Buddha at the Gas Pump

In 2014, I awakened to the realization that being aware is my true nature. The experience of just being aware without the identity of a person who is aware was at once exhilarating and disorienting. This simple but profound realization transformed my experience of life to one of effortless being. A wonderful result of this awakening is a lasting peace that transcends all experience. In this awakened sense of pure being, the physical body is experienced as an objective sense of being, and the mind is experienced as an objective sense of knowing. There is no longer the need for an individual identity as a person who ​is living life. There is only awareness and the experience of the objective sense of awareness in various forms of expressions. The illusion of a person being aware of objects dissolved and was replaced with a pervasive sense of joy and freedom. Before 2014, my life was based on the story of a woman named Victoria Ukachukwu who is a trained scientist with a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and is a divorced mother of two daughters. All of my experiences derived from this core identity. Over time, this identity became very limiting and questions about God and the nature of reality began to arise. Science offered no satisfactory answers nor did the Catholic religion in which I was raised. In 2010 I discovered the teachings of non-duality. In particular, the teachings of Mooji and Rupert Spira. In 2012, I went to my first ​retreat with Rupert Spira and came away with more questions. It was not until June 2014 when I went to a second retreat with Rupert Spira that all questions dissolved with the recognition of my true nature. Subsequently, in 2019, I discovered the timeless teaching of Joel Goldsmith which further reaffirmed and expanded my burgeoning understanding of spiritual principles that illuminate the nature of being.  In his book, The Master Speaks, Joel Goldsmith reminds us that the Truth of being is eternal regardless of how many different ways it is presented. Consciousness is the creative principle of life. Consciousness is the eternal truth of being. In my experience, being aware or Awareness Itself is our true nature and our only purpose. It is Absolute. Victoria's email address Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 16, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:04:36 - Growing up Catholic and questioning belief in God 00:09:15 - The Bookstore Encounter and Meditation Journey 00:13:21 - Being More and Doing Less 00:17:29 - Discovering Rupert Spira 00:22:53 - Exhilaration and a sense of being aware 00:28:01 - The Nature of Being and Pure Awareness 00:33:17 - The simplicity of realizing true nature 00:38:09 - The Secret of Harmonious Living in the Bible 00:42:54 - Unity of All Beings 00:47:18 - The Presence of God and Harmony 00:52:13 - The Power to Overcome 00:56:56 - Right Action and Restoring Peace 01:00:36 - A Near-Drowning Experience 01:04:19 - The Limits of Tools and Identity 01:09:59 - The Personal and Universal Self 01:14:19 - The Illusion of Separation 01:18:00 - The Power of Clarification 01:22:25 - Elevating the Level of Consciousness 01:26:48 - The Release of Identity 01:31:27 - Seeking the Kingdom of God 01:35:43 - The Fear of Contagion and the Vaccine 01:40:34 - The Eternal Nature of Being 01:45:33 - Integration and Belief Systems in Psychology 01:49:39 - The Master-Student Relationship 01:54:25 - Freedom from Negative Emotions 01:59:15 - Addressing from a Place of Power and Compassion 02:03:26 - The Two I's and the Conscious Realization of God 02:08:51 - The Power of Stillness and Self-Realization 02:12:51 - Rupert's Teachings and Intellectual Rigor 02:16:23 - Farewell to the Team

Stephen Doetsu Snyder began meditating daily in 1976. he has practiced since in the Zen tradition as well as extensive practice in Theravada Buddhism. he is a lineage Zen teacher as well as a lineage Theravada teacher. He was also influenced by Diamond Heart teachings and practices. He combines the ancient Buddhist heart practices with awakening practices of the Zen tradition into a heartfelt journey of realization and embodiment. Books: Demystifying Awakening: A Buddhist Path of Realization, Embodiment, and Freedom Buddha's Heart: Meditation Practice for Developing Well-Being, Love, and Empathy Practicing the Jhanas: Traditional Concentration Meditation as Presented by the Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw Website: awakeningdharma.org Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 10, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:03 - The Importance of Heart Practices in Zen 00:07:34 - Dropping the Sense of Self and Transcending Identity 00:11:16 - The Importance of Stability and Trust in Spiritual Experiences 00:14:43 - The Nature of the Absolute 00:18:25 - The Importance of Direct Experience in Understanding 00:21:47 - Different Teachings on God and Jesus 00:25:08 - Levels of Realization 00:28:37 - The Journey of Self-Realization and Integration 00:31:54 - The Importance of Ethical Behavior in the Spiritual Community 00:35:24 - Addressing Doubts and Hierarchy 00:38:38 - Integrating Spirituality and Law 00:42:00 - The First Awakening: A Satori Experience 00:45:24 - The Progress of Personal Growth 00:48:54 - The Experience of the Absolute 00:52:26 - Overdoing Meditation and the Need for Balance 00:56:11 - Concentration and Jhana Factors 00:59:17 - Releasing Effort and Deepening Meditation 01:02:33 - Exploring Different Paths and Awakening Experiences 01:05:58 - Retreating and Progressive Practices 01:09:25 - Progression of Practice and Integration of Personal Issues 01:12:59 - The Need for Personal Work and Practice 01:16:20 - Difference between prana rising and Kundalini rising 01:19:41 - Resistances to Awakening 01:23:08 - Fear and Shifts in Consciousness 01:26:25 - Balancing Heart Practices and Awakening Practices 01:29:55 - The practice of innate goodness meditation and journaling 01:33:16 - Working with the Inner Critic and Therapist Recommendations 01:36:32 - The Shift in Consciousness 01:39:42 - Retreats and Personal Journey 01:43:03 - Zen Jazz and Life's Improvisations

Clare Goldsberry has been a life-long student of religion and spiritual traditions. Having been reared Protestant Christian, her goal was to study for the ministry after completing her BA in Journalism at Arizona State University. However, a few semesters into those studies in a cooperative study program with Claremont School of Theology (Claremont, CA), she was called away into the study of Buddhism. For the past 27 years, she has been engaged in the practice of Buddhism, as well as the study of Hinduism, Gnosticism, Theosophy, philosophy (from the ancients to modern philosophers), and modern Christian religions. She has even added the study of Quantum physics to the mix after noticing that modern quantum ideas parallel those of Buddhism as the science of mind. She has always followed her inner voice, as it is that call that is the true call on her path. She teaches classes on all of those topics and tries to encourage people to follow their inner light/voice and not to be led astray. The questions are always more important than the answers, as she tells her students. Website: claregoldsberry.com Books: The Illusion of Life and Death: Mind, Consciousness, and Eternal Being The Teacher Within: Finding and Living Your Personal Truth: Finding and Living Your Personal Truth A Stranger in Zion Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 2, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Clare Goldsberry 00:03:41 - Learning from Brent's Illness 00:07:51 - Remembering Death 00:11:30 - The Mystery of Different Opportunities 00:15:21 - The Meaning and Purpose of Karma 00:19:23 - The Intelligence of the Universe 00:23:24 - Guardian Angels and Grace in Life 00:27:06 - The Search for Answers Outside Oneself 00:30:31 - Believing in Leaders and Having All the Answers 00:34:24 - Excommunicated from the Church 00:38:01 - The Importance of Discernment in Beliefs and Truth 00:41:34 - Reincarnation in the Judeo-Christian Tradition 00:45:24 - Making Choices in Life 00:49:14 - Embracing the Twists and Turns in Life 00:52:56 - The Chinese Farmer Story and Embracing All Perspectives 00:56:12 - Why We Don't Know How to Die 01:00:00 - Attachment and the Fear of Death 01:03:21 - Reincarnation and Beliefs in India 01:07:27 - Quantum Physics and Creating Reality 01:10:46 - Making a Difference in Your Practice 01:14:13 - The Possibility of Transcending Suffering 01:17:47 - Non-attachment and Letting Go 01:21:34 - Grief to Growth and Finding Meaning 01:25:02 - A Shift in the World 01:28:42 - The Buddha's Awakening 01:32:25 - The Dying Process and Embracing Death 01:36:14 - Loving without Attachment 01:40:04 - Letting Go of Attachments and Embracing Fulfillment 01:43:42 - Living Life on Your Own Terms for the Time You Have 01:47:12 - Reflections on Aging and Death 01:50:03 - Farewell in Phoenix

Penny Sartori became interested in death and dying early in her nursing career after a connection she developed while caring for a dying patient in the ICU. That event motivated Penny to question what happens when we die and this led to Penny undertaking a long-term study to investigate the near-death experiences of patients in ICU. Penny worked as a nurse for 21 years and currently lectures at the nursing department of Swansea University. Website: drpennysartori.com YouTube Channel Books: The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences: How Understanding NDEs Can Help Us to Live More Fully The Transformative Power of Near-Death Experiences: How the Messages of NDEs Can Positively Impact the World Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded Sunday, June 26, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Dr. Penny Sartori 00:03:50 - Reflections on Death and Near-Death Experiences 00:07:09 - The Disconnection from Nature and Primal Selves 00:10:38 - Long-term Impacts of Near-Death Experiences 00:14:00 - Impact of Near-Death Experiences 00:17:23 - The Purpose of Near-Death Experiences 00:20:36 - Beings from Higher Dimensions 00:23:58 - Medications and Near-Death Experiences 00:27:01 - The Importance of Understanding Near-Death Experiences 00:30:10 - After Effects of Near-Death Experiences 00:33:34 - Unexplainable Experiences during Near Death Experience 00:36:39 - Heightened State of Awareness during Unconsciousness 00:39:51 - Profound healing experiences through altered state of consciousness 00:42:57 - A Profound Understanding of Quantum Physics 00:46:11 - Consciousness as a Transmitter or Receiver 00:49:30 - Different Experiences of Consciousness 00:52:57 - Out-of-body experiences and consciousness after death 00:55:48 - Wisdom of Ancient Traditions 00:58:56 - Experiencing the Life Review 01:01:53 - The Profound Effect of Actions on Individuals 01:05:00 - Tactile and Auditory Experiences in NDEs 01:07:59 - The Challenges of Verifying Out-of-Body Experiences 01:11:03 - Near-Death Experiences and Perspective Shifts 01:13:49 - Distressing Near-Death Experiences 01:17:08 - Heavenly and Hellish Realms 01:20:32 - Pleasant Experiences of Dying 01:24:22 - Visited by Deceased Loved Ones During the Dying Process 01:28:20 - The Transformative Potential of Near-Death Experiences 01:32:28 - Transformative Experiences and Helping Others 01:36:29 - Messages and Symbols After Death 01:39:57 - Near-Death Experience and Empowering Communities

 Shambhavi is the spiritual director of Jaya Kula, a nonprofit organization offering opportunities to learn and practice in the traditions of Trika Shaivism and the Dzogchen. She has also studied meditation with teachers in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions. Her root Guru is Anandamayi Ma. Shambhavi emphasizes direct encounters with the wisdom of the heart through the more explicitly devotional teachings and practices of Trika Shaivism and Dzogchen. In addition to offering teachings in spiritual practice and view, Shambhavi is a trained jyotishi and diviner. At one time, Shambhavi taught at Northwestern University. She left academia in 2004 in order to devote herself to practice, writing, and teaching in her spiritual traditions. Websites: jayakula.org timemedicine.org Bio Site Facebook group where people can get the Zoom log in info for Thursday and Sunday satsangs. Books (Author page on Amazon) Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded June 20, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump and Jaya Kula 00:03:39 - Esoteric Connections and Studying Different Traditions 00:07:39 - Meeting Anandamayi Ma 00:11:55 - Encountering Divine Intelligence 00:16:35 - The Artistry of Limitation and Release from Suffering 00:21:13 - The Intimate Relationship with a Teacher 00:25:27 - The Role of a Teacher in Spiritual Practice 00:29:08 - The Friend: A Guiding Wisdom 00:33:04 - The Round World vs the Flat World 00:37:09 - Continuous Learning and Refinement in Wisdom Traditions 00:41:24 - The Direct Path vs the Progressive Path 00:45:34 - Sticking with a Spiritual Practice 00:49:33 - The Misunderstanding of Instant Enlightenment 00:53:38 - Contentment and Yearning 00:57:06 - The Privilege of Spiritual Practice (feat. Shambhavi) 01:01:11 - The Nature of Self and God 01:04:54 - Vrittis: Patterns of the Mind 01:08:34 - Shaktipat and Transmission of Enlightenment 01:12:38 - Science Fiction and Channeling Experiences 01:16:36 - The Revelation of Devotion and Integration 01:20:52 - Exploring the realms of science and spirituality 01:24:41 - The Intersection of Science and Spirituality 01:28:18 - The Journey to Spiritual Awakening 01:32:22 - The Connection between the Cosmic Heart and the Individual Heart 01:36:29 - Satsang and the Grand City of Manifest Life 01:40:23 - Living Without View 01:44:38 - The Nature of Reality in Trika Philosophy 01:48:19 - The Nuanced View of Illusion in Advaita Vedanta 01:52:11 - The Immanence of the Divine 01:55:57 - The Surprises of Spiritual Practice 01:59:46 - The Reality of the Experience

Suresh Ramaswamy is a transformational teacher and visionary entrepreneur passionate about igniting and catalyzing the transformation of humanity. He is the author of Just Be: Transform Your Life and Live as Infinity, the recipient of many awards, including the Nautilus book award and the International Soul-Bridge Body-Mind-Spirit award. With his background as an electrical engineer and technology executive, Suresh brings an inspired yet pragmatic approach to elevating consciousness on our planet. Held in high regard by people around the world, Suresh’s light-filled presence, and guidance awakens them to their innermost essence. Websites: sureshramaswamy.org radiantfield.org YouTube Channel Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded June 12, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:24 - Lucid Dreams and Patterns of Light 00:08:46 - Crystal Clear Bliss 00:12:55 - Vibratory Connection and Devotion 00:17:13 - Exploring Action and Inaction 00:21:13 - Recognizing the Tendencies Within Us 00:25:29 - The Experience of Lightning Consciousness 00:29:41 - The Beauty of Subtle Awakening 00:33:56 - Conversations with Ordinary Spiritually Awakening People 00:38:01 - Cultivating Higher Consciousness and the Experience of Light 00:42:22 - Different Descriptions of Enlightenment 00:46:28 - The Multidimensional Nature of Light 00:49:58 - Beingness and the Field of Pure Silence 00:53:29 - Action in Inaction 00:57:01 - Beings of Light 01:00:58 - The Integration of Outer and Inner Perception 01:05:05 - Fluidity and Mobility 01:09:17 - The Role of Practices in Spiritual Growth 01:13:38 - Recognition and Respect for Various Practices in Vedanta 01:17:59 - Striving vs Surrender in Meditation 01:21:53 - The Importance of Balancing the Inner Circuit 01:26:30 - The Universal Nature of Grace and Perception 01:30:36 - Melting into the Soft, Energetic Field 01:35:10 - The Danger of Chasing Altered States 01:39:18 - Overcoming Impediments and Asking for Grace 01:43:39 - The Journey of Evolution and Desires 01:48:12 - The Journey of Evolution 01:52:20 - Reconnecting with Infinity and Relationships 01:56:57 - Letting Go and Expanding Consciousness 02:01:31 - Seizing the Opportunity for Progress 02:05:36 - Wrapping Up and Upcoming Interviews

Duane Elgin is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and social visionary. He has an MBA in business and an MA in economic history  He has worked as a senior staff member of the Presidential Commission on the American Future, and a senior social scientist co-authoring numerous studies of the long-range future for clients such as the President’s Science Advisor; the National Science Foundation; and others. Duane has also co-founded three non-profit organizations working for media accountability and citizen empowerment. He received the Peace Prize of Japan, the Goi Award, in recognition of his contribution to a global “vision, consciousness, and lifestyle” that fosters a “more sustainable and spiritual culture.” Duane is the Co-director of the Choosing Earth Project. His books include: Choosing Earth: Humanity's Journey of Initiation Through Breakdown and Collapse to Mature Planetary Community "The Living Universe: Where Are We? Who Are We? Where Are We Going?"; "Promise Ahead: A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity's Future"; "Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich"; and "Awakening Earth: Exploring the Evolution of Human Culture and Consciousness" (Also available as a free download on Duane's site.) He co-authored the book "Changing Images of Man" with Joseph Campbell and other scholars. In addition, Duane has contributed chapters to twenty-three books and has published more than a hundred major articles. Websites: choosingearth.org duaneelgin.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview First interview with Duane Interview recorded June 4, 2022. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Duane Elgin 00:04:06 - The Time of Profound Transition 00:08:03 - The Top Environmental Problems: Selfishness, Greed, and Apathy 00:11:49 - Three Pathways for the Future 00:16:31 - A Time of Great Transition 00:20:54 - The Opportunity of This Time 00:25:20 - The Invitation of Transformation and Transition 00:29:20 - The Ecology of Consciousness 00:34:05 - The Aliveness of the Universe 00:38:03 - The Extraordinary Journey of Living in a Living Universe 00:42:09 - The Zooming Powers of 10 and our Connection to the Universe 00:45:29 - The Aliveness of the Universe: A Transition in Perception 00:49:23 - The Function of the United Nations 00:53:35 - The Power and Consequences of Social Media 00:57:18 - Mobilizing Our Capacities for Transformation 01:01:05 - The Devastating Times Ahead 01:04:57 - A Rush of Migration and Learning from Trauma 01:09:03 - Progression and Resistance 01:12:47 - Tapping into our Inner Resources 01:16:16 - The Miracles of Life, Consciousness, and Communication 01:20:30 - The Importance of Curiosity and Understanding Others 01:24:07 - Reconciliation and the Right to Life 01:27:58 - The Power of Recontextualization and Communication 01:32:21 - Averting the Danger of Lack of Conscious Attention 01:35:38 - The Importance of Community 01:39:36 - The Economic Hurricane and the Unraveling 01:43:30 - The Potential Consequences and Preparation for Disruptions 01:47:10 - The Shift towards Vegetarianism 01:50:56 - Finding Your True Gifts 01:54:12 - The Unraveling of Big Structures and Systems 01:57:34 - Setting Reminders for Upcoming Interviews on BatGap

Karen V. Johnson is a graduate of Georgetown Law Center (J.D.), a former Fulbright Scholar in Afghanistan, and holds Masters Degrees in Public Health and Public and International Affairs (MPH, MPIA). Karen is a retired federal administrative law judge who practiced criminal and energy law for more than 30 years. She also is a former U.S. Army officer, Major, USAR (inactive). Karen was personally trained by Alberto Villoldo, and is faculty at the Four Winds Society and a Master Practitioner of Energy Medicine. She has trained extensively in the techniques of Illumination, Soul Retrieval, Extractions of Energies and Entities, Divination, and Death Rites. Living Grieving: Using Energy Medicine to Alchemize Grief and Loss is her first book. Website: karenjohnson.net Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 28, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:21 - Finding Comfort in Belief of Life After Death 00:09:08 - Life After Death 00:13:05 - Communicating with Subtle Beings 00:16:51 - The Old Man in the Basement and Childhood Experiences+ 00:20:32 - Orchestrating the Unfolding of Events 00:24:17 - The Journey of Grief 00:28:36 - Providing Help in Grief and Isolation 00:32:15 - Ceremony and Healing Practices 00:36:38 - Finding Meaning in Regrets and Life Experiences 00:41:25 - The Journey of Ben's Difficulties 00:44:59 - Struggles and Loss 00:48:14 - Awakening to Other Realms 00:51:48 - Beings on the Other Side 00:55:38 - The Significance of Dream Time 01:00:08 - The Dangers of Isolation and Conspirituality 01:03:45 - The Eternal Self and the Purpose of Death 01:06:44 - The Revelations of Time 01:11:15 - The Science and Spirituality Interface 01:15:32 - Traveling the World and Pursuing Different Traditions 01:19:53 - Metaphors of Journey and Healing 01:23:57 - Working with Luminous Energy Fields 01:27:06 - Discovering a Path for Change 01:30:12 - The Feeling of Being Invisible 01:33:38 - Finding Your Personal Path to Meditation 01:37:05 - Embracing Diversity in Spirituality 01:40:24 - The Beauty and Complexity of the World 01:43:13 - Closet Believers in Woo Woo 01:46:54 - The Importance of Practicing Beauty 01:51:05 - The Beauty and Joy of Life 01:54:42 - Upcoming Interview with Delayed Author

Moshe Gersht is a sought out spiritual teacher in Jerusalem. A student of Torah, Kaballah, and Chasidus, he shares ancient mystical and philosophical wisdom in a way that is practical, relatable, and enjoyable. For nearly a decade Moshe toured the states as the singer and songwriter for a popular Los Angeles-based rock band. Only two years after signing a record deal, Moshe had a spiritual awakening that sent him journeying to Jerusalem. The next fourteen years were spent in the deep spiritual practice and in-depth study of Torah. Today, Moshe seamlessly connects and expresses these fundamental spiritual ideas with universal principles of psychology, spirituality, and self-development. He understands the true nature of the human mind and our collective struggles and has devoted his life to helping people align with their purpose, peace, and inner joy. In 2021 Moshe released his Wall Street Journal bestselling spiritual book titled It's All The Same To Me: A Torah Guide To Inner Peace and Love of Life, which Deepak Chopra has called "a contribution to the world's enlightenment." A free sample of his book can be downloaded from his website: moshegersht.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 22, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:29 - In Theory and YouTube's Popularity 00:06:21 - A Deep Success Beyond Externalities 00:09:54 - A Shift in Life's Direction 00:12:37 - The Oneness and Duality of Existence 00:18:04 - The Opportunity of Life 00:23:20 - The Trajectory of Positive Human Evolution 00:26:19 - Shakespeare and the Contrast of Comedies and Tragedies 00:28:55 - Finding Peace in Any Circumstance 00:31:54 - The Teen Years and the Search for Connection 00:34:12 - Finding the Goodness in Humanity 00:36:53 - The Clarity and Truth of Life Before Birth 00:39:27 - The Ne-ra-nkha-i and the Five Elements of the Soul 00:42:48 - The Integration of Science and Spirituality 00:45:51 - The Marriage of Science and Spirituality 00:49:02 - The Potential of Turning Around and Returning to Greatness 00:52:27 - Contemplating the Vastness of Space and the Significance of the Small 00:56:47 - Reflection and Peaceful Perspective 01:03:02 - The Profundity of Amma's Atmosphere 01:08:59 - Discovering the Intellectual Side of Torah 01:14:56 - Deep Meditation and Kabbalistic Practices 01:21:08 - Juggling Work and Family Life 01:24:18 - The Shift and the Desire to Understand and Share Life's Depth 01:27:55 - Teaching and the Physiology of Flow 01:31:21 - Robin Williams and Humor 01:34:58 - The Teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov 01:41:00 - The Power of Appreciation and Meditation 01:46:15 - Teaching on All Levels 01:52:01 - Meditating on the Water Within You 01:59:59 - Finding Awakening in Special Places 02:08:21 - Sources for Further Reading

Sharon Hewitt Rawlette is a philosopher and writer who studies extraordinary experiences and what they have to tell us about consciousness and the deeper nature of the world we live in. She has a Ph.D. in philosophy from New York University and taught for two years at Brandeis University before leaving academia in 2010 for a career as an independent writer and researcher. Her foray into the realm of extraordinary experience began with synchronicities, and her first non-academic book was The Source and Significance of Coincidences, published in 2019. In 2020, she published a memoir about her personal spiritual journey—The Supreme Victory of the Heart—and then in November 2021, she was named a runner-up in the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies essay contest for her essay “Beyond Death,” on the best evidence for the survival of human consciousness after death. She has also contributed to a forthcoming collaborative volume on “deep weird” and a French collective work on the role of the Trickster in paranormal phenomena. Another book, (forward by Thomas Nagel): The Feeling of Value: Moral Realism Grounded in Phenomenal Consciousness Website: sharonrawlette.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 14, 2022 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:40 - A Difficult Transition out of Religion 00:09:18 - A Serendipitous Encounter in Brittany 00:13:37 - Stories of Synchronicity 00:17:06 - A Mysterious Phone Call 00:21:00 - The Invisible Network of Consciousness 00:25:28 - The Intelligence and Gravity Connection 00:29:47 - The Evolution of Inhabitants of a Planet 00:34:06 - The Emergence of Consciousness and the Illusion of a Continuous Physical World 00:38:26 - The Mechanics of Observation and Consciousness 00:42:24 - The Paradoxes of the Universe 00:46:48 - Welcoming Anomalies and Going Beyond the Party Line 00:50:51 - The Impact of Specialization on Progress and Perspective 00:55:26 - The Intrinsic Value of Consciousness 01:00:17 - Ethical Boundaries and Unity of Consciousness 01:04:25 - Consciousness and the Holographic Nature of the Universe 01:08:27 - The Universe as a Playpen 01:12:33 - The Importance of Looking in the Mirror to Prevent Accidents 01:15:57 - Guardian Angels and Divine Interventions 01:20:11 - Higher Levels of Consciousness and Celestial Beings 01:24:13 - Imaginative capacities and renewal 01:28:35 - Overcoming Fear and Promoting Flourishing Consciousness 01:32:45 - The Power of Making Unpopular Decisions 01:36:42 - Between Consciousness and the Body 01:40:51 - Memories of Previous Lives and Afterlife Communications 01:45:10 - The Soul's Entry into the Body 01:49:03 - Memories of Past Lives and Reincarnation 01:53:13 - The Value of Positive Consciousness and the Cycle of Life 01:57:17 - The Ethics of Abortion and the Soul 02:01:41 - The Possibility of Life after Death 02:05:20 - Organizing Content on batgap.com