:20:58 - Commitments to Marginalized Communities and Openness to Learning 00:21:48 - Committing to Integrity and Love 00:22:49 - The Teachings of Don Juan Matus and Padmasambhava 00:23:48 - Commitment to Awareness and Empowerment 00:24:51 - Commitment to Service and Divine Embodiment 00:25:59 - Recommitting to Integrity and Healing for All 00:27:00 - Commitment to Personal and Professional Evolution 00:28:03 - Supporting and Connecting with Each Other 00:29:05 - A Beautiful Thing We're Creating 00:29:54 - Appreciation for support and resources

With Jac O'Keeffe, Mariana Caplan, Craig Holliday, and Miranda Macpherson Introduction by Rick Archer The spiritual awakening sweeping the world may be critical to addressing our critical problems. Ethical breaches by spiritual teachers sabotage this awakening. How the ASI was founded. Its role & perspective. Qualities and Characteristics of a healthy teacher, student, and spiritual community. What to look for in a spiritual teacher The student’s responsibility. Healthy teacher/student relationships. Support for teachers recognizing their blind spots. Are higher consciousness and more ideal behavior correlated? Continual growth and learning, even in the teachers’ seat. Discriminating between Awakening, Integration process, and actualization. Abiding exclusively in nondual awareness vs. developing a multi-layered perspective. What contributes to unhealthy behavior or cult-like tendencies. Questions and answers Guru addiction Money issues in spiritual communities The responsibility teachers and students share The importance of therapy. Teachers referring students to other teachers. How long to stay with a teacher Teachers inviting students to give them feedback Discussion of this panel in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this discussion. Recorded October 25, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Purpose of the Organization 00:02:40 - Establishing Guidelines for Spiritual Teachers 00:04:40 - Introduction of Spiritual Speakers 00:06:29 - Qualities of a Healthy Spiritual Teacher and Student 00:08:38 - Pursuing Growth in Spiritual Communities 00:10:47 - Accountability and Ethics in Teaching 00:12:47 - The Role of Humility in Teaching 00:14:31 - The Role of Trust in Teacher-Student Relationships 00:16:17 - The Process of Idealizing Teachers 00:18:23 - The Interplay in Unhealthy Relationships 00:20:25 - Higher Consciousness and Behavior 00:22:22 - Aligning with Integrity in Sexuality, Money, and Power 00:24:26 - Embracing Lifelong Learning 00:26:20 - Finding Balance and Growth in Education 00:28:08 - The Tricky Spot of Non-Dual Awareness 00:30:02 - The Deterrent of Fixed Notions and the Endless Possibilities of Awakening 00:32:02 - The Problem with the Search for Enlightenment 00:33:49 - The Danger of Group Think in Spiritual Communities 00:35:41 - Challenging Group Think and Teacher-Student Relationships 00:37:41 - Recovery from Guru Addiction 00:39:35 - Working on Our Relationship with Money 00:41:30 - The Illusion of Giving in Spiritual Teachings 00:43:30 - Mobilizing Teachers in the Shift 00:45:27 - The Power of Students Speaking Up 00:47:02 - The Development of Spiritual Maturity 00:49:05 - Engaging in Good Therapy and Trauma Healing 00:50:43 - Referring a Student Out of Their Depth 00:52:12 - Long-term relationships with students 00:54:24 - A Teacher's Role in Empowering Students 00:56:09 - The Need for Connection and Support in the ASI Community 00:58:01 - Music Interlude

Leanora Rose founded Embody Truth in 2012 as a way to support an integral approach to awakening and embodiment.  The work is originally inspired through a personal awakening and culminates into a coherent and disposable map helping others navigate the terrain.  Using a direct felt sense experience a somatic meditation practice supports unification, integration, and embodiment of all phenomena (traumatic material, identity, essence, back to stillness). Leanora Rose provides one-on-one sessions,  for those awakening as well as online group programs for ongoing practice, learning, and support. Born in Africa she has lived in seven countries, including London, and California.  A life of contrasts, from farm girl to corporate America, a variety of careers, from IT to cottage industry within a land-based, permaculture project in New Zealand for 25 years.  She currently resides in Ubud, Bali. Facebook Page Youtube Channel Interview recorded January 17, 2020 Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:07 - A Prayer for a Simple Life Close to Nature 00:10:05 - The balancing act of ego and divinity 00:15:08 - Trapped in Obsession and Selfishness 00:19:54 - Balancing Two Nervous Systems and Breathing Techniques for Silence 00:24:32 - The Paradox of Being and Embodiment 00:29:32 - The Paradox of Infinite Discovery 00:34:28 - Healing Trauma and Mastering Vulnerability 00:39:06 - Riding the Edge of the Comfort Zone 00:43:38 - The Subjectivity of Psychedelic Experiences 00:48:18 - Exploring Trauma and Meditation 00:52:59 - Reaching Towards Resolution 00:58:14 - Traumatized People and Service Dogs 01:02:11 - Mastery over Empathy 01:06:44 - Expanding Perception and Resolving Problems 01:10:39 - Finding Balance between the Numinous and Emotions 01:15:11 - Challenging Situations and the Nervous System 01:18:30 - The Intelligence of the Gut 01:22:29 - Guided by the Soul 01:26:23 - Observations on Awakening and Polarization 01:29:51 - A Global Awakening and the Power of Love in Action 01:33:29 - The Power of Inner Silence and Weathering the Storm 01:36:14 - Meeting the Storyteller and Transforming the Experience 01:39:33 - The Power of Sincere Acknowledgement 01:42:58 - The Power of Light and Shadow 01:46:10 - Illuminating the Shadow 01:49:05 - The Difference Between Mind and Body 01:52:48 - The Power of Connection to True Self 01:56:49 - The Journey of Discovery and Self-Healing 02:00:36 - The Light Will Always Wait for You 02:03:24 - Conclusion and Next Steps

Susan Raven is a long-time student of Anthroposophy and an experienced workshop facilitator. She has worked with the methods and exercises prescribed by Rudolf Steiner for seeing into the supersensible realms and has also trained with Dorian Schmidt, director of the Biodynamic Research Institute. Susan is author of the book "Nature Spirits: The Remembrance", featured in the Cygnus magazine, Nexus, Star & Furrow, and Caduceus. Susan is also a singer-songwriter and has produced two CDs entitled "Glittering Cities" and "Ravensong" which are regularly played on local and regional radio stations including the BBC. Website: susanraven.com Book Susan mentioned near the end of the interview: Universe of the Human Body: With Gaia Touch Body Exercises Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded January 11, 2020 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Susan Raven and her work 00:04:13 - Connecting with the Super Sensible Realm 00:09:28 - The Sanskrit Tradition and Invisible Forces 00:14:34 - Hierarchies of Larger and More Powerful Beings 00:20:36 - Collective Consciousness and Beings 00:25:58 - A Co-Creative Relationship with Nature 00:31:49 - Communicating with Nature Spirits and Elementals 00:37:55 - Neutralizing Knowledge and Overseeing Elementals 00:44:14 - The Emergence of a New Species of Human 00:50:18 - The Splitting of Humanity and Higher Consciousness 00:56:11 - Six Steps to Self-Development 01:01:32 - Working with the Genius Loci 01:06:50 - Overwhelming and Frozen 01:12:41 - The Role of Nature Spirits and Human Behavior in Land Rehabilitation 01:19:50 - Trees Sacrificing Themselves for Humanity 01:25:31 - The Substance of Gnomes and Elemental Forms 01:30:29 - The Substance of the Undines and Dreaming 01:35:37 - The Substance of Beings and the Circle of Life 01:41:10 - Accessing Solutions and Ideas from Nature 01:47:34 - The Wisdom of Plants and Teacher Plants 01:52:31 - A Chivalrous Participation in the Life of Plants 01:58:00 - The Power of Rituals and New Rituals for the Elementals 02:03:23 - The Ancient Land of Pure Wisdom 02:08:09 - The Arrogance of Human Intelligence 02:10:25 - Music 02:11:33 - Music 02:12:41 - Musical Interlude 02:13:49 - Music 02:14:57 - Musical Interlude 02:16:05 - Music 02:17:13 - Background Music

Born in 1968, Sebastián Blaksley is a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, born into a large traditional Catholic family. He attended the Colegio del Salvador, a Jesuit school of which the headmaster was Jorge Bergoglio, the current Pope Francis. Although he wanted to be a monk as a young man, his family did not consider it acceptable, and the inner voice that he always obeyed let him know that: "You must be in the world, without being of the world." He studied Business Administration in Buenos Aires and completed his postgraduate studies in the United States and Argentina. He also attended other studies in England, followed by several highly responsible positions in well-known international corporations, living and working in the U.S., England, China, and Panama. He then founded his own corporate consulting firm in Argentina that he led for over 10 years. Sebastián has two daughters with his former wife. At the age of six, Sebastián was involved in a near-fatal accident during which he heard a voice, which later identified itself as Jesus. Ever since he has continued to hear that voice. Sebastián says: “Since I can remember, I have felt the call of Jesus and Mary to live abandoned to their will so that despite my various activities, I always put spiritual and religious reality at the center. I am devoted to my Catholic faith.” In 2013, he began to record messages from his mystical experiences. In 2016 he miraculously discovered A Course of Love and felt the call to devote himself to bringing it to the entire Spanish-speaking world. In addition, he now receives, transcribes, and shares what the voice of Christ—the voice of love—dictates. Most recently he has received Choose Only Love, a series of seven books, the first of which was published in October, 2019. Websites: fundacionamorvivo.org Choose Only Love Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Spanish transcript of this interview. 2nd BatGap interview with Sebastián  Interview recorded January 4, 2020 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:27 - An Encounter with Jesus Following a Tragic Accident 00:07:14 - The Miraculous Discovery 00:11:10 - Integration of A Course in Miracles and A Course of Love 00:15:21 - Reading with the Heart 00:19:25 - The Vastness of the Material Universe 00:23:17 - Becoming Christ in our Humanity 00:27:12 - The Symbolism of Jesus and the Union of God and Humanity 00:31:50 - The Triune Nature of Existence 00:35:43 - Contemplating the wonders of creation 00:39:15 - The New Humanity and Our Relationship with Love 00:42:46 - The Expression of Love and Free Will 00:46:40 - Being Love in Every Moment 00:50:26 - Integrating Everything into the Totality 00:54:14 - Communicating with Jesus 00:58:00 - Jesus' Love and Communication 01:01:57 - Reconciling Love and Hellfire 01:05:44 - Trusting Love 01:09:38 - The Power of Trust and Love 01:13:21 - Finding the Christ in Others 01:17:11 - Trusting Our Hearts and Practicing Love 01:20:28 - The Power of Love in Difficult Situations 01:24:08 - The Power of Love 01:27:34 - Education in Prisons 01:31:04 - Receiving "Choose Only Love" from the voice of Christ  01:35:08 - Awakening and Experiencing the Divine Love 01:38:12 - Messages of Hope amidst Chaos and Destruction 01:41:58 - Transforming Our Relationship with the Earth 01:45:28 - Light and Change in Animal Rights 01:49:03 - Love and Diversity in the Garden of God 01:52:06 - Getting in touch with Sebastian Blaksley

Recorded at the 2019 SAND Conference Opening points: People get polarized in different perspectives. The more they focus exclusively on their perspective, the more justification for it they find. Learning to appreciate paradox; accommodating different viewpoints within a broader perspective. Enlightenment as Totality. Only Totality can realize Totality. Totality has no difficulty reconciling paradoxes. Getting comfortable with paradox might be conducive to our realization of Totality. Examples of contradictory realities: free will vs. determinism personal self vs. no-self Are we already enlightened, or must enlightenment be attained? Is practice an aid or an obstacle? Is the guru model dead? Does non-duality imply that there are no stages of spiritual growth? direct vs. progressive paths patience vs. determination on the spiritual path Additional points covered: Acting in accordance with your own experience, not a concept of someone else’s. Absolute reality does not negate relative realities. Radically different realities at different levels of nature’s functioning are perfectly compatible with one another. Incorporating universal and individual perspectives – ocean and wave, boundless and boundaries. My experience in doing BatGap. Recorded at the Science and Nonduality Conference, October 27, 2019. Summary and transcript of this talk. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Previous talks on BatGap: 2018 SAND Conference Q&A and Interview by Shakti Caterina Maggi SAND 2017: "The Ethics of Enlightenment" Talk at Berkeley Open Circle Center Talk at SAND 2015 Interviewed by Fax Gilbert Interviewed by Richard Miller YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Different levels of consciousness 00:01:49 - Perspectives and Justifications 00:03:04 - The Knower of Brahman is Brahman 00:04:32 - The Debate on Free Will 00:05:40 - The Concept of Freewill 00:07:03 - The trouble of taking someone else's perspective 00:08:24 - Debating the Existence of Reincarnation 00:09:27 - Mithya: The Concept of Dependent Reality 00:10:43 - Subsuming Perspectives and the Totality of Brahman 00:12:14 - Shift in Perspective and the Sun's Perspective 00:13:30 - Rising to the Experience 00:14:49 - The Role of Practice in Spiritual Development 00:16:08 - The Role of Gurus in Contemporary Spirituality 00:17:21 - Respect for Different Spiritual Paths 00:18:43 - The Seamless Wholeness of Existence 00:20:05 - Progress in Spiritual Practice 00:21:19 - The Progressive Dyeing Process 00:22:36 - The Value of Life and Balance 00:23:57 - Levels of Complexity and Hierarchical Arrangements 00:25:25 - Different Levels of Reality 00:26:38 - Embracing Paradoxes and Ambiguities 00:28:05 - Cultivating Awareness and Focus in Meditation 00:29:34 - Finding Freedom in Confinement 00:30:53 - The Ethics of Feedlots and Advanced Beings 00:31:56 - Paradoxes and Personal Judgment 00:32:55 - The Beauty and Diversity of Life 00:34:11 - The Thrill of Interviews and Exploring Different Perspectives 00:35:22 - Being of Service to Others 00:36:42 - Surrendering to the Moment in the Spiritual Experience 00:37:44 - Comparing Yourself on the Spiritual Path 00:38:52 - Paths of Devotion, Intellect, and Meditation 00:40:05 - Balancing Heart and Mind

Mirabai Starr writes creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialog. A certified bereavement counselor, Mirabai helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss. She has received critical acclaim for her revolutionary new translations of the mystics: John of the Cross - Saint John of the Cross: Devotion, Prayers & Living Wisdom Teresa of Avila - The Interior Castle, and Julian of Norwich - The Showings of Julian of Norwich: A New Translation She is the award-winning author of: God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation, and Mother of God Similar to Fire, a collaboration with iconographer, William Hart McNichols. Her latest book, Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, was published in Spring 2019. She lives with her extended family in the mountains of northern New Mexico. Website: mirabaistarr.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview First BatGap interview with Mirabai. Interview recorded October 28, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:28 - Suppression of Women Mystics and the Rebalancing of Power 00:07:10 - The Burial of Feminine Wisdom in Religion 00:10:57 - The Dark Night of the Soul and Feminine Mysticism 00:14:34 - The Blend of Mysticism and Activism 00:18:39 - Finding Solace in Not Knowing 00:22:38 - Teresa's Second Conversion Experience 00:25:56 - The Gaze of Unconditional Love 00:29:17 - The Power of Spiritual Friendship 00:31:49 - Mystics and Wisdom Beings 00:34:32 - Non-duality and Surrender 00:37:00 - Dissolving into Sweetness 00:40:01 - Feminine Wisdom: Love and Embodiment in Spirituality 00:43:09 - Harmonizing Devotion and Non-Duality 00:45:24 - Devotion and Non-Dual Consciousness 00:48:40 - Mirabai: A 16th century woman mystic 00:50:44 - Krishna's Love and Protection 00:53:10 - The Life of Mirabai 00:55:56 - The Birth of Mirabai and Spiritual Awakening 00:58:46 - An Encounter with Anandamayi Ma 01:01:29 - Ram Dass and Anandamayi Ma 01:03:42 - Embracing Our True Selves 01:06:18 - Redefining Masculine Dominance and the Rise of the Divine Feminine 01:09:17 - The Reclamation of Mother Earth 01:12:36 - The Power of the Feminine 01:14:35 - The Dark Side of the Feminine 01:17:02 - Dropping into the Fierce Feminine 01:20:07 - Multiple Spiritual Belonging 01:22:25 - Women Mystics: Sharing Stories of Awakening and Service 01:25:13 - Finding Divinity in Everything 01:27:10 - End of Video