346. Tom Thompson

In 1982 Tom began teaching Conscious Living at the Woodbury Yoga Center in Connecticut, and in 1990 at The Awakened Heart Center in North Carolina. Conscious Living is an all-inclusive way of life. It includes the possibility of radical awakening along with the integration of body, emotions, mind and spirit; living skillfully and effectively in this world; and being in loving, empowering relationships.

In 1964, at the age of fifteen, Tom became a student of human psychology and a practitioner of the yogic pathways and enlightenment traditions. He has had the great fortune of training in depth with a number of exceptional teachers in both the enlightenment traditions and western psychology.

While pursuing spiritual realization, Tom had many jobs in many different fields. All were important in terms of his personal growth and evolution, but the most important was working 13 years as a mental health worker in psychiatry. He has extensive training and experience in several different therapeutic modalities including hypnotherapy, transactional analysis, human potential, energy psychology and HeartMath®.

After many years of intense practice and experiences in several different spiritual traditions, a sudden awakening occurred that led to the spontaneous collapse and falling away of all identification with spiritual and psychological belief systems, traditions, gurus, concepts, and the experience of a separate, unique, individual self. Now there is this, as it is, and as it appears to happen.

The teachings of Conscious Living are direct, obvious, and all-inclusive. There is nothing to be believed or accepted, as they are self-evident. They point to the incredible gift and mystery of life, living us here and now, as we are.

Tom lives with his best friend, partner and wife Bonnie. He also has a daughter Kelly, son-in-law Chad and grandson Caden.

Website: theawakenedheartcenter.com

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded May 14, 2016.

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
  • 00:03:43 – The Teachings of Conscious Living
  • 00:07:03 – Early Fascination with Yoga
  • 00:10:24 – Exploring LSD and Yoga with Swami Vishnu
  • 00:13:46 – Disorienting Experiences in Spiritual Practice
  • 00:17:06 – Navigating the Transition in the Spiritual Path
  • 00:20:26 – The Relationship Between Mystical Experiences and Psychotic Breaks
  • 00:23:46 – Seeking the Spiritual Power
  • 00:27:06 – The Process of Awakening
  • 00:30:26 – Transformation through Awakening and Enlightenment
  • 00:33:46 – Integration and Skillful Expression
  • 00:37:06 – Letting go of identities and attachments
  • 00:40:26 – Losing Authenticity in Spiritual Paths
  • 00:43:46 – Intellectual Understanding vs Realization
  • 00:47:06 – The Shift after Leaving the TM Movement
  • 00:50:26 – The Conscious Living Center in North Carolina
  • 00:53:47 – The Power of Shifting Reality Tunnels
  • 00:57:07 – Recognition of True Nature
  • 01:00:27 – The Illusion of a Separate Self
  • 01:03:47 – The Concept of Personal Self and Reincarnation
  • 01:07:07 – The possibility of reincarnation
  • 01:10:27 – Consciousness and Awareness
  • 01:13:47 – The Evolutionary Agenda and True Nature
  • 01:17:07 – The Mind Creates the Brain
  • 01:20:27 – The Mystery and Possibilities of Life
  • 01:23:47 – Following Your Unique Expression
  • 01:27:07 – The Temptation to Follow a Secure Path
  • 01:30:27 – Meeting People Where They’re At
  • 01:33:47 – Seeing the Divine within oneself
  • 01:37:07 – Offering Online Consultations
  • 01:40:27 – Technical Notes and Thank You