After a lifetime of spiritual seeking, Nirmala met his teacher, Neelam, a devotee of H.W.L. Poonja (Papaji). She convinced him that seeking wasn't necessary; and after experiencing a profound spiritual awakening in India, he began offering satsang and Nondual Spiritual Mentoring with Neelam's blessing. This tradition of spiritual wisdom has been most profoundly disseminated by Ramana Maharshi, a revered Indian saint, who was Papaji's teacher. Nirmala's perspective was also profoundly expanded by his friend and teacher Adyashanti.
Nirmala offers satsang in gratitude for the love and grace that flow through his teachers, Neelam and Adyashanti, and for the Truth brought to this world by Ramana Maharshi and H.W.L. Poonja. Advaita satsang is offered as a celebration of the possibility, in every moment, of recognizing the truth of who we are. Nirmala offers a unique vision and a gentle, compassionate approach, which adds to this rich tradition of inquiry into the truth of Being.
Nirmala lives in Sedona, Arizona with his wife, Gina, and their two dogs, Rafi and Rumi. Contact Nirmala by using the contact form here. Read an interview with Nirmala here. More information about Gina and her books, including Radical Happiness: A Guide to Awakening, is available on radicalhappiness.com.
More of Nirmala's books:
Everything Is Included: Essays About Truth, Love, and Awareness
That Is That: Essays About True Nature
Gifts With No Giver: A Love Affair With Truth
Living From The Heart
Meeting the Mystery: Exploring the Aware Presence at the Heart of All Life
Referred to during the interview:
Video of Andromeda Galaxy colliding with ours in 8.5 billion years.
Bill Moyers and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt talk about the psychological underpinnings of our contentious culture, why we can’t trust our own opinions, and the demonizing of our adversaries.
Summary and transcript of this interview
Interview recorded 6/2/2012
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Nirmala and his teachings
00:04:09 - The Measurement of Truth
00:07:47 - Focusing on Desires and Sense of Self
00:11:01 - The Geographic Cure and Conditioning
00:14:20 - Focusing and Expanding
00:17:49 - The Illusion of Reality
00:21:15 - The Fundamental Quality of Space
00:24:52 - The Space Within and Without
00:27:53 - Contemplating the Existence of Intelligence in Everything
00:31:46 - The Illusion of Thoughts and Political Perspectives
00:35:33 - The Role of Spirituality in Politics and Morality
00:40:02 - Functioning in Vastness and Discriminating Truth
00:44:11 - The Ordinary Experience of Being the Boss
00:48:07 - Discrimination and Heart Wisdom
00:52:12 - The Concept of Better and Worse in Experience
00:56:38 - The Illusion of "Better" Sound
01:00:27 - The Small Truth of Money and Happiness
01:04:31 - The Journey of Self-Discovery
01:08:58 - An Unexpected Journey towards Awakening
01:13:19 - Letting go of the desire to awaken
01:17:52 - Following the Heart
01:21:36 - Oneness with the Ganges River
01:26:14 - The Invitation to Give Satsang
01:29:54 - Trust in Physical Reality
01:33:37 - The Sacredness of Reality
01:37:23 - Finding Balance with Sweets
01:41:23 - The Experience of Consciousness and Meditation
01:45:26 - The Definition of Jnanis and Yogis
01:49:36 - The Infinite Possibilities of Consciousness
01:54:00 - Levels of Consciousness beyond a Thousand
01:57:19 - Wrapping Up and Thank You