675. John Churchill

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Rick Archer

Born in London, Dr. Churchill’s interest in psycho-spiritual development, Integral theory, Contemplative studies, Western Esotericism, and Mahayana Buddhism began in his adolescence,. During this time, John received the esoteric Planetary Dharma transmissions that would in time unfold as his contribution to a planetary fourth turning teaching.

Dr. Churchill spent 15 years training and teaching “Great Seal” meditation in an Indo-Tibetan Mahayana lineage under the mentorship of the late senior Western teacher, translator, respected author, and clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel P. Brown.

He is also a founding member of the Integral Institute led by esteemed Transpersonal/Integral philosopher, Ken Wilber.

John has received advanced training in: attachment therapy, hypnosis, positive psychology for peak performance, and the “Pointing Out” style of Mahamudra meditation.

For the last 25 years, John has developed a a Fourth Turning Planetary Dharma practice which includes the somatically based contemplative practice path; Embodying the Open Ground, that integrates psychodynamic healing, adult development and meditation.

John holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from William James College, and is a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Married to his partner, Nicole since 2000, they are Co-Founders of Samadhi Integral, and Co-Directors of Karuna Mandala.

Book: Becoming Buddha: Buddhist Contemplative Psychology in a Western Context

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded January 29, 2023.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

602. Diederik Wolsak

Posted on June 20, 2021 by Rick Archer

Diederik was born in 1942 in a tiny village south of what now is known as Jakarta, Indonesia. The first three and a half years of his life were spent in Japanese POW camps and it was here that he formed most of his core beliefs, beliefs which he thought were his actual ‘character’. After some fifty years of self-loathing, alcohol, and drug abuse he decided there had to be a better way, it was time to ‘change his mind’ at the deepest levels. Through a Course in Miracles and Attitudinal Healing, he developed a radical forgiveness process that allows him to transform the self he hated into a Self whose only function is to extend love. Choose Again, his charitable society, operates a healing center in Costa Rica and he gives talks and teaches workshops in many places around the world.

Some main points discussed in this conversation.

Everything happens for a reason.
Diederik’s work goes beneath symptoms to the core belief that ‘chooses’ the symptoms.
Most core beliefs are formed in the first 8 years of life, and sometimes even in utero.
Diederik’s birth and early life in a Japanese POW camp. His troubled background.
Most children blame themselves when traumatic things happen to them. Their behavior eventually expresses that guilt.
Reading this line in A Course in Miracles completely changed Diederik’s life: “Sin is lack of love as darkness is lack of light.”
Recognizing that the world is a dream and that we are its author enables us to write a different script.
Whatever we do in life reflects who we think we are.
Feelings are vehicles that can take us back to the moment when their underlying beliefs were formed.
“Nothing outside of me can bring me anything I need and nothing outside of me needs to change for me to be happy.”
The essence of all these teachings: I am the author of my experience and everything in my life is for me.
If you decide that happiness and joy are your goals, then whatever happens will serve that goal.
Bliss is the goal of this process.
The importance of ongoing practice. It gets easier if you persist.
Diederik’s Six-Step Process:
- Step 1: I’m upset.
- Step 2: Me: It’s about me.
- Step 3: Focus on the feelings.
- Step 4: Remember my ancient feelings.
- Step 5: Establish my judgment of myself.
- Step 6: Embrace the truth about me.
“Discomfort is aroused only to bring the need for correction to awareness.”
Programs available, remotely and in residence.

Website: choose-again.com

Book: Choose Again: Six Steps to Freedom

Book Diederik mentioned: What They Don’t Teach in Prenatal Class: The Key to Raising Trouble-Free Kids & Teens

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded June 12, 2021

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

544. Jonathan Gustin

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Rick Archer

Meditation asks, “Who am I?”

Therapy asks, “How do I heal and become happier?”

Purpose work addresses the question, “Where do I belong in the ecology of life?”

Purpose guiding breaks the spell of our default purposes of safety, security, comfort and outward success, and orients us towards our true purpose, which is to embody our unique calling within.

When we all have the opportunity to live our calling, we can support our collective true purpose: to become co-creators of our species’ evolution. We may, thus, give birth to more beauty, truth, and goodness into the world.

Jonathan Gustin, M.A, MFT, is the founder of Purpose Guides Institute. He guides people to find and embody their life’s purpose, as well as trains those who want to become Purpose Guides themselves. Jonathan has been a psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and Purpose Guide for over 20 years. He is an adjunct professor at JFK University and co-author of Purpose Rising: A Global Movement of Transformation and Meaning with Ken Wilber, Erwin Laszlo, and others.

Website: purposeguides.org

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded April 3, 2020.

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