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

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded January 29, 2023.

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

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:05:37 – The Different Dimensions of Mind and Cross-training the Mind
00:11:07 – The Path of the Bodhisattva
00:17:12 – Meeting the Needs of a Different Population
00:22:54 – Developing a Contemplative System in the West
00:27:53 – Examining Components and Creativity in Meditation Practices
00:33:32 – Understanding Different Types of Spiritual Practices
00:39:15 – Transcending Sacred Technologies Through Collaboration
00:44:40 – Allowing Our Natural Tendency to Unfold
00:50:08 – Describing the Experience of Brahman
00:55:41 – Gaia as a Multidimensional Being
01:01:41 – Perspectives and Metacognition
01:07:26 – Exploring the Fundamental Nature of Reality
01:12:26 – The Next Stage of Human Development
01:18:12 – Education and Spiritual Development
01:23:03 – Tiered Levels of Cognition and Development
01:28:02 – The Four-Year Contemplative Education
01:32:05 – The Plant Dimension
01:33:19 – The Sacred Tradition of Herbal Medicine
01:38:25 – Thoreau’s Belief in Building Foundations
01:44:05 – A New Contemplative System with Psychedelics
01:49:43 – Legalization of Marijuana and Psilocybin
01:55:20 – Personal Experiences with the Law
02:00:07 – The Significance of a Skull Symbol
02:04:57 – Personal Connection and Future Meetup

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Dr. Anneloes Smitsman (Ph.D., LLM), is a futurist, evolutionary systems scientist, coach, healer, and award-winning bestselling author. She is the Founder and CEO of EARTHwise Centre. Her programs, practices, and strategies are sought after around the world for actualizing our future human potential, and catalyzing the next steps in human consciousness and systemic design for thrivability. She was awarded the Visioneers Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2022, and was crowned overall African winner in the category “Human Development” of the 2022 Africa’s Most Respected CEOs Awards. She is the co-author of the award-winning Future Humans Trilogy with Dr. Jean Houston, and a member of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle.

Website: earthwisecentre.org

Other books:

• The New Paradigm in Politics
• Love Letters from Mother Earth: The Promise of a New Beginning

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded September 5, 2022.

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

YouTube Video Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
• 00:04:19 – Two Futures: Sustainability Crisis and Emerging New Era
• 00:08:12 – The Regenerative Renaissance
• 00:12:11 – A Higher Order of Possibility
• 00:15:59 – Engaging Youth Creativity in Shaping the Future
• 00:19:44 – Engaging the Mind in Learning
• 00:23:28 – Global Collapse and Planetary Conditions
• 00:27:11 – The Balancing Act: Mother Earth and Human Consciousness
• 00:30:36 – Emergence of a New Narrative and Maturation of Our Species
• 00:34:05 – The Power and Manifestation of Consciousness
• 00:37:26 – Harnessing the Power of Consciousness
• 00:41:11 – A Coherent Pattern of Collaboration
• 00:45:34 – Creating a Heavenly World
• 00:50:07 – Wake-up Call and Systems Change Begins Within
• 00:54:47 – Living in Harmony with Nature
• 00:59:31 – The Detail in Creating New Economic and Financial Systems
• 01:04:13 – The Rising Tide: Consciousness as a Field
• 01:08:18 – Solidarity with Ukraine and the Emerging Collective Consciousness
• 01:11:31 – The Risk of Becoming the Next Dominator
• 01:15:35 – The Power of Dedication and Assistance
• 01:19:43 – Maintaining Coherence in the Face of Disinformation
• 01:24:27 – Finding Common Ground
• 01:28:59 – Social upheaval and the American spirit
• 01:33:22 – The Pioneering Spirit of Americans and the Challenges of Division
• 01:37:49 – The Need for a Different Kind of Politics
• 01:42:35 – Renewal and Evolution in Society
• 01:46:58 – Rethinking Growth and Expansion
• 01:51:30 – The Journey of Living Within Planetary and Social Boundaries
• 01:56:10 – The Future of Companies and Adaptation
• 02:00:39 – The Future of Creativity and Innovation
• 02:04:39 – Co-creating a World that Works for All

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