Buddha at the Gas Pump

Bruce Joel Rubin is an Oscar-winning screenwriter for the film Ghost.   His films include Jacob's Ladder, My Life (which he also directed), Brainstorm, Deep Impact, Stuart Little 2, The Last Mimzy, and The Time Traveler's Wife, among others.   His spiritual journey began with a massive overdose of LSD in the 1960s.   Shortly afterward he began hitchhiking around the world in search of a teacher and then found him in New York City, just blocks away from where he began his search. His name was Swami Rudrananda, also known as Rudi. Rudi was a New York City businessman and a yogi who taught a form of Kundalini meditation he called The Work. Rudi died in 1973 but Bruce continues to teach his practice. In 2001 Bruce discovered I AM THAT - the teachings of Nisargadatta Maharaj, and fell into the world of non-dualism. He awoke in 2010 during a seminar on awakening. Since that time he has continued to teach meditation and the effortless nature of simple Being. Since most people work and struggle in the world, it seemed to Bruce that meditation was a significant tool for living a good and productive life while waiting for awakening to make itself known. Bruce teaches in San Rafael, CA, in Los Angeles, and in New York. Websites: brucerubin-class.com brucejoelrubin.com YouTube Channel Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 11/14/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:31 - A Storyteller without a Story 00:08:28 - A Journey into Hell 00:12:08 - The Awareness of Being Shakespeare 00:16:33 - The Journey to Tibet 00:21:41 - The Awakening and Continuing the Work 00:25:49 - Appreciation for the YouTube Channel 00:30:38 - Dealing with the Discomfort and Kundalini Awakening 00:34:28 - A Journey with Bart Marshall 00:39:18 - Observing and Compassion for Constriction 00:46:25 - The Candlelight in the Dazzling Sunlight 00:52:10 - The Mystery of Existence 00:54:34 - Life After the Car Crash 00:57:30 - The Reality of What Is 01:00:02 - Sharing Teachings Locally 01:02:51 - The Power of Presence and Awakening 01:05:52 - Levels and Stages of Awakening 01:09:10 - Letting Go of Accumulation and Being Present 01:12:28 - Awakening and Discovery 01:15:24 - The Immense Intricacy and Complexity of Creation 01:18:43 - Awakening and Changing the World 01:21:34 - The Power of Storytelling 01:24:10 - Taking the Leap to Hollywood 01:26:49 - Awakening from Story 01:29:43 - Embracing the Darkness 01:32:49 - Embracing Darkness and Awakening to Totality 01:35:48 - The Serenity of Meditation and Embracing Chaos 01:38:57 - The Dualistic Nature of Life 01:40:58 - Trusting the Process and Embracing Existential Meaning 01:43:54 - Understanding Suffering and the Divine Hand 01:46:54 - Upcoming Book and Film Projects Save Save

While out in California for the Science and Nonduality Conference, I had some downtime before the conference started, so I decided to tape a long panel discussion with a rather large group of friends, most of them previous guests on Batgap. Sofia University in Palo Alto (where transpersonal psychology was founded by Abraham Maslow and others), generously provided a room and video equipment. I'm especially grateful to Dr. Jeffery Martin, who conducts research there, for offering and organizing this. It was an experiment, and some were skeptical that it would work, but it did! Participants included: Name Other Batgap Interview(s) Website(s) Canela Michelle Meyers 12/18/2011, 9/24/2015 canelamichelle.com Chuck Hillig 7/21/2010 chuckhillig.com Clare Blanchflower clareblanchflower.com Craig Holliday 1/3/2015, 12/19/2018*, 10/25/2019* craigholliday.com Dana Sawyer 9/29/2010, 2/9/2014*, 3/19/2016 dana-sawyer.com David Buckland 9/25/2015, 10/27/2017* davidya.ca David Ellzey 1/16/2016 davidellzey.com Francis Bennett 8/4/2012, 4/21/2013* 10/26/2013*, 5/24/2014*, 10/23/2014*, 10/21/2016, 10/25/2016* Jeffery Martin 1/25/2017 drjefferymartin.com nonsymbolic.org Kiran Trace 11/2/2013, 09/24/2015 kirantrace.com Kristin Kirk 2/16/2014, 5/24/2014* kristinkirk.com Laurie Moore 7/21/2012, 10/24/2013 counselingscottsvalley.us animiracles.com Mariana Caplan 2/3/2012, 1/6/2013, 10/25/2019* marianacaplan.com Rick Archer 6/5/2010, 3/16/2013, 5/11/2014, 10/23/2015, 10/24/2016, 10/21/2017, 12/19/2018*, 10/25/2019*, 10/27/2019 You're on it. Susanne Marie 7/7/2013, 10/24/2014*, 10/23/2016* susannemarie.org *In group discussion. Transcript of this discussion Recorded 10/22/2015 Part 1 of this discussion Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Silence and Self-Reflection 00:09:12 - The Sense of Expanded Living 00:16:29 - The Pitfalls of Spiritual Awakening 00:22:43 - The Value of Mainstream Context and Therapist Category 00:30:58 - The Beauty and Service of Pain 00:36:33 - The Blossoming of the Heart and Devotion 00:44:06 - The Importance of Growth and Honesty 00:50:19 - The Exploration of the Human Condition 00:55:50 - Surrender and Humility in the Awakening Process 01:03:34 - Opening to Multiple Worlds and Listening to God 01:09:38 - Channeling Angelic Guidance 01:15:58 - Accessing Universal Energy and True Nature 01:22:55 - Capturing the Fort and Exploring the Territory 01:28:38 - Different Dimensions and Spiritual Ego 01:32:55 - The Importance of Meaningful Conversations 01:39:00 - The Irrelevance of Truth and Reality 01:45:43 - Discussions on various spiritual phenomena and dangers of believing in them blindly 01:50:25 - Discriminating Subtle Beings  01:53:51 - The Variability of Awakening Experiences 01:56:40 - The Six Bhavas in Ayurveda 01:59:52 - The Healing Question and Awakening 02:02:59 - The Importance of Healing and Psychological Maturity after Awakening 02:06:33 - The Pressure of Awakening and Awakening Levels 02:10:22 - Surrendering through Pain, Healing and Awakening 02:13:54 - Awakening and Healing 02:17:12 - Awakening and Healing in the Journey 02:21:29 - Life as a Single Parent and the Shift in Functioning 02:26:33 - Living in a Beautiful Apartment 02:30:23 - Embracing the Human Experience 02:36:19 - Surrendering to the Unknown 02:41:50 - Updates on BatGap Save Save Save

While out in California for the Science and Nonduality Conference, I had some downtime before the conference started, so I decided to tape a long panel discussion with a rather large group of friends, most of them previous guests on Batgap. Sofia University in Palo Alto (where transpersonal psychology was founded by Abraham Maslow and others), generously provided a room and video equipment. I'm especially grateful to Dr. Jeffery Martin, who conducts research there, for offering and organizing this. It was an experiment, and some were skeptical that it would work, but it did! This is part 1. The link to Part 2 is below. Participants in the morning session included: Name Other Batgap Interview(s) Website(s) Chuck Hillig 7/21/2010 chuckhillig.com Clare Blanchflower clareblanchflower.com Craig Holliday 1/3/2015, 12/19/2018*, 10/25/2019* craigholliday.com Dana Sawyer 9/29/2010, 2/9/2014*, 3/19/2016 dana-sawyer.com David Buckland 9/25/2015, 10/27/2017* davidya.ca David Ellzey 1/16/2016 davidellzey.com Francis Bennett 8/4/2012, 4/21/2013* 10/26/2013*, 5/24/2014*, 10/23/2014*, 10/21/2016, 10/25/2016* Jeffery Martin 1/25/2017 drjefferymartin.com nonsymbolic.org Kiran Trace 11/2/2013, 09/24/2015 kirantrace.com Kristin Kirk 2/16/2014, 5/24/2014* kristinkirk.com Laurie Moore 7/21/2012, 10/24/2013 counselingscottsvalley.us animiracles.com Mariana Caplan 2/3/2012, 1/6/2013, 10/25/2019* marianacaplan.com Rick Archer 6/5/2010, 3/16/2013, 5/11/2014, 10/23/2015, 10/24/2016, 10/21/2017, 12/19/2018*, 10/25/2019*, 10/27/2019 You're on it. Susanne Marie 7/7/2013, 10/24/2014*, 10/23/2016* susannemarie.org *In group discussion. Part 2 of this discussion Transcript of this discussion Recorded 10/22/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Group Conversation 00:04:03 - Introducing the Panel 00:06:55 - What is Enlightenment or Awakening? 00:10:12 - Individual Experiences of Awarenesses 00:13:30 - Integration and Human Integration 00:17:55 - Direct experience and the recognition of pure emptiness 00:22:17 - The Sonar-ic Being and Enlightenment 00:25:34 - Embracing the Silence, Recognizing Mind Activity 00:29:44 - Embracing the Present Moment 00:33:29 - Awakening as an Ever-Evolving Process 00:36:37 - Becoming Sensing Beings  00:40:09 - The Uniqueness of Being 00:43:13 - The Value of Words and Identity 00:45:51 - Awakening from Awakening 00:48:30 - Awakening into Divinity Plus Humanity 00:51:42 - The Movement of Formlessness to Form 00:54:38 - Exploring the Layers of Identity 00:57:51 - Dissolution of Self and Unity Consciousness 01:01:17 - Oneness in Brokenness 01:04:04 - The Challenges of Teaching and Compassion 01:06:43 - Enlightenment and Torture 01:09:38 - The Journey of Growth and Enlightenment 01:12:52 - Finding Peace in the Chaos 01:15:57 - Surrendering to Love 01:19:01 - Practical Integration and Life Decisions 01:21:53 - The Changing Landscape of Awakening 01:24:58 - The Diversity of Experiences 01:29:51 - The Spacious Quality of Experience 01:34:18 - Exploring Emotion and Persistence 01:38:43 - The Dance of Love and Joy 01:43:12 - Musical Interlude Save Save

Karen's spiritual journey has been long and eventful, with many insights, realizations and awakenings. She has been blessed by the influence and support of wonderful teachers including Joel Goldsmith, Eckhart Tolle and Pamela Wilson. After many years and much investigation, Karen came home to the truth that freedom can only be found within. She now offers group and private sessions to assist others in returning to a state of wholeness and embodying the essence of true nature. Her down-to-earth approach helps bring spiritual reality from the conceptual to the experiential. Website Blog Facebook Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/11/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Childhood Experiences 00:05:08 - Moments of Clarity and Darkness 00:09:40 - The Dark Night of the Soul 00:13:53 - Naturalness of Higher Consciousness 00:18:27 - Neuroplasticity and Transformative Insights 00:23:09 - Divine Play and Distortion 00:28:19 - The Beginnings of Healing Journey 00:32:45 - Serving and Love in Spiritual Practice 00:37:11 - Distractions on the Spiritual Path 00:41:49 - The Breaking Open of the Heart 00:46:36 - The Experience of Grace 00:51:24 - The Clash Between the Transcendent and Daily Life 00:56:11 - A Moment of Deep Surrender 01:00:39 - Impulses of Intelligence in the Ocean of Intelligence 01:04:30 - Eckhart Tolle's Transformation 01:08:02 - Invitation to Teach from Eckhart 01:11:40 - Practical Inspiration 01:15:02 - Moving on from the Spiritual Path 01:18:49 - The Healing Process 01:22:29 - The Depth of Receptivity and the Analogy of the Reservoir 01:26:12 - Insights from Pamela and the Process of Integration 01:29:51 - Join me in Total Freedom 01:33:34 - Connecting with Isaac Shapiro at a conference 01:37:18 - Overcoming Suffering and Illness 01:40:40 - The End of Suffering and the Rise of Aliveness 01:44:10 - The Shift in Spiritual Activities and Boredom Arises 01:47:36 - Authentic and Appropriate Service 01:51:15 - The Emergence of Something New 01:54:52 - Plugging People Into Opportunities 01:58:34 - Reflections on Life and Gratitude 02:02:19 - Sign up for Email Notifications

David grew up on the SW coast of Canada. In the mid-'70s, he discovered the subject of consciousness, then Transcendental Meditation (TM). This was quite a revelation. He quickly became an avid seeker, attending many talks and courses. Nine months after starting TM, he arrived in NE France for a 6-month retreat where he would train to become a teacher of TM. After 3 months with lots of purification and clearing, he had sporadic witnessing experiences where awareness shifted briefly into an observer mode. Then in the second 3 months, the lights came on. With a blinding flash of white light (which he much later learned was makara), the witness became permanent, throughout waking, dreams and sleep. At first, he was over-attentive, keeping the mind awake to observe sleeping and manipulate dreams. But quickly that settled into a simple continuity of awareness underlying all experience. Soon after that, the first re-cognition happened, a form of experience where everything about the object is known. This enlivens that principle in consciousness, making it easier for still others to have the same. In this case, it was hiranya gharba or the golden egg - the seed and origin of the universe. It took months to unpack the experience. Perception continued to unfold from there. At the end of the course, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi confirmed the experiences and said there would be much more. David's life grew into career, marriage, and family. Inner development continued but took a back seat for a number of years to the usual demands of a householder’s life. This helped ground and integrate what was unfolding and culture the platform further. Then in 2005, life made several unexpected changes. The spiritual side of life again moved to the forefront. He reconnected with some old friends. A few it turned out had become Self-Realized. After some feedback and darshan with Lorne Hoff, Self at last woke up to Itself here as well. Probably because of the long witnessing, this was quickly followed by a series of profound shifts in Being. And that in turn by transcending Being into Brahman. The unfolding continues. Website Book: Our Natural Potential: Beyond Personal Development, The Stages of Enlightenment (Rick Archer wrote the Foreword.) Transcript of this interview Other BatGap shows with David: Panel at Sofia U. Part 1 | Part 2 Panel Discussion: “Sudden or Gradual: Two Paths to Realization?” David's 2nd BatGap interview. About a month after the interview, David gave a talk at the Science and Nonduality conference on the stages he describes in this interview. Interview recorded 9/25/2015. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:05:21 - Anxious Kid and the Witness 00:09:16 - Lucid Dreaming and Continuity of Awareness 00:13:44 - The Pre-awakening Stage and Energetic Mechanics 00:17:41 - Unpacking the Hiranya garbha experience 00:21:35 - Personalization of Divine Manifestations 00:25:03 - The Nature of Angels and Subtle Beings 00:28:45 - The Mind of God and Other Creations 00:33:18 - Unfolding of Past Lives and Life Context 00:36:24 - The Cycle Comes Around Again 00:41:42 - Blasting Bliss and Laughing Out Loud 00:46:13 - Expanded Consciousness and God Consciousness 00:50:25 - Amplifying the Silence, Devotion to God 00:55:32 - Shift in Consciousness and Dissolution of Self 01:01:05 - The Choice of Perception 01:06:15 - Consciousness Knowing Itself Fully 01:10:31 - Brahman and the Wholeness of Creation 01:14:44 - Unfolding of Non-Duality with Unity 01:19:37 - The Unfolding Process of Consciousness 01:23:22 - The Purpose of Creation and Self-Discovery 01:28:39 - Relationships and Life Chapters 01:34:59 - The Universe within the Body 01:41:20 - Understanding Brahman and the Variations in Enlightenment Experiences 01:45:46 - The Barrier of Concepts 01:49:36 - The Awakening of the Self and the Ego 01:52:48 - The Nature of the Absolute Body 01:57:24 - An Interesting Conversation About Spiritual Awakening 02:02:16 - Dancing with the Ego 02:07:06 - Writing and Engaging in Conversations 02:10:22 - The vastness of reality 02:14:10 - Batgap Theme Song and Goodbye Save Save

Canela Michelle Meyers offers very practical, supportive Satsang events and sessions for people to drop deeply into what is happening in each moment. There is a strong transmission of Self in Satsang with Canela, supporting people to ‘fall in’ with Self consciously. Canela calls this ‘falling in Love’ as all occurrences are rooted in Love – it is only a case of recognition of That (re-cognition). People are waking up to Self in these gatherings. She loves supporting people in finding how every happening is rooted in Love…what at first might look like tragedy or horrific, transforms itself with in-the-moment exploration. She calls this the Science of Love because it has been tried and tested, explored and tasted, over and over again with thousands of people. When people find this and experience the Truth of this for themselves, they find it easier to open up to whatever is happening in their lives. She offers this support in Transformational Satsang events for groups and for couples & individuals (in person, on skype, or phone) in sessions and has done so since 1999. She is the author of ‘Right Here, Right Now Meditations Vol. 1 – Satsang Invitations for Expanding Awareness’; has been a speaker at the Paradoxica Conference of Nondual Psychology for the last four years; is speaking at the Science and Nonduality Conference 2015 and travels internationally offering Transformational Satsang wherever she is invited.  (For what people have shared about their own experiences with Satang with Canela, click here.) Canela's website. Book: Right Here, Right Now Meditations: Satsang Invitations for Expanding Awareness (Volume 1) Her first BatGap interview Canela in BatGap panel discussion at Sofia University Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 9/24/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Spiritual Growth as a Continuum 00:04:39 - The Reality of Being a Human Being 00:08:35 - The Balance Between Masculine and Feminine Energies 00:12:43 - The Power of Conscious Choice Making 00:16:21 - The Importance of Relating and Listening to the Intuitive Voice 00:20:22 - Tuning into the Present Moment 00:24:03 - Embracing Contentment and Exploration 00:27:42 - Increasing Awareness of Global Issues 00:31:30 - Disturbance in the Body Energetically due to Climate Change 00:34:52 - Disturbance and the Call to Action 00:38:22 - Feeling the Energy in Society 00:41:45 - Opening to Love 00:45:24 - Letting it Pass Through 00:48:36 - The Power of Relaxing and Opening Up 00:52:12 - Personal Experiences and Finding Harmony 00:55:46 - Finding Love in the Upheaval 01:00:16 - The Harmlessness of Coherence 01:04:10 - The Power of Consciousness 01:08:00 - Allowing Sadness to Take Its Course 01:11:44 - Responding in the Moment 01:15:22 - Dealing with Someone Close to You Who Is Dramatic 01:18:58 - Embracing Feminine Expression 01:22:34 - The Fray and Entertainment of the Ego 01:26:12 - The Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet with Some Exceptions 01:29:53 - Experimenting with Different Diets 01:33:37 - Options for Participating in the Event 01:37:14 - The Potential Escapism of Future Predictions 01:40:44 - Feeling the Sensations 01:44:19 - Experiencing Oneself Through Toning 01:47:55 - Staying in Touch with Updates 01:51:28 - Being Your Own Martin Luther King Save

Kiran Trace is an internationally known spiritual teacher and author. She died of massive spontaneous awakening into her true nature, then eight years later, and at the encouragement of Moni Vangolen, Thomas Stubbs, Adyashanti, and others, she began to talk and teach. Because she spontaneously awoke, with no prior spiritual background, orientation or understanding, she is known for her unique point of view. Folks often call her teachings “fresh” because she doesn't have any spiritual language or linage she points to.  She sees primarily from vast stillness and embodies "the world" from an "inside-outside" point of view.  Seeing the coding of the universe in order to see the universe, it’s very “matrix” like. Visit more of her works and teachings at kirantrace.com, or visit her YouTube channel. Interview recorded 09/24/2015 Kiran's 1st Batgap interview. Kiran in Batgap Panel at Sofia U. Part 1 | Part 2 Transcript of this interview YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:03:51 - Unraveling Limiting Belief Systems 00:07:03 - Unraveling Toxic Conditioning for Freedom 00:10:28 - The Importance of Healing and Spiritual Awakening 00:14:16 - The Dissolution of the Identification Apparatus and the Inevitability of Awakening 00:17:29 - Becoming Available to Magic and Opportunities 00:20:29 - The Probability of Cultivating Enlightenment 00:23:51 - Glimpses of Stillness and Enlightenment 00:26:30 - The Difference between Lucid Dreaming and Non-Lucid Dreaming 00:29:32 - The Freedom to Choose Fear or Clarity 00:33:16 - Finding Clarity and Freedom in Stillness 00:36:09 - Cultivating Stillness in Different Lifestyles 00:38:59 - The Threshold of Stillness 00:41:43 - The Power of Transformation and Healing 00:44:29 - Disassociation and Trauma 00:47:18 - Triggers and Disassociation in Trauma Therapy 00:50:18 - Home in Vast Stillness 00:53:41 - Exploring Other Dimensions and True Nature 00:56:42 - The Healing Power of Light and Abuse Recovery 00:59:53 - The Paradox of Body Image Conditioning 01:03:14 - Uncovering the Buried Trauma 01:06:35 - Listening to the Body's Intelligence 01:09:47 - Healing Traumas in the Body 01:13:22 - Navigating Community and Collective Belief Systems 01:16:38 - The Power of Collective Energy 01:20:14 - Awakening to Clarity and Evolutionary Opportunities 01:22:46 - The Hell of Awakening 01:25:37 - Past Life Experiences and Kundalini Awakening 01:28:16 - The Movement of Kundalini Energy 01:31:11 - Closing Remarks and Website Information 01:32:46 - Musical Interlude Save

Loch Kelly, M.Div., LCSW is the author of, Shift into Freedom: The Science and Practice of Open-Hearted Awareness. He is an educator, licensed psychotherapist and recognized leader in the field of nondual meditation who was asked to teach Sutra Mahamudra by Mingyur Rinpoche and nondual meditation by Adyashanti. Loch has worked in community mental health, established homeless shelters and counseled family members of 9/11. He is the founder of the non-profit Open-Hearted Awareness Institute. Loch collaborates with neuroscientists at Yale, UPenn and NYU to study how awareness training can enhance compassion and well-being. For more information, visit lochkelly.org. Loch Kelly in panel discussion:: “Emptiness is also Form” Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 8/29/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Guest 00:05:38 - Awakening and the Unfolding Process 00:10:57 - The Metaphor of the Reflecting Mirror 00:15:04 - Shifting into Pure Awareness 00:18:56 - The Continual Unfolding of Awakening 00:22:24 - The Dance of Awareness and the Multidimensionality of Reality 00:26:37 - Dancing between Relative and Ultimate Reality 00:30:55 - Exploring Different Spiritual Traditions 00:34:45 - Popcorn Satsang and Mutuality with Awakening 00:39:02 - Living Your Life without Manipulation 00:42:50 - The Flow State and Awakening 00:46:13 - Shifting out of the Ego Identity 00:49:57 - The Mini-me and the Developmental Stage 00:53:40 - Letting go of the ego 00:57:03 - Exploring Presence in the Midst of Problems 01:01:24 - Finding Well-being in Presence 01:04:41 - Dipping into the Vast Reservoir of Bliss 01:08:33 - Tuning in while driving a taxi cab 01:11:48 - Moving from Attention to Awareness 01:15:26 - Shifting Awareness: Seeing, Thinking, Hearing 01:19:39 - Awakening to Pure Awareness 01:24:20 - Healing Trauma Through Awareness and Presence 01:28:15 - Awakening and Emotional Maturity 01:32:49 - Misbehavior and the Reputation of Spiritual Awakening 01:36:35 - Exploring Different Perspectives and Inner Dialogue 01:40:12 - The Importance of Interpersonal Relationships 01:43:53 - Developing Compassion and Holistic Growth 01:47:58 - The Wholeness of Life and Personal Growth 01:51:07 - Accessing the Potential Within Us 01:55:43 - Awakening and its Potential in Education 01:59:56 - Interview with an "Ordinary Spiritual Awakening Person" Save Save

Since the Center for Sacred Sciences was founded in 1987, Joel Morwood has served as the spiritual director and primary teacher for its community of practitioners. Joel's first book, Naked Through the Gate: A Spiritual Autobiography, tells the story of his own spiritual path, culminating in Gnosis, or Awakening, in 1983. Here is some of what Joel has to say about himself and his role: Some people who have come to me have been disappointed to discover that I have no supernatural powers to transmit, no magic wand to wave, no extraordinary knowledge to dispense which can make them instantly wise, loving, and happy. "Who, then, are you?" they ask. "What's your secret?" My secret can be summed up in one word: Selflessness. Selflessness is the Truth. Selflessness is the Way. Selflessness is the Fruit. In reality, there is no 'you' nor 'I' nor any 'self' whatsoever. There is only Consciousness Itself—the One True God—which is what we are. All that is necessary is to Realize This, because to Realize This is Wisdom, to Live This is Love, to Be This is Happiness. So, if you really want to know my secret, look to your 'self'. In finding the source of your 'self', you will find Consciousness Itself, and nothing else. Then, you, too, will be free of your self and all its sufferings. Joel has no special religious attire. In fact, he often wears old blue jeans, sweatshirts, and a Mexican poncho. He is married, enjoys movies, drinks wine, and interacts with others much like any other guy. Joel speaks from his own Realization or Gnosis. Although he makes use of stories, texts, and practices taken from many different traditions, his interpretations are always spontaneous, direct, and personal. He continually points beyond mere intellectual understanding to a Truth that is beyond both thought and experience. Moreover, he constantly links the teachings of the mystics with concrete examples drawn from daily life so that one can see how they actually relate to one's own experiences. In all this Joel displays an intuition, sensitivity, and humor which could never have come from book-learning alone. Moreover, because Joel has no pretensions about being someone special, he is approachable not only as a teacher but also as a friend. He is a wonderful listener who knows how to pierce right to the heart of a problem. Joel is a teacher who always challenges his students to investigate the mystics and their teachings for themselves. Far from demanding blind obedience, or even verbal agreement, he encourages them to explore various teachers, to compare what he says with the teachings found in the great mystical traditions, to test all these teachings against our one's experience, and to test one's own experience against the hard realities of life. In his view, a true spiritual path never leads one away from reality but, on the contrary, forces one to face it squarely, no matter how ugly or painful it may appear. It is only by getting to the bottom of suffering that we can be free of suffering. Finally, Joel receives no financial remuneration from the Center. His teachings are given as a labor of love freely to all—although occasionally he has asked for personal donations to cover special needs, like the time he needed a suit for his marriage. Other books: The Way of Selflessness: A Practical Guide to Enlightenment Based on the Teachings of the World's Great Mystics Through Death's Gate: A Guide to Selfless Dying Talk by Tom McFarlane referred to during the interview: Einstein, Buddha, Reality: The Nondual Roots of Science Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 8/22/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:23 - A Shift Toward Mysticism 00:13:05 - Awakening in a Cinder Block Motel 00:14:35 - Zen Flesh Zen Bones and the Awakening 00:19:17 - The distinction between absolute and relative truth 00:24:24 - The Difference Between Manifest and Unmanifest Bliss 00:29:43 - The Nature of Consciousness 00:35:05 - A Shift in Consciousness and the Unimportance of Enlightenment 00:39:49 - The Wisdom of Afflicted Emotions 00:45:07 - The Dance of Shiva and the Longing to be Known 00:50:04 - Irreverence in Zen teachings 00:54:51 - The Shark Spirit Helper and Eskimo Culture 01:00:26 - The Play of Distinction 01:05:30 - Appreciating the Manifestations of Buddha Nature 01:10:23 - Quantum Mechanics and Mysticism 01:14:59 - The Evolution of Our Understanding of Gravity 01:19:49 - Scientific Understanding and the Evolution of the Universe 01:24:26 - The Relativism of Truth and Paradigms 01:29:32 - The Danger of Cultural Superiority 01:34:17 - The Mystics' Perspective on Reality 01:37:57 - Seeing Beyond the Illusion 01:41:36 - Marvelous Conversations about Christianity 01:45:07 - The Universe Trying to Wake You Up 01:48:28 - God's Delight in Creation 01:51:40 - The Creativity of Artists and Musicians 01:55:00 - Deepening the Insight into the Emptiness of Phenomena 01:59:05 - The Paradox of Indifference and Devotion 02:03:05 - Falling in Love with God 02:06:52 - Increasing the Chance of Enlightenment 02:09:51 - The Journey of Awakening 02:12:38 - Accessing Interviews on Batgap.com

Gary Renard is the author of The Disappearance of the Universe trilogy of books. He speaks regularly all over the world, teaching the principles of A Course in Miracles, which is the fundamental focus of his books. In 1992, he began to be visited in person by two people in the flesh who identified themselves as Arten and Pursah, two Ascended Masters. They are the main teachers in the books and Gary is the student. The critically acclaimed books are now in 22 languages. Books: The Disappearance of the Universe: Straight Talk about Illusions, Past Lives, Religion, Sex, Politics, and the Miracles of Forgiveness Your Immortal Reality: How to Break the Cycle of Birth and Death Love Has Forgotten No One: The Answer to Life Fearless Love - The Answer to the Problem of Human Existence Secrets of the Immortal - Advanced Teachings from "A Course in Miracles" The End of Reincarnation - Breaking the Cycle of Birth and Death Website: garyrenard.com Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 8/15/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Gary Renard 00:04:28 - The Power of Positive Thinking 00:08:43 - Living in Southern California, with an unpredictable future 00:12:26 - Awakening from the Dream 00:16:30 - The Oneness of Reality 00:20:53 - Seeing Innocence Everywhere 00:24:50 - The Truth Buried in the Mind 00:29:04 - The Experience of Being Separate and Being a Body 00:33:26 - The Holy Instant and Thinking with the Holy Spirit 00:37:16 - The Ripple Effect of Forgiveness 00:41:19 - The Forgiveness of Illusion 00:45:02 - David Shapiro's daily state of the industry update 00:48:59 - The Power of the Mind to Heal the Body 00:53:03 - Shifting Identity and Experiencing Spirituality 00:56:58 - The Practicality of Forgiveness and Awakening in God 01:00:58 - The Illusion of Separation and Awakening to Oneness 01:05:15 - Following Personal Experience and the Complexity of the Universe 01:09:32 - Making it Real vs Forgiving the Unreal 01:13:44 - Choosing Love over Ego in the Dream 01:17:27 - Ending the Cycle of Rebirth 01:21:27 - Lucid Dreaming and Awakening through Forgiveness 01:25:36 - Reincarnation and past lives 01:29:02 - Visions in the "Inbetween Zone" 01:33:06 - The Importance of Experience and Trust in A Course in Miracles 01:37:19 - Reconciling the Dream and Brothers in Christ 01:41:10 - Perceiving Forgiveness 01:45:12 - The State of Perfect Oneness 01:49:01 - The Holy Spirit's Forms and Examples 01:52:54 - The Struggle of Living According to The Course in Miracles 01:57:11 - The Power of Forgiveness 02:01:06 - Meeting People and Thanking Rick