Buddha at the Gas Pump - 719. Thomas Legrand

719. Thomas Legrand

11/16/24 • 98 min

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Thomas Legrand is a wisdom’s seeker, a social scientist and sustainability practitioner. He is the author of the internationally acclaimed book “Politics of Being. Wisdom and Science for a New Development Paradigm” (2022), an invitation to radically rethink our model of development, which received the Grand Prize of the Nautilus Book Award in 2024. His spiritual journey began at the age of 23 with an encounter with native spirituality in Mexico, before embracing the wisdom of a wide range of traditions and practices, including meditation, energetic healing and Tai-chi-chuan. He lives with his wife and their two young daughters near Plum Village, the monastery of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in the South West of France, his country. He is currently the Lead Technical Advisor for the UNDP-convened Conscious Food Systems Alliance. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded November 9, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Thomas Legrand and His Work 00:03:27 Integrating Politics and Spirituality 00:07:32 Radical Restructuring for Humanity's Survival 00:10:43 Prophecies of Transformation and Enlightenment 00:15:14 Exploring Spiritual Solutions for Society 00:19:22 The Necessity of Consciously Attending to Ethics in Spiritual Practice 00:23:51 Spirituality and Science Collaboration 00:27:12 The Influence of Sri Aurobindo's Spiritual Work on Global Events 00:31:11 Spiritual Practices and Deep Forces 00:34:53 The Need for Spiritual Transformation 00:39:07 Theory X and Theory Y: Workplace Dynamics 00:43:34 Prisons as Factories of Stress and Recidivism 00:48:32 The Importance of Relationships in Happiness 00:52:40 The Impact of Collective Consciousness 00:56:18 Emerging Sciences for Happiness and Peace 01:00:30 Integrating Wisdom and Science for Unity 01:04:21 Healing Patterns on a Societal Level 01:09:00 Transformation Through Breakdown and Regrowth 01:12:06 Introducing the Concept of a Politics of Being 01:15:30 The Shift Back to Human Dimensions 01:20:37 Implementing Spiritual Solutions in Everyday Life 01:25:51 Economic Inequality as the Root of Social Issues 01:30:39 The Necessity of Change in Society 01:36:22 The Baha'i Vision and Progressive Revelation 01:39:03 Understanding the Soul of a Nation in a Globalized World 01:43:25 The Destiny of Unity and Diversity 01:48:08 Conversations on Conflict and Harmony in Israel 01:50:45 Healing Trauma as a Gateway 01:53:37 Presidential Apology and Indigenous Healing 01:56:00 Navigating Economic Growth and Conscious Transformation 02:00:23 Exploring Our Website Offerings

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718. Georgette Star

For over 30 years, Georgette Star, MA, D.Min, has dedicated her life to empowering adults and youth to live soul-embodied, joyful, and purposeful lives. An intuitive Soul Stream Life Coach & Mentor, and Method trainer, her own deep quest for Self-Realization informs all aspects of her work. Finding joy in sharing this journey with others and a calling to contribute to the greater good inspired her to found the Life Blessing Institute (LBI). This transformational learning community is designed to guide individuals on the journey of human potential, spiritual awakening, and actualization of their soul’s agenda. Through LBI, Georgette developed a variety of programs, including Maiden Spirit & Peace Warriors Youth Programs, Individual and Community Rites of Passage Celebrations and the Soul Stream Method Practitioner Training. Currently Georgette is also working on a documentary film titled The Woman’s Rite. The film examines the challenges of ageism faced by women (and all genders) and explores how these limitations can be transformed through creative expression, conscious rites-of-passage and spiritual awakening. It highlights the opportunity for women to step into empowered, vibrant, and respected elderhood, offering their wisdom, creativity, light, and love to a world that deeply needs their contributions. Georgette holds a Master’s degree from the Naropa Institute and a Doctorate of Ministry from the University of Creation Spirituality. Using her life experience, education and an array of natural abilities, Georgette actively pursues contributing to humankind however she can. In addition to her professional work, she cherishes being a mom, grandmother, artist, forest dweller and daughter of Mother Earth. She also finds joy in creating collaboratively with others and sharing the spiritual journey of awakening with her friends and colleagues. Website links: The Life Blessing Institute (LBI) The Woman’s Rite documentary project Click here to contact Georgette if you are interested in her Soul Stream Life Map Readings and include the word “BatGap” in the message field. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded October 27, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:51 Georgette Star: Wisdom and Creativity for a Needy World 00:07:28 Spiritual Awakening for Ordinary People 00:11:17 Embracing Categories in Spiritual Journeys 00:15:00 Embracing Uncertainty and the Free Fall of Life 00:17:59 Embracing Paradox and Spiritual Maturity 00:22:17 Can Society Transition Without Collapse? 00:26:08 Discovering Meaning in Spiritual Practice 00:30:43 Women's Rights Documentary Project 00:34:32 The Visionary Origins of the Project 00:38:51 The Journey from Idea to Film 00:43:27 Reflecting on Life's Journey and Self-Discovery 00:47:42 Childhood Mystical Experiences 00:51:34 Early Meditation Experiences and Visionary Insights 00:55:11 Meditation vs. Drug Use: Finding Natural Bliss 00:59:18 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs about Aging and Activity 01:03:54 Benefits of Pickleball and Meditation for Seniors 01:07:49 Creating Maiden Spirit: Empowering Young Girls 01:11:31 The Dark Side of Technology and Its Impact on Young Girls 01:15:44 Overcoming the Fear of Death with Spirituality 01:19:51 Transition from Scientist to Mystic 01:23:20 A Traumatic Car Accident and Its Impact 01:26:55 Timelessness in Self-Identity 01:30:06 Discovering the Concept of Original Blessing with Matthew Fox 01:34:47 Introduction to Soulstream Life Maps 01:38:40 Understanding Karmic Learning Pathways 01:42:00 The Role of Vedic Astrology in Naming 01:45:54 The Ripple Effect of Personal Growth 01:50:16 The Importance of Consciousness in Global Change

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720. Riyaz Motan

Born in Kenya, and of Indian ancestry, Riyaz came to North America when he was ten years old (growing up in Canada, and then moving to the United States as an adult). Each of these lands, peoples, and cultures has informed and shaped his expression and sensibilities. He is a product of both East and West. Most of his adult life has been devoted to the study and practice of both psychotherapy and spirituality. And both of these disciplines have been integral to a path of healing and awakening. Professionally, his life’s work has been to bring together Eastern wisdom with Western science and psychology in a synergistic alliance. After 26 years of mainly practicing as a psychotherapist, and many years of teaching and supervising students and interns in a transpersonally oriented graduate school (CIIS in San Francisco), he has shifted his work in a more explicitly spiritual direction. He now leads individuals and groups in spiritual work through groups, and day-long and multi-day retreats. In April 2023, he received dharma transmission and the blessing of his teacher, Adyashanti. Website: riyazmotan.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded November 26, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 Embracing Vulnerability in Teaching 00:03:24 Transition to Spiritual Teaching 00:06:25 The Unexpected Lung Cancer Diagnosis 00:10:10 Embracing Life's Challenges as Spiritual Lessons 00:13:24 Philosophy of Evolution and Suffering 00:17:23 Embracing Mortality and Living Fully 00:20:23 Wisdom from Sri Ramakrishna: Always Be Learning 00:23:25 Navigating Cancer Treatment Challenges 00:26:34 Embracing Alternative Healing Methods 00:29:41 Embracing Non-Western Healing Approaches 00:33:01 The Profound Experience of Near-Death and Out-of-Body Events 00:36:32 Personal Transformations Through Marriage 00:40:30 Embracing Earthly Spirituality 00:45:53 The Impact of Spirituality as an Escape Mechanism 00:49:46 Cultivating Presence for Emotional Healing 00:53:54 The Power of Group Consciousness 00:57:45 The Toll of Being a Spiritual Teacher 01:01:07 Embracing Vulnerability in Teaching 01:05:08 The Evolution of Spiritual Teaching Methodologies 01:08:57 Evolution of Teacher-Student Dynamics in Education 01:12:51 Importance of Preparatory Spiritual Practices 01:16:26 Lack of Spiritual Development and Global Issues 01:19:34 Humanity's Crisis and Opportunity for Change 01:22:26 Awakening of a New Consciousness 01:26:27 Exploring Neurodivergence and Enhanced Perception 01:30:28 Transformative Power of Psychedelics and Nature 01:33:46 Ayahuasca Experience: A Catalyst for Awakening 01:36:57 Spiritual Awakening through Nature and Retreats 01:40:52 Exploring the Hero Dose: Insights from Adyashanti 01:43:41 Transition from One-to-One Work to Spiritual Mentoring 01:47:33 Upcoming Guests and Spiritual Experiences