501. Daniel Schmidt

Daniel is the creator of the award-winning film "Inner Worlds Outer Worlds" as well as the ongoing "Samadhi" series. He is also the founder of the Awaken The World initiative whose purpose is to bring the ancient teachings of Samadhi back to the world for free (in as many languages as possible) Daniel's approach combines self-inquiry with traditional forms meditation so that participants have the opportunity to simultaneously realize their transcendent nature, and to purify themselves of conditioned patterns. The pathless path is to realize an ever-deepening development process within the self-structure, and to simultaneously realize what is always already beyond the self-structure. Samadhi is when the world that is constantly changing merges or unites with the changeless.

Website: awakentheworld.com
YouTube Channel
Inner Worlds Outer Worlds - Part 1 - Akasha
Inner Worlds Outer Worlds - Part 2 - The Spiral
Inner Worlds Outer Worlds - Part 3 - The Serpant and the Lotus
Inner Worlds Outer Worlds - Part 4 - Beyond Thinking
Samadhi Parts 1 and 2 - DVD Blu-ray Combo Pack
Samadhi Free Guided Meditations and Instructions

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded May 6, 2019
YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:04:28 - Kundalini Awakening and Terrifying Experiences
00:08:44 - The Terror of Ego Dissolution in Spiritual Awakening
00:13:18 - Exploring Christian Influences
00:18:18 - Battling Diabetes & Discovering Meditation
00:23:44 - Identification with the Dan Structure and the Truth of What We Are
00:28:59 - Techniques for Purifying the Mind and Body
00:33:55 - Cultivating Stillness and Grace
00:38:12 - The Physiology of Spiritual Practice
00:42:25 - The Benefits of Regular Meditation Practice
00:46:51 - Levels of Existence: The Energy and Mind
00:52:07 - The Illusion of Self
00:57:06 - The Persecution of Galileo and the Search for Truth 
01:02:30 - The Profound Intelligence of Creation
01:07:19 - The Value of Ruthless Honesty 
01:12:24 - Experiencing Reality in Different Ways
01:17:19 - The Ineffability of Spiritual Experience
01:21:34 - The Proliferation of Ancient Esoteric Teachings
01:26:18 - The Importance of Experiencing Life for Energetic Growth
01:31:27 - Finding Freedom: Breaking Conditioned Patterns
01:35:11 - A Beer and the Awakening
01:39:15 - The Self-Organizing Aspect of Existence
01:43:51 - The Unfathomable Intelligence
01:48:41 - Alignment with Awareness and Dancing the Dance
01:53:11 - Playing with our True Nature
01:58:03 - Daily Meditation Practice and Dropping Mind Patterns
02:02:38 - Sharing and Learning on the Spiritual Path
02:07:06 - Yoga, Meditation, and Chainsaw Healing
02:11:40 - Healing through Diet and Skepticism
02:14:57 - Meditation Retreats and Self-Directed Practice
02:18:55 - Closing Remarks