In this special episode Tom visits Mike on the Isle of Man. We address the seeking mind which listens to podcasts (such as this one) and reads spiritual books in the hope of finding golden nuggets of life changing wisdom, just as seagulls follow trawlers in the hope that sardines will be thrown into the sea. Unfortunately here at Being Ordinary we have no profundities to utter, no food for hungry gulls. All we can hope to offer is mere entertainment and perhaps the freedom which comes from giving up on chasing ‘spiritual’ concepts.
In this video I talk about the appeal psychotherapy has for me. I’ve been both training to become a psychotherapist and been receiving one-to-one therapy for the last year. It’s been interesting meeting psychotherapy from my meditative background, there’s certainly a significant overlap between the two approaches, but they also differ. The common thread for me is the encouragement of returning to look at one’s immediate experience with fresh eyes.
So what exactly is Awakening? Mike speaks to author and lecturer Steve Taylor about his research into enlightenment experiences, who they happen to and why suffering and trauma appear to play such an integral part. More information on Steve’s work can be found here. We hope you enjoy this one, feel free to comment below.
In this special hour long podcast Mike travels to Tirruvanamalai in India to meet Sri V. Ganesan, a grand-nephew of Ramana Maharshi and spiritual teacher in his own right. Ganesan’s own journey included meeting sages such as J. Krishnamurti, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Yogi Ramsuratkumar and Robert Adams who helped him reveal the essence of Ramana’s message. We hope you enjoy this one, questions and comments are welcome below.Continue reading
Mike speaks with Canela Michelle Meyers about Reiki, meeting Isaac Shapiro, and her own journey to Awakening. More information about Canela, including regular satsangs and recent her book ‘Right Here, Right Now Meditations’, can be found at www.canelamichelle.com. We hope you enjoy this one, comments and questions are welcome below.
Mike speaks with Unmani about her journey to awakening and the importance of resting with, and experiencing, our insecurities and vulnerabilities rather than avoiding them by searching for a state of so-called ‘spiritual perfection’. Information about Unmani’s satsangs, retreats and books can be found at her website, www.not-knowing.com.
Tom speaks to Kyira Korrigan, a dharma teacher in the lineage of Noah Levine. The discussion focuses around the thorny subject of gender equality in traditional Buddhist institutions. The recording jumps straight into an out-of-context reference to the Garrsion Teacher’s Council (a multi-tradition meeting of 230 Buddhist teachers from the West), so bear that in mind when you begin listening. It was recorded in Los Angeles during the Buddhist Geeks conference in July.
How is Enlightenment actually defined? Does it exist in and of itself outside of the general consensus of a few experienced people? This might be a somewhat provocative subject but I feel it raises some important questions.
Mike speaks with Darryl Bailey a non-dual speaker and author whose teachers include J. Krishnamurti, Robert Adams and Ajahn Sumedho. His most recent book Essence Revisited is well worth your attention. Darryl is holding some meetings in the UK at the end of August the details of which can be found at http://darrylbailey.net/
Feedback is always appreciated and you can leave any questions or comments below.
Danny: ‘Examine that’ (Johan) ‘look now and find out’ (keithquokka) OK, here goes....
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RT @rohan_21awake: After much (aka no) popular demand, my sitting-half-lotus-on-a-bollard-on-Portabello-Road twitter avatar is BACK09:43:44 AM May 10, 2012
