Susanne Marie - Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview

Also see batgap.com/susanne-marie/
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Unity as a Child
00:03:50 - Remembering Childhood Connections
00:06:57 - Childhood Awareness and Perception
00:09:40 - The Experience of Childhood and Enlightenment
00:13:03 - Moments of Relief and Recognition
00:16:13 - Levels of Spiritual Development
00:19:21 - Following the Inner Compass
00:22:18 - Childhood Discoveries and Connecting with Other Realms
00:25:32 - Beings in the Room
00:28:53 - Stepping out of the stream of attachment
00:32:15 - Being Let Down and Facing Reality
00:35:23 - Stripping away Beliefs and Assumptions
00:38:55 - The Rubik's Cube of the Mind
00:42:24 - A Glimpse into Death and Beyond
00:45:33 - The Return of Meaning and Substance
00:48:50 - A Beautiful Experience in Point Reyes
00:52:21 - Embracing the Role of a Container
00:55:32 - The Power of Amma's Reflections
00:59:05 - Establishing Pack Leadership
01:02:07 - A Job Opportunity Arises
01:05:03 - Individuation and Bliss
01:08:18 - The Evolutionary Force of Expansion and Unity
01:11:29 - Contemplating the Vastness of the Universe
01:14:37 - Awakening and Return to Source
01:18:01 - The Intuitive and Organic Approach
01:21:13 - Cooperation with Cosmic Intelligence
01:24:08 - Seeking and the Longing to Return Home
01:27:12 - Intensity of Seeking and Penetrating Maya
01:30:34 - Trusting Your Inner Guidance
01:33:40 - Returning to Itself
01:36:36 - How to Get in Touch with Susanne and Updates about BATGAP
My passion is to help inspire, support and celebrate with others to live our common essence as Love and Unity with all life. My work is based upon living as authenticity, and shares common elements with the worlds 'non dual' wisdom teachings, mirroring those aspects which have been a part of my own self-exploration.
We can only long for what we already know to be true, somewhere deep inside. The shift that happens when what has always been true moves from the background (covered up by mind) to the foreground reveals our birthright: that we are all of Life, and not separate from it. The experience of feeling separate from life is a time-bound, limited perception that can be dissolved. Simply an innocent function of the mind, feelings of separation can be deeply looked into and seen through. Being drawn home is the natural evolutionary cycle.
I call this work Transformation through Presence, as that is what in my mind occurs. We (as manifest reality), transform (mind, body, habits, all things affected by believing in separation), by remembering what we are -- Life, God, spirit, presence, or awareness, whatever you want to call it -- and that what we are is the true transformational power, full of inherent wisdom.
What we are is awake, alive Presence. Becoming aware that we are aware, is being awake to this presence. In my Invitation to Remembering meetings, and in my one on one sessions, I offer guidance in pointing to the awake presence that we are, assisting in dismantling structures of belief which may be in the way of someone realizing the truth of their being. My other area of expertise is in assisting those who are already integrating awakening in their life, and who desire support and assistance in navigating the new perception of Unity, which is our natural state of being.
This journey into the heart of what is true began as a child. I noticed that the adults around me were not always being authentic, which had a great impact on me. Gradually the world that I knew as whole began to take on the hypnotic dream of separation that those around me existed in. I was painfully aware by ten that something was changing which I tried to give voice to, and for which I had no support or understanding. What was occurring was that the experience of Unity was ebbing. As soon as it started to fade, I went on the search for that lost part.
As a child I lived in various European countries, resulting in the experience of having to learn several different languages from scratch in a short period of time. Out of necessity, and an innate interest in what people are really communicating, an ability to understand the energetics of language itself, and what is really being said beyond words (an intuitive faculty), emerged.
Susanne Marie is available for Skype or phone sessions, as well as open to invitations to share Satsang: An Invitation to Remember.
Interview recorded 7/7/2013

[@LaurieWoodum]

Authentic, down to earth, and kind. I enjoyed hearing about Susanne Marie's journey to her current awareness and the fact that she has not removed herself from everyday life. I have the good fortune to live in the same town and have had a number of one-on-one conversations with her. She has an amazing ability to zero in on what I can't even articulate to myself and shines a light in those dark corners--no esoteric woo woo, she meets me where I am at. Thanks Rick!

[@dannetherby]

Susanne Marie's story exemplifies " a path with heart". She narrates her story with pure honesty, authenticity and humility. Like so many of us, she seems to be looking for ways to get back to who she was and what she had when she came into this world. She is not looking for a place to hide, she is simply looking to be in this life now as she was as a child. It takes courage and compassion to bare oneself as she did so that she might touch and perhaps, inspire others on their paths. Thanks

[@TheSolsonia2003]

Rick, again and again, thank you very, very much! You are an wonderful interviewer because you introduce brilliant knowledge with your stories and spiritual experiences and are very present with the person you ate talking to...It all becomes a very pleasant, educational, informative, illuminating experience.....Susanne reminds me of an Angel of Light, Love and Beauty!!! God's Blessings..

[@SeanMiracle]

I love this interview. I love you, Susanne. You are so dear to me. Namaste.

[@SusanneMarie-LivingAwake]

Thank you brother Sean! I've always felt your heart so full. Feeling such gratitude for connections such as these.

[@livingcircle]

Oh and gratitude for sharing being to Susanne Marie. Everything we communicate on every level communicates our being - but it is refreshing to receive a direct sharing rather than the filtered distortion a personal assertion. 'Leave them alone and they'll come home, dragging their tales behind them'!

[@cathygibbons3537]

I found Susanne Marie through her recent SAND panel (shown here on batgap) contribution on Embodiment, and I love how she shines with unassuming honesty and heart! She seems to be deepening in her development as a teacher. I would like to see more of her and I hope that you will re-interview her, Rick, as time goes on. There is something pure and clear that comes from true inner knowing that she is sharing with us. She is sharing herself without veils. And that is something truly rare. It is a teaching all its own.

[@jimr692004]

Wonderful interview with Susanne Marie. It seemed to have guided me to what where all talking about naturally. I usually am not drawn to an interview over 45 minutes but it all flowed so nicely. All Love.

[@SusanneMarie-LivingAwake]

I very much enjoyed and appreciated Rick's interview style, especially as I had never been interviewed before. Rick was great with prompting me when I needed it. He is a delight!

[@turiyahill707]

Susanne Marie speaks with true soul voice that is informed by loving kindness and uncompromising truthfulness.

[@sonyaheart2917]

Quite enchanting, she is. In such a sincere, unaffected, way. I look forward to seeing more come forth from her in the near future!

[@Davidthemarathoner]

Hello Rick, Thank you so much for another great interview. She is lovely.

[@bodhibrother]

Wonderful interview - grounded and sincere. This is something I'm sure many will resonate with. Thank you!

[@DavidTomen]

And I very much enjoyed your interview Susanne. I think one of the reasons Rick does so well interviewing his guests is there's only one real subject under discussion from guest to guest. And for anyone on this path the conversation he facilitates is a blessing.

[@imos4810]

Loved the interview you did with Susanne Marie, Rick! No blablabla interview that is unfortunately all too common-where both interviewer and interviewee forget to check their ego at the door-but such a generous give and take that brought insights to the surface and unfolded them in a myriad of intelligent ways! Thank you both.

[@HarryWoodum]

Susanne Marie speaks very clearly from a true place. I particularly enjoyed the part where she speaks about being kind to yourself. Practice loving kindness on yourself. She is a gentle and kind person and provides a space for others to be that. I would have liked to hear in more depth about her own process or experience of self-recognition. Perhaps a second interview at some point, Rick?

[@rocknrollprophetess]

I resonated so much with her story...thinking parents and others were robots as a child...losing my brother....synchronistic

[@alexkimpe]

Thank you for this beautiful interview.

[@wesfrae4371]

I have been watching Susanne's evolution as a teacher since this batgap came out 3 years ago, and I have to say that I find her blooming into a deeply embodied teacher who is serving as a supportive catalyst of transformation. She is incredibly unassuming, so much so it is easy to miss the power of her transmission on the superficial level. But on the inner it is nuclear. The fact that she is relatively unknown is a boon for those who find her.

[@michele292]

Thank you so much. This was stellar!

[@benniebennis]

Rick has a conversational style of interviewing that I admire, rather than having quite fixed questions, he uses conversation to find out different aspects of what people think by igniting the conversation through his passion for the subject matter - this transfers to his guests and it leads to great depth of what they reveal.

[@amindfulcounselor]

Rick- you are a good man. I appreciate your perspectives. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@Tessateaful]

A number of interviewees mention living in a state of unity consciousness as children, as if it's something unique. I wonder if all children live in that state. I certainly did and can relate perfectly well to Susanne's description of a clock coming over me and seemingly "disturbing" that expansiveness.

[@Batgap]

Unlike some interviewers, like James Lipton of Inside the Actors Studio, I don't prepare many questions. I do my best to familiarize myself with the guest by reading and watching their videos, then I just have a conversation. And conversations have more of an equal balance than traditional interviews. But still, my guests do the lion's share of the talking.

[@birdofafeatherami]

Thank you

[@sonyaheart2917]

I like her authentic soberness that comes through throughout the interview. No fakey persona here. Nothing to prove. The real deal IMO.

[@searchsummit]

I'm sure I could do better. One advantage people like Terry Gross have, aside from years' more experience and the fact that interviewing is their day job, is that they have many people working for them, helping them research, review potential guests, prepare questions, etc. I prepare as best I can, but I have a day job and am doing this pretty much solo. But still, I admit to often talking too much. The more settled my awareness gets, the less I tend to do that.

[@AndromedaImagination77]

Who is the teacher she's talking about? Amnia or something like that?

[@SusanneMarie-LivingAwake]

Hi Queconchudos! I am referring to Ammachi, who is an Indian spiritual teacher.

[@AndromedaImagination77]

Susanne Marie Thank you!

[@123johnbrowne]

susanne seems like a great person, but i would be more interested in hearing about what she learned from her marriage and children. i notice she isnt married any longer. what did she learn about herself from the most personal, vulnerable human relationship in her life? lasting satisfying marriage, especially with children, is much more challenging than personal spiritualism. in fact, i would argue its a much greater personal spiritual experience.

[@livingcircle]

A major aspect of awakening is to live out-from rather than presume to get-to, because we reinforce 'where we are coming from'. Is this meaningless to a 'thinking' identification which thinks that what it thinks is what (it) is? A dropping off of the dream 'allows' what is true to be restored direct awareness. The movement of 'seeking' is that of displacement in perception. To let seeking be guided by conscious trust rather than assert a control mentality allows undoing of the dream. Letting.

[@johnnywlittle]

Rick, you have a great way of sniffing out resistance or inconsistencies. Starts out with typical dismissal of "her story" until you imply she had it easier than most and then all of a sudden you watch her change her tune and perk up. :-) Seems like a soft energied soul but also kinda,..."eh",...as an interview. What's with "enlightened people" and being boring.... Guess I'm not "there" yet,...and able to be all ethereal and gooey about her like the rest in comments. ;-) Keep on doin your thing. Thx for being respectful and real at the same time. Quite a thin line to walk....and you do it well Sir.

[@SusanneMarie-LivingAwake]

Hi Johnny! I agree with you, I do feel like I showed up a bit flat. It was my first interview ever, and I really had no time to prepare (I was given a few days heads up). I could tell that I was not fully myself. As time has gone on, I have noticed that I am more able to be myself in front of the Skype camera. Or maybe I am just boring.. lol Thanks for speaking your truth!

[@johnnywlittle]

Hah!,....Hey Susanne, funny how it changes things when the gap closes between the "commenter" and the "commentee" (smiling...). Anyway, hope I didn't come across as too insulting but you're right, it is my truth, at this time anyway, as I find it changes and sometimes rather quickly. After being exposed to so many "enlightened" folks and their corresponding teachings over the years, I guess I've been disillusioned by the majority and am going through a phase where I'm discovering my own truth. So I'm at the point of naturally picking apart the illusion of the "master" or "enlightened one" story and becoming familiar and comfortable w/leveling the playing field as I see it. To me this may be pointing out contradictions in stories or presentation. Or simply just saying,..."wow, that was lame" or whatever.... So yeah, sorry but it just wasn't doing it for me but I guess everyone has their muse. ;-) I'm also at a place where I'm rifling through teachings and information (on many platforms) at a fairly quick pace right now, so part of it may be that, as I have little patience for a lot of things I've already,.... say, "assimilated", if you know what I mean. But I will also say, after seeing a few of your You Tube videos, that your message comes from a place of truth (for me...) and resonates a lot w/my understanding and experience of what you're talking about. More and more anyway..... Lastly, you guys (folks selling enlightenment or whatever...) are out there selling your wares and myself being in the trade of sales, am probably more critical than most. That's another contradiction in your/our biz, and that's people positioning as it's not and saying it's not selling,....I say that's BS....because the truth of it, is it's totally selling, it's just a question of if anyone's doing it well and the manner in which they do it. We're all selling something, whether it's ideas or goods and services, it's looking to gain acceptance from the other human being and in many cases agree upon an exchange, be it money or some other offering or compensation. To me also, it's really about connecting w/people....if you can do that, you're selling. Anyway, Thanks for coming back and sharing. It's nice to hear from the person behind and interview. If you ever want some sales tips, recommendations, feel free to drop me a line any time. Johnny

[@SusanneMarie-LivingAwake]

My turn to laugh! I like the way that you are sharing honestly from where you are at. I don't feel insulted. Thanks for responding! IMO closing the gap between what we perceive as any 'Master' outside of ourselves, and knowing what we are for ourselves is the journey. At least it was for me. I don't understand why some of us feel that making a living (or trying to), with doing what one loves to do (in my case sharing from this place), is considered wrong in any way. I have never said that I was or was not selling anything. My emerging sharing in the way that I do has occurred in an organic way. I love doing what I do. If I can also pay some bills, then I am happy with that part of it. And if I can't, I take on other work. I never felt weird about any of this part of it as some do. As for sales tips, that really made me laugh! I am choosing to have life guide me as to how and when things emerge. In fact, I just put out a bunch more videos that I made while housesitting a friend's home this summer! Fun fun (for me). So even though I may look boring on the outside (to you), I feel super alive with a myriad of feelings flowing through me. We all are who we are. Susanne Marie

[@johnnywlittle]

Susanne Marie You're a pretty cool lady... Susanne Marie. Good to hear from you and speaking your truth.

[@northmonk03]

+Susanne Marie the stillness and peace in you is really palpable, it really comes across....I loved this talk. I noticed a few years ago that my face became totally natural and lacking in self-consciousness, I called this finding my natural face. You have the same look and natural, unstrained look in your face too indicative of that inner stillness.....lovely!

[@kivawyandotte6941]

I love the people you have on here and grateful for that. I find your interview skills sorely lacking. Take a cue from Terry Gross, Fresh Air on NPR, she never says anything unless it truly succintly adds depth or breath to the interview. Your talking just seems so in the way....

[@jesuisravi]

Interesting. May I suggest you interview a few left-handed people?

[@cybervigilante]

When I was very young I thought my parents were Martian spies who intended to do something awful to me. They did - they turned me into a human.

[@DavidTomen]

Kiva, Rick's" interview skills are sorely lacking?!" Surely you are kidding. And if not you are "sorely" on the wrong KZbin channel. As much as I love NPR and Terry Gross as an interviewer... this is not NPR.