Satsang with Bob Nickel was a great opportunity to be with someone who points to the pure truth of Awakening in a simple and clear way. One of the recent attendees at Bob’s satsang wrote, “I was deeply moved by Bob’s blissful presence as well as the clear insight he is able to share with everyone into the deeper truths of life and ourselves. I could feel that Bob speaks from his own personal experience, those same truths shared through the ages by many of the great sages.” Bob has been freely sharing in the non-dual Advaita tradition since 2004.
He experienced his first spiritual epiphany at the age of nineteen, followed later by other special experiences. In recent years it has become clear to Bob that all experiences, which by nature come and go, have nothing whatsoever to do with the Truth that one essentially Is. His satsangs are dedicated solely to making Ramana Maharshi’s invitation to Self-Inquiry available to everyone, as a direct and immediate means to Self Knowledge, inviting all to simply abide effortlessly as That which one is, right here and right now.
Cancer has returned to Bob’s body. When he left for India in late April, 2011, his doctors said he was cancer-free. That has changed. In early September his physicians gave him about six months. Rather than just rest, Bob’s desire is to spend his final days sharing Ramana Maharshi’s Invitation to Self Inquiry to all who wish to hear it.
Bob’s website. (Bob passed on August 17, 2012)
Interview recorded 12/18/2011
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction to Bob Nickel and his Spiritual Odyssey
- 00:04:10 – The Beginning of Self-Inquiry
- 00:06:59 – The fleeting nature of peak experiences
- 00:09:11 – Ramana’s Teachings on Being Still and Self-Inquiry
- 00:11:14 – The Explosive Moment of Self-Inquiry
- 00:13:09 – The Half Step Back Into Yourself
- 00:15:06 – Awakening despite physical challenges
- 00:17:56 – The Limitations of Words and Concepts
- 00:20:56 – Living Life as a Question
- 00:24:33 – The Inner Guru and Outer Guru
- 00:27:12 – A Missed Opportunity to Thank Her
- 00:29:19 – Gratitude and the Connection Between Individuals
- 00:31:34 – Living in the Present Moment
- 00:34:00 – The Depth of the Ocean beyond the Waves
- 00:35:44 – The Wake-Up Call and the Presence of Mark
- 00:37:30 – Young People Giving Satsang
- 00:39:07 – The Importance of Self-inquiry in Education
- 00:40:51 – Arguments among Non-Dualists
- 00:43:10 – The Formation of Orthodoxy and Heresy
- 00:45:03 – “Be Who You Are” and Effort in Self-Inquiry
- 00:47:12 – The Unshakable Knowingness
- 00:49:26 – The Dissipation of “Yeah, Buts” in Satsang
- 00:51:32 – The Importance of Taking Action
- 00:53:35 – The Value of Diverse Spiritual Experiences
- 00:55:59 – The Mind’s Love for Drama
- 00:57:49 – The Marvelous Orchestra of Intelligence
- 00:59:33 – The Mystery of “I Am”
- 01:01:42 – The Mysterious Intelligence of “I am”
- 01:04:15 – Concluding Remarks
- 01:06:06 – Interact with the Interview
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