Buddha At The Gas Pump

Karen's spiritual journey has been long and eventful, with many insights, realizations and awakenings. She has been blessed by the influence and support of wonderful teachers including Joel Goldsmith, Eckhart Tolle and Pamela Wilson. After many years and much investigation, Karen came home to the truth that freedom can only be found within. She now offers group and private sessions to assist others in returning to a state of wholeness and embodying the essence of true nature. Her down-to-earth approach helps bring spiritual reality from the conceptual to the experiential. Website Blog Facebook Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/11/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Childhood Experiences 00:05:08 - Moments of Clarity and Darkness 00:09:40 - The Dark Night of the Soul 00:13:53 - Naturalness of Higher Consciousness 00:18:27 - Neuroplasticity and Transformative Insights 00:23:09 - Divine Play and Distortion 00:28:19 - The Beginnings of Healing Journe

David grew up on the SW coast of Canada. In the mid-'70s, he discovered the subject of consciousness, then Transcendental Meditation (TM). This was quite a revelation. He quickly became an avid seeker, attending many talks and courses. Nine months after starting TM, he arrived in NE France for a 6-month retreat where he would train to become a teacher of TM. After 3 months with lots of purification and clearing, he had sporadic witnessing experiences where awareness shifted briefly into an observer mode. Then in the second 3 months, the lights came on. With a blinding flash of white light (which he much later learned was makara), the witness became permanent, throughout waking, dreams and sleep. At first, he was over-attentive, keeping the mind awake to observe sleeping and manipulate dreams. But quickly that settled into a simple continuity of awareness underlying all experience. Soon after that, the first re-cognition happened, a form of experience where everything about the object is known. This enlivens

Canela Michelle Meyers offers very practical, supportive Satsang events and sessions for people to drop deeply into what is happening in each moment. There is a strong transmission of Self in Satsang with Canela, supporting people to ‘fall in’ with Self consciously. Canela calls this ‘falling in Love’ as all occurrences are rooted in Love – it is only a case of recognition of That (re-cognition). People are waking up to Self in these gatherings. She loves supporting people in finding how every happening is rooted in Love…what at first might look like tragedy or horrific, transforms itself with in-the-moment exploration. She calls this the Science of Love because it has been tried and tested, explored and tasted, over and over again with thousands of people. When people find this and experience the Truth of this for themselves, they find it easier to open up to whatever is happening in their lives. She offers this support in Transformational Satsang events for groups and for couples & individuals (in pers

Kiran Trace is an internationally known spiritual teacher and author. She died of massive spontaneous awakening into her true nature, then eight years later, and at the encouragement of Moni Vangolen, Thomas Stubbs, Adyashanti, and others, she began to talk and teach. Because she spontaneously awoke, with no prior spiritual background, orientation or understanding, she is known for her unique point of view. Folks often call her teachings “fresh” because she doesn't have any spiritual language or linage she points to.  She sees primarily from vast stillness and embodies "the world" from an "inside-outside" point of view.  Seeing the coding of the universe in order to see the universe, it’s very “matrix” like. Visit more of her works and teachings at kirantrace.com, or visit her YouTube channel. Interview recorded 09/24/2015 Kiran's 1st Batgap interview. Kiran in Batgap Panel at Sofia U. Part 1 | Part 2 Transcript of this interview YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00

Loch Kelly, M.Div., LCSW is the author of, Shift into Freedom: The Science and Practice of Open-Hearted Awareness. He is an educator, licensed psychotherapist and recognized leader in the field of nondual meditation who was asked to teach Sutra Mahamudra by Mingyur Rinpoche and nondual meditation by Adyashanti. Loch has worked in community mental health, established homeless shelters and counseled family members of 9/11. He is the founder of the non-profit Open-Hearted Awareness Institute. Loch collaborates with neuroscientists at Yale, UPenn and NYU to study how awareness training can enhance compassion and well-being. For more information, visit lochkelly.org. Loch Kelly in panel discussion:: “Emptiness is also Form” Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 8/29/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Guest 00:05:38 - Awakening and the Unfolding Process 00:10:57 - The Metaphor of the Reflecting Mirror 00:15:04 - Shifting into Pure Awareness 00:18:56

Since the Center for Sacred Sciences was founded in 1987, Joel Morwood has served as the spiritual director and primary teacher for its community of practitioners. Joel's first book, Naked Through the Gate: A Spiritual Autobiography, tells the story of his own spiritual path, culminating in Gnosis, or Awakening, in 1983. Here is some of what Joel has to say about himself and his role: Some people who have come to me have been disappointed to discover that I have no supernatural powers to transmit, no magic wand to wave, no extraordinary knowledge to dispense which can make them instantly wise, loving, and happy. "Who, then, are you?" they ask. "What's your secret?" My secret can be summed up in one word: Selflessness. Selflessness is the Truth. Selflessness is the Way. Selflessness is the Fruit. In reality, there is no 'you' nor 'I' nor any 'self' whatsoever. There is only Consciousness Itself—the One True God—which is what we are. All that is necessary is to Realize This, because to Realize This is Wisdom,

Gary Renard is the author of The Disappearance of the Universe trilogy of books. He speaks regularly all over the world, teaching the principles of A Course in Miracles, which is the fundamental focus of his books. In 1992, he began to be visited in person by two people in the flesh who identified themselves as Arten and Pursah, two Ascended Masters. They are the main teachers in the books and Gary is the student. The critically acclaimed books are now in 22 languages. Books: The Disappearance of the Universe: Straight Talk about Illusions, Past Lives, Religion, Sex, Politics, and the Miracles of Forgiveness Your Immortal Reality: How to Break the Cycle of Birth and Death Love Has Forgotten No One: The Answer to Life Fearless Love - The Answer to the Problem of Human Existence Secrets of the Immortal - Advanced Teachings from "A Course in Miracles" The End of Reincarnation - Breaking the Cycle of Birth and Death Website: garyrenard.com Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 8/15/201

Best-selling "Letting Go" author Guy Finley’s encouraging and accessible message is one of the true bright lights in our world today. His ideas cut straight to the heart of our most important personal and social issues – relationships, success, addiction, stress, peace, happiness, freedom – and lead the way to a higher life. Finley is the acclaimed author of The Secret of Your Immortal Self: Key Lessons for Realizing the Divinity Withinand more than 40 other books and audio albums (plus over 1,000 unique audio programs) that have sold millions of copies in 24 languages worldwide. His syndicated weekly radio program is aired on several international networks including Healthy Life Radio, Achieve Radio, Sedona Talk Radio, and Healthlife.net. Guy is a faculty member at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York and is a regular expert contributor to Beliefnet.com, the Huffington Post and many other journals. Guy is the founder and director of Life of Learning Foundation, the renowned non-profit Center for Sel

In January of 2012, Robert was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and told he had nine months to live. However, consistent with his contrarian nature, he lived a productive life until passing away in 2017. Robert was struck by a strong curiosity about life when he was 11, which propelled him into years of globe-trotting adventures. In 1973, Robert met Swami Muktananda and spent the next 10 years studying with him. Since 1985, Robert's professional motto was Have Mouth, Will Travel, and he was known as an iconoclastic self-awareness facilitator, speaker, leadership adviser, and mentor to people from all walks of life. He led "Conversations on the High Wire" and presented programs in "The 5 Principles of Authentic Living" and "Speaking Truthfully." Robert published eight books and more than 250 articles on the themes of meditation, self-inquiry, leadership, authentic living and speaking, and spiritual activism. In the early 1990s, he wrote a pioneering column for The New Leaders' executive newsletter entitled

Cheryl Abram is a mother of 4 from southern Louisiana. She’s a graduate of the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. and holds a Master's degrees in Social Work in Quality Systems Management. Cheryl currently lives in Northern Virginia and works as a learning and development specialist in a federal agency in Washington DC. After an undeniable experience that reminded her of our inherent value…without the need of a “savior”, Cheryl is now passionate about spreading the good news that belief is not necessary. We are already innocent, eternal, and free. Book: Firing God Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 7/25/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to "Buddha at the Gas Pump" and 300th Guest Celebration 00:04:46 - Fear of God and Deserving Salvation 00:09:06 - The Necessity of the Journey 00:13:11 - Searching for Happiness and Meaning 00:17:25 - A Moment of Honesty with God 00:21:45 - The Loss of the Original Essence of Religion 00:25:55 - Discoveri

Bri. Joan Shivarpita Harrigan, Ph.D. is the spiritual director of Patanjali Kundalini Yoga-Care (PKYC-USA). Shiva has practiced, studied, and taught Raja yoga and Advaita Vedanta for more than thirty years. She has been tutored as the designated successor for America in the Kundalini Vidya lineage founded by Gomatagiri Maharaj, learning the oral commentary teachings of Traditional Kundalini Science from her spiritual mentor, Swami Chandrasekharanand Saraswati. A retired psychologist, she has been a brahmacharini (novice) in the Shankaracharya Vedic monastic order since 1987. She is the author of Kundalini Vidya The Science of Spiritual Transformation: A comprehensive system for understanding and guiding spiritual development and Stories of Spiritual Transformation: The Fulfillment of Kundalini Process - Modern Seekers, Ancient Teachings. Patanjali Kundalini Yoga Care is a spiritual guidance service for qualified spiritual seekers. Based on Traditional Kundalini Science (Kundalini Vidya), it supports serious

Enza Vita is the author of “Instant Presence: Allow Natural Meditation to Happen” and the founder of the MahaShanti Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to spiritual awakening. Enza Vita was born in a small village in Sicily and immigrated to Australia on her own at the age of seventeen. From a young age, she questioned everything around her, constantly seeking out the point and purpose of our life here on earth. Her search eventually brought her to her work in the consciousness community where she became one of the leaders in the personal development movement in Australia, working as editor in chief for glossy magazines “Woman Spirit”, “Health & Wellbeing” and publisher of “Innerself Newspaper”. Through her job, she was blessed with the opportunity to meet and study under many of the great spiritual teachers of our age and she was exposed to the wonderful writings of many others around the world. Her outer work always reflected her inner journey, one immersed in contemplation, se

Rev. Michael Dowd is a bestselling evolutionary theologian and pro-future evangelist whose work has been featured in The New York Times, LA Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Newsweek, Discover, and on television nationally.  His bridge-building book, Thank God for Evolution, was endorsed by 6 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, noted skeptics, and religious leaders across the spectrum. Michael and his science-writer wife, Connie Barlow, have spoken to more than two thousand groups across North America since 2002. Michael has delivered two TEDx talks and a program at the United Nations. In 2010 he interviewed 38 Christian leaders across the theological spectrum, all of whom embrace an ecological, evolutionary worldview and are committed to a healthy future, as part of a series, titled, “The Advent of Evolutionary Christianity.” Most recently, he interviewed 55 experts on climate change, peak oil, and sustainability, as part of an online conversation series, titled, The Future Is Calling Us to Great

Shellee Rae, a Reiki Master for 15+ years, trained to the master level in many other energy modalities, and is certified in numerous body-centered therapies. Her work in this field became full-time in 2000. Sexually abused as a child, followed by 27 years of drugs, alcohol, and bouts of depression brought her to death’s door in 1997. With the help of 12-step recovery, and many spiritual paths, in August of 2008, Shellee Rae awakened. Her first book "Suffering ~ A Path of Awakening: Dissolving the Pain of Incest, Abuse, Addiction and Depression”, after going worldwide, opened a portal to support and guide many people in their awakening process. Her second book, "Enlightenment: Tips To Reveal Your Divine Nature", has become a valuable tool to many who are seeking embodied awakening. While supporting others, Shellee Rae’s raucous path to awakening allows a non-judgmental, gentle pointing to the truth of who they are from the depths of her own realization. She balances deep compassion with the steady and poten

Dr. Frank J. Kinslow is the discoverer of Quantum Entrainment® and the founder of The Kinslow SystemTM, a practical new way of approaching your life that quickly allows it to become more productive, fun and fulfilling. Frank has been researching and teaching the applied application of health and healing techniques for more than 45 years. He draws from his clinical experience as a chiropractic physician, in-depth studies into Eastern esoteric philosophies and practices, and an ardent love of special relativity and quantum physics. In 2007, during a time of personal crisis, Dr. Kinslow cognized the Quantum Entrainment® process of instant healing. As a result of this deep insight he was able to create a vibrant and fulfilling life for himself and his family. Out of his desire to share this wisdom with others he began to teach and write with such simplicity and clarity that in just a few years, tens of thousands of people around the world were able to create vibrant and fulfilling lives for themselves. Quantum E

Wayne took his own life on August 31, 2017. Discussion in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Eulogy written for Wayne by Jerry Freeman. Putting his words in the past tense, Wayne Wirs was a transparent, rational, nondual mystic. Wayne blogged about his day-to-day life as a semi-homeless, van-dwelling drifter and had been doing so before, during, and after his awakening experience in 2009. Wayne considered himself more of a spiritual explorer than teacher, so his "teachings" tended toward first-hand, real-world experiences (open-ended, integral, mystical and evidence-based) rather than academic hard and fast truths. Unlike many nondual teachers who focus on an all-or-nothing approach to awakening, Wayne advocated a simple yet integral fading of the ego based on key qualities: Eternal (soul, practical), Radiance (love, emotional), Emptiness (awareness, rational), and Intimate (mystical experience). He called this dynamic, flowing, magical way of living Mystical Oneness. Wayne had two key sayings which best

Recently at a Whirling Dervish Meditation in Istanbul I read how Rumi summarized his life: I was immature; I became experienced; I was consumed. I could divide this lifetime in those categories also, starting with a life driven by conditioning resulting in a very successful appearance without much satisfaction. Then the search for real happiness and peace. Decades of working with different modalities and sitting with many masters leading to teaching others how to relinquish conditioning and experience peaceful Silence. And now, Satsang starts with the truth of everyone, the perfection of Self. The tapestry of life includes all as the expression of Consciousness without any separation. Anything that attempts to obscure this truth melts in its power. Satsang is given in America, Canada and Europe as well as Private Satsang Sessions. Website: satsangwithstuart.com Book: The Great Undoing Transcript of this interview Interview conducted 5/16/2015 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Budd

Until two years ago, my only interest in spirituality was self-improvement. I wasn’t interested in what was true, only to make my experience better. For whatever reason, I just didn’t care. About five years ago I turned abruptly away from any kind of self-improvement. I had felt a shift in my being, and I knew the ‘unknown’ was chasing after me. I intuitively knew that If I explored my experience, I would be broken open and transformed in some way. So I found subtle ways of avoiding myself. I avoided immersing myself in nature which I had previously gained so much nurturing from. At the same time my being began to change where I was shifting into a place where I felt a deep trust in life, even though there was no conscious recognition. I just felt good about life and being alive. So I was very happy with my life, and I felt It was being refined and would only get better. I would have these days or hours where certainty would fall away, but somehow it just seemed natural. Then at the start of Feb 2013 year, a

Bonnie is a non-dual teacher in the lineage of Adyashanti, and a transpersonal therapist who has specialized in working with spiritual emergence issues for 30 years. She has published several books and articles related to kundalini and spiritual awakening, most recently “The Kundalini Guide” and “The Awakening Guide”, available on amazon.com. These are based on assessments and consultations with over 2000 people over the years, and also reflect her own experiences of awakening. She holds a Ph.D. from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and founded a counseling and education center in Ashland, Oregon called Shanti River Center where she offers satsang, study groups, workshops, meditation programs and spiritual guidance. She was a founder and organizer of the Kundalini Research Network, and has trained therapists and offered seminars in Europe, Australia and the U.S, and currently does assessments by phone and skype with people in awakening processes from all over the world. With a broad background in eas

Peter is a leader in the Western adaptation of Buddhist wisdom. He is a pioneer in the new field of nondual psychotherapy. He was a celibate monk in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions for nine years. He has a Ph.D. in the philosophical psychology of Mahayana Buddhism and has held teaching positions at universities in Australia and the USA. He has taught workshops at Naropa University, the California Institute for Integral Studies, Omega Institute, and other centers, and given invited presentations at JFK University, Saybrook College, Stanford Medical School, Columbia University, and internationally. Peter’s way of teaching is known for its dynamic and engaging deconstruction of all fixed frames of reference that block entry to unconditioned awareness, and for the purity and depth of natural, uncontrived silence that emerges in his work. He also has a unique capacity for sharing the skills and states of his transmission in a way that others can easily understand and begin to replicate the nondual transmission.