701. Kimberly Lafferty

Kimberley Theresa Lafferty is a seasoned teacher-practitioner specializing in constructive adult developmental psychology and Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. She completed over 12 years of intensive Indo Tibetan study including the required retreats. She leads both open and advanced adult educational cohorts aligning developmental psychology and Buddhist theory. Kimberley co-leads, with Terri O’Fallon, the penultimate Minds I year-long developmental course of Stages International. She is an active Board member for the Association for Spiritual Integrity. Kimberley is also a householder as a wife and mother, living in a remote valley of the North Cascades of North America which deeply impacts her worldview and practice.

Website: The Confluence Experience | Making sense of what doesn't make sense

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded February 10, 2024

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.


YouTube Video Chapters:


00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
00:03:33 - Finding Peace in the Forest
00:06:27 - A Blissful Awakening
00:11:15 - Deep Inner Resources and Spiritual Experiences
00:15:10 - Connecting with our Ultimate Selves
00:18:26 - The Wave and Ocean Metaphor
00:23:24 - Diving into Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
00:27:59 - Tantric Retreats and Solitary Meditation
00:32:26 - Experiences on the Retreats with Vajrayogini
00:35:33 - The Red Lady and the Retreat
00:40:01 - The Lesson of Treating Practice Seriously
00:44:18 - The Precious Gift of Tibetan Buddhism
00:47:58 - Spirituality and Integration
00:51:02 - Understanding the Intersection of Waking Up and Identity Change
00:55:31 - The Evolution of Perception and Consciousness
01:00:08 - Supporting Spiritual Teachers
01:03:59 - Shadow Work and Holistic Development
01:07:16 - The Integration of Wisdom and Compassion
01:10:57 - Waves of Human Becoming and Non-Duality in Daily Life
01:14:06 - Anomalous Experiences: Exploring the Extraordinary
01:18:57 - Anomalous Experiences and Meaning Making
01:23:49 - Anomalous Experiences and the Search for Answers
01:28:03 - The Cautionary Use of Psychedelics and the Self
01:32:01 - The Need for Spiritual Integrity among Teachers
01:35:58 - The Preciousness of a Spiritual Life
01:39:58 - Realizing Inner Bliss
01:43:44 - Experiencing Fulfillment in Tantra
01:47:41 - Finding Your Path in Spiritual Practice
01:52:16 - The Role of Spiritual Psychotherapists
01:56:28 - Strengthening Ourselves Psychologically and Spiritually
02:00:00 - Continuing the Conversation with Kimberly