Chris Beal discovered Buddhism as an exchange student in Japan in the 1960s. Given her determination, she was sure she would succeed in getting enlightened. But enthusiasm doesn't always guarantee success, and she went home disappointed, depressed and demoralized.
Thirteen years later, after a spontaneous awakening, she contacted the priest who had been her main teacher in Japan and began a six-year connection which deepened her understanding of what she had realized.
Meanwhile, she sought a spiritual path in the States but found nothing that spoke to her as deeply as her first teacher had until she met Adyashanti twenty years ago. After almost a decade of absorbing his teachings, she found the realization gradually deepening on its own.
Chris enjoys writing about spirituality and spiritual awakening. Her writing includes numerous published book reviews, author interviews, and articles, She is currently seeking publication of her novel, ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE FLESH, in which the main character's dilemma reflects that of many seekers: How do you know which way will lead to the ultimate Truth when what you are seeking is not in the realm of imagining?
Chris's Blogs:
Miracle of Awakening
Literary Journeys to Truth
Buddhist Fiction Blog (contributor)
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Transcript of this interview.
Interview recorded May 16, 2020
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:05:25 - The Unimaginable Nature of Awakening
00:10:10 - Perspectives on Enlightenment and Awakening
00:13:54 - The Importance of Suffering in Enlightenment
00:18:09 - A Conversation about Suffering and Bliss
00:22:20 - Seeds of Enlightenment
00:26:09 - Entering Nirvana and the Struggle
00:30:07 - Dependency and Longing for Love
00:33:16 - Cultivating Discernment on the Spiritual Path
00:36:27 - Awakening and the Role of Teachers
00:40:33 - The Path of Everything Being Okay
00:44:47 - The Story of My Spiritual Journey
00:48:48 - The Deeper Place
00:52:40 - Neurophysiological Makeup and Purification
00:57:11 - Experiencing Lack of Separation
01:01:04 - Connecting with the Energetic Field
01:04:11 - The Illusion of Awakening as Effortless
01:07:42 - The Paradox of Separate Domains
01:11:31 - The Debate on Free Will and Choice
01:15:20 - The Pitfall of Comparing Yourself to Others
01:18:40 - The Razor's Edge on the Spiritual Path
01:21:52 - The Process of Awakening and Abiding
01:24:37 - Recognizing Awakeness vs Behavior
01:28:08 - Association for Spiritual Integrity
01:31:33 - The Role of a Teacher in Enlivening the Field
01:36:12 - The Role of Fiction in Understanding Ultimate Reality
01:39:33 - Spiritual Fiction Recommendations
01:42:14 - Discussing Buddhist Fiction and Mythical Stories
01:45:26 - The Transcendent Last Chapter
01:49:00 - Interactive Blogs and Literary Discussions
01:51:17 - Wrapping Up and Next Guest Announcement