Constance Casey, MDiv, is an author and teacher providing spiritual guidance for those interested in living a gentle and peaceful life.

Constance offers guidance for those entering deeper practice into the nature of reality and adjusting to a shift in consciousness. Her awakening occurred in 2008. She has been practicing in the contemplative arts for over 40 years-- first through her years in recovery, and then, as she deepened in Buddhist practice in 2007—which she shares in her memoir.

She’s a graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader Program. Some of her teachers include Trudy Goodman and Jack Kornfield.

Constance obtained a Master of Divinity focusing on religious studies and went on to do hospital chaplaincy work. As an interfaith hospital chaplain, she offered compassionate care for patients and families while embracing the spectrum of human experiences. She is also authorized by Naropa University to teach meditation.

Constance’s practice is primarily informed by the suttas in Theravāda Buddhism where she has developed her own online classes, the most recent one is called Clearing Skies: Dispelling the Clouds that Hinder Us, and she leads support groups for dedicated meditation practitioners.

Through her experience she respects and values your unique spiritual practice and journey while supporting you to find balance and significance in the face of adversity. Constance will encourage you to attune toward being more mindful and aware for release and serenity.

Her first book called Time for Awakening: A Memoir shares her story of awakening and deeper meditation practice and is what brings her to our meeting today.

She can be found at her website.

On Substack

On Instagram

On Facebook

And on Youtube 

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Summary and Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded March 30, 2024

YouTube Video Chapters:

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

00:05:13 - The Levels of Receptiveness to the Dharma

00:09:13 - "Just Who Do You Think You Are?"

00:13:05 - A Snowy Awakening

00:16:54 - Healing and Bonding with My Sons

00:20:17 - Parenting as a Spiritual Practice

00:24:11 - A Fly on the Wall

00:28:09 - Tools of Recovery

00:31:31 - Ethical Structure in Spiritual Circles

00:35:14 - The Vicious Cycle of Repressed Discomfort

00:40:09 - Seeking Further

00:43:44 - Simplifying and Finding Fulfillment Within

00:47:39 - Expressing Experiences Through Art

00:51:17 - Finding Balance in Self-Care

00:54:59 - Honoring the Need for Rest and Balance

00:58:35 - The Power of Meditation and Personal Growth

01:01:38 - Constance's Carpentry Journey

01:04:44 - The Importance of Speaking Out and Trauma (Conversation)

01:07:29 - Seeing the Teacher as a Human Being and the Absence of Hierarchy

01:10:27 - The Indescribable Experience of Awakening

01:14:19 - Following the Way

01:18:32 - Psychological, Theological, Sociological Perspectives

01:22:14 - The Power of Kindness in Movies

01:26:42 - The Intimacy of Stream Entry

01:30:45 - The Support of a Teacher

01:33:33 - The Association for Spiritual Integrity

01:37:43 - Factors of Enlightenment and the Hindrances

01:41:38 - Hindrances in Meditation Practice

01:45:49 - Cultivating Tranquility and Equanimity in Meditation

01:49:05 - The Benefits of Meditation and Inner States of Being

01:51:48 - Closing Remarks