Dr. Anna Yusim is an internationally recognized, award-winning, Board-Certified, Stanford, and Yale-educated Mind Body Spirit Concierge Psychiatrist & Executive Coach with a Private Practice in New York, California, Connecticut, and Florida. She is the best-selling author of Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life. As a Clinical Assistant Professor at Yale Medical School, Dr. Yusim is presently creating a Mental Health & Spirituality Center at Yale. With clients including Forbes 500 CEOs, Olympic athletes, A-list actors and actresses, and the Chairs of academic departments at top universities, Dr. Anna Yusim helps influential people achieve greater impact, purpose, and joy in their life and work. After working as a neurobiology researcher with Dr. Robert Sapolsky Ph.D. and completing her studies at Stanford, Yale Medical School, and the NYU Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Dr. Yusim felt that something was missing from her life. In her quest to find it, she traveled, lived and worked in over 70 countries, while studying Kabbalah, learning Buddhist meditation, and working with South American shamans and Indian gurus. Dr. Yusim has published over 150 academic articles, book chapters, scientific abstracts, book reviews, and articles for the lay public on various topics in psychiatry. A frequent contributor to CNN, Fox News, ABC, and NBC, she has been a guest on hundreds of national and international TV shows, radio programs, and podcasts. As a highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Yusim gives keynotes for physicians and professionals all over the country and the world on topics related to mental health and spirituality, preventing burnout, physicians as meaning-makers, and resilience. For healthcare professionals, corporate leaders, and community members, she also conducts workshops to empower individuals to sharpen their intuition, cultivate authenticity, awaken self-compassion, enhance their capacity for empathy, and improve their ability to connect with others. Website: annayusim.com YouTube channel Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Interview recorded April 14, 2024 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

Constance Casey, MDiv, is an author and teacher providing spiritual guidance for those interested in living a gentle and peaceful life. Constance offers guidance for those entering deeper practice into the nature of reality and adjusting to a shift in consciousness. Her awakening occurred in 2008. She has been practicing in the contemplative arts for over 40 years-- first through her years in recovery, and then, as she deepened in Buddhist practice in 2007—which she shares in her memoir. She’s a graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader Program. Some of her teachers include Trudy Goodman and Jack Kornfield. Constance obtained a Master of Divinity focusing on religious studies and went on to do hospital chaplaincy work. As an interfaith hospital chaplain, she offered compassionate care for patients and families while embracing the spectrum of human experiences. She is also authorized by Naropa University to teach meditation. Constance’s practice is primarily informed by the suttas in Theravāda Buddhism where she has developed her own online classes, the most recent one is called Clearing Skies: Dispelling the Clouds that Hinder Us, and she leads support groups for dedicated meditation practitioners. Through her experience she respects and values your unique spiritual practice and journey while supporting you to find balance and significance in the face of adversity. Constance will encourage you to attune toward being more mindful and aware for release and serenity. Her first book called Time for Awakening: A Memoir shares her story of awakening and deeper meditation practice and is what brings her to our meeting today. She can be found at her website. On Substack On Instagram On Facebook And on Youtube  Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded March 30, 2024 Video below. Audio coming soon. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:13 - The Levels of Receptiveness to the Dharma 00:09:13 - "Just Who Do You Think You Are?" 00:13:05 - A Snowy Awakening 00:16:54 - Healing and Bonding with My Sons 00:20:17 - Parenting as a Spiritual Practice 00:24:11 - A Fly on the Wall 00:28:09 - Tools of Recovery 00:31:31 - Ethical Structure in Spiritual Circles 00:35:14 - The Vicious Cycle of Repressed Discomfort 00:40:09 - Seeking Further 00:43:44 - Simplifying and Finding Fulfillment Within 00:47:39 - Expressing Experiences Through Art 00:51:17 - Finding Balance in Self-Care 00:54:59 - Honoring the Need for Rest and Balance 00:58:35 - The Power of Meditation and Personal Growth 01:01:38 - Constance's Carpentry Journey 01:04:44 - The Importance of Speaking Out and Trauma (Conversation) 01:07:29 - Seeing the Teacher as a Human Being and the Absence of Hierarchy 01:10:27 - The Indescribable Experience of Awakening 01:14:19 - Following the Way 01:18:32 - Psychological, Theological, Sociological Perspectives 01:22:14 - The Power of Kindness in Movies 01:26:42 - The Intimacy of Stream Entry 01:30:45 - The Support of a Teacher 01:33:33 - The Association for Spiritual Integrity 01:37:43 - Factors of Enlightenment and the Hindrances 01:41:38 - Hindrances in Meditation Practice 01:45:49 - Cultivating Tranquility and Equanimity in Meditation 01:49:05 - The Benefits of Meditation and Inner States of Being 01:51:48 - Closing Remarks

Neil Theise is a professor of pathology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Through his scientific research, he has been a pioneer of adult stem cell plasticity and the anatomy of the human interstitium. Dr. Theise’s studies in complexity theory have led to interdisciplinary collaborations in fields such as integrative medicine, consciousness studies, and science-religion dialogue. He is a senior Zen student at the Village Zendo in NYC. His life long Jewish practice has involved both traditional observances and formal academic study. In recent years, (to his surprise) he has also undergone shamanic initiation. Books:  General Audience: Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being Of academic interest: Awakening: Exploring Spirituality, Emergent Creativity, and Reconciliation Transforming: Applying Spirituality, Emergent Creativity, and Reconciliation Website: neiltheiseofficial.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded March 9, 2024 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:25 - Complexity Theory and the study of life 00:08:34 - Dynamic Healing of the GI Tract 00:12:40 - Artificial Life and Complexity Theory 00:17:26 - Awakening through the Koan "Mu" 00:22:41 - The Fascinating Idea of Biocentrism and Organizing Complexity 00:25:45 - Discovering Complexity Theory 00:28:37 - The Illusion of Materiality and the Nature of Pure Awareness 00:33:37 - The Non-dual Fundamental Awareness 00:37:38 - Complementarity in Quantum Physics and Beyond 00:42:36 - The Quantum Field of the Body 00:46:29 - Direct experiences of quantum level reality 00:49:14 - The True Nature of Conscious Reality 00:53:25 - The Illusion of Reality 00:56:56 - The Mechanism of Human Consciousness 01:01:23 - Challenging Empirical Science and Promissory Materialism 01:04:51 - The Intimacy of Subject and Object in Quantum Science 01:08:53 - The Limitations of Mathematics and Empirical Science 01:13:30 - Gödel and Turing's Implications for Mystical Exploration and Consciousness 01:17:33 - Shifting Paradigms and the Nature of Consciousness 01:21:20 - Self-Organization and Complexity in the Universe 01:24:44 - Negative and Positive Feedback Loops 01:29:02 - The Adjacent Possibles and Creativity 01:32:16 - The Subtle Dimensions of Living Beings and the Universe 01:35:26 - Language Limitations and Perspective 01:39:02 - Awakening through Traumatic Experiences 01:42:35 - Wondering about Luck and the Beloved Name 01:45:28 - The Universe's Construction and Spiritual Practices 01:48:30 - The Divine Feminine and Unconditional Love 01:52:57 - The Nature of Reality and True Compassion 01:55:56 - Conclusion

Kimberley Theresa Lafferty is a seasoned teacher-practitioner specializing in constructive adult developmental psychology and Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. She completed over 12 years of intensive Indo Tibetan study including the required retreats. She leads both open and advanced adult educational cohorts aligning developmental psychology and Buddhist theory. Kimberley co-leads, with Terri O’Fallon, the penultimate Minds I year-long developmental course of Stages International. She is an active Board member for the Association for Spiritual Integrity. Kimberley is also a householder as a wife and mother, living in a remote valley of the North Cascades of North America which deeply impacts her worldview and practice. Website: The Confluence Experience | Making sense of what doesn't make sense Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded February 10, 2024 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 00:03:33 - Finding Peace in the Forest 00:06:27 - A Blissful Awakening 00:11:15 - Deep Inner Resources and Spiritual Experiences 00:15:10 - Connecting with our Ultimate Selves 00:18:26 - The Wave and Ocean Metaphor 00:23:24 - Diving into Indo-Tibetan Buddhism 00:27:59 - Tantric Retreats and Solitary Meditation 00:32:26 - Experiences on the Retreats with Vajrayogini 00:35:33 - The Red Lady and the Retreat 00:40:01 - The Lesson of Treating Practice Seriously 00:44:18 - The Precious Gift of Tibetan Buddhism 00:47:58 - Spirituality and Integration 00:51:02 - Understanding the Intersection of Waking Up and Identity Change 00:55:31 - The Evolution of Perception and Consciousness 01:00:08 - Supporting Spiritual Teachers 01:03:59 - Shadow Work and Holistic Development 01:07:16 - The Integration of Wisdom and Compassion 01:10:57 - Waves of Human Becoming and Non-Duality in Daily Life 01:14:06 - Anomalous Experiences: Exploring the Extraordinary 01:18:57 - Anomalous Experiences and Meaning Making 01:23:49 - Anomalous Experiences and the Search for Answers 01:28:03 - The Cautionary Use of Psychedelics and the Self 01:32:01 - The Need for Spiritual Integrity among Teachers 01:35:58 - The Preciousness of a Spiritual Life 01:39:58 - Realizing Inner Bliss 01:43:44 - Experiencing Fulfillment in Tantra 01:47:41 - Finding Your Path in Spiritual Practice 01:52:16 - The Role of Spiritual Psychotherapists 01:56:28 - Strengthening Ourselves Psychologically and Spiritually 02:00:00 - Continuing the Conversation with Kimberly

After receiving his doctorate in the sensory neurosciences from The Ohio State University, Bob Davis, Ph.D., served as a professor for the State University of New York for over thirty years, where he conducted research in the behavioral and neurosensory sciences, taught, and held many high-level administrative roles. He published his research in over 60 articles in scholarly journals, and presented numerous lectures worldwide, which included invited lectures at Harvard, Cambridge, and Peking University. Bob was also awarded numerous grants by the National Science Foundation and The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to conduct research in sensory neuroscience. Following retirement, Bob published several articles in the Journal of Scientific Exploration and Edge Science and presented lectures at national and international conferences on consciousness, spiritually transformative experiences, and unidentified aerial phenomena. Bob has also published three highly popular books: The UFO Phenomenon: Should I Believe? Life after Death: An Analysis of the Evidence, and, Unseen Forces: The Integration of Science, Reality and You. More recently, he has turned his recent book, Unseen Forces, into a planned documentary entitled - The Consciousness Connection - with Emmy Award winner Dave Beaty of Dreamtime Entertainment and Wilson Hawthorne of Eyeland Telemedia. Website: bobdavisspeaks.com Bob Davis is an administrator of the Facebook Site called: The Consciousness Connection Facebook group. Bob's email Bob says, "If you'd like to learn more about the film project or consciousness in general, please subscribe to the Consciousness Connection YouTube channel. Summary and Transcript of this interview Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded February 3, 2024. Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:35 - Types and Evidence of Extraordinary Human Experiences 00:08:03 - A Profound Shared Death Experience 00:12:21 - A Spiritual Awakening and Kundalini Awakening 00:15:53 - The Misdiagnosis of Spiritual Awakening 00:19:27 - The Unstoppable Spread of Information 00:23:58 - The Need for a Paradigm Shift in Understanding Consciousness 00:27:49 - The Evidence of White Crows in DMT Experiences 00:31:40 - Exploring Consciousness Beyond Traditional Science 00:36:04 - The Relationship Between Science and Spirituality 00:40:27 - Brain Development and Spiritual Transformation 00:44:35 - Humans as Light Beings and Quantum Mechanics 00:48:22 - Veridical Perceptions in Near-Death Experiences 00:52:34 - Near-Death Experiences and Perception 00:56:44 - Novel Interactions in the Brain 01:01:02 - Consciousness and the Bohmian Paradigm Shift 01:05:16 - Ego Dissolution and Positive After-Effects 01:09:03 - Spiritual Practices and Physiological Treatments 01:12:56 - Quantum Mechanics and Premonition 01:16:55 - ESP and Autistic Savants 01:21:20 - Photonic Emissions and Healing Abilities 01:26:00 - The Power of Spiritual Practice 01:29:26 - Personal Transformation and Spreading the Word 01:32:32 - Transformation in Beliefs and Experiences 01:36:00 - The Importance of Spiritual Development 01:38:40 - Tapping into the Language of Nature 01:42:11 - Conclusions about UFOs and their Spiritual Implications 01:45:57 - The Mystery and Wonder of the Universe 01:50:26 - The Long-Term Nature of Spiritual Development 01:54:04 - The Power of Changing Perspectives

Brad Laughlin is the author of Living with Enlightenment—A Journey of Love, which is about his 25-year life-partnership with Leslie Temple-Thurston, a teacher of enlightenment, and the profound spiritual transformation he experienced. With Leslie, he is co-author of two books, The Marriage of Spirit—Enlightened Living in Today’s World and Returning to Oneness—The Seven Keys of Ascension. Brad is dedicated to finding innovative ways of helping people to awaken spiritually and to find love, joy and inspiration during these times of great change. Using ancient Truth teachings, yogic practices and spiritual psychology, he offers simple yet powerful practices for dissolving old, limiting ego structures that keep us trapped in negativity, pain and fear. Brad’s transformative events are based on the principles of integration and unity consciousness, which help us to know our own inner Divinity—who we truly are. Brad and Leslie are co-founders of the nonprofits, CoreLight.org and Seeds of Light.org, CoreLight’s humanitarian arm, serving marginalized communities and AIDS orphans in South Africa. Brad has a bachelor’s degree from Duke University. He is an American by birth, considers himself a global citizen and lives in both South Africa and the United States. Anna Breytenbach is an internationally acclaimed professional interspecies communicator with over 20 years’ experience. Native to South Africa and currently based in Europe, she mentors and consults globally. Her focus is exclusively with wild places and beings, facilitating peaceful interventions and greater understanding. This includes predator research, wilderness protection, anti-poaching assistance, reforestation initiatives, wildlife management and rehabilitation. She is currently taking a sabbatical from her usual teaching and public appearances to write a book. Anna’s passion is raising awareness and advancing the relationships among human and nonhuman animals, on both the personal and spiritual levels. Her work is the subject of the documentary movie "The Animal Communicator”, watched by tens of millions of people (and a few of their pets), available on YouTube. Anna's website: The Animal Communicator | AnimalSpirit YouTube Channel Anna's first BatGap interview Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded January 28, 2024 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:56 - Introduction and Background 00:07:26 - From Cheetah Handler to Animal Communicator and Author 00:11:55 - Following Your Inner Calling 00:16:10 - Holding Space for Elephants 00:20:35 - Collective Consciousness and Communication 00:23:42 - The Collective Expressions of Consciousness and Earth Energies 00:27:34 - The Joy of Whales Breaching 00:31:16 - Rediscovering the Intelligence of Nature 00:34:08 - The Importance of Functioning with Intelligence in Society 00:38:08 - The Intelligence of Stones and Non-Moving Beings 00:42:05 - Cruelty to Vegetables and Choosing Love for Animals 00:47:06 - An Evergreen Online Course on Interspecies Communication 00:51:36 - Valuing Different Paths in Life 00:56:41 - Profound Mystical Experiences and the Search for Answers 01:01:07 - The Ball of Light and Healing Energy 01:05:42 - Transitioning into a Higher State 01:11:02 - Pure Joy and Presence 01:16:50 - Quantum Entanglement and Communication 01:19:46 - Perception and the Importance of Clearing Ego Noise 01:24:03 - Rethinking Human Love for Animals 01:27:32 - Animals' Compassion and Journey to Loving Humans 01:31:00 - Communicating with Plants and the Tragedy of the Rabbits 01:33:40 - The Oak Trees' Compassion and Rabbit Friendships 01:36:49 - The Sensitivity of an Enlightened Being

Swami Medhananda is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order and an academic philosopher, currently serving as Senior Research Fellow in Philosophy at the Vedanta Society of Southern California in Hollywood. He is also the Hindu Chaplain at both UCLA and the University of Southern California. He is Section Editor for the International Journal of Hindu Studies (Springer), overseeing submissions in Hindu and Cross-Cultural Philosophy of Religion. From 2010 to 2021, he was Associate Professor and Head of the Program in Philosophy at the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute in Belur Math, West Bengal. He received his PhD in 2009 from the University of California at Berkeley, where he specialized in German aesthetics. He was also a Fulbright Scholar at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (2006–7) and a Visiting Student at Oxford University (2000–1). His current research focuses on global philosophy of religion, the epistemology of mystical experience, cosmopsychism, Indian scriptural hermeneutics, and Vedāntic philosophical traditions, especially the philosophies of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, and Sri Aurobindo. He is the author of three books: Swami Vivekananda’s Vedāntic Cosmopolitanism (Oxford University Press, 2022), Infinite Paths to Infinite Reality: Sri Ramakrishna and Cross-Cultural Philosophy of Religion (Oxford University Press, 2018), and The Dialectics of Aesthetic Agency: Revaluating German Aesthetics from Kant to Adorno (Bloomsbury, 2013). He is the editor of The Bloomsbury Research Handbook of Vedānta (2020) and co-editor, with Benedikt Paul Göcke, of Panentheism in Indian and Western Thought: Cosmopolitan Interventions (Routledge, 2023). He is also the editor of two special issues of the International Journal of Hindu Studies, one on “Swami Vivekananda as a Cosmopolitan Thinker” (2023) and one on “Vedāntic Theodicies” (2021). He has published over thirty articles in leading academic journals. He is currently working on two book projects: Karma and Rebirth in Hinduism (Cambridge University Press, under contract) and An All-Embracing Oneness: Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Advaita and the Legacy of Sri Ramakrishna (Oxford University Press, under contract). Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded January 22, 2024. Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:04 - Agnostic to Swami: My Spiritual Journey 00:09:28 - Conversations with an Atheist and Finding Common Ground 00:13:36 - The experience of mystics and the standards of proof 00:17:49 - The Pissed-off Response to Vedanta 00:22:01 - Anecdote about Eligibility in Advaita Vedanta 00:26:13 - Shankara's understanding of Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya 00:30:16 - Different Paths to Realizing the Divine 00:34:00 - Contradictions in Shankara's writings 00:37:57 - The Vijnani's Perspective and the Colorful Chameleon 00:41:51 - Different Perspectives in Vedanta 00:45:59 - The Benefits of Science and Spirituality 00:50:07 - Embracing Christianity in Vedanta 00:54:30 - Shakti and the Manifestation of the World 00:58:16 - Manifestation of Brahman in the World 01:02:02 - The Validity of Personal Perception 01:05:22 - Epistemic Principles: Credulity and Perceptual Testimony 01:09:05 - The Importance of Critical Thinking on the Spiritual Path 01:12:45 - The Problem with Neo-Advaitins 01:16:54 - Panentheism and Spiritual Practice 01:21:02 - Vijnana Vedanta and the Path to Liberation 01:24:59 - Embracing the Dual Nature of God 01:29:27 - Ramakrishna's First-Line Response to the Problem of Evil 00:01:32 - The Doctrine of Karma and Rebirth 01:36:34 - The Challenge of God's Attributes 01:40:04 - Dissolving the Problem of Evil 01:44:58 - Gaudapada's doctrine of Ajatavada and the Di...

David Doyle lives on the water in the island city of Alameda in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, their teenage son, and Merlin, a rambunctious Rat Terrier. At an early age he set upon a spiritual path and soon put down the books and turned inward. David’s path has been by most standards a very traditional inner practice, starting with Hatha Yoga and quickly moving to Raja Yoga. Meditation was his main practice, with asanas as an adjunct to meditation. Early on in his spiritual practice a teacher said that if you master the basics of yoga, and if you practice in earnest, all will unfold – everything you need will come to you. David took this to heart, beginning a life-long practice that for the most part was a solitary journey. At 20 years old his third eye opened in a dramatic unfolding, and from there came the never-ending gift of insight and abilities including: clairvoyance, clairsentience, clairaudience, precognition, telepathy and more. Some years later David joined the Berkeley Psychic Institute during its heyday and befriended the founder, Dr. Lewis S Bostwick, whom he considers to be his first great spiritual teacher, and friend. He spent over a decade with this group and at its many (at the time) institutes and thousands of students and teachers. In 2012, David came to an abiding awakening, and since that time, many changes have taken place in an ongoing process of daily and weekly energetic and auspicious unfoldings, many of which have left him nearly incapacitated. Since awakening, David has also become an adept Qi Gong Master under the guidance of Grand Master Shi Yong Yao, formerly an elite teacher-monk at the Northern Shaolin Temple in China. Additionally, many siddhis have developed as byproducts along The Way as well as a massive kundalini awakening and other extraordinary happenings. Now, with ten years having passed since awakening, David is ready to share experiences from his fifty+ year journey with a wider audience. He created Monk with Family, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to the householder, but inclusive of anyone for whom The Way is their life’s focus. David leads a weekly Satsang open to all those interested, and is available for speaking engagements and other spiritual events. David A. Doyle: Inventor, entrepreneur, manufacturer, publisher, sailor, skier, burning man (burner), householder. Founder: Monk with Family Website Founding member of Shaolin Master Qi Gong, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to sharing the teachings of Master Yao. David is registered in China as the: Deputy Director of the U.S. Regional Department of Shaolin Fohanmen. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded December 30, 2023 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:04:34 - Introduction to Monk with Family and David's Spiritual Journey 00:09:27 - The Serious Effects of Kundalini 00:14:08 - The Wall in Meditation 00:17:38 - Types of Meditation and Overcoming Resistance 00:22:14 - Meditation Tips: Finding the Center of the Head 00:26:49 - Proper Posture and Alignment in Meditation 00:30:03 - Energy Flying in Meditation Space 00:34:49 - Skiing in Cold Weather with a Surprising Warmth 00:38:48 - Tummo Practice and Yogis in Nepal 00:42:58 - The Bizarre Experience 00:47:01 - Telepathic Communication and Kundalini Experiences 00:51:01 - The Kundalini Experience 00:55:00 - Profound Spiritual Experiences 01:00:22 - The Unawareness of Our Own Abilities 01:03:35 - Energetic Phenomena and Thought Forms 01:06:45 - A Fortunate Tire Blowout and Unexpected Help 01:11:27 - The Spiritual Warrior and Negative Entities 01:16:56 - Dealing with the Demonic 01:20:42 - Unleashing Unnatural Abilities 01:25:54 - The Faint Remains of Ignorance 01:30:37 - The Changing Landscape of Work and Invention

After dying of a heart attack on the doorstep of a hospital in 2006 and being brought back to life, Mary knew it was time to write about her lifetime of astonishing mystical experiences which began with a visitation from the mystic Jesus in 1984 during a defining life crisis. It was then that Jesus spoke seven revelations: on forgiveness, judgment, the bible, weight problems, disease, aging and the ego. A few years later in 1986 Mary met a monk who initiated her into deeper states of consciousness and in 1988 she experienced the highest state of awareness, self-realization, and received the message that divinity awaits all mankind. A few months following her transformative experience of self-realization, Mary was given a spontaneous experience of her own death while meditating on a bench inside a lobby where she worked at MIT. From that moment she no longer feared death. A number of years later during a health challenge Mary had a experience of nature’s healing law of “like cures like” after being introduced to the consciousness-based system of homeopathic medicine, resolving areas in her consciousness that held the root of disease brought on by traumatic events in her early years. She enjoys lecturing on these topics and sharing the truth of our divinity and letting go of the false notion of death by embracing our eternal nature. She shares how consciousness is all and why it is so important to embrace consciousness-based medicine to heal our physical, emotional and mental bodies by restoring our consciousness to harmony. As humanity awakens to itself through the upheavals of our times, this book will serve as a testimony to what is possible for humanity as the old paradigms fall away and new paradigms arise. This book will bring comfort to the seeker who wants to know their true Self and to answer the questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Does death truly exist? Is self-realization truly possible? If you want to connect with Mary personally, please consider booking a Conversation with Mary. Website: Mary Terhune | Awakening Now To Our Higher Consciousness Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump interview with Mary Terhune 00:04:14 - The Mystical Encounter at the Window 00:08:23 - Inner Awakening and Forgiveness 00:11:04 - Past Lives and Spiritual Path 00:14:19 - The Misuse of Mystics' Words in the Bible 00:18:37 - The Impact of Stuck Emotions on Health and Disease 00:23:30 - The Experience of Love and Envy 00:26:48 - Seeking a Context for Enlightenment 00:30:05 - The Awakening and Reunion 00:34:24 - Meeting the Monk and the Path of Love 00:37:38 - Clearing Out Karmic Relationships 00:42:02 - Being Nourished by the Light 00:45:33 - Kundalini Awakening and Divine Realization 00:47:34 - Reclaiming our divinity 00:50:09 - The Natural State of Being 00:54:41 - Agony of Separation and the State of Bliss 00:59:25 - Out-of-body experience and return to the physical body 01:04:10 - The Veil Between Here and There 01:08:12 - The End of Experience after Realizing Brahman 01:12:10 - The State of Divinity and the Space Between Thoughts 01:14:30 - Living in the World, but Not of the World 01:17:52 - The Death of the Egoic Structure 01:20:51 - Near-Death Experience and Miraculous Recovery 01:24:38 - Seeking a Spiritual Teacher 01:27:34 - Interacting from a State of Oneness 01:30:53 - Turia: A Continuum of Consciousness 01:35:27 - Uncovering the Mother Loss 01:40:03 - Healing with Homeopathic Medicine 01:44:04 - The History and Suppression of Homeopathic Medicine 01:47:57 - The Precipice of Something Huge 01:51:06 - Farewell and Gratitude

Scott Hiegel lives in La Quinta, CA and runs a business consulting and investment banking business called Solquest. He has a BBA from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from UCLA. He’s been a former CPA, CFA, Vice President of Corporate Finance, and entrepreneur. He enjoys writing and talking about his experiences with Kundalini, and his lifelong roller coaster and, at times, perilous search for inner peace, the Divine, Love, and higher consciousness. Through speaking, outreach, film, poetry, and other creative expression, his goal is to entertain and inform people about the gifts and profound importance of Gopi Krishna's work, Kundalini, higher states of consciousness, and Love. Scott has written two books: "Reaching Heaven on Earth: A Soul’s Journey Home", in which he shares his personal story and mystical poetry, and "Love’s Design: Reaching Heaven on Earth", which he co-authored with Christopher Wrigley. In this book they share their unique expressions of love, hope, and knowledge through an exchange of 12 poetic verses. Scott's interests include visiting museums and historical sites, traveling, listening to holiday music and oldies, and watching movies. He enjoys sports, hiking, and attending 12-step meetings. He loves reading books about spirituality and the inspirational people who have helped make the world a better place. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded November 18, 2023. Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:49 - Regular People with Extraordinary Potential 00:09:04 - Enlightenment and Inner Fulfillment 00:12:45 - Childhood Dreams and Shyness 00:18:32 - Descending into Hell, Exile to the Desert, and the Dark Night of the Soul 00:21:42 - Surrender and Transformation 00:25:13 - Letting go of Attachment to Achieve Spiritual Progress 00:29:34 - Working Hard Spiritually 00:34:42 - The Inner Voice and Purity of the Body 00:39:42 - The Law of Evolution and the Path of Healthy Evolution 00:43:27 - The Awakening and Transformation 00:47:34 - Purifying Energy and Spiritual Practices 00:50:25 - Spiritual and Paranormal Experiences 00:54:17 - Time and Space Disappear 00:57:11 - Unfolding of Latent Faculties and Spiritual Experiences 01:02:00 - Connecting through Vulnerability 01:05:10 - "Living with Kundalini, the Autobiography of Gopi Krishna" discovery 01:09:31 - Distorted Evolution and the Need for Change 01:13:46 - Societal Collapse and the Evolution of Consciousness 01:17:47 - The New Science of Consciousness Evolution 01:21:37 - Exploring Higher Levels of Beauty and Consciousness 01:24:49 - The Vastness of the Universe 01:30:36 - The Power of Consciousness On the Next State of Consciousness 01:34:31 - The Shift in the Perception of the Universe 01:38:28 - The Influence of Spielberg and Lucas 01:42:40 - Joy and Connection with Others 01:45:30 - Titanic Presence and Deeper Connection to Inner Voice 01:49:32 - Eagle with a Thousand Heads 01:53:49 - Expanding Consciousness and Freedom from Fear 01:56:40 - Quotes on Love and Fulfillment 01:59:52 - Starting the tasks

Dr. Yvonne Kason MD, MEd, CCFP, FCFP, is the President and Co-Founder of Spiritual Awakenings International and the Past-President of IANDS (2019-2020). Dr. Kason is the person who in 1994 first coined the phrase “Spiritually Transformative Experiences” or “STEs”. She is also the Group-Leader and Co-Founder of Toronto Awakenings Sharing Group. Dr. Kason has had 5 Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), 2 in her childhood and 3 in her adult life, as well as multiple Spiritually Transformative Experiences (STEs) of many kinds. Dr. Kason is a retired family physician and MD-psychotherapist, previously on faculty at the University of Toronto, and an internationally renowned medical expert on NDEs, Kundalini Awakening, and other STEs. In 1990, Dr. Kason was the first Canadian medical doctor to specialize her medical practice in the research and counseling of patients with diverse types of STEs. She has over 40 years’ experience counseling STE Experiencers. She co-founded the Kundalini Research Network in 1990, was the Chair of the Kundalini Research Network’s Questionnaire research project, results published in Explore, July 2020. She co-founded the Spirituality in Health-Care Network in 2000. Dr. Kason has six published books, her most recent, Soul Lessons from the Light: How Spiritually Transformative Experiences Changed My Life (December 2022) and Touched by the Light: Exploring Spiritually Transformative Experiences (2019). She has made hundreds of professional presentations, has given scores of media interviews, and is in demand as a keynote speaker. Websites: dryvonnekason.com spiritualawakeningsinternational.org torontoawakenings.org Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded November 5, 2023 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:02:58 - Yvonne's Near-death Experiences and Past Lives 00:06:43 - Childhood Near-Death Experience and Flying 00:10:37 - Near-Death Experience in a Car Accident 00:14:50 - Seeing Ghosts and Near-Death Experiences 00:18:44 - A Powerful Meditation Experience 00:23:21 - Meeting Gopi Krishna and the Revelation of Kundalini Awakening 00:27:39 - Different Experiences of Awakening 00:31:57 - Psychiatric illnesses and spiritual awakening 00:35:53 - Balanced Approach to Spiritual Awakening 00:40:30 - The Harrowing Plane Crash Experience 00:44:29 - The Voice's Guidance and Ignoring it 00:49:06 - Experiencing Infinite Intelligence 00:52:44 - The Miraculous Rescue 00:56:28 - Transformative Aftereffects of a Near-Death Experience 01:00:36 - Clairvoyant Experiences and the Truth-O-Meter 01:04:37 - Advocate for Experiencers of Kundalini and Spiritual Transformation 01:09:06 - Spiritual Awakenings International and the Global Awakening 01:12:51 - The Concept of Peace and Harmony in Warfare and Defense 01:15:55 - Judicious use of drugs in Kundalini awakening 01:20:33 - Premonitions and Near-Death Experiences 01:24:54 - A Benevolent Being in an Unusual Posture 01:29:41 - The Shift in Spiritual Goals 01:33:22 - Deepening and Exploring 01:37:42 - Crossing Over and the Realm of Light 01:41:23 - A Profound Awakening: Remembering Past Lives and Understanding Interconnectedness 01:46:21 - Perceiving the Complexity of Time 01:50:12 - A Miracle Healing Journey 01:54:45 - Never give up hope 01:58:00 - Collaborating with Beings for Reincarnation 02:00:46 - Coughing Fits and Goodbyes

Professor Jem Bendell is a world-renowned scholar on the breakdown of modern societies due to environmental change. Downloaded over a million times, his Deep Adaptation paper is credited with inspiring the growth of the Extinction Rebellion movement in 2018, and created a global network of to reduce harm in the face of societal collapse. He completed his PhD at the University of Bristol and his Geography BA (Hons) at the University of Cambridge. For decades he worked on Sustainable Development as a researcher and NGO manager, as well as a consultant to businesses, political parties and UN agencies. One of his specialisms since 2011 is pro-social currency innovation, with his TEDx from that year explaining reasons for Bitcoin and similar. In 2017, he co-led the development of the UK Labour Party’s communications plan for the General Election and co-wrote speeches for their top politicians. Although recognised in 2012 as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Jem has been increasingly critical of the globalist agenda on sustainable development. Away from that work, he is partner in an organic farm school in Bali (bekandze.net) and supports meditation retreats at the main Buddhist Temple on the island. Website: jembendell.com Books: Breaking Together: A Freedom-Loving Response to Collapse Deep Adaptation: Navigating the Realities of Climate Chaos Evolving Partnerships: A Guide to Working with Business for Greater Social Change Healing Capitalism: Five Years in the Life of Business, Finance and Corporate Responsibility  The Corporate Responsibility Movement: Five Years of Global Corporate Responsibility Analysis from Lifeworth, 2001-2005 Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded October 28, 2023 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Professor Jem Bandel 00:03:58 - Introducing "Breaking Together" and its Hypothesis 00:07:56 - The Shift in Collective Consciousness 00:11:47 - The Importance of the Dark Night of the Soul 00:15:32 - The IPCC's Desire for Consensus 00:19:03 - Siloed Science and the Denial of Climate Change 00:22:44 - A New Form, A New Identity Structure, A New Kind of Safety 00:26:24 - Finding Inner Presence in Times of Chaos 00:30:21 - Faith and the Sense of Time 00:34:18 - The Catastrophic Risks of Climate Change 00:38:04 - Climate Change and Public Dialogue 00:41:35 - Debunking the Study on Free Will 00:45:06 - The Importance of Ocean Health to Climate Change Awareness 00:48:47 - Rejecting Activist Stunts and Embracing Community Preparedness 00:53:20 - Indigenous Environmental Stewardship 00:57:28 - Eternity and the Meaning of Life 01:01:31 - A Vision for Freedom and Connection 01:05:04 - Consciousness and Reincarnation 01:08:40 - Collapse Acceptance and Joy 01:12:30 - The Source of the Theory of Spiritual Awakening 01:15:26 - The Possibility of Human Extinction 01:18:54 - Examining Deep Stories and the Importance of Consciousness 01:22:15 - Collective Consciousness and Spiritual Awakening 01:26:14 - The Scientific Attitude and the Future of Human Society 01:29:14 - Implications and Perspectives 01:32:54 - Love Beyond Hope and Social Engagement as a Gift 01:36:23 - The Cultural Breakthrough of the Beatles 01:38:52 - Feeling Empathy for Others 01:42:51 - Becoming Oceanic in Consciousness 01:46:54 - The Meaning of Life and Personal Values 01:50:05 - Conversation with Jem about his book

Ruth E. Kastner earned her M.S. in Physics and Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Maryland. Since that time, she has taught widely and conducted research in Foundations of Physics, particularly in interpretations of quantum theory. She was one of three winners of the 2021 Alumni Research Award at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is the author of 3 books: The Transactional Interpretation of Quantum Theory: The Reality of Possibility (Cambridge University Press, 2012; 2nd edition just published, 2022), Understanding Our Unseen Reality: Solving Quantum Riddles (Imperial College Press, 2015); and Adventures In Quantumland: Exploring Our Unseen Reality (World Scientific, 2019). She has presented talks and interviews throughout the world and in video recordings on the interpretational challenges of quantum theory, and has a blog at transactionalinterpretation.org. She is also a dedicated yoga practitioner and received her 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Instructor Certification in February, 2020. Website: ruthekastner.org Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Transcript and summary of this interview Interview recorded October 21, 2023. Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:03 - The Importance of Physical Fitness and Yoga 00:08:00 - Discovering the Transactional Interpretation 00:11:58 - The Connection between Consciousness and Spirituality 00:16:28 - The Yin-Yang Nature of Quantum Theory 00:21:50 - The Reality of Quantum Possibilities 00:26:08 - The Blind Men and the Elephant 00:29:38 - The Measurement Problem and Consciousness 00:36:21 - The Orthodox Position on Dark Matter and Dark Energy 00:41:10 - Events and the Illusion of Space-Time 00:44:08 - The Analogy of Enlightenment and the Game of Life 00:47:10 - The Shimmering Intelligence in Every Particle of Creation 00:53:15 - Pathology and the Neglect of Yin 00:55:34 - The Taboo of Passivity and Eastern Wisdom 00:58:00 - The Debate on Free Will 01:00:39 - The Ad hoc Nature of the Feynman Propagator 01:01:21 - The Flatland Analogy 01:04:48 - Mr. Flatland and the Sphere 01:08:16 - The Controversy Surrounding the Term "Consciousness" 01:11:50 - Volition and Symmetry Breaking in Nature 01:15:01 - The Relationality of Charged Particles 01:18:22 - Understanding outcomes in the transactional picture 01:21:52 - Mastery over the Laws of Nature 01:24:56 - The Holographic Principle and its Significance 01:29:23 - Quantum Theory and the Physical World 01:33:25 - The Power and Limitations of Physical Science 01:43:30 - The Interconnectedness of String Theory 01:49:12 - The Flow of Time and Phenomena 01:54:24 - The Cosmos: Conscious Being or Product of Chance and Necessity

Jennifer Lisa Vest is a scientist, philosopher, and intuitive. She holds a PhD in Indigenous Philosophy from UC Berkeley, an MA in History from Howard, and a BA in Physics from Hampshire College. Her first career was as a philosophy professor at Seattle University and the University of Central Florida. Spiritually, Vest is a Medical Intuitive, an Akashic Records reader, a certified Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique practitioner, and a Master Reiki practitioner, and has been trained in the traditions of African American Hoodoo., Native American Sweatlodge, Jamaican Revivalism, Trinidadian Shango, and Spiritualism from community elders. Books: The Ethical Psychic: A Beginner's Guide to Healing with Integrity, Avoiding Unethical Encounters, and Using Your Gifts for Good Ancestor Count: Four Corner Poems (Philopoetics) Website: drvestmedicalintuitive.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Transcript and summary of this interview Interview recorded October 7, 2023. Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:40 - Childhood Experiences with Spirits and Mediumship 00:10:31 - Helping Stuck Souls Cross Over 00:15:33 - Simultaneous Lifetimes 00:20:35 - The Unsustainability of Society and Potential Collapse 00:25:43 - The Importance of Being of Service in Spiritual Work 00:30:36 - Indigenous Apprenticeship Programs 00:35:22 - Dangers of Pretending to be a Medicine Person 00:40:16 - Preparing for an Altered State Experience 00:44:59 - The Importance of Humility in Psychic Work 00:49:40 - Importance of Humility and Sensitivity to Client Needs 00:54:02 - Client Needs vs Practitioner's Perspective 00:58:18 - Tapping into Higher Sources 01:02:58 - The Vulnerability of Mediums 01:07:54 - Risks of Mediumship and Channeling 01:13:09 - Causes of Mental Illness in Indigenous Contexts 01:18:04 - Financial Responsibility in the Spiritual Community 01:22:57 - The Ethics of Charging for Healing Services 01:27:42 - The Harm of Brutal Honesty 01:32:28 - Ethics of Controlling Others with Magic 01:37:21 - Ethical Use of Spiritual Gifts, Misuse of Spiritual Gifts and Sexual Energy 01:42:12 - Spiritual Affair and its Consequences 01:47:01 - Assisting Spirits in Crossing Over 01:51:53 - Interference with Spirits 01:56:44 - The Phenomenon of "Walk-Ins" 02:01:31 - Choosing Teachers and Company 02:06:24 - Examining Influences and Doing Emotional Work 02:11:09 - The Harm of Inaccurate Readings and Lack of Compassion 02:15:53 - Becoming a Hollow Bone & Living a Balanced Life 02:20:43 - The Importance of Balance in Healing 02:25:41 - Exploring the Connection between Quantum Physics and Spirituality

Bill Witherspoon is a life-long visual artist, serial entrepreneur, and lover of sky. In his six decades, living on and off in the High Steppe desert in southeastern Oregon, he has painted watercolor skies, practiced ancient art as spiritual discipline, and weathered that pristine geological expanse. As an artist, over the last four decades, Bill has mounted 40 one-man exhibitions of paintings, prints, and sculptures (1968 – 2020), in addition to desert public art projects. He is also the founder and Creative Director of The Sky Factory, a fine arts, digital technology, and cognitive science studio that designs and manufactures the world’s only research-verified virtual skylights—Luminous SkyCeilings and Luminous Virtual Windows. His first book, Enter Space—Stories from the High Desert, lays witness to a life surrounded by that rare, unsummoned vastness; one that those of us steeped in the ceaseless churn of urban life can now imagine living through the faithful record of the artist’s experience. Book: Enter Space: Stories from the High Desert Sri Yantra: The Oregon Desert Mystery FULL MOVIE Transcript and Summary of this interview Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded September 3, 2023. Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters:   00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Bill Witherspoon 00:04:49 - A Life of Adventure and Silence 00:09:25 - Being Swept Away by the Waterfall 00:12:52 - A Life-Threatening Water Rescue 00:16:34 - The Near-Drowning Experience That Changed My Life 00:21:02 - The Transcendent Experience of Meditation 00:24:35 - Climbing the Radio Tower and Facing Danger at Sea 00:29:01 - Seeing More Deeply 00:32:33 - Healing the Eye of the Heart 00:36:42 - The Burning Shell 00:40:15 - Learning and Growth through Perseverance 00:43:50 - The Sri Yantra: An Instance of a Law of Nature 00:48:10 - The Bindu 00:52:38 - The New Kind of Seeing 00:57:00 - The Essence of Memory and Love 01:01:06 - A Slideshow of Photographic Events in the Wilderness 01:05:39 - Living in Harmony with Rattlesnakes 01:08:46 - Witnessing Violence and the Impact 01:12:55 - Encounters with Rattlesnakes 01:16:22 - The Strange Book and its Contents 01:20:36 - The Presence of Divine Intelligence 01:24:30 - Accessing Deeper Levels of Consciousness through Meditation 01:32:35 - The Horrors of Being on Death Row 01:35:35 - The Influence of Human Presence 01:40:37 - "Goodbye," when we went looking for wild horses 01:44:58 - Reflections on an Interesting Life 01:49:33 - Going Deeper in Consciousness 01:53:02 - Building a Beautiful Corporation 01:56:56 - The Skill of Self-Reflection 02:00:18 - Gratitude and Farewell

Spiritual teacher, international bestselling author and philanthropist Lorna Byrne has dedicated her life to remind humanity of the spiritual potential within us all. She is the author of seven best-selling books including Angels in My Hair, A Message of Hope From the Angels, and Angels at my Fingertips and has been published in more than 50 countries and 30 languages around the world. Her teachings are the result of a remarkable gift, a divine connection providing her with incredible, detailed knowledge of the spiritual side of life. Unlike others this gift is not from meditation, visualisation or even from books or study, it exists as a natural part of her waking life. Lorna Byrne has physical sight of the unseen world, of the angels, spirits and other spiritual beings that she says are guiding and teaching us every second of every day. Lorna says we all have this potential and it is part of humanity’s evolution for people to connect back to their spiritual self so the body and soul intertwines. Lorna’s vision of the future is one where there is no division or boundaries between people. Where our spiritual side is accepted and transcends all beliefs. To accept we are all one. To live in peace with each other and nature, our home. Lorna is also a philanthropist and founder of the Lorna Byrne Children’s Foundation helping vulnerable and marginalised children across the globe and the Seraph Foundation which is developing Sanctuary her centre in County Kilkenny Ireland. In 2019, she was named as one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People in the World. Website: lornabyrne.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript and summary of this interview Interview recorded August 27, 2023. Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Lorna Byrne and her Spiritual Teachings 00:03:56 - Interaction with Angels and Subtle Beings 00:08:16 - The Unconditional Love of Guardian Angels 00:11:06 - The Spark of Light: Angels, Humans, and Souls 00:14:20 - The Love between Humans and Animals 00:17:45 - God's Existence and Understanding Humanity 00:21:52 - Connecting with Nature and Ourselves 00:24:35 - Guardian Angels and Job Changes 00:27:16 - Overcoming Dyslexia and Writing a Bestseller 00:30:48 - The Importance of Hope and Faith 00:34:27 - Signs from Your Guardian Angel 00:36:54 - The Power of Kindness and Giving 00:40:17 - Listening to Your Guardian Angel 00:43:07 - The Role of Angels and Prayers 00:46:38 - Divine Guidance in Job Search 00:50:32 - An Encounter with Archangel Michael 00:53:54 - The Unemployed Angels 00:57:00 - Unemployed Angels and Acts of Compassion 00:59:23 - The Unemployed Angel 01:02:54 - The Concept of Conception 01:06:12 - Angels in Everyday Life 01:10:04 - Visits from Deceased Saints 01:13:45 - The Importance of Being Yourself and Believing in Guardian Angels 01:15:40 - Communicating with Children's Guardian Angels 01:18:20 - Living life to the fullest as a dyslexic person 01:21:40 - A Glimpse of Heaven 01:24:07 - Walking on Water and Miraculous Abilities 01:27:22 - The Power of Hope and Love 01:30:05 - Executives Connecting with Nature 01:32:16 - Building on to the Farmhouse 01:36:41 - Farewell and Well Wishes

Between the age of 20 and 40 I was consumed with a wide range of existential questions, but despite endless thinking and reading, I never found a single answer. Due to some business-related stress at the age of 40, I started a simple meditative exercise as a way to acquire some peace of mind, and within two weeks a major insight occurred that led to more meditative activities. Five months later a huge cosmic-consciousness event answered seven of my questions and catapulted me into a different reality. I then concluded that all answers were "within," and for the next 15 years I went on silent meditation retreats with Christians, Buddhists, and Advaita groups during which all of my other questions got answered. Nevertheless, I still did not feel free. Then, a new question arose, "How is it possible to stay in a unity-conscious state of mind permanently rather than oscillating between a sense of selfhood and no-self?" In 1999, after a deep experience of gratitude on a solo hiking retreat, "the little guy in the head" (the sense of a personal "me") totally vanished, and the result was freedom, contentment, and understanding. Book: Pouring Concrete: A Zen Path to the Kingdom of God – Expanded Edition Bob's email Transcript and summary of this interview Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded August 19, 2023 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump00:04:43 - Questioning Beliefs and Exploring Existential Questions00:08:25 - The Journey of Seeking Answers in Zen Philosophy00:12:17 - The Shift in Perception00:16:07 - A Reality Shift00:19:54 - The End of the Construction Company00:24:03 - Realization of the Incomprehensible00:28:16 - Simple answers to Zen riddles00:32:17 - Finding Freedom in the Middle of Responsibilities00:35:50 - Questioning Selfhood and Freedom in the Mountains00:38:59 - The Dissolution of the Sense of Self00:42:30 - The True Self and Identity00:46:00 - The Silence of the Mind00:49:19 - Non-Abidance in the Mind00:52:39 - The Kingdom of God Inside and Outside of You00:55:59 - Shifting Attention Beyond the Mind01:02:47 - The Benefits of Practice and Reconfiguration01:06:16 - The Natural Inclination to Help Others01:09:50 - The Depth of Awakening01:13:12 - Falling Asleep During Meditation01:16:26 - Realizing the Irrelevance of a Silent Mind01:20:00 - Seeking Benefit in the Present Moment01:23:32 - Intuition and the Home of All Knowledge01:27:00 - Knowing and achieving specific things in life01:30:50 - The Blissful State on the Deathbed01:34:07 - Embracing the Unknowable Future01:37:31 - The Universal Sound01:40:44 - The Challenges of Maintaining Friendships01:48:00 - Wrapping Up with Bob

Carter Phipps is the author of Evolutionaries and coauthor of the Wall Street Journal Bestseller Conscious Leadership with John Mackey and Steve McIntosh. He is co-founder of the Institute for Cultural Evolution, which addresses political polarization though focusing on the cultural roots of America’s challenges. He hosts the Thinking Ahead podcast and is a former award-winning journalist and executive editor of What Is Enlightenment? Magazine. His website is http://www.carterphipps.com. Essay we discussed in the interview: Mysticism and Its Discontents: Does Spiritual Illumination Create its own Intrinsic Blindness? Summary and Transcript and of this interview Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded July 29, 2023 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:50 - The Paradox of Spiritual Teachers' Behavior 00:07:52 - The Subtleties of Enlightenment and the Dangers of Blind Spots 00:11:24 - The Complications of Spiritual Awakening 00:14:40 - Defining Enlightenment 00:18:42 - Strengths and Weaknesses in Areas of Genius 00:22:31 - The Transformative Power of Mystical Awakening 00:26:15 - The Tradeoffs of Enlightenment 00:29:31 - Levels of Reality and Integration 00:35:06 - The Goal of Our Own Practice 00:37:33 - Delusion in Deep Mystical Experience 00:41:43 - The Path of Renunciation and Self-Brainwashing 00:45:46 - The Complex Psychology of Seeking Enlightenment 00:50:24 - The Evolution of Culture and Consciousness 00:55:17 - The Dangers of Unhealthy Self-Doubt and Lack of Self-Criticism 00:59:32 - The Delusion of Pure Motive 01:03:22 - The Dangers of Spiritual Confidence 01:08:15 - Blurring the Line between the Spiritual and Manifest World 01:14:10 - The Interface between Science and Spirituality 01:17:50 - The Tradition of Debate and Mythical Stories 01:21:35 - The Power and Deception of Inner Intuition 01:25:41 - The Relationship Between Enlightenment and Psychological Instability 01:28:35 - Psychological Traces and Vulnerability to Mystical Experiences 01:31:49 - Spiritual Breakthroughs and Psychological Breakdowns 01:35:11 - The Role of Responsible Psychedelic Therapists 01:39:44 - The Importance of Understanding Cultural Evolution and the Adjacent Possible 01:45:18 - The Myth of the Perfect Enlightened Figure 01:50:09 - The Importance of Understanding the Self-Structure 01:55:00 - The Importance of Questioning Spiritual Myths and Beliefs 01:59:38 - Being Discerning and Questioning 02:07:06 - Future Teaching and Updates from Carter Phipps

Dr. Etta D. Jackson was born in Kingston, Jamaica and migrated to the USA as a student in 1965. For twenty-five years she worked in education and retired in 1994 to travel. She has authored four books: Understanding Your Choice Unveiling the Secrets of the Feminine Principle The Role of Consciousness in Governance The Idea That Is the United States of America-Its Occult Foundation Audible.com versions: Understanding Your Choice Unveiling The Secrets Of The Feminine Principle She founded an international NGO non-profit organization, The Institute for Conscious Global Change (ICGC) in 2007 to assist the United Nations and Member States in eradicating extreme poverty through development. ICGC is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. Etta holds a BA in Biology, MS degrees in Guidance and Counseling and in Administrative Leadership and Supervision. Etta holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. She has one daughter and one grandson. Website Etta's blog, where she writes on many topics including mysticism and occultism. Mentioned during the interview: Builders of the Adytum Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded July 8, 2023 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:05:26 - Communicating with the Light 00:10:30 - Receiving Instructions from the Light 00:14:41 - Writing in London with the Golden Light 00:18:55 - The Back Story of Dr. Whitworth 00:23:57 - A Divine Encounter 00:29:44 - The Divine Feminine Unveiled 00:34:54 - Understanding Your Choice 00:39:40 - Mysticism vs. Occultism 00:45:03 - The Occult Knowledge of Ancient Religions 00:49:50 - Transitioning into the Aquarian Age 00:54:20 - The Authenticity of Experience and the Role of Older Souls in Guiding the Young 00:58:34 - A Relationship Based on Mutual Respect 01:03:33 - The Symbolism of the Journey to Jerusalem 01:08:51 - The Journey of Knowledge and Experience 01:14:00 - The Paradox of Good and Evil 01:18:49 - The Purpose of the Earth Experiment 01:24:23 - Embracing Change and Shifting Paths 01:29:07 - Understanding the Power of the Mind 01:33:59 - The Inner Lodge and the Role of Consciousness in Governance 01:38:13 - Masonry and Divine Inspiration 01:43:21 - Developing your Relationship with Yourself 01:47:47 - Kneeling at the Feet of the Soul 01:52:56 - Wrapping Up the Interview

Lucy was raised in a low socioeconomic household and neighborhood, by a young single mother in New Zealand in the early 1980s. The lack of resources available in childhood resulted in a shrinking of her outer world to what she thought of –  years later - as a kind of welfare-child ashram. Within the home, and outside of it, there were few distractions or ability to go anywhere else, and significant trauma – all forcing her to go within to what she thought of as “the deep stillness and light inside” to rest, find nourishment, solace, and strength. At 19 she experienced her first shift, seeing through the personality, and subtle perceptions revealing themselves. She never thought much of it, there had already been so much light inside, and she was so thrilled to be in the world finally so she simply went on with living. After a brief stint in television journalism, Lucy spent 15 years in Europe and New Zealand working for international humanitarian aid agencies. On return to NZ at age 31, she suddenly became extremely ill.  For six months, she was mostly bedridden. Doctors, both natural and traditional, could not find the source of the illness. Over the next few years, she had to work to earn an income but there was no strength for much else. The pain in her body was ever-present, and the fear of not knowing if this was her life forever now, was sometimes crippling. She was forced to exist in a kind of in-between world again - of much aloneness and silence, aside from work. After a few years of significant illness, she recovered strength enough to live a semi-normal life. But any time she tried to do too much, she was knocked back into illness. By 35 she was in a leadership role at a non-profit, married, with a baby on the way, just surviving day-to-day with the pressure on her physical body. On becoming a mother, she was plunged into a level of blackness that was completely shocking and previously unknown. For more than two years she descended into complete separation and couldn’t hear the guidance that had always accompanied her in her life. For the first time ever she couldn’t feel God. In 2018, after more than two years of immense struggle, an unexplainable and absolute surrender took place within, in a moment, as her two-year-old cried and reached for her. Within two months she had left the career she loved to rest in what she thought of as silence. For around a year and a half, she couldn't do much else. Lucy had never been exposed to spirituality, nor did she know anything about its concepts or traditions. She thought meditation was for “those hippy people.” Because there had been no conscious spiritual search, she had no context for what was happening. Often it was so beautiful and joyful – she didn’t need to know. There was an innate sense of trust and recognition that went beyond what needed to be seen or understood with the mind. When the need to understand did arise - some online searches helped a little, but often it all felt overwhelming, and she preferred sitting in silence to hear from within. Guidance and teaching were always present and given through hearing and images. Despite this, when particularly strange things would occur the need for the mind to understand would return. One night in 2019, before sleep, in heartfelt prayer she asked for help to cut through all the online noise and finally really grasp what was going on. There was a felt sense of need for community. As she was awakening in the morning, she heard the words “Buddha at the Gas Pump”. Lucy says, "I was stumped. I had no idea what that meant, but Googled it and found BatGap. As a result, my life has changed. Over the years BatGap has supported me deeply in the process – nurturing trust and allowing everything to unfold as it wants to." From then until now, Lucy has been called over and over into deeper surrender. She has had further shifts and many clearings. Her career of 15 years,