Gail Brenner, Ph.D. is a psychologist, author, speaker, and lover of the nondual teaching with a fire that burns brightly. She is an expert in healing from early trauma and brings to this work years of experience with individuals and groups. Her work lovingly illuminates our everyday humanness with the deepest spiritual truths, and she is known for creating the safe space needed for inner exploration.

Gail has special expertise working with older adults and their families in the transitions of aging, death, and dying. She was an assistant clinical professor at the University of California San Francisco where she trained physicians and maintained a clinical practice. She has published numerous professional articles on coping with stress and chronic medical illness and is the author of the award-winning The End of Self-Help: Discovering Peace and Happiness Right at the Heart of Your Messy, Scary, Brilliant Life and Suffering Is Optional: A Spiritual Guide to Freedom from Self-Judgment and Feelings of Inadequacy. She loves exploring different cultures through international volunteering.

First BatGap interview with Gail

Website: gailbrenner.com

Summary and Transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded January 16, 2022.

YouTube Video Chapters:

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

00:03:53 - Personal and Professional Growth

00:07:54 - Tapping into the Beyond

00:11:40 - The Release of Old Patterns and Conditioning

00:15:33 - Embracing Openness and Compassion

00:19:00 - Exploring the Nature of True Self and the Overshadowing of Experience

00:22:41 - The Separation of Identity

00:26:00 - The Impact of Unmet Needs and Coping Strategies

00:29:37 - The Healing Power of Meditation

00:33:11 - The Healing Power of Meditation

00:36:39 - The Power of Attention

00:40:07 - The Importance of Paying Attention and Self-Scrutiny

00:43:38 - Numbing out to avoid discomfort

00:47:15 - Investigating conditioned patterns and healing trauma

00:50:54 - The Neurophysiology of Trauma and Healing

00:55:13 - Tools for Relaxation and Rest

00:58:32 - Inner Awakening and House Cleaning

01:02:09 - The Recognition of Timeless Being

01:06:01 - Healing and Growth in a Nurturing Environment

01:09:27 - Living in Bigger Questions and Non-Duality

01:12:28 - Letting go of control and being present

01:15:38 - Listening Deeply and Bringing Compassion

01:19:30 - Being Present with What Arises

01:22:57 - Working with Unworthiness Issues

01:27:05 - The Power of Being with Emotions

01:30:51 - Beyond Limitations and Identification

01:34:48 - The Profoundness of Being Together in Unity

01:38:19 - Contemplating People

01:41:58 - Finding Meaning and Satisfaction in Life

01:45:28 - Going Deeper and Discovering Meaning

01:49:00 - Thank you for Listening