

Buddha at the Gas Pump
Rick Archer
Conversations with spiritually awakening people.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 2, 2020 • 1h 46min
539. Zaya & Maurizio Benazzo
Zaya Benazzo is a filmmaker from Bulgaria with degrees in engineering, environmental science, and film. For many years, she worked as an environmental activist in Holland and Bulgaria, and later produced and directed several award-winning documentaries in Europe and the United States.
Maurizio Benazzo grew up in Italy, and in 1984 came to the United States on a ninety-eight-year-old sailing boat. He started working as an actor, model, and filmmaker, but his thirst for knowledge was only satisfied in 2001 upon encountering I Am That, the seminal work by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, while he was in India shooting the award-winning documentary Short Cut To Nirvana.
Maurizio and Zaya merged their lifelong passions for science and mysticism when they met in 2007, and their first project together was filming the documentary Rays of the Absolute on the life and teachings of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. This project sparked their next level of creation and collaboration: Science and Nonduality (SAND)—a global community inspired by the timeless wisdom traditions, informed by modern science, and grounded in direct experience.
Book: On the Mystery of Being: Contemporary Insights on the Convergence of Science and Spirituality
Summary and transcript of this interview
Interview recorded February 29, 2020
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:05:16 - Finding Peace with Nisargadatta
00:09:53 - The Unraveling of a Familiar Story
00:13:35 - The Connection Between Trauma and Seeking Answers
00:17:24 - A Beautiful Movie about Nisargadatta
00:20:47 - The Birth of Science and Duality
00:24:23 - The Limitations of Knowledge and Understanding
00:27:49 - The Unity and Diversity of Existence
00:31:49 - Paradox and Ambiguity in Spiritual Maturity
00:36:08 - The Individual and the Ocean
00:40:23 - The Influence of Culture on Teaching
00:44:26 - Holding Conversations Lightly
00:47:23 - The Mystery of Life and Human Connectedness
00:52:10 - Meeting the Shadow and Unconscious Material
00:56:49 - The Dance of Therapy and Inquiry
01:01:18 - From the mind to the heart
01:05:51 - Observations on the Disembodiment of the Western World
01:10:14 - Spirituality and Social Inequality
01:14:06 - Trauma in Political Leaders
01:17:26 - Inclusion and Diversity in Spiritual Conversations
01:21:29 - Privilege and Diversity in Conversation
01:24:45 - The Inclusiveness of Spirituality
01:28:45 - The Necessity of Multi-dimensional Approaches to Life
01:32:19 - Meeting Yourself in Solitude
01:36:47 - Exploring Sexuality and Oneness
01:40:48 - Changing Ourselves and Creating Awareness
01:43:42 - The Future Direction of SAND Conference
01:46:55 - The Evolution of Teaching and the Dream of Trust and Deeper Listening
01:50:30 - The Admirable Effort of Personal Growth and Redemption
01:54:26 - Science and Nonduality Conference
01:57:28 - Plans for Future Meetings

Feb 25, 2020 • 1h 40min
538. Rev. Bill McDonald, 2nd Interview
Rev. Bill’s life has been a spiritual journey, spanning slightly over 7 decades. His whole life has been a mystical trip in search of gurus, the paranormal, and self-discovery. He has written about his many spiritually transformative experiences and “near-death-experiences” including supernatural events during his combat tour of duty in the Vietnam War. In his books, he has shared some incredible spiritual events that are beyond both common understanding or explanation.
His autobiography “Warrior: A Spiritual Odyssey” takes us on a life quest for love, understanding, forgiveness, and enlightenment. His follow-up book “Alchemy of a Warrior's Heart" continues that mystical journey including four trips to India for even more profound experiences with holy men, miracles and his personal relationship with the Divine. What he knows for sure after all these years is that the only thing that is truly real is LOVE.
He is an author, an award-winning poet, international motivational speaker, artist, film advisor, veteran advocate, a Vietnam War veteran (Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart Medal, 14 Air Medals, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, etc.). He has spoken around the world including Germany, England, Wales, Bolivia, and India. He has been involved with a dozen films and documentaries. (Such as: “In the Shadow of the Blade”- showed on the History Network and “The Art of Healing” shown on PBS TV)
Rev. Bill has been on over 800 radio and TV shows over the last 18 years and has stories about his life featured in over a dozen books by other authors and in hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. He has had articles in such diverse publications as “Parade Sunday Magazine” and “The Self-Realization Fellowship Magazine” as well as military magazines and new age magazines. His YouTube Channel has over 70 videos and had gotten over 550,000 views in its first 18 months.
He speaks publicly about the need to forgive and power of love. His mission in life is to inspire others to seek the Divine and he does that through his personal stories of his own life experiences.
He is a seeker but not just for himself. His “mission” is to allow others to experience his journey through his stories. He has had many near-death and near-death-like experiences and encounters with the supernatural. He is a friend to many - including famous celebrities and people in power positions in life but he treats everyone the same whether they are homeless or the President or a CEO. His beliefs are simple: There is but ONE GOD – and our only mission is to LOVE & SERVE ALL.
Additional books by William “Rev. Bill” McDonald:
A Spiritual Warrior's Journey: The Inspiring Life Story of a Mystical Warrior – 2003
Purple Hearts: Poetry of The Vietnam War – 2003
Sacred Eye: Poetry In Search Of The Divine – 2004
Bill's guru, Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath
Bill's Website
Bill's email
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Summary and transcript of this interview
First BatGap interview with Bill McDonald
Interview recorded February 22, 2020.
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:04:09 - Sharing Pearls of Wisdom
00:07:14 - The Overwhelming Responsibility of Knowledge, Intuition, and Empathy
00:10:44 - The Power of Intuition and Belief Systems
00:14:51 - Believing Different
00:18:50 - The Importance of Time in the Material World
00:22:51 - The One Guru: God
00:26:36 - The Danger of Dangerous Spiritual Teachers
00:30:08 - The Inner Guru vs. Outer Guru
00:34:41 - The Importance of Having a Teacher
00:37:49 - Embracing Discomfort and Growth in Life
00:41:56 - Embracing Life's Challenges
00:45:57 - The Significance of Evolutionary Events
00:49:35 - Discovering and Manifesting Potential
00:53:03 - Mending Fences and Making Amends
00:56:15 - The Value of Living and Dead Gurus
01:00:02 - The Guru's Love and Presence
01:03:48 - Seeing God in All
01:07:02 - Being Present and Connected
01:10:41 - The Power of Now
01:14:42 - Learning through the "morphogenetic field"
01:18:09 - Manifestation through Free Will
01:21:23 - Cultivating and Retaining Faith in the Divine
01:24:36 - Plant Medicine and Personal Experiences
01:28:03 - Challenging Prejudices and Judgments
01:31:12 - The Change in Perspective
01:35:06 - The Pitfalls of Meditation and Psychedelics
01:38:32 - The Risks of Drug Use and the Importance of Meditation
01:42:42 - The Value of Personal Experience
01:46:25 - Manifesting a Loving Life
01:50:17 - Delight in Different Perspectives

43 snips
Feb 18, 2020 • 1h 59min
537. Roger Walsh
Roger Walsh MD., Ph.D. DHL graduated from Queensland University with degrees in psychology, physiology, neuroscience, and medicine, came to the United States as a Fulbright scholar, and is currently a professor of psychiatry, philosophy, anthropology, and religious studies at the University of California. His research interests include psychological health and wellbeing, virtues such as love and wisdom, practices such as meditation that foster them, and the psychological roots of our current social and global challenges.
Roger’s books include Paths Beyond Ego, The World of Shamanism, and Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind, and he recently edited the modestly titled volume, The World's Great Wisdom. His research and writings have received over twenty national and international awards. He was formerly a circus acrobat, held world records in trampolining and high diving, and recently graduated from the San Francisco Comedy College and had an extremely brief and unsuccessful career as a standup comedian.
For more information, see drrogerwalsh.com
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Summary and transcript of this interview
Interview recorded February 15, 2020.
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction: Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:04:25 - A Shocking Revelation about Water
00:08:32 - The Hidden Disciplines of Religion
00:13:19 - Multiple Perspectives on Realization and Developmental Stages
00:18:06 - Psychological Maturity and Spiritual Development
00:22:12 - The Enlightenment and the Awakening to Pure Consciousness
00:26:16 - The Limitations of Scientists and the Recognition of Pure Consciousness
00:31:02 - Consciousness awakening through the nervous system
00:34:19 - The Universe Becoming Conscious
00:39:07 - Inherent growth dynamic in the psyche
00:43:30 - The Transition to Post-Conventional Thinking
00:47:33 - The Wisdom of Spiritual Practice
00:51:30 - The Spiritual Gravity that Draws the Mind Within
00:55:42 - Different Stages Reflecting Different Worldviews and Values
01:00:23 - The Developmental Stages of Consciousness and Psychology
01:04:38 - The Marrying of Technology and Spirituality
01:09:31 - The Importance of Ethics in Spiritual Practice
01:13:52 - The Dangers of the "Ends Justify the Means" Mentality
01:17:21 - The Story of Narada and Maya
01:21:01 - Motivation and Emotional Transformation
01:25:14 - The Nature of Craving
01:30:07 - The Dystopian Future of Addiction
01:34:32 - The Race between Consciousness and Catastrophe
01:38:40 - Surfing the Spiritual Wave
01:42:53 - Mapping the Territory of Consciousness
01:47:33 - Tapping into the Universal
01:52:15 - Openness to Feedback and Understanding
01:56:33 - Hanging Out with Kindred Souls
02:00:07 - Practice and Transformation
02:04:10 - Going Deeper into Ourselves and the World
02:07:43 - A Conversation with an Expert

Feb 10, 2020 • 1h 57min
536. Isira
Isira brings a deep understanding of Indigenous, ancient and universal wisdom. She bridges the gap between the overwhelming challenges we face in the world today and our spiritual journey.
As a powerful advocate for conscious change, Isira is highly engaged in today's social issues. Her enlightened commentary assists us to navigate the divisive worlds of politics, climate change, mental health and beyond.
Books:
Awakening You: Embodying Peace, Love and Freedom on Earth
Buddha on the Dance Floor
Website: isira.com
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Summary and transcript of this interview
Second interview with Isira
Interview recorded February 7, 2020.
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
00:04:06 - Perception of the World
00:08:22 - Indigenous Mindset and Modern Human Mindset
00:12:31 - The Interconnection of All Things and the Dance of Life
00:17:32 - A Traumatic Experience of Abuse and Awakening
00:22:09 - The Root of Suffering and Disconnection
00:26:21 - The Rubber Band Effect of Disconnection
00:30:12 - A Miraculous Recovery and Forgiveness
00:34:38 - Interdimensional Experiences and Reunion with the Lama
00:39:00 - A Time of Preparation and Resetting
00:43:09 - The Power of Alignment and Connection
00:47:38 - The Intensity of Global Problems and Ignoring Warning Signs
00:51:42 - The Impact of an Echo Chamber
00:55:47 - The Design of Social Media Platforms and the Loss of Value and Relevance
01:00:00 - The Beauty of Chaos and Transformation
01:03:32 - The Story of the Seeker and the Master
01:07:23 - Averting Catastrophe through Spiritual Awakening
01:11:54 - The Impact of Climate Change on Metropolitan Areas
01:16:14 - Severed Relationships and the Collapse of Society
01:20:35 - The Need for Connectedness and Decentralized Government
01:24:11 - Materialism and Fear in Modern Society
01:28:12 - The Illusion of Material Possessions
01:32:13 - Untapped Potential and Gamma Brainwave States
01:36:51 - Accessing Deeper States of Consciousness
01:40:54 - The Balance of Destructive and Creative Forces
01:45:03 - Restoring Balance in Society and Nature
01:48:54 - Overpopulation and the Need for Reduction
01:53:01 - Holding onto the Self in Times of Radical Shifts
01:56:50 - Acting in Accordance with Intuitive Impulse
02:01:17 - Regeneration and the Four Pillars of Lore
02:05:23 - Ordinary People Awakening

Feb 4, 2020 • 1h 42min
535. Diane Hennacy Powell
Diane Hennacy Powell, M.D. is a Johns Hopkins-trained psychiatrist, therapist, neuroscientist, and public speaker. She develops multidisciplinary theories towards understanding psychological anomalies, such as savant skills and verified accounts of spacetime navigation. Her current research focuses on controlled testing of autistic savants and children reported to be telepathic and/or precognitive by their caregivers.
Dr. Powell has been on the faculty at Harvard Medical School, a member of a think tank on human consciousness at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, and Director of Research for the John E. Mack Institute. Her investigation into the neurocorrelates of ESP is discussed in her 2008 book The ESP Enigma: The Scientific Case for Psychic Phenomena, and in Seriously Strange: Thinking Anew about Psychical Experiences.
Dr. Powell is also an expert on PTSD and created the psychiatry program for Survivors of Torture, International in San Diego, California. She was the principal author of IONS The 2007 Shift Report: Evidence of a World Transforming and a contributing author to Beyond Forgiveness: Reflections on Atonement, the 2014 Campus Book of the Year at Indiana University. She is also a participant in the #NeverAlone movement for suicide prevention launched by Deepak Chopra.
Website: drdianehennacy.com
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Summary and transcript of this interview
Interview recorded February 1, 2020
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Diane Hennacy Powell Interview
00:03:48 - Autistic Savants: Extraordinary Abilities
00:07:14 - The Brain's Processing Unit
00:11:07 - Acquired Savant Syndrome and Twin Intuition
00:14:54 - Extraordinary Mental Calculation Abilities
00:18:05 - Extraordinary Abilities and Experiments
00:21:43 - Accessing Universal Knowledge
00:25:25 - Contributions to the Universal Field of Intelligence
00:29:21 - Haley's Remarkable Abilities
00:33:04 - The Blind Savant Syndrome and Blind Seers
00:36:43 - Phenomenal Stories of Twins Raised Apart
00:40:28 - The Academy for the Advancement of Post-Materialist Sciences
00:44:31 - A New Paradigm: Consciousness as Fundamental
00:48:19 - The Three Theories of Post-Materialism
00:52:37 - The Role of Junk DNA and Glial Cells
00:57:02 - The Beauty of Specialization and Connection
01:00:52 - The Manifestation of Human Consciousness
01:04:09 - Challenging the Scientific Paradigm
01:07:51 - Challenges in Biological Sciences Research
01:11:27 - Embracing the Evolution of Human Beings and Unusual Perceptions
01:15:28 - Knowledge Beyond Experience
01:19:30 - Reincarnation and Desire
01:23:09 - Technologically Assisted Telepathy
01:27:20 - The Subtler Aspects of the Senses and Emotions
01:31:53 - The Relationship Between Physiology and Emotions
01:35:58 - The Evolution of Consciousness and Free Will
01:40:04 - The Illusion of Free Will and Conscious Decision-Making
01:44:12 - The Tragedy of Suicide
01:48:12 - The Importance of Preserving Human Consciousness
01:51:39 - Rational Vaccination and the Pharmaceutical Industry
01:55:07 - The Great Awakening and the Next 20 Years

Jan 29, 2020 • 31min
534. Meeting of Founders and Members of the Association for Spiritual Integrity
Forty-five spiritual teachers, members of “The Association for Spiritual Integrity”, met for four hours prior to the start of the 2019 Science and Nonduality Conference. For the first couple of hours, we engaged in a deep, honest discussion about the challenges teachers face, seeking to learn how we might better support one another. We then broke into six groups, each focusing on a particular topic. Then we reassembled and recorded the remainder of the meeting.
This video includes:
Introduction by Rick
Summary of discussions in each of the six breakout groups.
(1) Bringing forth women and feminine empowerment.
(2) Ongoing growth for teachers and continuing education, trauma, attachment, and shadow work.
(3) Creating community and peer support
(4) Healthy power dynamics and dual relationships
(5) The Ethics of the Spiritual Community
(6) The importance of awareness of teacher misbehavior and discerning between real misbehavior and false accusations.
A personal or professional commitment expressed by each teacher in the meeting.
Summary and Transcript of this meeting
Recorded October 24, 2019
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Purpose of the Meeting
00:01:04 - Discussion and Breakout Groups
00:01:57 - Appreciation for Gifted Leaders
00:02:52 - ASI: Continued Education and Growth
00:03:54 - Incorporating Yin Teachings into SAND
00:05:09 - Supporting Each Other in the Process of Bringing Balance
00:06:15 - Creating a Safe Space for Teachers
00:07:22 - Online Teacher Assessment and Community Support for Spiritual Teachers
00:08:23 - Increased Support and Accountability
00:09:26 - Creating a Referral Listing for Affordable Retreats
00:10:28 - Difficulties with Dual Relationships and Power Dynamics
00:11:31 - Power dynamics and emotional triggers
00:12:42 - Keeping data on ethical behavior and misbehavior of teachers and guides
00:13:37 - Awareness of Misconduct
00:14:37 - Bringing forth the importance of the feminine and women's voices
00:15:39 - Spending time in silence and self-reflection
00:16:35 - Commitment to Women's Video Conference Group
00:17:35 - Organizing Information and Workshops
00:18:20 - Commitment to Authentic and Heartfelt Communication
00:19:13 - Personal Commitments to Self-Care and Understanding
00:20:05 - Creating Online Safe Spaces for Peer-to-Peer Interactions
00:20:58 - Commitments to Marginalized Communities and Openness to Learning
00:21:48 - Committing to Integrity and Love
00:22:49 - The Teachings of Don Juan Matus and Padmasambhava
00:23:48 - Commitment to Awareness and Empowerment
00:24:51 - Commitment to Service and Divine Embodiment
00:25:59 - Recommitting to Integrity and Healing for All
00:27:00 - Commitment to Personal and Professional Evolution
00:28:03 - Supporting and Connecting with Each Other
00:29:05 - A Beautiful Thing We're Creating
00:29:54 - Appreciation for support and resources

Jan 29, 2020 • 59min
534. SAND Panel on Sexual Misconduct, Money, Power, Trauma & Ethics in Spiritual Communities
With Jac O'Keeffe, Mariana Caplan, Craig Holliday, and Miranda Macpherson
Introduction by Rick Archer
The spiritual awakening sweeping the world may be critical to addressing our critical problems.
Ethical breaches by spiritual teachers sabotage this awakening.
How the ASI was founded. Its role & perspective.
Qualities and Characteristics of a healthy teacher, student, and spiritual community.
What to look for in a spiritual teacher
The student’s responsibility.
Healthy teacher/student relationships.
Support for teachers recognizing their blind spots.
Are higher consciousness and more ideal behavior correlated?
Continual growth and learning, even in the teachers’ seat.
Discriminating between Awakening, Integration process, and actualization.
Abiding exclusively in nondual awareness vs. developing a multi-layered perspective.
What contributes to unhealthy behavior or cult-like tendencies.
Questions and answers
Guru addiction
Money issues in spiritual communities
The responsibility teachers and students share
The importance of therapy.
Teachers referring students to other teachers.
How long to stay with a teacher
Teachers inviting students to give them feedback
Discussion of this panel in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Summary and transcript of this discussion.
Recorded October 25, 2019
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Purpose of the Organization
00:02:40 - Establishing Guidelines for Spiritual Teachers
00:04:40 - Introduction of Spiritual Speakers
00:06:29 - Qualities of a Healthy Spiritual Teacher and Student
00:08:38 - Pursuing Growth in Spiritual Communities
00:10:47 - Accountability and Ethics in Teaching
00:12:47 - The Role of Humility in Teaching
00:14:31 - The Role of Trust in Teacher-Student Relationships
00:16:17 - The Process of Idealizing Teachers
00:18:23 - The Interplay in Unhealthy Relationships
00:20:25 - Higher Consciousness and Behavior
00:22:22 - Aligning with Integrity in Sexuality, Money, and Power
00:24:26 - Embracing Lifelong Learning
00:26:20 - Finding Balance and Growth in Education
00:28:08 - The Tricky Spot of Non-Dual Awareness
00:30:02 - The Deterrent of Fixed Notions and the Endless Possibilities of Awakening
00:32:02 - The Problem with the Search for Enlightenment
00:33:49 - The Danger of Group Think in Spiritual Communities
00:35:41 - Challenging Group Think and Teacher-Student Relationships
00:37:41 - Recovery from Guru Addiction
00:39:35 - Working on Our Relationship with Money
00:41:30 - The Illusion of Giving in Spiritual Teachings
00:43:30 - Mobilizing Teachers in the Shift
00:45:27 - The Power of Students Speaking Up
00:47:02 - The Development of Spiritual Maturity
00:49:05 - Engaging in Good Therapy and Trauma Healing
00:50:43 - Referring a Student Out of Their Depth
00:52:12 - Long-term relationships with students
00:54:24 - A Teacher's Role in Empowering Students
00:56:09 - The Need for Connection and Support in the ASI Community
00:58:01 - Music Interlude

Jan 23, 2020 • 1h 52min
533. Leanora Rose
Leanora Rose founded Embody Truth in 2012 as a way to support an integral approach to awakening and embodiment. The work is originally inspired through a personal awakening and culminates into a coherent and disposable map helping others navigate the terrain. Using a direct felt sense experience a somatic meditation practice supports unification, integration, and embodiment of all phenomena (traumatic material, identity, essence, back to stillness).
Leanora Rose provides one-on-one sessions, for those awakening as well as online group programs for ongoing practice, learning, and support.
Born in Africa she has lived in seven countries, including London, and California. A life of contrasts, from farm girl to corporate America, a variety of careers, from IT to cottage industry within a land-based, permaculture project in New Zealand for 25 years. She currently resides in Ubud, Bali.
Facebook Page
Youtube Channel
Interview recorded January 17, 2020
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Summary and transcript of this interview
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:05:07 - A Prayer for a Simple Life Close to Nature
00:10:05 - The balancing act of ego and divinity
00:15:08 - Trapped in Obsession and Selfishness
00:19:54 - Balancing Two Nervous Systems and Breathing Techniques for Silence
00:24:32 - The Paradox of Being and Embodiment
00:29:32 - The Paradox of Infinite Discovery
00:34:28 - Healing Trauma and Mastering Vulnerability
00:39:06 - Riding the Edge of the Comfort Zone
00:43:38 - The Subjectivity of Psychedelic Experiences
00:48:18 - Exploring Trauma and Meditation
00:52:59 - Reaching Towards Resolution
00:58:14 - Traumatized People and Service Dogs
01:02:11 - Mastery over Empathy
01:06:44 - Expanding Perception and Resolving Problems
01:10:39 - Finding Balance between the Numinous and Emotions
01:15:11 - Challenging Situations and the Nervous System
01:18:30 - The Intelligence of the Gut
01:22:29 - Guided by the Soul
01:26:23 - Observations on Awakening and Polarization
01:29:51 - A Global Awakening and the Power of Love in Action
01:33:29 - The Power of Inner Silence and Weathering the Storm
01:36:14 - Meeting the Storyteller and Transforming the Experience
01:39:33 - The Power of Sincere Acknowledgement
01:42:58 - The Power of Light and Shadow
01:46:10 - Illuminating the Shadow
01:49:05 - The Difference Between Mind and Body
01:52:48 - The Power of Connection to True Self
01:56:49 - The Journey of Discovery and Self-Healing
02:00:36 - The Light Will Always Wait for You
02:03:24 - Conclusion and Next Steps

Jan 17, 2020 • 2h 5min
532. Susan Raven
Susan Raven is a long-time student of Anthroposophy and an experienced workshop facilitator. She has worked with the methods and exercises prescribed by Rudolf Steiner for seeing into the supersensible realms and has also trained with Dorian Schmidt, director of the Biodynamic Research Institute. Susan is author of the book "Nature Spirits: The Remembrance", featured in the Cygnus magazine, Nexus, Star & Furrow, and Caduceus.
Susan is also a singer-songwriter and has produced two CDs entitled "Glittering Cities" and "Ravensong" which are regularly played on local and regional radio stations including the BBC.
Website: susanraven.com
Book Susan mentioned near the end of the interview: Universe of the Human Body: With Gaia Touch Body Exercises
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Summary and transcript of this interview
Interview recorded January 11, 2020
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Susan Raven and her work
00:04:13 - Connecting with the Super Sensible Realm
00:09:28 - The Sanskrit Tradition and Invisible Forces
00:14:34 - Hierarchies of Larger and More Powerful Beings
00:20:36 - Collective Consciousness and Beings
00:25:58 - A Co-Creative Relationship with Nature
00:31:49 - Communicating with Nature Spirits and Elementals
00:37:55 - Neutralizing Knowledge and Overseeing Elementals
00:44:14 - The Emergence of a New Species of Human
00:50:18 - The Splitting of Humanity and Higher Consciousness
00:56:11 - Six Steps to Self-Development
01:01:32 - Working with the Genius Loci
01:06:50 - Overwhelming and Frozen
01:12:41 - The Role of Nature Spirits and Human Behavior in Land Rehabilitation
01:19:50 - Trees Sacrificing Themselves for Humanity
01:25:31 - The Substance of Gnomes and Elemental Forms
01:30:29 - The Substance of the Undines and Dreaming
01:35:37 - The Substance of Beings and the Circle of Life
01:41:10 - Accessing Solutions and Ideas from Nature
01:47:34 - The Wisdom of Plants and Teacher Plants
01:52:31 - A Chivalrous Participation in the Life of Plants
01:58:00 - The Power of Rituals and New Rituals for the Elementals
02:03:23 - The Ancient Land of Pure Wisdom
02:08:09 - The Arrogance of Human Intelligence
02:10:25 - Music
02:11:33 - Music
02:12:41 - Musical Interlude
02:13:49 - Music
02:14:57 - Musical Interlude
02:16:05 - Music
02:17:13 - Background Music

Jan 11, 2020 • 1h 41min
531. Sebastián Blaksley
Born in 1968, Sebastián Blaksley is a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, born into a large traditional Catholic family. He attended the Colegio del Salvador, a Jesuit school of which the headmaster was Jorge Bergoglio, the current Pope Francis. Although he wanted to be a monk as a young man, his family did not consider it acceptable, and the inner voice that he always obeyed let him know that: "You must be in the world, without being of the world." He studied Business Administration in Buenos Aires and completed his postgraduate studies in the United States and Argentina. He also attended other studies in England, followed by several highly responsible positions in well-known international corporations, living and working in the U.S., England, China, and Panama. He then founded his own corporate consulting firm in Argentina that he led for over 10 years. Sebastián has two daughters with his former wife.
At the age of six, Sebastián was involved in a near-fatal accident during which he heard a voice, which later identified itself as Jesus. Ever since he has continued to hear that voice. Sebastián says: “Since I can remember, I have felt the call of Jesus and Mary to live abandoned to their will so that despite my various activities, I always put spiritual and religious reality at the center. I am devoted to my Catholic faith.”
In 2013, he began to record messages from his mystical experiences. In 2016 he miraculously discovered A Course of Love and felt the call to devote himself to bringing it to the entire Spanish-speaking world. In addition, he now receives, transcribes, and shares what the voice of Christ—the voice of love—dictates. Most recently he has received Choose Only Love, a series of seven books, the first of which was published in October, 2019.
Websites:
fundacionamorvivo.org
Choose Only Love
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Summary and transcript of this interview.
Spanish transcript of this interview.
2nd BatGap interview with Sebastián
Interview recorded January 4, 2020
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:03:27 - An Encounter with Jesus Following a Tragic Accident
00:07:14 - The Miraculous Discovery
00:11:10 - Integration of A Course in Miracles and A Course of Love
00:15:21 - Reading with the Heart
00:19:25 - The Vastness of the Material Universe
00:23:17 - Becoming Christ in our Humanity
00:27:12 - The Symbolism of Jesus and the Union of God and Humanity
00:31:50 - The Triune Nature of Existence
00:35:43 - Contemplating the wonders of creation
00:39:15 - The New Humanity and Our Relationship with Love
00:42:46 - The Expression of Love and Free Will
00:46:40 - Being Love in Every Moment
00:50:26 - Integrating Everything into the Totality
00:54:14 - Communicating with Jesus
00:58:00 - Jesus' Love and Communication
01:01:57 - Reconciling Love and Hellfire
01:05:44 - Trusting Love
01:09:38 - The Power of Trust and Love
01:13:21 - Finding the Christ in Others
01:17:11 - Trusting Our Hearts and Practicing Love
01:20:28 - The Power of Love in Difficult Situations
01:24:08 - The Power of Love
01:27:34 - Education in Prisons
01:31:04 - Receiving "Choose Only Love" from the voice of Christ
01:35:08 - Awakening and Experiencing the Divine Love
01:38:12 - Messages of Hope amidst Chaos and Destruction
01:41:58 - Transforming Our Relationship with the Earth
01:45:28 - Light and Change in Animal Rights
01:49:03 - Love and Diversity in the Garden of God
01:52:06 - Getting in touch with Sebastian Blaksley


