703. Constance Casey

Constance Casey, MDiv, is an author and teacher providing spiritual guidance for those interested in living a gentle and peaceful life.

Constance offers guidance for those entering deeper practice into the nature of reality and adjusting to a shift in consciousness. Her awakening occurred in 2008. She has been practicing in the contemplative arts for over 40 years– first through her years in recovery, and then, as she deepened in Buddhist practice in 2007—which she shares in her memoir.

She’s a graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader Program. Some of her teachers include Trudy Goodman and Jack Kornfield.

Constance obtained a Master of Divinity focusing on religious studies and went on to do hospital chaplaincy work. As an interfaith hospital chaplain, she offered compassionate care for patients and families while embracing the spectrum of human experiences. She is also authorized by Naropa University to teach meditation.

Constance’s practice is primarily informed by the suttas in Theravāda Buddhism where she has developed her own online classes, the most recent one is called Clearing Skies: Dispelling the Clouds that Hinder Us, and she leads support groups for dedicated meditation practitioners.

Through her experience she respects and values your unique spiritual practice and journey while supporting you to find balance and significance in the face of adversity. Constance will encourage you to attune toward being more mindful and aware for release and serenity.

Her first book called Time for Awakening: A Memoir shares her story of awakening and deeper meditation practice and is what brings her to our meeting today.

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Summary and Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded March 30, 2024

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Welcome to Buddha at the Gas Pump
  • 00:05:13 – The Levels of Receptiveness to the Dharma
  • 00:09:13 – “Just Who Do You Think You Are?”
  • 00:13:05 – A Snowy Awakening
  • 00:16:54 – Healing and Bonding with My Sons
  • 00:20:17 – Parenting as a Spiritual Practice
  • 00:24:11 – A Fly on the Wall
  • 00:28:09 – Tools of Recovery
  • 00:31:31 – Ethical Structure in Spiritual Circles
  • 00:35:14 – The Vicious Cycle of Repressed Discomfort
  • 00:40:09 – Seeking Further
  • 00:43:44 – Simplifying and Finding Fulfillment Within
  • 00:47:39 – Expressing Experiences Through Art
  • 00:51:17 – Finding Balance in Self-Care
  • 00:54:59 – Honoring the Need for Rest and Balance
  • 00:58:35 – The Power of Meditation and Personal Growth
  • 01:01:38 – Constance’s Carpentry Journey
  • 01:04:44 – The Importance of Speaking Out and Trauma (Conversation)
  • 01:07:29 – Seeing the Teacher as a Human Being and the Absence of Hierarchy
  • 01:10:27 – The Indescribable Experience of Awakening
  • 01:14:19 – Following the Way
  • 01:18:32 – Psychological, Theological, Sociological Perspectives
  • 01:22:14 – The Power of Kindness in Movies
  • 01:26:42 – The Intimacy of Stream Entry
  • 01:30:45 – The Support of a Teacher
  • 01:33:33 – The Association for Spiritual Integrity
  • 01:37:43 – Factors of Enlightenment and the Hindrances
  • 01:41:38 – Hindrances in Meditation Practice
  • 01:45:49 – Cultivating Tranquility and Equanimity in Meditation
  • 01:49:05 – The Benefits of Meditation and Inner States of Being
  • 01:51:48 – Closing Remarks

701. Kimberly Lafferty

Kimberley Theresa Lafferty is a seasoned teacher-practitioner specializing in constructive adult developmental psychology and Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. She completed over 12 years of intensive Indo Tibetan study including the required retreats. She leads both open and advanced adult educational cohorts aligning developmental psychology and Buddhist theory. Kimberley co-leads, with Terri O’Fallon, the penultimate Minds I year-long developmental course of Stages International. She is an active Board member for the Association for Spiritual Integrity. Kimberley is also a householder as a wife and mother, living in a remote valley of the North Cascades of North America which deeply impacts her worldview and practice.

Website: The Confluence Experience | Making sense of what doesn’t make sense

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded February 10, 2024

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction and Welcome
  • 00:03:33 – Finding Peace in the Forest
  • 00:06:27 – A Blissful Awakening
  • 00:11:15 – Deep Inner Resources and Spiritual Experiences
  • 00:15:10 – Connecting with our Ultimate Selves
  • 00:18:26 – The Wave and Ocean Metaphor
  • 00:23:24 – Diving into Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
  • 00:27:59 – Tantric Retreats and Solitary Meditation
  • 00:32:26 – Experiences on the Retreats with Vajrayogini
  • 00:35:33 – The Red Lady and the Retreat
  • 00:40:01 – The Lesson of Treating Practice Seriously
  • 00:44:18 – The Precious Gift of Tibetan Buddhism
  • 00:47:58 – Spirituality and Integration
  • 00:51:02 – Understanding the Intersection of Waking Up and Identity Change
  • 00:55:31 – The Evolution of Perception and Consciousness
  • 01:00:08 – Supporting Spiritual Teachers
  • 01:03:59 – Shadow Work and Holistic Development
  • 01:07:16 – The Integration of Wisdom and Compassion
  • 01:10:57 – Waves of Human Becoming and Non-Duality in Daily Life
  • 01:14:06 – Anomalous Experiences: Exploring the Extraordinary
  • 01:18:57 – Anomalous Experiences and Meaning Making
  • 01:23:49 – Anomalous Experiences and the Search for Answers
  • 01:28:03 – The Cautionary Use of Psychedelics and the Self
  • 01:32:01 – The Need for Spiritual Integrity among Teachers
  • 01:35:58 – The Preciousness of a Spiritual Life
  • 01:39:58 – Realizing Inner Bliss
  • 01:43:44 – Experiencing Fulfillment in Tantra
  • 01:47:41 – Finding Your Path in Spiritual Practice
  • 01:52:16 – The Role of Spiritual Psychotherapists
  • 01:56:28 – Strengthening Ourselves Psychologically and Spiritually
  • 02:00:00 – Continuing the Conversation with Kimberly

654. Stephen Snyder

Stephen Doetsu Snyder began meditating daily in 1976. he has practiced since in the Zen tradition as well as extensive practice in Theravada Buddhism. he is a lineage Zen teacher as well as a lineage Theravada teacher. He was also influenced by Diamond Heart teachings and practices.

He combines the ancient Buddhist heart practices with awakening practices of the Zen tradition into a heartfelt journey of realization and embodiment.

Books:

Website: awakeningdharma.org

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded July 10, 2022

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
  • 00:04:03 – The Importance of Heart Practices in Zen
  • 00:07:34 – Dropping the Sense of Self and Transcending Identity
  • 00:11:16 – The Importance of Stability and Trust in Spiritual Experiences
  • 00:14:43 – The Nature of the Absolute
  • 00:18:25 – The Importance of Direct Experience in Understanding
  • 00:21:47 – Different Teachings on God and Jesus
  • 00:25:08 – Levels of Realization
  • 00:28:37 – The Journey of Self-Realization and Integration
  • 00:31:54 – The Importance of Ethical Behavior in the Spiritual Community
  • 00:35:24 – Addressing Doubts and Hierarchy
  • 00:38:38 – Integrating Spirituality and Law
  • 00:42:00 – The First Awakening: A Satori Experience
  • 00:45:24 – The Progress of Personal Growth
  • 00:48:54 – The Experience of the Absolute
  • 00:52:26 – Overdoing Meditation and the Need for Balance
  • 00:56:11 – Concentration and Jhana Factors
  • 00:59:17 – Releasing Effort and Deepening Meditation
  • 01:02:33 – Exploring Different Paths and Awakening Experiences
  • 01:05:58 – Retreating and Progressive Practices
  • 01:09:25 – Progression of Practice and Integration of Personal Issues
  • 01:12:59 – The Need for Personal Work and Practice
  • 01:16:20 – Difference between prana rising and Kundalini rising
  • 01:19:41 – Resistances to Awakening
  • 01:23:08 – Fear and Shifts in Consciousness
  • 01:26:25 – Balancing Heart Practices and Awakening Practices
  • 01:29:55 – The practice of innate goodness meditation and journaling
  • 01:33:16 – Working with the Inner Critic and Therapist Recommendations
  • 01:36:32 – The Shift in Consciousness
  • 01:39:42 – Retreats and Personal Journey
  • 01:43:03 – Zen Jazz and Life’s Improvisations