Buddha at the Gas Pump

Some of the opinions expressed on certain topics in this interview do not reflect BatGap’s point of view.  While this may be true of any of our interviews, we wanted to make a special point of it here since the opinions were stated rather emphatically. Hans Wilhelm has created over 70 short YouTube videos in which he explores and visually explains the dynamic of the universal laws. This ‘back of a napkin’ approach has been so appealing that his YouTube channel has more than 100,000 subscribers.  Hans says, “My mission is to offer these videos to inspire viewers to question and explore spirituality and their own relationship to the universe.” He is the author and illustrator of over 200 books for all ages – including some together with Byron Katie. His books have sold over 40 million copies and are translated into 30 languages. Websites: LIFEexplained.com YouTube Channel hanswilhelm.com Facebook Books: Tiger-Tiger, Is It True?: Four Questions to Make You Smile Again The Four Questions: For Henny Penny and Anybody with Stressful Thoughts I'll Always Love You Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded June 15, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:29 - From Belief to Knowing: The Spiritual Path 00:08:36 - Applying the Golden Rule in Daily Life 00:12:38 - Living by the Laws of Not Hurting and Loving 00:19:38 - The Purpose of Our Existence 00:21:45 - The Purpose of the Detour 00:27:19 - The Universality of the Christ Energy 00:33:31 - The Sun Shines with the Sunrise 00:38:00 - Soul Groups and Reincarnation 00:42:58 - The Soul's Connection to Abortion 00:47:31 - Explaining and providing information is better than banning 00:52:16 - Guardian Angels and Their Purpose 00:57:36 - Guardian Angels and Negative Entities 01:01:54 - Negative Entities and Protection 01:06:36 - The Power of our Aura and Negative Forces 01:10:51 - The Gift of Being Born on Earth 01:15:46 - The Cosmic Teaching by Jesus of Nazareth 01:19:36 - Animals as our Little Brothers and Sisters 01:23:52 - Listening to the Heart instead of the Intellect 01:27:17 - What Happens After Death 01:30:30 - The Perspective Shift on Life and Death 01:34:03 - The Limitations of Communicating with Ancestors and Spirits 01:37:18 - Help and Guidance for Higher Evolved Beings 01:41:13 - The Power of YouTube Videos 01:44:19 - Understanding the Purpose of Life 01:47:29 - The Consequences of Organ Transplants 01:50:09 - Organ Donations and Acts of Service 01:53:28 - The Importance of Saying "I Love You" 01:56:16 - Becoming Independent and Strong in Relationships 02:01:49 - Contacting Karl via Email 02:03:03 - The Joy of Interviews

After graduating in French from the University of Exeter and working for several years in conventional jobs in London, Leah found herself deeply unhappy; struggling with feelings of depression, anxiety, disordered eating, an intense feeling of being a ‘wrong’ human being, and desperation to ‘find her purpose’. In 2012, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery, but even after several years of personal and spiritual growth, she found herself in all the same cycles. In 2016, through grace, good luck, and some wonderful people, Leah experienced her first true spiritual awakening, seeing through the illusion of the separate self and knowing herself clearly as the one Love that we all are. For the very first time, she knew true peace, happiness, and freedom. Most importantly, the feeling of being a ‘wrong’ human being left her completely. Since that time, her journey has been one of ongoing learning, integration, and unfolding. Leah works with clients one-on-one and runs online and in-person classes and workshops to support others’ journeys of healing, awakening, and following the call of the heart. Known for her tender, playful and (sometimes) fiery spirit, her message is simple: you are already whole, you are already worthy and you are never, ever outside the gates of Love. Website: leahmarjoriecox.com Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded June 8, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:27 - Starting the Spiritual Journey 00:10:13 - Awakening to No Separate Self 00:14:54 - Overwhelming Compassion and Self-Worth 00:18:34 - Unhealthy relationship with food and body image 00:22:06 - Overcoming Obsession and Finding Joy in Life 00:24:24 - The Only Way Out is Up 00:26:30 - Changing Perspective 00:28:55 - The Paradox of Meaning in Life 00:32:50 - The Profound Meaning of Concepts 00:35:13 - Finding Meaning in Challenging Times 00:38:22 - Instilling a Perspective of Continuous Unfolding Journey 00:41:04 - Trusting Your Inner Knowing 00:43:47 - A Period of Inner Emptiness and Vacillation 00:47:21 - Settling into the Experience 00:51:19 - Spiritual Paradoxes with Dan 00:54:53 - The Multidimensionality of Truth 00:58:34 - Embracing Paradox and Opposing Views 01:01:53 - Beauty and Sorrow at the Same Time 01:05:02 - Effortless and Harmonious Work 01:08:17 - Changes in Work with Clients after Awakening 01:11:13 - Openness and Vulnerability in Relationships 01:14:39 - Shrieking the Madness of the World from My Bed 01:17:28 - Unlocking Inner Potential 01:20:38 - Discovering Your Life Purpose 01:23:54 - Finding Meaning in Life 01:27:33 - Kundalini Awakening and the Process of Spiritual Progress 01:33:08 - Pondering the Temporal and the Eternal 01:38:50 - Dan's Paradox Points 01:43:22 - Private Sessions on the Spiritual Path 01:46:43 - Appreciating the Beauty of the Lake District

J. Jaye Gold has been assisting people in their search for inner meaning for 35 years. He is currently living in the Sierra foothills of Northern California where he works with several dozen seekers of truth. Over the years he has deliberately resisted the trend to become a “traveling guru” with thousands of followers, in favor of preserving an element that he considers precious – that of maintaining opportunities for developing a meaningful teacher/student relationship. He is available to anyone who seeks his guidance, and asks for no payment in return. Websites: justingold.net The Center for Cultural and Naturalist Studies, Inc. Books: Justin Time: Autobiographical Stories from an American Spiritual Master Another Heart in His Hand: A Spiritual Anomaly Highway of Diamonds: An International Travel Adventure The Roca Group: A Tale of Financial Espionage Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded June 1, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:40 - Embracing Uncertainty  00:09:09 - Establishing Credentials and Background 00:12:46 - A Multi-Religious Background 00:17:44 - The Importance of Real World Experience 00:22:17 - Reexamining the Equipment and Support Systems 00:26:46 - The Value of Metaphors and Fairy Tales in Understanding 00:31:08 - Starting from the Outside in Education 00:36:12 - Dealing with Trauma and Embarrassment in the Present Moment 00:40:47 - Internal Reactions to External Difficulties and Humility 00:45:25 - A Humble Perspective on the Universe 00:50:02 - Language and Culture 00:54:33 - The Spiritual Quest and Temptations of the West 01:03:00 - The Importance of a Living Teacher 01:03:14 - Updating Ancient Teachings 01:07:40 - An Arduous Journey to an Exotic School 01:12:04 - Meditation in Central America, Iran, and the Uncovering Process 01:16:17 - Exploring Obstacles in Human Life 01:21:10 - The Unique Ideas of No Church and No Ministers 01:25:15.000 - Working with David Shapiro in Northern California 01:29:20 - The Invention of Patterns and Patents 01:33:35 - The Importance of Having Something to Take Care Of 01:38:08 - The Power of the Thinking Process 01:42:55 - The Creative Capacity of Human Beings 01:47:18 - Exploring the Realm of the Unknown 01:51:29 - Growing Up in New York City and the Evolution of Kindness 01:55:57 - The Guru Maharaj-ji Investigation 02:00:31 - Becoming a Premi and Getting Exposure to Maraji 02:04:42 - The Next Buddha: The Power of Small Groups 02:09:06 - Music and Cultural Exchanges 02:12:35 - Interview with Leah Cox from the UK

Kate Gustin, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area. She received her education from Princeton University and the University of California, Berkeley; and has worked in a variety of settings over the past twenty-five years as a mental health practitioner: outpatient psychiatry, community mental health clinics, VA Hospital, college counseling services, and currently in private practice. Gustin integrates the science of positive psychology into her psychotherapy, teaching, and consultation, and leads classes and trainings for students, patients, and health care professionals. Book: The No-Self Help Book: Forty Reasons to Get Over Your Self and Find Peace of Mind Websites: kategustin.net no-selfhelp.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded May 25, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:54 - The Influence of Eastern Thought 00:07:58 - Spiritual Practice and Influences 00:12:05 - Choosing Where to Rest Your Attention 00:15:50 - The Importance of Regular Practice 00:19:32 - The Levels of Self Concept 00:23:18 - The Development of Self-awareness: From Ahamkara to Brahman Consciousness 00:27:03 - Connection and Accessing Inner Resources 00:30:35 - The Illusion of Self 00:34:09 - Shifting Perspectives: From Self to No-Self 00:38:05 - The Irrelevance of Self-Esteem 00:41:53 - The Shift in Culture and Paradigm 00:45:42 - The Erosion of Self 00:49:12 - The Illusion of Self and the Effort to Protect It 00:53:04 - The Self as a Thief 00:56:45 - The Longing for Self 01:00:28 - The Influence of Past Experiences on the Present Moment 01:04:05 - Processing Traumatic Experiences in Therapy 01:07:55 - Life as an Instrument of Wisdom 01:12:00 - The Fading Self-Referencing Narrative 01:15:40 - Detaching from Self and Suffering 01:19:31 - Letting go of attachment to opinions 01:23:08 - Disidentifying from Beliefs and Building Understanding 01:26:37 - Infusing Collective Consciousness 01:30:21 - The Illusion of Self 01:34:19 - Near-Death Experiences and the Beauty of Death 01:38:20 - The Shift Towards a More Unified Reality 01:42:04 - A Glimpse of Possibilities 01:45:49 - The Importance of Digging Deeper 01:49:37 - Cultivating Compassion and Empathy 01:53:29 - Workshops and Website Updates

Kylea Taylor, M.S., LMFT, found two gaps in ethics education in the early 1990s while simultaneously studying to be a Marriage and Family Therapist and working as a senior trainer at the Grof Transpersonal Training where she assisted Stanislav Grof in training practitioners of Holotropic Breathwork®. Kylea observed that working with clients in non-ordinary states of consciousness requires different ethical awarenesses. She drew upon the tenets of several of the great religions to create InnerEthics™, a model for ethical self-reflection. The model clarifies the unique ethical territory of understanding and working skillfully with people who are experiencing profound and extra-ordinary states of consciousness and also provides a scaffolding for recognizing our semi-conscious, inner motivations as practitioners, teachers, and caregivers in order to avoid client and student harm and increase client and student benefit. Her book, The Ethics of Caring: Finding Right Relationship With Clients for Profound, Transformative Work in Our Professional Healing Relationships, illuminates transference, countertransference, power dynamics, dual relationship, and other topics important to relational ethics. The book won the 2017 Nautilus Book Award in the category, “Relationships & Communication.” Kylea teaches, writes, and consults about ethics. She is also currently President and co-founder of SoulCollage Inc., which since 2003 has been training facilitators worldwide to share an expressive arts method that promotes deep self-discovery, individually and in community. Kylea’s focus as a therapist has been on assisting clients in integrating the meaning and extra-ordinary gifts of spiritual emergence, awakening or transpersonal experiences, and what she calls “personal paradigm shift” phenomena. Website Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 18, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Kylea Taylor and InnerEthics 00:03:14 - The Importance of Inner Motivations in Ethics 00:07:14 - Changing the Culture: A Mission for Ethical Behavior 00:10:29 - Development and Impediments in Different Ways 00:13:36 - Right Relationship and Learning from Mistakes 00:16:56 - The Interconnectedness of All Beings 00:20:24 - An Ethical Crisis in the Spiritual Community 00:24:14 - The Importance of Discernment in Spiritual Teachers 00:27:26 - Peer Supervision and the Johari Window 00:31:22 - The Importance of Self-Reflection for Teachers 00:34:39 - Power dynamics in spiritual communities 00:38:27 - Ethical Fading and the Detriment to Clients 00:42:01 - The Rajneesh community and the ethics of the student 00:45:13 - The Importance of Protection, Permission, and Connection 00:49:28 - Healing from Spiritual Wounding and Trauma 00:53:27 - Non-traditional therapy for PTSD 00:57:47 - Trusting the Inner Healer in Psychedelic Therapy 01:01:29 - Holotropic Breathwork and Psychedelics Comparison 01:05:33 - The Mechanics of Holotropic Breathwork and Prana Awakening 01:09:12 - A Powerful Kundalini Opening 01:13:07 - Caution in Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness 01:16:25 - Moving towards positive change with #MeToo movement 01:20:01 - Types of Individuals Who Might Benefit from Self-Reflection 01:23:51 - Learning from Mistakes and Apologizing 01:27:08 - Redemption and Transformation 01:31:10 - The InnerEthics Model and Self-Reflection 01:35:15 - Switching Hats: Finding Balance in Therapy 01:38:46 - The Importance of Ethics in Spiritual Development 01:42:21 - Different Experiences in Spiritual Emergence 01:46:06 - Surrendering Control 01:49:45 - Justification through illusion

Michael Pollan is the author of eight books, including: How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence, Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation, Food Rules: An Eater's Manual, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, and The Botany of Desire, all of which were New York Times bestsellers. A longtime contributor to the New York Times Magazine, he also teaches writing at Harvard and the University of California, Berkeley where he is the John S. and James L. Knight Professor of Science Journalism. In 2010, Time magazine named him one of the one hundred most influential people in the world. Website Christopher M. Bache is professor emeritus in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University where he taught for 33 years. He is also adjunct faculty at the California Institute of Integral Studies and a Fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences. An award winning teacher, Chris’ work explores the philosophical implications of non-ordinary states of consciousness, especially psychedelic states. Chris has written three books: Lifecycles- a study of reincarnation in light of contemporary consciousness research; Dark Night, Early Dawn - a pioneering work in psychedelic philosophy and collective consciousness; and The Living Classroom, an exploration of teaching and collective fields of consciousness. His new book is LSD and the Mind of the Universe: Diamonds from Heaven (2019). Website Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Christopher Bache in Panel Discussion on Ayahuasca and Psychedelics as Potential Catalysts for Personal and Societal Evolution Interview recorded May 11, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of the Guests 00:04:44 - The Evolutionary Strategy of Gratifying Human Desire in Plants 00:09:20 - The Intelligence of Plants 00:13:30 - Relief for Existential Distress 00:17:28 - Psychedelics and Mental Habit 00:23:34 - The Potential of Psychedelics in Treating Mental Health 00:28:54 - The Effects of Psychedelics on Consciousness and the Brain 00:33:31 - Changes in Belief and Perspective 00:37:35 - The Price of Admission to a Mysterious Other Ground 00:41:17 - Exploring the Nature of Mind 00:45:32 - The Complementarity of Science and Spirituality 00:49:50 - The Question of Consciousness and Mind Preceding Matter 00:53:47 - Evidence for Continuity of Awareness 00:58:08 - The Subtle Body and Psychedelic Experiences 01:02:56 - The Demanding Work of High Dose Psychedelic Sessions 01:07:47 - The Healing Process in Psychedelic Sessions 01:12:50 - Healing the Collective Psyche 01:17:24 - The Shift from Individual to Collective Perspective 01:22:15 - Taking Psychedelic Inquiry Seriously 01:26:34 - Boundaries of Consciousness Exploration 01:31:16 - Merging with the Mind of the Universe 01:35:59 - The Exploration of Consciousness Through Psychedelics and Meditation 01:40:26 - Connections between Psychedelic and Mystical States of Consciousness 01:44:27 - The Relationship Between Psychedelic Experiences and Behavior 01:48:42 - Publishing Michael's book in paperback 01:52:32 - The Receptive Nature of Children's Consciousness 01:56:45 - The Potential Negative Consequences of Legalizing Psychedelics 02:00:53 - The Evolutionary Dynamics of Humanity 02:05:54 - The Birth of the Diamond Soul 02:10:46 - The Crisis of Consciousness and the Future Human 02:15:05 - Closing Remarks and Appreciation

Daniel is the creator of the award-winning film "Inner Worlds Outer Worlds" as well as the ongoing "Samadhi" series. He is also the founder of the Awaken The World initiative whose purpose is to bring the ancient teachings of Samadhi back to the world for free (in as many languages as possible) Daniel's approach combines self-inquiry with traditional forms meditation so that participants have the opportunity to simultaneously realize their transcendent nature, and to purify themselves of conditioned patterns. The pathless path is to realize an ever-deepening development process within the self-structure, and to simultaneously realize what is always already beyond the self-structure. Samadhi is when the world that is constantly changing merges or unites with the changeless. Website: awakentheworld.com YouTube Channel Inner Worlds Outer Worlds - Part 1 - Akasha Inner Worlds Outer Worlds - Part 2 - The Spiral Inner Worlds Outer Worlds - Part 3 - The Serpant and the Lotus Inner Worlds Outer Worlds - Part 4 - Beyond Thinking Samadhi Parts 1 and 2 - DVD Blu-ray Combo Pack Samadhi Free Guided Meditations and Instructions Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 6, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:28 - Kundalini Awakening and Terrifying Experiences 00:08:44 - The Terror of Ego Dissolution in Spiritual Awakening 00:13:18 - Exploring Christian Influences 00:18:18 - Battling Diabetes & Discovering Meditation 00:23:44 - Identification with the Dan Structure and the Truth of What We Are 00:28:59 - Techniques for Purifying the Mind and Body 00:33:55 - Cultivating Stillness and Grace 00:38:12 - The Physiology of Spiritual Practice 00:42:25 - The Benefits of Regular Meditation Practice 00:46:51 - Levels of Existence: The Energy and Mind 00:52:07 - The Illusion of Self 00:57:06 - The Persecution of Galileo and the Search for Truth  01:02:30 - The Profound Intelligence of Creation 01:07:19 - The Value of Ruthless Honesty  01:12:24 - Experiencing Reality in Different Ways 01:17:19 - The Ineffability of Spiritual Experience 01:21:34 - The Proliferation of Ancient Esoteric Teachings 01:26:18 - The Importance of Experiencing Life for Energetic Growth 01:31:27 - Finding Freedom: Breaking Conditioned Patterns 01:35:11 - A Beer and the Awakening 01:39:15 - The Self-Organizing Aspect of Existence 01:43:51 - The Unfathomable Intelligence 01:48:41 - Alignment with Awareness and Dancing the Dance 01:53:11 - Playing with our True Nature 01:58:03 - Daily Meditation Practice and Dropping Mind Patterns 02:02:38 - Sharing and Learning on the Spiritual Path 02:07:06 - Yoga, Meditation, and Chainsaw Healing 02:11:40 - Healing through Diet and Skepticism 02:14:57 - Meditation Retreats and Self-Directed Practice 02:18:55 - Closing Remarks

Dani Antman is an internationally known energy healer and interfaith minister in Santa Barbara, CA. She has been at the forefront of energy medicine and healing since 1992 when she graduated from the Barbara Brennan School of Healing. Dani is a graduate of The School for Nondual Healing and Awakening, where she taught for over nine years. She has led workshops at the Esalen Institute, La Casa de Maria, and The Lionheart Institute for Transpersonal Energy Healing. She is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and helps people recover from the effects of trauma and PTSD. She has received spiritual direction and assistance for over 17 years from Patanjali Kundalini Yoga Care (see BatGap interview with Joan Shivarpita Harrigan). Through this consistent guidance, she completed a challenging Kundalini process related to her Jewish past. She is dedicated to guiding others on their spiritual path. Silvia Eberl is the new lineage holder of Patanjali Kundalini Yoga Care, as designated by Swami Chandrasekharanand. She is working in Austria and Rishikesh, India. Her contact info is: bharatpkyc@yahoo.com. Websites: German version English version Dani's website: daniantman.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded April 27, 2019 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:03:59 - The Misleading Nature of Spiritual Purification 00:07:07 - Early Life and Tumultuous Times 00:11:27 - The Zen of Art and Focus during All-nighters 00:14:53 - Discovering Healing and Self-Transformation 00:18:57 - The Existence of a Subtle Body 00:22:57 - Distance Healing Mechanisms and Limitations 00:26:57 - Wholeness and Integrated Perception 00:30:59 - Seduction and Deception in Spiritual Teachers 00:35:30 - The Dark Side of Spiritual Teachers 00:39:38 - The Living Tradition of Kabbalah 00:44:00 - The Living Tradition of Enlightened Sages 00:47:46 - The Importance of Spiritual Activism and Seva 00:51:57 - The Sex Rising and its Effects 00:56:15 - A Rising in Spiritual Seekers 00:59:48 - Kundalini Awakening and Progressions 01:03:50 - Kundalini Awakening Journey 01:08:17 - Addressing the Root of the Problem 01:11:56 - Milestones in Spiritual Awakening 01:15:45 - Kundalini Awakening and Brain Support 01:19:23 - Repairing the Chakra System 01:22:50 - Kundalini Yoga and the Advaita Vedanta 01:26:21 - Loss and Grief, Near Death Experience 01:31:03 - Grounding into the Body, Running and Returning 01:35:06 - Surrendering to Grace 01:38:48 - The Power of Sincere Intentions and Desires 01:42:17 - Near Death Experience 01:46:24 - A Life-Changing Experience and Fearlessness 01:50:10 - Returning to the Jewish Lineage 01:53:57 - Connecting with Dani Antman 01:57:42 - Preserve the Teachings of Jesus

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