Nick Gancitano has spent most of his adult life delving into the mysteries of the ancient spiritual teachings and has undergone a conscious transformation that has made him a specialist in the field. Nick studied under some of its most respected sages and has traveled extensively around the world to deliver this teaching. In addition, Nick himself has been recognized for his simplification of the often complicated spiritual system of advaita (wisdom through direct insight).

After returning from his journey, Nick became committed to disseminating these teachings among friends and associates who became students and soon erected The Self-Inquiry Center for Conscious Living, where Nick now provides his lighthearted works to a growing population of devoted spiritual seekers.

Aside from being the spiritual director at The Self-Inquiry Center, Nick was once an All-American athlete, corporate regional vice-president, and U.S. National Champion under the legendary football coach Joe Paterno. He later became one of the world’s leading experts on place-kicking, personally developing over forty collegiate Division IA athletes, including nine All-Americans. But his original background lay in physics, physiology and biomechanics, as he firmly states that all information recorded for spiritual scripture and scientific documentation should be based on one's direct experience and not borrowed beliefs passed down through generations by the unknowing. Nick can be contacted via email.

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded 2/20/2011

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction & Announcements

00:04:16 - Early Experiences with Eastern Spirituality

00:07:59 - Silent Transmission from Ramana Maharshi

00:12:14 - The Illusion of Form and Awareness of the Self

00:15:51 - Purging Subconscious Guilt and Fear

00:18:57 - The Beginning of Sadhana and Self-Inquiry

00:22:48 - The Flawed Orientation to Teachers

00:26:05 - The True Notion of Self-Realization

00:29:16 - The Ego and Adulation

00:32:49 - The Concept of "I am" and the Role of a Master

00:36:26 - Interactions with Ramana Maharshi

00:39:28 - Letting go of the Outer Guru

00:42:31 - A Spiritual Retreat in Arunachala

00:46:08 - Awareness and Distraction

00:49:55 - Embracing Paradox and Ambiguity

00:55:09 - Surrender and Self-Inquiry

00:58:47 - Surrendering to the "I am"

01:02:13 - The Destiny of the Body

01:06:12 - Reversing the Flow of the Mind

01:09:18 - The Illusion of Phenomena and Form

01:12:20 - Awakening and the Illusion of Seeking

01:15:19 - The Split in the Mind

01:18:27 - The Ego and Self-Realization

01:21:00 - The Cosmic Joke and Self-Inquiry.

01:23:27 - The Efficacy of Teaching and Awakening

01:26:40 - The Play of Consciousness

01:29:31 - Ramana's Concern for World Affairs

01:33:00 - Enlightenment and the Illusion of Awakening

01:36:38 - Physiology Refinement and Evolution

01:40:15 - The Complete Realization

01:42:26 - Interview with Mandy Sulk