092. Gangaji

Gangaji shares a simple message-This is an invitation to shift your allegiance from the activities of your mind to the eternal presence of your being. Born in Texas in 1942, Gangaji grew up in Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1964, she married and had a daughter. In 1972, she moved to San Francisco where she began exploring deeper levels of her being. She took Bodhisattva vows, practiced Zen and Vipassana meditation, helped run a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center, and had a career as an acupuncturist in the San Francisco Bay area. Despite her successes, Gangaji continued to experience a deep and persistent longing for fulfillment. She pursued many paths to change her life including relationship, motherhood, political activism, career, and spiritual practice, but even the greatest of her successes ultimately came up short. In the wake of her disillusionment, she made a final prayer for true help. In 1990, the answer to her prayer came unexpectedly, taking her to India and to the meeting that would change everything. There on the banks of the river Ganga, she met Sri H.W.L. Poonja, also known as Papaji, who opened the floodgates of self-recognition. In this meeting, Gangaji’s personal story of suffering ended and the promise of a true life began to flower and unfold. Today, Gangaji travels the world speaking to seekers from all walks of life. A teacher and author, she shares her direct experience of the essential message she received from Papaji and offers it to all who want to discover a true and lasting fulfillment. Through her life and words, she powerfully articulates how it is really possible to discover the truth of who you are and to be true to that discovery. She is the author of The Diamond in Your Pocket: Discovering Your True Radiance and Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth in Your Life Story. Learn more about Gangaji at www.gangaji.org. Summary and Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 10/18/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Buddha at the Gas Pump with Gangaji 00:02:14 - The Lottery of Enlightenment 00:03:53 - Meeting people as regular individuals 00:05:51 - Reverence for the Teacher 00:07:44 - Teaching from Fulfillment 00:09:20 - The Thunderclap Moment and the Removal of Self-Doubt 00:11:40 - The Global Shift 00:16:06 - The Power of Words and Transmission 00:18:12 - Different types of people and their spiritual awakening 00:20:16 - The Importance of the Sangha 00:21:43 - The Meaning of "Stop" and its Effect 00:23:54 - The Search for Identity 00:26:25 - Surrendering to the Overshadowing Nature of Thought 00:28:08 - The Invitation to Recognize Who You Are 00:30:15 - Recognizing the Role of Thought 00:32:23 - The Function of Storytelling and Overcoming Obstacles 00:34:48 - Discovering the Hidden Treasure 00:37:13 - Discovering Joy in Being 00:39:41 - The Fear of Nonexistence 00:42:22 - Fear as the Ultimate Gatekeeper 00:44:17 - Overcoming Fear and Distraction in Meditation 00:46:38 - Exploring Discomfort in Meditation 00:48:22 - Turning the Mind Back to Its Source 00:50:39 - The Beauty of Meeting Him 00:52:12 - The Beginning of the Journey 00:53:47 - The Growth Through Relationship Challenges 00:55:31 - Finding Love Amidst Chaos 00:57:44 - Love, Fulfillment, and Relationships 00:59:54 - Trusting Yourself 01:01:30 - Concluding remarks and future content