Zaya Benazzo is a filmmaker from Bulgaria with degrees in engineering, environmental science, and film. For many years, she worked as an environmental activist in Holland and Bulgaria, and later produced and directed several award-winning documentaries in Europe and the United States.
Maurizio Benazzo grew up in Italy, and in 1984 came to the United States on a ninety-eight-year-old sailing boat. He started working as an actor, model, and filmmaker, but his thirst for knowledge was only satisfied in 2001 upon encountering I Am That, the seminal work by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, while he was in India shooting the award-winning documentary Short Cut To Nirvana
Maurizio and Zaya merged their lifelong passions for science and mysticism when they met in 2007, and their first project together was filming the documentary Rays of the Absolute on the life and teachings of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. This project sparked their next level of creation and collaboration: Science and Nonduality (SAND)—a global community inspired by the timeless wisdom traditions, informed by modern science, and grounded in direct experience.
Book: On the Mystery of Being: Contemporary Insights on the Convergence of Science and Spirituality
Interview recorded February 29, 2020
Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
- 00:05:16 – Finding Peace with Nisargadatta
- 00:09:53 – The Unraveling of a Familiar Story
- 00:13:35 – The Connection Between Trauma and Seeking Answers
- 00:17:24 – A Beautiful Movie about Nisargadatta
- 00:20:47 – The Birth of Science and Duality
- 00:24:23 – The Limitations of Knowledge and Understanding
- 00:27:49 – The Unity and Diversity of Existence
- 00:31:49 – Paradox and Ambiguity in Spiritual Maturity
- 00:36:08 – The Individual and the Ocean
- 00:40:23 – The Influence of Culture on Teaching
- 00:44:26 – Holding Conversations Lightly
- 00:47:23 – The Mystery of Life and Human Connectedness
- 00:52:10 – Meeting the Shadow and Unconscious Material
- 00:56:49 – The Dance of Therapy and Inquiry
- 01:01:18 – From the mind to the heart
- 01:05:51 – Observations on the Disembodiment of the Western World
- 01:10:14 – Spirituality and Social Inequality
- 01:14:06 – Trauma in Political Leaders
- 01:17:26 – Inclusion and Diversity in Spiritual Conversations
- 01:21:29 – Privilege and Diversity in Conversation
- 01:24:45 – The Inclusiveness of Spirituality
- 01:28:45 – The Necessity of Multi-dimensional Approaches to Life
- 01:32:19 – Meeting Yourself in Solitude
- 01:36:47 – Exploring Sexuality and Oneness
- 01:40:48 – Changing Ourselves and Creating Awareness
- 01:43:42 – The Future Direction of SAND Conference
- 01:46:55 – The Evolution of Teaching and the Dream of Trust and Deeper Listening
- 01:50:30 – The Admirable Effort of Personal Growth and Redemption
- 01:54:26 – Science and Nonduality Conference
- 01:57:28 – Plans for Future Meetings
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