Whilst growing up James had a deep sense that something about life didn’t add up. Unsure about what exactly that something was he tried to ‘fit in’ and graduated in Maths from Oxford University. It didn’t work.

He then began seeking a resolution to a lingering sense of unfulfillment by writing songs, singing and playing in bands, then as an actor, then as a school teacher, but that didn’t work either.

On recognising that no matter what his outer circumstances were the feeling of longing and dissatisfaction still remained, the nature of seeking turned inward and James found himself following a variety of spiritual and therapeutic paths. Despite providing many insights along the way these too ultimately failed to satisfy. He felt drawn more and more to the question that no one seemed to be asking: “Who is doing all this?”

Finally James came across the Non-Dual message with which there was an instant resonance. He met with many different teachers and seeking came to an end when the true nature of reality was clearly seen.

James now holds meetings and retreats in the UK and abroad, and lives in Totnes with his partner and two sons.

Website: jameseaton.org

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded 10/8/2016

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump

00:04:39 - Finding solace in music and guitar

00:09:08 - Music and Acting Journey

00:12:43 - A Journey into Drama School and Beyond

00:16:03 - Bringing Math to Life

00:19:15 - The Golden Ratio and Spirals

00:22:47 - Involving Students in Learning

00:26:08 - Spiritual Groups and Personal Experiences

00:29:10 - A Bombshell Discovery

00:32:26 - The Presence of Non-Duality and the Journey Towards Awareness

00:35:47 - The Misappropriation of Experience

00:38:54 - The Tricky Art of Teaching in a Group Setting

00:42:11 - The Beauty of Genuine Friendship

00:45:31 - The Nature of Thoughts and Free Will

00:48:37 - The Origin of Thoughts

00:51:50 - The illusion of separateness

00:55:01 - The Illusion of Physical Reality

00:57:59 - The Philosophy of Reality

01:01:14 - Perception is a Perceptual Cocktail

01:04:36 - The Indivisibility Between Knowing and Sound

01:08:50 - The Movement of Experience

01:12:05 - The Power of Realization

01:17:13 - The Paradox of Losing It All

01:22:04 - The Frustration of Children's Reactions

01:26:12 - The Cycle of Craving and Discontent

01:32:52 - Exploring Sense Doorways

01:39:32 - The Drive and Devastation of Awakening

01:45:19 - The Process of Awakening

01:51:56 - The Beauty of Direct Experience

01:59:39 - Wrapping up with a song

02:09:06 - Conclusion and Farewell