386. Nicola Amadora

Nicola Amadora Ph.D. traveled far on her search for the truth of life and real love. The fire was burning strong, as her upbringing had been fraught with intense abuse and horrors. When 18 years old, she worked with Mother Theresa in Calcutta, studied with Tibetan Monks, meditated in Hindu Ashrams, and lived with the indigenous people in the Amazon. She learnt from living saints, nature and people on the street. Later she became a Dharma teacher in the Vipassana Tradition, an Interfaith Minister, a Transpersonal Psychologist and Hakomi Therapist. As a single mother she raised a daughter and led an educational center, which united spirituality with our humanity, leadership, relationship and activism. Her life and work is a rich banquet, one which includes many facets of life. Nicola’s awakenings occurred alone in the wilderness and on busy city roads, always with the call to integrate and embody it in daily life. On her journey she experienced immense wonders and terrors, held in an ever-growing sense of love. But one day, when literally everything in her life was ruthlessly stripped away, in sheer despair and finally surrender, she felt a deep merging and all came rushing home. Human and divine was not separated, but one in the heart of life. Nicola speaks from the juicy voice of the feminine, she does not claim to be enlightened, but rather walks her talk as a mystic in ordinary life. She teaches from deep love and alive presence - one that embraces the muck and beauty of this life and dares to stand and act in this world to make a difference. Nicola offers spiritual retreats, professional trainings, individual sessions, and public talks. She writes and supports people to come home and embody who we are - in the world and with each other - to let love live us, in the midst of the whole enchilada, no matter what is going on. Website: nicolaamadora.com Book: Nothing but Love: Poetry CD's: Meditations for Life Return to the Heart Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 2/11/2017. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:38 - Meeting a Spiritual Teacher 00:08:05 - Meeting Mother Teresa 00:11:59 - Recognizing the Divinity in Everyone 00:15:53 - An Enlightening Experience 00:19:22 - Finding Gentleness with Thich Nhat Hanh 00:23:30 - Exploring the Jungle and Learning from Indigenous People 00:26:43 - Journey into the Jungle 00:30:35 - Conquering Fear: The Magical Encounter with an Anaconda 00:33:34 - Connection with the Wilderness 00:37:46 - Discovering my Purpose in the Wilderness 00:41:33 - A Powerful Awakening in Nature 00:44:51 - The Voice Within and Divine Guidance 00:48:54 - Discerning Authenticity in Channeling 00:53:29 - Attuning to the Source 00:57:59 - The Dance of Devotion and Awareness 01:02:14 - Effort and Surrender: Walking up the Mountain 01:06:11 - Findhorn and the Training 01:10:16 - Surrender and Awakening 01:14:30 - Living in the Light 01:17:01 - Working Toward Healing and Collaboration 01:21:15 - Rise of Global Threats and Deep Insights 01:25:22 - The awakening caused by the one who should not be named 01:30:07 - The Two Wings of the Bird 01:34:52 - The Oneness of Humanity 01:39:23 - Cultivating Openness and Vulnerability 01:43:39 - Cultivating Vulnerability and True Nature 01:48:02 - Embracing the Pain and Opening to Love 01:51:37 - Connecting with Nicola Amadora 01:54:55 - Upcoming Interviews and Site Features 01:58:12 - Upcoming Videos and Thank You Save Save