Buddha At The Gas Pump

As a teenager, Steve Briggs met his guru at a meditation retreat in the Swiss Alps. After studying English Literature at the University of Arizona on a tennis scholarship, the author received an MBA and a Ph.D. in Vedic Studies and traveled internationally instructing thousands in the art of meditation. Steve is a devotee of Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma), whom he met in India in 1996. He has been practicing Transcendental Meditation (TM) for the past 46 years and credits his guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, with showing him the path to enlightenment. Steve currently coaches the Maharishi School boys' tennis team. His players have won four state high school championships, including the 2014 triple crown. Steve has trained two national champions and a top 50 ATP professional tour player. In 1994, Steve Briggs was sent to India to teach TM to corporate executives. During his seven years in India, Steve traveled repeatedly to the high Himalaya where he encountered many yogis and sadhus. The author’s first book, I

Rob Schwartz is a hypnotist who offers Spiritual Guidance Sessions, Past Life Soul Regressions, Contact a Deceased Loved One Regressions, and Between Lives Soul Regressions to help you heal and discover your life plan - a plan you yourself created BEFORE you were born. Rob's first book, Your Soul's Plan: Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born, explores the pre-birth planning of physical illness, having disabled children, deafness, blindness, drug addiction, alcoholism, the death of a loved one, and accidents. Rob's second book, Your Soul's Gift: The Healing Power of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born, explores the pre-birth planning of spiritual awakening, miscarriage, abortion, caregiving, sexuality, adoption, rape, incest, poverty, mental illness, and even the pre-birth planning we do with our future pets. Rob's books have been translated into 24 languages. Visit Rob online at yoursoulsplan.com or email him directly. Interview recorded September 22, 2018. Discussi

Sarah is an intuitive energy healer (Reiki Master + more), awakening trail guide, comedian, and actor. She began her search as an anxious, atheistic insomniac who simply wanted to get a good night’s sleep. After taking up meditation, she fell down the rabbit hole of Buddhist teachings, and deeply committed to her practice. She studied Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism, with Dzogchen eventually cracking her open. Within just a few years of practice, she began undergoing a series of profound shifts in consciousness. A Kundalini process was activated, intuition opened up, and non-physical Guides stepped in, offering initiations and support. Abiding unity eventually revealed itself, as well as the terrain beyond unity. While navigating these radical shifts, Sarah worked and created as an actor and writer/stand-up comedian, performing nightly at comedy clubs in Los Angeles. After various breaks to integrate and settle, she began taking her unique offering, The Divine Mess Show, on tour to spiritual centers, yoga

Dr. Jean Houston, Ph.D., is a scholar, philosopher, educator and a recognized pioneer of the Human Potential Movement. Widely recognized as a visionary leader and multi-cultural expert, Houston is the author of over 30 books exploring human possibilities and positive action in the world. Houston served as an advisor in human and cultural development for UNICEF, and to national and international heads of state. Houston has devoted her life to developing processes to activate the latent abilities in individuals, groups, organizations, and societies. Over the last 60 years, Dr. Houston has worked in over 109 countries as an international speaker and teacher. Dr. Houston is the Chancellor of Meridian University and a dedicated champion of the human spirit. Website: jeanhouston.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. I asked Jean which of her 30 books she would recommend for those wishing to learn more and she recommended: A Mythic Life: Learning to Live our Greater Story (h

Suzanne B. Stryker, Ph.D. is an intuitive healer, artist, writer and teacher. She has always tended to have profound spiritual experiences. For over 45 years Suzanne has experienced unity, with divine and Vedic perceptions. Yet she does not claim to have reached the pinnacle of evolution, if there even is such a thing. She feels she is a continual blissful work in progress. Suzanne had a close student/teacher relationship with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In 1976 Maharishi said, "Suzanne is having a positive influence on other people and their experiences, a catalytic effect…”. Since 1972 Suzanne has been the subject of numerous scientific studies, some of them published in peer-reviewed journals. One study suggested she could influence matter at the quantum mechanical level by mere intention. EEG studies recorded different types of brain wave coherence not typically seen, indicating harmonious and orderly functioning between different parts of her brain. Oprah's "Next Chapter" show has asked for an interview.

Steve McIntosh is a leader in the integral philosophy movement and author of three books on spiritual evolution: The Presence of the Infinite: The Spiritual Experience of Beauty, Truth, and Goodness, Evolution's Purpose: An Integral Interpretation of the Scientific Story of Our Origins and Integral Consciousness and the Future of Evolution. In addition to his work in spiritual philosophy, he also serves as president of The Institute for Cultural Evolution, an integral political think tank focusing on the development of values. Before becoming a writer and activist, Steve had a variety of other successful careers, including founding the consumer products company Now & Zen, and practicing law with one of America’s largest firms. Steve is an honors graduate of the University of Virginia Law School and the University of Southern California Business School. He lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two sons. For more on his work visit: stevemcintosh.com. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Co

As a child, Karlene Stange, DVM wanted to be an "animal doctor" before she knew the word "veterinarian". Her spiritual journey began as she drove her pickup loaded with medical supplies to attend to animals throughout southwestern Colorado. As an ambulatory veterinarian, she experienced the sorrows and joys of working with creatures great and small. Her quest to understand the spiritual nature of animals inspired a deep exploration into the world's religious, scientific and spiritual teachings about the nonphysical aspect of animals. Today she incorporates acupuncture, traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and nutritional therapy into her Rocky Mountain practice. She often speaks at conferences and lives in Durango, Colorado. Book: The Spiritual Nature of Animals: A Country Vet Explores the Wisdom, Compassion, and Souls of Animals Website: animasanimals.com Websites mentioned in the interview: Chi University International Veterinary Acupuncture Society Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Commun

A pioneer in the field of spiritual emergence, Paul Levy is a wounded healer in private practice, assisting others who are also awakening to the dreamlike nature of reality. He is the author of Quantum Revelation: A Radical Synthesis of Science and Spirituality Awakened by Darkness: When Evil Becomes your Father Dispelling Wetiko: Breaking the Curse of Evil The Madness of George W. Bush: A Reflection of Our Collective Psychosis. He is the founder of the “Awakening in the Dream Community” in Portland, Oregon. An artist, he is deeply steeped in the work of C. G. Jung and has been a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner for over thirty years. He was the coordinator for the Portland Padmasambhava Buddhist Center for over twenty years. Website awakeninthedream.com Email: paul@awakeninthedream.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded August 4, 2018 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Cha

An influential and respected teacher of The Esoteric Philosophy, William Meader has established an international reputation for his gift as a communicator of this spiritual philosophy. His extensive teaching program includes a diverse array of workshops and lectures devoted to nurturing a deeper understanding of the spiritual path, both from an individual and global perspective. William Meader resides in Oregon, and presents regular workshops in the United States, Europe, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. He can be contacted through his website at meader.org. Book: Shine Forth: The Soul's Magical Destiny Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 28, 2018. Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:12 - The Work of Alice Bailey 00:10:37 - Internal Dual Consciousness 00:15:36 - The Density of the Earth Pl

Kosi is a Direct Path Advaita Vedanta Satsang Teacher in the Śiva Kaśyapa Lineage. This teaching is powerful support for a dynamic shift in your consciousness from the fear, sadness, anger, anxiety, and frustration of your mind to the indescribable peace and happiness of your heart. Satsang with Kosi is an extremely potent initiation and transmission of the non-dual teaching of Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi and her holiness Sri Amma Karunamayi. Websites: kosi.org YouTube channel First BatGap interview with Kosi She is the author of: Organic Awakening – A Simple Guide for Living a Free and Happy Life Absence of Doubt: When the Search for Enlightenment Stops (Includes an interview with Gangaji) Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 21, 2018. Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:44 - The Journey to Arunach

Dena Merriam has been working in the interfaith field for 20 years and founded the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) in 2002. Initially, the organization was designed to provide a global platform for women spiritual leaders to organize and mediate dialogues in areas of conflict and tension. This soon expanded to include an equal number of men and women spiritual teachers and to deal with a range of issues, including climate change, ecological destruction, racial inequity, etc. The premise for the gatherings organized by GPIW is that at the heart of all these issues is a spiritual crisis and the way to address them is a shift in consciousness. Dena has served on the boards of the Harvard University Center for World Religions, the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association, among others. In 2014 she was awarded the Niwano Peace Prize. Over the years as memories of past births have arisen, Dena has recorded them in order to better understand the karmic patter

James O’Dea is the award-winning author of The Conscious Activist, Cultivating Peace, Soul Awakening Practice, and other works. James is a former President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, Washington office director of Amnesty International, and CEO of the Seva Foundation. He has taught peacebuilding to over a thousand students in 30 countries. He has also conducted frontline social healing dialogues around the world. He is a founding member of The Evolutionary Leaders group and on the Advisory Board of The Peace Alliance,  Kosmos Journal, and the Laszlo New Paradigm Institute. Website: jamesodea.com Books: The Conscious Activist: Where Activism Meets Mysticism Soul Awakening Practice: Prayer, Contemplation and Action Cultivating Peace: Becoming a 21st-Century Peace Ambassador Creative Stress: A Path for Evolving Souls Living Through Personal and Planetary Upheaval 'James O'Dea is a modern-day prophet who has journeyed further than anyone I know in the ways of peace' -- Lynne Twist  www.pac

Dr. Pamela Eakins is a Sociologist and Visionary Cosmologist. She has taught at Stanford University, the University of Colorado and the California Institute of Integral Studies. She is the founder and director of the Pacific Center. Her books include: Tarot of the Spirit Kabbalah and Tarot of the Spirit: Black and White Edition with Personal Stories and Readings The Lightning Papers: 10 Powers of Evolution by Pamela Eakins (2012-05-14) Visionary Cosmology: The New Paradigm Mothers in Transition, A Study of the Changing Life Course The American Way of Birth (Plume) PASSAGES for a Spiritual Birth Priestess: Woman As Sacred Celebrant (and several others) For information about classes, certification programs, and private sessions, please visit pamelaeakins.net Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded June 20, 2018 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Int

David Thomas is a self-realization teacher, speaker, and writer living in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Through self-inquiry and deep meditation, he has gained a deeper understanding of the true inner-self and liberation. He seeks to guide individuals in their pursuit of their true nature through his writing, speaking, and personal coaching. David’s teachings are from his own personal experiences and he shares his insights through videos, quotes, and poems. His works are created to help uplift and heal those who seek release from their constant pain and suffering caused by mental bondage. He speaks from his personal experience of having being lost in ignorance, then finding the truth within, and experiencing nirvikalpa samadhi. One conversation with him truly has the power to transform the way you see and experience life. The love and wisdom he often radiates is a blessing to all seekers of truth. YouTube Channel Email address Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Interview

Lynn Marie Lumiere, MFT is a nondual psychotherapist and author who is dedicated to awakening consciousness and meeting life’s challenges as doorways to greater freedom. Her work is sourced in over 40 years of dedicated spiritual and psychological exploration as well as almost 30 years of marriage and practicing psychotherapy. This experience has led her to the understanding that no matter what the problem, healing and freedom from suffering is possible when we tap into our infinite and ever-present true nature. She has been especially interested in applying this understanding to healing relationships and trauma. Lynn Marie is one of the pioneers in the exploration of nondual wisdom and psychotherapy and is a contributing author to "Sacred Mirror: Nondual Wisdom and Psychotherapy (Omega Book)" (2003). She is also the author of "Awakened Relating: A Guide to Embodying Undivided Love in Intimate Relationships" to be published July 1, 2018 by New Harbinger. Her primary spiritual teacher is Adyashanti and she ha

Dean Sluyter (pronounced "slighter") has taught natural methods of meditation and awakening since 1970. His five highly acclaimed books include Natural Meditation: A Guide to Effortless Meditative Practice (Amazon #1 stress management bestseller, and Nautilus Gold Medal winner for best mind-body-spirit book) and Fear Less: Living Beyond Fear, Anxiety, Anger, and Addiction. Dean gives talks, workshops, and retreats throughout the United States and beyond, from Ivy League colleges to maximum-security prisons. His media appearances have included National Public Radio, The New York Times, New York Magazine, Coast to Coast AM, The Dr. Oz Show, and O, The Oprah Magazine. A grateful student of Eastern and Western sages in several traditions, Dean has completed numerous pilgrimages and retreats in India, Tibet, Nepal, and the West. He is known for conveying authentic teachings in forms that are relaxed, accessible, and down-to-earth. When not writing or teaching, he plays the ukulele and happily rides his Vespa thro

Jason Shulman is an American spiritual teacher whose original work springs from his Judaic and Buddhist background. He is the founder of A Society of Souls: The School for Nondual Healing and Awakening, based in the United States and the Netherlands. There he teaches the distinctive body of nondual work he has developed to awaken the human spirit: Nondual Healing, Impersonal Movement and the Work of Return. Jason’s main concern has been to develop paths of healing the mind, body and spirit based on his own understanding of the difficulties inherent in the human condition. Through his studies and practice, Jason has developed a unique perspective on human consciousness and the nature of existence. His works seeks to translate this perspective into a replicable and clearly delineated path for other seekers of truth to follow. He has been especially interested in applying personal spiritual work into methods of transforming society at large. To that end, he has created the MAGI Process, a nondual method of worki

Caverly Morgan is a meditation teacher, nonprofit leader, and visionary. She is the Founder and Guiding Teacher of Presence Collective, dedicated to igniting personal transformation and collective awakening. She is also the Founder and Guiding Teacher of Peace in Schools — a nonprofit which created the nation's first for-credit mindfulness class in public high schools. Peace in Schools is pioneering new depths in mindfulness education through teaching youth as well as training educators. Caverly blends the original spirit of Zen with a modern nondual approach. Her practice began in 1995 and has included eight years of training in a silent Zen monastery. She has been teaching contemplative practice since 2001. Prior to her pioneering efforts with Peace in Schools, Caverly formerly worked for nonprofits serving people with special needs. An artist and educator, she brings insight, passion, warmth, and humor to her transformative work with students of all ages and experience levels. Caverly leads meditation r

Lama Tsültrim Allione is an author, internationally known Buddhist teacher, and the founder and resident lama of Tara Mandala Retreat Center. She is the author of Women of Wisdom, national bestseller Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict, which is now translated into seventeen languages, and Wisdom Rising: Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine. Born in New England to an academic and publishing family, Lama Tsultrim traveled to India in her late teens and in 1970, at the age of twenty-two, was ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun by H. H. the Sixteenth Karmapa. After four years living as a nun in the Himalayan region, she returned her monastic vows, married, and raised a family of three children. She has a Master's degree in Buddhist Studies/Women's Studies from Antioch University. Her writings and teachings come from her sublime Tibetan lamas as well as her experience as a Western woman and mother. She is known for her ability to translate the wisdom of the ancien

With over two-dozen published books translated in nearly as many languages, Ken Wilber has created what is widely considered the first truly comprehensive Integral Map of human experience. By exploring and integrating the major insights and conclusions of nearly every human knowledge domain in existence, Wilber created the revolutionary AQAL Integral Framework. In short, the Integral Approach is the coherent organization, coordination, and harmonization of all of the relevant practices, methodologies, and experiences available to human beings. Wilber states: “You can’t [realistically] honor various methods and fields, without showing how they fit together. That is how to make a genuine world philosophy.” He is the founder of the nonprofit think tank Integral Institute, co-founder of the transformational learning community Integral Life, co-founder of Source Integral exploring the nature of Integral Society, and the current chancellor of Ubiquity University. Ken's site: kenwilber.com Some of Ken's many books