708. A Conversation with Rick Archer of “Buddha at the Gas Pump”

Since we have a gap in the schedule I thought I’d put up a recent video of Yvonne Kason of Spiritual Awakenings International (SAI) interviewing me. SAI is a non-profit worldwide network of individuals and groups who are interested in collaborating to raise awareness, network, and share personal experience relating to diverse types of Spiritually Transformative Experiences, to raise global spiritual awareness. From the description on their YouTube channel:

“A Conversation with Rick Archer of Buddha at the Gas Pump” was presented to Spiritual Awakenings International on May 18, 2024. Rick Archer shares his personal spiritual journey from childhood, through the turbulent 1960’s, his introduction to Transcendental Meditation, to the launch of his popular podcast on spirituality, Buddha at the Gas Pump. Rick shares his spiritual awakening story, starting with his complicated family life, learning to meditate in 1968, and his years as a Transcendental Meditation teacher. He describes his inspiration and motivation to start Buddha at the Gas Pump in 2009. He also shares insights and experiences he’s had while doing this now very popular spiritually focused podcast. Rick also talks about the importance of ethical behavior for spiritual leaders and the Association for Spiritual Integrity, which he helped found.

Also, I was interviewed a few months ago by Amertat Cohn of Sunseed. He split it into three parts:

And another recent interview by James Plath of the The Institute For Advanced Astonishment.

Summary and transcript

Interview recorded May 18, 2024

707. Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati

Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati Ph. D has dedicated her life to serving the Vedic tradition by teaching Advaita Vedanta. A Hindu monk who currently lives in Mumbai (India) she is a teacher, podcaster, writer, creator who points to the suffix -er in all the roles as the abiding Atma in all beings.

She offers regular Vedanta courses (online), Vedanta – the river of wisdom weekly podcast, insightful videos, workshops and retreats in India and abroad. Her teachings range from the depth and breadth of self-mastery to self-discovery.

She is the author of ‘You matter – Insights from Vedanta.’ Swamini ji teaches three core courses at Hindu University of America. She has a Ph. D in Philosophy and her thesis on the Role of Ishvara in Advaita Vedanta is due to be published soon as a book.

She is a direct disciple of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, having studied Vedanta, Sanskrit and Vedic chanting at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in a residential, intensive three-year course in Coimbatore and Rishikesh, India. She studied with Swami Brahmavidananda for about twelve years while balancing her work commitments.

Her last leadership role was as the Country Head (India) of an international organization which positively impacted the lives of 150,000 street children. She was formerly a psychologist.

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group

Summary and transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded May 21, 2024

YouTube Video Chapters:

704. Anna Yusim

Dr. Anna Yusim is an internationally recognized, award-winning, Board-Certified, Stanford, and Yale-educated Mind Body Spirit Concierge Psychiatrist & Executive Coach with a Private Practice in New York, California, Connecticut, and Florida. She is the best-selling author of Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life. As a Clinical Assistant Professor at Yale Medical School, Dr. Yusim is presently creating a Mental Health & Spirituality Center at Yale. With clients including Forbes 500 CEOs, Olympic athletes, A-list actors and actresses, and the Chairs of academic departments at top universities, Dr. Anna Yusim helps influential people achieve greater impact, purpose, and joy in their life and work.

After working as a neurobiology researcher with Dr. Robert Sapolsky Ph.D. and completing her studies at Stanford, Yale Medical School, and the NYU Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Dr. Yusim felt that something was missing from her life. In her quest to find it, she traveled, lived and worked in over 70 countries, while studying Kabbalah, learning Buddhist meditation, and working with South American shamans and Indian gurus.

Dr. Yusim has published over 150 academic articles, book chapters, scientific abstracts, book reviews, and articles for the lay public on various topics in psychiatry. A frequent contributor to CNN, Fox News, ABC, and NBC, she has been a guest on hundreds of national and international TV shows, radio programs, and podcasts.

As a highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Yusim gives keynotes for physicians and professionals all over the country and the world on topics related to mental health and spirituality, preventing burnout, physicians as meaning-makers, and resilience. For healthcare professionals, corporate leaders, and community members, she also conducts workshops to empower individuals to sharpen their intuition, cultivate authenticity, awaken self-compassion, enhance their capacity for empathy, and improve their ability to connect with others.

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded April 14, 2024

YouTube Video Chapters:

  •  00:00:00 – Introduction and Background of Dr. Anna Yusim
  •  00:03:35 – Defining Fulfillment
  •  00:05:18 – Addictions and Improving Relationships
  •  00:07:16 – Being in Flow with Life
  •  00:09:53 – Overcoming the Impediments to Bliss
  •  00:13:01 – The Complexity of Spiritual Ascension Processes
  •  00:15:56 – The Importance of Professional Support in Spiritual Awakening
  •  00:19:13 – The Challenges of Spiritual Practices in Psychiatry
  •  00:21:36 – The Impact of COVID on Mental Health and Access to Treatment
  •  00:24:05 – The Impact of Spirituality on Health, Addiction, and Suicide
  •  00:26:33 – Roland Griffith’s Work and Psychedelics
  •  00:29:06 – The Birth of the Yale Mental Health and Spirituality Center
  •  00:30:54 – Psychedelics as a Spiritual Practice
  •  00:33:15 – Regular Use of Psychedelics and its Effects
  •  00:35:46 – The potential dangers of nationwide legalization
  •  00:37:58 – Integrating Body and Spirit in Psychiatry
  •  00:40:29 – Psychics, Schizophrenics, and the Study of Voice Hearing
  •  00:42:31 – Defining Spirituality and its Connection to Mental Health
  •  00:44:53 – Purpose and Happiness
  •  00:47:09 – Mass Psychology and Spirituality
  •  00:50:06 – The Importance of Open Dialogue and Freedom of Speech
  •  00:52:48 – The Power of Collective Healing
  •  00:55:35 – Collective Healing for Trauma
  •  00:57:42 – Mindfulness programs for children
  •  01:00:03 – The Disconnect of Smartphone Addiction
  •  01:02:35 – Safeguards for AI and the Future of Humanity
  •  01:05:19 – Awakening or Death: Choosing Hope in Dark Times
  •  01:07:20 – Factors for Spontaneous Remission and Overcoming Death Anxiety
  •  01:09:36 – The Science of Miracles
  •  01:11:54 – The Nine Things for Spontaneous Remission
  •  01:14:23 – Farewell and Music Outro