Join Bill Free and Jim Gillette for this episode of Conversations in Truth.
Jim discusses his own diverse spiritual path, which includes:
- learning from Timothy Leary, Alan Watts and J Krishnamurti
- spending time in India to learn more about Transcendental Meditation in Maharishi’s ashram
- following the tenets of Radha Soami
- using the Centering Prayer of Thomas Keating as a lay ecumenical minister all while living his life as a businessman, husband and father
Learn how after 5 decades of spiritual practice, Jim came to the profound realization of “I don’t know, I don’t care and it doesn’t matter!”
Bill and Jim discuss how the mind creates dogmas and beliefs, even around profound awakenings and how integration, stabilization and normalization occurs after initial awakening.
If you are interested in exploring spiritual awakening, we invite you to register for our free 7 Days to Awakening self-study course, created by Lisa Natoli and Bill Free.
About Jim Gillette:
Jim Gillette is a Natural Awakening and Transformational Guide. He uses meditation and self inquiry practices to awaken a deep, practical approach to life that becomes more effortless and fulfilling.
Jim had a breakthrough awakening experience in his early 20’s. That began a lifelong dedication to regaining and integrating his True Nature. He was initiated in the Transcendental Meditation practice in 1968 and traveled to India in 1970 to study with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh. He was the first resident teacher of TM in Austin, Texas and taught the TM method to hundreds around the state.
After a few years of teaching, Jim wanted a more rigorous path and was initiated into Radha Soami, RSSB. This path required a strict vegetarian diet, no drugs or alcohol, and 2 1/2 hours of meditation every morning. For the next 19 years, Jim got up at 4:30am to meditate, 7 days a week. When his teacher passed away, Jim moved on.
After a few years, Jim found his way into the Christian religion after meeting Thomas Keating, one of the Trappist monks who developed Centering Prayer. For the next 10 years, Jim led a Centering Prayer session between services every Sunday at a church in Beverly Hills, California. He was also a Lay Eucharistic Minister during that time.
Along the way, Jim also studied and investigated a number of other release and awareness techniques. Eventually, Jim has settled on the direct awakening inquiry methods, augmented by effortless meditation. He is presently enjoying being retired and sharing awakening, integrating, stabilizing, and normalizing Presence as the true reality we all share. He believes it eventually comes down to not knowing, resting in peace, love, and freedom.
