About this episode
Satsang with Bob Nickel was a great opportunity to be with someone who points to the pure truth of Awakening in a simple and clear way. One of the recent attendees at Bob's satsang wrote, "I was deeply moved by Bob’s blissful presence as well as the clear insight he is able to share with everyone into the deeper truths of life and ourselves. I could feel that Bob speaks from his own personal experience, those same truths shared through the ages by many of the great sages." Bob has been freely sharing in the non-dual Advaita tradition since 2004. He experienced his first spiritual epiphany at the age of nineteen, followed later by other special experiences. In recent years it has become clear to Bob that all experiences, which by nature come and go, have nothing whatsoever to do with the Truth that one essentially Is. His satsangs are dedicated solely to making Ramana Maharshi’s invitation to Self-Inquiry available to everyone, as a direct and immediate means to Self Knowledge, inviting all to simply abide effortlessly as That which one is, right here and right now. Cancer has returned to Bob's body. When he left for India in late April, 2011, his doctors said he was cancer-free. That has changed. In early September his physicians gave him about six months. Rather than just rest, Bob’s desire is to spend his final days sharing Ramana Maharshi's Invitation to Self Inquiry to all who wish to hear it. Bob's website. (Bob passed on August 17, 2012) Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 12/18/2011 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Bob Nickel and his Spiritual Odyssey 00:04:10 - The Beginning of Self-Inquiry 00:06:59 - The fleeting nature of peak experiences 00:09:11 - Ramana's Teachings on Being Still and Self-Inquiry 00:11:14 - The Explosive Moment of Self-Inquiry 00:13:09 - The Half Step Back Into Yourself 00:15:06 - Awakening despite physical challenges 00:17:56 - The Limitations of Words and Concepts 00:20:56 - Living Life as a Question 00:24:33 - The Inner Guru and Outer Guru 00:27:12 - A Missed Opportunity to Thank Her 00:29:19 - Gratitude and the Connection Between Individuals 00:31:34 - Living in the Present Moment 00:34:00 - The Depth of the Ocean beyond the Waves 00:35:44 - The Wake-Up Call and the Presence of Mark 00:37:30 - Young People Giving Satsang 00:39:07 - The Importance of Self-inquiry in Education 00:40:51 - Arguments among Non-Dualists 00:43:10 - The Formation of Orthodoxy and Heresy 00:45:03 - "Be Who You Are" and Effort in Self-Inquiry 00:47:12 - The Unshakable Knowingness 00:49:26 - The Dissipation of "Yeah, Buts" in Satsang 00:51:32 - The Importance of Taking Action 00:53:35 - The Value of Diverse Spiritual Experiences 00:55:59 - The Mind's Love for Drama 00:57:49 - The Marvelous Orchestra of Intelligence 00:59:33 - The Mystery of "I Am" 01:01:42 - The Mysterious Intelligence of "I am" 01:04:15 - Concluding Remarks 01:06:06 - Interact with the Interview