Growing up, a burning desire to seek truth took hold. After years of searching, the need to see reality overtook the need to avoid suffering. Through the marriage of inquiry and surrender, realization unfolded in ways that could never have been imagined by my former self.

After seeing through the illusion of separation, there is now a keen interest in exploring the mystery of reality and the human form. The stage of integrating this non-dual understanding into daily life is ongoing and beautiful, and something I return to daily. Not just to help myself, but to look for ways to alleviate suffering for anyone who is interested.

Website: matt-garrett.org

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Summary and Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded August 14, 2022

YouTube Video Chapters:

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

00:06:32 - Finding Freedom through Surrender and Inquiry

00:13:07 - The Paradox of No Self

00:20:28 - The Empty Body and the Aliveness Within

00:26:32 - Inquiry into the Self and Objects

00:30:48 - Spiritual Development and Full Blossoming

00:35:31 - Tapping into Non-Duality and Expressing It

00:39:23 - The Relationship between Free Will and Determinism

00:42:57 - Different Levels of Spiritual Maturity

00:46:23 - The Importance of Discernment and Checking Desires

00:49:05 - The Pendulum Analogy

00:52:32 - The Courage to Pursue Inner Development and Incorporate it into Daily Life

00:55:54 - The Fullness Within Yourself

00:59:43 - Resistance and Trusting the Universe

01:02:57 - The Play of Life and the Power of Surrender

01:06:48 - The Awakening after Giving Up Seeking

01:10:28 - Going Beyond the Self

01:13:57 - Beyond Awakening

01:17:28 - The Calling to Go Deeper

01:21:28 - The Flexibility of Reality and the Dilemma of Purpose

01:25:54 - Transitioning from Purpose to No Purpose

01:30:01 - Finding Freedom Beyond Purpose

01:33:40 - Surrender and Inquiry

01:37:10 - The Wisdom to Accept the Unchangeable

01:40:22 - The Transformation of Inquiry

01:43:25 - Emotional Work and the Inquiring into the Self

01:46:55 - The Impersonal Nature of Suffering

01:50:53 - Surrendering Personal Suffering for Humanity

01:54:45 - The Balance of Selfishness and Altruism in Helping Others

02:00:23 - Knowing the Self and Helping Others

02:05:21 - Farewell and Outro