In 1982 Tom began teaching Conscious Living at the Woodbury Yoga Center in Connecticut, and in 1990 at The Awakened Heart Center in North Carolina. Conscious Living is an all-inclusive way of life. It includes the possibility of radical awakening along with the integration of body, emotions, mind and spirit; living skillfully and effectively in this world; and being in loving, empowering relationships.
In 1964, at the age of fifteen, Tom became a student of human psychology and a practitioner of the yogic pathways and enlightenment traditions. He has had the great fortune of training in depth with a number of exceptional teachers in both the enlightenment traditions and western psychology.
While pursuing spiritual realization, Tom had many jobs in many different fields. All were important in terms of his personal growth and evolution, but the most important was working 13 years as a mental health worker in psychiatry. He has extensive training and experience in several different therapeutic modalities including hypnotherapy, transactional analysis, human potential, energy psychology and HeartMath®.
After many years of intense practice and experiences in several different spiritual traditions, a sudden awakening occurred that led to the spontaneous collapse and falling away of all identification with spiritual and psychological belief systems, traditions, gurus, concepts, and the experience of a separate, unique, individual self. Now there is this, as it is, and as it appears to happen.
The teachings of Conscious Living are direct, obvious, and all-inclusive. There is nothing to be believed or accepted, as they are self-evident. They point to the incredible gift and mystery of life, living us here and now, as we are.
Tom lives with his best friend, partner and wife Bonnie. He also has a daughter Kelly, son-in-law Chad and grandson Caden.
Website: theawakenedheartcenter.com
Transcript of this interview
Interview recorded May 14, 2016.
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:03:43 - The Teachings of Conscious Living
00:07:03 - Early Fascination with Yoga
00:10:24 - Exploring LSD and Yoga with Swami Vishnu
00:13:46 - Disorienting Experiences in Spiritual Practice
00:17:06 - Navigating the Transition in the Spiritual Path
00:20:26 - The Relationship Between Mystical Experiences and Psychotic Breaks
00:23:46 - Seeking the Spiritual Power
00:27:06 - The Process of Awakening
00:30:26 - Transformation through Awakening and Enlightenment
00:33:46 - Integration and Skillful Expression
00:37:06 - Letting go of identities and attachments
00:40:26 - Losing Authenticity in Spiritual Paths
00:43:46 - Intellectual Understanding vs Realization
00:47:06 - The Shift after Leaving the TM Movement
00:50:26 - The Conscious Living Center in North Carolina
00:53:47 - The Power of Shifting Reality Tunnels
00:57:07 - Recognition of True Nature
01:00:27 - The Illusion of a Separate Self
01:03:47 - The Concept of Personal Self and Reincarnation
01:07:07 - The possibility of reincarnation
01:10:27 - Consciousness and Awareness
01:13:47 - The Evolutionary Agenda and True Nature
01:17:07 - The Mind Creates the Brain
01:20:27 - The Mystery and Possibilities of Life
01:23:47 - Following Your Unique Expression
01:27:07 - The Temptation to Follow a Secure Path
01:30:27 - Meeting People Where They're At
01:33:47 - Seeing the Divine within oneself
01:37:07 - Offering Online Consultations
01:40:27 - Technical Notes and Thank You