Buddha at the Gas Pump

DISCOVERING OUR NATURAL WELL-BEING. As the name suggests, well-being is natural – that is, it’s a normal condition (if not an average one for most of humanity) and not just in the domain of some sages and saints. Our real shared nature is one of goodness, balance and harmony, where suffering is not imagined or dwelt upon. In truth, in nature, there is no such thing as “suffering”. There is, of course, pain, when an injury is inflicted, and grief in unnatural circumstances or when a loved one passes, but there is no necessary attachment of mind-made suffering to that pain in nature. Our natural well-being finds its foundation in truth, reality, and love. Taken together, they form the ground of all our human and divine experience of life. And this grace of living in peace and contentment is what it means to be naturally “happy”. By “contentment” we mean contentment with the content of now – whatever that might be in the moment –confusion, anger, pleasure, pain, fear…bills! All this is mirrored and embraced in the aware silence of innate well-being. James Waite is a writer, designer, and businessman in Berkeley, CA. He discovers and shares this natural well-being in daily aware living at www.nondualityliving.com.  He is the author of two books: “Real, Whole, Here, and Happy!” (Free @ NDL) and “Fading in the Light”. A new book, “LIVING HERE…Discovering our Natural Well-Being” is emerging. He meets weekly with friends in the San Francisco Bay area to explore aware living and you are invited to contact him (see below). He invites your inquiries at nondualityliving@gmail.com. or bewelltlc@gmail.com. James' blog Summary and transcript of this interview Interview conducted 6/1/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Non-Duality Insights 00:04:55 - A Journey of Awakening 00:09:12 - The Beginning of the Spiritual Journey 00:13:16 - Seeking Structure and Method 00:17:17 - Meeting Adyashanti and the Awakening Experience 00:20:43 - Recognizing the Forever Nature 00:24:50 - The Innocent Misplacement of Identity 00:29:02 - Hatred Towards God 00:33:52 - Blossoming of the Heart 00:37:36 - Love without Ego 00:42:08 - Perceptions and the Stuff of Our Being 00:46:22 - Resting in Awareness 00:50:21 - The Practice of Self-Remembering 00:54:45 - Paradoxical Nature of Levels and Stages 00:58:22 - Recognition of Body-Mind Experience 01:03:13 - Belief in Reincarnation 01:08:06 - The Mystery of Absolute Truth 01:11:54 - Interpenetration of the Absolute and the Relative 01:16:16 - The Fear Born of Duality 01:20:17 - The Illusion of Leaving and Doing 01:24:24 - The Value of Monastic Life 01:28:45 - The value of suffering and the intelligence of life 01:32:57 - The King and the Minister's Wisdom 01:35:40 - The Meaning of Life and the Cosmic Unfolding 01:39:36 - Exploring Life and Death with Michel de Montaigne 01:42:40 - Embracing the Reality of Death 01:46:08 - The Treasure of Knowing Reality 01:50:04 - The Path of Relieving Suffering 01:53:54 - The Well-being of the Boomer Generation and the Future of Humanity 01:58:07 - Ending Remarks and Contact Information 02:01:19 - Sign up for Email Notifications

Louis Brawley was born in Ohio and lived and worked in New York, where he met UG Krishnamurti in 2002. Louis traveled in the USA, India, and Europe with UG for the following five years, acting as an informal caregiver as UG’s health deteriorated. Louis works as an artist, photographer and freelance art handler worldwide – occupations that fund his travels around the world writing and recording accounts and impressions from friends of the "Raging Sage." UG from the book cover..."Goner will teach you the meaning of the phrase 'paradoxical truth'. UG Krishnamurti gave up everything for truth, but delighted in ridiculous fabrications: he was a teacher who refused to teach; a man who mocked do-gooders but was deeply kind; he was chaste but foul-mouthed, he was a man who decried the supernatural ... yet there were strange coincidences around him. Louis Brawley doesn't use honeyed platitudes to tell the story of a sage and his devoted follower; instead, he tells an often unflattering story of his own struggles and shortcomings and the dynamic uncertainties of life with a man who "tore apart everything human beings have built up inside and out for centuries." Books and links: Goner: The Final Travels of UG Krishnamurti A good book of UG’s talks: The Courage to Stand Alone: Conversations with U.G. Krishnamurti Louis' Website Louis' blog Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 5/25/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Louis Brawley and U.G. Krishnamurti 00:05:16 - The Effect of Yuji's Words 00:10:12 - Meeting Yuji and the Influence of Jiddu Krishnamurti 00:14:29 - The Ordinary Language of Yuji 00:18:44 - Acknowledging Spontaneity and Naturalness 00:22:10 - Yuji's Encounter with Ramana Maharshi and the Central Question 00:26:01 - Yuji's Troubled Family Life 00:29:44 - Traveling through Eastern Bloc Countries 00:33:45 - The Pursuit and Loss of Yuji's Life 00:37:08 - The Question that Stopped 00:40:47 - The Body and Thought 00:44:35 - Awakening and Spiritual Practices 00:48:34 - Profound Shift and Continued Unfoldment 00:53:16 - Recognition of Oneness and Enlightenment 00:57:46 - The Influence of Gurus and Classic Hindu Scriptures 01:02:19 - The Evolutionary Force in the Universe 01:06:26 - Contradictions and Judgments 01:11:11 - Comparing Different Spiritual Teachers 01:15:23 - The Transformative Effect of Words 01:19:18 - Challenging Conventional Ideas 01:23:20 - Integration in the World and Inner Experience 01:28:00 - The Influence of UG Krishnamurti 01:31:43 - The Vatican and Obscene Wealth 01:35:05 - A Peculiar and Perfect Relationship 01:38:45 - The Impact of Recognition 01:41:31 - Parallels and Ironies 01:44:36 - Transformation and Disillusionment 01:47:48 - Reflections on a Life-changing Experience 01:50:42 - Explaining the Spiritual Journey 01:54:16 - The Enigma of Yuji Krishnamurti 01:56:52 - Conclusion and Next Steps

Alon has practiced Awareness Meditation for years and works with individuals and groups worldwide. Alon shares knowledge with anyone who wants to be awakened. Anyone who wants to awaken from the dream is welcome to contact Alon. Email YouTube Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 5/18/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Biography 00:04:37 - The Organic Growth of My Teaching Journey 00:07:55 - The Illusion of Helping Others 00:10:46 - Discrimination and Illusions 00:13:32 - The Illusion of the World 00:16:45 - Inquiry into the Mind's Nature 00:20:15 - The Disappearance of the Mind 00:22:55 - The Mind's Reactivity and Conflict 00:25:43 - The Illusion of Thoughts and the Reality of Pure Consciousness 00:28:10 - The Illusion of Thought and Identification 00:31:08 - The Illusion of Interacting with People 00:34:01 - The Illusion of the Ego 00:37:43 - The Illusion of Identity 00:40:10 - The Mind's Preferences vs. the Body's Preferences 00:42:47 - The Burning Desire to Be Free 00:45:17 - Integration of the Absolute and the Relative in Life 00:48:07 - Burning of Vasanas 00:50:13 - The Pointers of Truth and Universal Obstacles 00:52:30 - The Conceptual Image of Ramana 00:54:55 - Degrees of Identification 00:57:15 - Degrees of Enlightenment 01:00:45 - Losing Everything for the Truth 01:03:53 - Facing Internal Pain and Finding Liberation 01:07:38 - Exploring Silence and Realignment with the Tao 01:10:59 - The Illusion of the External Universe 01:13:14 - Recognizing the Unreality of Things 01:15:06 - The Illusion of Being a Human Being 01:16:54 - The Illusion of Physical Form 01:19:52 - Waking Up from the Dream 01:22:57 - The Power of Silence 01:26:06 - Contacting through Facebook and other platforms

PANEL: The Three Simultaneously True Levels of Nondual Reality; Don't Mistake Understanding for Realization, Don't Mistake Realization for Liberation. Reports of spiritual awakenings, once rare, have become commonplace. Modern seekers often find an intuitive understanding of the ultimate non-dual reality or the illusory nature of the world to be so liberating that they conclude they have reached the goal, and that seeking should be renounced. Ancient traditions caution that such an understanding may be merely a preliminary stage of development. Moreover, an experiential realization, beyond the merely conceptual, may feel so complete that one might conclude that "This is it". Some insist that once the non-dual nature of the Self is realized, one has arrived, and it is meaningless to speak of further degrees of growth or levels of realization. Others hold that Self-realization is an important milestone, but that spiritual development never ends. Can we reconcile the injunction to live in the present moment with the understanding that there is much development yet to undergo? Are there criteria by which Enlightenment can be measured or certified? John Hagelin, Ph.D., is a world-renowned quantum physicist, educator, public policy expert, and leading proponent of peace. Dr. Hagelin received his A.B. summa cum laude from Dartmouth College and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University and conducted pioneering research at CERN (the European Center for Particle Physics) and SLAC (the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center). His scientific contributions in the fields of electroweak unification, grand unification, super-symmetry, and cosmology include some of the most cited references in the physical sciences. He is also responsible for the development of a highly successful Grand Unified Field Theory based on the Superstring. But Dr. Hagelin is unique among scientists in being the first to apply this most advanced knowledge for the practical benefit of humankind. He has pioneered the use of Unified Field-based technologies proven to reduce crime, violence, terrorism, and war and to promote peace throughout society—technologies derived from the ancient Vedic science of consciousness. hagelin.org Maharishi International University David Lynch Foundation BatGap interview with Dr. Hagelin Igor Kufayev Website: igorkufayev.com Wikipedia page Other BatGap events with Igor Kufayev: Igor Kufayev with David Loy Igor Kufayev with Jac O’Keeffe, and Francis Bennett Igor Kufayev, in Panel Discussion on Kashmir Shaivism Mark McCooey is a businessman and has been a teacher of Transcendental Meditation for over 30 years. He and his family live in Vancouver, Canada. Recorded at the Science and Nonduality Conference, 10/28/2012, San Rafael, California. Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. Transcript of this discussion YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Purpose of the Presentation 00:02:10 - Dr. Hagelin's Background and Contributions 00:04:02 - Non-dual Being and Development 00:05:49 - The Physiology of Enlightenment 00:07:22 - The Three Components of Reality 00:10:09 - The Distinctive State of Experience 00:12:58 - The Paradox of Perfection and Addressing the World's Problems 00:14:31 - Mistaking Intellectual Understanding 00:16:40 - The Tricky Nature of Language and Knowledge 00:18:55 - The Gradual Transition to Expanded Awareness 00:20:56 - The Three States of Consciousness 00:22:58 - Realizing the Nature of the Self 00:24:46 - The Experience of Life and Universal Consciousness 00:26:25 - Resonating with the Universal Being 00:27:43 - The State of Consciousness in Sleep and Anesthesia 00:29:00 - The Adventure Begins 00:30:38 - The Ocean's Self-Sufficiency 00:31:57 - Reverence for the Fine Structure of Nature 00:33:26 - The Ocean Moving the Wave 00:35:23 - The Tricky State of Self-Realization 00:37:14 - The Limits of Describing Enlightenment 00:38:45 - The Melting of Higher States of Consciousness 00:40:42 - Awakening to Deeper Levels of Reality 00:42:35 - Expanding in Awakened Consciousness 00:44:46 - The Importance of Repeated Samadhi Experience 00:47:21 - The Essence of Pranayama and the Space between the Breath 00:49:11 - Dynamic Challenging Situations 00:51:08 - Finding the Simplest Way to Slip Into Samadhi 00:52:43 - The Fluctuations on the Surface of Consciousness 00:54:41 - Consciousness and Infinity 00:56:12 - Ramana Maharshi and the Power of Silence

Dr. Gersten practices integrative psychiatry and nutritional medicine out of his office in Encinitas, California. In this interview we discuss his book Are You Getting Enlightened Or Losing Your Mind? A Psychiatrist's Guide for Mastering Paranormal and Spiritual Experience. Dr. Gersten writes from his personal experience, his work with patients, and the wisdom of the ages. He is the author of The POW Survival Guide (dedicated to the Allied Troops of Operation Desert Storm), mental imagery consultant to Rodale Press on 18 books, columnist on Alternative Medicine for The Life Connection, publisher of Atlantis the Imagery Newsletter, and author of more than 300 published articles. He has consulted with the White House on alternative medicine. Dr. Gersten is also an accomplished musician and composer of 2200 songs and 7 symphonic works. Being half doctor/healer and half artist/musician allows him to bring a wide breadth of experience to his work with patients. While psychiatry tends to focus on what's wrong, Dr. Gersten strives to place as much emphasis on “what's right,” helping through his clinical work, personal experience, and writings, to help people deepen their spiritual connection, find their purpose or mission and remove the obstacles to their dreams. He has worked in most aspects of psychiatry, from suicidal, homicidal, and psychotic hospitalized patients...to out-patient strategic psychotherapy...to state psychiatric hospitals...to peak performance, training LPGA and high-level amateur golfers in the mental game. His expertise in mental imagery has created the possibility to help people beyond the scope of traditional psychiatry. Dr. Gersten's site Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 5/12/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview 00:04:24 - Synchronicities and the merging of the self and the absolute 00:08:22 - The Seen and Unseen Universe 00:12:36 - The Death Rate in Med School 00:17:07 - The Evolution of Psychiatry 00:22:16 - The Energy of Others 00:25:56 - Thunder Before Leaving 00:29:33 - The Devoid of Conscience Question 00:34:03 - Attunement to our essence as a measure of sanity 00:38:38 - Contrasting a Mystic and a Schizophrenic 00:43:34 - Spiritual Insights and Delusions 00:48:56 - Auras and Psychotic Symptoms 00:53:08 - Reaching a Breaking Point 00:56:37 - Kundalini Awakening Experience 01:00:28 - The Radiant Vision of Michelangelo's David 01:04:32 - Kundalini Awakenings and the Challenges They Pose 01:07:47 - The overlap between mania and kundalini 01:11:19 - Spiritual therapy and the risks of natural therapies 01:15:04 - The Paradoxical Case of Rapid Healing in Schizophrenia 01:18:55 - The Importance of Stability and Foundation 01:24:15 - The Alibi of Crazy Wisdom and Inappropriate Behavior 01:29:39 - The Swastika Symbol in India 01:33:59 - A Psychic Encounter with Colonel Diaz and Noriega 01:38:19 - The Dark Side of Paranormal Experiences 01:42:09 - Entities and Vulnerability 01:46:01 - Confronting the Unwanted Visitor 01:49:35 - The Journey of Inner Rearrangement and Stabilization 01:54:10 - Inner Awakening and Alignment 01:59:39 - Unity in Trinidad and Tobago 02:03:22 - Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up Save

Alice Grist is the author of three books. Her first book was The High Heeled Guide to Enlightenment, which saw Alice explore alternative spirituality from her modern day, fun loving perspective. The second is Prediction Magazine Award Winning (Best Book 2012) The High Heeled Guide to Spiritual Living. Following Alice's dabbling with different faiths, she decided to forget all of them, and simply live spiritually. This book is a fiery and funny account of just what she learned! Alice's third book, Dear Poppyseed: A Soulful Momma's Pregnancy Journal, which is a personal, spiritual (and very human) account of her first pregnancy is to be published early 2013. All three books are published by Soul Rocks and have attracted much reader and reviewer acclaim. Alice is a frequent contributor to many magazines and online lifestyle sites including regular articles on Huffington Post, Natural Health (The Soul Diva), Hello Giggles and The Conversation writing about spirituality and soulful living in her own quirky, accessible and fierce style. Follow her on Twitter. Soul Rocks Publisher Alice Grist is the Publisher of new John Hunt Publishing Imprint - Soul Rocks Books. Soul Rocks publishes soulful and spiritual books for a new generation. Alice also gets down and dirty with the book details, involving herself in editing, proofreading and PR too. Personal Alice is a Northerner who now lives in the middle of the UK with her husband James, baby daughter Ivy and two cats Molly and Jimi. Alice's website Interview recorded 5/11/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Alice Grist and her books 00:02:49 - Inner Awareness during Sleep and Wakefulness 00:05:27 - Childhood Influences and Spiritual Exploration 00:08:11 - Finding Spirituality in Everyday Life 00:10:45 - The Difficulty of Stepping Away from Society's Expectations 00:13:45 - Accessible Spirituality in a Difficult World 00:16:41 - Awakening to the Source 00:19:53 - Creating Change and Overcoming Powerful Forces 00:22:48 - Shaky Industries in an Enlightened World 00:25:41 - Understanding God and the Human Experience 00:29:02 - The High Heel Guide to Enlightenment 00:31:40 - The High Heel Guide to Spiritual Living 00:34:35 - Rearranging Surface Stuff 00:37:09 - Unexpected Journey to Motherhood 00:39:34 - Motherhood as a Spiritual Path and the Power of Love 00:41:44 - The Importance of Motherhood 00:43:52 - A New Perspective on Life and Career 00:46:20 - Being Itself and Human Experiences 00:49:23 - Trusting the Flow of Life 00:51:54 - Manifesting and Letting Go 00:54:26 - Surrendering to the Flow of Life 00:56:45 - The Shift in Priorities 00:58:44 - Changing Paths and the Power of Motherhood 01:00:56 - A Dream of Devotion 01:02:55 - A Conversation with the Soul 01:05:14 - Influencing Lives for a Difference 01:07:21 - Connecting with the Unborn Child's Spirit 01:09:35 - Knowing I Was Pregnant 01:11:46 - The Transformation of Pregnancy 01:13:42 - The Joys and Challenges of Motherhood 01:16:35 - Discussion and Notification Options

Anne Sermons Gillis started her spiritual pilgrimage at the age of four. She explored multiple avenues for self-realization and even though she experienced the mystical, traveled the world, lived her life’s calling and created an abundant physical world, she always returned to the doorstep of suffering. Through the use of metaphysics, she achieved her material goals by the age of 24 and found herself living the empty life of the American Dream. She renounced much of the material world and found that renunciation brought no better rewards than achievement. In her quest to alleviate human suffering she delved beneath the traditional ideas of happiness and spirituality to the core of reality. At age 49 she awakened to that which is beyond suffering. Along the way, in 1984, she co-founded Connection Church (Center for Spiritual Growth) in Memphis, TN and served as the senior spiritual guide until 1998. She moved to Houston, Texas as a result of a strong inner urging. She met her mate two weeks after arriving and they married five years layer. They continue to live in the Houston area. Gillis is the founder of the EZosophy movement. Thousands continue to benefit from the principles of EZosophy. Her humor and frivolity set her aside from many teachers. She is sincere, but not serious. Gillis contends that life is not as hard as we make it; it is time to lighten up and enjoy life. “Our work and lives are an expression of love, not a chance to punish ourselves with relentless doing.” Gillis is the foremost expert on ease. She is an international speaker, minister, author, breath worker, and personal growth coach. Anne’s wisdom, humor, and exuberant presentation style make learning fun. Armed with years of experience in human dynamics, Gillis consistently delivers more than promised. She teaches people how to have accomplishment without struggle by presenting refreshing material that is immediately accessible. “Life is not meant to be a series of to-do lists punctuated by eating and sleeping,” says Gillis. Her approach to nondualism is called Radical Presence. Anne's books: Standing In The Dark EZosophy: The Art and Wisdom of Easy or at Least Easier Living Offbeat Prayers for the Modern Mystic: Making Life Easier Through Innovative Prayer Anne's website Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 4/27/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Awakening to the Beyond of Suffering 00:04:03 - The Ever-Deepening Awakening Journey 00:07:36 - Authenticity and Integrity in Spiritual Teaching 00:11:13 - Observing and Dissolving the Observer 00:15:07 - Expanding Consciousness and Ultimate Power 00:19:05 - The Continuing Development of Awakening 00:22:41 - Incremental Awakening 00:26:26 - The Battle with Insanity and Emotional Collapse 00:30:04 - The Importance of Emotional Support and Authenticity 00:33:17 - The Art of Breakups and Authentic Responses 00:36:39 - Dealing with Relationship Addiction 00:40:05 - The Continual Journey of Enlightenment 00:43:33 - Cosmic Awareness and States of Consciousness 00:47:02 - Increasing Sensory Awareness 00:50:28 - Exploring Mindscapes 00:54:21 - The Concept of Infinity 00:57:43 - Surrendering to the Flow  01:01:25 - Life as a Struggle and the Possibility of Letting Go 01:04:42 - Levels of Pain and Suffering 01:08:03 - Awareness of Suffering in the World 01:11:26 - Finding Balance in Life 01:14:48 - The Luxury of Being a Writer 01:18:01 - Finding Comfort in Prayer 01:21:44 - The Profoundness of Reality 01:25:16 - Standing in the Dark: Embracing Spiritual Challenges 01:28:46 - Afraid of Our Greatness 01:32:19 - Connecting with Others through the Internet 01:35:58 - The Internet as a Reflection of Consciousness 01:39:15 - The Power of Now 01:42:45 - The Essence of Reality and Presence 01:45:50 - Speaking to Authentic Groups and Wrapping Up

Francis Bennett entered the Trappist Abbey of Gethsemane in 1981 and in the 90's subsequently lived at a "daughter house" of Gethsemane in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. Until recently, he was living in a small urban monastery in Montreal Quebec. He has been a "spiritual seeker" during all those years, practicing in the Christian mystical/contemplative Tradition and working deeply with teachers in both the Vipassana and Zen Traditions as well. In 2010 he experienced a profound perceptual "shift" in which he realized the ever-present presence of pure Awareness, which some would call, the Presence of God.He has worked in the field of Spiritual Care in Parish Communities and with the sick and dying in Hospice and Hospital settings. He has led retreats, offered spiritual talks and has accompanied many on their spiritual journey. He graduated from the Pontifical College Josephinum with a BA in Philosophy and completed a two year chaplaincy residency with Ohio Health Hospital system.Francis' forthcoming book, to be published by Non-Duality Press, is entitled "I Am That I Am - Discovering the love, peace, joy and stability of the True Self". Francis' book: I Am That I Am First BatGap interview with Francis. Adyashanti and Francis Bennett on “Resurrecting Jesus” Francis Bennett, in Panel Discussion on Refined Perception Francis Bennett, with Jac O’Keeffe and Igor Kufayev Francis Bennett in Panel at Sofia U. Part 1 | Part 2 Adyashanti and Francis Bennett on "The Embrace of Jesus and Buddha" Francis Bennett in panel discussion: “Emptiness is also Form” A single unexpected moment in John Mark Stroud's mid 20’s left him with a vast and dark sense of emptiness. He would spend the next 15 years immersed in feverish worldly activity, trying in vain to fill this emptiness. His “normal” life of businessman, husband, and father had all the hallmarks of great success. But finally, in 2007, he was compelled by some greater force to sell his business and begin the inward search for the peace and happiness that had always eluded him. Almost immediately he was swept up in a tidal wave of Grace. For a man used to control and responsibility, it was particularly unsettling that these miracles began to move and direct his life into uncharted waters. In 2009, he was guided to “A Course in Miracles”. Instinctively, he knew this was what he had been searching for. It was as though it had been written just for him. The Course in Miracles led him to the direct experience of God’s limitless Love and Peace. That experience of Awakening from the dream of separation to the ever present, perfect awareness of God finally brought the causeless Joy and eternal Happiness for which John Mark sought. With great Joy, he now shares that Limitless Love with all as One. John Mark's website Transcript of this conversation Interview recorded 4/21/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:06:10 - Discerning the Voice of Love 00:14:45 - The Journey to Christ-likeness 00:21:02 - The Historical Jesus and Archetypal Symbols 00:26:15 - The Transformative Power of a Relationship with Jesus 00:30:52 - The I Am Within You 00:34:24 - Innocence on Every Floor 00:37:32 - The Infinite Expansion of Spiritual Growth 00:40:47 - The Insecurity of Chasing Others' Experiences 00:43:55 - The Truth Needs No Defense 00:47:39 - The Christ Awakening in Everyone 00:51:00 - Awakening to the Truth 00:53:59 - The Purpose of Practice and Awakening 00:57:34 - The Evolution of Consciousness 01:00:47 - The Wonder of Existence 01:04:19 - The Depth of Appreciation and Infinite Intimacy 01:08:21 - Direct Seeing and Knowing 01:11:33 - Exploring the Mystery of Experience 01:14:16 - A Vision of the World at the Tipping Point 01:18:00 - Playing Devil's Advocate 01:21:53 - The Shakers and the Second Coming of Christ 01:26:00 - The Speed of Technological Development 01:28:48 - The End of Time 01:31:28 - The Illusion of Reality 01:34:46 - The Power of Group Meditation and Presence 01:37:58 - Waking Up to the Movies 01:40:29 - Movies as Channels for Higher Intelligence 01:44:50 - Wake up and Find Grace at the Center 01:47:39 - Transitioning to Full-Time Work in the Industry 01:49:52 - Batman and Robin 01:52:45 - Conclusion and Farewell

Eli Jaxon-Bear was born Elliot J. Zeldow in Brooklyn, New York, in 1947. His eighteen-year spiritual path started in 1971, when he was a federal fugitive during the Vietnam war. In 1978, Kalu Rinpoche appointed him the president of the first Kagyu dharma center in Marin County. In 1982, he was presented with a Zen Teaching Fan at ChoShoJi Zen Temple in Japan. After a search took him around the world and into many traditions and practices, his path and his search ended when he was pulled to India in 1990, where he met his final teacher, Sri H.W.L. Poonja. Confirming Eli's realization, his teacher sent him back into the world to share his unique psychological insights into the nature of egoic suffering in support of self-realization. Eli infuses the teaching with his teacher’s living transmission of silence. He presents a unique map of egoic identification as a vehicle for ruthless self-inquiry and final realization of true freedom. He dedicates his life to passing on the transmission of his teacher. Eli currently meets people and teaches through the Leela Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to world peace and freedom through universal self-realization. He is the author of Sudden Awakening into Direct Realization, (New World Library), The Enneagram of Liberation: From Fixation to Freedom, (Gangaji Foundation Press), and he is the editor of Wake Up and Roar: Satsang with H.W.L. Poonja, (Sounds True). Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/14/2013 First BatGap interview with Eli. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Interview with Eli Jaxon-Bear 00:04:20 - The One Cosmic Being 00:06:49 - Lovemaking and the Mystery of Consciousness 00:09:21 - The Truth of Self-Identification 00:11:21 - The All-Pervading Intelligence 00:13:34 - The Consciousness Before the Big Bang 00:16:15 - Being Present Before Perception 00:18:39 - The Permanent Realization 00:20:58 - Using Crisis to See Deeper 00:23:14 - The Capacity of Emotions 00:25:33 - The Fall of the Roshi 00:27:40 - Spiritual Names and Practices 00:29:49 - The Usefulness of Spiritual Practices 00:32:02 - Dissolving the Ego and Individuality through Meditation 00:34:22 - Finding the Balance Between Enlightenment and Normal Life 00:36:53 - The Middle Way and the Eightfold Path 00:39:03 - Trusting the Universe's Support for Awakening 00:41:11 - Letting Go and Letting God 00:44:04 - The Wounding of the Egoic Shell 00:47:06 - The Insanity of the Ego 00:49:48 - The Search for Truth 00:51:37 - The Mystery of Traveling 00:53:46 - The Significance of Devotion and Higher Beings 00:56:24 - Meeting Siva at the Banks of the Ganga 00:59:00 - The Importance of a Final Teacher 01:00:59 - The Psychedelic Experience and Ayahuasca 01:02:41 - LSD and Awakening 01:04:47 - The Mystery of Freedom and Love 01:06:45 - People Waking Up 01:08:22 - A Global Awakening 01:10:13 - Introduction to batgap.com

Yukio ‘Ramana,’ MA, CCHT, started his study of meditation and psychology in 1967 with Zen meditation and Gestalt Therapy. His studies continued through the 1970’s with a Taoist Master, Chu Fong Chu in Berkeley, California, where he continued his studies in Psychology and Taoist philosophy. In 1977, he was certified as a biofeedback therapist and maintained a private practice and lectured on biofeedback in Berkeley, California. He pioneered a Rolfing/Biofeedback study which confirmed in 1977 that the Rolfing work was stabilized with Biofeedback. In the early 1980’s, he co-founded the Fellowship of Awakening along with Shakti Gawain (author of 'Creative Visualization'), Tolly Burkan (firewalking teacher to Tony Robbins) and Mark Allen (publisher of Ekhart Tolle's, 'The Power of Now') , teaching creative visualization, affirmation, rebirthing, biofeedback and principles of clearing consciousness. He then obtained Master’s degree is in Psychology and Transpersonal Studies from Norwich University, New Hampshire. In 1990, Ramana co-founded and was the Education Director of the Transpersonal Hypnotherapy Institute. Here, he brought his skills as a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, an NLP Master Practitioner Trainer’s Trainer, an Ericksonian Hypnosis Master Practitioner, a Certified Biofeedback Therapist to help make the training institute one of (then) top three hypnosis and hypnotherapy professional training schools in the United States. In 1993, Ramana studied with a great Indian saint, Hari Lal Pooja (affectionately known as ‘Papaji’) in the Punjabi district of India. Papaji was a direct disciple of one of India’s greatest saints, Sri Ramana Maharshi. In turn, before Papaji passed, gave Yukio the name ‘Ramana’, after his own beloved master Ramana Maharshi, and encouraged him to carry the message of truth to groups and individuals. In 1997, Ramana combined his years as a Transpersonal psychotherapist, hypnosis, NLP, biofeedback, Taoist philosophy, creative visualization with his studies of ancient Indian teachings (from masters throughout India) to create “Radical Awakening and the Opening to Heart Consciousness’ which precipitates an opening into the true self of Being. He has found that when Being is in alignment with the true self, the space of unbounded of love and energy emerges, which sometimes opens deep healings at a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level. Ramana has been teaching and maintaining a private psychotherapy and healing arts practice since 1978. He now resides in both New York and India. Since 1997, he has traveled full-time throughout the United States, Canada and the East sharing his work, Radical Awakening and the Opening to Heart Consciousness, and has trained hundreds of practitioners to continue his work. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/6/2013 Ramana's website YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Ramana, the Diverse Teacher 00:03:41 - Questioning the Natural State 00:07:37 - Looking Back and Finding the Perceiver 00:11:39 - Ramana Maharshi's Teachings 00:15:08 - The Focus of the Radical Awakening Work 00:19:31 - The Function of a Guru 00:23:39 - Power Spots and Energy Signatures 00:29:13 - The Net of Grace 00:32:46 - The Paradox of Multidimensionality of Life 00:36:42 - Shiva, the Destroyer of Dreams 00:41:25 - The Flipping of Primary Identification 00:45:51 - No More Practices 00:49:55 - The Story Behind My Name 00:53:39 - The Significance of Getting a New Name 00:56:18 - The Power of Hindu Names 00:59:23 - The name Yukio Ramana and the story of Hemuna's encounter with Yogi Ram Saratkumar 01:02:40 - Reflections and Karaoke Names 01:06:54 - The Enneagram Workshop and Satsang with Papaji 01:11:07 - The Messenger's Ultimate Function 01:14:53 - Different Approaches to Self-Inquiry 01:19:27 - Influencing States with Words 01:23:15 - The Origin of "Radical Awakening" 01:26:37 - The Opening to the Heart of Consciousness 01:31:04 - Throwing Away the Black Bag 01:35:22 - The Invitation to Stay 01:38:20 - A True Fall from Whatever 01:43:04 - Moments of Grace and Self-realization 01:48:11 - The Spark of Presence in Horrific Circumstances 01:52:48 - The Feminine Aspect and Multidimensional Existence 01:58:11 - The Heart Meditation 02:02:00 - Various Ways to Support the Channel