324. Gail Brenner

Gail is a clinical psychologist and author in Santa Barbara, CA, who joyfully speaks from her own experience about the possibility of moving from common everyday problems to living in the deepest acceptance and peace. Problems are seen as opportunities; the illusion of the separate self as a doorway to enduring happiness. Stories are honored, while fierce and loving investigation invites their dissolution. She has special expertise working with older adults and their families, bringing clear seeing and compassion to the transitions of aging, death, and dying. She meets with people both individually and in groups and blogs at GailBrenner.com, where she invites readers to see through the confusion of separation and discover reality, which is true, alive, and undeniable. Her core offering is to bring non-dual understanding to the moments of suffering in everyday life. She is the author of “The End of Self-Help: Discovering Peace and Happiness Right at the Heart of Your Messy, Scary, Brilliant Life.” Suffering Is Optional: A Spiritual Guide to Freedom from Self-Judgment and Feelings of Inadequacy At the Core of Every Heart: Reflections, Insights, and Practices for Waking Up and Living Free Website:  GailBrenner.com Interview recorded 10/25/2015 at the Science and Nonduality Conference. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Second BatGap interview with Gail. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:01:58 - The Inspiration to Write 00:03:38 - Transformative shift through Buddhism and meditation 00:05:48 - The Journey of Self-Discovery 00:07:17 - The Joy of Meditation 00:08:51 - The Integration of Spiritual Practice in Everyday Life 00:10:58 - The Pros and Cons of Habit and Rote 00:12:53 - Working through depression 00:14:30 - Healing the Physiology 00:16:31 - Welcoming What Is 00:18:26 - Encouraging personal exploration and growth. 00:20:01 - Facing Fear and Uncovering the Unconscious 00:21:45 - The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice 00:23:05 - The Power of True Nature and Surrender 00:24:48 - The Discovery of "The End of Self-Help" 00:26:30 - Polishing up a False Sense of Self 00:27:24 - Understanding the Source of Suffering 00:29:35 - The Nature of Thought and Identity 00:31:44 - The Importance of Attention to the Body 00:33:35 - Relationship and Living in True Nature 00:35:22 - Recognizing our True Nature 00:38:14 - Dissolving Routine Grooves for True Nature 00:40:48 - The Potential in Every Moment 00:42:40 - The Vastness of Awareness and the Beauty of Letting Go 00:44:43 - Developing Freshness in Each Moment 00:48:35 - Recognizing our True Nature 00:49:49 - Balancing spirituality in a relationship 00:52:41 - Acceptance and Evolution in Relationships 00:54:51 - Nonacceptance and resistance 00:56:13 - Craving for Acceptance in Relationships 00:57:44 - Consciousness is timeless 00:59:09 - Thank you Save