59. Nick Gancitano

Nick Gancitano has spent most of his adult life delving into the mysteries of the ancient spiritual teachings and has undergone a conscious transformation that has made him a specialist in the field. Nick studied under some of its most respected sages and has traveled extensively around the world to deliver this teaching. In addition, Nick himself has been recognized for his simplification of the often complicated spiritual system of advaita (wisdom through direct insight). After returning from his journey, Nick became committed to disseminating these teachings among friends and associates who became students and soon erected The Self-Inquiry Center for Conscious Living, where Nick now provides his lighthearted works to a growing population of devoted spiritual seekers. Aside from being the spiritual director at The Self-Inquiry Center, Nick was once an All-American athlete, corporate regional vice-president, and U.S. National Champion under the legendary football coach Joe Paterno. He later became one of the world’s leading experts on place-kicking, personally developing over forty collegiate Division IA athletes, including nine All-Americans. But his original background lay in physics, physiology and biomechanics, as he firmly states that all information recorded for spiritual scripture and scientific documentation should be based on one's direct experience and not borrowed beliefs passed down through generations by the unknowing. Nick can be contacted via email. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 2/20/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction & Announcements 00:04:16 - Early Experiences with Eastern Spirituality 00:07:59 - Silent Transmission from Ramana Maharshi 00:12:14 - The Illusion of Form and Awareness of the Self 00:15:51 - Purging Subconscious Guilt and Fear 00:18:57 - The Beginning of Sadhana and Self-Inquiry 00:22:48 - The Flawed Orientation to Teachers 00:26:05 - The True Notion of Self-Realization 00:29:16 - The Ego and Adulation 00:32:49 - The Concept of "I am" and the Role of a Master 00:36:26 - Interactions with Ramana Maharshi 00:39:28 - Letting go of the Outer Guru 00:42:31 - A Spiritual Retreat in Arunachala 00:46:08 - Awareness and Distraction 00:49:55 - Embracing Paradox and Ambiguity 00:55:09 - Surrender and Self-Inquiry 00:58:47 - Surrendering to the "I am" 01:02:13 - The Destiny of the Body 01:06:12 - Reversing the Flow of the Mind 01:09:18 - The Illusion of Phenomena and Form 01:12:20 - Awakening and the Illusion of Seeking 01:15:19 - The Split in the Mind 01:18:27 - The Ego and Self-Realization 01:21:00 - The Cosmic Joke and Self-Inquiry. 01:23:27 - The Efficacy of Teaching and Awakening 01:26:40 - The Play of Consciousness 01:29:31 - Ramana's Concern for World Affairs 01:33:00 - Enlightenment and the Illusion of Awakening 01:36:38 - Physiology Refinement and Evolution 01:40:15 - The Complete Realization 01:42:26 - Interview with Mandy Sulk