Mike Jenkins trained as an actor and has worked in theatres in London and around the UK. He later worked as a performing arts teacher and customer services trainer and now creates and manages websites to help people connect with their audience. He has written two stage plays, a growing collection of poetry, and has always been drawn to expressing his own perception and perspectives and exploring those of others, through the creative arts. Mike loves to talk, sing, walk, read, write, cook, eat, sleep, and to help others feel and know the deep joy, grace, and peace at the centre of all life.
After many years of mental and emotional distress in his 20's and a diagnosis of cancer at the age of 29, Mike began an intense spiritual search that led him to teachings on nonduality that sparked a series of awakenings and set him on a journey to integrate those shifts into everyday life.
Website: heartofpresence.co.uk
Books:
The Nonduality Diary: A journal of awakening happening
The Escape Artist's Handbook: Re-discovering the simple joy of being
Transcript of this interview
Interview recorded 5/6/2017
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:04:59 - Series of Awakenings
00:09:19 - Awakening and Dissolving of Concepts
00:13:54 - The Intense Longing
00:18:24 - Making Peace with Death
00:22:55 - The Freedom of Letting Go
00:26:54 - The Toll on Mental Health and the Path to Spirituality
00:30:37 - The Horrific Record of Organized Religion and the Catholic Church
00:34:29 - Sexuality and Understanding
00:38:07 - Dealing with personal issues through awakening
00:41:46 - Stereotypes and Misconceptions about Sexuality and Spirituality
00:45:29 - Stereotypes and Misconceptions about Being Gay in Society
00:49:01 - Redefining Gender Identity
00:52:46 - The Power of Imagination and Meeting Others in Absolute Reality
00:56:43 - Freedom from Labels in Identity
01:00:20 - Living a Life of Peace and Joy
01:04:07 - Experiencing the Essence
01:07:50 - Stories of Instant Awakening
01:11:15 - Finding Light in the Darkness
01:14:55 - The End of Feeling Unfulfilled
01:18:27 - Being in the World or Creating
01:21:58 - The Unfolding Layers of Truth
01:25:44 - Thoughts and Conclusion
01:29:22 - Less Investment in Thoughts and Opinions
01:32:55 - Awakening and Surrendering in Creativity
01:36:15 - Living in an Awakened Space
01:40:06 - Balancing Being and Action
01:43:32 - The Creative Capacity
01:47:10 - Divine Intelligence in the World
01:50:51 - A Conversation with Mike Jenkins
01:54:41 - Farewell and Gratitude
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