Whilst growing up James had a deep sense that something about life didn’t add up. Unsure about what exactly that something was he tried to ‘fit in’ and graduated in Maths from Oxford University. It didn’t work.
He then began seeking a resolution to a lingering sense of unfulfillment by writing songs, singing and playing in bands, then as an actor, then as a school teacher, but that didn’t work either.
On recognising that no matter what his outer circumstances were the feeling of longing and dissatisfaction still remained, the nature of seeking turned inward and James found himself following a variety of spiritual and therapeutic paths. Despite providing many insights along the way these too ultimately failed to satisfy. He felt drawn more and more to the question that no one seemed to be asking: “Who is doing all this?”
Finally James came across the Non-Dual message with which there was an instant resonance. He met with many different teachers and seeking came to an end when the true nature of reality was clearly seen.
James now holds meetings and retreats in the UK and abroad, and lives in Totnes with his partner and two sons.
Website: jameseaton.org
Transcript of this interview
Interview recorded 10/8/2016
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:04:39 - Finding solace in music and guitar
00:09:08 - Music and Acting Journey
00:12:43 - A Journey into Drama School and Beyond
00:16:03 - Bringing Math to Life
00:19:15 - The Golden Ratio and Spirals
00:22:47 - Involving Students in Learning
00:26:08 - Spiritual Groups and Personal Experiences
00:29:10 - A Bombshell Discovery
00:32:26 - The Presence of Non-Duality and the Journey Towards Awareness
00:35:47 - The Misappropriation of Experience
00:38:54 - The Tricky Art of Teaching in a Group Setting
00:42:11 - The Beauty of Genuine Friendship
00:45:31 - The Nature of Thoughts and Free Will
00:48:37 - The Origin of Thoughts
00:51:50 - The illusion of separateness
00:55:01 - The Illusion of Physical Reality
00:57:59 - The Philosophy of Reality
01:01:14 - Perception is a Perceptual Cocktail
01:04:36 - The Indivisibility Between Knowing and Sound
01:08:50 - The Movement of Experience
01:12:05 - The Power of Realization
01:17:13 - The Paradox of Losing It All
01:22:04 - The Frustration of Children's Reactions
01:26:12 - The Cycle of Craving and Discontent
01:32:52 - Exploring Sense Doorways
01:39:32 - The Drive and Devastation of Awakening
01:45:19 - The Process of Awakening
01:51:56 - The Beauty of Direct Experience
01:59:39 - Wrapping up with a song
02:09:06 - Conclusion and Farewell