327. John Astin

John Astin is the author of three collections of poetic and prose reflections on the non-dual nature of reality, Too Intimate for Words, (2005) This Is Always Enough(2007), and Searching for Rain in a Monsoon (2012). He is presently at work on a new book, It’s Not What You Think It Is: Reflections on the Inconceivable Nature of Reality. Along with his writing and teaching, John is also a singer, songwriter and recording artist who since 1987 has produced seven CDs of original spiritual/contemplative music including his most recent release, What We’ve Always Been. In addition to his writing and music, John also holds a PhD in health psychology and is an internationally acclaimed scholar in the field of mind-body medicine, his research focusing on the applications of meditative/contemplative practices in psychology and health care. For information about John’s work, visit www.johnastin.com. Music CDs: What We've Always Been Already Shining Clear Blue Mind Now Is the Time For more see johnastin.com/music Summary and Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 1/9/2016 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:18 - The Beginning of a Journey of Self-Exploration 00:09:43 - Struggling and Seeking for Enlightenment 00:16:13 - The Paradox of Awakening 00:23:10 - The Mystery of God and the Absolute 00:30:30 - The Continuous Awareness That Doesn't Change 00:35:18 - The Unfathomable Nature of Reality 00:39:26 - The Indescribability of Experience 00:42:59 - The Equalness of Experience 00:46:58 - Applying Curiosity to Our Own Experience 00:50:53 - Investigating the Experience of Anxiety 00:54:49 - The Abstraction of Anxiety 00:58:16 - The Practical Utility of Spiritual Development 01:02:32 - Exploring the Nature of Experience 01:05:58 - Awe-Inspiring Complexity and Intelligence 01:10:00 - The Universe Inside the Touch 01:13:53 - The Sensitivity of Non-Conceptual Dimensions of Experience 01:17:42 - The Authority of Spiritual Teachers 01:22:04 - Letting Experience be the Authority 01:26:20 - The Nature of Devotion and the Role of the Teacher 01:30:46 - The Value of Transmission and Devotion 01:34:21 - Treating Others with Respect and Devotion 01:40:07 - Reflections on the Spiritual Path 01:48:31 - The Wholesome Way and Discovering What Truly Interests Us 01:51:47 - The Importance of Personal Experience in Spiritual Practice 01:55:12 - Picking up on the Little Things 01:58:24 - Finding Ease within the Flow of Experience 02:02:50 - Embracing uncertainty and holding perspectives loosely 02:06:30 - A Chuckle at Materialists 02:11:34 - Beyond ideas of right and wrong 02:17:22 - Conclusion and Thank You