Zaya Benazzo is a filmmaker from Bulgaria with degrees in engineering, environmental science, and film. For many years, she worked as an environmental activist in Holland and Bulgaria, and later produced and directed several award-winning documentaries in Europe and the United States.

Maurizio Benazzo grew up in Italy, and in 1984 came to the United States on a ninety-eight-year-old sailing boat. He started working as an actor, model, and filmmaker, but his thirst for knowledge was only satisfied in 2001 upon encountering I Am That, the seminal work by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, while he was in India shooting the award-winning documentary Short Cut To Nirvana.

Maurizio and Zaya merged their lifelong passions for science and mysticism when they met in 2007, and their first project together was filming the documentary Rays of the Absolute on the life and teachings of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. This project sparked their next level of creation and collaboration: Science and Nonduality (SAND)—a global community inspired by the timeless wisdom traditions, informed by modern science, and grounded in direct experience.

Book: On the Mystery of Being: Contemporary Insights on the Convergence of Science and Spirituality

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded February 29, 2020

YouTube Video Chapters:

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

00:05:16 - Finding Peace with Nisargadatta

00:09:53 - The Unraveling of a Familiar Story

00:13:35 - The Connection Between Trauma and Seeking Answers

00:17:24 - A Beautiful Movie about Nisargadatta

00:20:47 - The Birth of Science and Duality

00:24:23 - The Limitations of Knowledge and Understanding

00:27:49 - The Unity and Diversity of Existence

00:31:49 - Paradox and Ambiguity in Spiritual Maturity

00:36:08 - The Individual and the Ocean

00:40:23 - The Influence of Culture on Teaching

00:44:26 - Holding Conversations Lightly

00:47:23 - The Mystery of Life and Human Connectedness

00:52:10 - Meeting the Shadow and Unconscious Material

00:56:49 - The Dance of Therapy and Inquiry

01:01:18 - From the mind to the heart

01:05:51 - Observations on the Disembodiment of the Western World

01:10:14 - Spirituality and Social Inequality

01:14:06 - Trauma in Political Leaders

01:17:26 - Inclusion and Diversity in Spiritual Conversations

01:21:29 - Privilege and Diversity in Conversation

01:24:45 - The Inclusiveness of Spirituality

01:28:45 - The Necessity of Multi-dimensional Approaches to Life

01:32:19 - Meeting Yourself in Solitude

01:36:47 - Exploring Sexuality and Oneness

01:40:48 - Changing Ourselves and Creating Awareness

01:43:42 - The Future Direction of SAND Conference

01:46:55 - The Evolution of Teaching and the Dream of Trust and Deeper Listening

01:50:30 - The Admirable Effort of Personal Growth and Redemption

01:54:26 - Science and Nonduality Conference

01:57:28 - Plans for Future Meetings