125. Nirmala

After a lifetime of spiritual seeking, Nirmala met his teacher, Neelam, a devotee of H.W.L. Poonja (Papaji). She convinced him that seeking wasn't necessary; and after experiencing a profound spiritual awakening in India, he began offering satsang and Nondual Spiritual Mentoring with Neelam's blessing. This tradition of spiritual wisdom has been most profoundly disseminated by Ramana Maharshi, a revered Indian saint, who was Papaji's teacher. Nirmala's perspective was also profoundly expanded by his friend and teacher Adyashanti. Nirmala offers satsang in gratitude for the love and grace that flow through his teachers, Neelam and Adyashanti, and for the Truth brought to this world by Ramana Maharshi and H.W.L. Poonja. Advaita satsang is offered as a celebration of the possibility, in every moment, of recognizing the truth of who we are. Nirmala offers a unique vision and a gentle, compassionate approach, which adds to this rich tradition of inquiry into the truth of Being. Nirmala lives in Sedona, Arizona with his wife, Gina, and their two dogs, Rafi and Rumi. Contact Nirmala by using the contact form here. Read an interview with Nirmala here. More information about Gina and her books, including Radical Happiness: A Guide to Awakening, is available on radicalhappiness.com. More of Nirmala's books: Everything Is Included: Essays About Truth, Love, and Awareness That Is That: Essays About True Nature Gifts With No Giver: A Love Affair With Truth Living From The Heart Meeting the Mystery: Exploring the Aware Presence at the Heart of All Life Referred to during the interview: Video of Andromeda Galaxy colliding with ours in 8.5 billion years. Bill Moyers and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt talk about the psychological underpinnings of our contentious culture, why we can’t trust our own opinions, and the demonizing of our adversaries. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded 6/2/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Nirmala and his teachings 00:04:09 - The Measurement of Truth 00:07:47 - Focusing on Desires and Sense of Self 00:11:01 - The Geographic Cure and Conditioning 00:14:20 - Focusing and Expanding 00:17:49 - The Illusion of Reality 00:21:15 - The Fundamental Quality of Space 00:24:52 - The Space Within and Without 00:27:53 - Contemplating the Existence of Intelligence in Everything 00:31:46 - The Illusion of Thoughts and Political Perspectives 00:35:33 - The Role of Spirituality in Politics and Morality 00:40:02 - Functioning in Vastness and Discriminating Truth 00:44:11 - The Ordinary Experience of Being the Boss 00:48:07 - Discrimination and Heart Wisdom 00:52:12 - The Concept of Better and Worse in Experience 00:56:38 - The Illusion of "Better" Sound 01:00:27 - The Small Truth of Money and Happiness 01:04:31 - The Journey of Self-Discovery 01:08:58 - An Unexpected Journey towards Awakening 01:13:19 - Letting go of the desire to awaken 01:17:52 - Following the Heart 01:21:36 - Oneness with the Ganges River 01:26:14 - The Invitation to Give Satsang 01:29:54 - Trust in Physical Reality 01:33:37 - The Sacredness of Reality 01:37:23 - Finding Balance with Sweets 01:41:23 - The Experience of Consciousness and Meditation 01:45:26 - The Definition of Jnanis and Yogis 01:49:36 - The Infinite Possibilities of Consciousness 01:54:00 - Levels of Consciousness beyond a Thousand 01:57:19 - Wrapping Up and Thank You