A Conversation With Gangaji

“What deepens is the mind’s surrender because the mind’s whole job has been to never surrender.” Even in the midst of uncertain times, we can recognize that what is always at peace is, in truth, who we are. How is it possible for us to retreat for just a moment from our mental strategies rooted in survival to recognize what we are overlooking—the very spaciousness of being. Can you let go of what you’re trying to get? Can you meet what you’re trying to get rid of?     Learn more about Gangaji, her schedule of events, and monthly online program and media library.  This podcast is funded entirely by donations. You can support this podcast with your contribution here. 

"The way you can discover directly that your story is an illusion is to try it on as if it were real. The magic trick is exposed in that moment."   Rather than address the question “why do we suffer,” Gangaji speaks to “how” we suffer, and how we perpetuate that suffering in our lives and in the world. In this exchange, we see a simple inquiry can lift our mental veils and offer the immediate opportunity to set aside any story of suffering we may cling to unnecessarily.   Learn more about Gangaji's monthly online meetings, forum, and media library. Access all the resources available on Gangaji's website at gangaji.org

"Just as you are right now, present yourself fully, nakedly with all of your imperfections and no hope of cleaning them up. Then see what is, see what welcomes you just as you are." As human beings, we have a natural egoic desire to improve ourselves. It is part of our survival mechanism, but when that desire turns into an endless search for perfection, we overlook what is already whole.  What if for one moment you consciously choose to stop all efforts of self-improvement and simply meet yourself just as you are? What fear arises to be met?  In this recording Gangaji reads a letter that dives into this essential invitation to stop. It is an opportunity to see through the lie that "something is missing” and recognize the true depths of who you truly, already are. Learn more about Finding Home, Gangaji's new six-part audio documentary about her life story, her schedule of online and in-person events, and as well as how you can support this podcast with your donation.    gangaji.org

  “I would never suggest that you get rid of the longing. Meet the longing, fall into the longing, and you are laughing, laughing, laughing.”   Perhaps you have had an experience of longing that won’t go away no matter how you try to satisfy it or get rid of it. That very desire may actually be pointing to a deeper desire—a longing for truth, for freedom, for resolution. In this episode of Being Yourself, Gangaji shares how we can meet the longing directly and in that recognize the longing is actually you calling yourself home.    Learn more about Finding Home, Gangaji's new six-part audio documentary about her life story, her schedule of online and in-person events, and as well as how you can support this podcast with your donation.    gangaji.org  

“I don’t have confidence in my personality, but I do have absolute, total confidence in the Truth of who I am. And that is available for you because it is the same I Am.” Quieting or shutting down the voice of self-hatred running in our minds often brings us to the spiritual search, and in that, it can be an ally. We may fear thoughts or feelings of self-hatred, but if we don’t want that merciless voice to rule our lives, we must question it, challenge it, and ultimately meet it directly. In this episode, Gangaji shares her own meeting with self-hatred and her great discovery.  Just in this episode: Gangaji joins host Barbara Denempont to introduce this potent monologue from the archives. She also announces a new six-part audio documentary, Finding Home, that traces her journey to realizing true freedom. It will be released in the With Gangaji Media Library on May 5.  Learn more about Gangaji, her schedule, and programs including Finding Home at gangaji.org. 

“True inquiry is examining all of those places where you have assigned your identity. One of the spiritual identities is the one who is enlightened now, finally.” For millennia, human beings from all walks of life have sought after what has been referred to as “enlightenment.” In this potent monologue, Gangaji offers a fresh inquiry into the nature of enlightenment, the trap we fall into when we seek it, and the possibility of recognizing what is more essential than any state of enlightenment and unenlightenment. Learn more about Gangaji, her schedule of events, and program at gangaji.org

Papaji said, “It takes one twelfth of a second, and then your life is never the same.” Our spiritual search often begins with a causeless moment of true revelation that stops us in our tracks. In just a split second, what is whole and permanent is immediately recognized.  As the powerful feelings, insights and emotions connected to that sublime moment subside, we often begin our search again hoping for the impossible—to repeat that experience. As this exchange demonstrates, inquiry can show us the way out of that mental maze to discover what doesn’t come and go.    Learn more about Gangaji, her calendar of events, and other programs at gangaji.org. 

“If you are willing to surrender for a moment any definition of yourself that arises however high or low, you will directly discover what lies underneath.” Is there a relationship between our self-definitions and the desire to control? What happens when we set aside our definitions, is it freeing or frightening? In this monologue and exchange, Gangaji encourages us to set aside all definitions in a moment of self-inquiry to discover what is free of all definitions—you. Learn more about Gangaji and her monthly online gatherings and free community video screenings. 

“Universal, limitless consciousness has no problem with feeling bad or feeling good.”  When we experience challenging emotions or exacting mental states we may imagine we are “losing our enlightenment.” A day may start with oceanic feelings of bliss, but in the next moment, fear or rage or sadness appear. Are we really losing our enlightenment? What are we overlooking in our quest for the “good feelings?” In this relatable and lively exchange Gangaji imparts the task Papaji gave to her: Find out what doesn’t come and go. Learn more about Gangaji at gangaji.org Visit our "Moments" page where we share powerful moments of realization from the global community.  You can support the programs that send Gangaji's message of peace around the world and behind prison walls. All donations are tax-deductible. Make your donation on the giving page.            

“Thought is a beautiful power that arises in Awareness. If that power is worshipped or if it is hated, then it grows into a tyranny.  You are Awareness, not the thought of Awareness, but the reality of Awareness.” When we identify with the thoughts and feelings arising in our mind and body, we overlook our true face—awareness itself. Habitually following thoughts with more thoughts is the root of unnecessary suffering. In this monologue, Gangaji shares how it is possible to effortlessly discover that who you are in reality, is free and unthought. Learn more about Gangaji, her schedule, and programs at gangaji.org

“When you’re willing to be still…to stop this forward thrust of accumulation, of a lifestyle, you can give your life, the attention of your life, to discovering what is life.” When we begin a search for peace or happiness, we may simply be looking for better circumstances, or wanting to feel less lonely, or hoping to release feelings of guilt or sorrow. As we walk that path we may fall into just another lifestyle or we may discover a much deeper truth—the truth of who we are, consciousness itself. How can we honor that discovery, honor our lives as we live each day? What does it mean to live a true life in the wake of recognizing the truth of who one is? Learn more about Gangaji's events and programs at gangaji.org

On this Being Yourself Podcast Extra you are invited to "look inward." Take just a few minutes to drop into a brief selection taken from The Sacred Fire of Death: Reflections on the Katha Upanishad. It is the newest installment in the Sacred Text Series with Gangaji and Chris Mohr. Along with their conversation about the Katha Upanishad itself, there are also readings from what is one of the most beloved and sacred texts of India.  The complete 82-minute audio download of The Sacred Fire of Death: Reflections on the Katha Upanishad is available to purchase at Gangaji's online store.  Read an interview with Chris Mohr about the Katha project, In the Waiting Room of Death.  You can also read this short article from Being Yourself host Barbara Denempont, A Taste of the Katha Upanishad. 

“There is a possibility of meeting the Satguru which is death – the final great teacher of us all. Not as an escape from life, just an opening to what is inevitable, to what is here.” Genetically, human beings are designed to survive, to avoid death. The fear of death is natural. But when we are willing to consciously meet death, to investigate its depths and reality, we have a life-changing opportunity to shift our attention from our relative existence to the eternal nature of being. Then, we can live our lives from the ground of being, rather than the fear of death. This is the gift of Ramana’s inquiry into “Who dies?”    Learn more about Gangaji and her programs at gangaji.org

“Regardless of those people who depend on you, it is possible for you to be true to who you are. Compassionately, ruthlessly true to who you are. . . true to the open heart.” The most common question Gangaji receives at the end of a retreat is, “How can I trust myself to be true to the truth of who I am while living my daily life?” How do we raise children, pay the bills, go to work, or sustain a marriage and be true to who we are? Is it really a question of trust? In this episode, Gangaji speaks to what is actually closer, and more essential than trust.   Learn more about Gangaji, her schedule of events, and programs at gangaji.org. 

“The mistake is overlooking what is effortlessly, choicelessly, always here.” How is it that we actually overlook the truth of ourselves? When we pursue sublime states of mind to attain “unity” on our spiritual path, we can go down a path that instead delivers an experience of separation. Gangaji invites us to simply be, and in that, discover what cannot be “done” and who you truly are.   Learn more about Gangaji, her schedule of events, and program for the incarcerated at gangaji.org.    

“The secret of freedom is giving up the choice to escape yourself.” A prison inmate’s letter inspires this month’s podcast. In one of the most loved monologues in the archives, Gangaji speaks of the essential choice to face what has been feared or run from for most of our lives. When we give up any idea of healing and directly experience the woundedness,  we discover a deeper truth—the truth of who we are.   Learn more about Gangaji and the Gangaji Foundation Prison Program. 

At some point in our lives, we will experience a loss of innocence. Whether that disillusionment is with ourselves, our family, or with life itself, there is a choice that arises in the midst of loss. Will we fall into cynicism and self-betrayal? Or do we meet the pain of that loss directly and in that, discover the innocence that was never lost.    Visit the website to learn more about Gangaji and the Gangaji Foundation Prison Program. 

“You are free to discover yourself as Truth. You are free to rest in that Truth. You are free to be happy, regardless of your body, your thoughts, emotions, or circumstances.”   In this month’s podcast, Gangaji begins with a clear exposition on how it is absolutely possible to discover yourself as Truth, no matter your past history. Then in the lively exchange that follows, she speaks to how we deny the truth of ourselves and instead, cling to an identify rooted in our thoughts, emotions, and relative circumstances. Do you dare give up your self-denial?   Learn more about Gangaji, her programs, and event schedule at gangaji.org.

“There is no problem with pain. There is pain. If you are seeking something to avoid pain, that’s the suffering. That’s the search that must be called off.” It takes effort to avoid our emotional pain. We can try to avoid it, but ultimately the common strategies of withdrawing, protecting, and dissociating from feelings of hurt actually turn emotional pain into unnecessary suffering. This lively exchange taken from the Gangaji archives offers a clear demonstration of how we can recognize the strategies we use and then choose to give up the power to suffer.   Learn more about Gangaji, her in-person and online events, Prison Program, and more at gangaji.org.  To make a donation to support this podcast or other programs that support the recognition of the inherent peace alive in all being and the ending of unnecessary suffering, please visit our giving page.  With gratitude..

“If you stop thinking about how to get out of the body that may be painful or how to keep the body that is pain free, you get to experience the truth.” Physical pain is an essential aspect of life that serves the survival and well-being of the body, but we can easily turn that necessary pain that alerts us to injury and illness into unnecessary suffering. What is the difference between pain and suffering? What can physical pain reveal to us when we meet it directly?   To learn more about Gangaji visit gangaji.org