Lisa Carrillo - Expanding Our Capacity for Joy


Although Lisa worked as a chemical engineer, spirituality always was the priority in her life. In 2009, at a silent retreat, her thought-based identity dropped away, and she saw only the single flow of benevolence in all that is.

When some of those thoughts returned a few weeks later (less convincing than before), there also came a deep curiosity to inquire into those thoughts. She developed many tools to return to a lived experience of the deeper knowing. Both of her books share these tools. All that is is a vibrant expression erupting from a single full emptiness.

Website: experiencingthetrueself.com

Books:

An Unprincipled Life: Living from the Unknown
Living Awake: 20 Techniques to End "I Got It; I Lost It"

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded January 26, 2025

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump Series  
 00:04:27 Early Childhood Spiritual Insights  
 00:08:09 Exploring the Astral Body and Embodiment  
 00:11:15 Understanding the Koshas: Layers of Existence  
 00:15:16 Discovering Inner Strength Through Adversity  
 00:19:44 The Journey of Pure Intelligence and Self-Rediscovery
 00:23:47 Understanding the Mind: A Sense Organ analogy  
 00:27:56 Discovering the Root of Aliveness in Spiritual Practice
 00:31:05 Embracing Life's Uncertainties and Letting Go of Control
 00:34:18 Understanding Impermanence in Awakening
 00:38:12 Embracing Flexibility in Life's Demands  
 00:42:34 Understanding Life's Impetus  
 00:47:11 Parenting Lessons from Calvin and Hobbes  
 00:51:44 Spiritual Principles in Dire Situations  
 00:55:33 The Power of Positivity and Human Kindness
 00:58:56 Choosing Challenging Lifetimes for Wisdom  
 01:02:29 Exploring Past Life Memories  
 01:06:48 Concept of Past Lives and Dimensions
 01:11:42 Finding Positivity in Adversity: Lessons from Prisoners
 01:17:00 The Illusion of Shoulds and Self-Realization  
 01:20:57 The Balance of Opposing Forces and Human Nature  
 01:25:15 Experiencing Wisdom in a Different Realm  
 01:29:49 Understanding Malignant Narcissism in Leadership  
 01:33:25 Embracing Life's Harmony and Challenges  
 01:36:44 The Role of Creativity and Connection in Environmental Action
 01:40:16 Climate Change and Thwaites Glacier Threat  
 01:42:32 Embracing Inner Wisdom vs. Scientific Method
 01:46:06 Integrating Science with Inner Wisdom  
 01:50:29 Embracing Personal Growth and Self-Reflection  
 01:55:24 Political Perspectives and Third Party Hopes
 01:59:09 Embracing Open Dialogue and Challenging Ideas