About this episode
Whilst growing up James had a deep sense that something about life didn’t add up. Unsure about what exactly that something was he tried to ‘fit in’ and graduated in Maths from Oxford University. It didn’t work. He then began seeking a resolution to a lingering sense of unfulfillment by writing songs, singing and playing in bands, then as an actor, then as a school teacher, but that didn’t work either. On recognising that no matter what his outer circumstances were the feeling of longing and dissatisfaction still remained, the nature of seeking turned inward and James found himself following a variety of spiritual and therapeutic paths. Despite providing many insights along the way these too ultimately failed to satisfy. He felt drawn more and more to the question that no one seemed to be asking: “Who is doing all this?” Finally James came across the Non-Dual message with which there was an instant resonance. He met with many different teachers and seeking came to an end when the true nature of reality was clearly seen. James now holds meetings and retreats in the UK and abroad, and lives in Totnes with his partner and two sons. Website: jameseaton.org Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 10/8/2016 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:39 - Finding solace in music and guitar 00:09:08 - Music and Acting Journey 00:12:43 - A Journey into Drama School and Beyond 00:16:03 - Bringing Math to Life 00:19:15 - The Golden Ratio and Spirals 00:22:47 - Involving Students in Learning 00:26:08 - Spiritual Groups and Personal Experiences 00:29:10 - A Bombshell Discovery 00:32:26 - The Presence of Non-Duality and the Journey Towards Awareness 00:35:47 - The Misappropriation of Experience 00:38:54 - The Tricky Art of Teaching in a Group Setting 00:42:11 - The Beauty of Genuine Friendship 00:45:31 - The Nature of Thoughts and Free Will 00:48:37 - The Origin of Thoughts 00:51:50 - The illusion of separateness 00:55:01 - The Illusion of Physical Reality 00:57:59 - The Philosophy of Reality 01:01:14 - Perception is a Perceptual Cocktail 01:04:36 - The Indivisibility Between Knowing and Sound 01:08:50 - The Movement of Experience 01:12:05 - The Power of Realization 01:17:13 - The Paradox of Losing It All 01:22:04 - The Frustration of Children's Reactions 01:26:12 - The Cycle of Craving and Discontent 01:32:52 - Exploring Sense Doorways 01:39:32 - The Drive and Devastation of Awakening 01:45:19 - The Process of Awakening 01:51:56 - The Beauty of Direct Experience 01:59:39 - Wrapping up with a song 02:09:06 - Conclusion and Farewell