Neil Douglas-Klotz is an internationally known scholar in the fields connecting religious studies (comparative Semitic hermeneutics) and psychology as well as a poet and musician. He is the author of Prayers of the Cosmos, Desert Wisdom, The Hidden Gospel, and The Genesis Meditations as well as coauthor of The Tent of Abraham with Sr. Joan Chittister and Rabbi Arthur Waskow. He is the past chair of the Mysticism Group of the American Academy of Religion and is active in various international colloquia and conferences dedicated to peace and spirituality.

Website: abwoon.org

Amazon Author's Page, listing all of his books

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded November 5, 2022

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Neil Douglas-Klotz

00:03:29 Neil’s background

00:04:40 - A Childhood of Alternative Beliefs

00:09:22 - How I Made Major Life Decisions

00:12:20 Aramaic, Sanskrit, Sound and Meaning

00:13:42 - The Connection Between Language and Objects

00:15:54 Chanting, mantra and the evolution of consciousness

00:17:47 - Human Consciousness and Modern Life

00:20:34. Changing the cultural paradigm of materialism

00:21:52 - Separation from Family Conditioning

00:22:09 Yeshua's healings and the culture of his time.

00:24:14 Did Jesus exist?

00:26:29 - The Transmission History of the Gospels

00:26:55 How and when were Jesus' words first written down?

00:30:22 - The Origins of Aramaic and Greek in Jesus's Vicinity

00:31:11 Aramaic and Greek at Jesus' tme.

00:33:04 Hundreds of early gospels.

00:34:50 - The Origins of Christian Creeds

00:35:49 Modern Christian religion and politics.

00:37:03 Neil's new book Revelations of the Aramaic Jesus: his method and texts

00:39:04 - The Translation of Scriptures

00:39:10 The King James Version of the Bible

00:40:27 "What would Jesus do?"

00:43:29 - The Connection to the Source of the Self

00:44:10 Evolution of Neil's work

00:45:07 "I am the way, the truth and the life...."

00:47:50 - The Meaning of "Hayye"

00:50:15 Jesus' miracles and healings, and early human consciousness.

00:52:13 - Healing through Connection to the Unseen

00:54:15 The important Aramaic words usually translated "good" and "evil"

00:56:50 - Ripening in the Breath

00:59:50 Jesus and prayer, with and without words

01:00:45 - Entraining with the Teacher's Consciousness

01:03:01 Worst mistranlation that empowers colonialism and ecocide.

01:04:49 - The Injustices of the World

01:06:56"Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven..."

01:08:57 - The Interconnection of Inner and Outer Life

01:09:09 The "sin against the Holy Ghost."

01:12:06 The Aramaic "lord's prayer" in brief

01:14:37 - Hollowing oneself for resonance with the cosmos

01:18:57 - The Aramaic Prayer of Dedication

01:20:39 Conversion, "saving the soul" or the soul saving you

01:23:18 - The history of Christianity and religion's impact

01:23:40 Snake handling?

01:25:28 "I and my father are one."

01:27:25 - The Living Togetherness with the Creating Source

01:29:38 "omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent?

01:30:45 "only begotten son"

01:31:36 - Jesus, the Cross, and Trust

01:35:05 "Did Jesus die on the cross?"

01:35:40 - The Possibility of Jesus' Survival on the Cross

01:37:53 Seeing angels or beings from other faiths

01:39:04 Jung's "Christian yoga"

01:39:44 - Awakening and Healing with Neil Douglas-Klotz

01:40:56 "original sin"

01:43:46 "judge not lest you be judged"

01:43:57 - Finding Your Path in Life

01:45:51 What is mine to do?

01:47:47 Jesus suffering

01:48:12 - The concept of pain and suffering in Christianity

01:50:32 "let him who is without sin cast the first stone"

01:52:02 - Tangled Relationships and Casting Stones

01:54:19 the "house divided against itself"

Anastasia is a Reiki Master Teacher, Meditation Coach, Intuitive Life Coach, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and a self-proclaimed recovering Zumba Instructor that has turned her lifelong pursuit of holistic wellness into a thriving holistic wellness practice, offering services online, and at her wellness studio located outside of Chicago.

After dozens of profound spiritual experiences and a life-changing NDE in 2019, Anastasia holds a fundamental understanding that unconditional love is our natural state of being. With a powerful combination of consciousness, awareness, and intention, Anastasia has worked with hundreds of clients to create access to a transformational force that aids in letting go of mental, emotional, and/or physical pain, in turn creating lasting inner harmony. She is an ambassador of living a fully integrated, balanced, and intuitive life.

Website: thehealingheart.com

TikTok: @theheartshines

YouTube Channel

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded October 24, 2022

YouTube Video Chapters:

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

00:04:58 - Out-of-body experience and the dentist chair

00:09:52 - Tapping into Timelessness

00:13:21 - Clearing the Windows of Perception

00:19:19 - The Experience of Bliss in the Void

00:24:37 - The Enigma of Understanding and Knowing

00:31:36 - The Immensity of Soul Experiences

00:38:05 - Oneness in Individuality

00:41:46 - Oneness and the Impact of Actions

00:44:09 - The Expansiveness of Oneness

00:47:17 - Choosing to Experience Others' Feelings

00:50:13 - The Nature of Good and Bad

00:53:11 - Contribution of Profound Experiences

00:57:15 - The Purpose of the Physical Body

01:02:33 - Connecting to the Infinite Knowledge

01:06:56 - The Soul's Return to Oneness

01:09:07 - Connecting with Deceased Relatives

01:11:56 - Life Between Lives

01:14:23 - Unique Insights and Varied Experiences

01:18:07 - The Importance of How You Feel

01:22:46 - The Expansion of Consciousness and Purpose of Creation

01:25:25 - Different Experiences of Physical Life

01:30:22 - The Omniscience of God and the Soul's Connection

01:35:03 - The Power of Anita Morjani's NDE

01:38:33 - The Power of Energy and Vibration in Healing

01:43:02 - The Power of Sound Therapy and its Effects on the Body

01:47:15 - Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change

01:49:50 - Experiencing Peace, Love, and Joy

01:53:34 - The Inspiring Story of a Renowned Saint

01:57:39 - Connecting with The Healing Heart

02:00:15 - Conclusion and Farewell

Mark Anthony, JD Psychic Explorer/ Psychic Lawyer, world renowned psychic medium, Oxford educated attorney, near-death experience researcher, paranormal expert and legal analyst appears internationally on TV and radio and headlines at conferences and expos.

This Psychic Explorer may be found lecturing at an Ivy League University about Quantum Physics one day, and the next off to mystical locations in remote corners of the world to explore Ancient Ruins and Supernatural Phenomena.

Mark is a featured columnist for Best Holistic Life Magazine, and author of three bestselling books. His latest, The Afterlife Frequency is a riveting story driven exploration taking you around the globe, from the cosmic to the subatomic, into the human soul itself. The Afterlife Frequency has been endorsed by the world’s top Survival of Consciousness scientists and designated by PrettyProgressive.com as one of the top books about faith in God. It’s been submitted for a Pulitzer Prize.

Other books:

Evidence of Eternity: Communicating with Spirits for Proof of the Afterlife

Never Letting Go: Heal Grief with Help from the Other Side

Website: AfterlifeFrequency.com

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded October 15, 2022

YouTube Video Chapters:

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

00:05:00 - The Importance of Understanding the Mechanics of Life

00:11:03 - The Execution of John the Baptist and Reincarnation in Christianity

00:16:44 - Psychic Abilities in the Family

00:21:46 - The Unspoken Family Secret

00:26:05 - The "No, no, no" Syndrome

00:29:01 - Understanding the Quantum Nature of the Soul

00:36:05 - The Interconnectedness of Spirituality and NDE Experiences

00:44:10 - Using Psychic Abilities for Healing and Resolution

00:49:05 - The Abuse of Psychic Abilities in Powerful Beings

00:52:48 - The Witches' Response to Hitler

00:56:24 - Shielding Yourself and Stabilizing Energy

01:00:16 - Lines of Development

01:05:19 - Al Capone and the Dark Forces

01:07:56 - Psychic Advisors in the White House

01:10:36 - Mary Todd Lincoln and Spiritual Beliefs

01:14:03 - The Myth of the Great Leader

01:16:58 - The Right Leader Arises in Dark Times

01:21:25 - Environmental Destruction and Urgent Action

01:26:51 - Seizing Opportunities and Squandering Them

01:32:47 - Miraculous Intervention

01:37:19 - The Subtle Body and the Unified Field

01:42:51 - The Electromagnetic Soul Theory and Scientists' Support

01:48:39 - Near Death Experiences and the Existence of God

01:51:58 - Understanding Brain Impairment and Consciousness

01:55:31 - The Loss and Reunion of a Loved One

01:58:12 - Communication with the Afterlife through Technology

02:02:27 - Communicating with Spirits through Technology and the Spirit Phone

02:06:39 - Enhancing Spiritual Situational Awareness

02:11:01 - "Putting Yourself in the Flow of God's Grace"

Ann has been practising yoga and meditation for nearly 20 years and has since completed her Masters in the Traditions of Yoga and Meditation from SOAS University with ongoing Sanskrit training. Ann was inspired from an early age by her father’s anecdotal experiences with Kuṇḍalinī and his involvement in experiments with Zen priest and transpersonal scientist, Dr Motoyama. Her own experiences have pointed her towards a phenomenological investigation of the parallels between spontaneous Kuṇḍalinī awakenings and Buddhist paths to enlightenment. Her previous research focuses on the phenomenology of Buddhist and Yogic experiences through practice.

Ann is currently researching spontaneous Kuṇḍalinī arousals and how these experiences map onto the path of realisation within Indian Buddhist and Yogic traditions as well as cutting-edge consciousness theory. Her mission is to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological processes that can arise from spontaneous transpersonal experiences or deep meditation practice and how we can safely support others walking this path towards greater wholeness.

Website: annmathie.com

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded October 8, 2022

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Background

00:04:25 - Kundalini and Theosophy

00:08:29 - Questioning Mainstream Sanity

00:11:53 - Exploring Different Religious Practices

00:16:02 - The Complexity of Traditions and Spiritual Paths

00:19:48 - The Path of Compassion and Moral Behavior

00:23:46 - The Three Components: Rajasic, Sattvic, Tamasic

00:27:39 - Breakthroughs and Trauma in Spiritual Experiences

00:31:07 - The Arhat and Enlightenment in Buddhism

00:34:34 - The Four Stages to Arhant-hood

00:38:12 - The Power of Insight in Teaching and Evaluation of Teachers

00:41:58 - The Importance of a Healthy Guru-Student Relationship

00:45:47 - Spiritual Integrity and Money in Modern Society

00:49:19 - Contrasting skillful means and direct realization

00:53:05 - The Benefits of Meditation Practice

00:56:57 - Dissolving the Illusion of Self-Personality

01:00:27 - Awakening Without Practice

01:04:25 - The Manifestation of Kundalini Energy

01:08:35 - Spontaneous Body Movements and Kriyas

01:12:06 - Letting Go of Stored Emotions

01:15:40 - The Relationship Between Shaking and Psychological Processes

01:19:28 - Managing Kundalini Energy for Individuals with Weak Neural Networks or Trauma

01:23:07 - The Consequences of Mind-Shattering Experiences

01:27:04 - The Challenges of Running a Marathon

01:30:51 - The Path to Enlightenment and Psychological Health

01:34:49 - The 10 Impurities of Insight

01:38:41 - The Importance of the Whole Path

01:42:18 - Finding Balance on the Spiritual Path

01:46:27 - Importance of Cultivating Right Intention

01:50:29 - The Importance of Compassion and Kindness

01:54:14 - A Conversation with Ann Mathie

Dr. Mario Beauregard, PhD., is a neuroscientist currently affiliated with the Department of Psychology, University of Arizona. He has received a bachelor degree in psychology and a doctorate degree in neuroscience from the University of Montreal. He also underwent postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Texas Medical School (Houston) and the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), McGill University.

Dr. Beauregard is the author of more than 100 publications in neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry. He was the first neuroscientist to use functional neuroimaging to investigate the neural underpinnings of voluntary control in relation to emotion. Because of his research into the neuroscience of consciousness, he was selected (2000) by the World Media Net to be one of the “One Hundred Pioneers of the 21st Century.” In addition, his groundbreaking research on the neurobiology of spiritual experiences (including near-death experiences) has received international media coverage. In 2008, he was invited to participate in a symposium held at the United Nations. In 2013, he participated in a dialogue with the Dalai Lama in regard to the new science of mind.

Dr. Beauregard has appeared over several radio programs in the U.S.A., Canada, and Europe, Asia, and Australia. His research has been featured on TV (Discovery Channel) and in many newspapers and magazines, including Nature, Science, The New Scientist, Scientific American Mind, and The Economist. He has received a number of distinctions, including the Joel F. Lubar Award (International Society for Neuronal Regulation, USA) and the Spectrum Award (The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential, USA).

Being also an author, Dr. Beauregard has published The Spiritual Brain (Harper Collins, 2007) and Brain Wars (Harper Collins, 2012). In these books, he demonstrates that mind and consciousness are much more than the activity of nerve cells in our brains. He also shows that spirituality is a central feature of human beings that cannot be reduced to physical processes.

Beauregard actively contributes to the articulation of the new postmaterialist scientific paradigm. Co-author of the Manifesto for a Postmaterialist Science, which has been signed by several hundreds of scientists, he is also one of the founders of The Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences (AAPS).

Movie: Expanding Reality

Books:

Expanding Reality: The Emergence of Postmaterialist Science

The Spiritual Brain: A Neuroscientist's Case for the Existence of the Soul

Brain Wars: The Scientific Battle Over the Existence of the Mind and the Proof that Will Change the Way We Live Our Lives

Expanding Science

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded October 1, 2022

YouTube Video Chapters:

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

00:03:27 - Introduction to Dr. Beauregard and his work

00:06:30 - Mystical Experience and Life Mission

00:10:06 - A Life-Changing Experience

00:13:19 - Miraculous Recovery and Spiritual Awakening

00:17:02 - Psychic Experiences and Family Connections

00:20:05 - Prearranged Events and Purification of Sickness

00:24:03 - The Impact of the Scientific Materialist Worldview

00:27:59 - The Manifesto for a Post-Materialist Science

00:32:00 - Playing the Game, Being a Black Sheep

00:35:07 - The Journey from Job Loss to Collaboration

00:38:25 - The Transition Period and the Waning of Materialism

00:41:49 - The Illusion of Self and the Denial of Psi Phenomena

00:44:59 - The Changing Attitude Towards New Ideas

00:48:07 - The Importance of Open-Mindedness and Spiritual Practice

00:51:52 - The Influence of Mind and Non-Local Interactions

00:55:41 - Altered States of Awareness and Neuroplasticity

00:58:57 - Materialism, Reductionism, Scientism, and Determinism

Isira is an awakened spiritual teacher who has been initiated in advanced spiritual practices and rites across a number of traditions including Australian Aboriginal, Yogic Indian, African Shamanism and Tibetan Buddhist. When she was a young adult, Tibetan Lamas, recognized her as an important incarnation and travelled to Adelaide, Australia to bring her to the Himalayas to be ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Isira is also honored as an Australian Indigenous elder and wisdom keeper.

The heart of Isira’s teaching is Holistic Awakening. While the predominant western model of awakening focuses on individual consciousness, Isira’s holistic approach has us awaken to the sacred in all of life. It is an awakening that is integrated, embodied, and grounded, rather than siloed, conceptual, and abstract.

Isira believes that, even among those on a committed spiritual path, there is still a deep sense of “something missing.” The human spirit is hungering to be nurtured by the sacred. We know this because we're living in a world that is fractured and conflicted more than ever. And people are reporting a sense of fear, alienation, depression, anxiety, and chronic illness in epidemic numbers.

Inspired by the wisdom of indigenous cultures, Isira teaches that we must awaken to what she calls the “Four Sacred Pillars of Life.” While one of these four pillars is the Self or Spirit, they go beyond the Self to include our interconnected relationship with three other essential dimensions of life—the second is nature or earth, the third is kinship or others, and the fourth is the cosmos or universe. While conventional thinking assumes that our spiritual connection must start with Self or Spirit, instead, Isira teaches that for awakening to be holistic, it is essential that we start with our connection to earth or nature.

Through holistic awakening, we move out of the mind into a lived experience in which the sacred is restored to each moment of our day-to-day life.

As we integrate our awakening, a natural byproduct is that we relate in a deeper, more meaningful way—respecting, honouring and loving all of life. Simply, we live sacredly.

Books:

Awakening You: Embodying Peace, Love and Freedom on Earth (enter code ISIRA010 to access eBook for no charge)

Buddha on the Dance Floor

Website: isira.com

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

First BatGap interview with Isira

Summary and transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded September 25, 2022

YouTube Video Chapters:

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

00:04:56 - The Power of Spiritual Connection and Ancestral Guidance

00:10:23 - Indigenous Wisdom and Lore

00:15:32 - Interactions in Dream State and Meditation

00:20:14 - Appointment as a Lama's Consultant

00:25:07 - The Emergence of Nature and Creation

00:30:32 - Embracing Holistic Development and Avoiding Narrow Paths

00:35:10 - Incorporating Boundaries and Boundless

00:40:38 - The Interconnectedness of All Living Beings

00:45:53 - The Importance of Connectivity with Nature and the Cosmos

00:50:54 - The Value of Deeper Connections with Earth

00:55:33 - Connecting with Nature in a Modern World

01:00:35 - The Role of Indigenous Cultures in Awakening Humanity

01:05:44 - Indigenous People as Transceivers of Natural Lore and Values

01:10:31 - Addressing the Root Cause of Crime

01:15:32 - Dissolving Centralized Systems

01:20:38 - Healing Wounds and Transgressions

01:25:29 - The Four Pillars of Connection and Fulfillment

01:30:47 - The Four Pillars of Balance

01:35:55 - Restoring Balance within Ourselves and the World

01:40:49 - Finding Beauty in Life's Experiences

01:45:42 - The Cosmic Perspective

01:50:21 - The perception of reality

01:55:48 - Anchoring with the Senses

02:00:35 - Wrapping up the interview and answering viewer questions

Brian Thomas Swimme did his doctoral work in gravitational dynamics in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Oregon. From the publication of The Universe Is a Green Dragon to the Emmy Award–winning PBS documentary Journey of the Universe, Swimme has articulated the cosmology of a creative universe, one in which human intelligence plays an essential role.

For three decades as a professor in the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, he taught evolutionary cosmology to graduate students in the humanities. Currently he is director of the Third Story of the Universe at Human Energy, a nonprofit public benefit organization.

A detailed description of his books and media works can be found at storyoftheuniverse.org.

About the documentary, Journey of the Universe.

Human Energy presents Story of the Noosphere

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded September 18, 2022

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Brian Thomas Swimme and Cosmology

00:03:59 - Two Meanings of Cosmologist

00:08:00 - The Relationship Between Human Mind and the Universe

00:12:49 - The Power of Scientific Knowledge in Understanding Ourselves

00:16:55 - The Color of the Universe

00:20:55 - The Nature of Laws and the Mystery of the Universe

00:25:36 - The Ontology of Intelligence and Consciousness

00:29:10 - The Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness and the Experience of Reality

00:34:14 - The Ontological Connection between Individuals and the Universe

00:38:50 - The Interplay of Science and Spirituality

00:42:17 - The Mystery of Mathematics and Science

00:46:22 - The Influence of Teilhard de Chardin and Thomas Berry

00:50:12 - The Interdependence of Science and Spirituality

00:53:43 - The Noosphere: United Humanity and Earth's Evolution

00:58:46 - The Special Quality of Humanity and Symbolic Consciousness

01:03:50 - The Dark Age and the Loss of Knowledge

01:07:45 - Ignorance of Extinction

01:10:57 - Co-evolution of Technology and Spirituality

01:15:02 - Becoming beings who see the whole first

01:19:50 - The Bhagavad Gita and Being Established in Action

01:23:55 - The Vast Intelligence Within You

01:27:25 - The Noosphere in Action

01:32:05 - The Noosphere as a Collective Consciousness

01:35:24 - Deepening Collective Intelligence

01:38:19 - The Dream of the Earth and Integral Ecology

01:43:30 - Embracing Change: A Deep Change of Heart and Mind

01:46:42 - A Breaking of Symmetry in the Early Universe

01:50:50 - The Incessant Creativity of the Universe

01:54:52 - Matter's Intrinsic Property of Self-Organization

01:59:13 - The Excitement of Matter and Spiritual Development

02:02:39 - A Round-Trip from Tacoma to Berkeley

Emilio Diez Barroso perfected the art of appearing very successful. He manages two family offices, a venture investment firm, sits on the board of over a dozen companies etc... but up until recently, he was always trying to get somewhere other than where he was—seeking recognition, achievement, love, success, and finally, the ultimate carrot: enlightenment.

In his pursuit of enlightenment, he was forced to face what all the seeking had been trying to avoid: his own sense of unworthiness. Defeated at the game of becoming and humbled by the realization of his true nature, he is now dedicated to alleviating suffering in the world.

Emilio is a father to three incredible teachers and resides in Los Angeles.

Book: The Mystery of You: Freedom is Closer Than You Think (All proceeds from the book go to contentment.org.)

Website: emiliosbook.com

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded September 10, 2022

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Background

00:04:18 - Breaking Free from Conditioning

00:08:12 - The Influence of Religion and Self-Worth

00:11:54 - The Illusion of Wholeness and Self-transcendence

00:15:54 - The Experience of Oneness and Waves of Self

00:19:44 - Integrating Spirituality into Everyday Life

00:23:51 - Nature's Efficiency and Guiding Intelligence

00:27:41 - The Practice of Meditation and Spiritual Seeking

00:31:39 - Outrunning Jealousy and Feelings of Inadequacy

00:35:43 - An Exploration of Inner Energy and Consciousness

00:39:45 - The Spiritual Growth of Life

00:43:45 - The Inner Wound and Healing the World

00:47:53 - Surrender and Agility

00:51:43 - Being in the State of Inner Hereness

00:55:39 - Sitting in Defeat Before the Next Energy Kicks In

00:59:39 - Gradual Shifts and Bankruptcies

01:03:29 - Coping and dependence with artificial stimuli and plant medicine

01:07:22 - The Constant State of Experience

01:11:12 - The Feminine Qualities in Spiritual Teachings

01:15:30 - Learning from Women, Integrity, and Ethics in the Spiritual Path

01:19:39 - The Unregulated Nature of Spiritual Teaching

01:23:43 - The Divine Nature of the Body and the Importance of Taking Care of It

01:28:03 - Irrational Discontent and the Search for Truth

01:31:48 - Unnecessary Roughness and Judgment

01:35:43 - Parenting with Humility and Responsibility

01:39:19 - Freedom at Different Levels

01:43:12 - Rediscovering Devotion

01:47:32 - Awe and Attachment

01:51:43 - Opening the Heart and Feeling in the Body

01:55:56 - The Warrior's Impeccability

01:59:25 - Looking Ahead to the Next Conversation

Dr. Anneloes Smitsman (Ph.D., LLM), is a futurist, evolutionary systems scientist, coach, healer, and award-winning bestselling author. She is the Founder and CEO of EARTHwise Centre. Her programs, practices, and strategies are sought after around the world for actualizing our future human potential, and catalyzing the next steps in human consciousness and systemic design for thrivability. She was awarded the Visioneers Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2022, and was crowned overall African winner in the category "Human Development" of the 2022 Africa’s Most Respected CEOs Awards. She is the co-author of the award-winning Future Humans Trilogy with Dr. Jean Houston, and a member of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle.

Website: earthwisecentre.org

Other books:

The New Paradigm in Politics

Love Letters from Mother Earth: The Promise of a New Beginning

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded September 5, 2022.

YouTube Video Chapters:

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

00:04:19 - Two Futures: Sustainability Crisis and Emerging New Era

00:08:12 - The Regenerative Renaissance

00:12:11 - A Higher Order of Possibility

00:15:59 - Engaging Youth Creativity in Shaping the Future

00:19:44 - Engaging the Mind in Learning

00:23:28 - Global Collapse and Planetary Conditions

00:27:11 - The Balancing Act: Mother Earth and Human Consciousness

00:30:36 - Emergence of a New Narrative and Maturation of Our Species

00:34:05 - The Power and Manifestation of Consciousness

00:37:26 - Harnessing the Power of Consciousness

00:41:11 - A Coherent Pattern of Collaboration

00:45:34 - Creating a Heavenly World

00:50:07 - Wake-up Call and Systems Change Begins Within

00:54:47 - Living in Harmony with Nature

00:59:31 - The Detail in Creating New Economic and Financial Systems

01:04:13 - The Rising Tide: Consciousness as a Field

01:08:18 - Solidarity with Ukraine and the Emerging Collective Consciousness

01:11:31 - The Risk of Becoming the Next Dominator

01:15:35 - The Power of Dedication and Assistance

01:19:43 - Maintaining Coherence in the Face of Disinformation

01:24:27 - Finding Common Ground

01:28:59 - Social upheaval and the American spirit

01:33:22 - The Pioneering Spirit of Americans and the Challenges of Division

01:37:49 - The Need for a Different Kind of Politics

01:42:35 - Renewal and Evolution in Society

01:46:58 - Rethinking Growth and Expansion

01:51:30 - The Journey of Living Within Planetary and Social Boundaries

01:56:10 - The Future of Companies and Adaptation

02:00:39 - The Future of Creativity and Innovation

02:04:39 - Co-creating a World that Works for All

Alaya first experienced brief glimpses leading to a spontaneous awakening in 1997. This left her with a burning fire for truth and a determination to find a release from her suffering. She was drawn to satsang and to the feet of her beloved Neelam: a teacher of the Ramana Maharshi lineage. From that very first meeting there arose a profound recognition of unconditional love but also a strong sense of separation and resistance. However, Alaya instinctively knew that penetrating the resistance was exactly what was needed to penetrate the suffering. With Neelam’s unconditional love this separation fell away shortly after the birth of Alaya’s first child in 2001.

With a new husband and baby, Alaya moved to Asheville. She found in her daily experience of being a householder and working mother, that there was much abiding awareness/living in present Reality. But the non-abiding dream state kept arising which created an even deeper desire to investigate what was still appearing as separation. She realized that what was needed was already in the life she was leading and that every moment was a gift and opportunity to return to the natural awakened Self. “My husband, my children, my job, everything is my teacher, and true love is laying down whatever pulls on you, turning back to this life with an open heart and open palms.” With the realization that ordinary everyday life was sacred and that each moment was the Beloved pointing us home, she continued to question and inquire into her ideas, perspectives, and feelings until the veil of separation finally fell away. “With tenderness and openness, conditioning can unmanifest - leaving what naturally remains, as stillness, presence and love.” As people began to ask her to teach, Grace appeared as the non-dual teacher Adyashanti and with his support and friendship she began to give satsang in 2011. “Grace is like gravity, it will continue to pull you within for the truth of who you are isn’t found in doing. It is found in the silence – in stillness.”

Website: alayasatsang.org

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded August 27, 2022

YouTube Video Chapters:

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

00:04:08 - The Awakening Experience at a Young Age

00:07:43 - Following Intuitive Knowing

00:11:14 - Unknowing and Reformulation

00:14:34 - The Unknowingness of Grass

00:18:00 - The Fishiness of Life

00:21:39 - A Diverse Community in a Double Wide Trailer Bar

00:24:59 - A Transformational Experience

00:28:39 - Deepening of Presence and Surrendering to the Vaster State

00:32:16 - The Primal Resistance to Opening Up

00:36:06 - The Trauma of Duality

00:39:37 - The Stages of Spiritual Development and Societal Growth

00:43:01 - Being of Service by Becoming Nobody

00:47:11 - Different Roles and Different Paths

00:51:06 - Unconditional Love and the Collapse of Searching

00:55:26 - Carried by Grace

00:58:56 - Deepening into Oneness with Neelam

01:03:04 - The Decision to Move On

01:07:08 - The Fear of Suffering and Awakening

01:10:55 - Dissolving the Ego and Aligning with the Deeper Gift

01:14:55 - Meeting Neelam and the Veil on My Face

01:18:41 - The Role of a Teacher in Spiritual Awakening

01:22:16 - The Gift of Healing and Transmission

01:25:47 - Degrees of Receptivity and Awakening

01:29:06 - Deeper embodiment of awakening

01:32:47 - The Beauty of Constant Change

01:35:59 - The Nature of the Path and the Danger of Feeling Accomplished

01:39:31 - The Pitfall of Idolizing Teachers

01:42:55 - Being of Service to Others

01:46:49 - Expansion of Zoom Retreats and In-Person Meetings

01:50:22 - Experiencing Psychological Trauma of Separation