Buddha at the Gas Pump

Satsang with Bob Nickel was a great opportunity to be with someone who points to the pure truth of Awakening in a simple and clear way. One of the recent attendees at Bob's satsang wrote, "I was deeply moved by Bob’s blissful presence as well as the clear insight he is able to share with everyone into the deeper truths of life and ourselves. I could feel that Bob speaks from his own personal experience, those same truths shared through the ages by many of the great sages." Bob has been freely sharing in the non-dual Advaita tradition since 2004. He experienced his first spiritual epiphany at the age of nineteen, followed later by other special experiences. In recent years it has become clear to Bob that all experiences, which by nature come and go, have nothing whatsoever to do with the Truth that one essentially Is. His satsangs are dedicated solely to making Ramana Maharshi’s invitation to Self-Inquiry available to everyone, as a direct and immediate means to Self Knowledge, inviting all to simply abide effortlessly as That which one is, right here and right now. Cancer has returned to Bob's body. When he left for India in late April, 2011, his doctors said he was cancer-free. That has changed. In early September his physicians gave him about six months. Rather than just rest, Bob’s desire is to spend his final days sharing Ramana Maharshi's Invitation to Self Inquiry to all who wish to hear it.  Bob's website.  (Bob passed on August 17, 2012) Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 12/18/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Bob Nickel and his Spiritual Odyssey 00:04:10 - The Beginning of Self-Inquiry 00:06:59 - The fleeting nature of peak experiences 00:09:11 - Ramana's Teachings on Being Still and Self-Inquiry 00:11:14 - The Explosive Moment of Self-Inquiry 00:13:09 - The Half Step Back Into Yourself 00:15:06 - Awakening despite physical challenges 00:17:56 - The Limitations of Words and Concepts 00:20:56 - Living Life as a Question 00:24:33 - The Inner Guru and Outer Guru 00:27:12 - A Missed Opportunity to Thank Her 00:29:19 - Gratitude and the Connection Between Individuals 00:31:34 - Living in the Present Moment 00:34:00 - The Depth of the Ocean beyond the Waves 00:35:44 - The Wake-Up Call and the Presence of Mark 00:37:30 - Young People Giving Satsang 00:39:07 - The Importance of Self-inquiry in Education 00:40:51 - Arguments among Non-Dualists 00:43:10 - The Formation of Orthodoxy and Heresy 00:45:03 - "Be Who You Are" and Effort in Self-Inquiry 00:47:12 - The Unshakable Knowingness 00:49:26 - The Dissipation of "Yeah, Buts" in Satsang 00:51:32 - The Importance of Taking Action 00:53:35 - The Value of Diverse Spiritual Experiences 00:55:59 - The Mind's Love for Drama 00:57:49 - The Marvelous Orchestra of Intelligence 00:59:33 - The Mystery of "I Am" 01:01:42 - The Mysterious Intelligence of "I am" 01:04:15 - Concluding Remarks 01:06:06 - Interact with the Interview

More than twenty years ago, my (second) wife and I divorced, after ten years of marriage. After we divorced, I recognized that I had some unfinished business: it revolved around “the meaning of life”, which is at the bottom of the spiritual pursuit—to which I returned. As soon as our house was sold, I took my share of the equity and bought a fully-equipped camper van. I parked it on the property of an absentee friend in the redwood forest, near where I had been living in Northern California. I lived there in virtual solitude: reading, contemplating, taking walks for hours in the forest. At the end of three years, something suddenly fell into place. The spiritual quest resolutely came to an end. I discovered the actuality which is inescapable. The inseparability of all things, which has been referred to persistently by mystic sages for 3,500 years of our written history, is commonly spoken of as “oneness” (or Oneness). There is an aspect of this oneness which is rather apparent to most any attentive mind. But the aspect which seems to give many of us some difficulty has to do with our personal, individual relationship to this oneness. This latter aspect is the matter which had now become clarified for me. This radical, and sudden, shift in perspective was received like good news by me. Where before there had been confusion and perplexity concerning the relationship of the individual to the whole of existence, now there was a calming clarity. There was a profound resolution of the uneasy questing which had punctuated my prior years, a resolution which was not transitory because it has not since been apart from my general awareness. I hoped to share the good news, particularly with those whom I knew to have quested concurrently with myself. I knew, from my own experience, that a certain element of this unitive understanding is communicable from one mind to another; the analogy is sometimes given of a flame leaping from one torch to another torch. For the past fifteen years, I have conducted a considerable number of discussions (both individually and in groups) with persons who indicated their interest in resolving—and in recognizing that they had resolved—what has been called the perennial question. I have carefully observed the junctures at which their confusion compounded. I have also observed that for a few individuals there was no point at which their confusion was not surmounted, to their satisfaction. The essence of the unitive understanding is that it is liberating; the marvel of the unitive understanding is that it is basically effortless. Its liberation is a consequence of the non-attachment it engenders. This is not a detaching of piece from piece, item by item. It is an across-the-board release of attachment, which even includes non-attachment to the continuity of one's life. This dispelling of attachment is, in the same moment, the dispelling of correlated fear—and that is dynamic liberation. Robert's website. Books: Living Nonduality The Gospel of Thomas: The Enlightenment Teachings of Jesus Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 12/3/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Interview with Robert Wolfe 00:02:08 - The Meaning of Enlightenment 00:03:47 - The Myth of Enlightenment 00:05:41 - Recognizing the Truth 00:07:42 - The dissolution of the individual conception 00:09:41 - The Significance of the Word "If" 00:11:30 - Insights from Living in the Forest 00:13:50 - Finding the Zen Farming Commune 00:16:14 - Life Changes and Unfinished Business 00:18:42 - Three years in the forest reading, contemplating, and taking walks 00:20:58 - The Misconceptions of Enlightenment 00:22:42 - Guru Suits and Businessmen 00:24:45 - The Power of Immersion in Non-Duality 00:27:21 - Sharing the Truth with Others 00:29:46 - Relocating to Ohio for Krishnamurti's Teachings 00:32:51 - Making self-realization a priority amidst worldly responsibilities 00:35:54 - The Illusion of Future Results 00:38:23 - The Cultivation of Deep Interest in Enlightenment 00:40:57 - The Difference in Interest levels 00:43:13 - The Illusion of Control and the Mystery of Self 00:46:04 - Awareness of the Witness vs. the Witnessed 00:48:57 - Non-duality and Physics 00:52:06 - Linkage of Subatomic Particles 00:54:41 - The Intelligence of the Cosmos 00:56:52 - The Development of Spiritual Intelligence 00:59:24 - The Purpose of Human Existence 01:01:30 - The Importance of Expressing Awakening Experiences 01:04:21 - The Importance of Reading, Writing, and Speaking 01:06:28 - A Quest for Truth 01:07:56 - A Joyful Journey 01:09:15 - Stay Connected with Buddha at the Gas Pump 01:10:46 - Theme Music

Natalie Gray is an ordinary person who spent the first 25 years of her adult life searching for meaning and answers. In her search, she looked for those answers in several places, including trying to find a calling (as an actress, teacher and life coach), through self-help and awareness seminars, through study and initiation with various spiritual teachers and teachings and through the use of drugs. After coming to the realization that no one or no thing outside of herself was going to be able to give Natalie what she wanted, she began an intense personal and internal search for the truth. In the fall of 2010, Natalie experienced what she refers to as “...the end of seeking. I was done,” she says. “I had no more questions. I needed no more answers. What was sought had been found.” Since then, Natalie has shared her experience and insights through her blog, and in videos on YouTube. She communicates regularly and freely with individuals who have questions or are interested in talking about nonduality. You can reach her by email. Interview recorded 11/26/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Natalie Gray 00:03:26 - Seeking Enlightenment 00:05:19 - My Encounter with a Mythical Guru 00:07:31 - Interviewing Robert 00:09:44 - The Many Perspectives of Awakening 00:13:39 - Embracing the Mystery of Life 00:17:52 - Pragya anchored to Kutastha 00:20:51 - The Ordinary and Fascinating Journey 00:23:03 - The Mechanics of Transformation 00:26:07 - The Absolute Experiencing Itself 00:29:46 - Life After Enlightenment 00:31:25 - The Death of the Self 00:34:23 - Embracing What Is 00:36:25 - Speaking spontaneously without attachment to outcomes 00:38:49 - Oneness and the Nature of Existence 00:41:35 - The Birth of "I" 00:44:51 - The Perception of Reality 00:49:41 - The Perspective of Everything is Perfect and Everything Needs Fixing 00:53:39 - The Meaning of Purpose 00:55:58 - The Ordinary Nature of Awakening 00:58:04 - The Ordinariness of Well-Known Non-Dual Teachers 01:01:00 - The Ordinary Remnants of Life 01:02:36 - The Circumstances of Your Dharma 01:04:07 - Finding Beauty in Ordinary Activities 01:05:56 - The Criteria for Realization 01:08:10 - The Never-Ending Refinement 01:11:13 - The Post-Awakening Roadmap 01:14:26 - A Saturation of Experience 01:17:08 - Playing Our Roles, Holding Up Our Sticks 01:20:34 - The Nature of Blame and Responsibility 01:24:03 - Signing up for email notifications and donations

Jon Bernie’s first awakening experience at the age of sixteen led him to spend many years practicing in the Zen and Theravadan Buddhist traditions, first as a monk in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, and then as an early student of Jack Kornfield’s. In the late 1980s, Jon’s spiritual trajectory was profoundly altered when he met Jean Klein – master of Advaita Vedanta and Kashmiri Yoga with whom he studied intensively for an extended period. Jon subsequently spent time with H.W.L. Poonja and Robert Adams, both direct disciples of Ramana Maharshi. Jon’s spiritual development was also greatly aided by Brother David Steindl-Rast, who, along with Thomas Merton, was one of the first Christian monks to seriously practice in the Zen and Tibetan traditions and has since been instrumental in building interfaith networks worldwide. After Jon met Adyashanti in 2002, his spiritual journey came to fruition, and subsequently Adya asked Jon to teach. In addition to his work as a spiritual teacher, Jon is a certified Zero Balancing practitioner and a teacher of the Alexander Technique in private practice in San Francisco since 1981. Jon’s healing work has also been deeply influenced by extensive training in NLP, hypnosis, Self Acceptance Training, cranio-sacral therapy and the Qigong system of Dr. Yu Penxi. In addition to his private practice, Jon has given lectures and workshops for the general public at the Suzuki Method Teacher’s Conference, UCSF Medical School, JFK University and the Whole Life Expo. Jon currently leads regular classes, retreats and intensives in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Jon's book, Ordinary Freedom Jon's Website Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 11/13/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Power of Energy in Satsangs 00:05:18 - Interconnectedness and Synchronization 00:07:57 - A Psychic Awakening at 16 00:10:28 - Questioning the Existence of a Creative Force 00:13:42 - The Mind Wanders 00:16:53 - Becoming a Buddhist Monk 00:20:32 - The End of Fear and the End of Seeking 00:23:52 - Constant Discovery 00:27:27 - Second Awakening and the End of Fear 00:30:54 - Subtle Ways of Transformation 00:33:56 - Healing the Unseen and Unhealed Parts of Ourselves 00:36:50 - Relating to Spiritual Teachers on a Human Level 00:39:48 - Monastic Component in TM Movement 00:43:11 - Embracing Different Paths to Personal Growth 00:46:35 - Talking about Personal Identity 00:50:04 - The Experience of Human Feelings 00:52:47 - A Meeting with a Radiant Spiritual Teacher 00:55:50 - The Absence of Self-Consciousness 00:58:19 - "Do the Next Obvious Thing" 01:01:19 - Discovering Life and Learning as a Human Being 01:04:50 - Being a Mirror for Others' Resistance 01:07:23 - The Miracle of Satsang 01:09:49 - The Beginning of Awakening 01:12:14 - The Question of Belief 01:15:08 - The Inner Lives of Individuals 01:18:31 - Awakening to Shakti with Rick and Tony 01:20:58 - Collective Transformation and Flexible Approaches to Spiritual Practice 01:23:43 - Questioning Beliefs and Assumptions 01:26:32 - The Necessity of Gradual Growth and Breakthroughs 01:29:37 - The Path to Truth 01:32:38 - Conclusion and Farewell Save

From an early age Rupert Spira was deeply interested in the nature of reality. For twenty years he studied the teachings of P.D.Ouspensky, J.Krishnamurti, Rumi, Shankaracharya, Ramana Maharshi, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and Robert Adams, until he met his teacher, Francis Lucille, in 1996. Francis introduced Rupert to the teachings of Jean Klein and Atmanada Krishnamenon and, more importantly, directly indicated to him the true nature of experience. Rupert’s YouTube Channel. Interviews can be listened to here and watched here. Rupert lives in UK and holds regular meetings and retreats in Europe and USA. Books: The Transparency of Things: Contemplating the Nature of Experience Presence, Volume I: The Art of Peace and Happiness Presence, Volume II: The Intimacy of All Experience The Ashes of Love: Sayings on the Essence of Non-Duality The Light of Pure Knowing: Thirty Meditations on the Essence of Non-Duality Transparent Body, Luminous World: The Tantric Yoga of Sensation and Perception (Book and six MP3 CD Box Set - 30 Hours of Audio) The Nature of Consciousness: Essays on the Unity of Mind and Matter Being Aware of Being Aware (The Essence of Meditation Series) For all further information see http://www.rupertspira.com. Interview recorded 11/6/2011. Summary and Transcript of this interview. 2nd BatGap interview with Rupert YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Rupert Spira and his book 00:04:14 - The Path of Advaita-Vedanta 00:08:06 - Recognizing "Home" 00:11:59 - Explorations of Feeling in the Body 00:15:50 - The Mechanics of the Experience 00:20:03 - The Knowingness of Experience 00:23:57 - The Objectivity of Reality 00:27:44 - The Common Perception in a Dream 00:31:26 - The Relationship Between Intelligence and the Structure of the World 00:34:53 - The Nature of Awareness 00:38:37 - The Presence of the Imaginary Separate Self 00:42:38 - Individuality and the Illusion of a Separate Self 00:46:34 - Models of Enlightenment 00:50:22 - Enlightenment and the Perpetuation of the Separate Self 00:53:51 - The Point of View of Awareness vs the Separate Self 00:57:43 - The Illusion of Ignorance and the Reality of Awareness 01:01:23 - The Illusion of Duality 01:04:34 - The Conundrum of the Apparent World 01:08:17 - The Path of Exclusion 01:12:11 - The Path of Understanding and Love 01:15:22 - The Experience of Perception as Awareness 01:18:12 - The Nature of Direct Experience 01:21:08 - The Illusion of Separate Objects 01:24:54 - The Art of Teaching and the Nature of Experience 01:29:04 - Tailoring Love and Understanding to the Question 01:32:57 - The Limitation of Language and Teaching 01:36:46 - The After-Effects of Enlightenment 01:40:40 - The Art of Teaching 01:44:11 - The Continuing Process of Enlightenment 01:48:03 - The Permeation of Love and Transparency

Jeff Foster graduated in Astrophysics from Cambridge University in 2001. Several years after graduation, following a period of severe depression and illness, he became addicted to the idea of ‘spiritual enlightenment’, and embarked on an intensive spiritual search which lasted for several years. The spiritual search came crashing down with the clear recognition of the nondual nature of everything. In the clarity of this seeing, life became what it always was: open, loving, spontaneous, and fully alive. Jeff presently holds meetings and retreats in the UK, Europe, and around the world, clearly and directly pointing to the frustrations surrounding our seeking activities, to the nature of the mind, and to the clarity at the heart of everything. His uncompromising approach, full of humour and compassion, enlightens and exposes the seeking mechanism – the mechanism behind all suffering – shattering our hopes for a future salvation, revealing the unconditional freedom and ease that is always already present, right in the midst of the human drama, and within every experience. Jeff belongs to no tradition or lineage but has a deep respect for traditions and lineages. Jeff is not an ‘authority’ on life. His words are equal to the sound of a bird singing, or a cat meowing. All are expressions of the One Life. And when all words have disappeared, as they do, all that’s left is laughter. Jeff's site: Life Without a Centre Jeff's books: An Extraordinary Absence: Liberation in the Midst of a Very Ordinary Life, The Wonder of Being: Awakening to an Intimacy Beyond Words Interview recorded 10/30/2011 Interview summary and transcript YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Interview with Jeff Foster 00:03:24 - The Mystery of Non-Duality 00:06:21 - The Stuck-ness and Freedom 00:09:49 - Discovering the Ocean Behind Things 00:12:30 - Embracing our Humanity 00:16:04 - A Total Embrace of Life and Non-Duality 00:18:54 - The Longing for Completeness and the End of Seeking 00:22:07 - Seeking Completeness in Relationships 00:25:42 - The Natural Movement of Seeking Completeness 00:29:06 - The Completeness of Seeking 00:32:33 - The Paradox of Seeking and Completeness 00:35:55 - The Constant Invitation of Waves 00:39:25 - Embracing Relationships and Self-Acceptance 00:42:26 - The Adventure of Relationships 00:45:30 - The Pain of Honest Self-Reflection 00:48:38 - The Possibility of Recognizing Who You Really Are 00:52:28 - A Journey of Self-Discovery 00:55:47 - The Messy Path to Self-Realization 00:59:26 - The Myth of Dramatic Stories 01:02:03 - The Sun and the Waves 01:05:02 - The New Doing: Rejecting All Doing 01:08:00 - Meeting People at Their Level 01:10:54 - Meeting Without Defenses 01:14:06 - The Man or Woman at the Cash Register 01:17:28 - Reflections on Crucifixion and Acceptance 01:20:51 - The Crucifixion and the Resurrection 01:23:40 - The Evolution of Language and Understanding in Non-duality 01:27:29 - The Natural Expression of Sharing 01:31:11 - Singing Our Song 01:35:02 - Allowing and Acceptance in Spiritual Teachings 01:37:44 - Introduction to the Show and Guest

Gangaji shares a simple message-This is an invitation to shift your allegiance from the activities of your mind to the eternal presence of your being. Born in Texas in 1942, Gangaji grew up in Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1964, she married and had a daughter. In 1972, she moved to San Francisco where she began exploring deeper levels of her being. She took Bodhisattva vows, practiced Zen and Vipassana meditation, helped run a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center, and had a career as an acupuncturist in the San Francisco Bay area. Despite her successes, Gangaji continued to experience a deep and persistent longing for fulfillment. She pursued many paths to change her life including relationship, motherhood, political activism, career, and spiritual practice, but even the greatest of her successes ultimately came up short. In the wake of her disillusionment, she made a final prayer for true help. In 1990, the answer to her prayer came unexpectedly, taking her to India and to the meeting that would change everything. There on the banks of the river Ganga, she met Sri H.W.L. Poonja, also known as Papaji, who opened the floodgates of self-recognition. In this meeting, Gangaji’s personal story of suffering ended and the promise of a true life began to flower and unfold. Today, Gangaji travels the world speaking to seekers from all walks of life. A teacher and author, she shares her direct experience of the essential message she received from Papaji and offers it to all who want to discover a true and lasting fulfillment. Through her life and words, she powerfully articulates how it is really possible to discover the truth of who you are and to be true to that discovery. She is the author of The Diamond in Your Pocket: Discovering Your True Radiance and Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth in Your Life Story. Learn more about Gangaji at www.gangaji.org. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 10/18/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Buddha at the Gas Pump with Gangaji 00:02:14 - The Lottery of Enlightenment 00:03:53 - Meeting people as regular individuals 00:05:51 - Reverence for the Teacher 00:07:44 - Teaching from Fulfillment 00:09:20 - The Thunderclap Moment and the Removal of Self-Doubt 00:11:40 - The Global Shift 00:16:06 - The Power of Words and Transmission 00:18:12 - Different types of people and their spiritual awakening 00:20:16 - The Importance of the Sangha 00:21:43 - The Meaning of "Stop" and its Effect 00:23:54 - The Search for Identity 00:26:25 - Surrendering to the Overshadowing Nature of Thought 00:28:08 - The Invitation to Recognize Who You Are 00:30:15 - Recognizing the Role of Thought 00:32:23 - The Function of Storytelling and Overcoming Obstacles 00:34:48 - Discovering the Hidden Treasure 00:37:13 - Discovering Joy in Being 00:39:41 - The Fear of Nonexistence 00:42:22 - Fear as the Ultimate Gatekeeper 00:44:17 - Overcoming Fear and Distraction in Meditation 00:46:38 - Exploring Discomfort in Meditation 00:48:22 - Turning the Mind Back to Its Source 00:50:39 - The Beauty of Meeting Him 00:52:12 - The Beginning of the Journey 00:53:47 - The Growth Through Relationship Challenges 00:55:31 - Finding Love Amidst Chaos 00:57:44 - Love, Fulfillment, and Relationships 00:59:54 - Trusting Yourself 01:01:30 - Concluding remarks and future content

Ellie is a happily married woman for 29 years. She has been blessed, with two beautiful children—a lovely daughter and a sweet son. Since childhood, she was seeing herself as a vision, which was not associated with the body at all. The question was arising, “Who am I?” This was never answered and it was there in her heart for a long time… Since the year 2001, she has been inspired: To get to know who she is, To find what she is searching for For the past few years, she has had wonderful experiences by “going within,” meditating and discovering the Truth. The Truth reveals itself to itself by itself. She would like to share these experiences with you. She hopes that by reading her story, you also get inspired to “go within” and "discover" who you really are, and also find the authentic joy that resides within. This is simply a discovery, not to become anyone or anything. Remember: Joy is already there, it just needs to be uncovered. We learn to go within and to be a witness of the "nothingness.” It may be frightening at the beginning. All our life we want to be somebody and add something to ourselves and now we will face "nothingness." She wishes you all patience and the best of luck on this path. Please know that this is the best thing and the most important thing that you can do for yourself. Ellie's website 2nd interview with Ellie Interview recorded 10/16/2011 Italian subtitled version of this interview. Transcript of this interview YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction: Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:06 - The Invisible Vision 00:08:51 - Searching for Meaning and Purpose 00:13:56 - A Powerful Energy Experience 00:18:27 - Kundalini Awakening and Energy Healing 00:22:24 - Seeking Help for Kundalini Blockage 00:26:49 - The Power of Meditation 00:31:04 - The Powerful Meditation Experience 00:35:39 - A Love Affair with the Divine 00:39:21 - The 7 Stages of Self-Realization in Sufism 00:43:37 - A Love Affair with Uncertainty 00:49:06 - Experiencing Oneness and Duality 00:53:01 - Embracing Oneness and Love 00:57:45 - The Kingdom of God Within You 01:02:04 - Surrendering the Mind 01:06:07 - The Path to Self-Realization 01:10:46 - The Path to Awakening 01:15:26 - The Importance of Personal Experience 01:18:55 - Understanding, Realization, and Liberation 01:23:07 - The Truth and the Mind 01:27:21: Disappointment and the Path of Meditation 01:31:09 - The Truth of Oneness 01:35:36 - The Illusion of Reality 01:40:13 - The Beauty of Variety 01:43:52 - Different Ways of Meditation 01:48:01 - Surrendering the Mind and Knowing Yourself 01:51:29 - Surrender to the Burning Desire 01:55:56 - The Truth in Awareness 02:00:45 - The Illusion of Happening and Unfolding in Here 02:05:44 - The Benefits of the Conversation 02:09:02 - Conclusion and Upcoming Interview with Gangaji

Unmani is originally from the UK but has lived a nomadic life in many countries around the world from the age of 18. Unlike most people, since she was a child, Unmani never identified with being a ‘person’ in the world, but she felt very lost and alone in a world that everyone else seemed to take so seriously. She spent years traveling around the world trying on different roles and identities to see if any of them fit. Disappointed with each role, she continued searching to find a way out of the pain she felt. She spent some time in the Osho centre in Pune, India, and there discovered meditation, free expression, and other insightful wisdom. But although this brought her more relaxation, it did not seem to get to the root of her search. Some years later she met the German Zen master, Dolano. With her, Unmani recognized that what she had been searching for had always been right here. She woke up to the dream, time stopped, and the search ended. She no longer needed to try to fit in or be someone, because Unmani had finally acknowledged the truth of who she really is. Unmani began holding meetings and retreats 3 years later. She is the author of two books ‘I am Life itself’ and ‘Die to Love’ and is now writing a third book. Meeting with Unmani is meeting with yourself in the most real and alive way. It is not about chasing sweet spiritual experiences that come, and then sadly go. Dialogues with Unmani are a fundamental and intimate enquiry that cut through all philosophies and belief systems. Unmani encourages people to truly face their deepest fears, to no longer blindly buy into dreamy hopes, and to wake up to the reality of life. Unmani holds meetings and intensives all over the world, and also online. These are aimed towards people who are genuinely willing to risk losing what they think they know, to courageously take a step into the alive unknown. 2nd Batgap interview with Unmani. Website: die-to-love.com Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/11/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:03:44 - Spontaneous Preferences and Self-Discovery in Teenage Years 00:06:54 - From Therapist to Traveling Abroad 00:10:09 - Discovering Spirituality in India 00:13:28 - The Frustration and Madness of the Search 00:16:28 - Ready to Die and Joining Dolano's Group 00:19:57 - A Drive for the Truth 00:23:21 - Integration and Knowing 00:26:15 - Exploring the Male/Female Dynamic 00:29:50 - Humility and Confidence 00:33:10 - Seeing Thought for What It Is 00:36:28 - The Potential Benefits of Practices 00:40:23 - Moments of Recognition 00:43:18 - The Illusion of Retaining Thoughts 00:46:27 - The Physiological Basis of Consciousness 00:49:30 - Meetings in Not Knowing 00:53:05 - Changing the Format and Focusing on Dialogues 00:55:55 - Breaking Free from Beliefs 00:58:54 - Recognizing Who You Are 01:01:43 - Recognition and Growth in Life 01:04:31 - The Integration of the Child into the Woman 01:07:04 - The Meaning of Love 01:10:06 - Emptiness and Fullness 01:12:51 - The Fear of Intimacy 01:16:05- The Nature of Reality and Misinterpretation 01:18:50 - Recognition and Attitude 01:21:58 - The Spontaneity of Speech and Intimacy in Retreats 01:24:38 - Returning to Regular Life After a Retreat 01:27:20 - The Process of Seeing Through Old Patterns 01:29:55 - No Escape from Reality 01:33:11 - Discussion Group and Conclusion

In February 2008 at the age of thirty-three, Karen experienced a sudden and radical awakening. Prior to this realisation, no teachings or practices were followed – in fact at that time the terms non-duality and awakening were completely unfamiliar. This spontaneous realization presented itself during a period of intense emotional suffering and when demands in life exceeded Karen’s physical capability. Karen attempted to persevere in the face of these challenges, the consequence being a severely debilitating illness that affected physical functioning on every level. Although the illness had a devastating effect on life as it was then known, it seemed to create a space for a deeper reality to be recognized. As her state of health was so poor, Karen was unable to return to work – meaning that she spent a significant amount of time confined to her home. The effect of this period of solitude was profound surrender, allowing the realization to become deeply integrated into daily living. Two and a half years after the initial recognition, someone Karen didn’t know approached her for guidance, which really was the beginning of sharing in a more active way. Karen now shares openly with all those who wish to enquire into the true nature of reality. In the years prior to the realization, Karen has experienced challenges and disappointments that seem common to many. She is also a certified life coach and that, coupled with her nursing career has given her considerable experience of working with people from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances. This has endowed her with the ability to empathize and understand life as it is to commonly experienced, making her easy to communicate with. Realization – from a human perspective – means that the unity beyond apparent diversity is remembered. Life can then be embraced fully and authentically – without contamination from the lens of the conditioned mind, bringing relief from all psychological suffering. An inevitable consequence of this recognition is the arising of compassion, love, and respect for life in all of its appearances – having an ever-deepening impact on the human experience. This has the direct consequence of transforming the world we see literally before our eyes, having a powerful healing effect on the planet as a whole. ‘May you rediscover who you truly are, for in that knowing lies liberation, peace, and wisdom. You are THAT for which you have been seeking’ Much love, Karen Richards Interview recorded 9/25/2011 Summary and Transcript of this interview. 2nd interview with Karen YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Karen Richards' Awakening Journey 00:03:14 - A Complete Mental and Physical Shutdown 00:06:29 - Early Inquiries into Life's Meaning 00:09:11 - Awakening and Spiritual Homework 00:11:36 - Awakening and Physical Incapacitation 00:13:57 - Awakening to Reality and the Shift in Consciousness 00:16:52 - Embracing Life and Responding 00:19:50 - Awakening and the Evolution of Experience 00:22:21 - The Journey of Embracing What's Always Here 00:25:02 - Living the Recognition Fresh 00:28:03 - The Knowing from the Heart vs. the Conditioned Aspect 00:30:48 - Making Spiritual Teachings Accessible 00:33:19 - Meeting People Where They Are 00:36:16 - The Flow of Water and Meeting People Where They Are 00:39:13 - Seeking Happiness in Things 00:42:00 - Awakening to Timeless Consciousness 00:45:02 - The Experience of Everything 00:47:31 - The Fluctuating Polarity of Awakening 00:50:37 - Living Realization from a Memory 00:53:14 - Experiential Recognition and Thought Identification 00:56:09 - Different Ways of Awakening 00:58:53 - Ramana Maharishi's Period of Integration 01:01:37 - Uncovering Conditioned Tendencies 01:04:29 - Uncovering Hidden Tendencies and Conditioning 01:07:40 - Recognizing Conditioned Patterns and Dissipating Tendencies 01:10:48 - The Illusion of Clarity and Cultural Conditioning 01:13:45 - Recognizing Hidden Conditioning 01:16:35 - Resting and not manipulating anything 01:19:15 - Continuing Evolutionary Process 01:21:58 - Wrapping Up the Interview 01:24:16 - Contact Karen Richards for More Information