411. Hans Laurentius

Buddha at the Gas Pump

Trained in the 90’s as a teacher in spiritual therapy. The search stopped, among other ‘things’, mainly through the confrontation with Nisargadatta’s I am That, and Ramana Maharshi’s glare and words and the spontaneous recognition of Awareness (Consciousness) as reality. ‘After’ that awakening the ‘I Am/Consciousness’ was recognized to be the first identification. Since ’98 Hans has led hundreds of satsangs, retreats and private sessions. He published eight books and a booklet, many many articles and columns, YouTube satsang video’s (one in English) and seven homemade music cd’s. Hans is sometimes judged as being too confrontational or direct, or, more kindly, as very clear. On the other hand people credit him for his creativity and patience. Funny, right? The following points and others reflecting Hans' perspective were discussed in the interview: When spirituality is not alarming, it’s not worth mentioning. Burn-out is never about work. It’s a spiritual crisis. Not feeling and listening leads to inauthenticity which at a certain point makes the ‘soul’ scream for change. Self-inquiry is for internal use only. Not for beating others down, or to be used as an excuse for lousy behavior. Becoming aware isn’t necessarily pleasant. It will always bring clarity though. Reality is never a problem until we start to project our beliefs, fears, expectations and judgments onto it. You are far too much interested in solutions, and in the meantime it is your mind (what you believe) who is creating the trouble in the first place. Ego-mind has only two modes: trying to get something and trying to get rid of something. Spirituality based on this doesn’t deserve the name. Unresolved issues keep you from being truly present and real. Avoidance is one of the most weakening tributes of identification with the mind. A lot of (your) spirituality is insincere. It’s mostly based on trying to get rid of something, avoiding authenticity, masking what is really there, taking on a new persona. Not feeling things fully. Not facing facts. Trying to force an outcome. Overreacting and looking for approval. All signs of immaturity. Sub-human attitudes. What you truly are has never been hurt or treated badly, it’s not lacking anything. It’s completely free, whole and shining. NOW. ALREADY. It’s fearless! Website: hanslaurentius.nl English section of website. Private Skype Sessions with Hans (in English) will become available in September 2017 for those outside The Netherlands and Belgium. Please check the ‘English’ Section on the website for details. Transcript of this interview. Discussion of this in interview in the BatGap Community Facebook group. Interview recorded 8/5/2017. Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:04:20 - Childhood Experiences 00:08:12 - Awakening to the Paradox 00:12:19 - The Concept of Compassion 00:15:47 - Confronting Hiding and Judgments 00:20:03 - Confronting Fears and Beliefs 00:24:02 - The Shocking Element of Spirituality 00:28:32 - The Silence Already Here 00:32:13 - The Value of Persistence and Authenticity 00:36:27 - The Illusion of Separateness 00:40:23 - Kundalini Experiences and the Dangers Involved 00:43:49 - Investigating the Fear of Being Present 00:48:12 - Looking and Feeling Without Judgment 00:52:02 - The Trouble in the Mind 00:56:26 - The Illusion of Awakening 01:00:13 - The Crystal Clear Flipping and Unripe Mangoes 01:04:22 - An Incredible Journey: Relying on Nature and Strangers 01:08:13 - Grumpiness vs. Happiness 01:12:00 - Love and Separateness 01:15:37 - Feeling Through and Letting Go 01:20:13 - Caring for the Environment: Taking Action 01:23:53 - Reflections on the future of humanity 01:27:18 - The State of Being and Letting Go 01:31:19 - The Link between Humility and Crea...