Gangaji shares a simple message-This is an invitation to shift your allegiance from the activities of your mind to the eternal presence of your being.
Born in Texas in 1942, Gangaji grew up in Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1964, she married and had a daughter. In 1972, she moved to San Francisco where she began exploring deeper levels of her being. She took Bodhisattva vows, practiced Zen and Vipassana meditation, helped run a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center, and had a career as an acupuncturist in the San Francisco Bay area.
Despite her successes, Gangaji continued to experience a deep and persistent longing for fulfillment. She pursued many paths to change her life including relationship, motherhood, political activism, career, and spiritual practice, but even the greatest of her successes ultimately came up short. In the wake of her disillusionment, she made a final prayer for true help. In 1990, the answer to her prayer came unexpectedly, taking her to India and to the meeting that would change everything. There on the banks of the river Ganga, she met Sri H.W.L. Poonja, also known as Papaji, who opened the floodgates of self-recognition. In this meeting, Gangaji’s personal story of suffering ended and the promise of a true life began to flower and unfold.
Today, Gangaji travels the world speaking to seekers from all walks of life. A teacher and author, she shares her direct experience of the essential message she received from Papaji and offers it to all who want to discover a true and lasting fulfillment. Through her life and words, she powerfully articulates how it is really possible to discover the truth of who you are and to be true to that discovery. She is the author of The Diamond in Your Pocket: Discovering Your True Radiance and Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth in Your Life Story. Learn more about Gangaji at www.gangaji.org.
Interview recorded 10/18/2011
Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Buddha at the Gas Pump with Gangaji
- 00:02:14 – The Lottery of Enlightenment
- 00:03:53 – Meeting people as regular individuals
- 00:05:51 – Reverence for the Teacher
- 00:07:44 – Teaching from Fulfillment
- 00:09:20 – The Thunderclap Moment and the Removal of Self-Doubt
- 00:11:40 – The Global Shift
- 00:16:06 – The Power of Words and Transmission
- 00:18:12 – Different types of people and their spiritual awakening
- 00:20:16 – The Importance of the Sangha
- 00:21:43 – The Meaning of “Stop” and its Effect
- 00:23:54 – The Search for Identity
- 00:26:25 – Surrendering to the Overshadowing Nature of Thought
- 00:28:08 – The Invitation to Recognize Who You Are
- 00:30:15 – Recognizing the Role of Thought
- 00:32:23 – The Function of Storytelling and Overcoming Obstacles
- 00:34:48 – Discovering the Hidden Treasure
- 00:37:13 – Discovering Joy in Being
- 00:39:41 – The Fear of Nonexistence
- 00:42:22 – Fear as the Ultimate Gatekeeper
- 00:44:17 – Overcoming Fear and Distraction in Meditation
- 00:46:38 – Exploring Discomfort in Meditation
- 00:48:22 – Turning the Mind Back to Its Source
- 00:50:39 – The Beauty of Meeting Him
- 00:52:12 – The Beginning of the Journey
- 00:53:47 – The Growth Through Relationship Challenges
- 00:55:31 – Finding Love Amidst Chaos
- 00:57:44 – Love, Fulfillment, and Relationships
- 00:59:54 – Trusting Yourself
- 01:01:30 – Concluding remarks and future content
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