About this episode
On the heels of an awakening experience in 2006 not unlike that of the many avant-garde sages Trip Overholt would later interview, intense interest in the nature of this present reality persisted without let up. This led to an opportunity to co-host a radio show, Conversations With Avant-Garde Sages, show casing the wisdom and experiences of unknown sages in our midst. After three years and about 80 interviews, favorite conversations were edited and compiled (by co-host John Troy) into a free Ebook available at TheWizardllc.com. A "happiness pragmatist" Overholt's paradigm shift from the material to the non-physical "spiritual" essence of reality has borne three delicious fruits he'd like to share. First, there is a comfortability in his own skin, not there prior that has led to more rewarding relationships across the board. Secondly, radiant causeless joy is available when attention is merely turned inward. And finally, there is a capacity for seeing the divinity of all others and of the world that allows for more complete engagement of whatever shows up in the present moment. Heaven on earth is possible here and now and it is Trip's calling to be a rock of conviction of that possibility for others who find themselves on the pathless path back to themselves. Facebook Page Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 7/7/2012 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:35 - Profound Awareness and Self-Realization 00:09:10 - The True Role of a Guru 00:13:48 - Ramana Maharshi and the Teacher-Student Dynamic 00:18:27 - The Development of Presence and Higher Beings 00:23:28 - The Experience of Joy and Block Clearing 00:28:03 - Holding Spiritual Teachers to a Higher Standard 00:32:33 - The Two Categories of Teaching 00:36:25 - The Transformation of Little Realizations 00:40:52 - Discussing Interviews and Future Plans 00:43:44 - Engaging Conversations with Various Guests 00:46:45 - Interviewing Ordinary Spiritually Awakened People 00:49:55 - The Power of Active Listening and Presence 00:53:53 - The Sweetness of Mature Teachers 00:57:25 - The Glorious Reality and Acknowledging Oneness 01:01:00 - Two Streams of Thought on Perception 01:04:48 - The Influence of Humanity 01:08:35 - Expressing Non-Dual Reality in a Joyful Way 01:12:13 - Coming from a place of non-reactivity and understanding 01:16:05 - Living in the Present Moment 01:20:09 - The Hallmark of a Great Teacher 01:24:01 - Happiness and Pragmatism 01:28:00 - Degrees of Mastery and Realization 01:31:44 - The Illusion of Differentiation and the Strength of Conviction 01:35:15 - The Controversy of Awakening Teachers 01:38:44 - The Maturity of Spirituality 01:43:06 - Radical acceptance leads to self-realization 01:46:35 - The Evolution of Essence 01:50:24 - Recognition of Divinity in Everyone 01:54:03 - The Deeper Level of Consideration 01:57:08 - Subscribe to Our Newsletter