311. Group Discussion at Sofia University, Part 1

Sophia-group-CompWhile out in California for the Science and Nonduality Conference, I had some downtime before the conference started, so I decided to tape a long panel discussion with a rather large group of friends, most of them previous guests on Batgap. Sofia University in Palo Alto (where transpersonal psychology was founded by Abraham Maslow and others), generously provided a room and video equipment. I’m especially grateful to Dr. Jeffery Martin, who conducts research there, for offering and organizing this. It was an experiment, and some were skeptical that it would work, but it did! This is part 1. The link to Part 2 is below. Main points of discussion in this part include:

  • What are awakening and enlightenment? Are we on the same page? The discussion goes into direct experiencing of different states, levels, and depths of consciousness in the evolution of the progressive, dynamic process of awakening.
  • What is identity and identification in different stages in the evolution of consciousness and the journey of the dissolution of self?
  • What is the value of words and the use of semantics in the discussion of awakening and Self-realization?
  • Is awakening lost in the experience of our brokenness? In the face of deep emotional trauma or when life shatters, what happens? Is there an abiding, unmoving stability that is unshakeable in all circumstances?
  • The evolution of our humanity as an expression of the divine and the importance of continued growth and refinement in the awakening journey.

Participants in the morning session included:

NameOther Batgap Interview(s)Website(s)
Chuck Hillig7/21/2010chuckhillig.com
Clare Blanchflowerclareblanchflower.com
Craig Holliday1/3/2015, 12/19/2018*, 10/25/2019*craigholliday.com
Dana Sawyer9/29/2010, 2/9/2014*, 3/19/2016dana-sawyer.com
David Buckland9/25/201510/27/2017*davidya.ca
David Ellzey1/16/2016davidellzey.com
Francis Bennett8/4/2012, 4/21/2013* 10/26/2013*, 5/24/2014*, 10/23/2014*, 10/21/2016, 10/25/2016*
Jeffery Martin1/25/2017drjefferymartin.com
nonsymbolic.org
Kiran Trace11/2/2013, 09/24/2015kirantrace.com
Kristin Kirk2/16/2014, 5/24/2014*kristinkirk.com
Laurie Moore7/21/2012, 10/24/2013counselingscottsvalley.us
animiracles.com
Mariana Caplan2/3/2012, 1/6/2013, 10/25/2019*marianacaplan.com
Rick Archer6/5/2010, 3/16/2013, 5/11/2014, 10/23/2015, 10/24/2016, 10/21/2017, 12/19/2018*, 10/25/2019*10/27/2019You’re on it.
Susanne Marie7/7/2013, 10/24/2014*, 10/23/2016*susannemarie.org

*In group discussion.

Part 2 of this discussion

Transcript of this discussion

Recorded 10/22/2015

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

Save

Save