539. Zaya&Maurizio Benazzo - a podcast by Rick Archer

Zaya Benazzo is a filmmaker from Bulgaria with degrees in engineering, environmental science, and film. For many years, she worked as an environmental activist in Holland and Bulgaria, and later produced and directed several award-winning documentaries in Europe and the United States.

Maurizio Benazzo grew up in Italy, and in 1984 came to the United States on a ninety-eight-year-old sailing boat. He started working as an actor, model, and filmmaker, but his thirst for knowledge was only satisfied in 2001 upon encountering I Am That, the seminal work by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, while he was in India shooting the award-winning documentary Short Cut To Nirvana.Maurizio and Zaya merged their lifelong passions for science and mysticism when they met in 2007, and their first project together was filming the documentary Rays of the Absolute on the life and teachings of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. This project sparked their next level of creation and collaboration: Science and Nonduality (SAND)—a global community inspired by the timeless wisdom traditions, informed by modern science, and grounded in direct experience.

Book: On the Mystery of Being: Contemporary Insights on the Convergence of Science and SpiritualityTranscript of this interview

Interview recorded February 29, 2020Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.


Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
00:05:16 - Finding Peace with Nisargadatta00:09:53 - The Unraveling of a Familiar Story
00:13:35 - The Connection Between Trauma and Seeking Answers00:17:24 - A Beautiful Movie about Nisargadatta
00:20:47 - The Birth of Science and Duality00:24:23 - The Limitations of Knowledge and Understanding
00:27:49 - The Unity and Diversity of Existence00:31:49 - Paradox and Ambiguity in Spiritual Maturity
00:36:08 - The Individual and the Ocean00:40:23 - The Influence of Culture on Teaching
00:44:26 - Holding Conversations Lightly00:47:23 - The Mystery of Life and Human Connectedness
00:52:10 - Meeting the Shadow and Unconscious Material00:56:49 - The Dance of Therapy and Inquiry
01:01:18 - From the mind to the heart01:05:51 - Observations on the Disembodiment of the Western World
01:10:14 - Spirituality and Social Inequality01:14:06 - Trauma in Political Leaders
01:17:26 - Inclusion and Diversity in Spiritual Conversations01:21:29 - Privilege and Diversity in Conversation
01:24:45 - The Inclusiveness of Spirituality01:28:45 - The Necessity of Multi-dimensional Approaches to Life
01:32:19 - Meeting Yourself in Solitude01:36:47 - Exploring Sexuality and Oneness
01:40:48 - Changing Ourselves and Creating Awareness01:43:42 - The Future Direction of SAND Conference
01:46:55 - The Evolution of Teaching and the Dream of Trust and Deeper Listening01:50:30 - The Admirable Effort of Personal Growth and Redemption
01:54:26 - Science and Nonduality Conference01:57:28 - Plans for Future Meetings

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