“Testimonials”

Hey Rick

Long time no see.  Just wanted to tell you that I’m 35 min into the Thomas Gates interview and I had to stop and tell you how good this one is — for me.  I’ve tried to listen to every interview of yours (they’re piling up), and it’s been an interesting discovery of how “the whole is greater than the sum” with your podcasts.  Most of them, in their own way has given me an insight or validation into some “part” of my experiences–but not entirely.  Now having listened to a number of them it’s becoming a “mosaic” expressions that seem to be “custom made” for me. Together, they all contribute to a “view” greater than any individual interview has given me. It’s really exciting and inspiring.  I’m going to get back to the Thomas Gates interview now, keep up the good work.

Jerry

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Hey Rick,

Yesterday, while out on the Y Bar D Ranch in northern Arizona, at a place so remote I can’t get a phone signal, I was fixing fence while listening to Batgap on my iPod. That area is pretty far from any road so it requires getting there horseback, like most places on this beautiful desert ranch. I was working for quite a while so I was able to catch up with Mark Dillof, Mandi Solk and especially enjoyed Phil Goldberg. Was listening to Raven when the sun started going down, filling the sky and land with color, when I heard his slightly pejorative reference to Arizona being a cowboy state.

While I know just what he’s talking about, I also thought, au contraire! I just wanted you to know that some Arizona cowboys (well, one anyway…) are devoted Batgap listeners and fans. We meditate! We do pujas! It ain’t all beer cans out the pickup window and shooting up the road signs. Cowboy satsang in the bunkhouse!

I’m loving the show, and am glad you’re doing it. Thanks, pardner!

George

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Dear Rick and Other BatGappers,

I enjoyed Charles’ comments and feel very much the same.  I’ve listened to most of the interviews now (will listen to Mary’s today) and find myself impressed with the variety of experiences and the emphasis on heart.  Following is what I wrote today to my friend with brain cancer:

“I find the BatGap interviews inspiring.  They demonstrate to me that there is so much more to this life that we normally experience, and that there is an entire spiritual and eternal dimension which is always present, regardless of whether we perceive it or not.  I’m aware of this, of course, from all the reading I’ve done, but to hear it in the words of ordinary people gives it an approachable reality. The people who are interviewed live in a small Iowa town which is full of people who have been meditating or practising some spiritual discipline for decades, usually since the 60s, although there are a few who developed “symptoms” in childhood.  They seem to be “feeding” off one another, in that a certain atmosphere has developed which allows their practice to become far deeper than if they were living in downtown New York or a Calcutta slum.  Or even on an acreage near the New England Tablelands  (where I live in Australia). What I find surprising is how “ordinary” these people still are, with their faults, idiosyncrasies, and personal limitations.  Indeed, a Buddha could be working at the local petrol station, for these people lead very ordinary lives.”

Charles commented that the benefit of these interviews will live on for decades and perhaps generations. For my friend, who has been through brain surgery, radiation and chemo therapies, and is now trying to lead something of a normal life in between incapacitating seizures, is now facing the probability that the tumour is regrowing, as he was told it would inevitably do.  Although he has a life-long commitment to Buddhist and Taoist principles, I suspect, like me, his experience is intellectual and faith-based.  I am hoping that these interviews will help him make the inevitable transition out of this life that he is facing at the moment, and perhaps something either Rick or an interviewee say, will push him “over the edge”, so to speak.  As happened to Sue Berkey when she heard “I was on my way to the store when nothing happened.”

As Charles said, the experiences of the interviewees also make one aware of one’s own experiences, as in lying in bed, thinking you are awake when you are really asleep.  I made some comment about having this experience myself recently on either the BatGap or the WNS list, and was told I was probably in the early stages of sleep.  I assumed I would know whether I was witnessing sleep or not, and now I understand from these interviews that one often does not know this and instead assumes insomnia.  This gives hope to those of us in Charles’ and my position as it validates some of our “symptoms”.  When you are living in such a remote location as I am, this is invaluable.

Thank you Rick, and I’m hanging out for your personal interview.

Best wishes,
Joan

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from Charles
I was going to wait until I finished listening to all the interviews, last night I finished listening to Andy Schulman.  But since I’m writing to you now, I thought I include what I had planned on writing to you after I had finished all of them.

Just want to say I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to these interviews.  Not only listening to what the interviewee has to say, but to you as well.   You have such a background on this topic it is great to hear the  questions you pose as well as your commentaries, antidotes, etc. You are the perfect person in so many ways to conduct these interviews.

I don’t know how all this will turn out, but I can sense this project of yours will not only benefit those listening to them now, but in the years and who knows maybe decades and generations to come that these recordings will have an impact, at least in terms of showing a “starting” date when human consciousness took a major leap forward with the masses.  Who knows?!  But  however this evolves I’m having such an enjoyable time listening to these and its obvious you are too.  Keep up the great work!

A little side note.  Even though I feel I’m nowhere near to attaining a significant level of awakening as have your guests, but I’m what you would called a “resigner”,  meaning I feel getting to “That” will NOT happen for me in this lifetime and for the most part I have accepted that without regrets of the path I’ve chosen, but the funniest thing….

Several times I know I am very awake lying the bed and my wife insist I was snoring and the following morning I tell her no way I was snoring because I was wide awake, just laying there “trying” to go to sleep.  Funny to hear some of your guest mention that as well.

The next one I will be listening to is John Speer’s.  And it’s one I have been looking forward to listening to, simply because he has this very cosmic “presence” in the photo you have of him posted on your site.  And to my surprise you have Mary coming back!

take care,

Charles

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ricki
just want to reiterate that i had no idea this would be so profound. i esp. love the idea of the range of people who will talk. your interviewing was excellent, allowing them to talk and adding great stories, points etc. congrats and looking forward to seeing them all and wishing for you what4ever success or exposure or whatever you have for it. This so rocks. congrats! miraculous.
rae

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Hi Rick

I played the audio version of the Steve Winn broadcast. I just wanted to let you know that I liked it a lot.

You are very right. We’ve been pursuing higher states of consciousness for a long time; and have gotten so used to the seeking that we are missing what we’ve achieved. I’ve listened to 2 interviews so far, and plan to listen to more. I cannot yet claim an awakening. But I get a feel for what I’ve got that is working in that direction. And that feeling is of great value. For too long I’ve discounted the boon I’ve received thus far. So thank you VERY much for giving me something of great worth.

All the Best

Anthony

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Hi Rick,

I’ve been watching your show and wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying it.  I think you are doing a great service for the community.  I’m finding it very validating and informative. It’s very refreshing to listen to these people in a setting where they are totally free to express themselves, where they have a place to share their experience with others without being in any particular spiritual or religious organization or having to rent a hall and charge admission to stay what they want to say.

Thanks,

Judy