Whilst growing up James had a deep sense that something about life didn’t add up. Unsure about what exactly that something was he tried to ‘fit in’ and graduated in Maths from Oxford University. It didn’t work.
He then began seeking a resolution to a lingering sense of unfulfillment by writing songs, singing and playing in bands, then as an actor, then as a school teacher, but that didn’t work either.
On recognising that no matter what his outer circumstances were the feeling of longing and dissatisfaction still remained, the nature of seeking turned inward and James found himself following a variety of spiritual and therapeutic paths. Despite providing many insights along the way these too ultimately failed to satisfy. He felt drawn more and more to the question that no one seemed to be asking: “Who is doing all this?”
Finally James came across the Non-Dual message with which there was an instant resonance. He met with many different teachers and seeking came to an end when the true nature of reality was clearly seen.
James now holds meetings and retreats in the UK and abroad, and lives in Totnes with his partner and two sons.
Website: jameseaton.org
Interview recorded 10/8/2016
Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
- 00:04:39 – Finding solace in music and guitar
- 00:09:08 – Music and Acting Journey
- 00:12:43 – A Journey into Drama School and Beyond
- 00:16:03 – Bringing Math to Life
- 00:19:15 – The Golden Ratio and Spirals
- 00:22:47 – Involving Students in Learning
- 00:26:08 – Spiritual Groups and Personal Experiences
- 00:29:10 – A Bombshell Discovery
- 00:32:26 – The Presence of Non-Duality and the Journey Towards Awareness
- 00:35:47 – The Misappropriation of Experience
- 00:38:54 – The Tricky Art of Teaching in a Group Setting
- 00:42:11 – The Beauty of Genuine Friendship
- 00:45:31 – The Nature of Thoughts and Free Will
- 00:48:37 – The Origin of Thoughts
- 00:51:50 – The illusion of separateness
- 00:55:01 – The Illusion of Physical Reality
- 00:57:59 – The Philosophy of Reality
- 01:01:14 – Perception is a Perceptual Cocktail
- 01:04:36 – The Indivisibility Between Knowing and Sound
- 01:08:50 – The Movement of Experience
- 01:12:05 – The Power of Realization
- 01:17:13 – The Paradox of Losing It All
- 01:22:04 – The Frustration of Children’s Reactions
- 01:26:12 – The Cycle of Craving and Discontent
- 01:32:52 – Exploring Sense Doorways
- 01:39:32 – The Drive and Devastation of Awakening
- 01:45:19 – The Process of Awakening
- 01:51:56 – The Beauty of Direct Experience
- 01:59:39 – Wrapping up with a song
- 02:09:06 – Conclusion and Farewell
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