365. James Eaton - a podcast by Rick Archer

Whilst growing up James had a deep sense that something about life didn’t add up. Unsure about what exactly that something was he tried to ‘fit in’ and graduated in Maths from Oxford University. It didn’t work.

He then began seeking a resolution to a lingering sense of unfulfillment by writing songs, singing and playing in bands, then as an actor, then as a school teacher, but that didn’t work either.On recognising that no matter what his outer circumstances were the feeling of longing and dissatisfaction still remained, the nature of seeking turned inward and James found himself following a variety of spiritual and therapeutic paths. Despite providing many insights along the way these too ultimately failed to satisfy. He felt drawn more and more to the question that no one seemed to be asking: “Who is doing all this?”

Finally James came across the Non-Dual message with which there was an instant resonance. He met with many different teachers and seeking came to an end when the true nature of reality was clearly seen.James now holds meetings and retreats in the UK and abroad, and lives in Totnes with his partner and two sons.

Website: jameseaton.orgTranscript of this interview

Interview recorded 10/8/2016Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.


YouTube Video Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:04:39 - Finding solace in music and guitar00:09:08 - Music and Acting Journey
00:12:43 - A Journey into Drama School and Beyond00:16:03 - Bringing Math to Life
00:19:15 - The Golden Ratio and Spirals00:22:47 - Involving Students in Learning
00:26:08 - Spiritual Groups and Personal Experiences00:29:10 - A Bombshell Discovery
00:32:26 - The Presence of Non-Duality and the Journey Towards Awareness00:35:47 - The Misappropriation of Experience
00:38:54 - The Tricky Art of Teaching in a Group Setting00:42:11 - The Beauty of Genuine Friendship
00:45:31 - The Nature of Thoughts and Free Will00:48:37 - The Origin of Thoughts
00:51:50 - The illusion of separateness00:55:01 - The Illusion of Physical Reality
00:57:59 - The Philosophy of Reality01:01:14 - Perception is a Perceptual Cocktail
01:04:36 - The Indivisibility Between Knowing and Sound01:08:50 - The Movement of Experience
01:12:05 - The Power of Realization01:17:13 - The Paradox of Losing It All
01:22:04 - The Frustration of Children's Reactions
01:26:12 - The Cycle of Craving and Discontent01:32:52 - Exploring Sense Doorways
01:39:32 - The Drive and Devastation of Awakening01:45:19 - The Process of Awakening
01:51:56 - The Beauty of Direct Experience01:59:39 - Wrapping up with a song
02:09:06 - Conclusion and Farewell

Further episodes of Buddha at the Gas Pump

Further podcasts by Rick Archer

Website of Rick Archer