About this episode
Rev. Bill’s life has been a spiritual journey, spanning slightly over 7 decades. His whole life has been a mystical trip in search of gurus, the paranormal, and self-discovery. He has written about his many spiritually transformative experiences and “near-death-experiences” including supernatural events during his combat tour of duty in the Vietnam War. In his books, he has shared some incredible spiritual events that are beyond both common understanding or explanation. His autobiography “Warrior: A Spiritual Odyssey” takes us on a life quest for love, understanding, forgiveness, and enlightenment. His follow-up book “Alchemy of a Warrior's Heart" continues that mystical journey including four trips to India for even more profound experiences with holy men, miracles and his personal relationship with the Divine. What he knows for sure after all these years is that the only thing that is truly real is LOVE. He is an author, an award-winning poet, international motivational speaker, artist, film advisor, veteran advocate, a Vietnam War veteran (Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart Medal, 14 Air Medals, The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, etc.). He has spoken around the world including Germany, England, Wales, Bolivia, and India. He has been involved with a dozen films and documentaries. (Such as: “In the Shadow of the Blade”- showed on the History Network and “The Art of Healing” shown on PBS TV) Rev. Bill has been on over 800 radio and TV shows over the last 18 years and has stories about his life featured in over a dozen books by other authors and in hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. He has had articles in such diverse publications as “Parade Sunday Magazine” and “The Self-Realization Fellowship Magazine” as well as military magazines and new age magazines. His YouTube Channel has over 70 videos and had gotten over 550,000 views in its first 18 months. He speaks publicly about the need to forgive and power of love. His mission in life is to inspire others to seek the Divine and he does that through his personal stories of his own life experiences. He is a seeker but not just for himself. His “mission” is to allow others to experience his journey through his stories. He has had many near-death and near-death-like experiences and encounters with the supernatural. He is a friend to many - including famous celebrities and people in power positions in life but he treats everyone the same whether they are homeless or the President or a CEO. His beliefs are simple: There is but ONE GOD – and our only mission is to LOVE & SERVE ALL. Rev. Bill McDonald was born In San Francisco and raised in California, Oregon, and Hawaii. He graduated from San Jose City College with an AA Degree in Labor Management and later from The University of San Francisco with a BA degree in Public Service Administration. He spent over 30 years working for the federal government and retired in 2001. He has spent his time since then working for 5 different non-profit organizations helping veterans while serving the purpose of world peace. He works with PTSD veterans and is an unpaid lobbyist for veteran issues in California. Has also has worked as a volunteer chaplain in Folsom Prison and worked for a time answering phone calls for The National Suicide Hotline. His life is filled with service. He has been married to his high school sweetheart Carol, since 1970. He has been living in Elk Grove, California since 1979. Additional books by William “Rev. Bill” McDonald: A Spiritual Warrior's Journey: The Inspiring Life Story of a Mystical Warrior – 2003 Purple Hearts: Poetry of The Vietnam War – 2003 Sacred Eye: Poetry In Search Of The Divine – 2004 Bill's guru, Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath Bill's Website Bill's email Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded March 2, 2019. Second BatGap interview with Bill McDonald. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:07:27 - The Power of Love and Unity 00:14:22 - Spiritual Development and the Equality of All 00:21:17 - The Search for the Scrolls 00:26:54 - The Mystery of the Antique Paper 00:32:12 - The Right Time for a Suggestion 00:37:41 - Revelation of Past Life Sins and the Curse on the Mind 00:43:26 - A Near-Death-Like Experience 00:49:05 - A Spiritual Experience and a Journey to India 00:54:31 - Blissful Experience in Another Realm 01:00:29 - A Near-Death Experience 01:06:26 - Otherworldly Beings and Lost Time 01:11:41 - Interdimensional Beings and Personal Experiences 01:17:28 - Surrender to the Universe: A Serendipitous Encounter 01:22:39 - A Story of Compassion and Miracles 01:28:17 - The Spirituality of Veterans 01:33:56 - A Near Mutiny Situation 01:39:28 - The Power of Listening, The Impact of Moral Choices, and Spiritual Transformation 01:44:55 - The Premonition of a Tragic Accident 01:50:19 - The Mysterious Helicopter Crash 01:55:50 - Encountering a UFO in Vietnam 02:01:47 - The Philosophy of Pain and Suffering 02:07:17 - Pain and suffering revisited 02:12:33 - Major Surgery 02:18:06 - A Painful Trip to the Doctor's Office 02:23:08 - An Illuminated Room and a Healing Hand 02:29:00 - Mysterious Encounters and Explosions 02:34:52 - The Rainbow Body Journey 02:41:21 - Profound Changes and Higher Levels of Creation 02:46:56 - The Reflection Upon the Devotee 02:52:18 - Conclusion and Farewell