090. Unmani

UnmaniUnmani is originally from the UK, but has lived a nomadic life in many countries around the world from the age of 18. Unlike most people, since she was a child, Unmani never identified with being a ‘person’ in the world, but she felt very lost and alone in a world that everyone else seemed to take so seriously. She spent years traveling around the world trying on different roles and identities to see if any of them fit. Disappointed with each role, she continued searching to find a way out of the pain she felt. She spent some time in the Osho centre in Pune, India, and there discovered meditation, free expression, and other insightful wisdom. But although this brought her more relaxation, it did not seem to get to the root of her search. Some years later she met the German Zen master, Dolano. With her, Unmani recognized that what she had been searching for had always been right here. She woke up to the dream, time stopped and the search ended. She no longer needed to try to fit in or be someone, because Unmani had finally acknowledged the truth of who she really is. Unmani began holding meetings and retreats 3 years later. She is the author of two books ‘I am Life itself’ and ‘Die to Love’ and is now writing a third book.

Meeting with Unmani is meeting with yourself in the most real and alive way. It is not about chasing sweet spiritual experiences that come, and then sadly go. Dialogues with Unmani are a fundamental and intimate enquiry that cut through all philosophies and belief systems. Unmani encourages people to truly face their deepest fears, to no longer blindly buy into dreamy hopes, and to wake up to the reality of life.

Unmani holds meetings and intensives all over the world, and also online. These are aimed towards people who are genuinely willing to risk losing what they think they know, to courageously take a step into the alive unknown.

2nd Batgap interview with Unmani.

Website: die-to-love.com

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded 10/11/2011

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction and Background
  • 00:03:44 – Spontaneous Preferences and Self-Discovery in Teenage Years
  • 00:06:54 – From Therapist to Traveling Abroad
  • 00:10:09 – Discovering Spirituality in India
  • 00:13:28 – The Frustration and Madness of the Search
  • 00:16:28 – Ready to Die and Joining Dolano’s Group
  • 00:19:57 – A Drive for the Truth
  • 00:23:21 – Integration and Knowing
  • 00:26:15 – Exploring the Male/Female Dynamic
  • 00:29:50 – Humility and Confidence
  • 00:33:10 – Seeing Thought for What It Is
  • 00:36:28 – The Potential Benefits of Practices
  • 00:40:23 – Moments of Recognition
  • 00:43:18 – The Illusion of Retaining Thoughts
  • 00:46:27 – The Physiological Basis of Consciousness
  • 00:49:30 – Meetings in Not Knowing
  • 00:53:05 – Changing the Format and Focusing on Dialogues
  • 00:55:55 – Breaking Free from Beliefs
  • 00:58:54 – Recognizing Who You Are
  • 01:01:43 – Recognition and Growth in Life
  • 01:04:31 – The Integration of the Child into the Woman
  • 01:07:04 – The Meaning of Love
  • 01:10:06 – Emptiness and Fullness
  • 01:12:51 – The Fear of Intimacy
  • 01:16:05– The Nature of Reality and Misinterpretation
  • 01:18:50 – Recognition and Attitude
  • 01:21:58 – The Spontaneity of Speech and Intimacy in Retreats
  • 01:24:38 – Returning to Regular Life After a Retreat
  • 01:27:20 – The Process of Seeing Through Old Patterns
  • 01:29:55 – No Escape from Reality
  • 01:33:11 – Discussion Group and Conclusion