Buddha at the Gas Pump

Ilia Delio, OSF holds the Josephine C. Connelly Chair in Christian Theology at Villanova University. Her area of research is Science and Religion with interests in artificial intelligence, evolution, quantum physics, and the import of these for Christian doctrine and life. She holds a doctorate in Pharmacology from Rutgers University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and a doctorate in Historical Theology from Fordham University. She is the author of over twenty books including Making All things New (Catholicity in an Evolving Universe), a finalist for the 2019 Michael Ramsey Prize and The Unbearable Wholeness of Being: God, Evolution, and the Power of Love, for which she won the 2014 Silver Nautilus Book Award and a 2014 Catholic Press Association Book Award in Faith and Science. Her latest book is Re-Enchanting the Earth: Why AI Needs Religion. She is the founder of the Center for Christogenesis, an online educational resource for promoting the vision of Teilhard de Chardin and, more broadly, the integration of science and religion in the 21st century. Some of the main points discussed in this conversation. What is God? As we enter the mystery of God, language fails us, and the mystery grasps us all the more. The mystery of God is the same mystery at the heart of physics. There’s nothing outside the existence of God. God is existence itself. God’s love is so infinite that there is nothing in this creation that’s un-loveable or unloved by God. This is a finite creation. Wherever there are boundaries there is the possibility of suffering.  Suffering and death are part of the life cycle. Reincarnation discussion. Are multiple incarnations sequential or simultaneous? A deep experience of the mystery of God supports the freedom to speculate, dream, and imagine. Science and religion need one another in order to fully understand the world. The necessity and drawbacks of specialization and the complexification of knowledge. If our hearts are grounded in holy mystery we become more fully God-like in our actions. Humanity won’t have a sustainable future unless we renew the deeper dimension in our lives. Cyborgs and transhumanism The mutually beneficial relationship between spiritual and material technologies. A profound spiritual transformation is underway. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s idea of a new religion of the earth, retaining the wisdom of the past but creating something new for the future. Wherever in the universe intelligent life exists, it will search for ultimate intelligence. Intelligent design The core energy of the universe – God - is love. The force that creates stars is the same force that manifests as love in humans. Love is the highest knowledge. In the evening of life, we shall be judged on love alone. Making love the lens through which we see all of life. “The more I am in union with another, the more I am in touch with myself because it’s the core of myself that’s in union.” What might the world be like if everyone were enlightened? Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded June 26, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:18 - The Scope of Topics to Be Discussed 00:05:49 - The Name of God and Absolute Mystery 00:08:11 - The Ineffable Mystery of God 00:11:27 - The Nature of Consciousness and God 00:14:50 - God as the Consciousness of Consciousness 00:18:04 - The Trinity and God's Creative Potential 00:21:45 - Realizing our Divine Potential 00:25:43 - The Mystery of Matter and God's Creative Activity 00:29:12 - Matter and Divine Activity 00:35:08 - The Beauty of Life and the Wholeness of Being 00:39:32 - Quantum Entanglement and Multiple Realms of Existence 00:44:23 - The Unity of Science and Religion 00:48:26 - The Tethering of Religion and Spirituality 00:53:05 - The Fragmentation of Knowledge and the Necessity for Spiritual Fulfillment 00:58:00 - Gods and Robots: The Intersection of Spirituality and Technology 01:01:27 - The Unhelpful Dynamic 01:08:20 - A New Type of Science in the Future 01:15:04 - The Allure of Transhumanism 01:18:40 - The Mixed Blessing of Technologies 01:21:53 - Technology and Spirituality 01:25:47 - The Technology of Spirituality 01:28:35 - A New Type of Collective Consciousness 01:32:30 - Creating a New Type of Religious Sensibility 01:36:13 - The Existence of Intelligent Life on Other Planets 01:40:10 - Rethinking Intelligent Design 01:47:35 - The Ultimate Reality of Love 01:53:28 - The Happiness Index and the Consciousness of Shared Being 01:56:58 - Imagining a World of Love 01:59:49 - The Health of the Planet

From her teenage years onwards Tara has been deeply interested in personal growth and self-development and has dedicated her life to this quest. Tara holds an M.A. in Education and has post-graduate qualifications in gestalt therapy, body awareness therapy, and transpersonal therapy. She is a fully qualified and licensed psychotherapist and counselor. Tara has worked as a drug counselor, counselor for adolescents, and general psychotherapist since 1988. Tara has been a dedicated Buddhist practitioner since 1986. In 1997 she received encouragement from her Buddhist teacher Rigdzin Shikpo to teach meditation to others. In 2002 her Buddhist teacher Venerable Garchen Rinpoche also encouraged her to teach. Tara has since taught ongoing meditation groups and combines Buddhist wisdom and her experience in counseling when assisting her clients with their personal growth, self-development, and improvement. Since 2011 Tara has specialized in helping people suffering from kundalini syndrome. Tara is the author of several self-help books. She has been featured in numerous publications and has appeared on various radio and television shows in Europe and the US. Tara is a regular contributor to beliefnet.com. Tara (born 1960) lives in the beautiful countryside of Devon in England where she also works in her private counseling (Skype) practice together with her husband Nigel. In her free time, Tara loves to walk in nature, visit old-fashioned English tea rooms, and lavish many hours of work on her flower garden. Websites taraspringett.com kundalinisymptoms.com Books Healing Kundalini Symptoms: Proven Techniques That Really Work Enlightenment Through the Path of Kundalini: A Guide to a Positive Spiritual Awakening and Overcoming Kundalini Syndrome Spiritual Joy: The Buddhist Dzogchen Path to Enlightenment Advanced Manifesting - Tibetan Buddhist Secrets for Fulfilling Your Dreams Higher-Consciousness Healing: Discover Your Personal Healing-Symbols to Solve All Your Problems Soulmate Relationships: How to find, keep and understand your perfect partner Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded June 19, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:41 - Managing Negative Emotions and Scary Energy Movements 00:09:08 - The Process of Kundalini Awakening and Kriyas 00:13:32 - Storing Traumas in the Body 00:18:08 - The Correlation Between Chinese Medicine and Subtle Body 00:22:26 - Four Levels of Spiritual Practice 00:26:59 - The Experience of Being the Deity 00:31:26 - The Levels of Development in Dzogchen Teaching 00:35:24 - Working with the Chakras for Awakening Kundalini 00:39:21 - Speaking the Truth with Diplomacy 00:43:37 - Kundalini Awakening and Clearing Deep-Seated Issues 00:48:03 - Becoming a Deity in Tibetan Buddhism 00:52:21 - Contradictions in Buddhist Teachings 00:56:55 - Coexistence of Mental Health and Kundalini Symptoms 01:01:45 - The Relationship between Kundalini Awakening and Mental Disorders 01:06:28 - The Dangers of Kundalini Awakening via Drugs 01:10:27 - Deflected Kundalini Rising and its Consequences 01:14:52 - Kundalini awakening and its accessibility through the internet 01:19:15 - The Starting Point: Kundalini Awakening 01:23:26 - Signs of Progress in Meditation 01:27:47 - The Evolution of Relationships and the Tantric Relationship 01:32:18 - Managing Sensitivity 01:36:47 - Pacing Yourself in the Enlightenment Process 01:41:19 - Dzogrim and the Fusion of Control, Surrender, and Love 01:45:30 - Balancing Judgment and Acceptance 01:49:31 - Balancing Bliss States and Family Life 01:53:50 - The Health Benefits of Kundalini Awakening 01:58:06 - Kundalini Awakening and Prophetic Dreams 02:02:14 - Stages of Consciousness 02:06:35 - The Stages of Consciousness Development 02:10:49 - Books on Kundalini Symptoms and Awakening

Diederik was born in 1942 in a tiny village south of what now is known as Jakarta, Indonesia. The first three and a half years of his life were spent in Japanese POW camps and it was here that he formed most of his core beliefs, beliefs which he thought were his actual ‘character’. After some fifty years of self-loathing, alcohol, and drug abuse he decided there had to be a better way, it was time to ‘change his mind’ at the deepest levels. Through a Course in Miracles and Attitudinal Healing, he developed a radical forgiveness process that allows him to transform the self he hated into a Self whose only function is to extend love. Choose Again, his charitable society, operates a healing center in Costa Rica and he gives talks and teaches workshops in many places around the world. Website: choose-again.com Book: Choose Again: Six Steps to Freedom Book Diederik mentioned: What They Don’t Teach in Prenatal Class: The Key to Raising Trouble-Free Kids & Teens Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded June 12, 2021 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Diederik Wolsak 00:05:15 - Core Beliefs and Self-Blame 00:10:17 - The Formation of Core Beliefs 00:14:26 - The Unbearable Existence 00:19:04 - The Point of Change 00:23:45 - Childhood in Indonesia and Self-Hatred 00:28:03 - A Blindness to One's Own Behavior 00:32:34 - The Meaning Behind Lesson 135 in A Course in Miracles 00:36:43 - Deep Transformation through the Process 00:41:16 - The Masks We Wear 00:45:42 - The Root of Beliefs 00:49:52 - The Process of Transformation 00:54:24 - The Power to Interpret Your Experience 00:58:59 - The Unexpected Reaction 01:02:35 - The Self's Influence on Experience 01:06:58 - Healing Through Awareness of Beliefs 01:10:59 - The Guilt of Separation 01:15:24 - The Journey to Oneness 01:19:15 - The Importance of Commitment 01:23:15 - Reflecting Core Beliefs and Healing the Self 01:27:36 - The State of Consciousness and Beliefs 01:31:49 - Finding Purpose in Office Jobs 01:36:12 - Step Two: Recognizing the Author of Our Dreams 01:40:26 - Tracing the Root Feeling 01:44:38 - The Guilt Behind Punishment 01:48:30 - Reforming the Criminal Justice System 01:52:53 - Healing Together in Relationships 01:57:14 - Finding Support Online 02:01:48 - The Completion Process 02:06:24 - The Purpose of Discomfort and Correction 02:10:39 - Gratitude and Farewell

Laurence Freeman is a Benedictine monk and teacher and is Director of The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) a global, inclusive contemplative community. He resides at the international centre of the WCCM at Bonnevaux Centre for Peace near Paris. With Irish and English roots, he was educated by the Benedictines and studied English Literature at New College, Oxford University. Before entering monastic life, he worked with the United Nations in New York, in Banking and Journalism. Fr. Laurence is a monk of the Benedictine Congregation of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. John Main was his teacher and Fr. Laurence assisted him in establishing the foundations of the Community. Laurence is the author of a number of books on Meditation. He teaches meditation in religious and secular contexts and works in interfaith dialogue. He travels extensively teaching and leading Retreats dialogues. Laurence sees meditation as opening the common ground of humanity and developing the contemplative consciousness that he believes the world today needs for its survival.  Books Jesus the Teacher Within Good Work: Meditation for Personal & Organisational Transformation Christian Meditation: Your Daily Practice Light Within: Meditation as Pure Prayer Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded June 5, 2021 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:01 - The Roots of Meditation in Christianity 00:06:32 - The Roots of Meditation 00:09:49 - The Radically Simple Way of Meditation 00:12:42 - The Mantra in Christian Prayer 00:15:13 - The Cycle of Losing and Finding 00:17:42 - The Flowing Tradition of Christianity 00:20:53 - Rediscovering the Mystical Dimension of Religion 00:24:42 - The Growth of Contemplative Consciousness 00:31:19 - Transformational Effects in Your World and Work 00:36:30 - The Progressive Development of Consciousness 00:42:20 - The Relevance of Meditation to the Deeper Meaning of Life 00:50:16 - Pursuing Happiness and the Meaning of Suffering 00:55:27 - Nurturing a Community of Love and Faith 01:00:05 - The Influence of Consciousness and Leadership in Society 01:04:32 - The Loss of the Moral Consensus 01:09:51 - Ethical Integrity in the Spiritual Community 01:15:40 - The Fruits of the Spirit 01:20:44 - Jesus' Miracles and Compassion 01:26:03 - The Shared Divinity of Humanity 01:30:31 - The Emptying of God and the Fullness of Self 01:36:24 - The Question of Identity 01:40:51 - The Stories and Questions of Jesus' Life 01:46:05 - The Debate on Reincarnation and its Importance 01:50:46 - The Concept of Purgatory and Reincarnation 01:54:41 - The Practice of Meditation 01:59:25 - The Work of Meditation 02:03:08 - Introduction to Meditation 02:08:24 - Conclusion and Resources 02:13:18 - Daily Wisdom and Community Building 02:16:28 - Farewell and Future Endeavors

Anita Moorjani is the New York Times bestselling author of What If This Is Heaven?: How Our Cultural Myths Prevent Us from Experiencing Heaven on Earth and Dying To Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing. A beloved international speaker, she lives in the United States with her husband, Danny, and has dedicated her life to empowering the minds and hearts of people with her story of courage and transformation. Anita was born in Singapore to Indian parents and grew up in Hong Kong speaking English, Cantonese, and an Indian dialect simultaneously. Prior to her near-death experience, she worked in the corporate world. Anita's website Anita's latest book: Sensitive Is the New Strong: The Power of Empaths in an Increasingly Harsh World Audio CD: Deep Meditation for Healing Previous BatGap interview with Anita. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded June 3, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:59 - Recognition of Deceased Loved Ones 00:09:37 - The Impact of the Near-Death Experience 00:14:06 - Choosing to Come Back from the Other Side 00:18:41 - Flipping Everything We've Ever Learned 00:23:16 - The Power of Empaths in an Increasingly Harsh World 00:27:16 - The Spectrum of Caring 00:31:49 - The Importance of Self-Care and Empaths in Leadership 00:36:28 - Priorities and the Right to Kill 00:40:43 - The Role of Empathic Leaders 00:45:21 - Transforming Collective Consciousness Through Education 00:49:23 - Tapping into Inner Reservoir 00:53:05 - The Importance of Receiving 00:56:54 - The Benefits of Slowing Down and Recharging 01:01:00 - The Gift of Being an Empath 01:05:43 - The Nature of Being an Empath 01:09:58 - The Nature of Empaths and their Vulnerability 01:14:13 - The Vulnerability of Empaths to Physical Symptoms 01:18:57 - The Spectrum of Empathic Tendencies 01:23:05 - The Spiritual Awakening Journey and the Path to Enlightenment 01:27:34 - Inability to Say No 01:31:56 - Integrating a Spiritual Experience into Everyday Life 01:36:25 - Navigating the World with a Strong Connection to Your Higher Self 01:40:41 - The Two-Pronged Approach to Healthcare 01:44:37 - Creating a Life You Love 01:48:16 - The Tragic Loss of Rennie 01:52:27 - Repressed Ego and Self-Care in Spiritual Teachings 01:56:50 - Increasing Your Energy and Expanding Your Aura 02:01:10 - The Power of Expanding Energy 02:06:11 - Unity and Oneness with God

Stephen Cope is the Scholar Emeritus at the renowned Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. He is the author of many best-selling books on the topic of yoga and meditation. For over thirty years, his interest has been in bringing important but esoteric yoga scriptures to the mainstream, including, most recently, the two-thousand-year-old spiritual classic called The Bhagavad Gita, or "The Song of God." His new book on The Gita, entitled The Dharma of Difficult Times, will be released later this year. Books: The Great Work of Your Life: A Guide for the Journey to Your True Calling (Discussed in this interview) Yoga and the Quest for the True Self The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker's Guide to Extraordinary Living Deep Human Connection: Why We Need It More than Anything Else Website: stephencope.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded May 29, 2021 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:14 - The Definition of Dharma and Its Connection with the Common Good 00:07:48 - The concept of dharma and its impact on individuals, families, and society 00:11:13 - Higher Beings and Our Relationship with Them 00:14:48 - Discovering the Dharma 00:18:11 - The Importance of Underrating Oneself 00:21:42 - Everything is Already Okay 00:25:04 - The Effects of Meditation on Young Musicians 00:28:37 - The Contemplative Tradition's View on Mastery 00:31:55 - Finding Your Dharma 00:35:14 - Finding Your Duty 00:38:40 - Finding Fulfillment in Your Dharma 00:42:21 - Finding the Open Door 00:45:57 - Fulfilling your Dharma and making a significant impact 00:49:16 - Listening for the Call of the Times 00:53:05 - Beethoven's Dedication to his Gift 00:56:43 - The Practice of Letting Go 01:00:17 - The Self's behavior and suffering leading to enlightenment 01:03:46 - Gandhi's View on Violence and War 01:07:17 - Exceptions to Oppression 01:10:40 - Living Unknown 01:14:22 - The Mystery of Sacrifice and Dharma 01:17:43 - The Period of Certitude and Doubt 01:20:59 - The Conflict of the Heart and Mind 01:24:33 - All is Brahman 01:27:54 - The Power of Taking Risks and Committing 01:31:17 - Support from Higher Intelligence 01:35:00 - The Fruition and Importance of Ethical Practice 01:38:12 - Finding Fulfillment through Balance and Wisdom 01:41:37 - The Impact of Concentration Levels on Book Publishing 01:45:12 - Schedule Change: Lawrence Freeman - Work with the Dalai Lama

Born and brought up in Mumbai, Gautam faced one challenge after another fairly early in life. He remarks, “As a result, I grew up before my time.” Having to cope with the loss of his father at the young age of 14 gave rise to questions related to death, insecurity, and survival, which would affect most children faced with a similar loss. At the turn of the millennium (December 1999), Gautam’s inherent but latent spiritual inclination surfaced through a series of synchronistic events. Following his mother’s example, he started attending a course in Brahma Vidya (Knowledge of Brahman) based on a system of ancient Tibetan breathing exercises. This course was conducted by his mother’s guru, Justice Dudhat of the High Court of Mumbai. Around this time, Gautam diversified into publishing by setting up Yogi Impressions, primarily to publish his mother Santosh’s book on her spiritual awakening. Santosh Ma’s journey of awakening spanned three years, from 1996 to 1999. Although there was no desire or ambition to publish any other book besides this one, destiny had charted a new course for him, as he was soon to discover. In November 1999, Gautam met Eckhart Tolle, the best-selling spiritual author of The Power of Now, in Hong Kong, while holidaying with his sister Nikki who worked there at the time. He had several interactions with this spiritual teacher over the next few years, courtesy of Nikki and her friends’ proximity to Eckhart, which led to his publishing company bringing out the Indian edition of The Power of Now. Eckhart had said that publishing would be the start of ‘an adventure’ for Gautam, and so it turned out to be. It was at Nikki’s urging that Gautam met the Advaita sage, Ramesh Balsekar, in February 2000. Some of her friends were flying down from a distant country just to meet this modern sage who lived a mere 20-minute drive away from Gautam’s home. Having no conscious interest in the subject, he tagged along one Sunday morning to Ramesh’s residence in Mumbai. On his next visit when Ramesh saw him, he asked Gautam: “Isn’t this the second consecutive Sunday you have come? Be careful young man… this will become your Sunday church!” Little then did he know that he would keep visiting Ramesh over the next nine years to attend his satsangs. During these years, Gautam worked closely with Ramesh assisting him with the editing and publishing of some of his books. In later years, Ramesh encouraged Gautam to write especially after reading an article Gautam had written for India’s leading spiritual magazine on the occasion of Ramesh’s 90th birthday in 2007. It was this gentle nudge that eventually led to Gautam writing his first book based on Ramesh’s teaching – Pointers from Ramesh Balsekar. Since then, Gautam has authored five more books. He is quite perplexed himself at this ‘happening’ as he had no intention of becoming a writer. “At least one doesn’t have to look hard for a publisher,” he adds with a smile. His books have been translated into Russian, German, Spanish, Hindi, and Marathi.. Website: gautamsachdeva.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded May 15, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:57 - A Chance Meeting That Changed My Life 00:09:19 - The Search for Peace of Mind 00:13:55 - Control over Action and Results 00:18:19 - Averting Danger in Life 00:22:33 - Layers of Reality 00:26:51 - The Beauty of Unseen Perspectives 00:31:00 - The Threefold Structure of Creation 00:34:41 - The Pragmatic Approach to Challenges 00:39:17 - Acceptance and Karma 00:44:05 - The Goal is All Along the Path 00:48:08 - The Pitfall of Inaction 00:51:28 - Rowing gently along the stream 00:55:50 - The Quality of Witnessing 01:00:10 - Kundalini Experiences and Validation 01:03:38 - Meditation and Nisargadatta Maharaj 01:07:22 - The Power of Wiggle Room and Grace 01:11:55 - The Healing Power of Animals 01:15:28 - The Natural Outcome of the Thinking Mind 01:19:44 - The Beauty of Silence 01:23:40 - Respect for Life and Compassion for All Living Beings 01:27:10 - The Value of All Life 01:30:44 - Life as an Ongoing Surprise Test 01:35:01 - The Power of Being in the Presence of a Sage 01:38:50 - The Age of Truth 01:42:37 - Fear and Duality in Spiritual Thought 01:46:50 - The Funny Driver in a Rental Car 01:50:54 - Finding Peace of Mind 01:54:46 - Awakening the Unconditioned Mind 01:58:22 - Gratitude for Whatever Is 02:03:06 - Farewell and Gratitude

Sufi mystic and visionary Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri is an enlightened spiritual master. His life and works serve as a reminder that spirituality is a science and an art vitally relevant to our times. Shaykh Fadhlalla grew up in an environment where religious scholars, as well as Sufi and mystics, were part of his formative experience. His love and understanding of the universality of the Qur'anic message have imbued him with respect for other religions and spiritual paths. Websites: shaykhfadhlallahaeri.com zahrapublications.pub Books mentioned during the interview: Son of Karbala: The Spiritual Journey of an Iraqi Muslim Sufi Encounters: Sharing the Wisdom of Enlightened Sufis Spectrum of Reality: Sufi Insights The Garden of Meaning Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded May 1, 2021 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview 00:03:45 - The Curiosity of a Child 00:07:51 - The Dichotomy of Earthly and Spiritual Desires 00:11:57 - The Inner and Outer Self 00:15:55 - Preparation for Infinite Life 00:19:44 - The Filter of the Brain 00:23:28 - The Shift into a Higher Consciousness 00:27:16 - The Progress of Consciousness 00:30:58 - The Influence of Consciousness on Animals 00:34:36 - Awakening to the Higher Within 00:38:38 - Reverencing the Divine Light within us 00:42:15 - Learning from a Spiritual Teacher 00:46:01 - Celebration of the Soul's Journey Beyond 00:49:57 - The Decline of Fundamentalism and the Rise of Universal Spirituality 00:53:48 - The Emergence of Spirituality and Technology 00:57:27 - The State of the Garden Within Me 01:01:22 - Losing the small self 01:05:07 - Living a Full Life without Denial 01:08:58 - The Cosmic Justification for Suffering 01:12:31 - Wealth Distribution and the Future 01:15:53 - The Value of Suffering 01:19:12 - The story of the scorpion and the saint 01:22:48 - Liberation and Freedom 01:26:42 - Inner Freedom and Liberation 01:30:22 - Inner Freedom and Reconciliation 01:34:04 - Creating a Community in Messina, Texas 01:37:35 - Books and Connections with Shaykh 01:41:19 - Trusting the Cloud and the Aversion to Institutionalizing Things 01:44:43 - The Essence Within Us 01:48:06 - The Outer and Inner Self 01:51:48 - Awakening to the High Treasure

Richard Tarnas is a professor of psychology and cultural history at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, where he founded the graduate program in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness. He teaches courses in the history of ideas, archetypal studies, depth psychology, and religious evolution. He frequently lectures on archetypal studies and depth psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara and was formerly the director of programs and education at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. He is the author of The Passion of the Western Mind, a history of the Western world view from the ancient Greek to the postmodern widely used in universities. His second book, Cosmos and Psyche: Intimations of a New World View, received the Book of the Year Prize from the Scientific and Medical Network and is the basis for the upcoming documentary series The Changing of the Gods. He is a past president of the International Transpersonal Association and served on the Board of Governors for the C. G. Jung Institute of San Francisco. Website: cosmosandpsyche.com Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded April 25, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:51 - Distribution of Film and Book Corrections 00:07:28 - The Playful Dimension of Consciousness 00:11:25 - The Tension Between Creativity and Order 00:15:07 - Resistance to new ideas and materialism in science 00:19:26 - The Liberation of Humankind and the Disenchantment of the Cosmos 00:24:00 - The Transformation of the Renaissance 00:29:01 - The Power of Initiatory Rites and Transformation 00:33:10 - The Acceleration of History 00:37:40 - The Unfolding Process and the Initiation Ritual 00:41:48 - The Perinatal Dimension of Psychological Transformation 00:45:43 - Everything Breathes Together 00:50:09 - The symbolic meaning of the planets in astrology 00:54:13 - The Mysterious Unitive Connection between Humans and the Cosmos 00:58:52 - The Cosmic Intelligence of the Universe 01:03:09 - Kinship with All Beings 01:07:22 - Transformation through Meditation 01:10:40 - Connecting with the Whole 01:14:18 - Immersion in the World of Each Interviewee 01:17:35 - The Transformative Power of Immersion in Deep Ideas 01:21:01 - Cultivating Similar Capacities in Oneself 01:24:35 - Questions about Astrology from a Sceptic 01:28:16 - The Numinous Universe 01:32:57 - Astrology and the Intelligent Cosmos 01:37:11 - The Existence of Subtle Bodies and Intelligent Entities 01:40:57 - Astrology and Psychedelic Therapy 01:44:59 - Archetypal astrology and the human psyche 01:49:14 - Living on Different Planets 01:53:11 - Planetary Alignments and Evolutionary Pressures 01:58:01 - Cultivating Hope for the Future. 02:01:44 - Guest Announcement for Next Week

Academic neurosurgeon Dr. Eben Alexander III, whose career includes decades as a physician and associate professor at Harvard Medical School and revered teaching hospitals, was once staunchly committed to the materialist world view -- the belief that the physical world is all that exists. His scientific belief system was altered by a 2008 transcendental near-death experience (NDE) in which a bacterial infection severely damaged his brain as he fell into a week-long coma during which he experienced an odyssey into another realm. Despite a bleak medical prognosis, Dr. Alexander awoke to make an inexplicable return to full health. He has since become a pioneering scientist and modern thought leader in the emerging science that acknowledges the primacy of consciousness in the universe, he is the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife, The Map of Heaven: How Science, Religion, and Ordinary People Are Proving the Afterlife, and Living in a Mindful Universe: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Heart of Consciousness. Website: ebenalexander.com More detailed bio. Karen Newell is an author and specialist in personal development with a diverse body of work that rests upon the foundation of heart-centered consciousness. As an innovator in the emerging field of brainwave entrainment audio meditation, Karen empowers others in their journeys of self-discovery by demonstrating how to connect to inner guidance, achieve inspiration, improve wellness and develop intuition. She is co-founder of Sacred Acoustics, and co-author with Eben Alexander III, M.D. of Living in a Mindful Universe. More detailed bio. Website shared by Eben and Karen: innersanctumcenter.com Twice-monthly webinars mentioned during the interview. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded April 17, 2021. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:04:17 Ebens NDE 00:14:57 Cycling through layers of frequencies/ 00:16:00 Mantras/sounds/binaural beats 00:18:03 Life reviews 00:23:57 We’re more than physical body 00:26:48 Reincarnation 00:30:53 Death bed visions 00:34:43 Exploration of strata or realms 00:36:32 Paradigm shift and the world 00:45:54 Science 00:53:39 Sam Harris and free will 00:56:03 Dreams 00:56:37 Assumptions 01:00:58 Materialists 01:00:58 Scientist mind change when they are dying 01:05:56 Memory 01:12:23 Akashic record field 01:16:27 Evolution of consciousness 01:18:45 Cyclical nature 01:26:21 Eben and a golden age of transformation 01:29:27 Karen brings up healing crisis 01:30:39 Eben- on oneness 01:35:13 Discernment 01:44:31 Questions from viewers