Best of The Aware Show with Gangaji: Inner Peace – Discover Your True Radiance

The Aware Show

Do you often ask yourself questions like “Who am I?” or “Why am I here?” Today’s guest is spiritual teacher and author Gangaji who discusses her book “The Diamond in Your Pocket – Discover Your True Radiance.” Gangaji talks about how we are naturally conditioned to look outside of ourselves for food and shelter, so we continue to look there for answers. Eventually we discover that we cannot find peace and fulfillment outside and we need to turn inward. We seek and acquire knowledge, but some things can only be found inside. We can stop looking outside for the next book, the next teacher, the next escape. It’s so simple, yet revolutionary. Inside there’s potential for great creativity. She explains that it’s no longer “seeking” but “discovering.” It’s impossible to find lasting happiness outside. All pleasure fades, but lasting fulfillment can be found inside. Growing up in Mississippi, with the given birthname Toni Roberson, she felt something was missing in her life. She shares the story of finding her spiritual teacher Papaji. She is a very Western woman and never thought she would seek out a guru. She reached a point in her life where she realized she needed a teacher. She prayed and intended for one, then found herself in India six months later. Papaji was very welcoming. She recognized that this was the answer to her prayer. She found grace and radiance in his teachings. He suggested that she stop seeking and look inside for the truth. She was fearful to stop, as she thought she may lose what she had gained. She didn’t know what the outcome would be. He taught her to stop following the mind. If a thought arises, let it go. For a moment, turn your attention away from what you want. As she eventually did, she was overwhelmed with love and peace. She found peace and fulfillment exists already. She experienced stillness and it was scary at first. She learned to “see what is” and discover “what’s already here.” It’s our beingness. It’s consciousness. Some dislike what they see when they look inside. That’s all part of the process. Some people feel anguish or fear and other negative emotions. We suppress those feelings, or we can be in constant states of desire, looking for the next thing, and then the next. She suggests we just stop and take a moment. This takes vigilance, but then we can live life from that place. We can stop looking outside for satisfaction. So much energy is free. Gangaji also discusses the idea that “you are not who you think you are.” These thoughts continue and change. Stillness is beyond thought, but it’s your real self, your true self. Everything else is a story which can cause negative feelings. This Presence of “All That Is” is not something we have to “do” to experience. It’s crucial to realize we are in our thinking minds. We can experience this if we just “be.” It’s natural. Our minds will help us with survival. Peace is the nature of your heart. When there’s suffering, you must be present with the pain in your heart. She suggests that even though the whole body fights to survive, we can find peace in our hearts. We can discover it deeply after we get through the fear. It’s counter-intuitive, but it will pass. We can recognize that states come and go but inner “knowing” and stillness are always there. We can experience this peace. Gangaji teaches the willingness to learn that we are all connected. Destructive global events are tragic yet offer a way for us to discover the limitlessness of our own hearts. She also discusses the work she does within the prison environment, teaching people to learn to experience peace. We can all support one another. If we are willing to care, we can learn greater levels of love. Info: Gangaji.org.