Buddha at the Gas Pump

David Robert Loy is a professor, writer, and Zen teacher in the Sanbo Kyodan tradition of Japanese Zen Buddhism. He is a prolific author, whose essays and books have been translated into many languages. His articles appear regularly in the pages of major journals such as Tikkun and Buddhist magazines including Tricycle, Turning Wheel, Shambhala Sun, and Buddhadharma, as well as in a variety of scholarly journals. Many of his writings, as well as audio and video talks and interviews, are available on the web. He is on the editorial or advisory boards of the journals Cultural Dynamics, Worldviews, Contemporary Buddhism, Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, and World Fellowship of Buddhists Review. He is also on the advisory boards of Buddhist Global Relief, the Clear View Project, Zen Peacemakers, and the Ernest Becker Foundation. David lectures nationally and internationally on various topics, focusing primarily on the encounter between Buddhism and modernity: what each can learn from the other. He is especially concerned about social and ecological issues. A popular recent lecture is “Healing Ecology: A Buddhist Perspective on the Eco-crisis”, which argues that there is an important parallel between what Buddhism says about our personal predicament and our collective predicament today in relation to the rest of the biosphere. Presently he is offering workshops on “Transforming Self, Transforming Society” and on his most recent book, The World Is Made of Stories. He also leads meditation retreats. (To find out about forthcoming lectures, workshops and retreats, please see the Schedule page.) Igor Kufayev was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In his childhood, he had many episodes associated with awakening. At the age of thirty-six, Igor underwent a radical transformation of consciousness which subsequently blossomed into spontaneous unfoldment of Grace. Website: igorkufayev.com YouTube Channel: Flowing Wakefulness Wikipedia Page Other BatGap events with Igor: Igor Kufayev with Jac O’Keeffe, and Francis Bennett Igor Kufayev, in Panel Discussion with John Hagelin and Mark McCooey Igor Kufayev, in Panel Discussion on Kashmir Shaivism Interview recorded 10/28/2012. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Outdoor Interview with David Loy and Igor Kufayev 00:02:36 - The Crisis of Climate Change and Extinction Events 00:04:20 - Non-duality and the Social World 00:05:57 - The Illusion of Separate Self 00:07:16 - The Compartmentalization of Awakening 00:08:34 - The Combination of Western and Eastern Ideals 00:10:14 - The Direction of Contemporary Non-Dual and Spiritual Circles 00:11:46 - The Power of Spiritual Action 00:13:11 - Waking up to Non-duality and Transforming Motivations 00:14:57 - Working on Both Inner Awakening and Social Activism 00:16:55 - Self-preoccupation on the spiritual path 00:18:50 - Molding Our Perception of the World 00:20:43 - The Reductionistic View of Objectification 00:22:51 - The Power of Perception 00:25:09 - The Impact of our Thoughts and Emotions on the Universe 00:26:58 - The Birth of a New Story 00:29:08 - The Delusion of Withdrawing from the World 00:31:02 - The Crisis of the Old Story 00:32:53 - Rationalizing Greed, Aggression, and Delusion 00:34:31 - Identifying with the Whole Cosmos 00:35:42 - The Capacity of the Human Being and its Connection to the Cosmos 00:36:43 - Everything is Consciousness 00:38:05 - Witnessing the Silent Tree 00:39:42 - God's Intelligent Orchestration 00:41:31 - The Principle of the Fulcrum 00:43:08 - The World that Exists and the World that Doesn't 00:44:28 - Creating a New World Through Conscious Perception 00:45:43 - The Delusion of Separate Self in American Life 00:47:20 - The Power of Controlling the Media and Collective Consciousness 00:48:46 - The Race Between Education and Catastrophe 00:49:59 - Wrapping Up the Interview Save

Mehrdad Mizani was born in the southern part of Iran, moved to Teheran in his childhood, finishing his schooling and graduating from the Teheran Music Conservatory with a focus in Bassoon and Piano.  He traveled extensively throughout Iran and moved to England in 1974 to further his musical studies, playing with orchestras and bands throughout several countries.  In his travels through Iran and Europe, he discovered religions, philosophies and psychology.  In 1985, he moved to the US with his family, continually seeking out experiences that gave him increased insight into the human situation.  After coming to understand the importance of self-realization, and the dynamics of the emotional relationship between people, he began writing songs together with a friend, Kate Tsubata, to express those realizations and experiences.  The culmination of his lifelong search was the realization of the element of heart as the essence of all things.  In concerts and public speaking, he has shared this message of self-discovery through the development of the heart.  He is continuing to spread this message under the name, “The Way of Heart.” YouTube Channel Email: thewayofheart@hotmail.com Facebook page Meetup Site Interview recorded 11/17/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction of Mehrdad Mezzani 00:02:20 - Searching for Answers 00:05:37 - The Beauty of Magic and Miracles 00:09:09 - The Power of Life and Transformation 00:12:42 - The Weight of Wrong 00:16:18 - Achieving the Balance between Individuality and Unity 00:19:59 - The Journey of Love and Relationships 00:23:43 - The Essence of the Heart 00:27:06 - The Power of Love and Oneness 00:30:46 - The Search for Harmony and Oneness 00:34:10 - Living an Unselfish Way of Life 00:37:41 - Emotional Maturity and Development 00:41:30 - Cultivating Emotional Connections 00:45:32 - The Evolution of the Heart in Relationships 00:49:20 - Moving Towards Oneness 00:52:16 - The Power of Energy and Positive Change 00:55:32 - The Power of Subtle Energy 00:58:29 - The Power of Belief and Persistence in Spirituality 01:01:37 - Knowing Thyself 01:05:00 - Seeing and Hearing Differently 01:07:47 - Removing Undesirable Limitations 01:10:39 - The Joy of Appreciating Life 01:15:02 - Finding the Artist Within 01:19:36 - Existence as a Reflection of God 01:24:14 - The Growth of the Heart 01:28:25 - Nourishing the Heart to Find Hope 01:32:50 - Unfolding of Human Potential 01:36:01 - The Impressionability of the Childhood Mind 01:39:44 - The Power of the Oneness Principle 01:43:03 - Connecting with The Way of Heart 01:46:09 - Email Notifications and Chat Groups

Arjuna Ardagh is an awakening coach, writer and public speaker, who also trains others to become facilitators of awakening.  He is the author of seven books, including the 2005 #1 National Bestseller The Translucent Revolution, which was featured in “O” magazine. His new book Better than Sex is the complete introduction to Awakening Coaching.  His novel The Last Laugh will be republished by Hay House in spring 2013. He is also the creator of several online courses, including Living Awakening, and The Deeper Love. Ardagh has been a keynote speaker at conferences all over the world, including the International Conference on Business and Consciousness, the “No Mind” Festival,” the Whole Life Expo (in 5 cities), the Integral Spiritual Experience Conference, and the Omega Institute annual conference. He has appeared on TV, on the radio and in print media in seventeen countries.  He is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council. Arjuna was educated in England, at Kings School, Canterbury, and later at Cambridge University, where he earned a master's degree in literature.   Since the age of 14, he has had a passionate interest in spiritual awakening, and he began to practice mediation and yoga at that time. In his late teens, he trained as a meditation teacher. After graduating from Cambridge, Ardagh devoted himself completely to the call he felt inside, and studied and lived with a number of great spiritual teachers, both in Asia and the United States. In 1991 Arjuna met his teacher, H.W.L.Poonja, a retired army officer in Lucknow India, with whom he passed through a radical shift in consciousness. Arjuna Ardagh is the creator of several online courses. Through high-definition video interviews with 40 remarkable people, Living Awakening shows us how states of inner awakening can become the stable foundation of enlivening and giving the Unique Gift each person was born to share.  Arjuna and his wife, Chameli Ardagh, have created The Deeper Love, which teaches singles and couples how to integrate awakening consciousness into intimate relationships. Arjuna and Chameli live in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California, with their two teenage sons. You can find out more about Arjuna Ardagh at arjunaardagh.com. Other books and media: Radical Brilliance: The Anatomy of How and Why People Have Original Life-Changing Ideas Leap Before You Look Relaxing into Clear Seeing Awakening into Oneness Awareness Meditation Let Yourself Go - 6 CD series from Sounds True The Mystery of 2012 Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 11/3/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Personal Background 00:04:27 - Finding Solace in Meditation and Seeking Answers 00:08:23 - Discovering Bhagwan Rajneesh in India 00:12:00 - Meeting the Old Man 00:15:47 - Going Mad with Endless Thoughts 00:18:49 - The Recognition of Infinite Consciousness 00:21:47 - The Tricky Part of Doing Concepts 00:24:55 - Financial Challenges and Life Lessons 00:27:44 - Stress and its Relationship to Awakening 00:31:54 - The Relationship between Awakening and Dealing with the World, 00:36:13 - The Traditional Teacher-Student Relationship 00:40:11 - The Experience of Transmission and Presence 00:43:07 - Projecting onto Others 00:46:54 - The Theater of Awakening 00:50:23 - The Coaching Relationship 00:53:32 - Coaching for Full Potential 00:57:33 - Facilitating Awakening Online 01:01:12 - The Importance of the Student's Disposition 01:05:40 - The Attitude of a Beginner 01:09:54 - The Model of Leaving Responsibilities Behind 01:13:11 - The Antidote to Stress and the Call to Life 01:17:07 - Fully Giving Your Gift and Finding Fulfillment 01:21:48 - The Attention Turned Inward 01:25:13 - The End of Seeking and the Recognition of Spaciousness 01:28:17 - The Nature of Unfoldment 01:32:14 - The Beauty of the Coaching Relationship 01:35:28 - Levels of Spiritual Maturity 01:37:58 - Awakening and Human Integrity 01:40:47 - Evolutionary invitation for everybody 01:43:56 - The Democratization of Awakening and the Evolutionary Meme 01:47:23 - Available as an Audio Podcast

Christine Wushke is a certified yoga and meditation teacher living in Okotoks Alberta Canada. In addition to teaching yoga and meditation classes, Christine is also a massage therapist who incorporates a holistic approach to healing the body, mind, and spirit of each individual. Christine has been studying the field of energy healing for 20 years and finds the approach to healing a sacred journey of discovery on many levels, both physically as well as spiritually. Her life, since the age of six, has seen a set of classical spiritual encounters and experiences which have inspired her to shine light on the deeper aspects of life as a fully conscious Divine-Human being. She recently wrote a book called ‘Freedom is your Nature:’ a practical guide to transformation, which delves into the ancient yogic teachings of awakening in a down to earth language easy to follow by any reader. To read more of Christine’s spiritual writing and mystical poetry go to http://freelyhuman.com. Videos (Free on Amazon Prime): Easy Yoga for Beginners with Christine Wushke Allowing Practice Meditation Drop of Water Meditation Easy Yoga for Back Pain Restorative Yoga for Stress Relief with Christine Wushke Spine Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/21/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - A Mystical Experience at Six 00:05:33 - A Profound Experiential Shift 00:11:13 - The Experiential Nature of Spiritual Insight 00:16:08 - The Kundalini Eruption Experience 00:20:12 - The Embodiment Phase 00:24:16 - The Gift of Human Experience 00:27:46 - Exploring Full Embodiment and Integration 00:32:09 - Satsang teachers and the power of transmission 00:36:31 - Accessing Transmission 00:40:09 - Accessing Inner Freedom 00:43:29 - Balancing Spiritual Life as a Single Mom 00:46:22 - The Ease of Being and Freedom from Suffering 00:50:08 - Definition of Transformation and the Role of a Teacher 00:53:51 - The Value of Teachers and Different Paths 00:56:50 - The Space Suit Analogy 00:59:42 - Connecting to Our Divine Nature 01:03:08 - Stepping into the Unknown 01:07:20 - Penetrating the Energetic Component 01:10:43 - The Secret to Letting Things Be As They Are 01:14:04 - Taking Action with Full Consciousness 01:17:33 - The Necessity of Addressing Situations on Their Own Level 01:21:28 - Finding Delight in Healing Work 01:24:41 - Being Fully Present in Challenging Situations 01:28:00 - Cultivating Sensitivity and Strength 01:31:48 - The Untouched Inner Dimension 01:35:41 - Surrendering to the Flow of Life 01:39:07 - Cooperation with the Cosmic Intelligence 01:42:47 - The Fascination of Woo-Woo 01:46:21 - The Allure of Enlightenment 01:50:00 - Conscious Breathing and Book Publication Update 01:52:36 - Stay Updated with BATGAP Interviews

It is said that out of a thousand beings who become enlightened, only one becomes a master who is able to individually guide others out of the complexities of their personal illusions. Eliza Mada Dalian is one such rare being. Affectionately known as Mada, she brings an evolutionary approach to health, personal transformation, and enlightenment. Mada is a modern-day mystic, spiritual guide, internationally acclaimed master healer, seven-time award-winning best-selling author of "In Search of the Miraculous: Healing into Consciousness," creator of "No-Yes Active Meditation" CDs, and "Transcending the Fear of Death and the Unknown" guided meditation. She is also the founder of the evolutionary "Dalian Method for Health and Consciousness" - a groundbreaking self-healing method that helps you identify and permanently erase the causes of energetic blocks, fear, and pain from the body's cellular memory, transforming ailments into health and self-empowered consciousness. Mada's own quest for truth began at age five when she witnessed her grandfather's death. At age twenty-four she came across the teachings of the renowned 20th century spiritual teachers George Gurdjieff and Osho. Their words deeply affected her and she left behind her training in education and architecture to devote herself to the search for truth and spiritual enlightenment. After years of meditation and introspection, she was blessed with many profound experiences that led to the "ultimate" experience of enlightenment at age thirty-three. Mada is a no-nonsense practical teacher who doesn't encourage dependency, rather, self-responsibility. Her teaching style clearly embodies the Chinese proverb "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Mada unconditionally and compassionately guides individuals through their life challenges and helps to fast-forward their journey to greater health and spiritual awakening. Mada travels internationally offering private sessions, workshops, self-healing seminars and retreats to individuals, children, and organizations. She also conducts Online Courses and DM Teacher Training. For more information visit: Mada's website: MadaDalian.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/MadaDalian TWITTER: www.twitter.com/MadaDalian YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/MadaDalian Books: In Search of the Miraculous: Healing into Consciousness (Watch book trailer.) Healing the Body & Awakening Consciousness with the Dalian Method: An Advanced Self-Healing System for a New Humanity (A Self-Help Home Healing Course) Audio: No-Yes Active Meditation CD (Watch CD Trailer) Transcend the Fear of Death and the Unknown Videos: On Healing and Awareness Healing into Consciousness Intensive Healing into Consciousness with the Dalian Method™ Healing into Consciousness Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/13/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction: Eliza Mada Dalian, the Modern Day Mystic 00:03:06 - The Beginning of Life and Birth Experience 00:06:38 - The Surrender of Birth and Early Impressions 00:10:07 - Disidentification from the Ego and Attachments 00:13:57 - The Importance of Education and Language Learning 00:17:03 - Finding Guidance in Books 00:20:55 - The Dynamics of Spiritual Groups 00:24:51 - Memories of Past Lives and Spiritual Masters 00:28:37 - The Importance of Being Present at Osho's Death 00:31:45 - The Readiness to Transcend the Ego and Die 00:36:04 - Steps towards Enlightenment 00:40:01 - The Need for Inner Strength and Transformation 00:44:23 - Breaking Free from Sexual Repression 00:48:23 - Sexual Freedom and Breaking Conditioning 00:52:34 - The Indifference towards Sex 00:56:41 - The Purpose and Experience of Sex and Drugs 01:01:17 - Transformations in Spiritual Awakening 01:04:53 - The Perception of Reality  01:08:22 - The Receptivity of the Student 01:12:02 - The Acid Test of Awakening during Sleep 01:16:16 - The Process of Witnessing in Meditation 01:19:41 - Overcoming Fear through Witnessing 01:22:58 - Cultivating Witnessing Awareness and the Dalian Method 01:26:40 - The Power of Verbalizing Thought-Forms for Healing and Transformation 01:31:18 - Thougform Release and Healing 01:35:24 - Resolving the Root Causes of Fears and Problems 01:39:18 - The Self-Healing Method and Retreats. 01:42:21 - Taking Responsibility for Your Awakening 01:45:22 - Holding Up My Stick in the Big Ocean of Orchestra 01:48:23 - Discussion Conclusion 01:50:56 - Introduction

Rafael Stoneman continues to study the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi and is the founder of A.H. Nonprofit, which has three key programs that focus on alleviating homelessness: Alternative Housing, Addiction Help, and Anger Hotline. A.H. Nonprofit: 501c3 Tax Exempt EIN: 90-0450329 MISSION STATEMENT: “A.H. Nonprofit provides services to to people who are in need, feeling lost, challenged by practical living needs, or facing spiritual crisis, as well as being an aide for people focused on a life of self-inquiry, surrender, or devotion.” Interview recorded 10/7/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Raphael Stoneman 00:02:28 - From Darkness to Acting and Identity 00:04:56 - Losing the Function of Being 00:07:46 - From Manual Labor to Self-Realization 00:10:02 - The Bhagavad Gita in the Army 00:11:43 - Training Ground for Breaking Free 00:13:31 - Trauma in Combat and Boot Camp 00:15:06 - A Pilgrimage to Ramana Ashram 00:16:57 - Creative tendencies and personal growth 00:00:18 - The Space of Self-Inquiry 00:20:44 - The Power of Awareness 00:22:39 - Dealing with Anger and Finding Inner Peace 00:24:56 - The Samurai's Duty in a State of Anger 00:26:51 - The Explosive Nature of Anger 00:28:39 - The Use and Management of Anger 00:30:48 - Reacting vs. Letting Go 00:32:47 - Going Beyond Effort and Effortlessness 00:35:34 - Blasting Him in Intensity 00:38:25 - The Impact of Interactions 00:40:27 - Self-realization and Liberation 00:43:09 - Life Using You as an Instrument 00:45:29 - Seeking Enlightenment and the Guru-Disciple Relationship 00:48:06 - Dualistic Confusion and Harmonizing Paradoxes 00:51:07 - The Silence Within and Aikido Metaphor 00:53:59 - Judgment and Authenticity in Spiritual Teachers 00:56:04 - The variety of experiences in the Absolute 00:57:42 - The Ongoing Process of Spiritual Unfoldment 00:59:39 - Awakening and Integration 01:01:33 - Wrapping up the Interview 01:03:19 - Continuation of Seeking and Discovery 01:05:12 - Concluding Remarks and Updates 01:06:41 - An Audio Podcast Available

Stuart Perrin, an American spiritual master of Kundalini Yoga who has been quietly teaching small groups of students around the world for the last thirty-nine years, and is a direct disciple of Swami Rudrananda, more commonly known as Rudi. Stuart studied six years with Rudi. In 1973, Rudi died in an airplane crash and Stuart was one of three survivors. Stuart Perrin was born August 10, 1942 in the Bronx, New York. The first child and only son of Sylvia and Michael Perrin, he began his spiritual quest at the age of sixteen. Sitting at his father’s deathbed, he was shocked and awakened to a simple reality. “Why,” he asked himself, “is it the first time I’ve seen my father in such a profound state of inner peace? Why did he have to wait till the last moments of his life to be filled with so much love and serenity?” Stuart realized he’d have to find someone to train him in deep meditation practice. Stuart spent nine years looking for a master only to find him in his hometown, where he met Rudi, who trained Stuart in the fine art of deep inner work and Kundalini Yoga. Stuart’s training with Rudi was filled with profound and ancient teachings, “streetwise yoga”, humor, and more than a few swordstrokes to the ego. After four years of intense training Stuart became a teacher in Rudi’s lineage. Stuart taught meditation at Rudi’s New York City center for two years. Then Rudi asked him to teach at a newly-formed meditation center in Denton, Texas. While in Texas, Stuart started meditation programs for hungry and homeless people, for people in prison and ex-offenders, addicts and ex-addicts, the elderly, high school students, and other people in all walks of life. He also initiated devoted disciples into the mysteries of inner work, and he, in turn, created new teachers of meditation. In February 1973, Stuart and Rudi were in a plane crash in the Catskill Mountains, a plane crash that took Rudi’s life. “I never feel he is gone,” Stuart wrote of his guru. “When I wish to be with him, to learn from him, I just open my heart. He is there, sitting, smiling, sharing his teachings. The moment he died, I felt his soul pass into me.” A well-known and respected author, Stuart has published The Mystical Ferryboat (1983), Leah (1988), A Deeper Surrender: Notes on a Spiritual Life (2001), Moving On: Finding Happiness in a Changed World (2004), an essay for Kundalini Rising (2009), and most recently Rudi: The Final Moments (2011) Interview recorded 9/29/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Stuart Perrin 00:03:27 - A Transformative Experience 00:06:19 - The Rigorous Training for Spiritual Enlightenment 00:09:44 - The Need for a Spiritual Life 00:11:46 - The Will to Have a Spiritual Life 00:14:04 - Using the Mind and Breath in Meditation 00:16:26 - Wisdom and Compassion in Tibetan Buddhist Teachings 00:18:21 - The Fire of Compassion 00:20:18 - Spiritual Teachings and Ego 00:22:03 - Awakening and Consciousness 00:23:55 - Building Consciousness in Ourselves 00:25:38 - Learning to Get Out of the Way 00:27:31 - Buddha and Shankara's Enlightenment 00:29:31 - The Twinkle in Their Eyes 00:31:23 - Transformation at Ramana Maharshi's Ashram 00:33:07 - A Life of Spiritual Experiences 00:34:33 - Meeting Rinpoche in Texas 00:36:01 - The Discipline of Tummo and the Teachings of Kala Rinpoche 00:38:00 - The Universe Sending Teachers 00:40:08 - The Need for Avatars and Teachers 00:42:21 - Individual Consideration and Practical Teaching 00:44:34 - Absorbing the teachings 00:47:49 - Rudi's Journey to Nityananda and Muktananda 00:50:36 - Profound Influence and Root Guru 00:53:05 - The Significance of Sexuality in Spirituality 00:55:50 - Mastering Energy and Meditation 00:57:57 - Cannibalism and Consuming Energy 01:00:23 - The Transformation of Suffering 01:02:23 - Finding Joy and Flow in Life 01:04:38 - A Conversation with Stuart Perrin 01:06:11 - Ways to Stay Connected to the Interview Series on batgap.com

Kenny spent over twenty years in prison and has been out of prison since 1997. He is a spiritual teacher and consultant to families and to those who have been out of prison and may be going to jail. He also just finished his soon to be released book, The Last Hustle, chronicling his years as a criminal and how he was transformed while incarcerated. Kenny has one passion and that is sharing the message that “God’s Grace Is Here Now.” Kenny’s spiritual awareness and other spiritual teachers' insights have been published in the book, “The Awakening West”, by John Lumiere-Wins and Lynn Marie Lumiere. “If there is anything worth serving, it’s this love. If there is anything worth being, it’s this love. If there is anything worth talking about it’s this love. If there is anything of real value it’s this love.” – Kenny Johnson Kenny's book: The Last Hustle Kenny's website, "This Sacred Space" Full interview, edited for readability Interview Recorded 9/22/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Kenny Johnson 00:04:02 - Preparation for Working with the Incarcerated 00:08:12 - A Conversation About Jail 00:10:25 - The Tipping Point and Disillusionment 00:13:26 - The Miracle of Gangaji and a Productive Life 00:16:31 - Promoting Reading in Jails 00:19:07 - Growth in Prison 00:21:53 - Survival and Retaliation in Prison 00:25:07 - The Cycle of Crime and Second Chances 00:27:03 - Prison Life and Escaping 00:29:12 - The Transition to Pimping 00:30:57 - The Pimping Lifestyle 00:32:32 - The Cycle of Pimping and Drug Addiction 00:34:49 - The Prison Experience 00:36:58 - Smuggling and Spirituality 00:39:32 - Seeking Power and Enlightenment 00:41:59 - Meeting Gangaji Again 00:44:24 - Falling in love with Gangaji 00:47:15 - Recognizing beauty in nature and another human being 00:51:14 - Detox and Alcoholism 00:54:46 - A Moment of Connection with a Friend 00:57:24 - The Power of Presence 01:00:20 - Creating a Sacred Space Near Prisons 01:03:24 - The Depth of Lostness in Maya 01:06:41 - Maya, The Friend of Consciousness 01:09:48 - Giving Back and the Issue with Popcorn Gurus 01:12:33 - A Message of Love and Transformation in Prison 01:15:36 - Experiencing Love through Connection 01:18:24 - A Blazing Inferno 01:20:44 - Contact Information and Future Speaking Engagements 01:23:47 - Update on Cancer Remission

Tim is the standup philosopher – a concept he developed from the ancient idea of a philosopher as a travelling ‘spiritual entertainer’ who transformed people’s consciousness. He is pioneering an accessible new way to experience a profound spiritual awakening, which fully embraces our tender, vulnerable, flawed humanity. He has spent his life exploring the awakened state he often simply calls the ‘mystery experience’ and is able to guide others directly to it. Tim has an honours degree in philosophy and is an internationally respected authority on world spirituality. He is the author of over thirty books that have established his reputation as a scholar and free-thinker. He became well known for his groundbreaking work on Christian Gnosticism with his close friend Peter Gandy, including The Jesus Mysteries, which was a top 10 best-seller in the UK and USA, and a ‘Book of the Year’ in the UK Daily Telegraph. In his latest book, The Mystery Experience, Tim presents a revolutionary approach to spirituality. He creates a new language of awakening, which makes profound ideas simpler to understand, so it’s easier to experience a real transformation of consciousness. During his Mystery Experience Retreats, he personally guides participants directly to the deep awake state. Tim is a passionate and playful communicator, whose enthusiasm for life is contagious. He is often featured in documentaries and chat shows broadcast by the global media, such as the BBC and the History Channel. He is the founder of The Alliance for Lucid Living, (The ALL), an organization dedicated to our collective awakening. He lives with his wife Debbie and their two children in Glastonbury, England. Website: timfreke.com The most recent of Tim's many books: Soul Story: Evolution and the Purpose of Life Deep Awake: Wake Up To Oneness and Celebrate Your Individuality Lucid Living: Experience Your Life Like a Lucid Dream Discussion of this interview in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 9/2/2012 Other Batgap interviews with Tim: 1st interview 3rd interview Tim Freke with Lisa Cairns YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Tim Freke and his book "The Mystery Experience" 00:03:15 - The Journey to Love and a New Form of Spirituality 00:06:06 - The Frustration of Scientists with Science 00:09:04 - The Mystery Experience and the Language of Awakening 00:12:21 - Paralogical Thinking and the Nature of Reality 00:15:22 - Embracing Paradox in Quantum Physics 00:18:57 - The Paradox of Individuality and Oneness 00:22:04 - Unleashing Enthusiasm to Live a Human Life 00:24:58 - The Resurrection in the Body 00:28:09 - Consciousness and Discrimination 00:31:09 - The Field of Being and Consciousness 00:34:06 - The Duality of Consciousness and Individuality 00:37:08 - The Coexistence of the Human Self and the Ground of All Being 00:40:03 - The Paradox of Being 00:43:05 - Words and the Knowing of the Universe 00:45:48 - The Adventure of Life and Unraveling Conditioning 00:48:58 - Conditioning: Binding or Liberating 00:51:54 - The Spacious Quality of Identity 00:55:09 - Embracing the Journey of Life 00:57:57 - The Meaning of the Story 01:00:54 - Living the Spiritual Experience 01:03:33 - The Organic Process of Consciousness 01:06:20 - Balancing Attention and Awareness 01:09:21 - The Integration of Two Worlds 01:12:17 - The Integration of Mystical Realization and Practical Existence 01:15:22 - The Fine Line Between Spiritual Awakening and Mental Illness 01:18:38 - Romantic Ideas of Spirituality 01:21:24 - The Importance of Finding Our Own Way 01:24:12 - Nurturing the Wonder of Life 01:27:00 - Finding the Trickle of Honey 01:30:13 - BatGap Community and Discussion Save Save Save

Barbara Berger has been a seeker all her life – and all Barbara’s books are based on her life work which has always been to try to find a way out of suffering. Her quest to ease suffering has led Barbara to explore many different pathways and approaches – mental, physical, metaphysical, psychological and spiritual. After leaving the US in the mid-60s in protest against the Vietnam War and settling in Scandinavia, Barbara continued her quest in the 1970s with a passionate interest in the role of food in our mental and physical well-being. When she discovered in the early 1980s that health foods and diet were not enough to ensure true wellbeing, she began to study the science of the mind, the nature of consciousness, metaphysics, and finally traditional spirituality and psychology. To date, Barbara has written 15 self-empowerment books documenting and presenting the tools and insights she has discovered over the years on her quest. Her books include the international bestseller The Road to Power: Fast Food for the Soul (Books 1 & 2)(30 languages), Are You Happy Now? 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life (13 languages) and The Awakening Human Being – A Guide to the Power of Mind. In all her books, Barbara explores and explains the incredible power of mind and how we can use this power wisely to live happy lives right now, regardless of outer events and circumstances. (See a complete list of all Barbara’s books below.) Barbara's latest book Sane Self Talk / Remember What's Important and Live a Happy Life was released in Danish in Denmark in May 2012. Barbara was born and grew up in the United States but today lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. In addition to English, Barbara speaks Danish and Swedish. Barbara writes all her books in English. Barbara also gives lectures, workshops, and courses (with her son Tim Ray) and offers private sessions to individuals who wish to work intensely with her. Barbara's website Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 9/2/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Barbara Berger 00:02:26 - Barbara's Awakening and Background 00:05:04 - Running Away from Home 00:07:25 - Finding Safety and Support in Sweden 00:09:40 - From Sweden to Denmark: Becoming Celebrities in Scandinavia 00:12:56 - Hitchhiking to Afghanistan 00:15:59 - From Chaos to Macrobiotics 00:19:14 - The Search for the X Factor 00:23:33 - Experiences and Spiritual Shifts 00:28:20 - The Power of Choice and Investigation Tools 00:32:54 - Observing the Mind's Stories 00:36:12 - Psychological Maturity and Sane Self-Talk 00:40:00 - Making Wise Decisions and Letting Go 00:42:40 - Understanding the Nature of Consciousness and Reality 00:45:34 - The Power of Vibrational Influence 00:47:58 - Leverage on our Intentions 00:50:12 - The Nature of Consciousness 00:52:27 - The Awakening Journey 00:54:56 - The Possibility of 24/7 Realization 00:57:33 - Spirituality and the Concept of God 00:59:32 - The Impersonal Mechanisms of the Mind 01:01:51 - Observing Thoughts and Witnessing Awareness 01:04:00 - The Absorption in Thoughts 01:06:18 - The Law of Naming 01:08:52 - Questioning Our Stories and Understanding Cause and Effect 01:11:10 - Finding Hidden Gifts in Life's Challenges 01:13:20 - Understanding the Mechanism of Mind 01:15:19 - The Progression of Spiritual Practice 01:17:12 - Embracing Your Humanity 01:19:39 - Removing Blockages for Happiness 01:22:00 - Introduction to the BATGAP YouTube Channel