Sheerly by Divine Grace, in 1971 Timothy woke up to nondual Reality, the Divine Reality or Self that is doing everything and being everybody. He has gratefully served ever since then as a simple “spiritual friend” (kalyana mitra) and since the 1980s as a satsang leader, counselor, healer, and author of over one hundred essays, as well as the book Women of Power & Grace: Nine Astonishing, Inspiring Luminaries of Our Time and forthcoming books (The Liberating Zen Sourcebook, the enormous 2-volume India’s Sages, and other works). His website Enlightened-Spirituality.org is a major resource on spiritual awakening, nondual wisdom and nondual devotion, engaged spirituality, illustrious sages, and world religions, spiritual humor, and much more. After residing in the Santa Barbara region of the Great Dream from 1988 to mid-2016, Timothy and his wife Laura are residing in Vistancia, Arizona, for at least a year to be close to her family. Timothy continues to hold free satsangs and classes on a variety of spiritual topics and also sees clients for psychological counseling services. His basic message: Your unborn TRUE IDENTITY is already complete, whole, and full as Absolute Awareness-Aliveness, and by the Grace-full Power of this Supra-personal Reality the personal consciousness “instrument” can be suffused with all sorts of beautiful Divine virtues.

Timothy’s email address.

Interview recorded 9/10/2016

• Transcript of this interview
• First interview with Timothy
• Free downloadable audio recordings of Timothy’s weekly satsangs

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

YouTube Video Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
• 00:04:58 – Understanding the Meaning and Value of Life
• 00:10:06 – The Power of Personal Consciousnesses
• 00:15:26 – The Unity of Sages and Their Enjoyment of Differences
• 00:20:46 – The Non-Duality of Behavior
• 00:25:38 – Ramana Maharshi’s Stubbornness
• 00:30:29 – Amma’s Mystical Tendencies and Troubled Past
• 00:35:19 – The Odds of a Blind Turtle
• 00:40:57 – The Paradox of Unenlightenment
• 00:45:47 – The Seduction of Spiritual Cults
• 00:50:40 – Egalitarian Nature of Clear-Light Awareness and Transmission Models
• 00:55:26 – Non-dual devotion and the pitfalls of praise
• 01:00:08 – The Life of a Teacher
• 01:04:58 – The Presence of Divine Virtues
• 01:08:58 – The Racket of Lobbyists and Defense Contractors
• 01:12:36 – Absolute Language and Transcendence
• 01:16:41 – Souls and the Intrinsic Perfection
• 01:20:50 – The Divine Perfection in the Laws of Nature
• 01:24:51 – Innocent Souls and Complicated Conditioning
• 01:29:03 – Letting go of Seeking
• 01:33:11 – The Activities of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
• 01:37:25 – Unity in Diversity
• 01:41:22 – The Role of Consciousness in Animal Rights and Climate Change Awareness
• 01:45:26 – Letting Go of Samskaras
• 01:49:28 – Ramana’s Enlightenment Journey
• 01:53:15 – The Value of Deep Dreamless Sleep
• 01:56:41 – The Three Gunas and Yogic States
• 02:00:41 – Awakening to Our True Absolute Host Nature
• 02:04:39 – The Gradual Cultivation of Buddha-like Qualities
• 02:08:27 – Owls Singing
• 02:12:04 – Music

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Sri Karunamayi is revered in India as an embodiment of Divine Motherly Love, due to the love and affection that she showers liberally on all people, animals, and even plants, the spiritual knowledge and guidance that she gives freely to all of humanity, and the humanitarian works that she has undertaken. “Amma” as she is affectionately called by her followers, is simply the Telugu word for “mother”- Telugu being Amma’s native language.

Born in 1958 in South India, Sri Karunamayi spent a childhood immersed in an atmosphere of prayer and worship created by her deeply spiritual parents. Both of her parents had received visions indicating that Sri Karunamayi was not an ordinary child, and her astrological chart indicated that she would dedicate her life to serving humanity.

Naturally inclined towards charity as a child, Sri Karunamayi, or “Amma,” would often give away food and clothes to whomever needed them.

As she grew into a young woman, Amma felt an inner urge to begin spending more and more time in the family worship room, immersed in prayer and meditation. As she was now a first-year college student, she was forced to make time for meditation by reducing the time she spent sleeping. As her meditations deepened and intensified, she also began reducing her intake of food. These meditation sessions grew in length until one day Amma locked herself inside a room of the house and remained there in meditation for a month.

Though her family members were perplexed, they did not dare to disturb her, having witnessed the profundity of her meditations before. When she finally emerged, she seemed like a different person to her family members. Though she still showed the same sweet affection to which they were accustomed, her demeanor now expressed a more impersonal, universal love. Determined to fulfill the sacred purpose of her life, Amma gently told her mother that it was time for her to go into seclusion in the sacred Penusila Forest, to meditate there in solitude. Always respectful of her daughter’s divine nature, and trusting completely in God, Amma’s mother did not try to stop her from going.

Amma never felt that these meditations were done for her own sake, as she was following the example of India’s ancient Vedic sages, who meditated for hundreds of years in order to discover the best teachings for all of mankind. Through Amma’s austerities, she determined which of the Vedic teachings and practices would be of greatest benefit to people living in this difficult modern age. After performing such intense tapasya for over 10 years, Amma decided that it was time to share her knowledge with all those who thirsted for true spirituality, wherever they may live in the world.

Emerging from her seclusion in the sacred Penusila Forest, Amma began giving public discourses on various aspects of Sanatana Dharma, India’s ancient spirituality, and conducting sacred ceremonies to promote world peace and universal well-being. At this time, Amma also began Her work on serving humanity in the eradication of  poverty, providing free medical care & housing for the disadvantaged, stopping child labour through free schooling and mentorship programs, and supplying water treatment facilities to those impoverished communities that have been severely affected from toxic water resources.  After performing such intense tapasya for over 10 years,  Amma moved to a more urban area to share her knowledge with all those who thirsted for  spirituality, wherever they may live in the world.

In 1995, Amma began reaching out to the world, beginning with the US, where She offers yearly public programs.  During these programs Amma gives teachings and blessings, holds meditation retreats, and performs sacred fire ceremonies for the benefit of all of humankind & the world. During her visits to each city, countless followers come to express their worries and problems and to request blessings or guidance.  And to this end, Amma uses Her own sari to wipe away the tears from Her children’s eyes as She comforts every follower with Divine Motherly Love. Amma often likes to say that Her only work in this world is to remove the suffering from the hearts of Her children. This she does through Her kind, loving words of spiritual guidance and encouragement, Her healing touch, and Her divine knowledge and insight. Today, Amma divides Her time between the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and India, fulfilling Her life’s mission of providing comfort, solace, and spiritual guidance to all who come to Her.

• Website: karunamayi.org

Books:

• Sri Karunamayi a Biography
• Blessed Souls I the Teachings of Sri Karunamayi (I)
• Sri Suktam with Samputita Sri Suktam
• YOGA IS UNION – The Yoga of Amma Sri Karunamayi

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded 4/13/2015

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

YouTube Video Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – Introduction to Amma Sri Karunamayi
• 00:02:23 – The Mother of the Universe and the Challenges in Society
• 00:05:00 – Inner Transformations in Preparation
• 00:07:40 – The Importance of Physical Presence and Love
• 00:09:51 – The Mechanics of Spiritual Transmission
• 00:12:23 – The Importance of Spiritual Awakening
• 00:14:43 – The Awakening of Spirituality
• 00:16:54 – Vasudhaika Kutumbam (One Family)
• 00:19:14 – Controlling Negativity Through Spirituality
• 00:21:17 – The Blossoming of Heart-Oriented Qualities
• 00:23:43 – Protecting Animals and the Environment
• 00:25:57 – Recognizing an Avatar on Earth
• 00:28:11 – Appreciating Divine Beings and Feeling Love
• 00:30:22 – Burning the Curtains of Ego and Selfishness
• 00:32:28 – Learning Meditation from Amma
• 00:34:24 – Miracles and the Natural Order of Things
• 00:36:25 – Seva: Service as a Spiritual Practice
• 00:38:28 – The Importance of Seva (Service)
• 00:40:34 – Raising Collective Awareness of Love and Positivity
• 00:42:42 – Cultivating Patience and Tolerance
• 00:45:03 – The Sri Lalita Sahasranama Mahayagyam Celebration
• 00:47:27 – The Power of Mantra Recitation
• 00:49:26 – Pouring of Holy Rivers’ Waters
• 00:51:31 – The Power of Spiritual Mechanisms
• 00:53:27 – The Power of Women and the Lalita Sahasranama Mahayagna
• 00:55:51 – Empowering Women to Stand Strong
• 00:57:59 – The Rise of Feminine Collective Consciousness
• 01:00:11 – The Eternal Nature of Individual Souls
• 01:02:17 – Spiritual Maturity and Awakening
• 01:04:31 – Attaining the Absolute Bliss
• 01:06:39 – Website and Contact Information

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Vasant Swaha was always a naturally free spirit, aware from an early age that life was not about accepting boundaries, but rather going beyond them. As a child, he sailed from his native Norway, exploring the world with his father and family. His visits to many foreign countries at an early age gave him a broad perspective on life.

He always liked to challenge himself, ever since he was very young. As a teenager, he left his home and continued traveling on his own. After journeying through Europe and North Africa, he eventually arrived in India. Here, he at once felt at home. An alive spiritual fragrance was in the air, that was missing in the West. He lived in the Himalayas and then in Goa, where he came into contact with disciples of the Master Osho. Out of this encounter, he knew what his next step was: to follow the call of his heart to go meet the Master.

His connection with Osho was instant and deep – like coming home. Swaha got immersed in the life of the commune around his Master, which became the biggest growth center in the world. Here, he could explore himself further in many levels. Becoming one of Osho’s bodyguards, Swaha had an intimate connection with his Master. Later, as a therapist, his openness to new ideas and therapies gave him a great opportunity to experiment and go through many different growth processes and meditations. This gave him a wide experience and insight into the psychology and heart of the modern man.

Shortly after Osho left his body, Swaha experienced awakening to his true Self.

I was no longer the one I was the day before. I had no identification with any personality or ego. The “I” was gone, and so was the whole past. I was drowned in a profound peace, in a deep spaciousness and blissful silence. It was a new birth. I became very fragile, I had to learn how to function in the world again.”

In the years that followed, this new way of being became more integrated. During his travels through India, he met Papaji in a blissful encounter.

My beloved Papa, Poonjaji, was a tremendous gift. He was really a lion of Truth. No words can express my gratitude to him.”

Papaji recognized the alive Presence in Swaha and encouraged him to share This. But at this time Swaha was just living in a constant state of inner contentment. It would take him another 5 years before he started giving Satsangs.

After meeting Papaji he went traveling around India, and lived for long periods of time in the Himalayas. During this time he had beautiful meetings with his enlightened friend, Giridhar, and together they had adventures in the far regions of the Himalayas.

More and more, existence moved Swaha to share himself with others. In India he was invited to take part in the No-Mind Ängsbacka Summer Festival in Sweden. It was his first public sharing and resulted in a queue of people wanting to learn more. He gave in to the inevitable and began sharing his Presence.

In tune with Swaha’s love of nature, he has created beautiful retreat places in the mountains of Norway and by the ocean in Brazil. Here, seekers and lovers from around the world come to meditate and experience the beauty, love and silence of his presence. In this precious meeting, hearts and minds can awaken, transform and flower.

Website: vasantswaha.net

Interview recorded 3/21/2015

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

YouTube Video Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – Introduction and Purpose
• 00:03:36 – Increasing polarities and the need for change
• 00:07:30 – Past Lives and Spiritual Connections
• 00:11:39 – Meeting Other Enlightened Beings
• 00:15:04 – Appreciating Food and Paths to Enlightenment
• 00:18:32 – A Shattered Identity
• 00:22:16 – Imperfections of Spiritual Masters
• 00:25:44 – The Role of the Guru and Personal Experience
• 00:29:08 – The Transformative Energy of an Ashram
• 00:32:56 – The Shift after Sickness and Integration
• 00:36:44 – Fragility and Sensitivity During Awakening
• – 00:40:31 – From the Himalayas to Papaji
• 00:44:19 – A Guru’s Influence
• 00:48:03 – Integration and Meltdown in the Garden of Paradise
• 00:51:16 – The Beauty of the Unspoken
• 00:54:09 – Natural Living and Being
• 00:56:49 – Emptying the Mind and Being Open
• 00:59:40 – Helping Others Empty Themselves
• 01:02:38 – Finding Happiness and Truth
• 01:05:39 – The Power of a Supportive Atmosphere
• 01:08:25 – David’s Journey and Meeting Ramesh Balsakar
• 01:11:20 – Community in Brazil and Norway
• 01:14:08 – Embraced by the Peace
• 01:16:53 – Being a Servant of the Divine
• 01:19:40 – Blissful Ecstasy and Oneness
• 01:22:49 – The Joy of Full Realization
• 01:25:51 – The Appreciation of God’s Creation
• 01:28:42 – Meeting the Master
• 01:31:35 – Following Divine Guidance
• 01:34:23 – Beautiful Places to Visit

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