090. Unmani

Unmani is originally from the UK but has lived a nomadic life in many countries around the world from the age of 18. Unlike most people, since she was a child, Unmani never identified with being a ‘person’ in the world, but she felt very lost and alone in a world that everyone else seemed to take so seriously. She spent years traveling around the world trying on different roles and identities to see if any of them fit. Disappointed with each role, she continued searching to find a way out of the pain she felt. She spent some time in the Osho centre in Pune, India, and there discovered meditation, free expression, and other insightful wisdom. But although this brought her more relaxation, it did not seem to get to the root of her search. Some years later she met the German Zen master, Dolano. With her, Unmani recognized that what she had been searching for had always been right here. She woke up to the dream, time stopped, and the search ended. She no longer needed to try to fit in or be someone, because Unmani had finally acknowledged the truth of who she really is. Unmani began holding meetings and retreats 3 years later. She is the author of two books ‘I am Life itself’ and ‘Die to Love’ and is now writing a third book. Meeting with Unmani is meeting with yourself in the most real and alive way. It is not about chasing sweet spiritual experiences that come, and then sadly go. Dialogues with Unmani are a fundamental and intimate enquiry that cut through all philosophies and belief systems. Unmani encourages people to truly face their deepest fears, to no longer blindly buy into dreamy hopes, and to wake up to the reality of life. Unmani holds meetings and intensives all over the world, and also online. These are aimed towards people who are genuinely willing to risk losing what they think they know, to courageously take a step into the alive unknown. 2nd Batgap interview with Unmani. Website: die-to-love.com Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/11/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:03:44 - Spontaneous Preferences and Self-Discovery in Teenage Years 00:06:54 - From Therapist to Traveling Abroad 00:10:09 - Discovering Spirituality in India 00:13:28 - The Frustration and Madness of the Search 00:16:28 - Ready to Die and Joining Dolano's Group 00:19:57 - A Drive for the Truth 00:23:21 - Integration and Knowing 00:26:15 - Exploring the Male/Female Dynamic 00:29:50 - Humility and Confidence 00:33:10 - Seeing Thought for What It Is 00:36:28 - The Potential Benefits of Practices 00:40:23 - Moments of Recognition 00:43:18 - The Illusion of Retaining Thoughts 00:46:27 - The Physiological Basis of Consciousness 00:49:30 - Meetings in Not Knowing 00:53:05 - Changing the Format and Focusing on Dialogues 00:55:55 - Breaking Free from Beliefs 00:58:54 - Recognizing Who You Are 01:01:43 - Recognition and Growth in Life 01:04:31 - The Integration of the Child into the Woman 01:07:04 - The Meaning of Love 01:10:06 - Emptiness and Fullness 01:12:51 - The Fear of Intimacy 01:16:05- The Nature of Reality and Misinterpretation 01:18:50 - Recognition and Attitude 01:21:58 - The Spontaneity of Speech and Intimacy in Retreats 01:24:38 - Returning to Regular Life After a Retreat 01:27:20 - The Process of Seeing Through Old Patterns 01:29:55 - No Escape from Reality 01:33:11 - Discussion Group and Conclusion