Buddha at the Gas Pump

The iconography and texts of most spiritual traditions depict and describe realms of existence more subtle than ordinary sensory perception reveals. The most commonly portrayed phenomena are halos in paintings of saints. But in addition to this evidence of the human “subtle body”, the traditions are abundant with paintings and stories of subtle beings such as angels, gods, devas, demons, etc. Is this mere mythology or does it suggest that subtle perception is part of spiritual development? So far, the non-dual community has not discussed this at all. The New Age community has, but often in a fanciful way that the non-dual community has, perhaps wisely, chosen to eschew. Yet many who have had abiding awakenings that non-dual traditions predict and respect discover, in time, that subtle perception begins to dawn. They begin to perceive auras, angels, devas, and the like as routinely as most of us see other human beings. This panel discussion included five such people:  Name Website Other Batgap Interviews Francis Bennett 8/4/2012, 4/21/2013* 10/26/2013*, 5/24/2014*, 10/23/2014*, 10/22/2015*, 10/21/2016, 10/25/2016* Harri Aalto harriaalto.com 3/22/2014, 7/19/2014, 11/12/2016 Kristin Kirk kristinkirk.com 11/2/2013, 10/22/2015* Ruffina Farrokh Anklesaria bestagainststress.com Facebook page Stan Kendz stankendz.com 12/2/2009 *Part of group discussion Transcript of this discussion Recorded 5/24/2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Refined Perception 00:06:23 - Reluctance to Participate and Cultural Norms 00:10:34 - Personal Experiences with Spiritual Beings 00:14:07 - Experiencing Consciousness as Everything  00:19:11 - The Sublime Area of Consciousness 00:23:24 - A Life-changing Experience 00:26:59 - The Transformative Experience and Past Lives 00:31:09 - Past Lives and Reincarnations 00:35:40 - Enlivening the Shakti 00:40:12 - The Richness of an Enlightened World 00:45:05 - The Kingdom of Heaven Within Us 00:49:33 - The Golden Hue of Consciousness 00:53:14 - Shifting Consciousness and Expanded Self 00:57:05 - Releasing Beings through Meditation 01:00:25 - Aging and the Laws of Nature 01:04:19 - The Recognition of Love and Compassion 01:08:27 - The Expansion of Consciousness 01:11:20 - The Unfoldment of States of Consciousness 01:14:40 - Parallels in Maps of Consciousness 01:17:13 - The Vast Range of Possibilities in Consciousness 01:20:01 - Universal Phenomenon of Consciousness Growth 01:22:12 - Shifting Awareness and Refined Perception 01:24:34 - Celestial Perception and Spiritual Awakening 01:26:48 - Unfolding States of Awareness 01:29:50 - Overpowering Experiences and Support 01:33:43 - The Journey of Unfolding Consciousness and Surrender 01:38:28 - Surrender and Devotion in Spiritual Practice 01:43:07 - The Phenomenon of Channeling 01:47:23 - Experiences of Lord Vishnu and Celestial Levels 01:51:40 - The Celestial Levels of Consciousness 01:56:24 - Concluding Remarks Save

Roger Housden is the author of 20 books, including the New York Times bestseller Ten Poems to Change Your Life. Housden’s work has been featured in O: The Oprah Magazine, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Huffington Post. He lives in Sausalito, CA. For more, visit rogerhousden.com. Other books: Keeping the Faith Without a Religion (book) Keeping the Faith Without a Religion (audio download) For Lovers of God Everywhere: Poems of the Christian Mystics Seven Sins for a Life Worth Living Risking Everything: 110 Poems of Love and Revelation Ten Poems to Open Your Heart Ten Poems to Say Goodbye Ten Poems to Change Your Life Again and Again Dancing with Joy: 99 Poems Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 5/17/2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:03:45 - Using Life's Circumstances for Growth and Reflection 00:07:14 - Visiting Karoli Baba's Ashram 00:10:39 - The Difference Between Faith and Belief 00:14:05 - Knowing Beyond Intellectual Belief 00:17:37 - The Voice in the Cave 00:21:36 - Functioning from a State beyond Mental Excitation 00:24:39 - The Benefits of Being with a Spiritual Teacher 00:28:13 - Resting in the Field of Awareness 00:31:40 - A Dimension of Awareness in Iran 00:34:40 - A Difficult Choice in a Vien Prison 00:37:48 - Clearing My Name and Debriefing 00:40:25 - The Intelligence in Randomness 00:43:05 - The Oneness of Everything 00:46:01 - Political Implications of Individualism vs Individuation 00:48:59 - The Narrow Gate of Hope and Despair 00:52:06 - Short-Term Thinking and Long-Term Vision 00:54:40 - Brutality and Imperfection in Organized Belief Systems 00:58:07 - Managing Imperfections and Organizational Clarity 01:00:34 - Trusting the Knowing 01:03:10 - Trust the Mystery and the Dark 01:06:31 - Remembering Something Larger 01:09:32 - Acknowledging Imperfection in the Aesthetics of Wabi-Sabi 01:12:23 - The Cathars and Perfection 01:15:48 - Moments of Beauty 01:18:44 - Kindness Towards Oneself 01:22:01 - The Difference between Materialist and Knowing Faith 01:25:43 - The Intelligence that Permeates the World 01:28:22 - The Pitfalls of Religious Beliefs 01:31:07 - Direct Experience and the Present Moment 01:33:05 - Website Features and Discussion Area

Jeddah Mali is the Executive Director and founder of Global Paradigm Ltd, which delivers training programs for individuals and organizations seeking a completely new approach to the age-old dilemma of how to make life, business and society work effectively and harmoniously. Jeddah’s unique approach identifies and maps the cohesive design underlying every system, from an individual person to a solar system. It reveals the hidden patterns within every aspect of life that are responsible for how things turn out. Jeddah provides an in-depth examination into the nature and function of this design, and the mechanics that make it work. Our understanding and use of these mechanics determine the extent to which we can produce consistent and reliable results. Jeddah is sought after for her precise understanding of human beings, the contribution each person makes individually and collectively and the impact this has on the world in which we live. Her work examines the link between our design as human beings and our hardwired predisposition towards peace, collaboration and contentment. Seeds of Enlightenment Changing the Paradigm Series An Interview With Jeddah Mali Jeddah's website Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview conducted 5/17/2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Jeddah Maul 00:04:52 - Strange Experiences in Childhood 00:09:00 - Expansion and contraction in the yoga sutras 00:12:49 - Childhood Challenges and Inner Life Disconnect 00:17:57 - Spiritual Experiences and Realizations in India 00:22:23 - Miraculous Support and Guidance 00:26:08 - Taking the Bodhisattva vow with the Dalai Lama 00:29:34 - Discovering Direct Access to Existence 00:33:23 - Direct Experience vs. Intermediaries 00:37:01 - The Presence of Jesus and Buddha 00:40:47 - The Residencies and Occupations of Ascended Masters 00:45:03 - Universal Assistance for All Beings 00:48:34 - The Existence of Higher Dimensions 00:52:24 - The Role of Corporations and the Bigger Picture 00:55:54 - Integration and Consciousness Shift 01:00:04 - Corporate Transformation for the Planet 01:04:07 - Working with CEOs for a Positive Impact 01:07:38 - Resistance to Understanding and Embracing Existence 01:11:13 - The role of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva in creation. 01:14:54 - Realization of Universal Consciousness 01:18:52 - The Spectrum of Existence 01:22:50 - The Reality of Different Dimensions and Consciousness 01:26:54 - Enlightenment and Conscious Choice 01:30:03 - Direct Access to the Energy of Existence 01:33:35 - Exploring Higher Frequency States 01:36:50 - Working with People and Achieving Results 01:39:45 - The Process of Freedom 01:43:27 - Embracing Challenges in Practical Life 01:47:44 - The Wisdom of Non-Physical Beings 01:50:58 - Wrapping Up the Interview 01:53:39 - Meeting and Farewell

Fax and Sharon Gilbert were among my first guests on BatGap (interview here). Recently, Fax has been interviewing a few people in Fairfield, Iowa under the auspices of Fairfield's Trillum Awakening group. In this interview, I neglected to adequately express my appreciation to the volunteers who make BatGap possible. Please see the Volunteers page for a list of some of them. Transcript of this interview Interview conducted 5/11/2014 Other talks by or interviews of Rick on BatGap: Interviewed by Angelo Dilullo SAND 2019 - Knowledge/Reality is Different in Different States of Consciousness 2018 SAND Conference Q&A and Interview by Shakti Caterina Maggi SAND 2017: "The Ethics of Enlightenment" Talk at Berkeley Open Circle Center SAND 2015: Science and Spirituality: Potential Allies in Discovering Truth Interviewed by Richard Miller YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Interview 00:03:50 - Awakening and Resistance 00:06:56 - From Fairfield to the World: Taking Buddha the Gas Pump Online 00:09:58 - Awakening and the Misconceptions of Enlightenment 00:13:24 - The Awakening Experience 00:16:49 - Awakening and the Physiology 00:20:59 - Awakening and Identity 00:24:39 - The Attitude of a Beginner and the Range of Possibilities 00:28:10 - Overcoming Challenges and Finding Bliss 00:31:49 - Personal Spiritual Journey 00:35:31 - The Beginning of My Meditation Journey 00:38:23 - The Importance of Meditation in Spiritual Practices 00:41:19 - Fulfillment and Devotion 00:44:20 - The BatGap Bump 00:47:20 - Impact and Service in Embodiment 00:50:55 - The Process of Interviewing 00:54:00 - Exploring Common Themes in Spiritual Maturity 00:57:43 - Subtle Beings and Refined Perception 01:00:51 - The Flow of Love and Divine Consciousness 01:04:29 - Scheduling Difficulties and Prioritization 01:07:53 - Awakening and Service 01:11:31 - Levels of Preparedness for Awakening 01:14:57 - The Definition of Awakening 01:18:33 - Possibilities in the Indian Tradition 01:22:44 - The Importance of Personal Verification 01:26:14 - Mutual Coexistence of Opposites 01:29:27 - The Rot: Dealing with Stagnation 01:32:18 - Evolving the Show and Engaging with the Audience 01:35:16 - Awakening and the Audience Evolving 01:38:03 - Healing and Discussion at the Retreat 01:41:04 - Farewell and Thank You

Neelam is a direct disciple of H. W. L. Poonja (Papaji), whose teacher was Sri Ramana Maharshi. Her unequivocal commitment to Truth helps us turn inward and release underlying patterns of conditioning which block the recognition of our True Nature. With the utmost tenderness while helping us to address all aspects of daily living, including past conditioning and trauma, she invites us into the same recognition of Truth that her teacher, Papaji, transmitted to her. Neelam’s website Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 5/3/2014 Her first Interview here YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:04:39 - Identity and Presence 00:08:59 - The Continuum of Presence 00:13:10 - The Experience of Consciousness 00:17:13 - The Ground of Knowing 00:21:14 - The Embodiment of Knowing 00:25:48 - Awakening vs Enlightenment 00:30:25 - The Role of Knowledge in Teaching and Living 00:34:20 - The Intelligence of Presence and Surrender 00:38:42 - Embracing Everything as Is 00:43:17 - Recognizing the Ground of Experience 00:47:14 - The Effect of Climate Change on Human Consciousness 00:50:21 - The True Nature of Being and Evolution 00:53:41 - Dualistic Perspectives and the Arising Universe 00:56:51 - The Tendency to Postpone Being Present 01:00:22 - Recogition of Tendencies and Un-reinforcing Them 01:03:29 - Managing Anger Through Self-Awareness 01:06:45 - The Importance of Being Present 01:10:06 - Authenticity and Congruence 01:13:19 - Seeking Congruence within and without 01:16:31 - Vigilance and the Escape of Vasanas 01:19:49 - Relationship as a Path to Freedom 01:23:02 - Unresolved past and relationships 01:26:14 - The Resonance of Change 01:29:13 - Life after Addiction 01:32:27 - Strengthening our Capacity for Change 01:35:26 - Deepening into Presence 01:38:39 - Seeing Deeply into Students' Makeup 01:41:36 - Inspiration and the Capacity to Be Here 01:44:49 - Concluding Remarks 01:47:43 - Positive Review and Appreciation

As an independent scholar, speaker, radio show host, published author, sacred tour leader and social justice activist, Karen's work for three decades has been inspired by her interests and passion for travel, comparative religions, ancient cultures, women's her story and the resurging interest in the rise of the Feminine Consciousness. Her work combines feminism, spirituality, and uplifting women, all of which are highlighted in her projects. Her first book, Sacred Places of Goddess: 108 Destinations has garnered prestigious endorsements, while her second book, Walking An Ancient Path: Rebirthing Goddess on Planet Earth, was a finalist in the National Best Books of 2008 Awards. Her newest book, Goddess Calling: Inspirational Messages & Meditations of Sacred Feminine Liberation Thealogy, out in the Spring of 2014 is already getting rave reviews from her mentors and peers. Her fourth book, the anthology Voices of the Sacred Feminine: Conversations to Re-Shape Our World, includes the wisdom of noted visionaries and scholars who she has interviewed. Karen’s work has been highlighted in the Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times and other major newspapers. She is interviewed regularly by the media and has hosted her own internet radio show for the last nine years, Voices of the Sacred Feminine Radio, considered a treasure trove of insight and wisdom for our time. Her work has segued into writing, producing and consulting on projects which bring the ideals and awareness of the Sacred Feminine into the mainstream world through television and film. She can be seen in the new documentary, Femme: Women Healing the World, produced by Wonderland Entertainment and actress, Sharon Stone. Karen’s website is karentate.net. Her web radio show: Voices of the Sacred Feminine Radio. Contact Karen at: ancientcultures@ca.rr.com. Karen’s books can be ordered from on-line sellers including Amazon but if you prefer not to support multi-national corporations and ultra-conservative causes, order the book from a local bookseller or directly from the author using her website if you are in the U.S. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/26/2014. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Karen Tate and the Sacred Feminine 00:03:10 - The Many Aspects of Goddess Spirituality 00:06:21 - The End Timers and Climate Change Deniers 00:08:56 - The Balance Between Utilizing and Exploiting Resources 00:11:12 - Nature as a template for living 00:13:06 - Using the Bible to Justify Oppression 00:15:19 - The Feminine Face of God and Awakening to Equality 00:18:12 - Domination and Hierarchy 00:21:17 - The Harm of Patriarchy and Oppression 00:24:57 - Finding Common Ground and Dissolving Divisions 00:29:22 - Polarities and the Greater Good 00:33:13 - The Needs of Oil Companies vs. Constituents 00:37:52 - The Meaning of Wealth and Service 00:40:56 - Creating Partnerships for a Win-Win Situation 00:43:39 - Talking about the Sacred Feminine 00:47:28 - The Warning from Nature and Interconnectedness 00:50:59 - The Unboundedness of Consciousness 00:53:44 - Goddess Ideals and Political Alignment 00:57:21 - The Nature of God and the Cosmic Dance 01:03:48 - Deepening Our Experiences and Expanding Consciousness 01:08:55 - The Evolutionary Quality of Growth 01:11:32 - The Importance of Balance in Society 01:15:33 - The Awakening of Change 01:18:59 - A Wake-up Call for Denial 01:22:34 - Catching the Wave of the Spiritual Bandwagon 01:25:10 - The Importance of the Feminine Frame of Mind 01:27:58 - Creating Balance in Society with the Divine Feminine 01:32:54 - Taking Action and Making a Difference 01:39:14 - The Power of Selfless Service 01:42:30 - The Power of Partnership 01:44:24 - Explore the Website Features

Adam C. Hall achieved the American Dream in all its glory and then woke-up to the nightmare of his own life condition.  Once a financial power broker and real-estate developer, Adam undertook a life-changing metamorphosis that would ultimately alter his mind-set from Earth Conqueror to Earth-Keeper. To come this far, Adam had to come to terms with the misery that was at the center of his very privileged and comfortable life. He endured the loss of all that he treasured most. It was only then that he was finally able to open to discover the Creative Power of the Universe that is hidden within each of us. We have entered an era like none other in history. The economy of the Western world and the ecology of the entire planet are threatened with the possibility of imminent collapse.  In the midst of these dire circumstances, a dramatic shift is occurring within human consciousness. The ancient prophecies of the Hopi, Maya, and Inca (among others) all point to this moment as the time when humanity will undergo a rapid evolution–within a single generation–that will affect all future generations. And evolve we must if we are to remain as a viable species on a healthy planet. The EarthKeeper: Undeveloping the Future intimately chronicles Hall’s remarkable journey and illuminates a path for others to follow. An Indiana Jones saga of exotic adventure and redemption, The EarthKeeper is a remarkable story of courage and conviction; and a roadmap to a better future–personally and collectively. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/19/2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction with Adam C. Hall 00:02:58 - An Entertaining Story 00:05:40 - A Life in Need of a Course Correction 00:09:11 - Transformation and Metanoia 00:12:53 - Embracing the Unknown for Transformation 00:16:23 - The Adventure of Spiritual Seeking 00:20:19 - Pursuing the Sacred Earth 00:23:56 - The Journey of Separation 00:28:00 - Connecting with the Inner Voice and Angels 00:32:20 - The Power of Cultivating the Path 00:36:26 - Shamanic Traditions and Connectivity with Earth and Universe 00:40:30 - Riding the Wave of Spiritual Awakening 00:44:15 - The Interplay of Technology and Spirituality 00:48:11 - Being vs. Doing 00:52:56 - Levels of Consciousness and Enlightenment 00:56:03 - The Impulses of Intelligence in the Transcendental Field 01:00:01 - The Alchemy of Enlightenment 01:04:12 - Rewriting Our Software, The Dawn of the New Human 01:08:42 - The Awakening Giant 01:11:59 - Building Lasting Foundations 01:16:15 - Conservation, Preservation, and Restoration 01:20:23 - Manifesting Outer Beauty through Inner Wholeness 01:24:43 - The Three Levels of Non-Dual Reality 01:28:11 - Embracing Paradox and Ambiguity 01:31:46 - Creating Harmony with the Land 01:35:25 - Restoring Humanity's Connection to the Earth 01:39:15 - The Power of Inner Transformation 01:43:34 - The Beauty of Shedding Old Stories and Writing the New Story 01:47:19 - The Adventures of Gigi 01:50:48 - All Praise to Gigi 01:53:49 - Conclusion and Farewell

Prajna O'Hara (formerly Ginty), MA is the bestselling author of Edge of Grace: A Fierce Awakening to Love, (2014) and Resources for Living Awake (2016). Prajna embodies the “wisdom of no escape” and evokes through dialogue, inquiry, and presence the spirit of authenticity, courage, and kind acceptance while inspiring people to unleash core aliveness. Prajna carries a message that vividly charts the universal themes of “seeking” through the most humbling emotional ordeals to heartfelt satisfaction and stability. Her approach elicits a softening of the heart that allows struggle and false identity to relax into direct intrinsic knowing of who we are amidst laughter, tears, messiness, and beauty. As a teacher, therapist, and mother, she is known for her deep compassion and capacity to transmit powerful meditation experiences relevant to everyday life. Visit prajnaohara.com Prajna’s Journey: In 1986, after the death of her first teacher Eunice Zimmerman, Prajna was introduced to Satsang and Non-dual Wisdom Teachings of Ramana Maharshi, Anandamayi Ma, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Milarepa,... She had an immediate realization of True Self that led to seven years of Nirvikalpa Samadhi (a deep meditative absorption with Consciousness). “I watched my former identity as a separate individual vanish. I saw thought to be unreal—like a cloud passing in a clear sky. What I thought myself to be—was not. I disappeared like space.” In 1994 she gave birth to her first baby at home while enjoying the “honeymoon” phase of awakening. Two years later her twins were born three months early with severe complications. After an extended period of unrest, she was catapulted to the edge of a dark night that culminated with meeting her root teacher, Adyashanti. Adya clarified the dark night of the soul, as a threshold on the journey of surrendering our personal will to the will of the divine. A deeper transformation continues that includes gratitude for all of life and her children as endearing teachers. Prajna, an early student of Adyashanti, is professionally trained as a Hakomi—Body-Centered Therapist and Counselor. She draws upon three decades of mentoring, and an extra-ordinary life as a mother. On 9/11 she dedicated her life to the Bodhisattva vow and began to teach from her life experience. In 2104, after a break from public teaching, she began touring with her book. She is featured at Buddha at the Gas Pump, Conscious TV, KVMR Radio, Living from Love, One Magazine, and many others. Read about her embodiment journey in Edge of Grace. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/12/2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Prajna Ginty's Spiritual Journey 00:03:53 - The Continuity of Existence 00:08:05 - The Journey Towards Spiritual Awakening 00:11:54 - From Church to Ashram to Pantry 00:15:37 - The Spiral of Uncomfortable Eating 00:19:56 - Absorption in Meditation 00:23:56 - Immersion in Advaita Vedanta and the Ribhagita 00:27:39 - The Unexpected Birth Journey 00:31:35 - The Impact of Discovering the Sonogram 00:35:56 - Finding Purpose in Adversity 00:40:21 - Neonatal Surgery and the Miracle of Intestinal Regrowth 00:43:46 - Devastation and Deep Okayness 00:47:40 - Detachment and the Dark Night 00:51:40 - A Near-Death Experience 00:55:37 - Guardian Angels and Dark Nights 00:59:38 - Spiritual Awakening and the Birth of a New Self 01:04:12 - Moving to Pennsylvania for a Waldorf School 01:07:56 - The Challenges of Being a Busy Teacher 01:12:04 - The Shift in Orientation: Listening and Responding 01:15:59 - The Power of Meditation and Collective Presence 01:20:05 - Returning to California 01:24:27 - The Shipibo Tradition and Plant Medicine 01:28:28 - The Holistic Intelligence of Plants 01:32:19 - Ayahuasca and Spiritual Healing 01:35:49 - Exploring the Healing Power of Plants 01:39:17 - Traditional Wisdom and Responsible Use of Plant Medicines 01:43:15 - The Controversy and Responsible Research 01:47:19 - Permaculture and Long-Term Consequences 01:51:16 - The Power of Living in the Present Moment 01:54:59 - London Contacts and Wrap-up 01:58:55 - BatGap Website Features

Sharon is a gifted intuitive and a spiritual teacher in the lineage of Adyashanti. Sharon has a devotion and great love of the Truth. Adyashanti asked her to teach 2003 and guide those genuinely drawn to the path of Truth. Since then, Sharon continues to deepen into and embody this Truth herself. She invites you to “Come home…” to That which you’ve always been. In her presence you’ll taste a palpable expression of love and intimacy that allows you to feel safe dropping into the deep vulnerability required to know yourself as the All. Sharon offers support for the required shift of identity that is both direct and tailored to each person's journey. Her teachings are based on her deep realization of silence and the way silence expresses itself in form. She notes, “Often there is still a thread that says the ‘me is going to get it; the ‘me’ is going to wake up. And it just isn’t true. It actually wakes up out of the ‘me’. “ So in her teaching, Sharon emphasizes how silence wakes up in the body and how the embodiment process is actualized. She is well qualified in this endeavor by her many years as an intuitive counselor. Since she has the ability to “read” the physical and energetic body, she is uniquely able to help unlock patterns that inhibit realization and the embodiment process that follows. Sharon Landrith offers Silent retreats, intensives in the US and Canada and dokusans over the phone and in person. Please see more info on her website: sharon-landrith.com. There's a chapter on Sharon in Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom: The Feminine Face of Awakening by Rita Robinson. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/2/2014. Her first BatGap Interview here. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Sharon Lander and Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:23 - The Rise of Love and Humanness 00:10:12 - The Transmutation of Consciousness 00:14:17 - The Shift of Identity and Connection to Nature 00:18:22 - The Fuel of Morality and Consciousness 00:21:57 - Unity and Service 00:25:35 - The Self Reveals Itself 00:29:03 - The Vastness Within Consciousness 00:34:19 - The Possibility for Exploration and Discovery 00:37:46 - The Exquisiteness of this Moment 00:41:38 - Perspectives on Life, Enlightenment, and Existence 00:45:36 - The Deep Sense of Security 00:48:08 - The Fall of Written Words and Concepts 00:50:41 - Recognizing the Truth 00:52:46 - Living with Open Attention, Witness State, and Collapsing Awareness 00:56:07 - The Witness and Self-referral 00:59:11 - The Voice of God in Everything 01:03:11 - Understanding God as an Expression of Divinity 01:06:14 - Defining God and the Power of Transmission 01:10:32 - Mutual Reinforcement and Increased Grace 01:14:26 - The Importance of Stillness and Stability 01:17:31 - Reflections on Realization Experiences 01:21:39 - The Expression of God through Human Beings 01:26:14 - Being a Lightning Rod for Projections and Ideas 01:29:28 - The Power of Open Awareness in the Teaching Role 01:32:14 - Being a Washing Machine 01:33:43 - The Importance of Living Your Dharma 01:35:35 - Concluding Remarks and Reflections 01:38:06 - Exploring Dokusans and Deep Nature 01:41:12 - Geographical Index and Other Site Features 01:43:01 - Life Becoming Difficult

Robert Svoboda, the first non-Indian Ayurvedic practitioner, shares his unique journey from Kenya to India, providing insights into Ayurveda, Yoga, and spiritual practices. He elaborates on the intricate relationship between substance use and spirituality, particularly concerning alcohol in Indian culture. The conversation dives into concepts of possession, identity, and the dualities of human consciousness. Svoboda also discusses the transformative nature of Kundalini awakening and its impact on personal growth, along with the essential balance between individuality and collective consciousness.