454. Caverly Morgan

Caverly Morgan is a meditation teacher, nonprofit leader, and visionary. She is the Founder and Guiding Teacher of Presence Collective, dedicated to igniting personal transformation and collective awakening. She is also the Founder and Guiding Teacher of Peace in Schools — a nonprofit which created the nation's first for-credit mindfulness class in public high schools. Peace in Schools is pioneering new depths in mindfulness education through teaching youth as well as training educators. Caverly blends the original spirit of Zen with a modern nondual approach. Her practice began in 1995 and has included eight years of training in a silent Zen monastery. She has been teaching contemplative practice since 2001. Prior to her pioneering efforts with Peace in Schools, Caverly formerly worked for nonprofits serving people with special needs. An artist and educator, she brings insight, passion, warmth, and humor to her transformative work with students of all ages and experience levels. Caverly leads meditation retreats, workshops, and online classes internationally. She has been a visiting teacher at Open Circle, the Science and Nonduality Conference, Insight Meditation of Seattle and Charlottesville, Against the Stream in San Francisco, MNDFL, and the New York Zen Center of Contemplative Care. Caverly also speaks publicly at conferences on topics including contemplative practice, social entrepreneurship, authentic leadership, and mindfulness education, and has been featured in publications such as Mindful Magazine and The New York Times. She is dedicated to actualizing possibility, serving love, and embodying the truth of interconnection. Website: caverlymorgan.org Facebook Instagram Caverly's presentation at the Science and Nonduality Conference Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Caverly in panel discussions on ethics and spiritual teaching. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:44 - A Conversation about Consciousness 00:06:51 - Discovering Zen Monastery Life 00:10:19 - Discovering the Path of Meditation 00:13:53 - An Identity Crisis at the Monastery 00:17:50 - Being with Your Experience 00:21:34 - Cultivating a Mentality of Spiritual Seeking 00:26:05 - The Journey to Enlightenment 00:30:25 - The Middle Way on the Spiritual Path 00:34:25 - Compassionate Concessions and Meeting Others Where They Are 00:38:51 - The Reconciliation of the Absolute and the Relative 00:43:27 - Seeking Enlightenment and Addressing Perceptions of Separation 00:47:13 - The Nature of Humor in Spiritual Practice 00:51:25 - The Contrast of Perceiving the World as Ramana Maharshi 00:55:55 - Recognizing Negative Self-Talk 01:00:06 - Moving towards greater happiness 01:03:51 - The Danger of Blending Morality and Practice 01:07:52 - Energetic Effects of Spiritual Practice and Neuroplasticity 01:11:20 - The Importance of Discernment and Truth 01:15:48 - Ongoing refinement in the journey of self-discovery in Zen monastic lineage and Amma's influence 01:20:09 - Transformation in Teens 01:24:13 - Transformation and Connection in the Classroom 01:28:26 - Building a Supportive Community for Teenagers 01:32:18 - The Demand for the Program's Expansion in Portland 01:36:08 - Flourishing and the Tools for Growth 01:40:13 - The Disappointment of Enlightenment 01:44:12 - Lack of attunement and suffering 01:48:33 - The Power of Collective Conditioning 01:52:32 - Shifting Consciousness and Collective Transformation 01:56:54 - The Marriage of Activism and Spirituality 02:01:00 - Availability of Teachings for All