Buddha at the Gas Pump

Four years ago, I experienced an awakening that opened up different worlds and granted me access to the Akasha through telepathy, leading to a higher state of consciousness. Since then, I have dedicated my time to integrating this experience and helping others identify past influences that hinder the realization of their soul's full presence. I also assist animals through telepathy. I conduct workshops on esoteric teachings gathered since my awakening, providing keys to help people find their way home. Website: lucasbergendahl.com ´The Soul and the Cosmos´ Podcast: A contemplative podcast by Lucas Bergendahl exploring awakening, inner transformation, and the many faces of the soul’s wisdom. Each episode is a doorway into inner truth—spoken not to teach, but to remember. Summary and transcript of this interview Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded September 7, 2024 Youtube Video Chapters:  00:00:00 – Awakening to a Higher State of Consciousness  00:03:50 – Past Lives and Spiritual Awakening  00:08:29 – The Soul’s Incarnation and Past Lives  00:12:32 – Telepathic Ability Overwhelm  00:16:24 – Unveiling Illusions and Past Lives  00:19:47 – Healing Karmic Patterns in Past Lives  00:22:46 – Distinguishing Between Fantasy and Reality  00:26:36 – Embracing Working Hypotheses and Evidence-Based Beliefs  00:31:06 – Perceptions and Beginner’s Mind  00:35:20 – The Three Timelines of Atlantis  00:38:59 – Connecting with Past Lives and Subtle Energy Systems  00:43:12 – Telepathy and Intuition  00:46:52 – Identifying with Cosmic Flow and the Unrealistic Separation of Waves  00:50:48 – Telepathic Connection with Psychic Dogs  00:51:00 – Communication with Animals and Telepathy  00:54:06 – Telepathy in Communication  00:57:47 – Healing from Past Trauma Through Consciousness  01:00:37 – The Importance of Incarnation  01:04:40 – The Importance of Opening Up to Cosmos  01:07:51 – Understanding Negative Feelings and Consciousness  01:10:53 – Rising Above Dark Destinies  01:13:41 – Deep Dive for Enlightenment  01:17:00 – The Cycle of Enlightenment and Oppression  01:20:27 – Soul Group Incarnation Theory  01:25:07 – Exploring Past Lives and Karmic Patterns  01:28:01 – The Pain of Compassion and Conscious Eating  01:31:32 – Cultural Perspectives on Meat Consumption  01:35:52 – The Responsibility to Help Others  01:40:26 – Creating a Healing Community  01:44:33 – Emotional Investment in Students  01:49:10 – Resisting the Temptation of Fame and Following a Higher Calling  01:53:30 – Bonds of Affinity with New Friends

A lifelong student of philosophy and comparative religion, a practitioner of Shaiva Tantra in the Shaiva Siddhanta lineage, and recent entrant into the Ramakrishna lineage by his guru, Swami Sarvadevananda Puri, Nishanth Selvalingam shares an authentic, firsthand approach to the Sanskrit texts of the Tantrik scriptural tradition to expose audiences to the profoundly positive and transformative philosophies and practices that this tradition offers. Nishanth Selvalingam graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Philosophy in 2024 and now lives in Westwood, Los Angeles where he hosts satsanghs with his wife, coaches middle school debate and lectures incessantly on all things Tantra and Non-Duality. Website: nishyoga.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded August 18, 2024

Tree works as a Spiritual Mentor, Kundalini Support, Certified Global TRE® Instructor, Transformational Bodyworker and a Healer from the Shamanic tradition. Tree believes healing trauma can precipitate spiritual awakening and it is from this precept she works. She works with the body releasing contraction and with the nervous system establishing balance - with the understanding that a disregulated nervous system can hold the beingness hostage. She believes enlightenment is achieved not by bypassing the body, but by going into the body. By addressing and releasing trauma bound in the flesh and stored in the nervous system. This is true freedom and the result is presence - embodied. Tree has been a devotee of Meher Baba since she was 21. She and her husband are establishing a Retreat Centre on the Far South Coast of New South Wales, Australia called Meher Farm Healing and Awakening Centre. Tree is the author of Hot Flush Dark Cave describing her healing and awakening journey through the portal of menopause. She is a devoted mother, grandmother and healer - her favourite past time is swimming in the river and the ocean and chanting to God. Website: awakeningthroughthebody.com.au Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded August 3, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:53 - The Correlation Between Consciousness and Neurophysiology 00:07:53 - The Loop of an Agitated Nervous System 00:11:35 - The Nervous System and the Flow State 00:15:38 - The Impact of Early Trauma in Human Beings 00:19:39 - The Importance of Healing the Nervous System 00:23:22 - Trauma and its manifestations 00:27:11 -  “Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance” 00:31:06 - Body Work and Spiritual Awakening 00:35:21 - Kundalini Awakening and Working with the Body 00:39:05 - Working through Impressions 00:43:00 - The Beginning of the Involution 00:47:13 - Understanding vs Realization 00:51:05 - Avatars and Spiritual Teachers 00:54:55 - Astral Exorcism and Healing Dance 00:58:44 - The Kundalini Awakening Process 01:02:31 - Kundalini Awakening and Spontaneous Movements 01:06:19 - Purging Negativity 01:09:54 - The Annihilation of the Apparent World 01:13:37 - The Final Destination and Different Planes of Existence 01:17:35 - The Journey of Awakening 01:21:44 - The Existence of Ego in Different States 01:25:51 - Kundalini Awakening and the Sacred Fluids 01:29:42 - The Value of a Life 01:33:33 - Different Types of Meditation 01:37:30 - Releasing Emotions 01:41:18 - The Presence of Benign and Caring Intelligences 01:45:17 - Healing Ceremonies and Nature Retreats 01:49:19 - Following Intuition and Divine Orchestration at 61 01:53:24 - Following the Synchronicities 01:56:55 - In Touch for the Next 15 Years

 Melinda Edwards, MD is a mother, writer and physician in Charleston, South Carolina, providing psychiatric care for underserved adults. She attended the Medical University of South Carolina and completed her residency in psychiatry at Stanford Medical Center. She has studied complementary and alternative medicine with Andrew Weil, MD, researched the effects of MDMA on PTSD with Michael Mithoefer, MD, and is a columnist for Autism Parenting Magazine. Dr. Edwards is the author of PSYCHE & SPIRIT: How a Psychiatrist Found Divinity Through Her Lifelong Search for Truth and Her Daughter’s Autism. As a child of medical missionaries, Melinda grew up in a Mayan Indian village in Guatemala, Central America. Early in life she experienced an inner pull to a deeper truth. Her journey has taken her through various spiritual practices including meditation retreats, guidance from spiritual teachers, travel to India, and living in spiritual communities. Her quest led to the ongoing discovery of the sacred in all. Inspired by her journey with her daughter Saachi, Dr. Edwards founded the 501c3 nonprofit organization Living Darshan to foster a deeper understanding of autism in the world. Website: melindaedwardsmd.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 20, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:26 - An Evolutionary Journey 00:07:57 - The Fear of Going to Hell 00:11:58 - Tiptoeing Through Sleeping Elephants 00:16:32 - Levels of Spiritual Evolution 00:20:56 - The Spiral into Anorexia 00:25:46 - The Importance of Compassion and Being Heard 00:30:10 - Love as a Virus and the Hazards of Idealizing Spiritual Teachers 00:34:39 - Red Flags in Spiritual Teachers and Communities 00:39:21 - The Dangers of a Spiritualized Ego 00:43:34 - The Danger of Unqualified Advice in the Spiritual Community 00:47:37 - Exploiting Students' Finances 00:51:29 - The Role of Students in Spiritual Teaching 00:55:29 - Correlation between Teaching in Medicine and Spirituality 00:59:39 - Spiritual Teachers and Holistic Development 01:03:34 - The Realization of Nothingness 01:07:09 - The Nature of Realization and Integration 01:10:15 - The Dissolution of the Project of "Me" 01:13:53 - Micro adjustments and thriving 01:18:13 - Medications and Spiritual Awakening 01:21:51 - Support and Caution in Meditation Retreats 01:25:50 - The Impact of Spiritual Practices on Brain Chemistry 01:29:41 - Taking Medication for ADD and Kundalini Awakening 01:33:16 - Online Sessions and the Law 01:38:05 - The Porousness of Energy and Information 01:42:40 - The Increase of Neurodiverse Beings in the Population 01:47:44 - Different Realms and Dimensions 01:51:22 - Supporting Autistic Children in Their Purpose 01:55:29 - Navigating Kundalini Energy 01:59:32 - The Power of a Mother's Love 02:02:41 - Stay tuned for upcoming content

John R. Audette is the author of “Loved by the Light: True Stories of Divine Intervention and Providence”. He earned a Master of Science degree from Virginia Tech. A native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, his professional career spans over three decades of senior executive positions in hospital and hospice administration and physician practice management, as well as the performing arts and public broadcasting. He contributed several scholarly chapters to various books by other authors about spiritually transformative experiences and non-local consciousness including works by Dr. Ervin Laszlo. He is also gratefully acknowledged in many other books on these subjects by various well-known authors whom he assisted dating back to 1974. His first work of fiction, a novel trilogy, will be published in 2025. John is the primary founder of the International Association for Near-Death Studies, Inc., (IANDS.org), with co-founders Raymond Moody, MD; Bruce Greyson, MD; Michael Sabom, MD; and Kenneth Ring, PhD. John now serves as CEO of Eternea, (eternea.org), which he co-founded with Eben Alexander, MD and Edgar Mitchell, Sc.D. He is also an honorably discharged veteran with over six years of voluntary service (both active and inactive duty) in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. Website: AffirmingGod.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 7, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters:  00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump  00:04:46 - Edgar Mitchell and the Institute of Noetic Sciences  00:09:08 - Raymond's Integrity and a Missed Opportunity  00:12:45 - Validating Observations about the Nature of Reality  00:17:45 - The Ring of Destiny  00:20:22 - A Beautiful Near-Death Experience  00:24:02 - The Power of Nonsense  00:29:19 - The Meaning of Cigarettes and Traumatic Incidents  00:34:14 - The Lizard Beings  00:37:56 - Spiritualization of Material Life  00:41:58 - The Realization of True Divine Inspiration  00:46:14 - A Journey of Karma and Forgiveness  00:49:17 - The Realization of God's Existence and Transformation  00:54:14 - The Power of Experience and Spiritual Awakenings  00:57:45 - Wrestling with Chaos, Fear, and Confusion  01:01:31 - The God Void and Escaping Addiction to Heroin  01:05:51 - Moving Beyond Materialism  01:09:42 - The Eternea Concept  01:15:03 - The Purpose of All Religions  01:18:41 - Synerge with a GE and the Power of Cooperation  01:23:24 - Catalyzing a Global Spiritual Revolution  01:28:10 - Advancing Love and Light  01:31:54 - Emulating Saintliness  01:36:47 - The Continuum of Evil  01:41:27 - God's Reaction to Evil  01:44:32 - The Nature of Consciousness and Diversity  01:48:01 - Connectedness and Awareness  01:50:39 - The Role of Paradise and the Potential for a Perfect World  01:54:22 - The Power of Personal Epiphany and Transformation  01:57:15 - The Possibility of Publishing and Filming the Work

 Viivi Jokela facilitates awakening in people who are inclined in that way. She had a spontaneous, deep awakening to true nature in 2022, followed by a strange and at times intense acclimation, which she refers to as no self realization or simply the natural state. Viivi communicates a direct approach to realization, grounded on experiential insight on the aspects of awakening. She invites you to inquire into and recognize the awe-striking immediate, inherently awake radiance of your own being and of all being. Website: sensingradiance.com In this interview, Viivi Jokela shares her journey of spiritual awakening and self-realization. She discusses her early life, her struggles with suffering and alienation, and her eventual deep awakening to her true nature in 2022. She describes the intense acclimation process she went through, which she refers to as no self-realization or the natural state. Viivi also talks about her experiences with a yoga school that turned out to be a cult, her powerful Kundalini awakening, and the subsequent purification process. Throughout the interview, she emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of experience and the difference between direct experience and mental interpretation. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded June 29, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters:  00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump  00:03:37 - Early Suffering and Alienation  00:07:22 - Finding Yoga in the Hospital  00:10:22 - The Powerful Kundalini Awakening  00:13:16 - The Journey of Purification  00:16:27 - Challenges after Kundalini Awakening  00:19:46 - Recommendation for Kundalini awakening practitioners  00:23:23 - Finding the Right Meditation Practice  00:26:55 - Defining Enlightenment and Liberation  00:30:16 - The Experience of Self  00:33:57 - Multi-Dimensionality of Life  00:37:16 - The Personal and Impersonal within a Larger Wholeness  00:40:18 - The Dance of Relative and Absolute  00:43:30 - Holding Multiple Perspectives Amid Conflicting Views  00:46:24 - Appreciating Different Perspectives  00:49:52 - Understanding the "I got it, I lost it" syndrome  00:53:22 - Extracting Instructions for Awakening  00:56:35 - The Beginner's Mind and Approaching with Curiosity  01:00:16 - Different Types of Meditation  01:03:58 - The Collapse of Fundamental Structures of Reality  01:07:38 - The Teacher and the Experience of Death  01:11:20 - Moments of Transcendence and Nothingness  01:14:34 - The Reality of the Deep Homecoming and Healing Through Realization  01:18:22 - The Disappearance of God  01:21:34 - Kundalini: The Most Powerful Energy  01:24:54 - The Relationship between Trauma and Relational Healing  01:28:34 - Dismissive Attitudes and Lack of Empathy  01:31:58 - The Contradictory Nature of the Experience  01:34:44 - The Importance of Having a Broad Perspective  01:38:40 - Exploring Aggression and Self-Respect  01:42:37 - Closing Remarks and Next Interview Preview

Philip Weber had a successful 35-year career as an executive in the hospitality industry. A member of Paramahansa Yogananda’s Self-Realization Fellowship since 1999, Phil is known for his highly ecumenical outlook, holding a deep appreciation for many of the world’s spiritual traditions and teachings, and often affirming his Guru’s adage: “Truth is one, paths are many.” Currently retired and residing in Carlsbad, California, Phil prefers a quiet, contemplative life. He is not a spiritual teacher and has no online or social media presence. For Phil’s book announcements, please go to his editor’s website. Books: Grace Happens: An Awakening of Consciousness Reflections of Consciousness: Essays on the Journey of Awakening and the Nature of Reality To Contact Phil please go the "Connect" page of his editor's website. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded June 16, 2024. YouTube Video Chapters:  00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump  00:04:18 - The Joy of Helping Others  00:07:40 - The Birthright of Spiritual Awakening  00:11:10 - The Illusion of Point A and Point B  00:14:43 - The Journey of Awakening  00:19:15 - A Drunk on Energy: The Awakening  00:22:56 - Finding My Guru at Barnes and Noble  00:26:05 - The Infinite Possibilities of Awakening  00:29:22 - A Shift in Career Satisfaction and the Discovery of Wayne Dyer and Alan Watts  00:32:48 - Exploring Different Teachings  00:36:46 - Walking for Grounding and Safety  00:40:47 - Finding Help in Adyashanti's Talks  00:45:10 - Exploring Different Spiritual Paths  00:49:23 - Intensive Kriya Practice for Karma Mitigation  00:52:43 - The Fan Blades Stopping  00:56:30 - The Fulfillment of Awakening  01:00:42 - Awakening to Being Okay with What Is  01:04:35 - Not Letting Sports Ruin Your Day  01:08:30 - The Perfection of Suffering  01:12:31 - The Beauty of Life and Mystical Experiences  01:15:38 - Grateful Indifference and Mystical Experiences  01:20:02 - Profound Mystical Experience and Removal of an Astral Parasite  01:24:19 - Astral Entities and Energy Feeding  01:28:24 - The Glowing Orb of Energy  01:32:40 - Exploring Different Paths to Awakening  01:36:01 - The Short Path vs. Progress in Spiritual Growth  01:38:59 - Surrender and the Debate on Free Will  01:42:50 - Understanding God and Conscious Awareness  01:47:28 - A Conversation about Writing and Books  01:50:43 - The Changing Relationship with the Guru

Dr. Yvonne Kason, President of Spiritual Awakenings International, Amartat Cohn, Director of Sunseed, and James Plath of Advanced Astonishment share their personal journeys in spirituality. They discuss the impact of Transcendental Meditation on personal transformation and the ethical responsibilities of spiritual leaders. The conversation explores the evolving relationship between spirituality and psychedelics, navigating consciousness through AI, and the significance of meditation in personal growth. Their insights encourage a collective awakening accessible to everyone.

Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati Ph. D has dedicated her life to serving the Vedic tradition by teaching Advaita Vedanta. A Hindu monk who currently lives in Mumbai (India) she is a teacher, podcaster, writer, creator who points to the suffix -er in all the roles as the abiding Atma in all beings. She offers regular Vedanta courses (online), Vedanta – the river of wisdom weekly podcast, insightful videos, workshops and retreats in India and abroad. Her teachings range from the depth and breadth of self-mastery to self-discovery. She is the author of ‘You matter – Insights from Vedanta.’ Swamini ji teaches three core courses at Hindu University of America. She has a Ph. D in Philosophy and her thesis on the Role of Ishvara in Advaita Vedanta is due to be published soon as a book. She is a direct disciple of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, having studied Vedanta, Sanskrit and Vedic chanting at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in a residential, intensive three-year course in Coimbatore and Rishikesh, India. She studied with Swami Brahmavidananda for about twelve years while balancing her work commitments. Her last leadership role was as the Country Head (India) of an international organization which positively impacted the lives of 150,000 street children. She was formerly a psychologist. Website YouTube Channel Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded May 21, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters:  00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump  00:04:24 - Questioning Hinduism and Childhood Rebellion  00:08:21 - Becoming a Monk for Guru and Grace  00:12:20 - Neo-Advaita and Traditional Advaita  00:16:23 - The Importance of Traditional Teachings in Vedanta  00:20:16 - Contextualizing Vedic Literature and Manusmriti  00:24:03 - Vedanta: The Sixth Means of Knowledge  00:28:06 - Vedanta as a Means of Knowledge  00:31:58 - The Scientific Approach and Spiritual Development  00:35:52 - Science's Damage and Universal Values  00:40:00 - The Nature of Maya Shakti  00:43:44 - The Nature of Brahman and Self-Discovery  00:47:38 - The Strange Pursuit of Seeking and Harmony with the World  00:51:26 - The Nature of Consciousness and Seeking  00:55:09 - The Stages of a Seeker  00:58:59 - Transformation from Seeker to Knower  01:02:50 - The Process of Chipping Away and Shedding Ignorance  01:06:34 - Direct vs Progressive Approaches in Vedanta  01:10:15 - Direct and Progressive Understanding of Vedanta  01:14:09 - The Five Sets of Relationships  01:17:54 - The Meaning and Process of Puja  01:21:51 - Understanding the Law of Karma  01:26:03 - Karma and Free Will  01:29:36 - Expanding and narrowing our range of free will  01:33:24 - The Legacy of the Tradition and the Role of a Spokesperson  01:37:16 - The Importance of Dharma in Spiritual Growth  01:41:12 - Aligning with Dharma  01:45:07 - The Mirror of Dharma  01:48:56 - Maintaining Discernment in Spiritual Teachings  01:52:24 - The Power Within Us  01:56:08 - Recognizing our Sacred connection to God

 After a 14-year Meditation Journey, Philip experientially realized the nature of the True Self which referred to itself as Infinite Silence. In his former life, Philip was a Chartered Civil Engineer and Operating Group Director of a large business. In 2000 in response to dreaming about work on a skiing holiday Philip began Meditation. Ultimately, this led him to leave his old world behind in 2009 at the height of his career to focus on a deep inner calling. Since 2014 he has shared the gift of Self Realization with the world in ways led by Meditative Insight through direct experience of the Infinite Silence Meditation, Spiritual Inquiry, Infinite Touch and via his website and other outlets. His style is simple, compassionate and offers exquisite clarity. His sharing is all based on direct experience, is not rooted in any tradition and is ideal for the present era. Unexpectedly, Philip was both inspired and invited to offer events in person in the UK, Iceland, Greece (Corfu and Crete) and Amsterdam and globally online. Philip lives near the small but very beautiful Cathedral City of Ripon, North Yorkshire, England. With his Wife Sue, they have created a purpose-built Meditation space for events. He light-heartedly calls it the Universal Studio! Because of the misunderstandings and spiritual blocks that can be associated with them he has never been a fan of labels people have called him, including Guru, Teacher, and Master. Recently (late 2021) in meditation it was made clear the term Western Mystic was to be used. Whilst the ‘Western’ term is, in truth, superfluous the intention that was made clear was to draw out the fact that his sharing is all rooted in direct experience and is he is not ‘schooled’ in Eastern Teachings. Experience has shown that this has made the material accessible to a broad audience. His message focuses on helping people recognize, inquire into, and experience the absolute simplicity and power of the Infinite Silence that is our true essence. Website - includes: A link to a free Meditations Site Many free resources An Online Retreat in your own time for a nominal donation The Living Soul, Self Realisation App - A Self Realisation Community and Resource Library including a Community Zoom Calls and Retreat. Access via the App stores and for more detailed information visit Philip’s Website here. Insight Timer App - over 50 free Tracks - Includes a freely available LiveStream Self Realisation Programme with accompanying Infinite Silence Meditations (0.25 hours to 1.5 hours). YouTube Channel - Over 250 videos including many Live Streams, Short Insights and Shorts Podcast - Nothing Special with Philip Wade: Over 60 Episodes on many Self Realisation topics on all major platforms. LinkedIn - More recent addition (called for from the Silence) with a series of ‘journeys’ posts to invite people to explore. Facebook Instagram - A vast array of insights, articles, videos and quotes. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 4, 2024. YouTube Video Chapters:  00:00:00 - Introduction and Background  00:03:30 - Discovering the Benefits of Meditation  00:08:23 - The Birth of the Open Source Spheres Meditation  00:12:35 - The Experiential Realisation of Infinite Silence  00:15:12 - Intuition and Meditation  00:18:52 - Trusting Intuition and the Source of Wisdom  00:23:34 - The Spheres of Light-Formation  00:28:18 - The Multi-dimensional Nature of the Hiranyagarbha Sphere  00:33:33 - The Purpose of Creation  00:37:42 - The Gateway Location and the Infinite I  00:41:05 - Experiencing the Phenomena of Being through Silence  00:44:09 - Exploring Infinite Silence and Meditative Experiences  00:47:46 - Snapping into Expansion and Infinite Touch  00:51:50 - Childhood and Life Experiences