About this episode
Anne Sermons Gillis started her spiritual pilgrimage at the age of four. She explored multiple avenues for self-realization and even though she experienced the mystical, traveled the world, lived her life’s calling and created an abundant physical world, she always returned to the doorstep of suffering. Through the use of metaphysics, she achieved her material goals by the age of 24 and found herself living the empty life of the American Dream. She renounced much of the material world and found that renunciation brought no better rewards than achievement. In her quest to alleviate human suffering she delved beneath the traditional ideas of happiness and spirituality to the core of reality. At age 49 she awakened to that which is beyond suffering. Along the way, in 1984, she co-founded Connection Church (Center for Spiritual Growth) in Memphis, TN and served as the senior spiritual guide until 1998. She moved to Houston, Texas as a result of a strong inner urging. She met her mate two weeks after arriving and they married five years layer. They continue to live in the Houston area. Gillis is the founder of the EZosophy movement. Thousands continue to benefit from the principles of EZosophy. Her humor and frivolity set her aside from many teachers. She is sincere, but not serious. Gillis contends that life is not as hard as we make it; it is time to lighten up and enjoy life. “Our work and lives are an expression of love, not a chance to punish ourselves with relentless doing.” Gillis is the foremost expert on ease. She is an international speaker, minister, author, breath worker, and personal growth coach. Anne’s wisdom, humor, and exuberant presentation style make learning fun. Armed with years of experience in human dynamics, Gillis consistently delivers more than promised. She teaches people how to have accomplishment without struggle by presenting refreshing material that is immediately accessible. “Life is not meant to be a series of to-do lists punctuated by eating and sleeping,” says Gillis. Her approach to nondualism is called Radical Presence. Anne's books: Standing In The Dark EZosophy: The Art and Wisdom of Easy or at Least Easier Living Offbeat Prayers for the Modern Mystic: Making Life Easier Through Innovative Prayer Anne's website Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 4/27/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Awakening to the Beyond of Suffering 00:04:03 - The Ever-Deepening Awakening Journey 00:07:36 - Authenticity and Integrity in Spiritual Teaching 00:11:13 - Observing and Dissolving the Observer 00:15:07 - Expanding Consciousness and Ultimate Power 00:19:05 - The Continuing Development of Awakening 00:22:41 - Incremental Awakening 00:26:26 - The Battle with Insanity and Emotional Collapse 00:30:04 - The Importance of Emotional Support and Authenticity 00:33:17 - The Art of Breakups and Authentic Responses 00:36:39 - Dealing with Relationship Addiction 00:40:05 - The Continual Journey of Enlightenment 00:43:33 - Cosmic Awareness and States of Consciousness 00:47:02 - Increasing Sensory Awareness 00:50:28 - Exploring Mindscapes 00:54:21 - The Concept of Infinity 00:57:43 - Surrendering to the Flow 01:01:25 - Life as a Struggle and the Possibility of Letting Go 01:04:42 - Levels of Pain and Suffering 01:08:03 - Awareness of Suffering in the World 01:11:26 - Finding Balance in Life 01:14:48 - The Luxury of Being a Writer 01:18:01 - Finding Comfort in Prayer 01:21:44 - The Profoundness of Reality 01:25:16 - Standing in the Dark: Embracing Spiritual Challenges 01:28:46 - Afraid of Our Greatness 01:32:19 - Connecting with Others through the Internet 01:35:58 - The Internet as a Reflection of Consciousness 01:39:15 - The Power of Now 01:42:45 - The Essence of Reality and Presence 01:45:50 - Speaking to Authentic Groups and Wrapping Up