346. Tom Thompson

In 1982 Tom began teaching Conscious Living at the Woodbury Yoga Center in Connecticut, and in 1990 at The Awakened Heart Center in North Carolina. Conscious Living is an all-inclusive way of life. It includes the possibility of radical awakening along with the integration of body, emotions, mind and spirit; living skillfully and effectively in this world; and being in loving, empowering relationships. In 1964, at the age of fifteen, Tom became a student of human psychology and a practitioner of the yogic pathways and enlightenment traditions. He has had the great fortune of training in depth with a number of exceptional teachers in both the enlightenment traditions and western psychology. While pursuing spiritual realization, Tom had many jobs in many different fields. All were important in terms of his personal growth and evolution, but the most important was working 13 years as a mental health worker in psychiatry. He has extensive training and experience in several different therapeutic modalities including hypnotherapy, transactional analysis, human potential, energy psychology and HeartMath®. After many years of intense practice and experiences in several different spiritual traditions, a sudden awakening occurred that led to the spontaneous collapse and falling away of all identification with spiritual and psychological belief systems, traditions, gurus, concepts, and the experience of a separate, unique, individual self. Now there is this, as it is, and as it appears to happen. The teachings of Conscious Living are direct, obvious, and all-inclusive. There is nothing to be believed or accepted, as they are self-evident. They point to the incredible gift and mystery of life, living us here and now, as we are. Tom lives with his best friend, partner and wife Bonnie. He also has a daughter Kelly, son-in-law Chad and grandson Caden. Website: theawakenedheartcenter.com Transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 14, 2016. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:43 - The Teachings of Conscious Living 00:07:03 - Early Fascination with Yoga 00:10:24 - Exploring LSD and Yoga with Swami Vishnu 00:13:46 - Disorienting Experiences in Spiritual Practice 00:17:06 - Navigating the Transition in the Spiritual Path 00:20:26 - The Relationship Between Mystical Experiences and Psychotic Breaks 00:23:46 - Seeking the Spiritual Power 00:27:06 - The Process of Awakening 00:30:26 - Transformation through Awakening and Enlightenment 00:33:46 - Integration and Skillful Expression 00:37:06 - Letting go of identities and attachments 00:40:26 - Losing Authenticity in Spiritual Paths 00:43:46 - Intellectual Understanding vs Realization 00:47:06 - The Shift after Leaving the TM Movement 00:50:26 - The Conscious Living Center in North Carolina 00:53:47 - The Power of Shifting Reality Tunnels 00:57:07 - Recognition of True Nature 01:00:27 - The Illusion of a Separate Self 01:03:47 - The Concept of Personal Self and Reincarnation 01:07:07 - The possibility of reincarnation 01:10:27 - Consciousness and Awareness 01:13:47 - The Evolutionary Agenda and True Nature 01:17:07 - The Mind Creates the Brain 01:20:27 - The Mystery and Possibilities of Life 01:23:47 - Following Your Unique Expression 01:27:07 - The Temptation to Follow a Secure Path 01:30:27 - Meeting People Where They're At 01:33:47 - Seeing the Divine within oneself 01:37:07 - Offering Online Consultations 01:40:27 - Technical Notes and Thank You