263. T Jonathon Proctor

T Johnathon ProctorT Jonathon Proctor is the creator of Being Real—Being Embodied. He works with individuals and groups to balance and integrate the “ascending” currents of awakening and the “descending” maturation of embodiment. T has a background in physical therapy and bodywork, Vipassana meditation and non-dual realization and has spent the last decade as a student of the Diamond Approach. His own journey, his work with others, and years of experience as a Hospice bereavement facilitator have inspired a deep appreciation for the individual narrative as a well of meaning; seeing self-understanding as a powerful movement of compassion. His orientation arises out of a heartfelt knowing that every aspect of our human experience is essential to the process of Awakening and Self-realization.

Embodiment is functional awakening. Being Real—Being Embodied is designed to integrate the boundless presence of Essential Being into the ordinary life of the individual. Instant awakening(s) may occur but it is a myth that total ego annihilation and transformation certainly follow. This is demonstrated in the lives of gurus and teachers who, while undeniably awakened, make a mess of their own and others’ lives.

Awakening and embodiment have a reciprocal relationship. Put in a simple way Awakening is absence and Embodiment is presence. Awakening reveals the emptiness of separate selfhood. We awaken from thoughts, emotion, relationship, history, roles and body as our ultimate identity. As these awakenings happen space becomes available for the various qualities and capacities of Being—intelligence, strength, discrimination, compassion, love and presence—to transform the individual. Embodiment calls us to transform our shadow; meaning our inner animal, wounded child, our hidden trauma, and even our drive for destruction. We are further enjoined to cultivate our capacity in the world—in work, in community, in love, and in play. The individual person becomes more real, a movement of unified reality rather than an island of ego. This is a process in time that requires devotion, sincerity, and humility. We as individual human beings live as the meaning of Being.

Being Real—Being Embodied utilizes the real life issues of the person as fuel for transformation. In a complete awakening absolutely everything is included.

Website: beingrealnow.org

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded 10/26/2014

T Jonathon Proctor in panel discussion: Birthing Radiant Being into Our Humanity

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

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction: T. Proctor and Being Embodied
  • 00:02:47 – The Experience of Not Being a Person
  • 00:05:04 – Mental Pathologies and Fragmented Self
  • 00:07:21 – Fragmentation and Integration
  • 00:09:52 – The Power of Spiritual Practices
  • 00:12:25 – Pathologies in Different Buddhist Traditions
  • 00:14:41 – Overcoming Fear and Finding Stillness
  • 00:16:53 – The Physiology of Enlightenment
  • 00:19:31 – Embodiment and Transformation of Consciousness
  • 00:21:59 – The Cycles of Integration and Transformation
  • 00:23:59 – Awakening and Returning to the World
  • 00:26:10 – Discovering My True Self
  • 00:27:59 – The challenges of integrating spiritual practice with worldly life
  • 00:29:53 – The Growth and Development of Awakening
  • 00:31:43 – The Frustration of Connecting with Skeptics
  • 00:34:01 – Awakening the Heart
  • 00:36:19 – The Importance of Validation and Verification of Awakening Experiences
  • 00:38:20 – The Two Specialties of Waking Up and Embodying
  • 00:40:24 – Awakening and Enlightened Relationships
  • 00:42:45 – Walking around with tombstones in their eyes
  • 00:45:49 – A Global Awakening
  • 00:47:59 – Living with a Prayer
  • 00:50:21 – Coming Into Deeper Contact with Ourselves
  • 00:53:01 – The capacity for integration and regulation
  • 00:55:50 – Giving Away Your Power, Reverence, and Equality of Being
  • 00:58:30 – The Total Equality of Being
  • 01:00:40 – Leveling the playing field and standing on one’s own responsibility
  • 01:03:04 – Devotion and the Evolution of Religion
  • 01:05:49 – The Importance of Embodiment
  • 01:07:49 – Working on Relationships and Seeking the Truth of Being
  • 01:10:09 – Introduction to batgap.com