Buddha at the Gas Pump

Jim Dreaver, originally from New Zealand, began his search for freedom in the mid-Seventies with the teachings of yoga, Zen, and J. Krishnamurti, and then met European Advaita Vedanta (the nondual or direct path) master Jean Klein in 1984, who guided him to seeing the truth in 1995. His mission now is to guide others to the realization that awakening is centered in the heart, and is ever and only here, now. He has taught at Esalen Institute and elsewhere. Books: End Your Story, Begin Your Life: Wake Up, Let Go, Live Free The Way of Harmony:: Walking The Inner Path To Balance, Happiness, And Success Falling Into Light Website: jimdreaver.com Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 2/28/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Buddha at the Gas Pump Introduction and Awakening Experience 00:03:28 - The Awakening Experience 00:06:10 - Dissolving the Fiction of "I" 00:09:01 - Residues and Awakening Experiences 00:12:22 - Healing the Wounds of the Past 00:15:27 - Awakening through Seeing the Truth 00:18:34 - Relationships and Self-Discovery 00:21:52 - The Conceptual Nature of Enlightenment 00:24:26 - The "I" Sense and Identification 00:27:42 - Nisargadatta on Fear and the Strokes Experience 00:30:29 - Facing the Fear of Death 00:33:02 - The Power of Intention and Healing 00:35:46 - The Importance of Realizing You're Not Your Story 00:38:53 - The Illusion of the Storyteller 00:42:33 - Cultivating the Ground of Silence with Veterans 00:45:31 - Cultivating Presence for Awakening 00:48:53 - Awakening and World Transformation 00:51:53 - Awakening in a Shorter Timeframe 00:55:11 - Finding True Freedom through Self-Exploration 00:58:40 - The Epiphany of Observing the Self 01:02:05 - The Universal Awareness of Consciousness 01:04:48 - Reincarnation as a Personal Experience 01:08:30 - Multidimensional Possibilities 01:11:30 - "Notice the Story" 01:14:45 - A Second Wave of Heart-Centered Nondual Spirituality 01:17:39 - Serving as a Conduit for World Consciousness 01:20:50 - The Power of Visualization and Intention 01:23:01 - Entertaining at a Deeper Level 01:26:10 - The Writer's Journey 01:28:44 - Wrapping up the interview 01:30:55 - End of Interview

Craig Pearson is Executive Vice-President of Maharishi International University (MIU) in Fairfield, Iowa, and a leader in Consciousness-Based education. He has spoken around the United States on this unique approach to education as well as on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's programs to create world peace. He has held a number of positions at MIU, including Dean of Faculty, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dean of Students, Director of Freshman Composition, and Director of MIU Press. Dr. Pearson holds a Ph.D. in Maharishi Vedic Science from MIU. He is the author of two books, The Supreme Awakening: Experiences of Enlightenment Throughout Time - And How You Can Cultivate Them, available through MIU Press (free chapter available for download) or Amazon. and The Complete Book of Yogic Flying. He is also the co-author, with Brad Moses, of Peace on Earth, a collection of songs about enlightenment and world peace (available on iTunes). For video versions of these songs, see their YouTube channel. He lives on the MIU campus with his wife Melissa and son Soren. Transcript of this interview Interview conducted January 31, 2015. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:23 - Panning for Gold in Unlikely Sources 00:07:42 - Seven States of Consciousness and Higher Spiritual Development 00:12:01 - Description of the Indescribable 00:16:47 - Profound Transformation and Universal Experience 00:22:38 - Wordsworth's Experience at Tintern Abbey 00:26:42 - Rest and Deep Rest 00:30:20 - The Universal Experience 00:33:59 - The Transformative Effects of Meditation 00:38:01 - The Link Between Coherence and Intelligence 00:42:50 - The Benefits of Brain Integration 00:50:14 - Transforming Consciousness for Harmony with the Planet 01:01:36 - Settling the Waves of the Mind 01:13:01 - Cultivation of Mind and Brain 01:26:05 - The Condition in Which I Function 01:38:45 - A Veil Lifted: A Vision of Glory and Universal Love 01:49:10 - Universal Love and Amma's Hugs 01:53:40 - Experiencing the Underlying Silence 01:57:21 - The Experience of Oneness 02:01:14 - Glimpsing the Higher States of Consciousness 02:04:45 - The Importance of Looking Within 02:09:01 - Researching Cosmic Consciousness through Brain Measures 02:12:39 - Understanding the Neurophysiology of Transcending 02:15:48 - Different Techniques and Brain Functioning 02:18:37 - Universality of Meditation Techniques 02:22:01 - Broadening the Possibilities 02:26:14 - The Special Atmosphere of Iowa City 02:29:26 - The Realities of Personal Growth 02:32:48 - Finding the Self Within 02:36:41 - Cultivating Transcendence 02:40:19 - Craig's Page on BatGap

Stephan Bodian is a teacher in the nondual wisdom tradition of Zen, Dzogchen, and Advaita Vedanta and the founder and director of the annual School for Awakening, an intensive six-month program of exploration and study. His offerings are noted for their humor, warmth, spontaneity, and intimacy and combine direct pointers, lively dialogues, silent sitting, and guided self-inquiry. He’s the author of several books, including Wake Up Now: A Guide to the Journey of Spiritual Awakening and Beyond Mindfulness: The Direct Approach to Lasting Peace, Happiness, and Love. Stephan spent a decade practicing Zen intensively as a monk but left the monastery because he sensed that the rigorous practice of meditation was obscuring the truth he was seeking. After studying Dzogchen for several years, he met his guru, Jean Klein, a European teacher of Advaita Vedanta, who told him to stop meditating and instead discover the meditator. Shortly after meeting Jean, he had a profound awakening to his true identity as timeless presence. After Jean’s death, Stephan met Adyashanti, and in 2001 Adya gave him Dharma transmission and invited him to teach. Trained as a psychotherapist, Stephan also offers individual spiritual counseling and mentoring sessions to people throughout the world. His approach blends direct, experiential, nondual wisdom with the insights of Western psychology to support students in realizing who they really are while inquiring into the stories and patterns of thinking and behaving that continue to cause suffering. Website: stephanbodian.org Other books: Meditation For Dummies, w/Audio CD (Also available in various languages.) Timeless Visions, Healing Voices: Conversations With Men & Women of the Spirit Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 1/24/2015 Second BatGap interview with Stehpan. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Stephen Bodian 00:03:31 - Embracing everything and the paradoxes of truth 00:07:36 - The Backward Step 00:10:46 - Cultivating Mindfulness and Discovering Innate Qualities 00:14:15 - The beauty of presence and mindfulness 00:17:47 - Discovering Rest as Awareness 00:21:43 - The Effects of Spiritual Practice on the Brain 00:25:09 - Finding our Way through Intense Experiences 00:28:27 - Embracing the Ego and Bringing Compassion 00:31:50 - The Importance of Mental Health Awareness 00:35:05 - The Mind and Stillness 00:38:26 - Finding Order in Chaos 00:41:01 - Spacious awareness versus detached observing 00:43:47 - The Misunderstanding of Witnessing 00:46:29 - Turiya: The Natural State 00:49:01 - Witnessing and Emotions 00:51:41 - The Pitfall of Suppressed Emotions in Mindfulness 00:54:22 - Psychotherapy and Awakening 00:57:09 - The Power of Resting as Awareness 00:59:41 - Evolution of Spirituality 01:02:27 - Moving Towards Perfection 01:04:53 - Learning from Life 01:07:28 - Emotions and Enlightenment 01:10:06 - Drawn into the Silence 01:12:54 - The Razor's Edge 01:15:54 - The Integration of Form and Emptiness 01:18:41 - Awakening and Influence 01:21:25 - The Misunderstanding of Awakening 01:24:07 - The Pitfalls of Intellectual Understanding in Non-duality 01:26:50 - The Mystery of Love 01:29:25 - Supporting the Channel with Donations

Kenneth Folk, a personal meditation trainer renowned for his secular approach to meditation, dives into the many facets of awakening and enlightenment. He challenges conventional notions of nirvana, emphasizing a personal journey over a fixed state. Their discussion touches on the duality of emptiness and awareness, urging listeners to explore various states of consciousness. Folk also differentiates between mindfulness and concentration, making a case for the practical benefits of meditation in modern life, and how mindfulness could transform societal well-being.

Ram Das Batchelder passed away in 2023. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1961, had a spiritual awakening in his early twenties, and spent most of 25 years in India as a devotee of Amma, the “hugging saint.” He wrote four children’s books, which have been translated into several European languages, and also a novel in rhyming verse, three full-length plays, and 40 original songs. In 2012, he and his wife, Tarini Ma, wrote and co-taught a university course in Venezuela on Hinduism. He gave numerous talks and workshops about various aspects of spirituality in many locations around the world. “Rising in Love: My Wild and Crazy Ride to Here and Now, with Amma, the Hugging Saint" tells the story of Ram Das Batchelder’s powerful marijuana-fuelled spiritual awakening in America (which included meeting an angel), his two-year struggle with delusion and addiction, his subsequent renunciation of drugs, and his eventual discovery of Amma (the living Guru known in the West as “the Hugging Saint”). The narrative then covers the 27 amazing years he spent in quest of Enlightenment as Amma’s devotee, most of that time in India. It is a story of profound healing from drug addiction and despair into a joyfully fulfilled life, and is, therefore, a ray of hope for all who suffer from addiction or mental illness of one kind or another. The book is a suspenseful psychological thriller, “a real page-turner” (as more than one reviewer has said), yet there is so much humor in the narrative that it reads like a comedic novel. It describes his struggles with dysentery and sexual desire during his first several years at Amma’s ashram and also includes descriptions of numerous miracles he witnessed, a vision of Krishna, and the steady progression of his meditation, which has culminated in states of samadhi. It also discusses how the author left Amma’s ashram for a six-year period, visited numerous other Gurus, and then returned, with a fiancée, and was married by Amma in 2001. One chapter is dedicated to the difficulties he and his wife faced in their marriage, and the beautiful healing Amma gave them as a couple. There is also a section about the Asian Tsunami, which occurred when they were in Amma’s ashram; hundreds were killed in the surrounding area. “Rising in Love” will appeal to anyone interested in spirituality, Enlightenment, Hinduism, Saints or Gurus, as well as psychology, psychotherapy, angels or Jesus. Website: rising-inlove.org Other books: You Are The King- A Parable For Amma's Children Sathyaram Discovers the Mother of All Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 1/17/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Ram Dass and Amma 00:04:17 - The Divine Hug 00:07:32 - The Divine Hug and Humanitarian Work 00:10:54 - A Divine Presence in Disguise 00:14:09 - Amma: The Embodiment of Divine Mother 00:17:30 - The Divine Mother Incarnate 00:20:44 - Comparing Amma with Lord Krishna 00:23:50 - Cultivating Personalities 00:26:58 - Bliss and Peace in the Ashram 00:30:19 - The Evolution of Meditation Journey 00:33:49 - Opening up into pure being 00:37:06 - The Dissolution of the Ego 00:40:14 - The Profound Experience of Sitting with a Saint 00:43:29 - A Global Celebrity and a Source of Charity 00:46:49 - Reaching out to Alleviate Suffering 00:49:48 - Serving the Suffering with Compassion 00:52:55 - Amma's Selfless Service 00:56:05 - Amma's Omniscience 00:59:36 - Epiphanies and Divine Encounters 01:06:24 - The Beginning of the Spiritual Path 01:09:44 - The Revelation of Alma's Identity as God 01:12:57 - Struggles with Relationships and Celibacy 01:16:05 - Reflections on Past Wrong Actions 01:19:15 - Celibacy and Determination 01:22:21 - Transition back to a normal married life 01:25:34 - Overcoming Difficulties in Marriage 01:28:52 - Amma's Divine Intervention 01:32:08 - Return to Amma and Charity Donation 01:35:17 - Organizing Tours and Contact Information 01:38:41 - Farewell and Thank You

Sandy Jones is the Literary Executor to the William Samuel legacy.  In 1996, she was given his entire catalog of works and today is the spokesperson for William Samuel’s message- publishing and promoting the entire William Samuel catalog. In addition to being the registered agent for the works of William Samuel,  she is the owner and mentor of the Woodsong Center for Self-Discovery located in Ojai, California.  The Center hosts gatherings for readings and group discussions based on William’s message.  Sandy is also the proprietor of Celestial Song Mystical Emporium a popular gift shop and gallery located in Ojai, CA. You can find more of her art and writings on her website woodsongjournals.com. Book: Barefoot at Heart: The Alchemy of Love and the Power of Light Email Sandy at: samuelandfriends@gmail.com William Samuel - September 2, 1924-May 22, 1996 William Samuel was a prolific writer and teacher.  William Samuel was known as the “teacher’s teacher” perhaps because so many teachers came to study with him. There was an inordinate number of philosophers, theologians, and members of the academe. In the later years there came physicists and mathematicians. It seemed to William that he would get the most earnest and dedicated students of Truth. Quite a number of Taoists and Buddhists had found William’s message and came to study–even some who were called Masters. Many have gone from his study to become authors, writers and teachers. In some marvelous way his story has been found by the metaphysical and scientific elite of all the word–at least by a few. He said “When it is told perfectly, my whole world will hear.” Although, Mr. Samuel did not embrace the idea of being called a teacher, saying “I’ve been telling my own story–how it happened and what it has allowed me to understand–for over 30 years. That is not the same as being a teacher.” He was a genuine sage and mystic.  He brought the message of non-duality, or as he called it the Subjective View in a simple heartfelt words that everyone interested in their Self-discovery can understand and profit from.   A humble man who discovered true peace and tranquility that remains steady and true even during the changes and turmoil encountered in life.  Never seeking to be well known or venerated himself, he has been widely recognized by many as a genuine true Master.    William’s message is that he did not embrace the idea of being called a teacher, saying “I’ve been telling my own story–how it happened and what it has allowed me to understand–for over 30 years. That is not the same as being a teacher.” William Samuel was one of the first Americans to sit with Ramana Maharshi 
The story of his visit goes something like this: At 18 years old he graduated from Clemson and was immediately made captain of infantry and sent off to battle in China, during W.W.II While in China, William’s troops were doing battle along with the British and Indians near the Burmese border. It was during that time when William apparently was given some much needed R&R. He took advantage of that time and went to see Ramana Maharshi in Tiruvannamalai, South India. William, at that time, was only 21 years old. This two-week visit took place in April of 1944. It is believed that William was among the first American students to visit Sri Ramana. Up until then, the visitors were mostly Indian and British. Soon after William's visit, many more westerners began coming to see Sri Ramana. William was indeed a master teacher who had found a way to communicate honestly and clearly his insights on the Absolute and the premises of the metaphysical, subjective view now often called non-duality. Books: A Guide to Awareness and Tranquility The Awareness of Self-Discovery The Child Within Us Lives 2+2=Reality Website: williamsamuel.com Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 1/10/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Sandy Jones and William Samuel 00:04:37 - The Silent Teacher's Identity 00:08:54 - The Mystical Answer Revealed 00:13:04 - The Roots of Bill's Beliefs and Military School Experiences 00:17:29 - Discovering Inner Grace and Peace 00:21:45 - Mr. Shea, the Tao of living, and the flower in the snow 00:25:48 - A Sweet Triangle of Love 00:29:41 - The Abundance of Intelligence and the Existence of God 00:33:53 - The Dark Night of the Soul Experience 00:38:02 - The Difficulty of Teaching Truth 00:41:34 - God's Perfection and Our Role in the Universe 00:46:16 - Trusting Your Own Heartfelt Listening 00:50:09 - The Last Book of David Shapiro 00:53:34 - Establishing Equanimity in Action 00:58:03 - The Understanding of Ego and True Identity 01:02:30 - The Two Birds on the Tree 01:06:11 - The Joy of Being Fully Yourself 01:10:04 - Discovering the Wholeness Within 01:13:51 - Embracing the Journey of Life 01:17:46 - The Journey of Growing Up 01:22:14 - The Beauty of the Illusion 01:25:58 - Appreciating the Beauty of Existence 01:28:26 - Love and Joy in Relationships 01:30:52 - Remembering a Loved One 01:32:59 - Being Born Again and the Transformation 01:35:03 - The Receptive Heart and Divine Inversion 01:36:57 - Inner Treasure and Self-Trust 01:39:50 - Embracing Paradox and Ambiguity 01:43:31 - William Samuel's Writing Style 01:45:43 - Archiving and Publishing Unpublished Writings

Craig Holliday is both a Nondual teacher and Licensed Professional Counselor, offering Nondual Therapy and Meditation workshops, retreats and Satsang. His work is dedicated to the discovery of our innate Divinity through embracing our Humanity. He works in a way that addresses our everyday suffering as a doorway to our inherent freedom. He meets with individuals in Durango, Colorado and from around the world on Skype. At just 19, Craig began apprenticing under his teacher David in Southwest Colorado. David, a little-known meditation master, (who lives a private meditative life) guided Craig for 20 years, in the lineage of Sri Aurobindo. This relationship deeply shaped Craig’s life and teachings. During the last 10 years Craig also studied with Adyashanti who guided him through 4 profound awakenings (head, heart, Hara and Kundalini). Upon request from others, Craig began sharing these nondual teachings in Satsang. Over the years, Craig has received ongoing support with teaching and his personal life from David, Adyashanti, Lama Tsultrim and others. Despite profoundly awakening to the truth of his own being, Craig also understands the evolutionary nature of our souls and values the work of continually examining our humanity (both individually and with teachers), while surrendering to our Divinity in greater and greater ways. He shares this same invitation to others. Website: craigholliday.com Book: Fully Human Fully Divine, Awakening to our Innate Beauty through Embracing our Humanity Other BatGap episodes involving Craig: Craig Holliday in Panel at Sofia U. Part 1 | Part 2 Panel discussions on ethics and spiritual teaching SAND Panel Discussion on Sexual Misconduct, Money, Power, Trauma & Ethics in Spiritual Communities Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 1/3/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:38 - Meeting the Teacher and Spiritual Experiences 00:08:45 - Meeting David Shapiro and his Teaching Journey 00:12:51 - Opening to Your Direct Experience of God 00:16:55 - The Guru-Apprentice Relationship 00:21:27 - Beyond Ego and Desires 00:25:53 - The Transcendent Awakening and Illusion 00:30:19 - The Embodiment Process and Overcoming Egoic Nature 00:35:21 - The Importance of Spiritual Practice and Surrender 00:40:13 - Being Present to What's Here Right Now 00:45:05 - Willingness to Feel Pain 00:49:36 - Opening Fully to Pain 00:54:16 - The Power of Pain and Bliss 00:59:06 - Trusting in Your Nature 01:03:39 - Experiencing Spaciousness in Everyday Life 01:07:58 - Falling in Love and Divine Orchestration 01:12:14 - God's Purpose in Terrible Things 01:16:49 - The Unfolding of Reality 01:21:17 - The Awakening and Impersonal Experience 01:26:58 - The Paradox of Pain and Bliss 01:31:54 - The Implosion of Personality into Divinity and the End of Seeking 01:37:05 - The Dynamic Aspect of God's Evolution 01:41:40 - The Individuality and Awakening 01:45:58 - Kundalini Awakening and Intense Experiences 01:50:50 - Resting in the Quiet Silence 01:55:46 - Kundalini Experiences and Practices to Avoid 02:00:38 - Embracing the Egoic Nature and the Collective Egoic Nature 02:05:42 - The Journey of Surrender to Divinity 02:10:31 - Different Awakenings and Personal Maturity 02:15:12 - Hope and Inspiration in Listening from the Heart 02:19:07 - Sign up for exclusive content Save Save

Mary O’Malley is an author, counselor, and awakening mentor in Kirkland, Washington. In the early 1970s, a powerful awakening set Mary on the path to changing her whole relationship with the challenges of her life, freeing herself from a lifelong struggle with darkness. Since that time, Mary has taught extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Denmark. She is an inspirational speaker who leads retreats that transform people’s lives, including week-long retreats in beautiful places like Costa Rica and Hawaii. She also provides individual counseling and offers ongoing groups where people can come together to experience the miracle of Awakening. Mary’s new book, What’s In The Way IS the Way, is endorsed by Dr. Christiane Northrup, Jack Kornfield, Neale Donald Walsch, and Stephen Levine. Information about the book and Mary’s offerings can be found on her websites, maryomalley.com and whatsinthewayistheway.com. Book and CDs: What's in the Way Is the Way: A Practical Guide for Waking Up to Life The Gift of Our Compulsions: A Revolutionary Approach to Self-Acceptance and Healing Belonging to Life: The Journey of Awakening 6 CD Set: Being Healed By Our Compulsions: A Workshop in Washington, DC Transcript of this interview Interview conducted 12/27/2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Mary O'Malley 00:02:52 - The Assumptions of Fulfillment and Intelligence 00:05:07 - Immersed in an Ocean of Intelligence 00:07:37 - The Mechanics of Progressive Identification 00:09:44 - The Illusion of Thought and the Struggle of the Separate Self 00:12:27 - Awakening from the Dream of Separation 00:16:07 - The Unbalanced Conditioned Self 00:19:15 - Opening Around Discomfort 00:24:16 - The Tenacity of Impressions 00:28:03 - Finding Joy in Being 00:30:48 - Awaken to Curiosity, Compassion, and Openness to Life 00:33:40 - Opening up to Life 00:36:06 - The Journey to Awakening 00:39:09 - Awakening and the Power of Breath 00:42:15 - The Awakening Process 00:44:39 - A Journey of Pain and Healing 00:47:13 - The Power of Attention 00:49:28 - The Wisdom of the Heart 00:51:47 - Capacity for Oceanic Openness and Awakening 00:54:19 - Strengthening the Muscle of Attention 00:59:06 - Finding the Balance between Individual Will and Cosmic Intelligence 01:02:18 - The Gradual Surrender to Life's Flow 01:06:15 - Life's Purpose and Overcoming Trauma 01:09:46 - A Challenging Situation 01:12:06 - The Magic of the "You Turn" 01:14:50 - The Absolute View and Awakening 01:18:21 - The Yin and Yang Symbol Revealed 01:20:35 - The Cloud Bank of Fear 01:23:17 - The Connection Between Spirituality and the Environment 01:25:21 - Awakening to Healing 01:27:01 - Farewell and Thank You

Marie Manuchehri, RN, is a nationally known energy intuitive and Reiki Master who first discovered her gifts for energetic healing while working as a registered oncology nurse. In addition to her private practice in Seattle, Washington, which includes thousands of clients from across the world, she leads popular workshops and hosts “The Marie Manucherhri Show – Where Energy and Medicine Meet.” Marie is an author, public speaker, and teacher. Website: energyintuitive.com Books: Intuitive Self-Healing (book) Attuning to the Unseen World (Self-Guided Video Course) How to Communicate with Your Spirit Guides Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 12/20/2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Marie Manuchehri and the topic of spirit guides 00:04:21 - Unusual Experiences While Working as a Nurse 00:07:29 - Repressed Anger in the Liver 00:10:36 - Opening to Multisensory Experiences 00:14:09 - Following the Voices 00:17:29 - The Thinning Veil between Realities 00:20:56 - Guardian Angels vs Spirit Guides 00:24:16 - Gaining Insights into Energy Medicine 00:27:34 - Spirit Guides and Deep Mother Wounds 00:30:38 - A Funny Story About Rick's Mother at a Lecture 00:34:02 - Orchestration and Guidance from Spirit Guides 00:37:29 - Communication with Spirit Guides 00:40:45 - The Role of Spirit Guides in Reincarnation 00:44:06 - The Importance of Neutrality and Connecting to Guidance 00:47:33 - The Intelligence of the Universe and Spirit Guides 00:51:15 - Sensing Subtle Energies 00:54:36 - Connecting Vibrationally with Departed Loved Ones 00:58:00 - The Connection Between Emotions and the Second Chakra 01:01:05 - Kundalini and Freedom 01:04:42 - The Impact of Spiritual Growth on Relationships 01:08:10 - Lessons in Empowerment and Reincarnation Dynamics 01:11:39 - The Dark Place of the Earth Realm 01:15:16 - The Sacredness of Souls and Choices 01:19:16 - Individualization and Oneness 01:23:12 - The Enlightenment Plane and Spirit Guides 01:26:55 - Life Thriving on Different Levels 01:30:55 - Shifting Consciousness and the Changing World 01:34:59 - Loving and guiding the misled 01:38:42 - Intervening in Situations 01:42:12 - Embracing Our Magnificence 01:46:14 - Next Week's Guest: Mary O'Malley

Dale Borglum founded and directed the Hanuman Foundation Dying Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the first residential facility in the United States to support conscious dying. He has been the Executive Director of the Living/Dying Project in Santa Fe and since 1986 in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the co-author with Ram Dass, Daniel Goleman, and Dwarka Bonner of Journey of Awakening: A Meditator's Guidebook and has taught meditation since 1974. Dale lectures and gives workshops on the topics of meditation, healing, spiritual support for those with a life-threatening illness, and caregiving as a spiritual practice. He has a doctorate degree from Stanford University. Website YouTube Channel Transcript of this interview Interview conducted 12/13/2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Dale Borglum: Death as an Opportunity for Awakening 00:04:14 - The Beauty of Americans on the Verge of Death 00:08:43 - Letting go into love and the culture of accumulation 00:12:58 - Letting Go and Resting in the Embrace with the Beloved 00:16:46 - The Fear of Death and Approaching Dying 00:21:02 - Fear of Death and Spiritual Practice 00:24:52 - The Experience of Pain 00:29:13 - Intense Pain after Hip Replacement Surgery 00:32:41 - Exploring the Nature of Pain 00:36:27 - The Power of Compassion 00:40:13 - Awakening Experiences and the Search for Fulfillment 00:44:45 - Developing Compassion through Difficulties 00:48:53 - The Foundation for an Open Heart 00:52:44 - The Holistic Definition of Enlightenment 00:56:42 - Building a foundation for compassion 01:01:11 - Groundedness in Nature and Everyday Life 01:05:19 - Understanding Groundedness 01:09:33 - The Clouds of Fear and Death 01:13:32 - Intimacy with Death and Life 01:17:36 - Embracing the Neurotic Self 01:21:17 - The Daily Routine of Spiritual Practitioners 01:25:27 - Being Present with Dying People 01:29:01 - The Transformation in Dying and Enlightenment 01:33:15 - Spiritual Awakening During the Dying Process 01:37:08 - Life Between Lives and Near-Death Experiences 01:41:21 - Ram Dass and Neem Karoli Baba Maharaj 01:45:33 - The Importance of Selfless Service and Seva 01:49:29 - Surrender and Faith in Maharajji 01:53:35 - Fundamental Assumptions and the Divine 01:57:42 - Online Streaming of Meditation Groups and Training to be with the Dying 02:00:55 - Preview of Next Week's Episode on Healing and Guardian Angels