Group Discussion at Sofia University, Part 2 - Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview
Also see https://batgap.com/group-discussion-s... While out in California for the Science and Nonduality Conference, I had some downtime before the conference started, so I decided to tape a long panel discussion with a rather large group of friends, most of them previous guests on BatGap. Sofia University in Palo Alto (where transpersonal psychology was founded by Abraham Maslow and others), generously provided a room and video equipment. I'm especially grateful to Dr. Jeffery Martin, who conducts research there, for offering and organizing this. It was an experiment, and some were skeptical that it would work, but it did! Main points of discussion in this part include: The panel reflects on the morning session from direct experience after meditating together. Discussion of spiritual teachers and how awakening can come with new charisma and confidence along with an ability to enliven others which can lead to ego aggrandizement. Panel discusses what to be aware of and how to share with humility and grace. Spiritual Maturity - Importance of ongoing psychological growth and healing post-awakening. Benefit of peer check-in, therapy, and support. Sharing of ideas of new paradigm for spiritual teaching to include humanness and meeting students as equals. Importance of honesty and sharing humanity and personality and not playing a role. Experiences of subtle realms and beings, psychic powers, siddis that can naturally arise. Refinement and exploring dimensions of consciousness, Skilfully sharing gifts and graces that arise with awakening for the good of all. Importance of developing spiritual maturity and continued growth and healing. When is mystical experience useful and the benefit of guides in such openings. A discussion of healing and wellness in association to awakening. Are awakening and healing interrelated or separate journeys? Is it important to heal before awakening or can healing take place afterwards? Refinement and purification of physiology. Is healing necessary for an abiding awakening? Functioning in daily life after an initial awakening. Panel shares their leading / learning edge right now to enter the conversation with vulnerable truth. Participants included: Name Website(s) Canela Michelle Meyers: http://canelamichelle.com Chuck Hillig: http://chuckhillig.com Clare Blanchflower: http://clareblanchflower.com Craig Holliday: http://craigholliday.com Dana Sawyer: http://dana-sawyer.com David Buckland: http://davidya.ca David Ellzey: http://davidellzey.com Francis Bennett: http://findinggraceatthecenter.com Jeffery Martin: http://drjefferymartin.com Kiran Trace: http://kirantrace.com/ Kristin Kirk: http://kristinkirk.com Laurie Moore : http://counselingscottsvalley.us, http://animiracles.com Mariana Caplan: http://realspirituality.com Rick Archer: https://batgap.com Susanne Marie: http://susannemarie.org/ Chapters: 00:00:00 - Silence and Self-Reflection 00:09:12 - The Sense of Expanded Living 00:16:29 - The Pitfalls of Spiritual Awakening 00:22:43 - The Value of Mainstream Context and Therapist Category 00:30:58 - The Beauty and Service of Pain 00:36:33 - The Blossoming of the Heart and Devotion 00:44:06 - The Importance of Growth and Honesty 00:50:19 - The Exploration of the Human Condition 00:55:50 - Surrender and Humility in the Awakening Process 01:03:34 - Opening to Multiple Worlds and Listening to God 01:09:38 - Channeling Angelic Guidance 01:15:58 - Accessing Universal Energy and True Nature 01:22:55 - Capturing the Fort and Exploring the Territory 01:28:38 - Different Dimensions and Spiritual Ego 01:32:55 - The Importance of Meaningful Conversations 01:39:00 - The Irrelevance of Truth and Reality 01:45:43 - Discussions on various spiritual phenomena and dangers of believing in them blindly 01:50:25 - Discriminating Subtle Beings 01:53:51 - The Variability of Awakening Experiences 01:56:40 - The Six Bhavas in Ayurveda 01:59:52 - The Healing Question and Awakening 02:02:59 - The Importance of Healing and Psychological Maturity after Awakening 02:06:33 - The Pressure of Awakening and Awakening Levels 02:10:22 - Surrendering through Pain, Healing and Awakening 02:13:54 - Awakening and Healing 02:17:12 - Awakening and Healing in the Journey 02:21:29 - Life as a Single Parent and the Shift in Functioning 02:26:33 - Living in a Beautiful Apartment 02:30:23 - Embracing the Human Experience 02:36:19 - Surrendering to the Unknown 02:41:50 - Updates on BatGap
