Mike Jenkins trained as an actor and has worked in theatres in London and around the UK. He later worked as a performing arts teacher and customer services trainer and now creates and manages websites to help people connect with their audience. He has written two stage plays, a growing collection of poetry, and has always been drawn to expressing his own perception and perspectives and exploring those of others, through the creative arts. Mike loves to talk, sing, walk, read, write, cook, eat, sleep, and to help others feel and know the deep joy, grace, and peace at the centre of all life.

After many years of mental and emotional distress in his 20's and a diagnosis of cancer at the age of 29, Mike began an intense spiritual search that led him to teachings on nonduality that sparked a series of awakenings and set him on a journey to integrate those shifts into everyday life.

Website: heartofpresence.co.uk

Books:

The Nonduality Diary: A journal of awakening happening

The Escape Artist's Handbook: Re-discovering the simple joy of being

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded 5/6/2017

YouTube Video Chapters:

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

00:04:59 - Series of Awakenings

00:09:19 - Awakening and Dissolving of Concepts

00:13:54 - The Intense Longing

00:18:24 - Making Peace with Death

00:22:55 - The Freedom of Letting Go

00:26:54 - The Toll on Mental Health and the Path to Spirituality

00:30:37 - The Horrific Record of Organized Religion and the Catholic Church

00:34:29 - Sexuality and Understanding

00:38:07 - Dealing with personal issues through awakening

00:41:46 - Stereotypes and Misconceptions about Sexuality and Spirituality

00:45:29 - Stereotypes and Misconceptions about Being Gay in Society

00:49:01 - Redefining Gender Identity

00:52:46 - The Power of Imagination and Meeting Others in Absolute Reality

00:56:43 - Freedom from Labels in Identity

01:00:20 - Living a Life of Peace and Joy

01:04:07 - Experiencing the Essence

01:07:50 - Stories of Instant Awakening

01:11:15 - Finding Light in the Darkness

01:14:55 - The End of Feeling Unfulfilled

01:18:27 - Being in the World or Creating

01:21:58 - The Unfolding Layers of Truth

01:25:44 - Thoughts and Conclusion

01:29:22 - Less Investment in Thoughts and Opinions

01:32:55 - Awakening and Surrendering in Creativity

01:36:15 - Living in an Awakened Space

01:40:06 - Balancing Being and Action

01:43:32 - The Creative Capacity

01:47:10 - Divine Intelligence in the World

01:50:51 - A Conversation with Mike Jenkins

01:54:41 - Farewell and Gratitude

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