342. Chadwick Johnson

Chadwick Johnson is a teacher at heart. Chad does not claim to be an expert in the various subjects that he teaches, but rather, he teaches the subjects in which he seeks to become an expert. In fact, Chad ultimately attributes his spiritual clarity and ability to articulate non-dual concepts in a simplistic manner, to this “the teacher is the student” approach to sharing Truth. Chad had a spiritual awakening in early 2010 after reading “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, and began teaching non-duality later in that same year. Chad knew early on that the wisdom he shared was from a source of intelligence that was greater than his own. Consequently, he used his own teachings as a guide in his spiritual journey toward spiritual clarity. While Chad read countless books and watch hundreds of videos of teachers such as Mooji, Rupert Spira, Eckhart Tolle, and Adyashanti, it was ultimately the trust in his own teachings that dissolved all questions. Since 2010, Chad has spoken to thousands of people about self-discovery, in many different formats, and to people on all different levels of spiritual experience, understanding, willingness, and readiness. Chad started The W.A.Y. Project in 2012 as a way to organize his volunteer work and to raise awareness about mindfulness. He also has a YouTube page that he created as a way to share the truth of self-discovery to the hip-hop generation. Chad held the Second Saturday Mindfulness Workshop on the second Saturday of every month from 2012 to 2015. This workshop was designed to introduce people to mindfulness and non-duality in a non-spiritual in a secular, workshop environment. Chad his wife, Ericka, have been married for 18 years.  They live in Sacramento California with their five children.  He has a bachelor’s degree from California State University of Sacramento and a law degree from McGeorge School of Law. Chad works as a computer programmer for Hewlett Packard Enterprises, an adjunct professor at Sacramento City College. YouTube Channel HipHop Page: TheEbonyBones Transcript of this interview Interview conducted 4/16/2016 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:50 - Overcoming Panic Attacks 00:08:06 - A Shift in Perspective 00:12:06 - The Awakening and the Quest for Understanding 00:16:30 - Embracing Imperfection and Acceptance 00:20:54 - Speaking from Personal Experience 00:25:55 - The Radiating Capacities of Instruments of the Divine 00:30:58 - Going Beyond Intellectual Understanding 00:35:58 - The Home of all Knowledge 00:40:58 - From Spiritual Detachment to Embracing Religion 00:45:27 - Humility and the Ego 00:49:28 - Humility and Refinement on the Spiritual Path 00:53:32 - Learning Simultaneously 00:58:13 - Watching Your Thoughts Objectively 01:02:35 - The Spiritual Experience of the Present Moment 01:06:41 - The Rain and Stillness Experience 01:09:46 - Awakening and the Role of Spiritual Teachers 01:14:30 - Moving Beyond Spiritual Teachers 01:17:57 - Being Open to Spiritual Experiences 01:22:53 - The Diversity of Spirituality 01:27:09 - Hip-Hop and Consciousness 01:30:13 - The Process of Writing Hip-Hop Music 01:35:13 - Giving Up and Surrendering in Spiritual Pursuit 01:40:07 - The Search for an Enlightened Teacher 01:44:30 - The Illusion of Lack and Seeking Enlightenment 01:49:08 - The Dream of Life 01:53:00 - Disbelief and Objectivity 01:56:33 - The Value of Creative Visualization 02:00:43 - Surrendering to the Divine Will 02:04:13 - The Art of Honest Interviewing 02:07:53 - Conclusion and Farewell